HIP Handbook 2018/19 by SNG Publishing

For speed, ease and reliability. It must be Hep2O.

In4Sure™ joint recognition - a perfect joint every time.

• Comprehensive range of ﬁttings to suit every job. • Hep2O comes with the longest guarantee in the industry. • Highly ﬂexible pipe for ease of installation. • Feel the rumble for a secure joint every time.

Easy to demount and adjust with the HepKey.™

• Compact colour-coded coils and ﬁttings.

Anything else is just a fitting. Connect to better at hep2o.co.uk

Fully compatible with copper.

Flexible pipe that lays flat.

EDITOR’S NOTE | HIP BOOK 2018-19

DIGITAL EDITOR: TOM TRACEY tom.tracey@sng-publishing.co.uk ADVERTISING: PATRICK BLORE & ZOË TANNER sales@sng-publishing.co.uk GRAPHIC DESIGN: STUDIO 74 www.studio-74.co.uk PUBLISHER: CELIA MATTHEWS celia.matthews@sng-publishing.co.uk PRINTERS Stephens & George, England GENERAL ENQUIRIES To subscribe to HIP Magazine call 0870 774 3049 or subscribe online at www.hip-magazine.co.uk DISCLAIMER HIP is published by SNG Publishing Ltd (SNG). All content and artwork is © SNG Publishing Ltd or its contributors and SNG and HIP are trademarks of SNG Publishing Ltd. No part of HIP may be copied, transmitted or published in any form or by any means without prior permission. Although SNG has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it does not verify any claims or other information appearing in the advertisements contained in HIP. It therefore cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for consequences that may arise from the content or artwork contained in HIP, including any errors or omissions or any opinions or advice given therein. This publication and its content is not a substitute for professional advice on a particular matter. Advertisements are accepted for publication in HIP only upon SNG Publishing Ltd’s standard terms of advertising.

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Welcome to the 2018/19 edition of the HIP Handbook. Just about to embark on your career in the plumbing and heating industry? You’ve come to the right place - this book is packed full of guidance, tips and product recommendations for students and newly qualified installers. As a plumber or heating engineer, you want to know what you need and where to get it from, so that you can provide the best possible service for your customers. This book is here to help you find that information quickly and easily. The book is divided into sections, each sponsored by a trusted manufacturer dedicated to investing in the future of the plumbing and heating industry. There are plenty of tips and tricks from industry experts and a list of industry contacts, so you can find what you need without any hassle. Each year, the NQI Magazine features at the back of this book, which is packed full of useful information aimed at the newly qualified installer. Get advice on how to start up a business, promote yourself using a website and social media, how to price jobs up correctly and more. Finally, you may have noticed HIP has a refreshed look this year. We have a brand new logo, a new-look magazine which is published three times a year, and a shiny new website. Make sure you keep up to date with the site for competitions, industry news, how-to videos and much more. Plus, we would love to hear from you, so get in touch with us on social media!

Tom Tracey DIGITAL EDITOR

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INDUSTRY CONTACTS GENERAL PLUMBING INFORMATION NEWLY QUALIFIED INSTALLER

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CONTENTS

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | GENERAL PLUMBING INFO

A LOOK AT WHAT MAKES PLASTIC FANTASTIC FOR YOUNG PLUMBERS Plastic push-fit technology is fast becoming the norm for young plumbers thanks to its fast and effective installation characteristics, but do you know how their design facilitates this advantage? Nigel Sanger, Divisional Technical Director at JG Speedfit, analyses the various components which comprise the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renowned plastic push-fit fittings.

O-Rings The O-rings you will find in Speedfit push-fits are created with a highly-engineered material, known as EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer.) This is the same material used for O-rings which provide the primary seal pressure for disc brake calipers in cars, and which have a working life of up to 50 years. EPDM O-rings are incompressible

and able to perform at high pressure. However, they can also be distorted and it is this ability to change shape and conform to the outside of the pipe and inside surface of the fitting, which facilitates a leak-proof seal.

When designing O-rings, we always ensure that there is scope for the O-ring to change shape. This enables the pipe to be pushed easily into the fitting, without dislodging the O-ring from its position.

Collets

This is the product that Mr John Guest first invented in 1974 and a design that all Speedfit products are based upon. The collet allows you to complete a secure connection with minimum insertion force. In the early days of push-fit plumbing, stainless-steel rings were used in place of collets. These would have teeth that

GENERAL PLUMBING INFO | HIP BOOK 2018-19

had to be pushed apart when inserting the pipe. However, while the action of pushing the pipe through the teeth would stop it from falling out, it could cause scratches on the surface of the pipe. To counter this, the O-ring had to be applied first, sealed, and the ring gripped into place. It was impossible to make the seal once the pipe had been pushed through the stainless-steel ring and got scratched. However, plumbers often pushed the pipe through the O-ring and not the grip ring, which caused it to fall apart over time, leading to catastrophic failure. The collet reversed this because it was designed to have a low insertion force without damaging the surface of the pipe. Today, you can insert the pipe into the collet which grabs the pipe before pushing it through the seal, thus guaranteeing a secure connection.

Twist and lock

Speedfit fittings are engineered to have a strong seal and a low insertion force, through the use of a twist and lock mechanism. Once you push the

Speedfit fittings are engineered to have a strong seal and a low insertion force, through the use of a twist and lock mechanism. pipe into the fitting, the collet tightly clamps onto the pipe, increasing the grip. It also pushes the spacer washer against the O-ring, giving a greater seal on the outside of the pipe. This ensures that when plumbers tighten the screw cap, they end up with a more secure connection, which is part push-fit, part compression. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deceptively simple, but highly successful because of the clever engineering that goes into the fitting. ď&#x201A;Š For further information, please visit: speedfit.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | GENERAL PLUMBING INFO

VALVES & CONTROLS A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of water by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways.

AUTOMATIC AIR VENT A device which releases air trapped within a water system, automatically. The air vent is usually fitted at the highest point of the heating system.

CIRCULATING PUMP

The device which generates the flow of water around the heating circuit.

PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE (PRV) This is a safety device fitted to relieve excessive pressure within a heating system or boiler. Once excess pressure has been relieved, it will reset itself automatically.

AUTOMATIC BYPASS VALVE A valve which ensures a minimum flow rate through the boiler if all zone valves or TRVs are closed.

LOCKSHIELD VALVE A Lockshield Valve is fitted at the return side of a radiator and is used to balance the system when it is first installed. It is usually covered with a cap.

GENERAL PLUMBING INFO | HIP BOOK 2018-19

RADIATOR VENT

THERMOSTATIC MIXING VALVE (TMV)

A device that releases air from within a radiator.

REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE VALVE (RPZ) The RPZ Valve is a device which prevents backflow, protecting against the contamination of mains cold water supply. RPZ valves are widely used in the UK.

ROOM THERMOSTAT A Room Thermostat switches the heating system on and off as required. It works by sensing and responding to the air temperature. It switches on the heating when the air temperature falls below the thermostat setting, and switches it off once this set temperature has been reached.

A TMV blends cold water with hot water to ensure constant, safe shower and bath outlet temperatures, preventing scalding.

THERMOSTATIC RADIATOR VALVE (TRV)

A valve fitted to one end of a radiator automatically opens and closes as necessary to achieve the pre-set room air temperature.

WIRELESS PROGRAMMABLE ROOM THERMOSTAT

The Wireless Programmable Thermostat is designed to provide wireless time and temperature control to heating or cooling systems in domestic and light commercial buildings.

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | GENERAL PLUMBING INFO

 PIPE DISCHARGE DIMENSIONS Shown below are some of the most common pipe discharge dimensions that you will come across.

DIAMETER OF TRAP (MM)

APPLIANCE

DEPTH OF SEAL (MM OR WATER / EQUIVALENT)

Washbasin

Bidet

Bath

Shower

Sink

Washing machine

Dishwasher

Urinal bowl

WC pan – outlet <80mm

WC pan – outlet >80mm

100

 PIPE CLIP SPACINGS Listed below are the recommended spacings to use between internal fixings when using copper pipe, plastic pipe or low carbon steel pipe (LCS).

PIPE SIZE

COPPER

PLASTIC

LCS

Horiz. (m) Vert. (m) Horiz. (m) Vert. (m) Horiz. (m) Vert. (m)

1.2

1.8

0.6

1.2

1.8

2.4

1.8

2.4

0.7

1.4

2.4

3.0

1.8

2.4

0.8

1.5

2.4

3.0

1¼

2.4

3.0

0.8

1.7

2.7

3.0

1½

2.4

3.0

0.9

1.8

3.0

3.6

2.7

3.0

1.0

3.0

3.6

GENERAL PLUMBING INFO | HIP BOOK 2018-19

 FIXING SCREWS Listed below are the most common types of fixing screws you will come across on a day-to-day basis.

2 PHILLIPS CROSS HEAD SCREW

SLOTTED SCREW

5 COUNTERSUNK SCREW

6 PAN HEAD SCREW

8 ALLEN SCREW

POSIDRIV

ROUND HEAD SCREW

9 SET SCREW

SET SCREW WITH NUT & WASHER

 PLASTIC PLUGS: Shown below are common size matches for screws, drill bits and plugs. SCREW SIZE (GAUGE)

DRILL SIZE (MM)

PLUG COLOUR CODE

6-8

Yellow

8 - 10

Red

10 - 14

7-8

Brown

14 - 18

Blue

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | GENERAL PLUMBING INFO

 FITTINGS As a plumber you will need to be able to recognise the different types of fittings and their correct applications. Shown below are some of the most common you may come across.

1 EQUAL STRAIGHT CONNECTOR

3 REDUCING STRAIGHT CONNECTOR

5 REDUCING TEE

EQUAL ELBOW

8 STOP END

SLIP TEE CONNECTOR

REDUCING ELBOW

9 APPLIANCE TEE

EQUAL TEE

STEM TEE

12 STRAIGHT TAP CONNECTOR

FEMALE COUPLER TAP CONNECTOR

GENERAL PLUMBING INFO | HIP BOOK 2018-19

14 BENT TAP CONNECTOR

15 EMERGENCY SHUT OFF TAP

18 REDUCER

2 WAY DIVIDER

APPLIANCE TAP

ANGLE STOP VALVE

21 STOP VALVE

4 PORT RAIL MANIFOLD

DOUBLE CHECK VALVE

24 PLAIN PIPE INSERT

STEM ELBOW

DOUBLE CHECK SERVICE VALVE

25 SUPER SEAL PIPE INSERT

PIPE REPAIR KIT

28 4 WAY MANIFOLD

TANK CONNECTOR

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | GENERAL PLUMBING INFO

PIPEWORK / SUPPLY SYMBOLS Shown below are some of the most common pipework and supply symbols used within the plumbing industry.

1. Radiator

2. Three-Port Valve

3. Isolation Valve

4. Pipe above suspended ceiling

5. Circulating Pump

6. Pressure-Reducing Valve

7. Direction of Flow

8. Float-Operated Valve

9. Union

10. Flange

11. Capped End

12. Pressure-Relief Valve

Prestigious brands like Ferrari, Heineken and BT have trusted us for decades. Why? Because the same precision engineering, extensive research and rigorous testing go into all of our fittings including push-fit plumbing and heating.

• Grip & Seal on plastic or copper pipe • Superseal Inserts secondary seal • Twist & Lock compression • Safe, flame-free installation • Install & demount in seconds, with no tools

TRUSTED BY THE BEST

SEE THE EVIDENCE

JGSpeedfit.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | GENERAL PLUMBING INFO

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Safety at work should always come first, and employers have duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work to meet the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. These rules apply if you’re self employed as well, so you’ll probably need to use some type of personal protective equipment (PPE) in your job. PPE is equipment that will protect the user against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. It also includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

TOP TIPS  Choose products which are CE marked in accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 – suppliers can advise you

 Choose equipment that suits the user – consider the size, fit and weight of the PPE. If the users help choose it, they will be more likely to use it

 If more than one item of PPE is worn at the same time, make sure they can be used together, e.g. wearing safety glasses may disturb the seal of a respirator, causing air leaks

 Never allow exemptions from wearing PPE for those jobs that ‘only take a few minutes’

GENERAL PLUMBING INFO | HIP BOOK 2018-19

HAZARDS & TYPES OF PPE  EYES Hazards: Chemical or metal splash, projectiles, dust, gas and vapour, radiation. Options: Safety spectacles, goggles, face screens, faceshields, visors.  HEAD & NECK Hazards: Impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair getting tangled in machinery, chemical drips or splash, climate or temperature. Options: Industrial safety helmets, bump caps, hairnets and firefighters’ helmets.  EARS Hazards: Noise – a combination of sound level and duration of exposure, very high-level sounds are a hazard even with short duration. Options: Earplugs, earmuffs, semi-insert / canal caps.

Options: Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) including respirators, facepieces and breathing apparatus. If you are using respiratory protective equipment, look at HSE’s publication ‘Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide.’

 HANDS & ARMS Hazards: Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals, electric shock, radiation, vibration, biological agents and prolonged immersion in water. Options: Gloves, gloves with a cuff, gauntlets and sleeving that covers part or all of the arm.

 WHOLE BODY Hazards: Heat, chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, contaminated dust, impact or penetration, excessive wear or entanglement of own clothing. Equipment: Conventional or disposable overalls, boiler suits, aprons, chemical suits.

 FEET & LEGS Hazards: Wet, hot and cold conditions, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and punctures, falling objects, heavy loads, metal and chemical splash, vehicles. Options: Safety boots and shoes with protective toecaps and penetration-resistant, mid-sole wellington boots and specific footwear, e.g. foundry boots and chainsaw boots.  LUNGS Hazards: Oxygen-deficient atmospheres, dusts, gases and vapours.

FURTHER INFORMATION For general information on health and safety at work, and FREE leaflets you can download.  hse.gov.uk There are plenty of health and safety training courses available around the country. Find the one nearest you.  learndirect.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | GENERAL PLUMBING INFO

NOTCHING & DRILLING When drilling or notching structural timbers it is crucial that the holes / notches are made in a way that does not compromise the integrity of the structure. FIGURE 1.

Span (L)

0.25 x L Depth (D)

Max depth of notch = D/8

0.07 x L Rules for joist depth up to 250mm. For deeper joists assume D = 250mm

Notches should be in this zone

ď&#x201A;Š It is essential that structural members are not weakened by indiscriminate notching and boring. In this respect both the size and positioning must be in accordance with fig 1 (above).

NOTCHES SHOULD BE CUT AS FOLLOWS... They should be cut no deeper than 1/8 of the depth of the joist. They should not be cut closer to the support than 0.07 times the span, nor further away than 0.25 (1/4) of the span.

GENERAL PLUMBING INFO | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Requirements for notching traditional joists Drilled holes should be no greater in diameter than ¼ of the depth of the joist. They should be drilled on a neutral axis and should not be less than 3 diameters apart, measured from centre to centre. Drilled holes should be located in the area between 0.25 and 0.4 times the span of the joist from the support. See fig. 2 (right).

Span (L)

0.4 x L 0.25 x L

Holes should be located in this zone and drilled at the neutral axis Depth of joist (D)

Maximum diameter of a hole = 0.25 x D Not less than 3 diameters apart centre to centre

Neutral axis of joist

FIGURE 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR DRILLING HOLES THROUGH TRADITIONAL JOISTS

Engineering Joists Buildings that incorporate timber ‘I’ joists (Engineering Joists) allow for more flexible drilling of holes for pipe work. ‘I’ joists incorporate 38mm knockouts (dependant upon the manufacturer), and also allow for larger holes to be drilled through the joists.

The same rules apply when drilling through ‘I’ joists as for drilling traditional joists where horizontal measurements between holes are concerned. However, as the strength of ‘I’ joists is in the flange (see fig. 3), these joists are not suitable for notching, as notching the flange will damage the structure of the joist which will have a detrimental effect on its strength. The size and positioning of holes drilled through ‘I’ Joists must be in accordance with fig. 3 (right).

Not less than 3 diameters apart centre to centre

38mm diameter knockouts are incorporated in TJI joists at approx 300mm centres

Flange

Web Flange

Additional holes can be cut but leave minimum 3mm of web at top and bottom

FIGURE 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR DRILLING HOLES THROUGH ENGINEERING (‘I’) JOISTS

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CIPHE MEMBERSHIP

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEERING? WE’RE LOOKING TO NURTURE AND PROMOTE THE BEST As the Professional Body for the Plumbing and Heating Engineering industry, at the CIPHE we have a worldwide network of plumbing and heating engineers, consultants, manufacturers, designers, public health engineers and colleges. So we’re well represented when it comes to lobbying government and representing the industry’s interests. We also promote to the general public the importance of employing only suitably qualified professionals like members of the CIPHE.

Ongoing support Our members pride themselves on being professionally qualified to recognised standards, whether they have gained them through an Advanced Craft certificate, NVQ, degree, or via many years of on-the-job experience. We can also guide you in applying for registration with the Engineering Council at Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer or Engineering Technician level when you’re ready to take that next professional step.

As you begin your career as a student or apprentice, you might just be looking for support and guidance on the pathway to becoming a professional. Our benefits and services are designed to support you in your training and Continuing Professional Development and in other aspects of your working life so you can progress more quickly. As a Trainee member you will have access to bursaries and awards. Services to all of our members range from technical support and e-learning through to a legal helpline and discounts on insurance and services to help you manage a business.

 For further information on membership and the CIPHE and how to qualify for free membership for a year, send your details to Marie McCaffrey, Membership Manager at mariem@ciphe.org.uk or telephone 01708 463104 for further information.

BATHROOMS

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | BATHROOMS

EXPLORING THE LATEST SOLUTIONS IN WATER SAVING Across the UK, consumers are becoming more and more aware of their water consumption. At a time when water bills are everincreasing – particularly in England and Wales where prices have increased by up to 2% this year – homeowners are turning to water saving solutions more than ever before. The benefits of saving water aren’t just financial either. Reducing water consumption significantly impacts the local environment and can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using less energy to pump, heat and treat the water. For plumbers and installers, an increased consciousness around the environment, as well as the financial incentives, provides a great opportunity to offer advice to customers. A recent survey by WaterSafe found that 92% of plumbers regularly talk to their customers about products which can help save water and increase efficiency.

Here, Olivia Maycock, Senior Channel Marketing Manager at Ideal Standard, explains what plumbers can do to help their customers.

Finding the problem While it may seem like a straightforward solution, making sure your customers know where to look for leaks can go a long way in ensuring their water consumption is efficient. For example, if customers are on a water meter, showing them how to monitor their usage and bills means they can continue to keep an eye out for the figures

continued>>

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | BATHROOMS

going up. If they see an increase, there might be a problem and they’ll know to get in touch in order to get it rectified. A slight leak, whether that’s from a tap or toilet, can waste as much as 45 litres of water a day if it isn’t identified and dealt with. Not only does it help save water and costs, tackling a leak early can help to reduce any potential damage to the customer’s home.

The latest in water saving technology Water saving goes beyond just turning the tap off when cleaning your teeth or limiting shower times. The average person uses around 150 litres of water every day, so having the knowledge of the latest water saving solutions and technologies can help plumbers offer truly valuable advice to customers.

They feature built-in flow restrictors to reduce water consumption in high pressure systems. The same can be said for taps throughout the home. Installing a low-flow tap in the bathroom and kitchen can help reduce water consumption by up to 50%! At Ideal Standard, we use CLICK technology in a number of our products and have flow restrictors in all of our taps to help save water. When a tap’s handle is lifted, customers will feel a slight resistance that tells them they’re getting 50% of the maximum flow. Regulators like this are a great option for homeowners who are looking to monitor and control their water usage and, by installing the solution on a basin or kitchen tap, they can restrict the maximum flow of water to five or eight litres per minute. To achieve the full flow, they just need to lift the tap’s lever to its maximum.

 DID YOU KNOW? Across the UK, a shower usually lasts around eight minutes and, in that time, an estimated 60 litres of water are used.

There are now water efficient shower heads on the market that use technology to produce water flows that feel much higher than they actually are. The Ideal Standard Idealrain Evo and Evojet, for example, have both been designed to help installers meet efficiency demands, without any loss in experience for the customer.

Taps such as the Ideal Standard Concept Blue also feature technology to reduce the amount of water being stored in the tap while not in use by up to 80%, meaning water is cleaner and more hygienic as bacteria hasn’t been able to grow in the water being stored.

BATHROOMS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Forward-thinking flushing Taps and showers are just a small part of the water saving solution in homes – toilets also play a key role in modern day bathrooms. In fact, toilet flushing accounts for a third of water used in the home, with an old toilet flush using up to 14 litres of water. Since 1994, there’s been a significant move towards using less water for flushing, and swapping these old toilets for a newer, more sustainable model can have a real impact in helping to save water and money for homeowners.

Toilets now include dual flush systems, which allow users to choose an economy flush to help reduce water usage and bills. After recognising the demand for efficient solutions, we developed the Ideal Standard AquaBlade™ - an exclusive system that offers superior flushing performance in toilets, even at low water volumes.

The AquaBlade™ system uses innovative ‘Microslot’ technology, which comprises a system of channels within the toilet to create a cascading wall of water from the top of the toilet bowl opening, with two powerful plumes to energise flush action. The technology provides optimum water flow from the top of the toilet with every flush and covers every inch of the ceramic to keep the toilet bowl immaculately clean, unlike traditional systems where water doesn’t cover the entire bowl. It is also around 25% quieter than traditional flushes, as the flows are streamlined with the bowl surfaces to reduce splashing and fully maximise efficiency. At a time when consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the water they’re using 1 2 3

The AquaBlade™ system uses innovative ‘Microslot’ technology... and the cost of water bills, it’s important that plumbers have the knowledge they need to offer the best advice. As a manufacturer, it’s our responsibility to continue providing innovative solutions that will help installers meet the demands of homeowners.  For more information, please visit: ideal-standard.co.uk

https://www.watersafe.org.uk/news/latest_news/approved_plumbers_save_water_energy_money/ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/aug/20/water.food1 https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/tech/water-saving-showerheads/ 4 https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/tech/water-saving-toilet/

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | BATHROOMS

A TAP’S A TAP… ISN’T IT? Ideal Standard, provider of innovative bathroom solutions, has launched a fantastic brassware collection of six ranges for the residential market. The comprehensive collection features unique taps and mixers designed to work in harmony with contemporary bathrooms. The launch comprises beautiful and durable brassware products from six core Ideal Standard ranges: Calista; Ceraflex; Ceraline; Tempo; Tesi and Concept Air. Each has its own unique selling point to meet the needs of different customers, from residential new build developers to installers and end-users. At the more premium end of the scale, the Concept Air tap includes distinctive super slim and tall vessel mixers which use a slender highperformance ceramic cartridge. Meanwhile, Tesi is the perfect choice for bathroom settings which demand refined, elegant designs. Ideal Standard’s Tempo range features a combination of gentle curves and straight edges making it versatile enough for use with both round or square bathroom suites. Additionally, Ceraline has a cylindrical body shape. The

availability of high and low-pressure variants makes Ceraline a great choice for use in both new build and bathroom improvement projects, as well as its attractive £75 RRP. For projects where price is a priority, the collections offer simple, quality, cost effective solutions. With the incorporation of Ideal Standard’s FirmaFlow® technology, Ceraflex has been tested to last almost twice as long than the industry standard and has an estimated lifespan of 10-15 years of daily usage. Olivia Maycock, Senior Channel Marketing Manager, Ideal Standard UK, commented: “It’s easy to dismiss brassware and think, a tap is just a tap – but this isn’t just any old range. A combination of craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing has resulted in an extremely versatile collection, which exceeds even the toughest European Standards.”  For more information about the new collection, visit justbettertaps.co.uk.

BOILERS

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | BOILERS

HOW CONDENSING BOILERS WORK Viessmann’s training manager, Tony Lobley, explains the company’s simple but brilliantly effective technology.

Whenever you install a gas- or oil-fired boiler, it will have to be (with a few very rare exceptions) a condensing boiler.

boilers are much more energy efficient than non-condensing boilers only if they are set up to be able to condense. Condensing boilers are good for end-users, because they help keep energy consumption and heating bills under control, and are good for the environment because they reduce CO2 emissions.

This has been a legal requirement under UK Building Regulations for more than 10 years now and quite rightly so, because today’s pre-mix condensing boilers are the most efficient gas technology available, however condensing

Condensing technology is an efficient method of converting natural gas or fuel oil into useful heat by means of combustion. Today’s boilers are designed to be operated with only the temperature that is actually required to cover the current heat demand.

 DID YOU KNOW?

How condensing technology works

...today’s pre-mix condensing boilers are the most efficient gas technology available...

continued>>

Which? Best Buy. For the 2nd year running.

VITODENS 050-W

VITODENS 100-W

VITODENS 111-W

VITODENS 200-W

29 kW Combi

26 kW Open Vent

30 kW Combi

35 kW Storage Combi

35 kW System

“Fantastically reliable boiler brand” “Many engineers put Viessmann on a pedestal as the very best on the Market” Which? Gas Boilers September 2018

www.viessmann.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | BOILERS

 DID YOU KNOW? Condensing boilers generate most of their heat, of course, in the same way as other types of boiler, by burning gas or oil. But condensing boilers obtain additional heat from the waste gases produced by the boiler’s combustion process, by extracting heat energy that would otherwise be lost as gases passing through the flue.

During combustion, the compounds of carbon and hydrogen in the fuel react with oxygen content in the air, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide and water vapour. The water vapour contains latent heat and it’s this that condensing boilers capture and use. In fact, condensing boilers extract almost all of the heat contained in the flue gases.

The component that makes this possible in condensing boilers is the heat exchanger, which cools the gases before they are routed into the flue. When the surface temperature of the heat exchanger, which is in contact with the flue gases, drops below the water vapour dew point (≈55°C), the water vapour in the hot gas is turned into liquid or condensate. The heat given up by the vapour is then captured by the heat exchanger and transferred to the heating system. Before condensing technology, boilers were commonly achieving about 75% efficiency, losing almost 25% through the flue. With today’s best condensing boilers it is possible to lose less than 1% if they are properly set up. And the heat exchanger technology that makes this possible is available without any maintenance or reliability issues. One of the many advantages of stainless steel is that it’s ideally suited to condensing boilers. It is temperature stable and resistant to condensate, making it very corrosion resistant and extremely durable.

BOILERS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Return flow temperature is crucial It’s critical to note that the temperature of water returning from the heating system to the boiler needs to be low enough to enable the boiler to condense. Boilers will often have a flow temperature (that is, the water flowing out of the boiler) of around 80°C or higher - but the return temperature needs to be less than 50°C. This is the dew point, where the water vapour in the flue gas will start to condense. The lower the return temperature, the lower the flue temperature and therefore, the greater the condensation and the more efficient the boiler becomes. Natural gas and fuel oil have different chemical compositions and therefore different temperatures at which the water vapour in the hot gas will condense. Whereas the water vapour dew point temperature for natural gas is approximately 55°C in the near stoichiometric range, for fuel oil EL it is approximately 47°C. Hence the return flow needs to be around 10°C lower in fuel oil boilers than in gas boilers. Oil also has less latent heat than gas; therefore the benefit of condensing oil is not as great (6% vs. 11%).

temperature and thus as a result changes radiator temperature immediately (unlike a room thermostat, which only takes effect after the inside of the building has become too hot from over-heating or too cold from heat loss through walls and windows). This is made possible by connecting the boiler controls to a small temperature sensor located outside the building, usually on a north-facing wall. Recent research by the University of Salford, Manchester, has shown that connecting a boiler to weather compensation controls will reduce energy consumption by 15% when the outside temperature is 3°C, by 31% when it’s 8°C outdoors, and by 45% when it’s 12°C outside. Over the course of a year this will cut the end-user’s energy bill by about 15%. With this impressive level of efficiency, correctly commissioned condensing boilers will almost always be the best choice for properties connected to the gas main, regardless of their being required by Building Regs.

Since April 2018, new Boiler Plus regulations in England require all new gas combination boiler replacements to include the provision of an additional energy efficiency measure to be installed at the same time. These include: specified smart controls, weather compensation, load compensation, or flue gas heat recovery (FGHR).

Weather compensation is important For maximum effectiveness, the boiler needs to condense for as long as possible. Weather compensation controls are needed to achieve this. With weather compensation, the boiler responds to changes in outside temperature by increasing or decreasing boiler flow

 Visit viessmann.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | BOILERS

WEATHER COMPENSATION CONTROLS The secret to 15% savings. What are weather compensation controls? Weather compensation controls offer an advanced yet low cost way to make a boiler run more efficiently. They ensure that a boiler burns the exact amount of fuel required to match the heat lost from the building as determined by the weather. Viessmann Vitodens boiler controls are set up for weather compensation. All that’s needed is an outdoor sensor. The sensor measures outside air temperature and prompts the boiler to increase or decrease the boiler flow temperature, and as a result the temperatures of the radiators, to compensate. This pro-active mechanism means that people inside the building won’t even notice that the temperature outside has changed. It also means that the boiler is able to operate at the lowest temperature required to keep the building warm.

What can customers expect to save? Weather compensation results in significant fuel savings compared to thermostats alone. Customers stand to save up to 15% in fuel savings per year, the equivalent of over £120 per annum, which could see the initial investment recouped within one year.

How can Viessmann help? Weather compensation controls are available for all Viessmann Vitodens domestic boilers such as the Vitodens 100-W, and can be retrofitted to all past Viessmann models.  Visit viessmann.co.uk Glen Wakeling, 32, has been working for the family business Heatspec for 13 years. Having covered many areas of the HVAC industry, Glen has gained great experience of technicalities, build quality and controls.

“I believe Viessmann weather compensation is a fantastic way for homeowners to save money on their heating bills. It also provides a better comfort temperature. “The weather compensation on the Vitodens 200-W has a great visual of the ‘Curve’ you are altering. It gives your customer better understanding of the technology and offers them a way to lower their bills. Viessmann also offer a wireless outdoor sensor which is charged by its own solar charge – very helpful if it is tricky to get to the ideal north wall with a wired sensor. “Having worked with Viessmann for over 5 years fitting most of its domestic and commercial range, we’ve found working in partnership to be essential. Viessmann offer such great training and back-up which far exceeds any other manufacturer. We really like how our relationship is reciprocated - Viessmann help us to keep our customers with service reminders and other communications and recommend us via their ‘find an installer’ scheme.”

CIRCULATOR PUMPS

Sponsored by

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CIRCULATOR PUMPS

MEET THE NEW CIRCULATOR TEAM LINE-UP We rely on pumps to meet the ideal ambient temperature in our homes and with a replacement cycle of approximately 15 years, the decision made at the point of replacement is a very important one. It is therefore not surprising that the humble domestic circulator has been the focus of many changes over the years. These have come about because of a combination of engineering and technological advances as well as changes to legislation and a focus on more energy efficient solutions.

As a global pump manufacturer, Grundfos are aware that when it comes to replacement time, it is frequently the case where the details are taken directly from the pump plate and an identical pump is requested, or if this has been discontinued, the closest alternative is sought. But is this the best way?

Today Grundfos offer a range of domestic circulators that are among the most advanced circulators available to the market. This makes them the ideal choice for a variety of domestic circulation heating systems, as they provide effective, reliable, energy efficient solutions.

continued>>

PICK THE RIGHT TEAM

MEET THE NEW LINE UP Grundfos understand that for you to be successful, you need the best team behind you so we have again improved our domestic circulator line up. Replacing ALPHA2L, the new ALPHA1 delivers the highest efficiency on the market, whilst the new ALPHA3 delivers the same high efficiency but also includes wireless hydraulic balancing and set up direct to your smartphone, now without the need for a separate ALPHA Reader. (New ALPHA1 is also available as a stainless steel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nâ&#x20AC;? version for DHW applications). Superseding the market leading UPS2, the new UPS3 is built on a platform proven in millions of boilers. UPS3 keeps features like manual deblocking, robust startup and ceramic shaft / bearings, but adds a new plug, increased efficiency and, allowing more fast, first time fixes, replaces many OEM boiler pumps. Just scan an old pump with the Grundfos GO Replace app to confirm if UPS3 can be used. www.grundfos.co.uk/newteam

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CIRCULATOR PUMPS

At Grundfos, we have spent many years working to design a wide number of features into our range of domestic circulators that are engineered to meet the most energy efficient demands and offer many additional features and benefits.

This year we are delighted to announce a new team line-up for the 2018/19 heating season. These improvements start with the integration of wireless electronics into the ALPHA3. This allows for their direct connection to a smartphone for hydraulic balancing and is set up without a separate ALPHA Reader. Without wireless functions but with the same highest efficiency levels as the ALPHA3, the ALPHA1 is a new mid-priced pump. Last but definitely not least on the team sheet is the new star signing - the UPS3. This circulator maintains many of the features that we know have been very popular on previous models, while also adding diagnostics and the ability to simply replace many internal boiler pumps.

Here’s a quick overview and team guide to all our new signings:

 NEW ALPHA3 15-50/60 The new ‘model B’ ALPHA3 uses the same highest efficiency base as ALPHA1, but incorporates the wireless electronics needed for hydraulic balancing and monitoring, without the need for a separate ALPHA Reader and now it can connect directly to your smartphone via the Grundfos GO Balance and Grundfos GO Remote apps. These Grundfos ALPHA3 models joined the team as a new signing last season and redefined what a small domestic circulator can do. They are filled with useful features and robust hardware, they raised the bar for efficiency and reliability in domestic circulators, even in the toughest systems. Plus, by following some easy steps, they offer the installer the ability to hydraulically balance a domestic heating system. In addition, the Grundfos ALPHA3 is today the most energy-efficient circulator in its class. It analyses the pattern of use and automatically adjusts the power output down to as little as 3W when the demand is low, offering a significant energy saving, even when compared with standard pumps.

CIRCULATOR PUMPS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

 NEW ALPHA1 15-50/60 Pitching up and replacing the mid-range ALPHA2L is the new ALPHA1 that offers the highest efficiency on the market and the flexibility to cover 5 or 6m applications with one pump. The ALPHA1 can achieve the goal of reaching the highest possible energy savings in comparison to older technology fixed speed pumps. The reduction in power consumption is achieved by using permanent magnet motor technology and this power consumption can be as low as 5W. The variable speed modulating modes allows the pump to match its performance to the system requirements, helping to reduce noise when thermostatic valves are closing down. The ALPHA1 models are simple to install in new or existing systems and are 130mm between ports. Like the ALPHA3, the ALPHA1 also features LCD energy display and noise/ heat insulation shells as standard. Also available as an ‘N’ stainless steel version.

 NEW UPS3 15-50/65 This season we are delighted to announce a brand-new team signing with the UPS3. This new player combines improved energy efficiency, an easier to wire plug and on-board diagnostics with stalwart features such as ceramic bearings and shafts, a manual deblocking port and robust

start-up functionality. Built on a highly reliable platform that has been proven in millions of boilers, the new UPS3 improves on efficiency, head, diagnostics and fitting time. The clever design features don’t end there, as the new UPS3 can be used not only in system installations but also inside many of the UK’s domestic boilers. Simply scan the old pump with the new Grundfos GO Replace smartphone app and it will tell you if the UPS3 is a compatible fit. This gives you the chance to fix even integrated pump issues in one visit, saving you time and your customer money. Additionally, this app can be used to check on replacements for OEM internal pumps, saving time and money by simply scanning the old pump using the Grundfos GO Replace app.

READY, STEADY GO WITH GRUNDFOS There is also a fantastic range of supporting apps available that will help you in your working life. These include the Grundfos GO Balance that will assist with hydraulically balancing a domestic heating system - without the need for a separate reader. This app is for use with the awardwinning ALPHA3 circulators. The Grundfos GO Remote will help you to control your pumps and access a range of data. Grundfos also recognised that getting hold of a specific internal OEM pump can add a significant amount of time, delays and cost to a job. In response, Grundfos has created a smartphone app, the GO Replace, that uses a look-up database to confirm if the new UPS3 will be a suitable replacement. You just need to scan the old pump and in seconds you’ll have the answer. All these apps are available on both iOS and Android.

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CIRCULATOR PUMPS

GRUNDFOS FOR INSTALLERS Grundfos for Installers is a one-stop-shop for installers and heating engineers that offers ready access to a range of useful pump-related materials. Designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s plumbing aficionados, this portal offers access to the best tools and information from the Grundfos world to support you in your daily work.

Launched in 2016, it is under constant development and today it offers a range of features and information to make sure it continues to meet your needs, such as a range of digital tools, information on new products as well as access to the ever popular Grundfos ECADEMY learning platform that supports a wide range of product and industry related topics, all delivered in bite-sized modules. This internet based learning tool assists in improving knowledge on pumps, their applications and the theory behind them and is available 24/7. Its aim is to help keep pump professionals up-todate on a range of industry related topics that includes pump theory, circulator basics, shower pumps as well as product specific modules, all of

which have been specifically developed to assist industry professionals.

Benefits On top of all these great elements, being part of the Grundfos for Installers club can also offer you some surprising added extras that are aimed at helping you to maximise your business potential with both on and off-line support suggestions and ideas. These practical guides are available as animations and will help you to stand out from other similar organisations.

 DID YOU KNOW? The Grundfos for Installers hub is ready to help you to fulfil a wide range of tasks as well as providing you with 24/7 assistance and some great hints and tips, all of which can be accessed from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

 NEXT TIME YOU’RE UNSURE ABOUT SOMETHING PUMP RELATED, COME AND PAY US A VISIT ON GRUNDFOS.CO.UK/GFI BECAUSE WE’RE ON YOUR SIDE.

QUICK QUIZ | HIP BOOK 2018-19

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF CIRCULATOR PUMPS Fill in the following sentences about what circulator pumps do and how they function using the missing words below.  Vent pipe  Pressure  1 litre

 Three  1.5 litres  Positive

 Isolation valves  Centrifugal  Circulate

 Litres  5 or 6 m

 Impeller  Microscopic

1. Domestic circulating pumps are fitted with to permit service and maintenance. 2. Pumps consist of an electric motor which drives a circular fluted wheel called an . This ‘accelerates’ the flow of water by force. 3. The pump is required to water around the central heating system, ensuring that the water is delivered at the desired quantities throughout all of the system components. 4. The majority of pumps have settings and pump manufacturers provide performance data for each, which shows flow rate in per second and in k Pa and m head. 5. The flow rate should not exceed systems and can create noise in the system.

per second for small-bore per second for micro-bore systems. Anything higher

6. Most pumps deliver or head. This should be enough to overcome the flow resistance of the whole heating circuit. 7. For good practice, the pump should be positioned so that it gives a pressure within the circuit. This ensures that air is not drawn into the system through leaks. 8. In a fully pumped system, the position of the pump is even more critical because of its position in relation to the cold feed and .

COPPER PIPEWORK

Sponsored by

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | COPPER PIPEWORK

CAPILLARY JOINTING An important part of your plumbing training is the correct installation of copper pipework. If it’s your ambition to become a professional plumbing and heating engineer, you will need to master a range of practical skills, including: measuring, cutting, jointing and bending copper tube.

Capillary jointing has been part of the professional plumber’s repertoire for many years and will continue to be so. It is important to learn the correct procedure that will ensure your soldered joints are perfect every time. Getting into good habits right from the start of your apprenticeship will see you successfully through your plumbing career.

Getting it right Plumbing and heating systems make full use of the exceptional performance of soldered joints. ‘Soldering’ is a simple and very effective method of jointing copper tube, giving durable and reliable pipework installations. Correctly made, a soldered joint will help to give installations long service lives.

There are 4 essential stages in the jointing process:

1. PREPARATION 2. FLUXING 3. HEATING 4. REMOVING FLUX continued>>

For the latest information on the design and installation of copper pipework, contact Copper Initiative

For your free technical literature pack, join the Copper Club at: www.copperplumbing.org.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | COPPER PIPEWORK

 The steps required to make a correct soldered joint are very simple, but it is important not to cut corners.

PREPARATION

Cutting the copper tube is the first step, followed by deburring the inside and outside edges of the tube end. It is vital that burrs are removed as they can disrupt water and gas flows and, in some cases, affect the integrity of the joint. The surfaces that are to be joined need to be clean to ensure that a sound joint is made. An abrasive pad should be used to remove any dirt or oxide layer from the tube end and the internal surface of the fitting. Steel wool should NOT be used as there is a possibility that small steel particles may get embedded in the copper, which can lead to problems when the pipework is in service.

FLUXING

Flux enables the solder to wet, adhere to and alloy with the surface of the copper, forming a watertight joint. For plumbing applications fluxes of the zinc-chloride or zinc-ammoniumchloride types are used. Extreme care should be exercised when using ‘self-cleaning’ fluxes. A thin layer of flux should be applied to the jointing surface of the tube. The tube is then inserted into the fitting up to the tube stop, whilst twisting the tube round so that the flux is spread across the fitting surface. Any excess flux should be removed. Flux is not applied to the jointing surface of the fitting because there is the potential for the tube, when it is inserted into the fitting, to push flux inside the pipework.

HEATING

Heat is usually applied with an LPG blowtorch and the flame needs to be kept moving around the joint, as overheating one spot can lead to charring of the flux, affecting its performance. For an integral solder ring (ISR) fitting, once it has reached the required temperature, the solder will melt and a bead will form in the mouth of the fitting, all the way around. The joint is complete and there is no need for any additional solder to be fed into the joint. For an end-feed fitting, the solder is brought into contact with the heated tube and, if it melts, then the flame is withdrawn and the solder flows into the joint, forming a bead in the mouth of the fitting. Should the solder not melt on contact with the tube, further heating is required. For drinking water pipework only lead-free solders can be used as leaded solders are NOT allowed. Integral solder ring fittings contain a lead-free solder, EN 29453 alloy 23. This solder melts between 230ºC and 240ºC and can be used on all copper pipework applications.

COPPER PIPEWORK | HIP BOOK 2018-19

REMOVING FLUX

When the joints are completed, with a bead of solder showing in the mouth of the fitting, it is important to allow them to cool so that the solder has a chance to solidify. Moving the assembly before the solder sets can affect the integrity of the joint, perhaps leading to leaks. At this stage it is vital to remove any flux residues on the outside and inside of the pipework. Fluxes on the outside can be removed with a damp cloth. Fluxes on the inside should be removed by flushing the pipework with fresh cold water as soon as possible. Flushing will remove waterbased fluxes, however grease-based fluxes will require flushing with hot water. If fluxes are not flushed away, corrosion damage can occur during the service life of the installation.

If a ‘self-cleaning’ flux has been used, flushing of pipework is extremely important.

NOTE ON PLASTICS COVERED TUBE Capillary fittings can be used in conjunction with plastics covered copper tube. For this, the plastic covering is cut lengthwise down the tube so that about 100mm of copper is exposed. The joint is made in the same way as described before but extra care is needed to avoid burning the plastics covering and allowing flux to become trapped between the copper and the plastics covering. Once the joint is made and has cooled, and fluxes removed, the plastics covering is folded back into place and spirally wrapped with a suitable tape, selfadhesive polythene or PVC. The tape should cover the last 25mm of intact plastics covering and at least 25mm of immediately adjacent bare copper tube. The capillary jointing system has been gradually evolving for over fifty years, and we can now say that - in the hands of the professional plumber - it is completely reliable. Following the procedure set out before, you can ensure that each and every one of your soldered joints will be to the highest standard, satisfying both you and your customers.  For more info on Copper Initiative visit copperplumbing.org.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | COPPER PIPEWORK

COPPER INITIATIVE SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PLUMBERS Copper has long been the material of choice for plumbing engineers. The reliability, durability, versatility and good looks mean that copper reflects the professionalism of the installer. Copper Initiative believe that people should be encouraged to develop skills that will equip them to develop a career in the plumbing industry. It is essential that each new generation of plumbers is equipped to design and install copper to very high standards. Copper Initiative has a wealth of information available on how to correctly design and install copper pipework systems. Our Copper Club packs can be obtained simply by completing the online form on our website: copperplumbing.org.uk

 INSTALLATION TIPS is the technical manual that covers just about everything you might want

to know about copper pipework systems. Easy to follow guidance is given on many topics including jointing techniques, bending, pipe sizing for both water and gas installations, the correct choice of solders and fluxes, pressure testing and locating pipework in suspended floors.  COPPER THE MODERN SOLUTION describes the two flame-free jointing options for copper – push-fit and press fittings. For those places where you don’t want to use a flame, in roof spaces with combustible materials for example, push-fit and press fittings both offer alternatives to soldering.  COPPER PIPEWORK COMPENDIUM CD, incorporating Make the Right Start, brings together all of the educational information produced by Copper Initiative. In addition to the many PDFs of the literature the CD contains webcasts (narrated PowerPoint presentations) and a number of question & answer sections where students can test their knowledge.  Follow us on Facebook.

COPPER PIPEWORK | HIP BOOK 2018-19

COPPER -

GOING FLAME-FREE If the workplace demands a flame-free jointing technique then copper push-fit and press fittings are a ready and available solution.  Push-fit fittings require no special tools to install Size range: 10 – 54 mm

TEMPERATURES

PRESSURES

30°C

16 bar

65°C

10 bar

90°C

6 bar

Table 1 Temperatures and pressures for push-fit fittings

SERVICES: water, heating systems, chilled water

5. Push the tube firmly with a slight twisting action until it reaches the tube stop with a positive ‘click’. 6. Pull on the tube to check that the fitting is secure and the grip ring is engaged. The ability to rotate the fitting once it has been pushed onto the tube means that installation in confined spaces is facilitated; this versatility is also useful when carrying out alterations to pipework and maintenance. Some push-fit fittings can be demounted, using a purpose made tool which is also helpful when making extensions to systems.

1. Ensure that tube and fitting are clean. 2. Cut the tube square and deburr ends. 3. Mark the socket insertion depth. 4. Insert the tube through the release collar to rest against the grip ring.

continued>>

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | COPPER PIPEWORK

 Press fittings for a professional flame free finish Size range: 12 – 108 mm

TEMPERATURES

PRESSURES

20°C

16 bar

110°C

6 bar

Table 2 Temperature and pressures for press fittings

SERVICES: water, heating systems, gas with appropriate O-rings, chilled water 1. Ensure that tube and fitting are clean.

5. Place jaws over the bead of the fitting maintaining a 90° angle between the tube and the tool. Depress the trigger to commence the compression cycle, the tool will stop automatically when joint is complete. NOTE: allowances should be made for access of the clamping jaw such that the jaws of the tool can operate without hindrance. This requirement will usually be achieved if allowance for the correct insulation thickness is made.

Copper push-fit and press jointing enables installers to provide all the peace-of-mind and proven benefits of copper in a fit-and-forget, resilient, maintenance free piping system.

2. Cut the tube square and deburr ends. 3. Use a pen to mark the tube insertion depth. 4. Check that the O-ring is seated correctly in the fitting socket and assemble the joint ensuring that the tube end meets the tube stop; this can be confirmed by checking the mark made on the tube earlier.

 For more information, download ‘Copper... the modern solution’ from our website: copperplumbing.org.uk

CUSTOMER INTERACTION

Sponsored by

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CUSTOMER INTERACTION

FIVE TOP TIPS FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS WITH GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE For installers, good customer service can make all the difference when it comes to growing your business. Making an effort to go above and beyond to offer support before, during and after a job not only helps you retain customers but also attract new ones. In the digital age, customer service is becoming increasingly important as more and more customers choose their products and services based on online reviews. A negative review can have a real impact on your business and can turn people away. In contrast, a glowing review will help to set you and your business apart from others in the industry. On top of doing the best job possible, offering fantastic customer service is a great way to keep your customers happy and ensures that they post positive things online about your business. This in turn helps to guarantee future business growth as more people want to work with you. To help you out, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve provided some top tips for improving your customer service:

...offering fantastic customer service is a great way to keep your customers happy...

1 PUT YOUR CUSTOMERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; INTERESTS FIRST

In order to build a relationship with a customer you need to have their best interests at heart. For example, rather than simply fixing their boiler, you should offer useful hints and advice to help them prevent future problems. Customers will really appreciate it if you take the time to talk

them through the problem and let them know what they can do differently. This will not only show your customers that you care but will also position you as an expert and someone to turn to for advice, helping to build a strong relationship and putting you front-of-mind should they need a plumber or heating installer in the future. continued>>

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE NOT RECOUPLING...

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE LOOKING FOR PARTNERS

Become a Sentinel Certified Partner with our water treatment training courses Resources available for tutors and students Interactive learning of best practice Exclusive benefits for Partners

To book an upcoming course, or find out more visit:

www.sentinelprotects.com/training/on-site Or, contact us to see how we can support your college or training centre:

training@sentinelprotects.com Sentinel is a Gas Safe registered Company (Reg. No. 622185)

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CUSTOMER INTERACTION

2 KNOW YOUR PRODUCTS In order to give the best advice to your customers, you need to have an extensive knowledge of the products you’re using. Today’s customers research many items online but as a professional, you can offer added value by providing additional information and advice on the best products to use. Some manufacturers offer free tools and training for installers to learn new skills and keep up-to-date on the latest products, helping you to impress your customers and making sure you can answer any questions confidently.

Improving your knowledge of the products you’re using is also essential to guarantee you do the best job possible, which is obviously a must if you want happy customers!

enquiries as quickly as you can. Obviously, you can’t reply if you’re on a job but try to make it as easy as possible for customers to contact you. As well as giving customers your phone number, set up a chat service on your website that has an automated response when you’re on a job so customers know you’re not ignoring them.

4 USE BOOKING APPS FOR APPOINTMENTS

No one likes waiting around for a package to arrive that doesn’t show up when it should. Customers don’t like waiting around for service appointments either. While having a list of customers waiting shows you’re doing a good job, the inability to manage a busy workload can lead to dissatisfaction and potentially a loss of business. One way to help with this is to use booking apps to allocate set amounts of time to customers. This helps you to stick to your schedule and avoid wasting customers’ time waiting around for you. It also helps to demonstrate yet again that you care about customers.

5 STAY CONNECTED

THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is a brilliant way of staying in touch with your customers after a job. It’s important to continue offering great customer service even after you’ve completed the work, to help maintain your relationship and make sure they use you for

3 MAKE SURE YOU’RE AVAILABLE

In the modern world, we’re constantly connected. The internet gives us many different ways of getting in touch, making it easier than ever to get hold of people when you need them. As a result, customers now expect to get a response from you as soon as possible and if they can’t reach you, they’ll simply go elsewhere. With that in mind, it’s important to handle

CUSTOMER INTERACTION | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Social media is a brilliant way of staying in touch with your customers after a job. future jobs. Rather than posting one-way updates, make an effort to engage with your audience and create conversation. Social media is also great for gaining customer feedback – you could run polls and surveys to find out what customers want and need from you.

With a huge range of installers available online for customers to choose from, you need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Improving your customer service is a simple and effective way to make sure you get noticed and become the go-to installer in your location. Follow the tips above to help get people talking about your business positively both on and offline. Great customer service leads to good reviews and happy customers, who are likely to tell others how great you are, resulting in more business.

Here are our top five small business apps that will help you to grow your business even further:

1 PAYPAL HERE This app is great for making sure you get paid on time for jobs. It allows you to take payments on the go, track cash and cheque payments and issue invoices simply and securely on your mobile: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/paypalhere-point-of-sale/id505911015?mt=8

QUICKBOOKS ACCOUNTING

This is another brilliant app for managing your cashflow - easily manage your business’s expenses, create invoices with invoice templates, and view your profit and loss: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/quickbooksaccounting/id584606479?mt=8

GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

This app helps you to manage your online presence - update your business name, address and hours, manage and respond to customer reviews and get notifications when customers are talking about your business: https://itunes.apple.com/bt/app/google-mybusiness/id853371601?mt=8

4 GAS APP UK This is a must-have for any gas engineer – it’s a one-stop shop for every information resource related to the day-to-day work of gas engineering. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gas-appuk/id1033168436?mt=8

5 LOGO MAKER Every good business needs a good brand. Create your brand logos, icons, symbols and posters in just a few clicks with this app: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/logo-makercreate-a-design/id1143390028?mt=8

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CUSTOMER INTERACTION

IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE & IMPRESS YOUR CUSTOMERS WITH SENTINELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TRAINING Sentinel provides regular training for installers and industry professionals across the UK. Our training sessions are delivered by industry experts and cover a range of topics including best practice water treatment and in-depth training on the products you need to do the job. Our training sessions provide you with not only a comprehensive knowledge of Sentinel products, but also the skills to have informed sales conversations with your customers on the benefits of water treatment. You will get the chance to try new products before they are launched to market and after the training you will receive access to exclusive offers on Sentinel products, as well as sales tools and support across our social platforms.

On top of this, attendees who successfully complete the training will become Sentinel certified and receive our Certified Partner logo for business use, helping to further impress your customers.

Locations The training sessions take place in a selection of locations across the UK, helping to minimise

travel times and costs. Training locations include, Warrington, Glasgow, Worcester, West Thurrock and Wakefield. As well as installers and industry experts, we also provide support specifically for colleges and tutors, helping them to teach students the essentials of water treatment. ď&#x201A;Š For more information about our training and to book your place on one of our courses, contact training@sentinelprotects.com or visit sentinelprotects.com/uk/training

DRAINAGE

Sponsored by

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | DRAINAGE

DRAINAGE The world of residential drainage is mostly a hidden one. Boxed away in cupboards and beneath floors and plasterboard, it’s something the homeowner isn’t really aware of unless something goes wrong. But even though it’s hidden, the hard-working drainage system is a key part of a well-functioning home and it deserves some real consideration when it comes to installation and maintenance.

What does a waste system do? Generally speaking, a house’s waste drainage system will cover its sinks, baths & showers, and household appliances including the dishwasher and washing machine. So if it were to fail, the resulting leakage would have multiple consequences – from flooding the immediate space with foul water, to knocking a household essential out of action whilst the problem is resolved.

...the hard-working drainage system is a key part of a well-functioning home...

CHOOSE YOUR PIPE & FITTINGS There are multiple options for household waste and you can choose the system that best works for you and your project.  POLYPROPYLENE PUSH-FIT SYSTEMS offer fast, secure and demountable joints. They are also much easier to install in spaces which are hard to access and manoeuvre in.  SOLVENT WELD ABS SYSTEMS offer permanent jointing and are particularly suited to areas where the system is exposed, such as where the system exits through an external wall or will be in a public area.  UNIVERSAL COMPRESSION SYSTEMS can be used to join push-fit systems to solvent weld systems. This system can also be used to join onto legacy copper or lead piping. This is particularly useful when updating a section of a waste system or working on houses where multiple systems are already in place.

What’s included in a household waste system? It’s best to view a household’s waste drainage as an interconnected system, made up of waste pipe, fittings and traps. continued>>

What’s in it for you? Fit-Rite technology for easy fitting.

Polypipe understands the importance of making a job as simple as possible, thats why our new WP46 Trap has been engineered incorporating our unique Fit-Rite technology to help get the job done quickly. It’s easy to fit, easy to remove and is part of the only range of traps on the market with KitemarkTM Accreditation.

BS 3943 KM09979 BS EN

Over and above, it has to be274-1 Polypipe KM98694

BS EN 13476-2

To view the rest of our new and improved traps range, visit: KM13476

polypipe.com/overandabove BS EN 13476-3

•

New Fit-Rite technology for simple fitting and removability

•

New and improved finned seal for ease of installation

•

The only traps range on the market to be KitemarkedTM Accredited

•

Contains BioCote antimicrobial technology to combat odours

•

Exclusively endorsed product by Help for Heroes*.

*79p from the sale of the WP46 Trap will be contributed to Help for Heroes Trading Limited, which Gift Aids all of its taxable profits to Help for Heroes (Registered Charity Number 1120920).

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | DRAINAGE

CHOOSE YOUR TRAP The choice of trap is down to finding the right product for the right installation. Each trap is designed to do a specific job in a specific place and it’s your job to play matchmaker. For example, a bottle trap is typically installed under a basin but manufacturers with comprehensive product ranges can offer you a standard bottle trap, one with an adjustable telescopic connection, one with an antisyphon addition, or one with both. Then there are the appliance traps, with specific products for washing machines or dishwashers. There are hard-working multi-tasking kits which can provide waste drainage for sinks with multiple bowls. And there are new low level traps designed to sit neatly beneath shower trays and baths and solutions for wet rooms. There are even self-sealing valves which don’t rely on water levels to achieve an air tight seal – meaning you won’t run the risk of bad smells entering the building in low or no flow situations.

Look for a manufacturer that offers a wide range of traps so you get the right product every time.

What to look for in a waste system  STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION Choose a system which holds all of the relevant standards and certifications. Look for BBA Approvals and British Standards Institute (BSI) Kitemarks. Kitemarks are a trusted symbol of safe, reliable products. They are only awarded to companies which complete an initial quality assessment and undergo ongoing independent auditing to ensure products always meet the highest possible standards. Look for a manufacturer that offers all three types of waste pipe and fittings, in a choice of diameters and colours. If you’re based in the North of the UK, you’re far more likely to work on houses featuring push-fit systems, but in the south you’re more likely to encounter solvent weld systems.

DRAINAGE | HIP BOOK 2018-19

 ONGOING MAINTENANCE

Look for products which offer added benefits for you, the plumber...

Look for products which offer you the confidence to fit and forget, which need little to no ongoing maintenance and have a long life expectancy.

 INSTALLATION BENEFITS Look for products which offer added benefits for you, the plumber, for example features which make installation easier or more secure.  HOMEOWNER BENEFITS Wherever possible, look for products which offer added benefits for the homeowner too. This positions you as a professional with pride in choosing the best product for the job. This could be a low level bath trap to make the most of that tub the homeowner’s been eyeing up, or it could be a waste trap which prevents bad smells rising into the property.

 OVER AND ABOVE Finally, a real mark of quality is a product which offers all of the above and that little something more. Polypipe’s WP46 bottle trap is a Help for Heroes endorsed product, meaning 79p from the sale of every trap is donated to the charity. Every year, over 14,000 servicemen and women return to Civvy Street, with one in four forging a new career in construction. The funds will be used to support Help for Heroes initiatives, working with men and women living with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces.

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | DRAINAGE

OVER AND ABOVE, IT HAS TO BE POLYPIPE In 2018, Polypipe launched a new and improved waste system which offers great features and benefits for plumbers and homeowners alike.

The system is made up of seven new and improved waste traps and a new multi-layer waste pipe and enhanced fittings range.

What’s in it for you? Developed with the plumber in mind, the new traps feature finned seals, and improved threaded nuts for superb product integrity. The traps also include Polypipe’s brand new Fit-Rite technology. The Fit-Rite insertion aid helps guide the pipe into place, giving you the assurance that you’ve made a secure joint when you’re fitting in fiddly and hard to reach locations. Unlike other products, the FitRite insertion aid is easily removable so when it’s not required, there’s no need for you to break out the stanley knife and cut it free. That means no more jagged edges that can potentially harm the pipe during installation. What’s more, our traps are stocked in plumbers’ merchants nationally, so you can find them when you need them. All of which gives you the confidence to fit and forget Polypipe waste products, and move on to your next job.

What’s in it for your customer? As an additional benefit for homeowners, we’ve added Biocote to our waste system. By killing

up to 99.99% of harmful bacteria, mould, fungi and viruses, Biocote significantly minimises the build-up of bio-film. This reduces unpleasant odours and blockages for the homeowner. This antimicrobial protection will remain active for the lifetime of the product, giving plumbers and homeowners added peace of mind.

Over and above Feel good when buying Polypipe as 79p from the sale of each WP46 bottle trap goes straight to Help for Heroes. Polypipe’s waste systems are the ONLY range on the market to incorporate antimicrobial technology, reducing odours and blockages through combating the build-up of bio-film.

Polypipe’s are the ONLY traps on the market to hold a BSI Kitemark

 For more information visit polypipe.com

ENCLOSURES & SHOWER CUBICLES

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | ENCLOSURES & SHOWER CUBICLES

ENCLOSURES AND SHOWER CUBICLES For many years the bath has dominated the space in traditional British bathrooms. It is perhaps only over the last two decades that customer preference has shifted to a shower and today homeowners tend to have both bath and shower in the bathroom or – if space is restricted – a shower bath. Whether for new build, renovation or replacement projects there is a huge selection of showering products to choose from. The most popular is the shower enclosure, but increasingly the shower cubicle is being specified by domestic and commercial customers because of its many practical features. An enclosure tends to be specified separately from the shower tray, shower valve and shower head, whilst a cubicle is an integrated package where all the components are included in one package. A typical shower enclosure will have to be tiled and grouted or fitted with a waterproof wall panel. Silicone is most commonly used to create a watertight environment. Fitting will usually take between 2-3 days depending on the complexity of the job. A cubicle is supplied complete with tray, shower valve, head and hand set, internal glass panels, external panels, door and all the fixtures and fittings to complete the installation. The unit is watertight thanks to the way the internal panels fit together and sit over the top of the tray. This negates the need for any silicone to eliminate leaks. It can take less than a day to install a cubicle.

Kinemagic Saloon Door

Kinesmart Bifold

With both shower types there are options to suit every style and shape of bathroom. Quad, corner and recessed installations are the most popular, but single, frameless glass panels for wetroom-style bathrooms are currently on trend. Depending on the space there are also many types of shower doors. Sliding and bi-fold doors are popular when space is restricted, as they don’t encroach into the room space, whilst pivot and saloon doors open outwards – and often inwards too – providing excellent access. Commonly, the glass used for doors and panels of shower enclosures and cubicles is 8mm thick. More recently toughened 5mm and 6mm glass has been used to make a lighter product. For an installer this can make a difference to their physical well-being, particularly when carrying a shower upstairs. Some glass can be 10mm thick – and will need two people to move – a consideration when quoting a job. continued>>

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | ENCLOSURES & SHOWER CUBICLES

BENEFITS OF KINEDO CUBICLES Saniflo is a supplier of selfcontained cubicles in the UK with their Kinedo range. Typically these are sold to domestic customers and housebuilders and the commercial and leisure sectors.

Why do customers choose a Kinedo self-contained cubicle?  Fast installation times – installers can complete a cubicle installation in less than half a day which is appealing to customers with limited time or those who don’t want the hassle of a longer installation. The cubicles are ideal for commercial businesses, such as hotels and B&Bs, who rely on the bathroom as part of their rooms’ lets and landlords who need a swift replacement for tenants.  No tiles or grout – internal glass panels are supplied so that there is no need to buy tiles and grout.  No silicone – the clever design and assembly process means that a watertight space can be achieved without using silicone (which can deteriorate in damp atmospheres). Horizon Quad Thermo Pivot

 Easy to clean and maintain – panels eliminate the possibility of mould growth that can occur on grout. Both internal and external panels and door are coated with Cristal Plus which is an anti-limescale coating that minimises the build-up of calcium deposits and dirt on glass: reducing the need to clean. Integrated package – cubicles are generally supplied with all panels, shower tray, shower valve and head which saves specification time. Some models are supplied with no shower controls to ensure full customer choice. Glass panels

Shower tray

Overhead rain shower

Shower valve & shelf

 Ideal with timber framed properties – timber changes naturally over time and can shift and warp, causing movement to the building, sometimes affecting bathrooms with traditional tiled shower enclosures. Warping can cause grouting to crack which means the enclosure may no longer be watertight and prone to leaking. A cubicle eliminates this risk as it allows for a small amount of movement.  Stunning focal point – Kinedo cubicles are high quality, well-designed units that can be specified in a number of configurations to create a perfect bathroom.

ENCLOSURES & SHOWER CUBICLES | HIP BOOK 2018-19

KINEDO CUBICLE INSTALLATION 00:00 hrs

00:30 hrs

01:30 hrs

02:15 hrs

Make ready the area for the new shower unit by removing the previous installation.

Ensure floor area is level for the shower tray. Many of our trays have adjustable feet to help with levelling.

Mark up for wall panel brackets, drill and affix to wall. Fit the shower valve to the shower cubicle panel.

The interior cubicle panels slot into the grooves of the shower tray (this provides a leak free fitting). Fix using the bolts and washers to the frame and fixing bracket.

02:45 hrs

03:45 hrs

04:00 hrs

Next, fit the front panel and door(s) and then the seals.

And finally, fit the shower head, hose and handset in to place. Your silicone free, grout free and leak free cubicle is now ready for use.

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | ENCLOSURES & SHOWER CUBICLES

THE KINESMART ENCLOSURE There are still many situations where an enclosure fits the client’s brief better than a cubicle. In this case the Kinesmart range of enclosures from Saniflo is often an ideal solution and there is usually a solution among the variety of models available. Enclosures are widely sold for mass market new housing as they can be cost-effective.

Why do customers specify a Kinesmart enclosure?  Retention of existing tiles – customers sometimes choose a like for like to swap with an old enclosure. In this case the adaptable Kinesmart has adjustable hinges for the best possible fit and pre-assembled rollers that saves time for the installer.  Cost – enclosures can be highly costeffective in terms of initial outlay particularly if existing tiles are remaining in–situ (as there will be no labour charges for tiling).  Wetroom effect - single panels, with or without chrome profiles, can be selected to emulate the desirable, minimalist wetroom look. These are also useful for situations where ease of access is required.  Flexible design – a 40mm profile adjustment on the Kinesmart ensures that uneven walls are easily catered for. Pre-assembled rollers

Pre-assembled vertical profiles

Kinesmart wet panel

 Solution for tiny bathrooms – the Kinesmart twin hinge bi-fold door can be installed as a screen in small spaces and can fold right back along the wall when not in use to create more space.  Flexible choice – when a customer specifies an enclosure it is not part of an integrated package. It is the ideal solution when a customer actively wants to select their own choice of tray, shower head, valve and other fixtures and fittings. Multiple options for every bathroom space – whatever the size or shape of the bathroom there is a multitude of shower configurations to choose from. Recess, corner, quad, wetroom, left and right opening, pivot, sliding, saloon, corner entry doors – there is always an enclosure solution available, whatever the demands of the customer.

 For more information visit saniflo.co.uk

FITTINGS

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | FITTINGS

KNOW YOUR FITTINGS There is a huge selection of plumbing fittings available to today’s plumber. Each type of fitting has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to know what these are! Other advantages include the fact that this is a heat-free jointing method so there is no need for a hot works permit and costly additional insurance, no carbon deposits or reduced risk of corrosion. The bore of the system is exceptionally clean so requires less flushing, and there are no expensive or specialist tools needed to make the joint. Some push-fit joints are also demountable so joints can be broken and remade, or fittings reused.

How push-fit fittings work

 PUSH-FIT FITTINGS These are fittings where the only jointing action required is the push of the pipe or tube into the fitting, with no additional processes needed to make the joint. The main advantage of push-fit systems is speed; the installation time is significantly reduced.

Each brand of push-fit fitting works slightly differently so you should always read the manufacturer’s instructions for the type of fitting you are using.

continued>>

FOR A FASTER CONNECTION

PUSH OR PRESS WITH PEGLER YORKSHIRE

For a comprehensive range of quality, innovative plumbing and heating products backed by a superb technical support service, make sure you connect with Pegler.Yorkshire.

FREE Phone: 0800 156 0010 email: uk.sales@pegleryorkshire.co.uk

www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | FITTINGS

But the two things nearly all push-fit fittings have in common is the use of an O-ring to make the seal between the tube / pipe and body of the fitting and the use of some form of grab ring to hold the tube / pipe in place.

DID YOU KNOW? There is now multilayer tube available in sizes 15mm & 22mm for use with Tectite push-fit fittings.

The golden rule for push-fit fittings:

Flexible metal tube

 Protect the O-ring.

PE-Xc Aluminium PE-Xc

 Good tube / pipe preparation is vital to ensure that tube ends are clean, free from damage, cut square and have no burrs. 

Support liners must be used when installing PEX or PB pipe, or for 10mm copper tube, and the support liner must be to the specification of the manufacturer of the pipe / tube.



Keep the fittings stored in their bag until point of use, so that the O-ring does not get contaminated or the silicon lubricant dry out from being exposed.



When inserting the tube into the fitting use a slight twisting action and keep the tube as parallel as possible to the fitting body.



To ensure the tube is fully inserted into the fitting it is good practice to mark the tube with the socket depth so that you can check this corresponds with the mouth when the joint is made.

This multilayer tube bridges the gap between plastic and metal plumbing systems combining many of the advantages from each:        

Retains its shape once formed   40% fewer fittings required on an average installation   Lightweight and easy to handle   Requires less clipping   Offers tight bend radii of 4x tube diameter   Low scrap value making it undesirable to thieves   Resistant to corrosion   Highly cost effective

DID YOU KNOW?

There are different cutter wheels available for cutting different types of tube. Carbon steel tube is substantially harder than copper tube and using the wrong cutter wheel will result in extra time spent deburring the tube end.

Using the right support for the new flexible metal tube is critical - ensure you’re using the TectSEAL!

FITTINGS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

 PRESS-FIT FITTINGS Press-fit is a relatively new jointing technique that uses force applied to the fitting by a presstool to compress the fitting onto the tube with an O-ring providing the actual seal. Press-fit fittings generally require more time than push-fit fittings to install, but they are still much faster than traditional techniques like compression or solder joints and like push-fit

systems they offer a heat-free jointing method. This means no hot works permits, no carbon deposits and less flushing as the bore is very clean with no flux or solder residues. Press-fit joints are non-demountable but you can lay out all the pipe work for positioning first and then go around and make the joints with the press tool after. Press fittings are available with different materials of O-ring making them suitable for specialist applications, such as solar installations or above ground 2nd and 3rd family gas installation pipework. Recent advances mean that there are now press-fit fittings available in copper, carbon steel and stainless steel for use in sizes 12mm - 168.3mm.

The golden rules for press fittings:  As with all fittings that are dependent on an O-ring to make the seal, the critical thing is to take all necessary steps to protect the O-ring. Just like push-fit fittings, good tube / pipe preparation and keeping the fitting in the packaging until point of use is essential.  To ensure the tube is fully inserted into the fitting it is good practice to mark the tube with the socket depth so that you can check this corresponds with the mouth when the joint is made.  Make sure that you are using the correct type of jaws or sling-jaws for the brand of fittings that you are installing ensuring that they are compatible with the press tool you are using.

Check the tool and fittings manufacturers guidelines if you are unsure.  The final golden rule is to use the press tool in accordance with the tools instructions keeping it at a 90° angle to the fitting and making sure that it is fully supported throughout the pressing cycle.

And finally... No matter which type of system you are installing, you should always perform thorough system testing before any plumbing system is commissioned.

 Check out pegleryorkshire.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | FITTINGS

NEW SIZES ADD YET MORE CONNECTIVITY WITH VSH TECTITE SPRINT VSH Tectite Sprint, the innovative metal push-fit plumbing system from Pegler, has been making installers’ lives easy for almost a decade.

Now, three new sizes – 35mm, 42mm and 54mm – have been added to the existing options of 15mm, 22mm and 28mm, opening up the award-winning solution to yet more applications.

“VSH Tectite Sprint combines the best of both worlds for contractors and installers,” said Marketing Director, Phill Jackson. “Not only is it a robust, high-performance system with a long working life, but it is also quick and easy to install. “Thanks to the new sizes introduced by Pegler, more contractors than ever can benefit.”

Good design Designed to be as slim and attractive as possible, the copper and brass jointing system represents metal push-fit in its purest form. Consisting of only a handful of components, VSH Tectite Sprint requires no hot work, flux or specialist tooling – making it clean, simple and up to two-and-a-half times faster to install than traditional joints. The ultra-versatile rotatable joints make the system ideal for use in tight spaces and

awkward corners, as do the compact design and low profile. What’s more, flawless electrical continuity is facilitated by a continuity clip or a grab ring (depending on the size). VSH Tectite Sprint is compatible with myriad tubing materials, including plain and chromeplated copper, PB and PEX. The metal body ensures protection from rodent damage, too. VSH Tectite Sprint is also WRASapproved, so contractors and installers can rest assured they have fitted a safe, durable and reliable system. In fact, Pegler is so confident in the quality and performance of VSH Tectite Sprint that it guarantees the parts for up to 25 years. Thanks to the new sizes on offer, even more specifiers and contractors can now reap the rewards of this cost-effective, high-quality and user-friendly plumbing solution.  For further information regarding Pegler and its products, please visit pegleryorkshire.co.uk

Photo: VSH Tectite Sprint by Pegler

FIXINGS & FINISHINGS

Sponsored by

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | FIXINGS & FINISHINGS

A LOOK AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLUMBING PIPES There are so many different types of plumbing pipes. So what are the differences?  COPPER PIPE There are two common types of copper pipe: Rigid copper, which comes in three thicknesses. Type M is the thinnest but is strong enough to use in most homes for interior hot and cold supply lines. Types L and Type K are thicker and used for outdoor and drain applications. To cut rigid copper, you’ll need a hacksaw, Skilsaw or a special copper tube cutter. The most important factor to consider before using copper piping is that it needs to be soldered together and it might require additional fittings and hot works risk management.

Flexible copper is often used for dishwashers and other appliances that need a water supply. It’s easy to bend, but if it kinks, you must cut the piece off and replace it. Sections of flexible copper pipe are joined using either soldered or compression fittings. Flexible copper is used for short runs, can be cut easily with a hacksaw, and bent to fit around corners. As it does not stand up well against extreme temperatures, flexible copper is not recommended for exterior use.

Pros of copper pipe:  Great for hot and cold water supply as it resists corrosion and does not carry the health risks that PVC does  It comes at a higher cost than plastic but has a longer lifespan  Not prone to leaks  Tight, sturdy and durable  Can be recycled and is heat tolerant

Cons of copper pipes:  Higher cost  May contain lead-based solder in older homes

continued>>

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | FIXINGS & FINISHINGS

 PLASTIC PIPE Plastic pipe comes as either MDPE (medium-density polyethylene), PEX (cross-linked polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride). Schedule 40 PVC is strong enough for residential drain lines, but always double check first. CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipe has the strength of PVC but is heat-resistant, which makes it acceptable in many regions for use on interior supply lines. Schedule 80 PVC is sometimes used for cold-water supply lines, but isn’t allowed in some regions because it isn’t suitable for hot water.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) & CPVC PVC pipe has been a very big deal in the plumbing industry in the last few decades, because it is lighter and easier to work with than traditional galvanized steel pipe. PVC pipe is commonly white or cream-coloured, depending on the type of job. PVC pipes are available in different levels of thickness. For example, pressure water pipes are not the same as sewer pipes, nor the same as the ones used in storm drainage systems. You will mainly be using PVC pipe for drain or waste pipes, or stacks (those pipes you often see sticking up out of the roofline), and not as supply pipes. PVC pipe is easy to install, requiring little more than a hacksaw, mitre box, and solvents which essentially “glue” the pipe together.

Diameters are clearly marked on the white surface of the pipe. If not easy to read, diameters can be determined with a sizing tool such as Pi-Piper.

Pros of PVC pipes:  Does not rust, corrode or degrade over time  Very good for your home’s sink, toilet, bathtub, drain lines or vent stacks  Often used for the main water supply line into your home  Great at carrying high water pressure  Inexpensive  Very easy to work with

Cons of PVC pipes:  Cannot handle hot water and can warp when exposed to hot water

FIXINGS & FINISHINGS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Pros of CPVC pipes:

Pros of PEX pipe:

 Contains extra chlorine, making it safe for drinking water

 PEX is approved in many regions of the country

 Pipes are easy to work with it and can also be used by DIYers

 Easy to install as it cuts easily

 Can be used for hot and cold water supply  More flexible than PVC pipes

Cons of CPVC pipes:  Will split if it freezes  Cannot recycle old pipes

 Flexible, so eliminates fittings, saving time and money, and uses compression fittings. However, more permanent connections require a special crimping tool  PEX is best for retrofits. It is extremely versatile meaning it can snake through walls easily and can extend across the house with one piece of PEX pipe  Maintenance is little to-none  Installation is extremely quick  Can be used for hot and cold water supply  Is very heat resistant  Can freeze without bursting

Cons of PEX pipe:

 PEX PEX is the newest pipe for residential use. It is a flexible, colour-coded plastic piping, which delivers water-supply plumbing into the hands of DIYers.

 Due to the production process, many environmentalists fear the possibility of contamination  It cannot be used outside as UV rays can ruin the plastic  PEX is three to four times more expensive than copper or plastic

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | FIXINGS & FINISHINGS

Pros of MDPE:  Lower weight for easier handling and reduced health and safety risks  Cost savings due to faster installation  Greater flexibility  Superior abrasion and excellent resistance to corrosion and a wide a range of chemicals

 MDPE MDPE is a light, flexible and durable piping system which is easy to install. MDPE can be installed above or below ground as it is not susceptible to corrosion, internally abrasion resistant, stress-cracking resistant, not notchsensitive and resistant to a variety of chemicals. The fact that it does not react negatively with chemical or electrical surrounding soil ensures that the pipework is not susceptible to rot, rust, corrosion or lost wall thickness.

Cons of MDPE:  PVC pipes are self-insulating and capable of handling very hightemperature water. However, PVC pipes are not very flame resistant. They are subject to melting at temperatures of only a few hundred degrees  Because they are so lightweight, PVC pipes are more prone to cracking when they are dropped or stepped on

 Visit talon.co.uk to see our full range of fixings and finishings and see how we can help…

FLEXIBLE PLUMBING

Sponsored by

HIP BOOK 2017-18 | FLEXIBLE PLUMBING

PLASTIC PUSH-FIT THE MODERN SOLUTION TO HOT & COLD WATER SUPPLY Plastic push-fit plumbing systems for hot and cold water services were developed by Hep2O here in the UK during the late 1970s. Subsequent years have seen them steadily increase in popularity amongst professional plumbers and installers – largely as a result of a growth in awareness of the obvious benefits they offer. Plastic plumbing technology started to be taken seriously in the 1990s when availability became more widespread. A significant boost resulted from the uptake in underfloor heating systems which mainly utilise plastic pipework. Another important development in explaining the increased interest in plastic pipe was the huge take-up of manufactured joists and I-beams for intermediate floors. In fact, it has been suggested that when it comes to fitting pipework through an I-beam floor, using plastic is around fifteen times faster than using rigid metal!

The principle of push-fit fittings A number of different manufacturers’ systems are now available but they all share a similar operating principle:

Hep2O Polybutylene pipe comes off the coil straight. (Pictured here with less flexible PEX pipe)

The pipe is cut to length with an appropriate pipe cutter and a pipe sleeve is inserted into the pipe end. This is an essential part of the technology as it keeps the pipe end rigid and circular. The pipe is then pushed into the fitting, passing through a metal grab-ring and an O-ring. The grab-ring secures the pipe and prevents it ‘blowing out’ under pressure and the O-ring provides the leak-proof seal – and of course modern plastic fittings are equally effective when joining either copper or plastic pipe. Subsequent demounting is achieved by releasing the grab-ring and withdrawing the pipe. continued>>

HIP BOOK 2017-18 | FLEXIBLE PLUMBING

Plastic push-fit systems are now commonly specified by RMI plumbers across a wide range of domestic and commercial applications. In fact they are so successful that 90% of all new houses constructed in recent years use plastic systems throughout their entire hot and cold water supply and central heating systems.

BENEFITS LOWER COST IN USE The reason for the growth in popularity of plastic systems lies in the impressive list of benefits they offer over the more traditional rigid systems:

1 Plastic pipe is very flexible and can be ‘cabled’ in a similar way to electrical wiring, thus cutting down on the number of joints required

2 Fewer joints means less risk from leaks

3 Jointing is quicker which means installation time is dramatically reduced More and more plumbers are recognising that the benefits of plastic push-fit systems lie not in a direct price comparison of components, but in the speed of installation.

4 There is no risk of fire because no open flame is used during installation and no Hot Permit to work is required

5 Joints are easily demountable

6 All connections are made by hand - no tools are required

7 No tools means much easier to install in confined spaces

8 Plastic systems are quick to install, whether it’s a complex cabling system or a simple appliance connection

Most plastic push-fit systems can also be connected to copper pipework

FLEXIBLE PLUMBING | HIP BOOK 2017-18

Easier installation Recent research asked 1,059 experienced plumbers to estimate the time required to replace all the plumbing in an average bathroom with copper and then a second estimate using only plastic. The result is a 6 hour (28%) time saving in favour of plastic. Therefore a normal 40 hour week for a bathroom installer using copper would reduce to 29 hours using plastic.

Plastic push-fit fittings are equally effective whether jointing plastic or copper pipe

Providing basic manufacturers’ rules are followed, plastic push-fit fittings are the easiest, quickest and most cost effective of all plumbing fittings to use.

The only tool required to make joints is a specialist cutter for plastic pipe or a pipe slice for copper pipe. A hacksaw should never be used as any burrs on the pipe ends may damage the O-ring inside the fitting. They are also just as easy to demount – while different manufacturers have different demounting methods, they all share a common simplicity.

With the appropriate pipe sleeve arrangement, plastic push-fit fittings can be used on copper or plastic pipe but not on chrome plated pipe as the chrome surface is too hard. To join chrome plated pipes, compression joints should be used.

New developments The most significant development in plastic push-fit technology in recent years is Hep2O’s ‘Next Generation’ range of fittings which was launched in November 2010 and features a number of new developments: The new fittings are slimmer in size and have a much sleeker and stylish design which means they now look a lot neater and less intrusive when placed in visible locations. Clearly, push-fit technology is continuing to move forward, largely driven by the same company that was so heavily involved in its original development back in the late 1970s.

1,059 plumbers estimated that an average bathroom would take 6 hours less to renovate if plastic fittings were used instead of copper

 For enquiries or to place an order contact 0844 856 5152, email info@hep2o.co.uk or visit hep2o.co.uk

HIP BOOK 2017-18 | FLEXIBLE PLUMBING

PLASTIC PUSH-FIT PLUMBING FOR PROFESSIONAL USERS Hep2O is the UK’s premier flexible push-fit plastic plumbing system for domestic hot and cold water supply, including potable water and central heating. The Hep2O system is designed solely for professional users and is currently the most widely specified system in use here in the UK.

The system comprises flexible plastic ‘straight coil’ polybutylene pipework connected to fittings that incorporate an integral push-fit mechanism, making jointing quick and simple.

Unlike other similar types of coiled plastic pipe, Hep2O pipe utilises ‘straight coil’ technology, which means the pipe does not return to its coiled state when uncoiled from the SmartPackTM dispensers. Instead, it remains straight but with no loss of flexibility, which makes it much easier to handle and ‘cable’ into position. The result is a lot fewer joints and a significantly faster, safer and more cost effective installation when compared to rigid plumbing pipe systems, such as copper.

HOT WATER CYLINDERS

Sponsored by

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | HOT WATER CYLINDERS

AN INTRODUCTION TO DOMESTIC HOT WATER CYLINDERS Vented hot water cylinders have always been part of traditional gravity fed stored water systems, reliant on the size of the cold water tank in the loft for the amount of constant hot water that can be supplied. Unvented cylinder systems that are connected to the incoming cold main of a property can provide hot water at mains pressure. These high pressure systems are becoming an ever more popular, space saving domestic system to install, especially in properties with high levels of hot water demand, or where flow rate is an important consideration. The right type of cylinder must be specified according to the plumbing system to which it is connected. Therefore it is important to understand the differences between open vented, unvented, direct and indirect heating systems. Kingspan is a premier UK manufacturer of all types of hot water cylinder which work with most domestic hot water systems, including gravity, primary and pumped solar models. There is an increasing demand for Solar cylinder (twin coil) installations, featuring a high efficiency, purpose-designed solar coil which allows maximum heat transfer of collected solar energy

into the stored water to satisfy the customers hot water requirements. However, this may be left unconnected to future proof the installation should renewable technologies be chosen at a later date (maybe because of future legislation). The second coil is suitable for connection to a gas / oil boiler. Finally, it is important to realise that extra components may be required to complete the installation. All Kingspan unvented cylinders are supplied with all the fittings and components needed for a complete package to create reliable, efficient and fast flow hot water delivery.

Most building work requires building regulations approval. For hot water cylinders, the relevant sections are Part G3 and Part L1 which stipulate requirements on water and energy efficiency for new and existing dwellings. ď&#x201A;Š Visit planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations continued>>

Hot Water Energy Storage Unvented Cylinders GB & NI

Your customers deserve Kingspan Premium domestic hot water storage solutions

The Ultrasteel and Ultrasteel Plus range of cylinders deliver outstanding functionality to make homeowners and installers’ lives even easier. With capacities ranging from 90 to 500 litres and a choice of cylinder models available including Direct, Indirect, Slimline, Horizontal and Pre-Plumb options - installers can choose the model that best suits the specific needs of their customer. Key Features: • Mains pressure hot water (regulated up to 3 bar) for powerful showers • Good flow rates for fast filling of baths, ideal for multiple bathrooms • Well insulated – economical to run with low heat loss • Low reheat times for fast availability of hot water • Advanced gas purged welded Duplex steel inner vessel for superior corrosion resistance

For more information call 0345 260 0258 or visit our website at:

kingspancylinders.com

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN COPPER VENTED CYLINDERS Traditional gravity fed, open vented domestic systems use a copper cylinder (usually found in the airing cupboard). Not all copper cylinders are the same and the following criteria need to be considered: Q. Is the product fully accredited to British

Standards? A. Check the label for the kitemark symbol and references to BS1566. Q. Can you specify non-standard sizes for location flexibility? A. Kingspan will manufacture non-standard sizes with shower tappings and with different tapping configurations or heat exchanger requirements (such as gravity coils). Kwikcyl is a bespoke design service that supplies non-standard cylinders for next day delivery.

Q. Are cylinders insulated? A. Kingspan copper cylinders are

insulated using environmentally friendly polyurethane foam, to meet the latest ERP regulations for energy efficiency, ensuring a low standing heat loss. Q. Does the cylinder comply with the relevant Building Regulations? A. All Kingspan cylinders meet Building Regulations requirements for conservation of fuel and power.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN STAINLESS STEEL UNVENTED CYLINDERS More modern systems for high demand applications use unvented cylinders to provide fast, safe, high pressure water around the home. Some of the features that need to be considered are: Q. Is the cylinder made from the highest quality

from job to job and is affected by many factors, such as the type and size of cylinder as well as the specific installation location itself, but on average a pre-plumbed cylinder will save you about 70% of your time.

materials? A. Kingspan only uses high quality Duplex 2304 stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance and long life.

Q. How much hot water will a 120L cylinder

provide? A. When hot water is drawn from a cylinder it is normally mixed with cold water down to a usable temperature, typically about 40°C. This means that a normal 120L cylinder will provide about 233L of water at 40°C. However, if you are using a cylinder with built-in thermal expansion you will get even more hot water, typically well over 265L.

Q. Will the flow rates adequately supply multiple hot water outlets? A. The high flow rates achieved by Kingspan products are ideal for fast filling baths and powerful showering, typically providing up to 30 litres per minute at 1 bar static pressure.

Q. How much faster is it to install a pre-plumbed cylinder?

A. The precise time saving will vary

Q. Why on a pre-plumbed cylinder do I have to check the compression joints are tight?

A. A cylinder may have travelled well over 500 miles

before arriving on site, meaning it will have experienced significant levels of vibration in transit. This can result in compression connections working loose. As the installer, it’s your responsibility to ensure all connections are watertight, including those on pre-plumbed pipework.

Q. How good is the reheat performance? A. Kingspan stainless steel unvented cylinders

have fast reheat capability resulting in high efficiency.

Q. Are all the necessary fittings supplied to

complete a safe installation or are there hidden extra costs? A. Kingspan cylinders are supplied with all of the required fittings supplied boxed up. Alternatively a pre-plumbed option is available to allow fast, easy installation on site – just add the pipework connections.

HOT WATER CYLINDERS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

 TOP SAFETY TIPS Operating under high pressure, an unvented cylinder is potentially dangerous unless properly installed. Remember:

1. You need to have a

recognised qualification to fit unvented cylinders 2. Notify the Building Control Officer before starting the job 3. Use a competent person to isolate the electrical system and immersion heater wiring if replacing an old cylinder 4. Check the new cylinder for any damage to outer casing or controls 5. Always read the fitting instructions 6. Check that the incoming water pressure and flow rate meet the requirements of the new cylinder 7. Ensure the fitting of Temperature relief and Pressure relief valves complies with Part G (Building regs) and correctly discharge outside the building 8. Visually inspect for leaks and ensure all valves are working 9. Ensure all commissioning details are entered into the Benchmark log book

OPEN VENTED HOT WATER SYSTEMS  The water in the cylinder is supplied from a storage tank known as the feed and expansion cistern (F&E cistern) filled from the mains and usually found in the loft or roof space. When a tap is opened, the hot water is forced out by gravity.  The water in the cylinder is heated either ‘directly’ via an immersion heating element or ‘indirectly’ via a heat exchanger, in the form of a coil within the cylinder.  As the water in the cylinder is heated it will expand and increase the system pressure. To prevent the build-up of pressure to dangerous levels, an expansion pipe is fitted to the hot water outlet connection on the cylinder. This expansion pipe must not be fitted with any means of isolation or restriction and must terminate above the level of the water in the F&E cistern. This Open Vent pipe gives this type of system its name.

UNVENTED HOT WATER SYSTEMS  Unvented cylinders are connected directly to the mains water supply. When a tap is opened the hot water is forced out by mains pressure.  The water in the cylinder is heated either ‘directly’ via an immersion heating element or ‘indirectly’ via a heat exchanger, usually in the form of a coil within the cylinder.  An expansion vessel incorporating a flexible membrane is fitted with the cylinder connected to one side of the membrane. The other side of the membrane is charged with a gas at a set pressure.  The water in the cylinder expands and cut-out thermostats ensure the isolation of heat sources if failures occur.  A pressure reducing valve controls the incoming mains pressure, a non return valve prevents expanded heated water returning to the mains and an expansion relief valve will open if other components fail allowing the safe discharge of pressure from the cylinder.  Every unvented cylinder is fitted with a temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P Valve) which will allow the safe discharge of water from the cylinder if temperatures or pressures exceed a set point.  The system is sealed as there is no open vent pipe which is why it is called an unvented system. Temperature and pressure relief valve

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | HOT WATER CYLINDERS

INTERNAL THERMAL EXPANSION Cylinders featuring built-in thermal expansion are becoming increasingly popular, largely driven by the new build sector looking to reduce installation times. The technology is also being adopted by plumbers for retrofit jobs because of the reduced risk of call back with no external expansion vessel to go wrong, giving homeowners extra space in the airing cupboard for additional storage.

uses an electrical immersion element which transfers its heat “directly” to the water within the cylinder. The Immersion heaters are supplied in a number of varieties. Copper cylinders traditionally have 2¼" BSP connections, and are sealed using a gasket. Stainless cylinders traditionally have 1¾" connections, and are sealed with an O-ring. Immersion elements are traditionally supplied up to 6 kW in single phase rating but can also be rated up to 9kW in three phase. Kingspan Ultrasteel direct cylinder

2 Albion Ultrasteel AUXSN250 Cold

Albion Ultrasteel AUXSN250 Hot

An air bubble that forms at the top of the cylinder helps to protect the heating system by absorbing excess pressure created as the water heats up and expands. The integrity of this air bubble is maintained by a floating baffle that reduces the amount of air absorbed into the water for longer intervals between system re-pressurisation.  For more information on Kingspan products call 0345 260 0258 or go online at kingspan.com/gb/en-gb

A DIRECT CYLINDER...

AN INDIRECT CYLINDER...

is when heat from a heat source is “indirectly” transferred to the water in the cylinder via a heat exchanger, usually in the form of a coil within the cylinder. Hot water is pumped by the boiler through the heating coil within the cylinder. The hot water transfers energy to the coil, which in turn conducts this heat into the cold surrounding water in the cylinder heating it up for use at the outlets.

Kingspan Ultrasteel indirect cylinder

MACERATORS

Sponsored by

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | MACERATORS

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

MACERATOR PUMPING UNITS Bath in the basement, loo in the loft, shower under the stairs. All made possible by small-bore macerator pumping units. Thanks to small bore macerators it is possible to create extra bathroom, kitchen or utility facilities almost anywhere in a domestic property including ‘hard to plumb’ locations that would be impractical or expensive using conventional large-bore gravity drained discharge pipework.

There is a huge range of macerators and pumps available to suit all types of plumbing needs. Some models will discharge waste from the whole bathroom including basins, WCs and showers, whilst other models, such as the Sanifloor+ low level shower pump, will take waste water from the shower alone or the Sanivite+ that discharges grey water waste from kitchen sinks, dishwashers and washing machines. All the units pump waste horizontally and vertically through 22 / 32mm diameter pipework to existing drainage systems and provide an easy, quick and economic option for installing facilities where it would not be otherwise possible.

Benefits for the customer. Benefits for the installer.

Small-bore macerators can overcome limitations of traditional gravity fed drainage systems. The possibilities for new facilities in a domestic setting are endless. It’s even possible to create an ‘on trend’ wetroom space with the Sanifloor.

Today’s homeowners are increasingly adding value to their properties by converting spaces previously thought impossible due to drainage restrictions. But by selecting the correct Saniflo it is possible to convert under-stairs cupboards, lofts, basements, storage areas and garages into WC and washroom facilities. The clever, useful units also allow installers to spot opportunities for work even when access to mains drainage is remote. Once a plumber knows the capabilities of Saniflo pumps and macerators he (or she) can say yes to more jobs.

MACERATORS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

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 DOMESTIC Conventional plumbing uses gravity to allow drainage to conveniently sited pipework and sewers. But what if gravity isn’t on your side? What if drainage pipework is inconveniently positioned, perhaps when working in a loft or a basement?

DOMESTIC

Conventional plumbing uses gravity to allow drainage to conveniently sited pipework and sewers.

Saniflo works where convention doesn’t. The domestic range consists of 18 solutions for bathrooms But what if gravity isn’t on your side? What if drainage pipework is inconveniently positioned, and kitchens. perhaps when working in a loft or a basement? Saniflo works where convention doesn’t. The domestic range consists of 18 solutions for bathrooms and kitchens.

LOFT CONVERSION EN-SUITE Need an additional en-suite? Try a Sanipro Up

MAIN BATHROOM

BEDROOM EN-SUITE

Need to pump bath water waste? Possible with a Saniaccess Pump

Want a shower in the en-suite? Possible with a Sanishower +

KITCHEN

AIR-CONDITIONED LIVING ROOM

Problems removing kitchen water waste? You need a Sanivite +

Air-conditioning dripping? You need a Sanicondens Clim Pack

BASEMENT UTILITY ROOM Creating a new utility room? Try a Sanivite +

CLOAKROOM

Not much room to make a cloakroom? Possible with a Sanislim or Sanicompact

BASEMENT GARAGE/BOILER ROOM Take away acidic boiler condensate. Use a Sanicondens Best

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | MACERATORS

MACERATORS & PUMPS FOR THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR The benefits of macerator pumping units have been recognised by the commercial sector and this has led to the development of products developed specifically for the sector. Saniflo has a range of 8 professional products that are tough enough to perform in some of the most demanding situations where it may be necessary to deliver waste water over a distance of 110m or vertically to a height of 11m through small-bore pipework.

 High performance macerating pumps SANICUBIC 1, SANICUBIC 2 Sanicubic2 Classic PRO, SANICUBIC 2 CLASSIC, SANICUBIC 2 XL: Sanicubic is a 5-model range of robust macerator pumps designed to discharge waste from multiple appliances. Some models have twin pumps to provide continuity of service and all models feature alarms for the ultimate security. The XL model can handle up to 40m3 per hour of waste water and is now available in single and three phase versions. SANICOM 1 & SANICOM 2: These pumps have very powerful oil and fan cooled motors encased in aluminium housing. They can pump water up to 75°C in heat over a huge 110m horizontally or 11m vertically for the Sanicom 2, or 80m and 8m for the Sanicom 1. The high flow rate to pumping head is ideally suited to demanding industrial or commercial environments such as industrial-glass washers / dishwashers / sinks and areas where there is a combination of constantly busy showers, baths and sinks. Sanicom 2 has a second motor to provide continuity of service for added security.

 Light commercial pump SANISPEED+: This pump is for lighter applications such as a sink in a busy catering kitchen and can handle water up to 75°C for short periods. Sanispeed Water is discharged through 32mm pipework that pumps up to 70m horizontally. Maximum discharge height is 7m with an impressive flow rate of up to 43 litres per minute.

 Radical macerator action SANIBEST PRO: High performance motors combined with a radical macerator action ideal for heavy usage public or Sanibest Pro commercial environments, this macerator pump can handle connection to a WC, basin, bidet and shower and has three inlets for full functionality.

 Disposal of acidic condensate SANICONDENS BEST, PRO, ECO, NEUTRAL, CLIM PACK, CLIM MINI AND CLIM DECO: A comprehensive range of 7 units designed specifically Sanicondens Pro for the disposal and treatment of acidic waste from condensing boilers, air conditioning units, dehumidifiers and refrigeration units.

MACERATORS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

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 COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL

Tough conditions require tough products and the Saniflo commercial range now has 9 products that are robust enough to perform in some of the most demanding situations. Having manufactured Saniflo products for over 55 years, no other manufacturer has the years of experience and expertise to Tough conditions require tough products and the Saniflo commercial range now has 14 products that are robust produceenough such toa perform comprehensive range of units for commercial applications. in some of the most demanding situations. Think Having of themanufactured possibilities… Saniflo products for over 55 years, no other manufacturer has the years of experience and expertise to produce such a comprehensive range of units for commercial applications. Think of the possibilities…

GYM Need to install multiple showers? The Sanicom 2 will do the job Public toilets for the gym? Try Sanicubic 2 Classic

OFFICES Need extra facilities for the employees? – All possible with a Sanibest Pro Office kitchen getting used all day – A Sanispeed + keeps it working

CAFÉ & BAR Busy Café? A Sanicom 1 for the glass washer Kitchen water waste from the café? Try a Sanispeed +

PUBLIC TOILETS & BOILER ROOM Ensure public toilets never let you down – Use Sanicubic 2 Pro

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | MACERATORS

PRODUCT SELECTOR PRODUCT SELECTOR

All bebe used in any of these situations: Basement, Ground Floor, Allofofour ourunits unitscan can used in any of these situations: Basement, Ground Upper Floor, Loft/Attic — just choose the right product for your installation... Floor, Upper Floor, Loft / Attic — just choose the right product for your

SANITOP UP

SANIPLUS UP

Ref 600�

Alarm�

Sink

Dishwasher

Washing Machine

Bidet

Power shower

Shower

Bath

Wash Basin

Ref 6003

Ref 6002

SANIFLO UP

Wall-hung WCs

installation...

SANISLIM Ref �054/1

SANIPRO UP

Ref 6052

Ref 6006

SANIPACK PRO UP

SANICOMPACT 2 Ref �08�

SANIVITE +

SANISHOWER +

Ref 6��0

Ref 6043

Ref 6004

SANIWALL PRO UP

 DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL

SANISHOWER FLAT Ref �043/3

SANIFLOOR

Ref ��54/1155/1156

TRAYMATIC EXTERIOR Ref RD590AD/1AD/ 2AD/3AD/4AD/5AD

SANIMATIC Ref �116

Ref 6045

SANISPEED + SANIBEST PRO Ref �053

SANICOM �

SANICOM 2

Ref �046/1

Ref �046/2

SANICUBIC 2 PRO

SANICUBIC 2 CLASSIC

SANICUBIC 2 XL

SANIPUMP

Ref 610�

Ref 6�09

(THREE PHASE) Ref 6305

(SINGLE PHASE) Ref 6105

Ref 6103

Ref 6�02

SANICUBIC �

�

Sanialarm can be fitted to these units if required.

Sanicompact can be installed in locations with a minimum water supply pressure of �.7 bar.

Sanialarm is fitted to these units as standard.

If connected to a kitchen sink, a grease trap must be fitted.

BECAUSE ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL

From attic en-suites to tight-fit utility rooms, jobs come in all shapes and sizes, which is why our products do too. We’ve enhanced our huge product range with clever innovations like easy access panels and vibration-reducing suspension, so you know that whatever the job, you’ll find the perfect solution with Saniflo. Anything’s possible. Visit saniflo.co.uk to see how.

SOLOLIFT2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SEE THE BENEFITS OF INNOVATION External pressure switch, outside the tank and isolating all moving wastewater.

Lift out motor for easy access servicing.

Hardened steel cutter, based on industrial technology for maximum durability.

Adaptable connections, ensuring maximum flexibility and easy replacement of other models and brands.

Practical, accessible service drain, so the appliance does not need removing to drain the tank.

Reliable welded tank, eliminates the risk of leakage if a system blockage occurs.

Designed to directly address traditional installation, reliability and service issues, the Grundfos SOLOLIFT2 range takes macerator innovation to a new level. For more information, please visit www.grundfos.co.uk

MERCHANTS

Sponsored by

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | MERCHANTS

A MERCHANT & SO MUCH MORE For plumbing and heating installers, the trust and reliability that comes from using the right merchant can make a huge difference to daily business. However, those who are new to the industry may be unaware of the additional offerings available to them through their local trade counter.

Due to a merchantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique position it is ideally placed to provide guidance and advice on products and installations, as well as legislative changes and developing technologies. For example, many merchants provide installer training courses and trade days, to help customers keep up to date.

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MERCHANTS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

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You get the products youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re after A leading merchant prides itself on its product offering and strong relationships with suppliers, which ensures in-demand items are always in stock. Recognising that product availability is one of the top reasons why customers choose a merchant, requirements are constantly analysed at a national, regional and local level, with regional differences and seasonality taken into account to get the stock profile right.

Not only are merchants ideal for purchasing all necessary products under one roof, but by using a merchant, installers can also ensure that they are only purchasing genuine parts and spares from reputable manufacturers.

...by using a merchant, installers can also ensure that they are only purchasing genuine parts and spares...

It is not always easy to tell a non-genuine product, especially when purchasing online. While it can be tempting to consider a lowcost alternative from an unfamiliar supplier when looking at spares, the use of non-genuine parts can present a serious risk, not only to the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety but also to an installerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation. When purchasing counterfeit parts, there is no guarantee of the materials used or the overall quality of the product and there is also no support available if something goes

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | MERCHANTS

wrong. The best way to ensure the quality of the products is to use only reputable merchants, like Graham, who stock directly from manufacturers.

You get sorted fast Part of Graham’s promise is to ensure customers have their queries and orders ‘sorted fast’ and it selects its suppliers accordingly. Merchants can often provide delivery direct to site or to a customer’s home if necessary, saving the installer valuable time collecting the products from store. Graham also has an Always Available range of products which it pledges to always have in stock for quick and efficient service and, if not, the customer in question will receive a £10 voucher to spend on a future purchase.

You talk to people in the know Merchants can be especially valuable to an installer with regards to their product knowledge and know-how and are happy to provide support, expertise and advice to installers. A leading merchant works closely with its suppliers to ensure its staff are trained across all product ranges. Likewise, it is vital that installers keep up to speed with current legislation, technological advancements and best practice. For installers looking for assistance in any of these areas, a merchant is an ideal place to start with specially trained staff on hand to provide technical support, product advice and assistance with planning and installation. Free manufacturer courses and product training are also available for installers to keep their knowledge up to date. As well as covering stocked products, training can also cover current

MERCHANTS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

areas of interest, trends and market drivers such as renewable technology and smart controls.

You always get your money’s worth Financially, using the best merchant can ensure you always get value for money on your purchases, with competitive pricing, deals and offers always available. A no fuss returns policy (T&C’s apply) means you can return products easily if necessary.

Some merchants also offer reward schemes, allowing installers to make more from their purchases and reward them for their loyalty. Graham has a scheme called Plumbers’ Club, which offers discounts and a host of rewards; you can even pay off your credit balance with your collected plumbers’ points should you wish to.

There is also a wealth of resources available to help you advise your customers on the products that are right for them. Where merchants have onsite showrooms, installers can make use of these facilities to introduce their customers to the products on offer. Graham is constantly reviewing and refurbishing its bathroom showrooms to reflect the current interior design trends. Additionally, the showrooms offer a full in-house bathroom design service

113

and 3D CAD drawings to enable installers’ customers to envisage their bathroom plan. Furthermore, there are brochures, guides and online resources designed specifically as sales tools for the installer to utilise. Product training is usually free for installers to attend – further rewarding them for their custom and ensuring they always get more for their money. For new as well as experienced installers, it is important to remember the advantages of using a specialist merchant for support and advice to help ensure work completed is compliant and products are fit for purpose, so that installers can give their customers the best service possible and grow their businesses. With additional benefits like rewards schemes, competitive pricing, speed focused delivery and free installer training, merchants represent a unique and valuable resource to those in the industry.

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CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT THE FOREFRONT Following on from a period of extensive customer research, Graham Plumbers’ Merchant is reinventing its customer experience - listening to and incorporating suggestions with regards to staffing, pricing and technology. Graham has conducted a series of focus groups across the country with local installers to understand their perception of the brand and what they would like from their local merchant. This was followed by an online survey sent to Graham branch managers and showroom colleagues, in order to consider their perspective.

In response, Graham has increased staffing at popular times and is changing the focus of its training to include more emphasis on the ‘customer experience’, not just product knowledge. Stock profiling has also been reviewed and where other merchants might be destocking and relying on next day delivery, Graham is increasing stock to reflect local demand for each branch.

New technology Furthermore, Graham is in the process of replacing its telephony system with new cloudbased technology which will streamline the way customer calls are dealt with, as well as uniting all branches on the same network. A national customer database will also be in place and will work in tandem with the telephony system. This will enable a customer to call any branch, and Graham staff will instantly be able to identify

the customer, their personal terms, order and delivery information – allowing them to serve the customer quickly and efficiently with zero hassle. This system will also increase response time dramatically and provide live stock levels, enabling staff to quickly source additional products from other branches with ease. In addition, 24/7 online ordering will be available, along with a convenient click and collect system. Alongside its ongoing showroom refurbishments and new branch openings, this continued focus on enhancing customer experience is part of Graham’s wider strategy to solidify its standing as a national business with a local flare.  For more information on Grahams Plumbers’ Merchant, please visit grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk

POWER FLUSHING

Sponsored by

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | POWERFLUSHING

WHAT IS POWERFLUSHING? Powerflushing is the most efficient way to restore an old, sludged up heating system back to health. It combines the best of both speed and depth of clean for a system, making it an ideal solution for both heating engineers and customers alike. It’s a process of cleaning a central heating system using a strong external pump (i.e. a powerflushing machine) to force water around the system at high velocity. This is done in conjunction with a chemical cleaner to remove sludge and return even heat distribution to radiators.

The process of powerflushing is done to remove this sludge from the heating system.

This article walks you through the tried and true sequence of isolating radiators, reversing flow and dumping dirty water in order to clean the system as thoroughly as possible, plus gives some handy tips and tricks for helping your customers to understand the process of powerflushing and its benefits.

What is sludge? First up, let’s talk about sludge. Sludge, magnetite, debris – it comes by several names but it is basically a by-product of corrosion within a heating system. continued>>

POWERFLUSHING | HIP BOOK 2018-19

These small particles of metallic oxide dirty the water and can settle in low flow areas of the system where they affect system balance, or can be carried to other areas of the system to wreak havoc with components such as the circulation pump. The process of powerflushing is done to remove this sludge from the heating system.

How can you tell if a system needs a powerflush? An inefficient system caused by sludge can be identified in a number of ways. Firstly, your customers may tell you that some rooms in the house never really get warm, or that the whole system takes an age to heat up. Alternatively, they may complain that the boiler is making a lot of noise or that specific radiators are always cold or need bleeding all the time. When you hear these comments, take a moment to go around the system and check each radiator with equipment such as an infrared thermometer or a thermal imaging camera, or by carefully hovering your hand in front of the radiator. If there is sludge built up, it will most likely be at the bottom of radiators, usually deposited towards the centre, so focus your attention in this area.

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PROFLUSH’S GOOD REPUTATION Plenty of well-known plumbers are using our machines, including: P B Plumber Drew Styles Ryan Mills Ian Briggs Wayne Kirby Shaun Scott and many more.

ne *Bu xt y d da ire y d ct el fo iv r er y*

PROFLUSH’S

NEW & IMPROVED professional Power flushing machine Lightweight components Upgraded parts 150 Litres per minute Can flush 40 rads at one time Increased power to the motor Even more reliable than ever Additional brass hose locks for the Fill & Overfill Made in the UK

“Amazing how these Powdered Chemicals work with cold water, has no problem shifting sludge and comes in a nice compact packet.. Highly recommended” - Drew Styles (Plumber of the Year 2017)

@proflush

All major credit cards accepted

www.proflush.co.uk

01942 722677

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | POWERFLUSHING

Take note of the temperature of each radiator. This way, if you do a powerflush, you will be able to take these temperatures again after the clean and prove the quality of your work.

If there doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appear to be a sludge problem with the system, check system balance and other factors carefully: powerflushing when a system doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need it will frustrate your customers, even if they initially believe it is what they need.

How do you explain to a customer the need for a powerflush? In an online survey conducted by powerflushing manufacturer Proflush, heating engineers were asked what their least favourite thing was about powerflushing: 45% said that

explaining the need to a customer was the bit they enjoyed the least, but they had some great recommendations for how to approach it.

Powerflushing appears in the Compliance Guide to Part L of the UK Building Regulations for England and Wales as a suitable method of cleaning a central heating system...

POWERFLUSHING | HIP BOOK 2018-19

If the customer has noticed that their system does not work as well as it should or as well as it used to, they may not be surprised to hear that a powerflush is the proposed remedy. Some may take a little more convincing, so let’s look at the best way to engage them. As a heating engineer, your job is to help the customer benefit from your expertise, so try sharing your findings with them in a way that they can easily grasp. Whatever tools you used to assess the requirement for a powerflush, show your customer what you uncovered. Visual aids are highly effective for helping householders to understand what you mean when you say that the water in their systems is not clean, so thermal images or a water sample work particularly well. You can also talk them through the temperatures that you recorded.

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debris does not enter the new boiler and affect its performance efficiency or damage its components.

POWERFLUSHING:

A tried and tested process Now let’s get into the practical stuff and take a look at the best practice process for powerflushing a central heating system. This is a tried and tested approach that has been followed by heating engineers for decades. There are also lots of great videos online which explain the process in more detail.

For those who require a little additional convincing of the benefits of improving the condition of their system, a clean heating system can deliver better heating of the home, overall energy savings and better reliability of the wider system. It’s especially important to protect key components such as the boiler, which is critical to the health and smooth running of a household.

A note on regulations and industry guidance Powerflushing appears in the Compliance Guide to Part L of the UK Building Regulations for England and Wales as a suitable method of cleaning a central heating system and is recommended by many boiler manufacturers before fitting a new boiler onto an older central heating system. This is to ensure that

1 STARTING OFF Once you have a powerflushing unit connected to the heating system, you will first do what is known as the primary flush. Open all of the radiator and system valves to allow free flow around the system, then run the machine for 10-15 minutes, reversing the flow a few times to disturb any built-up debris. After enough time has passed, dump this now-dirty water to drain. continued>>

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2 ADDNG THE CLEANER Next, add fresh water through the powerflushing unit and add your chemical cleaner. These cleaners are like using shampoo for cleaning your car or detergent for your laundry – it helps to lift the more stubborn grime that water alone will not shift. Each manufacturer has different recommendations for how long the cleaner should be allowed to work, so be sure to check the label of the product to determine the circulation time required.

3 CONTROLLING THE CIRCULATION Now, you will move around the system and isolate each radiator in turn, circulating the cleaner through each one for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Whilst doing this, reverse the flow occasionally to ensure maximum debris removal.

4 FLUSHING INDIVIDUAL RADS With the debris lifted into circulation, we’re ready to begin flushing the radiators. Work your way around the system, flushing each rad in turn, again for a minimum of 5 minutes per radiator. If the water is not running clear after 5 minutes, you may need to flush for a little longer. This process will remove the majority of the cleaner and debris solution from each radiator.

5 FINAL FLUSH Now that you’ve given careful attention to each part of the system, the full system is ready for

POWERFLUSHING | HIP BOOK 2018-19

its final flush. Open all valves as you did at the beginning of the process and flush through until the water is running clear. Once it looks clear, take a sample of the water in a container and allow it to settle for five minutes. Any remaining debris will sink to the bottom to give a clearer picture of how much more flushing the system might need. Tiny debris particles can be easy to miss in fast-moving water!

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Infrared thermometer

Pump head adapter

feel that you have done a good job and gone the extra mile. Great customer service like this is key to growing your business through word of mouth!

What to do once the system is clean Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re satisfied that the system is clean, it should be treated with an inhibitor to prevent future build-up of sludge in the radiators. As with the cleaners, each manufacturer has different instructions about how to add their inhibitor to a system, so check the instructions to ensure that the system is correctly protected. Before leaving your customer with their revitalised radiators, run the system and go around the property once again checking the performance of each radiator like you did before the clean. Make a note of the difference in temperature or performance from the notes that you took before the clean. Sharing this difference with the customer is a great way to ensure that they

A WORD ABOUT EQUIPMENT For new or smaller businesses, the purchase of powerflushing equipment can feel like a large expense, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to buy quality. Well manufactured powerflushing equipment will last for years and should be considered an investment. Many units on the market come with multi-year guarantees and some manufacturers even offer upgrade options to allow you to invest slowly over time in more advanced powerflushing equipment, so research carefully before you purchase.

There you have an overview of best practice for powerflushing central heating systems, plus some useful tips and tricks for going the extra mile to help your customer appreciate the job that you have done.

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UPGRADABLE POWERFLUSHING MACHINES WHICH GROW WITH YOUR BUSINESS Norstrom Proflush have been manufacturing powerflushing machines engineered to the highest quality for over 20 years.

Corrosion debris (or sludge) in a heating system can affect its ability to heat the property and can also reduce the life expectancy of the boiler. If sludge is built up in radiators, you may hear complaints from customers such as certain areas of the house never getting warm. A powerflush is the most efficient way to tackle this issue and remove built up sludge from the heating system.

Adding powerflushing to your professional repertoire provides a good sales opportunity with a lot of value for your customers: prolonging the life of their boiler and ensuring that their home is heated more consistently. The downside is that quality powerflushing equipment can be a large investment for smaller businesses. That’s why the Proflush range of powerflushing units has been designed to grow with your business.

The company’s high quality Proflush Professional units pack a punch, with a 150 litres

per minute flow rate and a maximum operating temperature of 85 degrees Celsius. What makes these units ideal for growing businesses is the fact that they can be upgraded at any time with simple upgrade packs to turn them into either a Proflush Professional Thermal or a Proflush Professional Magmaster. With a Magmaster, in-line magnets give maximum debris collection and allow customers to easily see the sludge that has been removed from their system, whilst the Thermal pack is ideal for those who regularly work with systems where the boiler can’t heat the system water. These upgrade packs allow you to spread the cost of your investment into powerflushing over time, expanding the functionality of your equipment in line with your business needs and customer requirements.

 For more information on Powerflushing please visit proflush.co.uk

PLUMBING TOOLS

Sponsored by

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THE VIDEO INSPECTION OF SMALL DRAIN LINES SERVICE RIGHT ON THE SPOT WITH THE VIDEO INSPECTION SYSTEM Even routine jobs may conceal unpredictable issues which extend work times for the plumber and pose an inconvenience for their customers. A blockage, for example, indicates a probable pipe breakage of which the full-blown effects become evident once the obstruction has been removed. The significance of such warning signs can be assessed with the aid of the video inspection camera system.

When is video inspection a good idea When re-laying the drains of a home, using this equipment on the pipes and storing the video recorded enable you to prove, in the event of a complaint, that the job was done properly. This is useful, especially when the drains are installed prior to other jobs during which paints or debris, caused by accidents or negligence, might enter. After the video inspection job is done, a report can be sent to the customer. Inconvenience can be < Image 1

reduced even further by combining the camera with a locator.

This locator will pinpoint the exact location where the pipe needs repair, avoiding unnecessary additional construction works or even accidental damage to the piping.

The product The photographs illustrate the use of the RIDGID® SeeSnake® microDrain™ Inspection System, which is a portable pipe inspection diagnostic reel and camera with a 20m push cable, combined with a hand-held RIDGID (www.RIDGID.com) micro CA-300 Digital Inspection Camera monitor of a 3.5 inch colour LCD screen. The product range includes different versions of reels, depending mainly on the push cable length and camera diameter. The pushrod inner drum is removable and interchangeable and is compatible with all other SeeSnake microReel or nanoReel models. There is no risk of rust or accidental breaks as there are no weld lines. Drain lines from 32 to

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Follow RIDGID Europe on Facebook and Twitter to find exclusive updates on trends, tips and tools!

“Everybody knows that a workman is only as good as his tools. So I like to use brands that I’ve had a good experience with and I can rely on, and as far as I’m concerned, RIDGID fits the bill perfectly. Our relationship has only got better over the years.” Dirk Peytier – Owner of Plumbing Company & National Chairman of the Trade Federation for Central Heating, Sanitary & Air-conditioning Installers & Affiliated Trades Bruxelles.

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100 millimetres can be easily inspected with the SeeSnake microDrain inspection system. The camera can pass multiple turns and 90-degree bends from 40 millimetres upwards with no need to dismantle them. The RIDGID Navitrack Scout® locator is able to trace the pipeline and precisely detect the signal of a sondes (transmitter) to see where assessment or service is needed inside the pipe. The SeeSnake HQ software, which comes with the SeeSnake equipment and which can be updated free of charge, enables data to be monitored and managed right on the work site by connecting the equipment to a PC. Reports, which can include confidential remarks – not visible to the customer, can then be exported to a CD or USB memory stick. The 235MB internal memory can store over 2,000 photographs. Images and videos can be stored on the included 4GB SD card that comes with the micro CA-300 camera and transferred via the USB port to a computer.

USING THE 1

The RIDGID micro CA-300 Inspection Camera and its case (Image 1).

The push cable of the SeeSnake microDrain reel, shown in the photo, is 20 metres long. It can inspect from 32 to 100mm in diameter (Image 2).

The monitor’s menu can be used to rotate the image into the best position for the inspection job.

Advice for the plumber Before using the equipment, make sure the customer has not attempted to remove obstructions with hydrochloric acid. Any residues of this substance inside pipes might seriously damage the video inspection system. If hydrochloric acid has been used, remove the blockage with a pipe cleaning hose, run water through the pipe and then perform the video inspection: this procedure enables you to check the obstruction’s causes and the condition of the pipes. Also make sure that the camera diameter is compatible with that of the pipe to be inspected. For example, if the minimum siphon diameter is 40 millimetres, the camera will be able to enter a pipe even of 32 millimetres, but it will get stuck from the first turn. To prevent damage to the drain lines and the equipment, first find out the minimum and maximum diameters and then use the appropriate reel. Also refer to the operator’s manual to comply with all the parameters described for a well done job.

Using the arrow keys, the image can be enlarged as required for optimal viewing.

In the most complex situations, the Navitrack Scout locator helps to identify the exact point where the camera is located.

PLUMBING TOOLS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

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EQUIPMENT 6

By moving the locator over the ground, the display shows information about the maximum signal strength, the equipmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree of perpendicularity to the line on the screen, the depth and the battery level.

The camera monitor has a headset with an integrated microphone for recording audio commentaries on the videos.

Videos or photographs can be reviewed 10 right after they were made.

The range includes three different types of reels, chosen to suit the size of the pipe to be inspected.

The display shows when the equipment has detected an obstruction in a water pipe.

The SeeSnake HQ software, supplied with any SeeSnake equipment, facilitates the management and editing of images and video reports.

For better management and cleaner 12 work, SeeSnake microReel, microDrain and nanoReel drums are interchangeable. ď&#x201A;Š For more information, contact Ridge Tool UK by phone +44 (0) 808 238 9869 or by email ridgid.gb@emerson.com

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RIDGID® DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE TOOLS FOR MULTIPLE MARKETS Established in the 1920s, the company Ridge Tool evolved from a pipe wrench manufacturer into one of the world’s largest suppliers of quality engineered tools for the professional building and construction trades. Pushing the boundaries, the RIDGID brand now serves global heavy industrial sectors such as utilities, drilling and mining oil and gas, processing and refining as well as commercial building and plant and facility maintenance. The company has consistently anticipated and addressed technological and market trends and today the RIDGID brand maintains a strong reputation for innovation, design and world class engineering. The company’s creative product portfolio of highly engineered tools has been developed to utilise video, smartphone apps and laser technology. As a part of Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions, all RIDGID products are designed with the user in mind - attention to detail, ease of use, durability, speed and efficiency.

GLOBAL REACH: Today RIDGID

manufactures over 300 different tools in more than 2,000 models and sizes. These range from the original RIDGID pipe wrench to multiple purpose pipe and tubing tools, pressing tools for joining copper tubing, stainless steel, PEX and multilayer tubing also pipe and drain cleaning equipment and diagnostic inspection and locating tools. RIDGID has developed into one of the world’s largest supplier of tools to the professional trades and today distributes to over 140 countries through 5,000 distributors in over 51,000 locations. RIDGID tools are known throughout the world as industry-leading, innovative products that provide confidence and efficiency for any professional tradesperson.

 For further information on RIDGID’s innovative tools, please visit RIDGID.com

SHOWERS

HIP BOOK 2018-19 | SHOWERS

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CARE SHOWERS

Sponsored by

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DIGITAL SHOWERS

Sponsored by

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ELECTRIC SHOWER

Sponsored by

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MIXER SHOWERS

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KNOWLEDGE IS SHOWER

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SHOWER POWER

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SHOWER TRIVIA

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SHOWER SURVEYS

CONTENTS

Sponsored by

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | CARE SHOWERS

CARE SHOWERS Safety in the shower is undoubtedly a huge concern for vulnerable people – especially the elderly, the very young and the infirm – and is particularly prominent within the Community and Social Housing marketplace. Those who suffer with sight, hearing or dexterity issues often have difficulty when showering and are particularly at risk. Plus, with a rise in people not only living for longer but staying in their homes for longer, there is an ever-growing focus on meeting the needs of the “vulnerable” user. To address these challenges, showering manufacturers have developed products to cater for the elderly and vulnerable. When specifying a shower where safety is paramount, it is more important than ever to choose a brand you can trust. Often a way to determine a reliable brand is by the brand’s heritage. Mira Showers has over 90 years’ of experience, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands when it comes to specifying a Mira shower.

Mira Advance In addition, because of the bespoke nature of the needs of the user and therefore specification of the shower, ensure that you are choosing a reliable product that has been tried and tested. The new, innovative version of the ever-popular Mira Advance electric shower, for example, has a heritage of more than 20 years. The new Mira Advance retains the essence of what makes this electric shower great, whilst improving usability and functionality for the user.

The Advance range holds the RNIB Gold Award in recognition of its high levels of safety... Also, so that you can truly and reliably specify the care shower, ensure that the necessary research has been undertaken in its development. Mira has gone above and beyond in developing the new Mira Advance. From research and interviews with end users, occupational therapists and installers, to working collaboratively with the Royal National continued>>

Introducing the new Mira Advance.

Thoughtful design. Featuring our market leading technologies, such as Mira Clearscale Proâ&#x201E;˘, and BEAB and RNIB approvals, the new Mira Advance has improved performance, functionality and usability. A design so considered, why consider anything else? www.mirashowers.co.uk/expert

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Beneficial features Also, ensure that your specified shower will have longevity. Patented technologies such as Mira Clearscale Proâ&#x201E;˘, an anti-limescale technology for a longer-lasting, better performing electric shower, make it easier than ever to fit and forget. Plus, Mira Optiflo Proâ&#x201E;˘ technology ensures great performance, irrespective of water pressure - so customers can be assured of consistent water flow. Both of these technologies are features of Mira Advance. When sight, hearing or dexterity are limited or compromised, a simple day-to-day task that is often taken for granted, such as showering, can be very daunting. Features such as high contrast graphics and raised tactile markings that highlight critical touchpoints and make navigating the showering controls easier are vital. Plus, light-touch buttons that are simple to use, even when dexterity is limited, can make all the difference.

Institute of the Blind (RNIB), no stone has been left unturned to ensure that this product is at the height of safety and accessible showering for all users. For complete assurance, be sure to check if the shower has the necessary accreditations to support its credibility. The Advance range holds the RNIB Gold Award in recognition of its high levels of safety, as well as featuring thermostatic temperature control and the BEAB Care Mark, demonstrating its compliance with additional safety and performance criteria to ensure safer showering for all.

Ensure that those with hearing issues will also be catered for. Features such as clear, audible beeps enable the user to know if the shower is on, off or has reached the desired temperature. Added touches such as audible clicks on both the showerhead, to indicate changing between spray patterns, and on the central dial, to indicate the changing in temperature, are very helpful.

For those where dexterity is limited, or there is concern around issues in the shower room, often a wet-room will be the best solution. When a wet-room installation is needed, one of the biggest concerns can be around the risk of flooding. However, there are products designed to assist with this. The Mira Advance Flex Extra

CARE SHOWERS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

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is compatible with the Bluetooth® Whale Pump, which is specifically designed to solve shower drainage problems, allowing you to create a level access bathroom without compromise.

Installation Whichever care product you choose, be sure to check the complexity of the installation. There are often installer benefits for care showers which can not only help save time, but ensure the ultimate safety for the end user. The Mira Advance re-calibrates itself and makes internal adjustments, depending on the supply conditions, for a more simplified installation. Plus, the range easily retrofits over all previous models, without the need to adjust the pipework, cabling or drill extra screw holes, making fitting as easy as possible for installers.

After sales support For complete peace of mind, always look for a brand that has a commitment to customer service. In the unlikely event that there should be a fault, or a query with the product, it’s reassuring to know that help is at hand.

The Mira Showers Customer Service team, based here in the UK, has highly trained specialists who are on-hand for any additional support or advice. The Mira Advance has a clever fault diagnosing system; depending on the colour of the light, the customer service team can quickly identify the issue and make any necessary repairs easy to sort.

The incremental features for the installer shouldn’t be overlooked. Having products with the latest PCB technology to make it easier than ever to program the maximum temperature - whether it’s to BEAB Care Mark or 48°C - with a choice of 4 maximum temperature settings at the flick of a switch.

When it comes to looking after properties in the social housing sector, a quick and efficient service is imperative and there are training services available to give you the support you need.

 Find out more about Mira’s UK-wide, free training workshops as part of the Tool Box training programme.

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MIRA ADVANCE Mira Advance

Secondary showerhead holder

Mira Advance Flex

With over 20 years of heritage, the latest Mira Advance electric shower retains the essence of what makes this electric shower great, whilst improving usability and functionality for the user. When sight, hearing and dexterity are limited or compromised, showering – a simple day-today activity that is taken for granted – can be very daunting. That’s why the Mira Advance is designed to give peace of mind for the user. Its high contrast graphics and raised tactile markings highlight critical touchpoints, making navigating the showering controls easier, along with light-touch buttons that are simple to use. Plus, its clear audible beeps enable the user to know if the shower is on, off or at temperature. There are also audible clicks on both the showerhead, to indicate changing between the 3 spray patterns, and on the central dial, to indicate the changing in temperature. It’s these innovative touches that make all the difference to a vulnerable user. Better still, the Mira Advance fittings have innovative features, too. The handy soap dish doubles up as a secondary showerhead holder, making it easier to shower if you require a shower seat.

Mira Advance Flex The Mira Advance Flex has a central loop handle which makes changing the temperature even easier for those with limited dexterity. It also comes with an extra-long slide bar for added flexibility. The new Mira Advance includes Mira Clearscale Pro™, an anti-limescale technology, thermostatic temperature control and BEAB Care. From research and interviews with end users, occupational therapists and installers, to working collaboratively with the Royal National Institute of the Blind, no stone has been left unturned. The Advance range is RNIB Gold Awarded, in recognition of its high levels of accessible showering for all users. For the ultimate in safe showering, look no further than the Mira Advance electric shower range.

 Visit mirashowers.co.uk to discover more.

SHOWER TRIVIA | HIP BOOK 2018-19

KNOWLEDGE IS SHOWER Most people in the UK own or have access to a shower. But did you know about these other showers that are also showers?

Mount Showers is a mountain in Antarctica located beneath South America. It was named after American biologist William Showers in 1975.

A meteor shower is an event at which several meteors radiate from one point. Most meteors are smaller than a grain of sand, so almost all of them disintegrate and never hit the Earth’s surface.

Bridal showers may have derived their name from a 19th Century custom for the presents to be put inside a parasol, which when opened would “shower” the bride-to-be with gifts.

In juggling, a shower is a type of juggling pattern used for three or more objects. Jameill Showers plays American Football for NFL team Dallas Cowboys.

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DIGITAL SHOWERS

Sponsored by

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | DIGITAL SHOWERS

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF SHOWERING:

DIGITAL SHOWERS

As digital showers work in a similar way to mixer showers – taking the water from the hot and cold supplies and blending together to achieve the desired temperature – their benefits could potentially be overlooked. However, the key difference between a digital shower and a mixer shower is that its digital technology enables ultimate precise temperature control – to within a degree. Digital showers, depending on the product, also have precise flow control as well as other innovative features that aren’t available on mixer showers. In the past, digital showers may have seemed like a complex installation choice. However, the leading brands have all of the tools that you need to be able to confidently recommend and install a digital shower.

the market. However, in order to prevent repeat call-outs, it’s important not to compromise on quality. Often a way to determine a reliable brand is by the brand’s heritage. Mira Showers has over 90 years of experience, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands when it comes to specifying a Mira digital shower.

Discover wired or wireless digital shower options There are two types of digital shower – wired and wireless – and each have their benefits, just with a slightly different installation method.

Take a look through these top tips from showering manufacturer, Mira Showers, to see how the future of showering is digital.

Choose a reliable brand In the same way that a professional installer relies on their good reputation to attract customers, choosing a trusted shower brand is essential when specifying a digital shower. There is a great range of digital showers available on

The wireless Mira Platinum digital shower

continued>>

Introducing Mira Mode. Smart, simple showering The new Mira Mode is designed with the installer in mind. The latest must-have digital shower for your customer also comes with the Mira Mode app for your smartphone, providing helpful installation and troubleshooting features such as switching outlets at the touch of a button.

For more installation guides and resources visit our dedicated online Installer Zone at www.mirashowers.co.uk/expert

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Mira Platinum is packed with handy features

A wireless digital shower, such as the Mira Platinum, provides full flexibility when it comes to the installation and placement of the user interface and valve. It removes the need for tracking wires and offers a neater finish without excess cabling. Wired digital showers, such as the Mira Mode, have a slightly different installation. They use a low voltage cable connection from the valve to the controller, meaning no electrical certifications are required to install.

Behind the Digital Valve Depending on your customer’s water system you will need to choose between either a high pressure or pumped digital shower valve. A high pressure option is suited to mains pressure unvented systems and combination boilers, whereas a pumped option is suited to low pressure gravity systems with an integral pump in the digital valve itself. The digital unit is separate from the interface and the incoming water supply runs directly through the fittings or through a right-angled connector (or RAC). As a result, only one pipe needs to be run through the wall, reducing the need for additional drilling. Both the high and low pressure Mira valves have a small footprint, even with a dual outlet valve, making it easier to fit in less accessible places. Mira’s integrated pump offers a far quieter solution to a pumped shower when in comparison to installing a separate pump in the system.

Compatibility for your customer’s needs After selecting the appropriate valve for your customers water system, the next area for

consideration is the outlet. Increasingly, a dual outlet shower is preferred for a more luxurious showering experience. The Mira Mode digital shower has 12 different combinations including single and dual outlet, bathfill and shower & bath options, so it’s easy to find your installation solution. Rear and ceiling fed options are also available, depending on the installation requirements, giving you further opportunity to meet your customer’s needs. Plus, the Mira Mode comes with the award-winning Switch hand-shower, which also features 4 unique spray modes; the Soothe spray mode is dermatologically accredited for sensitive skin by the Skin Health Alliance – perfect for all members of the family. It’s features like this that will make all the difference to your customer. Mira Switch Showerhead, Saturate Spray

Tools you need to fit and forget These aren’t just the plumbing tools, but the resources that will make your installation as straightforward as possible. Digital showers can often be perceived as having complex installations. However, when provided with the correct resources and guides, it can be as straightforward as any other shower installation. With the new Mira Mode digital shower, installation is made easy by following the step by step video on YouTube, or alternatively you can follow the steps using the Information User Guide included within the packaging.

DIGITAL SHOWERS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

The Mira Mode app with useful troubleshooting features

Plus, in the unlikely event that something should go wrong during the installation, Mira Mode comes complete with a free app for your smartphone, including lots of useful troubleshooting features. So, for example, when installing the Mira Mode Dual digital shower, the outlets can easily be switched using the app so there’s no need for additional pipework. Also, ensure that all elements of the digital shower are included when you purchase. Often, a remote control has to be purchased separately – Mira Mode, for example, keeps it simple. Mira Mode has everything, even the additional control, included within the box as standard.

What’s new in digital? The world of digital showers is constantly innovating. The latest in digital showering comes from Mira with their new Mira Mode digital shower. This innovative product comes with a free app for your smartphone which allows you to customise the shower to your customer’s preference, cementing you as the expert and leaving a great impression. There are also great design features: the slick LED indicator lights

Mira Mode Remote Button

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on the controller flash whilst the shower is warming up, and then remain on once the water has reached the desired temperature. There is an additional remote control that enables your customer to switch the shower on/off from outside the showering area which is included as standard. Visit the Mira website to discover more.

Why do customers like digital showers? Digital showers are becoming increasingly popular, as customers are used to digital products across the household. From smart plugs to smart thermostats, it’s the next step to want a ‘smart’ shower! Plus, there are genuine benefits to having a digital shower installed in your home. Mira wireless digital showers are packed with smart technology and features, all designed to make life that little bit easier. Mira Platinum, for example, includes a warm-up mode; this means that when you switch on your shower, it will reach your desired temperature and then pause until you are ready to get in. There’s also the helpful digital display making it easy to keep track of time whilst you’re in the shower. Plus, an energyconscious eco mode helps save on water and energy bills. It’s features like this that really make a difference to your customer so, when you’re recommending a digital shower make sure that it’s right for both you and your customer.

Get a Headstart Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced apprentice, see how training could help you further your career. Mira Headstart training provides the training you need to be a savvy, digital installer.

 Visit mirashowers.co.uk/headstart for more information.

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INTRODUCING MIRA MODE SMART, SIMPLE SHOWERING.

Introducing new Mira Mode – the latest digital shower from Mira Showers. Its minimalist styling with luxurious chrome finish, makes Mira Mode the must-have digital shower for your customer. There is an additional remote control that enables the user to switch the shower on/off from outside the showering area and this is included as standard, so there is no need to purchase separately. As part of enhancing your customer’s showering experience, Mira has created a free app which is available on both Android and Apple devices. Not only does this give your customer lots of handy features like setting the maximum temperature and shower duration, it also connects them with the Mira Customer Service team, should any queries arise.

Better still, the Mira Mode app isn’t just helpful for your customer: it’s been created with the installer in mind too. Usefully, the app assists the professional in some of the more technical installation steps, making troubleshooting easier. It is easy to commission and user-friendly for both you, the installer, and your customer, negating the need to program the unit from the interface or the valve directly. Available in both single and dual outlet options, rear and ceiling fed variants and for both high pressure and pumped systems, there is a configuration to suit every water system and style preference. If your customer is looking for ultimate luxury, then look no further than the Mira Mode with Bathfill. Your customer can create up to 10 bathfill presets using the free Mira Mode app, making bath time easier and safer for all the family. Mira Mode is built to last, made only from the highest quality materials and manufactured here in the UK, complete with a 5 year guarantee.

 Visit mirashowers.co.uk/mira-mode today to discover more.

SHOWER TRIVIA | HIP BOOK 2018-19

SHOWER POWER Everybody has different showering habits. Some people prefer hotter showers, some people prefer longer showers. But how far can showering be pushed? Here are some shower-based Guinness World Records.

 MOST PEOPLE SHOWERING SIMULTANEOUSLY (SINGLE VENUE) 396 people at the Firefly Music Festival in Delaware, USA, took a shower at the same time on 15th June 2018, beating the previous record of 331. In order to break the record, there needed to be enough showers to cover all participants at the same time and the showers needed to last a minimum of five minutes.

 LARGEST SHOWER The largest shower measured a gigantic 30.48m (100ft) long, 12.19m (40ft) wide, and 3.04m (10ft) tall. It was manufactured by shampoo company PertPlus in conjunction with the Chicago firefighters in Illinois, USA, on 9th July 2009.

 FIRST SHOWER IN SPACE Skylab was a US space station launched on 14th May 1973. It was occupied by three crews of three astronauts until February 1974 and its large interior volume had room for a space shower. Users stood inside a ring on the floor and lifted a circular curtain which attached to the ceiling. A hose would then spray 2.8 litres of water for each use, which had to be collected afterwards using a vacuum.

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ELECTRIC SHOWERS

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ELECTRIC SHOWERS WERS EXPLAINED Electric showers have long been favoured in Great British bathrooms, making up around 57% of the total shower market. Here’s a quick overview of the main options available and some of the best installation features to look out for.

The basics… Electric showers connect to a cold water supply and heat the water instantly as it flows over one or more electric heating elements within the unit. Only heating the water as and when it is used means electric showers are eco-friendly. Due to their popularity, a vast range of styles and finishes exist in the UK at affordable prices.

What are the main options? There are three distinct types of electric showers:  TEMPERATURE STABILISED ELECTRIC SHOWERS: These incorporate a mechanical flow stabilising valve which means when pressure fluctuations occur in the mains water supply (i.e when taps are turned on elsewhere) the valve automatically adjusts to maintain the selected flow through the unit. If the volume of water passing over the elements is unchanged then the temperature will remain stable.  THERMOSTATIC ELECTRIC SHOWER: This shower type offers enhanced control by regulating water temperature to between 1°C

and 2°C of the selected temperature when water pressure, voltage or ambient water temperature changes occur. Many care showers will be thermostatic, for added peace of mind.  PUMPED ELECTRIC SHOWERS: These are ideal for sites which suffer from low or erratic pressure. They have their own in-built impellertype pump and must be connected to a dedicated supply from a cold water cistern. Electrical Requirements: Part P Explained Since January 2005 all new electrical installations in domestic dwellings must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. If an installation is due to be carried out by anyone who is not registered to self-certificate electrical work, the Building Control Office must be notified. An assessment will be carried out upon completion and if the electrical circuit complies with Part P a test and inspection certificate will be issued. Installers who are able to self-certificate will be listed on the Government approved Scheme Operators.

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TOP ELECTRIC SHOWER FAQS Steve Saunders, Senior Technical Manager at Triton Showers, has been running training courses for over 25 years. Here are some of the most popular questions he is asked by installers:

HOW MUCH FLOW CAN AN INSTALLER EXPECT TO GET FROM AN ELECTRIC SHOWER?

The performance of all temperature stabilised electric showers is governed by the following factors: kilowatt rating of the shower, water temperature entering the shower, voltage to the shower and the preferred showering temperature. At a showering temperature of 38°C an electric shower will deliver 2.5 to 3.5L per minute in winter, increasing to 5-10L per minute during the warmer months. The higher the kilowatts, the greater the flow of water for the desired temperature selected.

...low-quality shower heads can also have an adverse effect on performance.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONNECT AN ELECTRIC SHOWER TO A COLD WATER CISTERN AND IF SO, WHAT HEAD OF WATER IS REQUIRED?

An electric shower can be fitted to a cold water cistern providing the head of water is adequate. Typically electric showers require between 0.7

and 1.5 bar minimum operating pressure. One metre of head is equivalent to 0.1 bar, therefore there must be 7–15 metres head, depending on the manufacturers’ specifications. Head of water is measured from the base of the cold water cistern to the showerhead. Some electric showers incorporate an integral pump. These units can be installed where the base of the cold water cistern is as little as 75mm above the top of the unit.

WHAT ADVICE SHOULD INSTALLERS LEAVE HOMEOWNERS WITH ONCE THEY’VE FINISHED AN ELECTRIC SHOWER INSTALLATION?

Compliance with quality standards is a huge issue for the bathroom industry so my advice would be to ensure homeowners are aware of the safety critical nature of shower accessories. Some spray heads are not suitable for electric showers, only mixers, and selecting the incorrect one can cause severe problems with the shower’s operation or lead to the build-up of extremely hot water. In a similar way low-quality shower heads can also have an adverse effect on performance. Advise homeowners to always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines when replacing accessories and look for the WRAS Approved Product Certification Mark.

ELECTRIC SHOWERS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

FAULT FINDING THE WATER IS FLOWING BUT IS NOT BEING HEATED

THE SHOWER WON’T SWITCH ON

CAUSE

This is likely to be an insufficient supply of water pressure to activate the pressure switch in the shower.

In most cases, this will be due to a loose electrical connection in the circuit.

REMEDY

Check the connections in the unit, the double pole isolating switch and also the terminal block in the shower.

Check that the isolating valves are fully open, and the filter in the shower is not blocked. If this doesn’t work, it may be necessary to re-plumb to a pumped supply to guarantee the water supply pressure meets the minimum required to trigger the switch.

THE SHOWER WILL NOT SHUT OFF FLOW

REMEDY

THE WATER TEMPERATURE IS GETTING TOO HOT CAUSE A restriction on the outlet of the shower may be limiting the flow through the unit.

REMEDY CAUSE This could be because a filter has not been fitted in the shower inlet, resulting in debris damaging the flow shut off valve.

REMEDY Replace the damaged flow shut off valve. Before reconnecting the shower, flush out the pipes.

Ensure the showerhead is not blocked and the shower hose is not twisted inside (always purchase quality and compliant shower accessory products). If the problem still occurs, it could be that there is a restriction to the cold supply. In this case, check the isolating valves are fully open and that the inlet filter is not blocked.

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ALL PROS NO CONS More often than not a customer with an electric shower will want to replace it with another, making the ability to cover existing screwholes and use existing connections a priority. With this in mind, Triton Showers introduced the T80 Pro-Fit - the ultimate retrofit solution, and the next generation of the UK’s favourite T80 family.

trims can be put in position before or after the unit is fitted to the wall for a clean finish. The T80 Pro-Fit also comes with a fully adjustable Pro-Fit riser rail kit, with adjustable top and bottom fixing brackets to cover previous holes.

Connect The Pro-Fit is suitable for use with pushfit, copper or plastic pipe and compression fittings. Making installation even easier, the SwingFit™ terminal block and dual water inlet allows for left or right pipe and cable connections. For convenience, there’s also a nut and olive included in the box which is handy when re-using an existing compression set up. Centralised dials and a wireless cover also ensure an errorless fit. T80 Pro-Fit

Triton used installer and homeowner feedback to develop the T80 Pro-Fit. Manufactured for ease of installation, the end result is a product installers can rely on to meet growing customer demand for retrofit shower solutions and replace almost any electric shower, whatever the brand or model, to a professional finish.

Retrofit Featuring eight water and eight electric entry points, the T80 Pro-Fit makes any replacement easy. Thanks to the wider channels within the backplate, pipework can run alongside cable of up to 16mm. Carefully designed entry point

Hard Water Ready The unit also features Triton’s Dura-Flow™ heater and showerhead which helps to reduce the buildup of limescale, maximising its flow and extending the life of the shower. This means the T80 Pro-Fit is particularly suitable for hard water areas. When it comes to any replacement job, the only unit needed on the van each morning is Triton’s T80 Pro-Fit.

 For a step-by-step installation video, visit Triton Showers’ YouTube channel. For further information visit tritonshowers.co.uk/ Pro-fit

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SHOWER TRIVIA Naturally, plumbers know a lot about showers. But the CIPHE (The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering) have compiled this fun list of shower-based trivia.

Students at University of East Anglia worked out that if each of university’s 15,000 students peed in the shower once per day — thus saving a toilet flush — in “over a year we would save enough water to fill an Olympicsize swimming pool 26 times.” Doing so, the pair said, would help save the university about £175,000 per year in water costs.

In Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, one of the most iconic scenes happens in a shower. The murder in the shower took 78 camera setups and 52 cuts in the scene, and took over a week to film the 45 seconds of footage. (Source: BFI)

(Source: Glamour magazine 2014)

NAVY SHOWERS There is, reportedly, a silver TAG shower that costs upwards of £75,000 and is one of, if not the most expensive showers in the world. It is computer controlled and has variable pressure and temperature through all 18 shower heads. (Source: Luxuo)

To save water, you can have a ‘Navy Shower’, which uses considerably less water than conventional showering. Rather than letting the shower run throughout the duration of the shower, switch the shower on, get wet all over, switch the shower back off and soap up. When you are finished washing, turn the shower back on to quickly rinse off. The principle originated when sailors were at sea with limited amounts of freshwater.

Get a Head Start. Mira Showers Headstart is a practical, hands-on 2 hour session designed to give plumbing students an introduction to Mira showers including the latest product information and installation advice. Delivered by freelance lecturers with real-life plumbing experience, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guaranteed to give you a Headstart in your career.

Book in your Headstart session with Mira Showers now at:

www.mirashowers.co.uk/headstart

Plus, like and share the Mira Headstart Facebook page for all the latest information, aimed specifically at college students and apprentices.

MIXER SHOWERS

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MIXER SHOWERS THE BASICS

All you need to know about mixers: Mixer showers are a perfect option for homes with a readily available supply of hot water, whether this is preheated and stored in a cylinder or heated on demand by a combi boiler. In most cases, mixers can provide higher flow rates than electric showers.

Precise Control Thermostatic models offer precise temperature control and extra protection for the end user, preventing fluctuations in heat if a toilet is flushed or a cold tap is opened while the shower is in use. These types of showers usually have a maximum shower temperature feature, which may be set between 38 and 41Â°C at the point of manufacture. If this is the case, some form of internal adjustment or an external push button temperature override will also be built into the unit, allowing the selection of hotter settings. While most newer models on the market will be thermostatic, for more precise thermostatic control look for TMV2 or 3 accredited products, which ensure the valve complies with the independent standards for added peace of mind.

Dene Cool Touch

...for more precise thermostatic control look for TMV2 or 3 accredited products...

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AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE TO

MIXER CONTROLS TYPES All mechanical mixer controls have a means of turning the flow on and off, as well as a way of regulating the hot and cold water supplies being delivered via the shower head at the preferred temperature of the end user. It is worth noting that not all controls provide variable flow settings, which is something to look out for. Here is a brief overview of some of the most common styles available, which achieve flow and temperature adjustment in the following ways:

SEQUENTIAL CONTROL (BUILT IN OR EXPOSED) Exposed A single rotary control starts the flow of water at a cold setting while progressive rotation of the control increases the temperature setting. This style of mixer provides no adjustment of the flow setting.

SINGLE LEVER CONTROL (BUILT IN OR EXPOSED) BAR MIXERS This type of mixer is more often available in a horizontal design, but there are some vertical options available. Two separate controls are supplied; one for adjusting temperature and the other water flow. This style is the most popular in the UK, with over 50% of mixers sold being a bar design. Some models also offer a diverter option, which provides both a fixed head and a handset for the end user.

A single lever control performs two functions. Moving the lever up and down adjusts the flow of water to the showerhead. Moving the lever to the left and right adjusts the temperature setting.

BATH SHOWER MIXER TAPS Mounted onto a bath, this type of mixer shower has separate flow and temperature controls and a diverter mechanism that delivers water to the tap spout or shower head.

CONCENTRIC CONTROL (BUILT IN OR EXPOSED) Exposed An outer control is turned to start, stop and adjust the flow of water while a Lever central control rotates clockwise and anticlockwise to adjust the temperature.

DUAL CONTROL (BUILT IN) Models of this design have two separate controls, one for adjusting the flow and the other for changing the temperature. This type of mixer must be built into the wall, offering a neat flush fit.

MIXER SHOWERS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

SIX STEPS TO MIXER SELECTION Steve Saunders, Senior Technical Manager at Triton, suggests six questions to ask when specifying a mixer shower to ensure the finished installation both suits and satisfies expectations: 1. Is the mixer control required manual, pressure compensating or thermostatic? For example, if a household has small children or more elderly family members living in it then a mixer with thermostatic temperature control and a cool touch valve could be most suitable.

2. What is the water pressure in the property like? Is the chosen valve suitable for High and Low-pressure water systems, does the homeowner require a powerful shower?

3. What flow performance does the mixer control deliver at various pressures?

STANDARDS EXPLAINED When it comes to thermostatic mixer valves there are a number of different standards to be aware of. Here are the main ones to look out for:

> BS EN 1111 (HP) 1287 (LP) – TMV

2 mixer valves: these standards are intended to define the requirements for domestic Thermostatic Mixing Valves.

> BS EN 1111: the standard for high-

pressure mixer valves specified for system pressures greater than 1 bar.

4. Does it have the required approval standard

> BS EN 1287: covers low-pressure

for the application, such as TMV2 or 3 thermostatic accreditations?

> NHS Estates Specification mixing

5. Is it suitable for the proposed wall finish? 6. What guarantee does the shower have and will the manufacturer provide comprehensive technical and after sales support - should this be required post installation?

mixing valves (0.1 – 1 bar).

valves DO8 – TMV 3 mixer valve: an enhanced thermostatic mixing valve specification was introduced in 1997 for the National Health Service Estates, this being NHS specification DO8. Dene Sequential

Independent testing of valves is carried out by WRC (Water Research Centre Limited) to ensure valves meet the stringent requirements of the DO8 specification. Mixers that comply with DO8 gain certification as type 3 thermostatic mixing valves (WRC TMV 3 Scheme Approved) which means they are suitable for all applications where the risk of scalding must be reduced.

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EASY TO INSTALL MIXER SHOWERS

THAT BLEND STYLE AND PERFORMANCE The thermostatic mixer shower range from Triton is expertly designed and crafted to offer a wide choice of style options and functionality to provide showering solutions for all.

Dene TMV2 Lever Bar Mixer  The accompanying fixings include popular wall surface fixing brackets incorporating push-fit pipe connectors to allow for simple installation onto both copper and plastic pipe tails.  Includes quarter turn ceramic disc flow control and a maximum temperature stop with user over-ride, making it extremely family friendly.  Comes with TMV2 Thermostatic temperature control accreditation to maintain a consistent showering temperature.  Choose from either the Hi-Flo model for perfect performance, even on gravity systems (5 l/min at 0.1bar), or the eco model (capped 6 l/min) to reduce running costs and meet new-build requirements.  The Dene Cool Touch Bar Mixer draws cold water across the bar mixer valve which keeps the body of the shower valve cool to touch at all times.  Also available as a TMV2 Bar Diverter.

Eden TMV2 Bar Diverter Mixer  The Eden Bar Diverter is ideal for showering flexibility. Water is diverted between a large diameter shower head as well as a smaller portable handset.

 Supplied with fast fit push-fit brackets for a quick and easy installation.  TMV2 Thermostatic temperature control maintains consistent showering temperature.  Suitable for all water systems.  Diverts flow between 5 spray pattern handheld shower head and 200mm circular fixed drencher head.  Also available as a TMV2 Bar Mixer.

Elina TMV3 Bar Diverter Mixer  The first to integrate diverter technology into a care TMV3 accredited shower option.  Diverts flow of water between a large diameter fixed shower head and a 5 spray pattern handset.  Quick and easy to install, with push-fit fittings.  Features automatic shutdown if either the hot or cold water supplies fail.  Subtle safety features include tamper proof looped lever controls and clear flow and temperature markings.  Suitable for High pressure systems only.  Also available as a standard TMV3 Bar Mixer.

 For further details, visit tritonshowers.co.uk, follow ‘Triton Showers’ on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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SHOWER SURVEYS The BMA (Bathroom Manufacturers Association) shares some interesting insights into individuals’ bathroom habits in the home and their behaviours when purchasing a new bathroom The results came from ground breaking new research commissioned this year with Trend-Monitor. A summary of the results can be found on the BMA website. A full analysis of the results is available to all BMA members. > Time spent in the shower ranges from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. On average individuals spend 10.7 minutes in the shower, however 22% spent over 15 minutes in the shower. > 8% get into a cold shower then wait for it to warm up. > Each week an average of 17 showers are taken per household. > Only 1 in 50 will clean the shower either during or before leaving the shower. > 1 in 10 people will change the temperature in the shower, only 1 in 25 will alter the spray pattern. > Quality, safety and recommendations are most influential factors for consumers when deciding which shower control and kit to buy. Quality was most influential at 97% with temperature controlled safety second with

90%. Buying the cheapest was influential for only 36%, the lowest percentage for any of the influencing factors. > Quality, space efficient, ease of access, antislip and easy to clean are most influential factors for consumers when deciding which shower tray to buy. Buying the cheapest was only influential for 27%, the lowest percentage for any of the influencing factors. Morning is the preferred time of showering for regular shower-ers as a way to ‘wake up and get set for the day’. Evening showers were to ‘wind down after work’.

Get ahead. Get online. Mira’s For the Expert zone makes it simple. Discover the latest downloadable resources including step-by-step installation videos, training tools and dedicated support – all designed for the Expert. So whether you’re browsing on your phone, tablet or desktop you’ll find everything you need in one place.

www.mirashowers.co.uk/expert

SHOWER PUMPS

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | SHOWER PUMPS

SHOWER PUMPS THAT ARE GREAT UNDER PRESSURE Taking a shower is very much part of our daily lives and their continuing popularity can be attributed to speed, immediacy, cleanliness and convenience. They are also perceived as wasting less water - although this is not necessarily true, as when it comes to power showers they use water at a rate of between twenty and fifty litres a minute. Industry forecasts still show that this market will continue to increase, although today due to the large installed base, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;new versus replacementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; split has swung in favour of replacement.

Regardless of whether the need is to address inadequate water pressure or simply to create a more exhilarating shower experience, Grundfos will have the pump to suit the need. Check this handy tool out at www.showerpumpselector.co.uk

Sizing up the demand Help is however at hand to ensure you make the right choice as Grundfos have produced a great online pump selector tool that will guide you through the selection process. This explains whether the requirement is for a new shower pump or to replace an existing one. The first thing that needs to be established is: what is the demand? This is done by working out the number of people who will be using the shower, as well as the frequency of use.

continued>>

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES SUPERIOR WATER SOLUTIONS FOR HOMES AND GARDENS SSR2 & STR2 UNIVERSAL RANGE

SSR2 & STR2 RANGE

AMAZON UNIVERSAL RANGE

AMAZON RANGE

INTRODUCING THE GRUNDFOS SHOWER PUMP RANGE Renowned in the trade for reliability and innovation, Grundfos pumps offer quiet, energy efficient and powerful solutions to the challenges of making good homes great. For more information on our latest range please visit www.grundfos.co.uk

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This isn’t the only benefit Grundfos can offer, as all our shower pumps conform to both European and UK standards, including UK WRAS product approval. They are also backed by a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty and are supported by a Customer Service Department and Technical Helpline that are second-to-none.

GRUNDFOS SHOWER PUMPS ARE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING SYSTEMS:

GRAVITY SYSTEMS When selecting a mixer shower for use on a gravity system, the most important thing to consider is the flow rate that can be accessed. Unless you have water pressure of at least 0.5 bar, which is equivalent to a gap of five metres between the bottom of the cold-water storage tank and the shower rose, you will need to select a ‘Low Pressure’ shower valve, capable of supplying a satisfactory shower at water pressures as low as 0.1 bar (which is approximately a one-metre difference). You should be able to get a rough idea simply by observing the flow rate of water that you receive from the bath taps. Remember that you will be mixing hot and cold water, but if the flow appears slow then the chances are that the shower’s performance will also be disappointing. In general, a shower pump should be sited as close to the hot water cylinder as possible, however, if the shower pump is fitted in the loft or above the hot water cylinder a minimum static head is required.

The modern shower pump To overcome the problems that can be experienced with a gravity system, the solution is to fit a shower pump that pushes the water to your shower mixer, thus creating an invigorating powerful showering experience. If you opt for the pumped solution you must ensure that you have plenty of hot water storage capacity. Standard pumped showers can deliver anything between 11 - 25 litres of blended water per minute and this can drain an average-sized cylinder very quickly. You will have an idea of the amount of hot water that you have available by looking at the physical size of the cylinder and monitoring the required everyday usage. For example, the depth of hot water that can be achieved when running a bath before the hot water runs out. If there are not large volumes of stored water the storage capacity will need to be upgraded.

Modern shower pumps are available in a variety of models and sizes. Variants can pump both hot and cold water or from an individual water source and offer various pressures ranging from 1 bar up to 4 bar. They come in both composite and brass bodies. The use of connection flanges on hot water cylinders is paramount to ensure hassle-free showering.

SHOWER PUMPS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Speak to the experts At Grundfos we have a range of shower pumps that can help you. From single impeller pumps that are generally used to boost the pressure of cold water supplied to a combi boiler such as our Grundfos SSR or Amazon series, unvented cylinder options are also served by an Amazon pump. Twin impeller pumps are used to boost the pressure of hot and cold water to a single shower using the STR or Amazon series; multiple showers or a whole domestic house system once again are covered by the Amazon range.

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In terms of the options available, the SSR2 and STR2 are positive head pumps for boosting water pressure – typically used in shower application. They are ideal when the plumbing route has multiple ends or elbows. The SSR2 and STR2 Universal options are positive and negative head shower booster pumps for boosting pressure where the outlet is at the same height as, or is above, the water storage tank.

A right shower One thing which is certain is that our love affair with showers shows no sign of dissipating and with an aging population, we cannot see this situation changing, so showers are here to stay. By working with a reputable shower pump manufacturer such as Grundfos, you can be assured that any shower pumps that you install will be fit for purpose and will continue to deliver - taking the pressure off you.

Newest family members The most recent additions to the range of shower booster and universal head shower booster pump ranges from Grundfos have been getting excellent reviews. The feedback for these continuously rated pumps has indicated that the shower pump’s new design, which minimises the turbulence within the pump head is a welcome feature. The introduction of a new impeller design means that these units will overcome air pocket issues, plus all variants are fitted with quality shaft seals and supplied with high quality braided connection hoses and filter washers as standard.

 Help is always at hand to assist you to make the right decision about which pump to choose. Remember for general information on the range of Grundfos products, check out our main site at grundfos.co.uk. If you just want help exclusively with shower pumps, visit us at showerpumpselector.co.uk

 GRUNDFOS PUMPS – HERE WHEN YOU NEED US.

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GRUNDFOS ECADEMY ADDS TO ITS CURRICULUM The Grundfos Ecademy is a popular internet based learning tool that is designed to improve knowledge on pumps, applications and their theory.

This digital training and information platform is available 24/7. Its aim is to help keep everyone with an interest in pumps and pump solutions informed and up-to-date on products and a range of relevant industry related themes.

topics that includes the award-winning SCALA2, a compact whole house booster, SOLOLIFT2 macerators, drainage pumps, plus more general areas that cover basic pump principles and pump types; circulator basics and control modes; basic hydraulics and pump performance and hot water recirculation. There is also an Ecademy section that covers shower pumps, which is further broken down into two modules – an introduction to shower booster pumps and Grundfos shower pump solutions. The good news doesn’t end there, at the end of each module there is a short test and on successful completion of four of these, you will be given the opportunity to select a small gift.

Learn on the move Today the Ecademy can be accessed from your smartphone, tablet or computer, which means that you can log in whenever best suits your schedule.

Modules To keep it fresh and interesting, new topics are added on a regular basis. Some recent subjects include the new and exciting UPS3 and other members of the latest generation of domestic circulators. These now join a range of related

 To register for the Grundfos Ecademy, visit grundfos.co.uk/ecademy. Once you have signed up, you will be able to use your log-in to access not just the Ecademy, but also other Grundfos web platforms such as Grundfos for Installers.

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SUPPORT & REWARDS

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ENJOY A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MANUFACTURER As your career progresses, the opportunity to get involved in the specification process will increase. So to help you get your career off on the right foot, think about how you will gain ongoing support once you’ve qualified and how you can ensure you’re providing customers with the best solution. Spencer Clark, Vaillant Commercial Director - One off Sales, discusses the importance of a mutually beneficial relationship between installers and manufacturers. As consumers we are increasingly being rewarded for our brand loyalty. Whether it’s Spotify, Nandos or Uber, brands are constantly looking at ways to retain custom with rewards, offers, deals and discounts. In fact, we have become so used to brands rewarding our behaviour it’s a surprise when no added value is offered. As an installer, it’s a good idea to adopt the same attitude when looking at boiler manufacturers.

At Vaillant, we reward our installers through our Advance loyalty scheme and offer support through our Vaillant Advance app. Available to Gas Safe registered installers, they are able to enjoy rewards in the form of both cashback and credits, which can be earned by installing Vaillant products. In addition, we offer product training and e-learning courses to Advance members free of charge.

A lot of homeowners tend to rely on their installer to recommend and specify the correct solution for their home. Therefore it’s important to have confidence in your choice of manufacturer and its product range in addition to having access to a high level of service and support to get the job done.

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Turn your guarantee up to

with Vaillant Advance*. Boost your business with our new guarantees. Get a ten-year guarantee on the ecoTEC exclusive with Green iQ and ecoTEC plus with the new boiler protection kit when registered on the Advance scheme. Plus, grab a seven-year guarantee on the ecoTEC pro and ecoFIT pure when you register on Advance*. Vaillant Advance members get all sorts of benefits. Boost your business today with: Free app with product, gas safe and benchmark registration

Credits and cashback to spend on discounted tools, workwear and merchandise

Free product training in our nationwide centres of excellence

Start boosting your business today by signing up at vaillant.co.uk/10year vaillant.co.uk Heating

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Renewables

*Terms and Conditions apply. Visit Vaillant.co.uk/10year

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ď&#x201E;¸ HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE RELATIONSHIP MAKE VAILLANT A FAVOURITE One of the best ways to stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and trends is to read as much as you can from a variety of sources. As well as leading installer and industry magazines and websites, manufacturers are also great content providers so check out their websites and blogs. Not only will you be able to learn about the latest product innovations, but also access case studies demonstrating how heating technology is used in real-life scenarios.

ADVANCE WITH THE APP The Vaillant Advance app is available to download and has a number of free features to use as long as you have a Gas Safe number. The Knowledge Base means you can quickly and easily research fault codes and find manuals for the boilers you might be working on. In addition, every Vaillant contact number you will ever need is available at the touch of a button.

FOLLOW @VAILLANTUK Make sure to follow your favourite manufacturers on social media. At Vaillant we use Twitter to share news, Advance updates and keep in touch with our installers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great space to learn from manufacturers and listen to the opinions of real working installers.

Vaillant offers free product training to all its Advance members in a variety of training centres around the country...

SUPPORT & REWARDS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

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HIP BOOK 2018-19 | UNDERFLOOR HEATING

UNDERFLOOR HEATING Energy-efficient comfort Underfloor Heating (UFH) using piped warm water is a modern and energy-efficient option for heating homes and other buildings. UFH also delivers comfortable warmth for occupants, as well as other practical benefits.

in uneven warmth and higher temperatures at ceiling height compared with floor level. As radiators intrude on the usable space within a room, there is a general desire to keep them as compact as possible. As a consequence of this, the piped water has to be hotter than for UFH in order to achieve the same level of comfort for the occupants.

Heating principles With UFH, the floor is gently heated by piped warm water (or alternatively by electric cable) and the heating energy is emitted from the floor by natural radiation. This heat is absorbed by other surfaces in the room which then also emit warmth. 20°

20°

20° 20°

26°- 28°

20°

20° 20°

26°- 28°

20°

20° 20°

26°- 28°

20°

Heat sources

Plumbed UFH uses piped warmed water from any primary heat source. This may be from a conventional domestic boiler that is also supplying domestic hot water. In some situations, the boiler may be supplying heated water for radiators as well as for UFH. Alternative sources of warmed water may be heat pumps or solar water heating. UFH is especially suited for such renewable heat sources because it requires water at lower temperatures than traditional heating techniques.

20°

26°- 28°

The result is an all-round, more even warmth than is typically achieved by other space heating techniques. Radiators, for example, use room air to transfer the heat, mostly by convection. This reliance on the convection of air to heat the room results continued>>

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temperature and signal the heat source. In effect, the nerve centre of the installed system.

 MAIN ADVANTAGES OF UFH

The careful selection of each of these is critical to the efficient operational performance of the entire installation. Let’s look at these in more detail.

Underfloor heating offers many benefits to the homeowner.  

Lower water temperatures required for UFH mean better energy efficiency with fuel bills up to 20% lower More even room temperature ensures all round comfortable warmth

     

Silent running – no expansion creaking or water flow noise Unhindered room layout - because there are no wall-mounted radiators Healthier environment - because less dust is circulating in the air Decreased irritants - as the warm floor inhibits the breeding of dust mites and fungi Greater safety - because there are no exposed hot surfaces Low maintenance - no radiators to redecorate or renew, or to be ‘dropped’ to allow room redecoration

FLOOR PRODUCTS

The choice of floor product is influenced by several factors:  Whether the floor is being newly constructed or already exists  Its type of construction: solid / screeded or dry / timber  The size and shape of the space to be heated  The type of floor finish that will be installed over the UFH A solution to suit any combination of these factors can be found within the Hep2O underfloor heating product range.

The Three Essential Elements Plumbed UFH comprises three key elements that work together to deliver the required heating performance and effect: 1. Floor products incorporating UFH pipe: to create the pipework circuits within the floor that will emit heat. Many floor products help to hold the pipe at the correct spacing to ensure even distribution of heat across the floor surface above. 2. Manifold: to provide flow and return circulation of warm water at the correct temperature and flow rate to ensure an even, comfortable temperature across the whole floor surface. 3. Controls:

monitor

water

and

air

MANIFOLDS

A manifold is required wherever UFH is to be installed to serve two or more plumbed circuits from the same primary heat source. When UFH is being connected to a high temperature heat source which also controls hot water or other heat emitters, a mixing unit is connected to the manifold to mix the water to the required temperature for the system.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING | HIP BOOK 2018-19

The Hep2O underfloor heating range includes manifold solutions that can be tailored to each situation. The composite manifold can be sized to serve the exact number of individual UFH circuits up to a maximum of 14 circuits. Single circuit installations which require water temperature control will be connected to their heat source via a mixing unit, but will not require a full manifold.

CONTROLS

As with any type of heating, UFH operation requires time and temperature control. The choice of controls will initially be based on these key factors:  Whether wired or wireless installation is practical or preferred  Requirement for programmed or non-programmed operation  Number of individual circuits – and whether these are to be controlled separately or linked In addition, special operational features and functions may be included to enhance convenience (e.g. remote operation) or operational safeguards for householders (e.g. frost settings, child / interface lock). Many controls are now web enabled and can be controlled by apps. Hep2O underfloor heating controls provide a comprehensive choice of solutions tailored to the specific needs of each installation – and the preferences of the householders.

Floor finishes All UFH installations are overlaid with a final floor finish. This may be: carpet; resilient vinyl; linoleum (or equivalent); stone; ceramics; timber or laminate. As with different types of floor construction, the thermal resistance of each floor finish option varies. This can affect heat output. Allowance should be made for the thermal resistance of the floor finish, in combination with

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that of the floor construction, to ensure this will not prevent efficient heating performance.

Typical layouts When laying out the pipe there are several patterns that can be used. This will depend on the size and shape of the room and installer preference. Typical pipe layout patterns - There are two typical patterns for laying UFH pipe: SPIRAL – this follows room shape in a spiral to the middle and is then reversed out. This pattern is possible with two Hep2O underfloor heating systems – Staples and System Plates. SPIRAL LAYOUT

SERPENTINE LAYOUT

SERPENTINE - pipe is laid in parallel runs up and down room length, with loop turns at each end. For systems that use pre-drilled channels e.g. Hep2O low build system, this is the pattern which is used.

Advice, tools and guidance Most manufacturers will offer advice and online tools to help you select the correct system, calculate the heat losses, determine what products are required for the job, and give advice on installation. Hep2O have an online calculator which will help you work out what you need for a specific project and give you a list of materials you can take in to your merchant. They also have a range of product and installation guides with detailed guidance on each system. These can all be found at hep2oufh.co.uk

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MAKING UNDERFLOOR HEATING SIMPLE More and more homeowners are seeing the advantages of installing underfloor heating in their properties. Whether it’s an extension, conservatory or a retro fit to an existing room, UFH means more wall space, greater comfort and controllability and often cheaper heating bills. It also adds a touch of luxury at an affordable price. To help you make the most of the opportunities, Hep2O underfloor heating offers a range of systems for both screeded and dry floor constructions. The range includes staple systems and system plates which allow easy spacing of pipes, and a range of panel products so you can choose the right product for your project. Hep2O also have a range of single room packs which contain everything you need for projects up to 24m2. Hep2O UFH has a range of thermostats and controls, ranging from simple to use wired and wireless options, to the latest web-enabled, app-based systems, so you can meet the needs of any client.

Hep2O underfloor heating offers a range of systems for both screeded and dry floor constructions. As the leading plumbing brand in the UK you can be sure that the products will perform, and all system components have been quality tested to the highest standards and come complete with manufacturer’s guarantees.

DID YOU KNOW? Fitting UFH is much easier than many installers realise. Hep2O provide a range of literature, online tools, videos and step by step guides to make installation simple. You can find all this information at hep2oufh.co.uk Hep2O underfloor heating is fully compatible with Hep2O plumbing products and is widely available from plumbers and builders merchants nationwide.  For further information visit wavin.co.uk or follow @Hep2O on facebook and twitter.

WATER REGULATIONS

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INFORMATION & TECHNICAL ADVICE Now you’ve completed your training and put away your text books, you’ll never need to get them out again, right? Well, maybe…. but remember that as the installer, you’re the one who has to ensure that your work complies with the Water Fittings Regulations. And if your work doesn’t comply, you risk prosecution for a criminal offence and the water supplier can require alterations, at your own cost, to make your work comply. So - because no-one knows everything - sooner or later you’ll have questions about some part of the Water Fittings Regulations. Where can you look for answers?

WRAS One place to try is the new website of the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) (www.wras.co.uk). This has advice and guidance on topics ranging from the legal requirements for installing and maintaining reduced pressure zone (RPZ) valves (type BA devices), designing air gaps for cold water storage cisterns, installation of rainwater harvesting and reclaimed water systems, and accessibility of water fittings in walls and under floors.

There are leaflets about commissioning plumbing systems and about fluxes and where you mustn’t use lead solders.

WATER REGULATIONS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

And although you may know about the regulations, your customers might find useful the leaflets on what the regulations are about and how to give proper notification of planned work to the water supplier. There’s a series of customer-friendly booklets which describe how the regulations apply to different types of premises, such as farms, caravan sites and sports grounds, with more titles being added from time to time.

Guidance on regulations Maybe even more useful is the website section which gives recent water industry interpretations of the regulations. You may have a copy of the Water Regulations Guide, but there have been further interpretations of the Regulations which aren’t printed in the Guide. These are in the ‘Interpretations & Advice’ section of the website.

 DID YOU KNOW? Water can be dangerous, no-one wants their drinking water to be unsafe. Backflow prevention is one of the most important aspects of the Water Regulations, and in addition to point of use protection, zone and whole site protection may be required.

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Advice And if you can’t find the answer from all that, WRAS offers a technical advice service. You can ring up, or send a letter or email asking any technical question about the regulations and WRAS will do its best to answer you. And the best thing is – it’s all free.

DIRECTORY Finally – to be sure the water fittings and appliances you are about to install will comply with the regulations (in line with your legal obligation!) you can check if they are listed in the WRAS Water Fittings and Materials Directory. The Directory has thousands of fittings and appliances which have been assessed for their compliance and have been approved on behalf of the water suppliers. If it’s listed in the Directory and installed in accordance with any installation requirements, it should comply with the regulations. The Directory is FREE on the internet (www.wras.co.uk/Directory) and is updated monthly. The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) is funded by the UK water suppliers to publicise and to promote consistent interpretation of the Water Fittings Regulations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Scottish Byelaws hereafter referred to as the regulations.

 Contact WRAS Ltd. at Unit 13, Willow Road, Pen-y-Fan Industrial Estate, Crumlin, Gwent, NP11 4EG. Alternatively call 0333 207 9030, fax 01495 248 540, email info@wras.co.uk or visit wras.co.uk

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IT’S DOWN TO YOU! You might think no-one would sell a plumbing fitting which was illegal to install…but sadly, you’d be wrong.

 DID YOU KNOW? Under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, it’s not illegal to sell you a fitting which doesn’t comply, but you could commit an offence by installing it. It’s the installer’s legal duty to ensure that water fittings they install meet the requirements of the Regulations.

Using approved products ensures rapid acceptance by the water company’s inspector and will reassure users that their plumbing is correct, robust and reliable. When you’re buying or installing products look for the logo.

Testing

Approved products So how on earth can you tell if the product is OK? One reliable method of demonstrating this is to use WRAS Approved products. These have been assessed and approved by the Water Suppliers who enforce the Regulations, so if it’s got their OK, and you install it in accordance with any conditions which are written down, your work will be fine.

Every product is extensively tested to performance requirements which are laid down by Government. Taps are operated 200,000 times to check they’re leak-tight over their full life. Pipes are pressure tested with hot water as well as cold if they’re for heating systems. Air gaps are measured for backflow protection and materials in contact with water are tested for absence of nasty tastes or toxic substances. When it comes to toilets, in addition to wash-down tests, flush rate tests and endurance tests, they’re tested with artificial poo to see if it clears the pan correctly! And of course, check valves are checked.  You can find WRAS Approved products in the WRAS Water Fittings and Materials Directory FREE OF CHARGE on the WRAS website at wras.co.uk/Directory

WaterSafe is the new nationwide accreditation scheme for plumbers. As a member, you’ll have a lot to STAY smile about.WATERSAFE.

GET APPROVED.

–– Attract customers with quality assurance –– Get industry endorsement for your business WaterSafe is the accreditation scheme for

–– List your services on our national website existing Approved plumbing businesses in

It’sthe free and easy toget join, so be on the safe side and UK. Members water company sign up today. and customers have peace-of-mind endorsement WaterSafe.co.uk with a name they can trust.

Call today on 0333 207 9030 or visit www.WaterSafe.org.uk Follow us on Twitter @WaterSafeUK

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BECOME A WATERSAFE APPROVED PLUMBING BUSINESS Why Be A ‘WaterSafe Approved’ Plumbing Business? Some unqualified installers pretend to be competent but do a poor job. Being a ‘WaterSafe Approved Plumbing Business’ reassures customers that you’re not a cowboy. Approved contractors can also carry out some installation work without waiting for the water supplier’s consent, saving time, reducing paperwork and avoiding delay. Usually, water suppliers don’t require inspection of Approved Plumbers’ work, speeding up the supply turn-on. Customers value the certificate you give them as an Approved Plumbing Business stating your work complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws.

Approved contractors’ schemes To become ‘WaterSafe Approved’ you need to join one of the existing Approved Contractors’ Schemes.

WHO RUNS APPROVED CONTRACTORS’ SCHEMES? There are seven Approved Contractors’ schemes, run by:

 The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC)

 The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE)

 The Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF)

 Water Suppliers - Anglian Water, Severn Trent Water or Thames Water in their respective areas and by the Water Industry Approved Plumbers’ Scheme (WIAPS) for the remaining water suppliers’ areas. In England and Wales you can join the scheme in your water supplier’s area. There’s flexibility, so water suppliers accept each others’ certificates if you work across supply boundaries. ‘WaterSafe Approved’ Plumbing Businesses are recommended to customers by their water supplier. You can get extra business - some organisations will only use Approved Plumbing Businesses.

WATER REGULATIONS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

What is WaterSafe? Introduced in 2013, ‘WaterSafe’ is an umbrella organisation bringing together the seven existing Approved Contractors’ Schemes under a nationally recognisable brand which can be promoted to customers across the UK. It provides a customer-friendly website listing Approved Businesses which are members of the Approved Contractors’ Schemes and each ‘WaterSafe’ recognised individual within them. Water suppliers are promoting the use of ‘WaterSafe Approved’ Plumbing Businesses to their customers through newsletters, billing information and leaflets.

The Water Industry Approved Plumbers’ Scheme (WIAPS) Membership of WIAPS is free. To join, you need a plumbing qualification (NVQ Level 2 or equivalent as a minimum), a Water Fittings Regulations Certificate along with public liability

Customers value the certificate you give them as an Approved Plumbing Business...

187

insurance and employers’ liability cover where appropriate. On joining, you get free packs of ‘Work Completed’ certificates and regular technical updates. Members can use the WIAPS and WaterSafe logos on their letterheads and get free vehicle stickers.

Details of WIAPS plumbers are freely available to the public on the WRAS and WaterSafe websites.

 Visit wras.co.uk/plumbing_professionals/ get_approved_-_wiaps for further details of WIAPS, call 0333 207 9030 or email: wiaps@wras.co.uk. Log on to WaterSafe at watersafe.org.uk for details of other Approved Contractors’ Schemes, or go directly to the organiser’s website.

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WATER REGULATIONS GUIDE INFORMATION ON NOTIFICATION OF PROPOSED PLUMBING WORK The following information is an extract taken from the Water Regulations Guide. What are the Water Fittings Regulations? The Water Fittings Regulations, or Byelaws in Scotland, hereafter referred to as regulations, are national requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances. Their purpose is to prevent misuse, waste, undue consumption or erroneous measurement of water and, most importantly, to prevent contamination of drinking water.

WHERE DO THEY APPLY? All plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using equipment in all types of premises supplied or to be supplied from the public water supply come under the regulations. The regulations apply from the point where the water enters the propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s underground supply pipe. Premises without a public water supply connection are not governed by these regulations.

Who has to comply with the Regulations? Owners and occupiers of premises and anyone who installs plumbing systems or water fittings have the legal duty to ensure that the systems satisfy the regulations. Architects, building developers and plumbers have to follow the regulations on behalf of future owners or occupiers. Advanced notice must be given of most proposed installations to obtain consent for the work from your water supplier. It is a criminal offence to breach the regulations and offenders may face prosecution.

WATER REGULATIONS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Plumbing system design and installation

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Plumbing systems must be designed, installed and maintained to meet the requirements of the regulations and their Schedules. This is to protect water quality, to ensure safety, ease of access for maintenance, detection of leakage, protection against damage or freezing etc.

At present they must either conform to an appropriate British Standard or some other European Economic Agreement state specification which provides an equivalent level of protection and performance or conform to a specification approved by the Regulators. The Water Fittings and Materials Directory, published by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), gives up-to-date details of a wide range of items which satisfy the Regulatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Specification.

If you are carrying out your own installation work ensure you know what requirements you must meet. If you are employing someone else, consider using an Approved Plumber who will certify compliance of the new installation.

Whilst it is not illegal to sell unsuitable fittings and appliances, to install one would be illegal, so check suitability before purchase. The Directory is free to access on the WRAS website: wras.co.uk/directory.

Advanced Notification Prevention of contamination by backflow Backflow occurs when contaminated water flows in the opposite to intended or normal direction of flow. Where water or water-using equipment is used with fluids or materials which could contaminate the water, there must be adequate protection to stop backflow of potentially contaminated water into other parts of the system, especially drinking water outlets. The regulations define Fluid Risk Categories according to the contaminants which are present and specify the appropriate type of devices or arrangement which must be fitted to protect against backflow.

Choice of materials & fittings Plumbing materials and fittings must meet the standards given in the regulations.

In most cases, before work starts on any proposed installation, the installer, owner or occupier must obtain the water supplierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consent by giving notification of the details of the proposed work. Proposed work which must be notified is summarised in the following list.

ď &#x17D; The installation of a water fitting in connection with: 1. The erection of a building or other structure, not being a pond or swimming pool 2. The extension or alteration of a water system on any premises other than a house (#) 3. A material change of use of any premises 4. The installation of: a. a bath having a capacity, as measured to the centre line of the overflow, of more than 230 litres (*) b. a bidet with an ascending spray or flexible hose (#) continued>>

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c. a shower unit of a type specified by the Regulator (none are currently specified) (*) d. a pump or booster drawing more than 12 litres per minute, connected directly or indirectly to a supply pipe

e. a unit which incorporates reverse osmosis

a water treatment unit which produces a wastewater discharge or which requires the use of water for regeneration or cleaning

g. a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) valve assembly or other mechanical device for protection against a fluid which is in Fluid Category 4 or 5 h. a garden watering system unless designed to be operated by hand (*) i. any water system laid outside a building either less than 750mm or more than 1350mm below ground level

The construction of a pond or swimming pool over 10,000 litres capacity, designed to be replenished automatically with water supplied by a public water supplier. (*)

WATER REGULATIONS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

In Northern Ireland and Scotland, in addition to the above, notification is required for:  grey water, recycled water, reclaimed water and rainwater harvesting systems  water systems for firefighting, including domestic sprinklers  a flexible shower hose or other flexible outlet for use in conjunction with a WC (#)  a ‘shower toilet’ or ‘bidet-toilet’ where either as part of the WC itself or as an addition or adaptation of it, a stream of water is provided from below the spillover level of the WC pan for personal cleansing (#). In Scotland, there is an additional requirement for notification of any system incorporating a private water supply.

DETAILS TO BE NOTIFIED For installations to be supplied with water from the public water supply, the following information must be sent to your local water supplier: 

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Granting consent There is no charge by your water supplier for dealing with notifications or granting consent. Work on installations must not start until consent has been given. If consent is neither granted nor refused within ten days of the water supplier receiving a valid notification, consent is deemed to have been granted. This does not alter the obligation upon the installer and owner or occupier to see that the Regulations are fully met.

APPROVED CONTRACTORS An approved contractor, often called an approved plumber, will certify that their installation work satisfies the Regulations. In the event that this certified work contravenes the Regulations, the owner or occupier can use the certificate as a legal defence against prosecution.

The name and address of the person giving notice and, if different, the name and address of the person to whom the consent should be sent.

 A description of the proposed work or any significant change of use of premises. 

The location of the premises and their use or intended use. Except for items marked (*) in the list overleaf, a plan of those parts of the premises which relate to the proposed work and a diagram showing the pipework and fittings to be installed.

 The plumbing contractor’s name and address, if an Approved Plumber is to do the work.

continued>>

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Notification through Approved Contractors’ Schemes WaterSafe is an online national register and search facility that enables customers to locate an approved contractor in their area. As well as the four approved plumber schemes operated by water suppliers, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) and the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) also list approved plumbers (see below for contact details).

There is no charge by your water supplier for dealing with notifications or granting consent. An approved contractor, when installing items marked (#) in the list, does not have to receive prior consent before starting work, but on completion in addition to supplying a certificate to the person who asked for the work to be done, a copy of the compliance certificate must also be sent to the water supplier.

Most UK water suppliers either operate their own approved contractor scheme or support the national Water Industry Approved Plumbers’ Scheme (WIAPS), whose members have demonstrated their experience of plumbing work plus knowledge of the Regulations and have liability insurance cover.

Where can I get a copy of the Regulations & further advice? For England and Wales, the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and their Schedules, Statutory Instruments 1999 No.1148 and No.1506, are available from HMSO and via:  legislation.gov.uk/uksi/ 1999/1148/contents/made A Guidance Document relating to the Schedules to the regulations is available on the Defra website. Copies of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014 are available from Scottish Water or via:  scottishwater.co.uk/Business/ Our Services/Compliance/New Byelaws/What are Water Byelaws The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) are available from NI Water:  niwater.com/water-fittings regulations

WATER REGULATIONS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

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DEAD LEGS, SERVICING VALVES & REGULATION INTERPRETATIONS The following information is an extract taken from the Water Regulations Guide with additional helpful advice. possible and capped off, ideally no longer than twice the length of the pipe diameter. See the adjacent interpretation for full details.

If you are installing branch pipes to facilitate future connections, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t connect them until they are ready to be used. Install the pipework but seal both ends to prevent anything getting inside. Once the pipework is ready to be used, cut your tee piece in and connect the pipework, remembering to thoroughly flush it before making the final connection.

REDUNDANT FITTINGS & DEAD LEG G11.7 Any draw-off fitting that is permanently removed from the installation should have the branch pipe serving the fitting disconnected at its source. By leaving redundant pipework connected to the plumbing system you increase the risk of contaminating the water. Stagnant water may promote the growth of bugs, especially where it is in a warm area. Any redundant pipework should be completely disconnected and removed from the system, ideally removing the tee piece. There may be occasions where it is just impossible to remove a tee piece, in this instance the redundant pipe should be cut as short as

If you disconnect an appliance that requires repair, there is no need to disconnect the branch pipe. Just make sure the appliance is repaired or replaced and reconnected within 60 days. Again, just remember to flush the pipework before you reconnect.

PROVISION OF SERVICING VALVES G11.1 Inlets to all float-operated valves, cisterns, clothes washing machines, dishwashing machines, water heaters, water softeners and other similar appliances should be provided with a servicing valve to facilitate maintenance. continued>>

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G11.2 Servicing valves should be fitted as close as is reasonably practical to float operated valves or other inlet devices of an appliance.

To facilitate compliance with, and support consistency in the application of these Regulations, water suppliers, assisted by WRAS, have produced a number of technical interpretations and other advice.

G11.3

 INTERPRETATION N05

Servicing valves may be of the screwdown or spherical type. Servicing valves should be installed adjacent to the appliance they are serving, and in readily accessible locations. Usually servicing valves are the screwdriver operated type, but screw down stop valves would be perfectly acceptable. You can even use hose union bib taps for isolating appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers! See the interpretations on the next page for more information. There is no requirement to fit servicing valves to taps, but it is certainly good practice to do so. It makes life easier should you need to replace a tap at a later date, and less water will be wasted as you won’t have to drain the whole system.

Area of Interest: Notification Topic: Material change of use Title: Notification of changes relating to storage and use of fluid category 4 or 5 substances Clause Reference: Regulation 1 & 2 Reference Number: N05 Decision Date: June 2015 It is a requirement to notify any proposed plumbing work relating to a material change of use. This includes any changes to a plumbing system for the storage and / or use of substances which if mixed with water would be classified as either fluid category 4 or 5, for example the installation of a rainwater harvesting or grey water system in any premises.

 INTERPRETATION I21 INTERPRETATIONS & ADVICE Water suppliers have a legal duty to ensure that the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws are complied with in their appointed area of supply.

Area of Interest: Installation Topic: Dead leg Title: Dead legs Clause Reference: Regulation 3 (2) (i) Reference Number: I21 Decision Date: September 2008 Where water is allowed to stagnate there is a risk of contamination. Minimising this risk can be achieved by:  Completely removing redundant pipe work. Where this is not practicable the pipe should be terminated so that any ‘dead leg’ created is no longer than twice the diameter of the pipe.  This general principle should also be applied to fittings which by design incorporate areas which do not have a steady through flow of water.

WATER REGULATIONS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

 For pipework supplying fittings which

are used infrequently i.e. fire supplies or water reuse systems with a back-up supply, appropriate backflow protection should be installed as close as reasonably practicable to the mains or supply / distributing pipe.

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 INTERPRETATION WQ08 Area of Interest: Water Quality Topic: Maintaining wholesomeness Title: Use of petroleum tapes for wrapping pipes and fittings Clause Reference: Regulation 3 Reference Number: WQ08 Decision Date: September 2010 As plastic pipe and fittings are susceptible to permeation by organic compounds, such as the hydrocarbons present in the adhesive glues and mastics used in tapes for wrapping pipe and fittings, it is recommended that such products only be applied to plastic pipe if the pipe incorporates a protective aluminium layer or is pre-wrapped with aluminium foil prior to the wrap application.

 INTERPRETATION B54 Area of Interest: Backflow prevention Topic: Temporary filling loops Title: Disconnection of temporary filling loops Clause Reference: Schedule 2 paragraph 24 & G 24.2 (a) Reference Number: B54 Decision Date: June 2012 When not in use it would be preferable for temporary filling loops to be completely disconnected and totally removed, however a partial disconnection, that is to say only detaching one end of the filling loop, will be permitted providing that the disconnection is made between the filing loop and the backflow prevention device on the supply pipe. (Also see B09 ‘Temporary arrangements for rapid filling of heating and cooling systems in non-domestic premises’ & B22 ‘Filling and topping up heating system primary circuits’)

 Call WRAS on 0333 207 9030 to buy your copy of the complete guide or go online at wras.co.uk for further information.

Metric Conversion Tables

METRIC CONVERSION TABLES

 To convert METRIC to IMPERIAL divide by the conversion factors below.  To convert IMPERIAL to METRIC multiply by the conversion factors below. Metric

Imperial

Conversion Factor

Millimetres (mm)

Inches (ins)

25.40000

Centimetres (cm)

Inches (ins)

2.5400

Metre (m)

Feet (ft)

0.30480

Metre (m)

Yard (yd)

0.9144

Square Metre (m2)

Square Yard (yd2)

0.8361

Cubic Metre (m3)

Cubic Yard (yd3)

0.7646

Litre (l)

Pint

0.5683

Litre (l)

Gallon (gal)

4.546

Kilogram (kg)

Pound (lb)

0.4536

Joule (J)

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

1055

Kilowatt (kW)

Btu per Hour BTU/h

0.0002931

Kilowatt (kW)

Horse Power (hp)

0.7457

Newton (N)

Pound Force (lbf)

4.448

Newton/Sq Metre (N/m )

Pound Force per Sq Inch (lbf/in )

6895

Pascal

Pound Force per Sq Inch (lbf/in2)

6895

Bar

Pound Force per Sq Inch (lbf/in )

0.06895

Metres per Second (m/s)

Foot per Second (ft/s)

0.3048

Temperature Conversions Fahrenheit (oF) to Celsius (oC) = oF – 32 ÷ 1.8

Celsius (oC) to Fahrenheit (oF) = oC x 1.8 + 32

WATER TREATMENT

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PROFESSIONAL HEATING SYSTEM PROTECTION According to the Energy Saving Trust, household boilers account for around 55% of what we spend in a year on energy bills. That’s why taking care to ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible is one of the easiest ways every home can save. John Vaughan, CEO at ADEY Innovation considers why this is a great opportunity for professional installers to become a trusted and practical source of money-saving advice.

Hot headlines Just a decade ago, the average annual household energy bill was £472. Today, it stands at a whopping £1,264, so it’s little wonder there’s a lot of heat in the headlines when they’re talking about energy companies, price rises and the effect they have on cash-strapped homeowners and tenants. Despite small reductions in tariffs, costs remain high or even unaffordable in some circumstances so most are still looking for other ways to cut their home energy usage. Yet, ADEY believes one of the simplest steps to save on energy is being overlooked.

 DID YOU KNOW? Research by ADEY has revealed that more than a third (36%) of 2,000 UK homeowners surveyed said they are concerned about being able to afford their heating bills this coming winter.

continued>>

NOT ALL FILTERS ARE CREATED EQUAL.

5,000,000

YEARS

15 years

homes protected

Over 30 imitations

200

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Service history Research by ADEY shows that only 41% of UK homeowners surveyed had their boiler checked and serviced in the past 12 months, leaving more than half of systems unchecked. More than a quarter of householders simply believe they don’t need an annual boiler service because ‘it’s working fine.’ This means that every year, thousands of boilers are left chugging away in the corner without checks to ensure that they’re running efficiently or even safely. ADEY believes that having an annual service should be considered just as important as a car’s MOT. While it’s not a legal requirement, it will ensure that the boiler and heating system are running as they should, helping to keep potentially costly repairs at bay and any boiler warranties intact. More importantly, it could also help to keep a household safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide, particularly on ageing, unmaintained systems.

and protection will reap the benefits. This is one of the many reasons ADEY developed its awardwinning Best Practice™ approach of clean, MagnaCleanse, MagnaClean, protect, test and maintain. It enables installers to easily communicate the crucial ingredients for ultimate system protection in six simple steps. Best practice not only ensures a heating system is protected from the damaging effects of black iron oxide sludge and corrosion, but it can also bring additional savings for homeowners. Installing a MagnaClean filter could save up to 7% on energy bills and carbon emissions year-on-year, and the Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that using a premium chemical inhibitor can increase boiler efficiency by a further 3% and prevent up to a 15% reduction in the effectiveness of radiators.

Share the best practice solution Few homeowners will understand that the small parts and narrow waterways of today’s super-efficient condensing boilers are more prone to the damaging effects of the natural corrosion that happens inside every heating system. However, treating the symptoms caused by debris in the system is an installer’s daily bread and butter.

 DID YOU KNOW? Research shows that the presence of 5kg of sludge within the system reduces radiator heat output by up to 36%.

Those installers who can effectively communicate with their customers to help them understand the benefits of ongoing heating system maintenance

Effective magnetic filtration can also reduce maintenance call-outs by up to 37% and help extend the life of a household boiler beyond the average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

WATER TREATMENT | HIP BOOK 2018-19

Today, ADEY MagnaClean filters and MC+ chemicals are collectively protecting more than four million UK central heating systems... Protecting the pounds Statistics from Moneywise, show that typically, a fifth of UK households have a boiler breakdown over the winter, at an average repair cost of £320. However, a new study has highlighted the worrying number of households unprepared to cover these unexpected emergency costs with many admitting it would drive them into debt. Most UK householders (55%) said that if they were hit with a bill for emergency heating repairs of £1,000 or more, they would have to ask for a bank loan to cover the cost. To pay a bill of £250, 49% said they’d have to borrow the money from friends or family and 30% said they’d need to pay on credit card.

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By encouraging customers to take steps to maintain and protect their heating systems effectively for the long-term, installers can help them reduce this financial risk and ensure their boiler is ready to make it through the winter and many more.

Long-term benefits Today, ADEY MagnaClean filters and MC+ chemicals are collectively protecting more than four million UK central heating systems helping them operate more efficiently, reducing maintenance bills and cutting emissions. ADEY estimates significant savings could be achieved on individual annual household heating bills where its best practice approach to central heating system maintenance is employed, using proven effective filters and high-quality chemicals. For example, installing a MagnaClean filter is proven to reduce system carbon emissions by up to 7%, resulting in a 200-250kg carbon saving year on year. This could equate to saving more than 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, which is equivalent to removing more than 126,000 cars from Britain’s roads.

Following ADEY’s six steps could significantly improve system efficiency and reduce bills MagnaClean is proven to save up to 7% a year on heating bills and carbon emissions Adding a quality chemical inhibitor can increase boiler efficiency by 3% Installing a MagnaClean can reduce maintenance call-outs by as much as 37% A comprehensive water test will help ensure a boiler warranty is kept intact Best practice protection could increase the life of a boiler beyond 12-15 years

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ADEY INNOVATION ADEY is Europe’s leading manufacturer of the largest range of magnetic filters delivering best practice maintenance and protection for central heating and cooling systems. The company also manufactures premium quality water treatment chemicals developed at its independently accredited research centre in Kent. The Queen’s Award winning firm that invented magnetic filtration commits considerable ongoing investment to product development to create the industry’s most advanced filters including MagnaClean Professional2, MagnaClean Micro2 and MagnaClean Professional2XP. MagnaClean is the best-selling brand with four million filters installed in UK homes. Tens of thousands are fitted monthly making it the leading filter for professional installers. It also delivers multiple benefits for householders and the environment:    

Saves up to 7% on heating bills a year Helps reduce maintenance call-outs and repair costs by up to 37% Helps reduce carbon emissions by up to 250kg a year Helps extend the life of the boiler

Like all the best inventions, the idea is simple. A powerful magnet removes the suspended black iron oxide, or magnetite, that builds up in heating systems. The black sludge affects boiler performance and, if left untreated, causes breakdowns. Powerful magnets and superior design and engineering set MagnaClean apart and hold the key to effective filtration within an innovative swirl chamber. Small or poor performing magnets will only deliver poor filtration results which could be detrimental to heating systems. ADEY’s growing range of chemicals bring ongoing innovation to the market including MC1+ RAPIDE Protector and MC3+ RAPIDE Cleaner. Developed by the most experienced technical experts in the sector, the fast single-dose products provide system cleaning and ongoing protection for up to 15 radiators which can be delivered in just 20 seconds. ADEY also offers customers a tailored, responsive and totally reliable online water testing service.

 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT ADEY.COM

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WARM AIR

Sponsored by

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WARM AIR HEATING

IT’S NOT JUST HOT AIR – LOOK AT ITS ADVANTAGES The advantages of gas-fired warm air heating in the home are frequently overlooked as homes built in the last thirty years or so generally tend to be heated by gas or oil-fired boilers connected to radiators.

Company history Back in the 1950s, however, domestic warm air heating had become the first popular residential heating system and Johnson & Starley saw the potential of this market. The company imported oil-fired warm air heaters from Canada, and when in 1962 the government produced a guide to minimum standards of house building, Johnson & Starley was already ahead of the competition. Minimum standards of heating levels were set and these could be achieved by installing small warm air heaters on ‘stub duct’ systems in a house.

To compete in this market, the production of the company’s JGD25 began in 1963 and this unit proved very popular with builders and local authorities alike.

Further developments were made to include water heaters, which could be ‘bolted on’ to the warm air heaters to meet the demand for gas-fired hot water.

These heaters were originally designed to run on town gas but were later converted to run on natural gas after its introduction in the early 1960s. continued>>

Make tomorrow better with Warm Air heating. Johnson & Starley is here to help Installers realise their potential. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for higher revenue streams, less manual work and faster, more efďŹ cient turn around times, Warm Air Heating is the solution.

For more information:

01604 762881 johnsonandstarley.co.uk

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Due to this, many of the heaters were not as efficient as they had originally been and many were replaced over time with models designed to run on natural gas. However, as housing stocks were sold and as boilers and radiators became more readily available, many were removed. It was no surprise that in the private residential market there would be more demand for wet heating systems and wall mounted radiators which became the norm.

From an installer’s viewpoint there is plenty of work to be had taking out old inefficient warm air heating systems and giving the occupier something more modern and efficient. Compared with gas or oil-fired central heating systems, warm air installations can be quick and completed in just one day.

Efficient installation Social housing and the local authority sectors, however, have continued to specify warm air heating and pioneers of the original systems, such as Johnson & Starley, have continued to sell their heating products in large numbers to these markets.

New technology The technology has, however, improved dramatically and this has been key to maintaining sales to this market. Nevertheless there still remain many of the original warm air systems doing a sterling job up and down the country! So is there perhaps something more to twentyfirst century warm air heating than we realise? Should we therefore think twice when the opportunity arises to replace an old warm air system with a wet one? The answer has to be “yes” because there is no doubt that in many instances it can make perfect sense both for the installer and the homeowner to retain a warm air system.

There is no major disruption to the homeowner’s property as all the work is confined to the heating compartment area of the system and existing ductwork is already in place - no floorboards to lift or pipework to run that would be associated with a new wet system installation. For the installer that means more jobs can be completed over a shorter period of time - offering the opportunity for higher revenue streams.

Innovative products Today’s warm air heating manufacturers produce systems that are completely different from their predecessors using the highest quality components and featuring innovations from their wet system counterparts, such as condensing technology. Take, for example, the gas fired WarmCair condensing range which is fully compliant with the requirements of the Building Regulations Part L, for both new build and refurbishment projects. A condensing warm air heater such as this uses less energy, when compared to a similar sized non-condensing heater, to produce the required heat output as it uses more of the energy input.

...the gas fired WarmCair condensing range is fully compliant with the requirements of the Building Regulations Part L...

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...todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warm air heating systems come with an electronic filtration option which provides filtered air. With a thermal efficiency of up to 98%, savings in gas consumption can be as much as up to 28%. For the installer, these are important selling points should the customer need any convincing. Today, warm air systems are capable of producing up to 36kW heat output and will heat up a property much more quickly than in years gone by. As the heat is almost instantaneous, the desired room temperature is achieved much faster than with any wet system, thereby overcoming one of the old arguments against warm air.

Benefits What is more, with modern well-insulated, thermallyefficient and tightly-sealed residential properties, once the heating is turned off, the heat is retained within the four walls for much longer. There are some other practical points to consider too which give warm air heating an advantage over radiators. From an aesthetic point of view, warm air only needs unobtrusive slots and grilles as room outlets and there is no need for what many consider to be unsightly wallhung radiators that can take up valuable wall space and impinge upon room layouts, particularly in a smaller property. With no risk of burns from hot radiators, warm air heating is especially suitable for day centres or care homes where people may be at risk. There is also no pipework to leak or freeze in the colder months and no radiators to bleed. The modern, sophisticated controls of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s systems come into their own, allowing the precise amount of heat output to match the demand.

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As an added benefit, today’s warm air heating systems come with an electronic filtration option which provides filtered air. 95% of airborne pollutants down to 1 micron in size can be removed so particles such as pollen, house dust and cigarette smoke will be eliminated.

Another alternative that will allow installers and homeowners to take advantage of warm air heating technology is to look at the possibility of installing a water to air space heater such as the Aquair S along with another suitable heat source. It can replace any old warm air heater in a single dwelling, utilising the existing warm air ducting and can also have extra radiators connected for additional rooms such as loft conversions and extensions.

More than just a heater! Taking this option in conjunction with the WarmCair range of condensing warm air heaters can supply a home with unheated air for cooling purposes during warm weather conditions. It can be used with a vast range of renewable and traditional heat sources and when connected to a combi boiler this allows the hot water cylinder to be removed, therefore freeing up space. The boiler can be sited remotely from the Aquair, providing Domestic Hot Water on demand and warm air heating. Fully Building Regulation Part L compliant, these options are attractive for installers as no DAH1 certificate is required to undertake the installation. They can replace any warm air heater with a wet system boiler or other suitable heat source and an Aquair Heat interface unit without the need for the extra qualification.

Tomorrow’s installers should not dismiss warm air as some heating relic of the past – it is here to stay, offering low longterm running costs and fully supported by manufacturers’ technical and after sales support.

 For further information visit johnsonandstarley.co.uk or email heating@johnsonandstarley.co.uk

WIRING CONNECTORS

Sponsored by

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CLAMP DOWN ON COSTS BY SWITCHING TO SCREWLESS Whether you dabble occasionally in electrics as a hobby or are fully Part P certified, electrical installation is fast becoming a crucial skill for heating and plumbing installers, particularly in the era of smart homes and devices.

Fortunately, innovations in wiring technologies are helping to make electrical installations quicker and easier than ever before, says Paul Witherington, UK & Ireland Marketing Manager, WAGO.

Spring pressure connectors are becoming widely accepted and used by electrical installers as a quicker, more reliable alternative to traditional screw terminals, and yet screw connections are still used by many.

One reason for this is that installers who have always used screw types are reluctant to move away from a technology they know and trust. However this ignores the inherent downsides of screws, for instance that they take longer to install, and can eventually come loose over time due to repeated temperature cycling or vibration if not regularly maintained. Checking and testing countless screw terminations, particularly in lofts and other hard-to-reach areas, can be an onerous job. This is further exacerbated when working up ladders, which can lead to a higher risk of accident and injury. As installations become more complex, screw connections mean that installers have to put in more time ensuring that every connection is screwed in securely and safely. If a screw is under or over-tightened, this can potentially lead to faults that can cause a hazard to building occupants.

continued>>

The Way to Connect! EASY

WAGO’s 221 Series provides tool-free connections for all conductor types. An easy-touse and space-saving design makes wiring child’s play.

www.wago.com/221

FAST

WAGO’s 221 Lever Connector also connects flexible conductors quickly and easily – without tools. Pull lever up, insert stripped conductor and push lever back down.

SAFE

See at a glance if all conductors are properly connected: WAGO’s highly transparent lever connectors provide error-free connection of all conductors.

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The connectors also allow more flexible wiring inside junction boxes and panels, as a connector can be positioned in almost any orientation to accommodate the wires. This is much easier than having to bend and manipulate conductors into certain positions or directions to terminate them in a strip, and can free up valuable space inside enclosures.

Unit cost is not the whole story

Putting a spring in your spec WAGO connectors use spring connection to apply the optimal level of force to the wire, holding it securely in place without damaging it. No screwdriver is required, wires are connected simply, safely and securely.

Under-tightening and over-tightening are a thing of the past, as springs eliminate this possibility altogether, and the clamping force will not degrade over time, reducing maintenance requirements while ensuring that connections are secure and safe.

Some connectors use levers, while other variants can secure solid or stranded conductors simply by pushing them in. Compared to screws, spring pressure connectors are up to 50% quicker to wire, allowing installers to finish a job more quickly and move onto the next one. This means projects can be carried out faster with less time on site, which ultimately results in happier customers.

Whilst spring connectors may have a higher unit cost, this is far outweighed by the reduced installation time, and superior reliability of spring pressure connection. It is also important to remember that spring pressure connectors often carry a price premium for a reason. The materials used by reputable manufacturers ensure that connectors have stronger resistance against overcurrent, vibration and shock. This significantly improves safety and reliability as they are immune to loosening over time. Once connected, springs do not require regular re-tightening like a screw connection would. The use of lever and push-in mechanisms mean that all common conductor types can be accommodated, including solid, stranded or fine-stranded conductors. Spring connectors are also reusable, cutting material costs while allowing

WIRING CONNECTORS | HIP BOOK 2018-19

wiring errors to be corrected quickly and easily. This is ideal for testing applications and circuits, or for temporary and semi-permanent installations.

Increasing choice As the number of manufacturers offering spring terminals grows so does the adoption of the technology by installers, which in turn creates a need for a growing range of accessories to assist in various wiring scenarios. For example, the new L32 lever operated wiring centre from WAGO now offers a 50% reduction in wiring time. The lever-operated spring connectors used make it possible to wire anything from a simple lighting circuit to a more complex heating circuit in a fraction of the time. A range of junction boxes from WISKA, Spelsberg and Connexbox have all recently been launched, designed for use specifically with spring connectors, plus a range of holders which allow customers to create their own custom enclosures.

Compared to screws, spring pressure connectors are up to 50% quicker to wire...

Spring pressure technology allows installers to carry out wiring jobs more quickly, safely and easily. Time is money, and clearly if more jobs can be completed, this frees up installers to move onto the next job or project, making better use of resources, and ultimately making your work more profitable.

ď&#x201A;Š For more information, visit wago.ltd.uk. Find WAGO on Twitter @WAGOLimited and on Facebook at facebook.com/wagolimited.

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WAGO LAUNCHES NEW WIRING CENTRE WAGO has launched a new wiring centre based on the award winning 221 series compact lever connector. The leveroperated CAGE CLAMP® connectors provide a rapid, reliable and safe connection accepting solid, stranded and fine-stranded cables up to 4mm².

The KTECH mBox L32 is a cost-effective wiring centre, with all the connections placed around the perimeter of the case, providing plenty of wiring space and easy access. Usability was a key driving factor in the design: the leveroperated connectors make it a virtually toolfree installation and they remove all the small fiddly screws associated with traditional wiring centres. This means that installation times are significantly reduced and - with only one conductor per CAGE CLAMP® - fault finding is also simplified. Connections are made via an assortment of 2, 3 & 5-conductor 221 series compact lever connectors, giving a total of 32 connections and making it ideal for a wide range of applications such as heating, lighting and mains power. The layout of the connectors satisfies the requirements of most heating schematics including the most popular ‘s’ & ‘y’ configurations.

Self-adhesive labels are also provided, which can be placed inside the cover and show wiring diagrams for the most popular ‘s’ & ‘y’ plans, plus a blank version for custom wiring solutions. The wiring centre is designed for internal use only and provides protection to IP2X. Cable entry points are provided for rear cable entry via any of the two snap-out panels or through the bottom of the enclosure and the incorporated cable strain reliefs, to provide extra cable restraint.

Safety features Safety was also a key design factor with the wiring centre manufactured from selfextinguishing, polycarbonate, and all connectors being touch proof to avoid the risk of electric shock. A unique design on the underside also aids mounting on uneven surfaces whilst the front cover has an attractive finish designed to fit seamlessly in a domestic setting.  For further information visit wago.ltd.uk

Sponsored by

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TAKING THE PLUNGE Starting your own business may seem like a daunting task. Before you can earn any money, it’s likely you’ll need to splash out on a few things like tools and equipment. And don’t forget about things like websites and advertising. But don’t be alarmed. There are various schemes and help out there to help you set up your business.

Where to start? The first port of call should to be the gov.uk website which has a useful section on getting funding if you’re starting up a new business. There are several different options as a start-up including:  Using your own money  A bank loan  Selling shares in your business as an investment In addition to this there is public funding in the form of government schemes which may be available in your area.

Public funding Government backed support and finance for small businesses includes:  Grants  Finance and loans  Business support in the form of mentoring and consultancy  Funding for small and medium size business start-ups Depending on where you live, these options can vary. But again the gov.uk website has a handy list of funding and grants available in different regions. When we checked there were more than 200 different schemes which you can narrow down to what’s available where you are by keying in your postcode. As an example, we looked at three options available to start-up companies.

START UP LOANS

Backed by the Business Bank, the Start Up Loans Company offers loans and mentoring for

NQI | HIP BOOK 2018-19

people over 18 years old who are looking to start a business. It’s a government funded scheme offering low-cost unsecured loans, business mentoring and a range of business support products if your business plan is approved. The loan must be paid back within 5 years, and you will pay a fixed rate of interest. Capital repayment holidays are available, but you must pay interest each month.

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3 BUSINESS ADVICE & MASTERCLASSES Organised by NWES for companies with up to 249 employees, the scheme offers support and advice for pre-starts, start-ups and trading businesses throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. Advice is available on how to start and grow a business including information on marketing, legal issues and finance.

 startuploans.co.uk

2 THE PRINCE’S TRUST ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME

 nwes.org.uk

Available nationally, The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme supports unemployed young people aged 18 to 30 to work out if their business ideas are viable and whether self-employment is right for them. The scheme offers:  1 to 1 support to help you to explore and test your idea and turn it into a business plan.  support to apply for a low interest loan of up to £4,000 for a sole trader and up to £5,000 for a partnership to help you to start your business.  mentoring to help you develop your business or access other opportunities in education, training, work or volunteering.  princes-trust.org.uk

The following are also great sources of advice for start-up businesses: 

Your local chamber of commerce



Town or city councils



Your county council



Your local bank. Most banks have a business manager who may be able to advise on local training, support and funding sources.

 gov.uk/starting-up-a-business/ get-funding

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WEBSITES A website is essential when it comes to marketing your business. You can either pay someone to set it up for you, or you could put one together yourself for a fraction of the cost. Don’t worry, you don’t need to have technical knowledge to do this, there are plenty of Content Management Systems (CMS) to chose from. A quick search on the internet will bring up a variety of options. It all comes down to how complex you want it to be.

Content Management Systems The majority of CMS systems offer a choice of themes, navigation, fonts and colours and are easy to use. A basic website usually has three

pages: a homepage, a second page listing all your services and finally a contact page. Of course, you could add a further page giving an idea of hourly rates for different jobs. There’s thousands of plumbing websites on the internet, see which ones stand out – and then create your own. Good luck!

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HOME PAGE

SERVICES PAGE

This is your company’s virtual front door and is generally responsible for drawing in the majority of your website’s traffic. People on average spend a matter of seconds looking at a new web page, so you have to grab their attention. This can sometimes be done with interesting images that link to your business. Colours and fonts are also important. A tacky website will kill interest. Describe what you do on the homepage and if you use images make sure they capture the essence of what you are promoting. You could add a little background information about your business.

List everything you can think of associated with your business, even including what you might think of as mundane – such as installing washing machines, dishwashers or replacing taps. Think of what people will type into Google when looking for your services e.g. leaking pipe and make sure you weave it into the copy on your services page.

If you belong to any trade associations or professional bodies add their logos, including Gas Safe if you are a registered installer. Customer testimonials are also useful.

CONTACT PAGE This seems pretty obvious, but you could also add information like: 24hour emergency service, or that you give a discount to OAPs. Include links to your social media accounts. Make sure your full address is included and that you have stated the areas you cover e.g. works undertaken throughout Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

GETTING FOUND: WHAT IS SEO? SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is vital to your website and involves taking certain measures to get your website higher up the rankings on search engines such as Google. It’s not an exact science, but there are many aspects to SEO, from the text used on the page to the way your site links with others on the web. Sometimes SEO is simply a matter of making sure your site is structured in a way that search engines understand. As your site’s traffic will most likely come from a search engine, you need to make sure your website can be found. Some CMS systems will help you with SEO and let you know where you can improve.

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SOCIAL MEDIA Social media can be brilliant for promoting your business and the added bonus is, it’s free! Here are some of the channels you can use.

FACEBOOK Most people have a Facebook page so they can link with their friends, but make sure you set up a separate one for your business. This should have links to your website and any other social media accounts you have linked to your company. Unlike a personal Facebook page where you will be getting lots of interaction

with friends, you will probably find it will take a while to get a significant number of ‘Likes’. Post photos of installations you have carried out and make your comments friendly and chatty. Update it as often as possible.

Like us on Facebook

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 TWITTER With over 300 million active users, Twitter can be a great place to connect with your target audience. If you haven’t used it before, you might wonder how you are going to get your message across in just 280 characters. Links automatically condense in your Tweet, so it’s easy to add your website to your message, so prospective customers can find out all the information they need. Build up your followers by ‘following’ and engaging with other people and retweeting messages. The plumbing Twitter community is full of people sharing images of their work and learning from each other.

INSTAGRAM

One last thing to remember about social media – it works both ways. If you provide a great service, you’ll reap the benefits. Personal recommendations are priceless. However, if you upset a customer, it could damage your reputation for a long time, especially if you lose your cool online.

The plumbing Twitter community is full of people sharing images of their work and learning from each other.

Instagram reached 1 billion users worldwide in 2018 and is becoming an increasingly popular platform used by the plumbing and heating industry. Manufacturers and businesses alike share pictures and videos regularly. Instagram can be a great way to showcase your best work and impress those potential customers.

LINKEDIN Create a company page for your business, again include your website and any other social media accounts you have. You will find an option to add contacts to your page. You’ll find that your list will grow as other people see your page and want to link with you. Customers will have the opportunity to recommend you to others.

 REMEMBER... Keep your integrity and be diplomatic if hit by negativity – how you respond will either win you followers or lose you customers.

Social media is about creating a conversation, so share other people’s relevant content and try to respond as soon as possible to people who post on your page or send you messages.

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Heating and plumbing students represent the next generation of industry professionals who will be installing, recommending and developing the products of the future. As such, Graham Plumbers’ Merchant aims to support and provide opportunities to help the progression of plumbing and heating students and apprentices with their College Refresh Awards and Turning Pro schemes.

Turning Pro Graham offers Turning Pro, an apprentice and student programme specifically designed for individuals completing their plumbing & heating qualifications. As well as receiving regular emails about incentives and upcoming training

events, the scheme includes special offers such as money off parts and MOTs. Graham values the talent and fresh perspective that newly qualified installers can bring to the industry. By supporting apprentices and students it hopes to ensure that they can qualify with confidence in their skills and the future of the industry.  Visit grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk for more information on Graham Plumbers’ Merchant.

 COLLEGE REFRESH AWARDS SCHEME Graham’s recent College Refresh Awards Scheme presented one lucky college with £10,000 to spend on upgrading its plumbing and heating training facilities in recognition of its passionate and detailed plans, as well as the positive impact it will continue to have on its students and trainers. The scheme is set to be the first of many as Graham seeks to support local communities and invest in developing the next generation.

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TAKING CONTROL Running your own business may seem like a dream come true, but if you are not careful you could find yourself in a financial nightmare!

Goods on credit If you are just starting up your own business you will need to set up a credit account with a plumbing merchant. They will make an assessment on how much credit they are willing to offer you. It might be that at first they will want you to pay upfront for goods, until you become established. After that, you will usually be given

30 days to pay for the goods you have ordered. Be prompt with your payments, otherwise you could find that they cut off your credit. In time, your credit rating will rise.

Accounts Make sure you keep an accurate account of all earnings and expenditure. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to find yourself in trouble with the tax man.

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Pricing up a job One of the essential skills you’ll need if you’re working for yourself is pricing up a job. It’s something that will probably develop over time and with experience, but here are a few tips to help when starting out.  When pricing work for customers the first thing to establish is whether the customer requires a quote or an estimate. Remember a quote is a firm price where as an estimate may vary from the initial price.

If you provide a quotation you should not invoice the customer for anything extra unless they have asked you to do extra work. If the customer asks for extra work to be carried out during the installation you should re-price the work and present a variation order for the customer to sign.

 Or if you have to do extra work in order to do a satisfactory job and you couldn’t have reasonably known that when you quoted, then you may be able to invoice for more than the quote. But, it’s vital to flag this up to the customer as soon as you realise this.  Unlike a quotation, an estimate is your best guess. This means that you could end up charging more – or less - than the estimate. However, any extra charged must be reasonable as the householder may dispute it.  When pricing works you must be thorough with the list of materials, ensuring you include all items necessary to complete the job. Look at the job and list out all materials you think you will need. If it’s a big list make sure you get prices from two or three different merchants.

 It’s worth spending that extra time making sure that your materials are priced right.  If a job takes longer than you thought all you’ve lost is your time, but if you’ve underpriced the materials it will come out of your pocket. You should also charge the customer list price for all materials. Any reductions you receive from the list price should be marked as profit margin.  For the labour costings on the contract allow time for travelling to and from jobs, and also for the time you’ll spend collecting materials. Work out an hourly rate and how long you think the job will take. If you’re not sure how much to charge customers per hour, you could call other plumbing companies in your area to learn their hourly rates.

With experience you’ll learn how long most jobs will take and allow for any problems. When starting out guess how long an individual job will take and write it down, then compare it with how long the job actually took. It will help to price jobs more accurately. Also allow for any time you have been out to look at a job beforehand, and if it’s a larger job you may want to allow for any time coming back and snagging.

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GOOD REVIEWS One of the best ways to gain customers is through word of mouth: people do not recommend someone they have employed unless they have been impressed, and people are much more likely to ask for the services of a plumber they have heard good things about. But a customer will only give you a referral if the customer service they have received has been of the best standard. Here are some tips on how to provide the best customer care.  TURN UP ON TIME This is essential if you want your customer to believe that you are reliable, and it is things like punctuality that people remember and think to mention to their friends and family when telling them about you and the work you have undertaken. If you are stuck in traffic or running late through no fault of your own always call the customer to let them know that you’ve been delayed.

display that you have respect for their property and belongings in this way. If you need to wear shoes for the job, wear shoe covers.  ALWAYS WEAR SMART CLOTHES A polo T-shirt with the company logo on it is preferable to one that is looking worse for wear because it suggests professionalism from the outset. LOOK AFTER OTHER PEOPLE’S PROPERTY AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN Make sure that you don’t cause unnecessary damage by putting down dust sheets wherever you’re working and using heat mats when necessary.  REMEMBER THAT MANNERS COST NOTHING Be polite by saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and behaving in a respectful manner. Listen to the customer if they have a concern and make them feel like you care about any issues they’re experiencing within their home that you can solve, because they are putting you in a position of trust by letting you into their home.

 TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF BEFORE ENTERING A CUSTOMER’S HOME Some people take a lot of pride in the cleanliness of their home and it’s important to

 TAKE EXTRA SPECIAL CARE WITH VULNERABLE CUSTOMERS You may need to be more patient with the elderly, for example.

7/9/10

15:36

15 M O T P ES U

SAV

L W O C E P I

P PIPE N OCOWL S E T U N I

20359 Advert 221x135:Layout 1

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INSURANCE TRANSLATOR: HOW TO BATTLE THROUGH THE JARGON Confusing insurance jargon has been baffling plumbers for years but now an expert is launching a crusade against frustrating terminology.

Here’s the insurance 1. ASSURANCE Insurance cover against an eventuality, for example - the death of a person being covered under a life insurance policy.

2. ADDENDUM An additional piece of policy information.

3. WARRANTY A written guarantee or a commitment issued to the purchaser to repair or replace the article purchased if necessary, within a specified period.

4. PREMIUM Mark Herbert at ConstructionInsure.co.uk has launched his own jargon buster in a bid to help plumbers understand complex insurance issues in simple terms.

Words such as addendum, indemnity and assurance are just a few of the insurance terms that for many go in one ear and out the other. This leaves plumbers looking for insurance confused and ultimately ill-informed about the best insurance for them. Mark said: “I constantly encounter people who feel confused by insurance due to the amount of jargon used. There is very little by way of an explanation for insurance terms out there, so that’s why we’ve compiled this jargon buster. “When people begin to understand these frequently used terms, and realise it is not as complex as it sounds, insurance becomes a much simpler matter. “People who feared the scary sounding buzzwords, suddenly realise it’s not as difficult as it looks to understand and they can approach their insurance searches with confidence.”

The cost of the policy which includes taxes and broker/insurer fees.

5. RATE The risk calculation used to arrive at the premium, minus broker and insurer fees.

6. COVER The amount of risk or liability that is covered for an individual or object by insurance services.

7. CLAIM A formal request to an insurance company for coverage or compensation for a covered loss. Claims are made in the event of loss or damage.

8. LOSS The injury or damage sustained by the insured.

9. POLICY A document that has been put together with an insured (the first party) to best protect their risk.

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jargon busting list as compiled by ConstructionInsure.co.uk

11. BROKER

or circumstances. For example, if water is coming into your home due to a burst pipe, your insurance policy will require you act to prevent further damage. If you do not, you may be considered negligent.

A middle man acting between a client and an insurer. They have a legal duty to help you obtain appropriate coverage at a reasonable price.

A discount given for being claim free.

10. ENDORSEMENTS Sections of a policy which state exclusions and recommendations.

12. QUOTATION

19. NO CLAIMS BONUS 20. NON-DISCLOSURE

A document presented to a client before the parties agree to go ahead. It details an estimate of a rate with a potential insurance carrier.

Holding back information that would bear an effect on a policy.

13. CONTINGENT INSURANCE

The exposures covered within a policy.

A policy that is contingent on the absence of other insurance.

21. RISK 22. POLICY HOLDER

14. ALL RISK COVER

The lead name on an insurance document, a person whose name an insurance policy is held in.

All risk cover insures all losses arising from an unexpected or fortuitous cause except those that are specifically excluded.

The rebuild value of a property.

15. INDEMNITY

23. REINSTATEMENT 24. RENEWAL

Security or protection against a loss or other financial burden.

Re-application of insurance after the existing policy has expired.

16. EXCESS

25. STATEMENT OF FACT

Is the first amount payable by a policy holder in the event of a loss.

17. LIABILITY A person or companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal responsibility for an act of negligence, or a circumstance in connection to their business, causing loss or damage to a third party.

A document which contains all information given by a policyholder.

26. THIRD PARTY Insurance purchased by an insured (the first party) from an insurer (the second party) for protection against the claims of another (the third party).

18. NEGLIGENCE

27. UNDERLYING INSURANCE

A failure to act in a way that a reasonable person would when faced with certain situations

The basic or primary layer of coverage, the initial policy that will respond to the covered loss.

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A big part of your job will be maintaining the correct Health and Safety procedures every working day. It is crucial that you are aware of the hazards which exist wherever you are working and that you take the necessary precautions so that you are prepared in case the worst happens. The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) 1974 legislation should be followed to ensure your own safety and that of anyone you work with and you are legally obliged to follow its rules and regulations.

Key HASAWA responsibilities  As a plumber working on domestic premises, the health, safety and welfare of the occupant becomes your responsibility because it is your place of work.  You have a responsibility to both yourself and to others to keep the workplace hazard free.  While your employer has a duty to ensure that the safety equipment provided is kept in good condition, you still need to make sure that you maintain your own safety as they cannot cater for human error or negligence.

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 HERE ARE A FEW POSSIBLE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS THAT A PLUMBER MIGHT FACE

1. WORKING AT HEIGHTS Working in homeowners’ attics and at internal and external high points on buildings puts plumbers at risk of falling through roofs and falling from great heights. You should always make sure that the surface you are putting the majority of your weight on is secure and has been inspected where this is relevant. Never stand on a surface unless you are 100% sure that it is safe and you are not putting yourself at risk of a fall. The COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations must be adhered to at all times. Substances that fall under COSHH will often be labelled as dangerous (i.e. toxic, very toxic, harmful, irritant or corrosive) and control measures must be applied when handling such substances. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions of use.

3. EXPOSURE TO NOISE TO HAZARDOUS 2. EXPOSURE SUBSTANCES Working on buildings and drainage systems inevitably poses the risk of you being exposed to hazardous substances, such as lead, asbestos, raw sewage, mould and more. These can lead to serious illness, including Tetanus and Hepatitis A, B or C. The best way to avoid this is to apply barrier cream before starting a job, wash your hands whenever you take a break, make sure you use the right PPE equipment (gloves, eye protection, etc.), clean all of your equipment properly after use and maintain good ventilation where you are working at all times.

Tools and machinery can create more decibels of sound than the human ear can safely be exposed to, so it is vital that you use ear plugs at all times when working in a noisy environment, as part of your PPE.

continued>>

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FROM TOOLS 4. INJURY AND EQUIPMENT Just as without the right tools you cannot do the job right, without ensuring that all of your equipment is safe, you cannot do the job safely. Always make sure to maintain any tools and equipment that you use and cut away from your face and body when using sharp objects. If the task at hand requires a lot of concentration or if you are in an awkward position whilst performing the task, make sure you take frequent breaks to eliminate the chance of error and adjust your position regularly to avoid cramping and muscle injury.

 Slips, trips and falls You should be aware that the load generally accepted as maximum for a fit person to lift is 20kg and any weight being carried or lifted must be done in the safest manner possible. If you suspect a person has broken a bone, you must prevent movement at the site of the injury and keep them still until the injured part is secured and supported, unless they are in immediate danger and then they must be moved away from the hazard. However you must always make sure that you are not putting yourself at risk and ring emergency services immediately.

What else can you do to prevent these things from happening?  Always lock away dangerous substances in an approved, clearly labelled place when not using them  Store materials correctly. Lengths of pipe and tube should be stored horizontally so that they are less likely to fall  Employers must provide protective clothing free of charge when the work being undertaken requires using it

FIRST AID FACTS  Burns Hot water and steam are often contended with by plumbers and they can cause severe damage if handled improperly. If you are scalded, you should flood the burn with plenty of cold water immediately and do not remove anything that may be sticking to the burn because you may cause further damage and introduce infection into the burnt area. Always call 999/112 for emergency help so that they can advise you on what to do next.

If you would like more information, here are some website which may be useful to you.  hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics.htm  hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm  redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/ First-aid/Everyday-First-Aid  firstaid.org.uk

The mBox L32 Wiring Centre with 221 series compact lever connectors part No. 60362958 EARTH

NEUTRAL

C 2

HW OFF

V4073A MID POSITION ZONE VALVE

HW ON

BLUE

9 HTG

MAINS IN 230 VAC 3 AMP 50 HZ

WHITE

LIVE

GREEN/YELLOW

1 2 3 ROOM STAT T6360B

BOILER

N L PUMP

ST9400A/C GREY ORANGE

Features • • • • • • • •

Dimensions: Drawing number - 51012 - Pre01 159 x 35Revision x 114mm (LxWxH) Date - 06/09/18

L641A

Gas boilers

Data Centres

Fire alarm systems

Lighting

FOR MORE WIRING INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO MANUAL OR WWW.KTECHMANUFACTURING.CO.UK

CYLINDER STAT

'Y' PLAN

Drawn by - P Wilks

221 series allow up to 4mm², 32A / 450V. 221 connectors are pre-mounted and ready to use. Significantly reduced installation time due to lever operation. Cable entries from behind or bottom cut outs. Attractive finish designed to not look out of place within a domestic setting. Satisfies the requirements of both ‘S’ and ‘Y’ connection schematics. Easy mounting with 4 integral mounting holes. Unique design on underside aids mounting on uneven surfaces.

221 Series Compact Lever Connector 221 Series - 4mm² Technical Data

0.2 - 4mm2 solid & stranded 0.14 - 4mm2 fine-stranded 450 V/4 kV/21 32 A L 11 mm 1 In grounded (earthed) supply systems

WAGO Limited, Triton Park, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1SG Tel: 01788 568 008 - Fax: 01788 568 050 - info@wago.ltd.uk - www.wago.ltd.uk WAGO is a registered trademark of WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH.

Sept 2018

Which? Best Buy. For the 2nd year running.

VITODENS 050-W

VITODENS 100-W

VITODENS 111-W

VITODENS 200-W

29 kW Combi

26 kW Open Vent

30 kW Combi

35 kW Storage Combi

35 kW System

“Fantastically reliable boiler brand” “Many engineers put Viessmann on a pedestal as the very best on the Market” Which? Gas Boilers September 2018