NQI Winter 2015 Issue

WINTER 2015

NEWLY QUALIFIED INSTALLER

INSIDE...

ENSURING YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE GRANTS TO KICK START YOUR BUSINESS DON’T FOOL AROUND WITH TOOLS INSURANCE BE PROFESSIONAL WITH OUR GUIDE TO TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

WIN

A REGIN VESSEL JET CORDLESS INFLATOR!

To find out more about delivering best in class system protection, call 01242 546717 or visit www.adey.com

WELCOME | NQI WINTER 2015 | 01 WINTER 2015

NEWLY QUALIFIED INSTALLER

INSIDE...

ENSURING YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE GRANTS TO KICK START YOUR BUSINESS DON’T FOOL AROUND WITH TOOLS INSURANCE BE PROFESSIONAL WITH OUR GUIDE TO TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

WIN

A REGIN VESSEL JET CORDLESS INFLATOR!

EDITOR: RACHEL MACSWEENEY editor@sng-publishing.co.uk ADVERTISING: SUE CATT sue.catt@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 NQI Magazine call 0870 774 3049 or subscribe online at www.hip-magazine.co.uk DISCLAIMER ‘NQI Magazine’ is published by SNG Publishing Ltd. All content is copyright SNG Publishing Ltd 2015.

Although SNG Publishing Ltd has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this publication, neither it nor any contributor can accept any legal responsibility whatsoever for consequences that may arise from errors or omissions or any opinions or advice given.

This publication is not a substitute for professional advice on a specific transaction.

Advertisements are accepted for publication in NQI Magazine only upon SNG Publishing Ltd standard terms of acceptance of advertising.

All material published in NQI Magazine is copyright and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden.

No reproduction allowed without prior permission.

We’re really getting into the stride of things, with this being our third issue of NQI and the last one for 2015. Thanks to everyone who has given us such great comments on the magazine so far.

At NQI we want to be different from other magazines, and part of what sets us apart is looking at college leavers to find out what they’re doing in the industry. There are so many different possibilities and career paths, and in this issue we talk to Callum Griffin who has recently left college to become a lecturer at Swindon College. We also spoke to Darren Taylor, a former apprentice on the City Heating Spares apprenticeship scheme, about why he has chosen a career in spares.

We’ve also included some of the latest industry news, and taken a look at some of the new products available for the plumbing and heating industry. For those of you starting your own business, take a look at our guide to business insurance, and also more specifically an article on tools insurance from Richard Woolford at Vision Insurance. We’ve also researched what start up grants there are for new businesses, and where to find out more. In addition, we’ve looked at some of the trade associations and industry bodies which can provide support and advice.

Thank you for taking the time to read NQI. Here’s wishing all our readers a happy holiday season, and a prosperous new year!

Rachel MacSweeney © SNG Publishing Ltd, 2015

HIP-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

EDITOR

/HIPPLUMBER

/HIPMAGAZINE

02

REGULARS 01 04 14 28 36 42

Editor’s Note Industry News New Product Reviews Just for Fun Tea Break Time Hall of Shame

WIN

PAGE 06

WINTER 2015 | CONTENTS

FEATURES 08 10 12 17

Push & Press - A Total System Solution

Pegler Yorkshire look at the benefits of using a combined system approach

Case Study

Callum Griffin shares what he’s learnt since leaving college

Business Insurance

PAGE 08

07

Tips on ensuring you have the right insurance in place

Case Study

Find out how a City Heating Spares Apprenticeship helped Darren Taylor find a new career path

Start Up Grants Loctite Pipe Sealing Products Loctite highlight the simple effectiveness of their products

20

Tools Insurance Make sure you’re not under insuring your tools!

22 24 26

Innovation Drives Product Development at Adey How ‘smart chemistry’ is a key focus in their lab

Coram Showers Stride Ahead...

as they launch two new product ranges and a newly updated brochure

Step-by-Step Installation Guide Spirotech walk us through installing their SpiroTrap MB3

30

Regs Update Napit report on changes to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and WRAS question when is the right time to notify

31

PAGE 22

19

PAGE 20

We review the different options available on the market

E-Trade Counter Grows Graham The Plumber’s Merchant expand their e-trade offering

34

How to Kick Start Your Career

38

Considering Joining a Trade Association?

See our overview of the main professional bodies in the Plumbing & Heating Industries

COMPETITIONS 06

WIN a Regin Vessel Jet Cordless Inflator!

PAGE 34

Top tips from Vaillant on getting your career off to the best possible start in 2016

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

04 | NQI WINTER 2015 | INDUSTRY NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

We’ve rounded up all the latest news items from your industry NEW VITO SPORT PRICING ANNOUNCED The popular UK-specific Vito Sport model is now available to order in its New Vito guise.

Priced from £25,495 (excl VAT) for the New Vito Sport 116 BlueTEC Compact van, the Vito Sport is available both in a panel van and crew van option, which offers an extra row of seats.

The 116 BlueTEC and 119 BlueTEC engines are both available for Vito Sport, which meet the stringent Euro 6 emission regulations, along with a choice of Compact and Long body lengths. The already excellent standard specification of the New Vito is further enhanced by a combination of functional and styling features, which set the Vito Sport apart from the norm.

For more information visit mercedes-benz.com

ARISTON ACADEMY TAKES TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Ariston is now offering heating installers extensive, high quality expert training courses as part of its new ‘Ariston Academy’ initiative. Each course provides attendees with practical, hands-on experience working with the company’s high efficiency boilers, as well as detailed explanations of the technologies behind them.

Ariston’s experienced trainers are on hand to take delegates through every aspect of the company’s high efficiency range of boilers, from installation and operation, through to commissioning and servicing. Controls, electrical circuits, hydraulic components and all other components are covered in detail, while fault codes and diagnostic techniques are also explained.

For more information visit aristonacademy.co.uk or call 01494 418585.

IMPORTANT CARBON MONOXIDE REGULATIONS CAME INTO FORCE AT THE START OF OCTOBER The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) is notifying private sector landlords about the introduction of important smoke and carbon monoxide regulations. The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, that came into force on 1st October, will require landlords to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance. After this date, landlords must check that the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.

Government has funded a limited number of alarms, which landlords can obtain for free from local fire and rescue authorities, Visit Alarms4life.com or FindAQualityPlumber.co.uk

INDUSTRY NEWS | NQI WINTER 2015 | 05

VIESSMANN REWARDS INSTALLERS Viessmann has launched two new installer reward programmes in time for the onset of the heating season. One scheme, to collect DEWALT power tools, applies to sales of Vitodens boilers up to 60 kW; the second, for sales of Vitodens 200-W boilers from 45 kW to 150 kW, gives installers the opportunity to claim up to £1,000 in Love 2 Shop vouchers. Both apply to products purchased between 12th October 2015 and 31st March 2016.

Claim forms must be returned to Viessmann before April 30th 2016 and copies can be obtained by contacting Viessmann.

For more information visit viessmann.co.uk

BRITS FLICK THE SWITCH ALL YEAR ROUND! October may be the traditional time to turn on the central heating, but new research reveals that nearly 50% of Brits switch it on whenever they feel chilly, no matter what time of year it is.

New research commissioned by Toolstation, the trade and DIY supplier, reveals that a steadfast 9% won’t put the heating on until November, no matter how cold it gets, and a hardy 27% of Brits wait until putting on a jumper is not enough.

Despite stereotypes of ‘tough northerners’, the research revealed that it’s actually Londoners and those in the South West who are hardiest, with just 38% turning on the heating whenever they feel chilly, compared to 55% in the North East and North West and 60% in Scotland.

For more information visit toolstation.com

IDEAL INSTALLER ‘GOES THE EXTRA MILE’ WITH MOTORCYCLE ACE Ideal Boilers’ Accredited Installer Dave Beeson of Beeson Plumbing in Grimsby is sponsoring aspiring rider Craig Neve, a fulltime electrician at Scunthorpe Steelworks. Dave says he could see Craig’s potential and ambition from their first conversation, and used his Ideal Installer Connect points and the Installer Connect Marketing Toolbox to get decals for Craig’s racing helmet, ensuring great prominence for both his business and Ideal’s brand.

This year has seen Craig achieve consistent top 10 results and wins in the GB Thundersport series and an impressive run in the Isle of Man GP. For more information visit idealboilers.com

06 | NQI WINTER 2015 | COMPETITION

W I N Here’s your chance to win a Regin vessel jet cordless inflator!

The Regin REGK01 is a hand held air compressor and is ideal for all sorts of uses including filling pressure vessels on pressurised and unvented cylinder systems, topping up pressure in van tyres, and inflation of bicycle tyres and sports equipment with the additional adaptors supplied.

The Regin REGK01 is easier to use than a hand or foot pump especially in small spaces, and is portable, versatile and durable. The Regin vessel jet comes with an extended pressure hose with thread connector for secure fitting to schrader valve, a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack, an AC Charger for Li-ion Battery, and a travel carrying bag.

To be in with a chance of winning simply email admin@sng-publishing.co.uk and put ‘Regin competition’ in the title of your email.

The closing date is 31st January 2016. We’ll pick a winner at random and notify them by email shortly after the competition closes.

SPONSORED FEATURES | NQI WINTER 2015 | 07

PUSH & PRESS

A TOTAL SYSTEM SOLUTION!

While the plumbing industry continues to debate the merits of both push and press, there has been a noticeable rise in the amount of systems being installed that now benefit from a combined approach.

Press technology Press-fit has a reputation for being a high performing solution and because there is no need to use heat and solder, it is a very clean and fast jointing method. It doesn’t leave carbon deposits or flux so there is less risk of corrosion and requires less than half of the time to flush the system when compared to a soldered system.

Push technology On the other hand push-fit, introduced back in the 1980s, was originally classified as a light domestic solution used in conjunction with plastic piping.

But today’s metal fittings have advanced that much, push-fit is now being used on a full range of projects from small domestic to large scale commercial. Their technological improvements mean fittings are now compatible with a variety of pipe materials choices from plastic to flexible metal, copper and even carbon steel.

Combined approach Pegler Yorkshire is a leading manufacturer of products, systems and solutions for the industry and as such offers guidance on why these two techniques are perfectly compatible.

Phill Jackson, Marketing and Business Development Director for

“Every installation will bring its own challenges but the key is being able to adapt.” the company explains: “Modern systems have become much more advanced with highly engineered fittings that incorporate fail safe features such as the XPress unique Leak Before Press identification window, designed to instantly identify unpressed joints and Tectite’s patented TectSEAL, directional seals pre-lubricated for reduced insertion force and the provision of a reliable seal. Which offers reassurance for completing a perfect joint without the need for soldering. Yet the main reason as to why these two alternative methods of jointing have been preferred is the issue of working in confined spaces.

It can be almost impossible to

ensure that a joint is made correctly, when using traditional techniques, if access to it is restricted.

“That is why Installers today use a combination of these jointing methods to provide a total system solution that is significantly less time consuming and safer than traditional methods.“ Every installation will bring its own challenges but the key is being able to adapt. Today’s systems allow easy adoption of differing methods and products but with a reliable and robust conclusion.

0844 243 4400

pegleryorkshire.co.uk

08 | NQI WINTER 2015 | CASE STUDY

WHAT I’VE E C N I S T N R LEA E G E L L O C G N I LEAV Griffin NAME: Callum don COLLEGE: Swin l 2 & 3 NVQ STUDIED: Leve d Heating in Plumbing an

“Throughout the course all the industry information you receive is vital to you becoming a successful plumber.”

NQI: Why did you choose to study at Swindon College?

CG: It was my local college and they have an excellent record of high success rates for apprentices.

NQI: Did you go straight to college from school or did you have any work experience?

CG: My dad was a plumber so I always had an interest in the trade from a young age. I would go out at weekends and during school holidays to work with him. Those experiences made up my mind I wanted to be a plumber so as soon as I finished school I knew what I wanted to do.

NQI: What was the most valuable thing you learnt at college?

CG: I think it’s hard to pinpoint one certain aspect that was most valuable. Throughout the course all the industry information you receive is vital to you becoming a successful plumber. Alongside that, I think the tips and tricks of the trade that can only be given to you by highly skilled lecturers that have worked in industry are priceless.

NQI: Where did you carry out your apprenticeship?

CG: I carried out my apprenticeship with a company called Bathroom Innovations. Gary the owner of the company was brilliant throughout my apprenticeship, providing support for college work and spending time to develop my skills and knowledge.

NQI: What are you doing now?

CG: I’m now back where it all started so to speak. Currently I’m a lecturer in the plumbing department at Swindon College teaching full time learners and apprentices. We have over 150 learners on plumbing based courses ranging from entry level up to level 3 apprentices so our curriculum offer is very broad.

NQI: Why did you choose to go into teaching?

CG: My second choice of career after plumbing was to be a P.E teacher in secondary education.

When I was growing up I always liked the thought of supporting students through an important time in their lives, giving my knowledge

CASE STUDY | NQI WINTER 2015 | 09

to others to set them up for a good career in the future. So being a part of education in a teaching or lecturing capacity was always of interest to me. After completing my apprenticeship I felt I wanted a new challenge and an opportunity arose at college as a support technician, this involved helping learners alongside lecturers through their plumbing qualifications. That’s how it started and I have now worked my way up to being a fully qualified lecturer and assessor.

NQI: What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

CG: I love my job, no days the same and there are always challenges to overcome. No two students are the same and they all learn in different ways and paces so keeping lessons enjoyable, engaging and meeting the needs of your students is always a positive challenge.

I would say the most rewarding aspect is when you see students you’ve taught get a job in the industry, you have made a difference to that person’s life.

NQI: What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learnt since leaving college?

CG: I would say that the most valuable thing I’ve learnt since leaving college is that anything is possible. If you put your mind to something, focus and work hard enough then you can achieve whatever you want, whether that be owning your own business, developing yourself or moving onto new challenges.

NQI: Are you able to apply much of your course to your present job?

CG: Definitely, I am able to transfer the majority of what I learnt whilst at college when teaching students.

Obviously the plumbing trade is always evolving and even since I left college as a student the changes that have taken place and new products are never ending some of what is taught at colleges is always changing.

NQI: Do you keep in touch with anyone from your course, what are they doing now?

CG: Our class were a tight knit group at college and we all got on really well, the majority of us still meet up regularly and all have a good friendship group from being at college together. We always look back at college and laugh and joke about some of the memories which must mean we had a good time. We all started on the full time course at college and then at the end of the year the majority of us got apprenticeships. Some unfortunately haven’t but for the most part we are all in industry in some part, two work for British Gas, a few are working on site and two are running their own businesses. No doubt I’ll be asking them to get into teaching at some point down the line.

NQI: Is there anything which isn’t being taught in colleges nowadays which you think should be?

CG: I think that colleges have got a pretty good grasp on the qualifications they are delivering and at the end of the day they have to deliver what is set by the awarding body. I think they have a range of qualifications that meet the needs of students at each level and with the new trailblazer qualifications coming it shows they are looking at ways to improve all the time. I do think it would be good to have a unit that covered starting up and running your own business.

What I’ve started to see be put in place by HIP with their NQI (newly Qualified Installer) publication is brilliant and gives helpful information on things such as insurances, pricing a job, rogue customers and joining schemes and industry bodies.

NQI: Are you planning any further learning / qualifications for yourself?

CG: I want to move into management and quality assurance so I will be working towards a management qualification as well as carrying out my IQA (internal quality assurance) award. My goal is to be a Curriculum Area Manager in five years’ time.

NQI: What new developments have you been working on at Swindon College?

CG: This year we have trialled using Tectite flexible metal pipe for practicing pipe bending with our learners and have made huge savings on copper. The fact that you can re-use the pipe has been brilliant and is something that I would recommend for colleges to try out. For Swindon as a whole the construction trade is booming with new sites popping up across the town and more apprentices than we have ever had before. There is not a better time to be a plumber in the Swindon area.

10 | NQI WINTER 2015 | INSURANCE

ENSURING YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE If you’re starting up a new business, or looking at your existing insurance, it’s vital to make sure you have the right policies in place. It’s easy to forget about it, but insurance is an essential – and in some cases – a legal requirement. Read our guide to find out more.

PUBLIC LIABILITY

EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY

This is designed to insure you against claims if a member of the public is injured or if their property is damaged.

It applies whether they’re at your businesses premises or while you’re at their property.

For example, if you accidentally drill through a water pipe and cause a flood at a customer’s house, it could lead to financial claims big enough to bankrupt you.

Public liability insurance isn’t a legal requirement, however it’s considered essential for businesses. If you want to register with a competent person scheme like Gas Safe or OFTEC, then one of the requirements is that you have public liability insurance.

If you employ someone then it’s a legal requirement to have employers’ liability insurance. It protects you if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a direct result of their work whilst in your employment. If you pay someone on a monthly, weekly, daily or hourly basis then it’s a requirement.

Employers’ liability isn’t required where only one person is employed and that person also owns more than 50% of the share capital.

It’s also not a requirement in partnerships where the directors are equal partners in the business and do not employ others e.g. a husband and wife who own the business together, or two friends.

You can be fined heavily if you are required to have employers’ liability insurance and do not.

OTHER TYPES OF INSURANCE Other types of insurance you should consider are:  Buildings insurance if you have premises  Business interruption insurance in case you can’t trade for any reason  Professional indemnity  Van insurance  Tools insurance Many brokers and insurers can offer combined policies which include different elements tailored to suit your business. hip-magazine.co.uk

Check out the industry contacts section of the HIP website for specialist insurers.

Some merchants supply heating spares.

Some merchants supply genuine heating spares.

A range of over 120,000 genuine heating spares can be ordered from any Graham branch.

Visit grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk for more information.

12 | NQI WINTER 2015 | CASE STUDY

HOW A CITY HEATING SPARES APPRENTICESHIP HELPED DARREN FIND A NEW CAREER PATH

“...if you’re prepared to put a bit of effort in yourself then you’ll get more out of it.”

CASE STUDY | NQI WINTER 2015 | 13

Darren Taylor, an apprentice with City Heating Spares (the spares brand of City Plumbing Supplies (CPS) and Plumbing Trade Supplies (PTS)), talks to NQI about his experience as an apprentice and finding full-time employment.

NQI: What made you choose a career in spares?

DT: I was previously working as a trainee retail assistant in a clothing shop but it was clear earlyon that there was no real way of progressing and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the job wasn’t for me. I love learning new things and was ready for a challenge, so when my dad told me about the City Heating Spares apprenticeship scheme I decided to seize the opportunity and apply.

I’ll go into full-time employment as a City Heating Spares Manager within City Plumbing Supplies, London Road, Glasgow, supported by the Senior Regional Spares Manager, Calum Smith, and CPS Glasgow Branch Manager Jennifer Anderson who is also my mentor.

I’m absolutely thrilled to be going straight into a job from my apprenticeship; I can’t wait to start using what I’ve learnt.

NQI: What is it like being a City Heating Spares apprentice?

NQI: What does the future hold for you?

DT: There’s a great mix of hands-on learning and theory modules so everyday is really varied. You learn so much about the business, the different spares product solutions, and most of all, what’s important to the customers and how to best meet their requirements. I’ve also been able to travel around the country to experience life at different branches, which I really enjoyed.

DT: I want to continue progressing and forge a strong career within the industry and maybe one day become a regional manager.

Then, who knows – Travis Perkins plc is a big company with lots of opportunities! Thanks to the apprenticeship, I now have a clear career path and most of all I enjoy it; I get up in the mornings ready for each day, whereas work used to seem more like a chore.

NQI: What are you doing now?

DT: I’m in the final stages of the apprenticeship with just two modules left to go. Once completed,

NQI: Anything else to add?

DT: To anyone considering an apprenticeship within the plumbing

and heating industry, the spares market is definitely a valuable and really interesting sector to be working in. Every day you are problem-solving and dealing with a variety of domestic and commercial breakdown situations, and you quickly build great relationships with customers who come to rely on you. I had little industry knowledge before starting the apprenticeship, but City Heating Spares helped me build my experience with lots of support, so this shouldn’t be a concern for anyone interested in applying in the future. Just remember that if you’re keen, ready to learn, and like dealing with people, then this could be the perfect career path for you too.

Kevin Williams, Managing Director of Group Spares for Travis Perkins plc, added: “Nurturing talent and attracting expertise to City Heating Spares is vital to the business, but more importantly to the experience and service provided to our customers. Competition is high for the spares stars of tomorrow so we pride ourselves on our apprenticeship scheme which gives the students a fantastic grounding in the company and sets them on the path to be the business leaders of the future.”

The CHS apprenticeship is a 12 month programme, open to 18 to 21 year olds. Placements are completed in City Plumbing Supplies and Plumbing Trade Supplies branches. Once completed, the apprentices are appointed to a branch alongside a mentor.

Darren with mentor Jen Anderson

cityplumbing.co.uk

14 | NQI WINTER 2015 | NEW PRODUCTS

LIFTING & LEVELLING MADE SIMPLE WITH NEW EASYAIRWEDGE The EasyAirWedge is an innovative, cost-effective device designed to assist plumbers with the lifting, levelling and installation of water tanks, boilers and radiators. The versatile new tool is an inflatable bag manufactured from heavy duty TPU which simply slides into awkward or narrow gaps and is then easily inflated or deflated with a few quick pumps of the hand pump to ensure the unit is held in just the right position.

The EasyAirWedge will safely lift an impressive 120kgs and reduces installation time by up to half. It enables individuals to safely carry out tasks themselves without the need for assistance – saving valuable time and money. It comprises a unique patented rigid plastic core which is hidden inside the bag to ensure the device will not buckle or bend while in use.

The EasyAirWedge retails from around £13.00 and is available from most good Builders Merchants and DIY outlets nationwide.

01227 712833 easyairwedge.com

THE INNOVATIVE KNIPEX TWINKEY For installers who are confronted with numerous locking systems on a daily basis, finding and carrying keys can be a major hassle. The innovative KNIPEX TwinKey has 10 keys which fit into all established locking systems as well as exotic locking systems. Whether it is heating and air-conditioning units, gas and water supply and shut off systems, or access to a fuse box, the easy to grip and turn TwinKey fits them all.

The TwinKey is an eight-armed spider wrench and consists of two cross keys cleverly connected by a magnet. When unclamped, they remain connected to each other by a stable stainless steel wire, so they cannot get lost.

The KNIPEX TwinKey also includes a ¼“ reversible bit for slotted screws (1.0 x 7 mm) and PH2 cross-recessed screws. Both crosses of the weight optimised zinc die-cast universal key feature quality coated surfaces for durability, differing in appearance, one matt and the other shiny. knipex.com

Vitodens 200-W with weather compensation

+

Vitotrol 200 RF wireless remote control

=

A+

16 | NQI WINTER 2015 | NEW PRODUCTS

HERO IN A HALF SHELL Honeywell has launched a new product designed to make it even easier to insulate pipework, right up to the zone valve. The new insulation shells are specially moulded to fit around the zone valve body, adding extra insulation and combating transmission losses.

An easy fit design means no tools or tape are required, and they can be fitted to an already installed zone valve. The insulation foam can be trimmed to fit. Insulating pipework and valves helps to keep the heat in the pipes, and guards against wasteful heating of voids and frost in unheated spaces.

The zone valve insulation shells are sold in one size and fit 22mm; 28mm; ½”, ¾” and 1” 2 Port Zone Valves. They are available from all good heating and plumbing merchants now. honeywelluk.com

SNICKERS’ NEW PRODUCT AND PRICE CATALOGUE This full colour brochure is now available FREE to those professional tradesmen and women who want the very best in working clothes. Snickers’ newest Product and Price Catalogue has full details of the new ‘Next Generation’ range of working clothes.

There’s also loads of information on all the other garments and accessories you can get for working effectively in the coming autumn and winter months wherever you are on site – and whatever trade you’re in.

You’ll find quality, innovation and top class functionality in every garment – Trousers, Winter Jackets, Toolvests, Gloves, Jumpers and Fleeces - the sign of a brand that knows what it takes to get the job done properly.

So get to know the cutting-edge ‘Next Generation’ range from Snickers Workwear.

In every stitch, it’s miles better.

01484 854788

snickersworkwear.co.uk

GRANT SUPPORT | NQI WINTER 2015 | 17

START ME UP!

OK, so you’ve decided to take the plunge and set up your own business.

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 has 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 businesses start-ups

“There are various schemes and help out there to help you set up your business.”

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 534 different schemes Continued on page 18

18 | NQI WINTER 2015 | GRANT SUPPORT

which you can narrow down to what’s available where you are by keying in your postcode. We took what’s currently available in East Anglia for a start-up business and looked at three of the 20 options available in that region.

The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme 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 selfemployment 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.

Business advice and Masterclasses (Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk) 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. Business grants for innovation development are available – 25% of costs up to £25,000. nwes.org.uk

 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

Start Up Loans Backed by the Business Bank, the Start Up Loans Company offers loans and mentoring for 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. startuploans.co.uk

 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. For our Norfolk start up business we checked Norwich City Council’s website which had a section on business support and funding.  Your county council. We took a look at Norfolk County Council’s website which has a section on funding including links to Grantnet - a service that helps local organisations identify funding streams that may be available to specific projects for voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, and small to medium sized businesses.  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 grantnet.com

SPONSORED FEATURE | NQI WINTER 2015 | 19

LOCTITE PIPE SEALING PRODUCTS... ®

SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE & QUICK For many plumbers, LOCTITE® 55 Pipe Sealing Cord is now a toolbox essential because it is so simple to use, produces a highly effective seal and saves time. By comparison with a hemp joint, a leak-free LOCTITE 55 seal is achieved in half the time and for less cost. It can also be backed off by up to 45° without fear of leakage.

Simply wind onto the male threads in a criss-cross action; the thread size determines the number of turns. Cut the cord with the cutting device provided on the dispenser and press the loose end onto the thread. Screw on and fasten the joint with a pipe wrench and re-align if necessary.

LOCTITE 55 is certified to DVGW standards, carries EN751-2 Class ARP for the gas industry and WRAS approval for use with potable water to 85°C. This product has been a top seller for Henkel for several years and on the strength of its effectiveness plumbers are now exploring what else is new in LOCTITE anaerobic technology.

“LOCTITE 55 is certified to DVGW standards...”

One product that is proving increasingly popular is LOCTITE 577, a general purpose sealant for all coarse threads.

Time-served in the industrial market, LOCTITE 577 cures to provide a medium strength bond with excellent chemical and thermal resistance.

It will not creep, shrink or block systems by shredding and is resistant to oil and coolants making it ideal for heating applications.

In addition to oil fittings LOCTITE 577 is suitable for sealing olives to pipes and valve bodies, shower valve fittings, radiator valve faces and radiator tails with parallel threads.

Another relative newcomer is LOCTITE 5075 insulating silicone wrap which can stretch up to 300%, effectively sealing and protecting damaged pipes against leakage and corrosion. It withstands harsh operating conditions and temperature extremes and is available in black and red.

01442 278000 loctite.co.uk

20 | NQI WINTER 2015 | INSURANCE

TOOLS INSURANCE You will no doubt have invested considerable funds into purchasing your work tools and if they were stolen you would be unable to work until you had sourced suitable replacements.

There are a number of insurance policies that can provide cover in respect of loss of or damage to your work tools. You may find that you can add tools insurance to your existing Public Liability policy or you may be able to purchase a separate Tools Insurance policy.

However, should you decide to insure your work tools you must make sure that you understand the terms and conditions that apply to your policy.

“...do not underinsure your tools.”

In the first instance you should understand the policy definition of “tools” so that you know what is covered. Some policies will only include tools or hand held power tools whilst some will include tool kits as well as test equipment.

This article is supplied by Richard Woolford, A.C.I.I. Consultant to Vision Insurance Services, Vision House, 61 London Road, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5DT. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 512500.

Then select the correct sum insured so that, in the worst case, all your work tools are insured. It may be that some policies impose a sum insured on you by having a maximum sum insured which may be quite low, say £1,500 or £2,000. If this is the case you should make sure you are comfortable with the policy limit, but do not underinsure your tools.

Whilst your tools policy may be operative on a 24 hour basis you should read your policy carefully to see if any inner restrictions may apply. For instance some Tools Insurance policies have an overnight exclusion in respect of theft meaning that theft from unattended vehicles between 21.00 and 06.00 would be excluded unless the vehicle is in a secure compound or garage.

Also you should always take all reasonable precautions to secure your vehicle when unattended, most tools insurance policies will exclude theft from unattended vehicles unless there is evidence of a forcible or violent entry to your vehicle.

As with all insurance policies you must read the policy wording to fully understand the extent of the policy cover and any restrictions that may apply. If you are in any doubt seek clarification from your insurance advisor.

01276 850544 vision-insurance.co.uk

Get ahead.

Get online.

With over 1.2 million views and 60 videos, our YouTube channel shows how installing our showers, enclosures and trays is quick, simple and hassle free.

To view our latest ‘step by step’ installation videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel visit: www.youtube.com/mirashowers

22 | NQI WINTER 2015 | PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

INNOVATION DRIVES PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT With the arrival of MagnaClean in 2003, ADEY Professional Heating Solutions revolutionised the sector and is now Europe’s No.1 manufacturer of magnetic filters.

Dr Neil Watson, the company’s Technical Director, discusses how the Queen’s Award winning manufacturer is applying the same ethos to chemical water treatment to deliver a holistic approach which has the installer at its heart.

Smart chemistry Although ADEY is relatively new to the chemicals market, thanks to considerable investment in our research and development laboratory in Kent, we have been able to create our own chemical formulations which are rigorously tested to ensure they not only meet, but surpass BuildCert CIAS standards.

The benefit of having our own laboratory at our research centre means we have full control over what goes into the chemicals.

Perhaps even more crucially, it allows us a greater understanding of how chemical formulations work together and ensures we can be specific about using the right balance of ingredients to get the best performance;

a process we refer to as ‘smart chemistry’. For example, this approach enabled us to create a range of cleaners and inhibitors that complement each other to achieve the best results.

Stand out innovation Using ‘smart chemistry’ we’ve been able to ‘design in’ key product developments to our MC+ range to ensure that it stands out against our competitors.

Our MC3+ Cleaner protects vulnerable metals in the heating system such as aluminium during the cleaning process. This means that it can be dosed up to a month in advance of flushing, significantly reducing the time on site to complete the MagnaCleanse flushing process.

The time saving benefit of being able to leave a chemical cleaner in

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT | NQI WINTER 2015 | 23

a system is hugely important, as it gives installers a clear advantage.

Once the installer has been out to see a property and identified that the heating system needs cleaning, using RAPIDE MC3+ Cleaner they are able to dose the system there and then, in just 20 seconds without the need to drain down or reduce system pressure. This starts the cleaning process immediately rather than having to circulate the cleaner for an hour or so with the heating on when the engineer comes back to flush.

Benefits for all As well as clear benefits to installers, ADEY’s range of

chemicals have advantages for boiler manufacturers as well. We have developed our MC1+ Protector to treat 125 litres of system water, or up to up to 15 radiators, because research has shown that more than 25% of typical heating systems are in excess of 100 litre capacity.

A single dose of MC1+ Protector however treats 97% of all typical heating systems in the UK. Any boiler manufacturer can be happy that if an installer is using ADEY’s chemicals, and adding one bottle per system, as is often the ‘rule of thumb’ regardless of system size, it is far more likely to be correctly dosed than if a product formulated for only 100 litre systems has been used. This keeps the warranty intact and reduces the risk of problems or breakdown in the future.

The complete control ADEY has over its own chemical formulation development means we’ve been able to adapt our MC1+ Protector to include elements that compensate

“...our customers can be assured of product performance consistency, something no other manufacturer offers.” for a certain amount of cleaner residue left in the system. This is something which we believe is unique in the industry. Furthermore, given that we also manufacture our own products, we test every single batch we make to the BuildCert CIAS Performance Standard before it is released to market. This means that our customers can be assured of product performance consistency, something no other manufacturer offers.

01242 546717 adey.com

24 | NQI WINTER 2015 | SPECIAL REPORT

TWO NEW RANGES & A FRESH STRATEGY SEE CORAM STRIDE AHEAD

Coram Shower GB Range Quadrant

Coram Shower Optima bi-fold

Leading UK showering solutions brand Coram Showers is launching two new product ranges, combined with the release of a stunning updated brochure.

What’s new?

CORAM’S OPTIMA RANGE boasts an array of new features and products.

CORE FEATURES INCLUDE: 6mm toughened safety glass Stay clean glass as standard Chrome and white frames available  Plain, satin or modesty glass available

  

NEW FEATURES INCLUDE:  Quick release wheels on the bottom of doors for easy cleaning  Double wheel runners on both the top and bottom of doors  Chrome profile cover caps  Polished stainless steel straight bar handles

CORAM’S GB RANGE is a professional level range which has also benefited from some innovative new additions.

 Quick release wheels on bottom of doors for easy cleaning  Push on magnets and seals added to pivot door

STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE:  Lifetime guarantee (if fitted with a Coram shower tray)  Next working day delivery  Chrome effect frame finishes  Quadrant, bi-fold, corner, pivot, sliding enclosure styles

Commenting on the new product launches John Blackburn, UK Group MD explained: “As a brand that never stands still, our Research and Development team is continually developing and evolving products in order to strengthen our service proposition. The coming year will see further market-leading, groundbreaking product innovation, new launches and a new training plan as we look towards a very exciting 2016.”

NEW FEATURES INCLUDE: Semi-frameless design 4 and 5 mm glass thicknesses Stay clean glass coating as standard  Single wheel runner top and bottom

  

coram.co.uk

For speed, ease and reliability.

It must be Hep2O. Demounting made easy with the handy HepKey.™

Hep2O comes with the longest guarantee in the industry.

Secure joint recognition with In4sure™ technology.

Comprehensive range of fittings to suit every job.

Anything else is just a fitting.

www.hep2o.co.uk

26 | NQI WINTER 2015 | STEP-BY-STEP

SPIROTRAP MB3 INSTALLATION GUIDE THE SPIROTRAP MB3 DIRT SEPARATOR Removing system dirt significantly improves a heating system’s long-term health, potentially increasing energy efficiency by up to 7.4% and reducing the likelihood of a boiler breakdown by 48%. Dirt removal prevents magnetite and other dirt and debris particles from creating system blockages and slowing system flow.

Here we take a look at the SpiroTrap MB3 which is designed to separate and quickly remove even the smallest dirt particles, both magnetic and non magnetic, from a heating system - thanks to its unique magnetic field booster technology. spirotrapmb3.co.uk

Firstly drain down the heating system or isolate the area where the unit will be fitted.

Spirotech recommends that the SpiroTrap MB3 is installed on the return pipe near to the boiler or elsewhere on the main flow. The arrow on the unit indicates the direction the water should flow through the unit.

Using the measure provided on the installation instructions, remove 60mm of pipe where the SpiroTrap MB3 will be installed. Then slide on the olives and compression fittings provided.

Check the arrow on the unit matches the flow direction, and slide the unit onto the pipe before tightening the connections.

STEP-BY-STEP | NQI WINTER 2015 | 27

Wrap PTFE tape to the thread of the drain valve before connecting it to the bottom of the SpiroTrap MB3. Hand tighten the ring nut, before tightening with a tool to achieve the final seal.

Slide on the external magnet before refilling the system.

Spirotech recommends cleaning the filter once a year.

To do this, turn the boiler off before ensuring any pump overrun has finished and remove the magnet by sliding it down the unit.

Unscrew and remove the safety cap from the drain valve before attaching a suitable discharge hose to the drain valve. The safety cap can then be used as the key to open the drain valve by putting the cap onto the drain spindle.

To empty the collected debris slowly turn the safety cap to open the drain valve Âź of a turn for 5-10 seconds, or until the water becomes clear, then close the valve.

Screw the cap back on to the drain valve. Under normal conditions no more cleaning should be required until the next service. Replace the magnet on the SpiroTrap MB3. Check pressure first, pressurise if necessary then turn the pump on.

FINALLY, COMPLETE THE STICKER PROVIDED AND PLACE ON THE BOILER NB: Always read the instructions carefully. As is the case with all elements of a heating system, care needs to be taken when touching the unit as it is a brass product and may become too hot to touch. If needed, the unit can be insulated.

28 | NQI WINTER 2015 | PUZZLE TIME

JUST FOR FUN! TOILET TRIVIA Q4.

Test your knowledge in our fun quiz on toilet trivia!

Q1.

Which King died whilst falling off the toilet?

a) A water soaked sponge on the end of a stick b) Leaves c) Discarded sheep’s wool

Q5.

a) King Charles I b) King George II c) King Henry III

Q2.

Which of the following was used as the first attempt at an air-freshener? a) Cut oranges b) Apples and spices c) Pomegranates studded with cloves

Q3.

How long does the average person spend on the loo in their lifetime? a) 2.5 years b) 3 years c) 3.5 years

The Roman Army didn’t have toilet paper so what did they use instead?

Which one of the following celebrities has not been spotted wearing toilet paper as an item of clothing? a) Pippa Middleton b) Lady Gaga c) Victoria Beckham

Q6.

How many sheets of toilet paper does the average person use each year? a) 17,810 b) 19,565 c) 20,805

Q7.

What was the name the Ancient Egyptians gave to their toilets? a) House of Honour b) House of the Day c) House of the Morning

Q8.

How many houses in the UK still have outdoor toilets? a) 10,000 b) 40,000 c) 60,000

ANSWERS: 1. b) King George II, 2. c) Pomegranates studded with cloves, 3. b) 3 years, 4. a) A water soaked sponge on the end of a stick, 5. b) Lady Gaga, 6. c) 20,805, 7. c) House of the Morning, 8. b) 40,000

Think you know all about toilets?

“As tight as tight can be!”

Max, the most excitable plumber in Hartlep

ool

PolyMax is an extremely secure range of plumbing fittings. Once installed, they cannot be removed easily without our handy release tool, meaning no one’s going to mess with them.

An ideal choice for surface mounted installations, they are easy to use, easy to install and easy to get excited about.

• Sleek, attractive white design is perfect for exposed use • Extremely secure: only removable with our handy release tool • Suitable for most hot and cold water supply and heating applications • Compatible with our sealed stiffener for added security

Maximum reliability.

Minimum fuss.

PolyMax

Find out more at www.polypipe.com/polymax

30 | NQI WINTER 2015 | REGS UPDATE

REGULATIONS SPECIAL REPORT Microgeneration installation companies could see a significant rise in their overheads if the proposals of a recent consultation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) are given the go-ahead.

The MCS quality assurance scheme, currently owned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) but soon to become a standalone company, is currently consulting on whether to increase the number of onsite surveillance visits and desktop reviews Certification Bodies are required to impose on MCS installers – up to and even beyond 20 a year for larger installation companies.

MCS calculate that each surveillance visit will cost £433.71, which means the total additional cost for any one installation company could rise above £8,000 per technology per year.

However, the NAPIT Trade Association estimates that the actual cost could be around 40% higher. This is due to the failure of MCS to consider the lost earnings installers will face as a result of time taken for surveillance visits – circa £176 for 2 days of their time, as estimated in the consultation (based on payscale estimates).

Commenting on the plans, Chairman of the NAPIT Trade Association Frank Bertie said: “Current MCS proposals could sound the death knell for some microgeneration businesses and will cripple others. Under the intended model, the largest companies would face a costly onsite and office surveillance visit almost every other week, up from the single annual visit currently required.”

The news comes in the wake of a government consultation that could see the Feed-in Tariff, a governmentbacked incentive programme for small-scale renewable electricity generation, reduced by up to 87 per cent.

“NAPIT believes that the impact assessment associated with the proposals is flawed...”

NAPIT believes that the impact assessment associated with the proposals is flawed, as it takes no account of the financial burden and missed opportunity costs current proposals will have on larger microgeneration installers. It also provides neither analysis of the benefits such an inspections regime would have nor any justification for the assumption that larger companies are responsible for a greater proportion of sub-standard work than smaller ones.

If you are likely to be affected by any of these proposals, you can respond to the MCS consultation too at:

microgenerationcertification.org/mcs-standards/consultations

SPONSORED FEATURE | NQI WINTER 2015 | 31

GRAHAM PLUMBERS’ MERCHANT EXPANDS ITS E-TRADE OFFERING In response to customer demand, Graham Plumbers’ Merchant has expanded its online offering, adding thousands of items to its eTrade store, providing in excess of 60,000 products available to order directly from the website.

Increasing its popular heating, heating spares, plumbing and plastics and tools and materials ranges, Graham has added a wealth of new products to its website, making purchasing as simple as possible for its customers.

“Graham has added a wealth of new products to its website making purchasing as simple as possible...”

Cate Gregory, Senior Marketing Manager for Graham Plumbers’ Merchant commented: “We understand that our customers are busy people and we wanted to help make the purchasing process as easy as it could possibly be. We recognised that some product areas, such as heating spares, needed to be expanded and so, we’ve added thousands of new lines to the website which plumbers can order for collection in branch or delivery.”

Users can also take advantage of the Graham website to access information on their family of local Graham branches, view branch lists as well as local news on upcoming trade mornings and branch events.

Customers who have opened an online account also have the ability to access and amend account details, view their account balance and view and print invoices.

To view Graham’s etrade counter visit the website...

grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk

32 | NQI WINTER 2015 | REGS UPDATE

Y F I T O N O T N E H W . . .

Y F I T O N O T T O OR N ?

N IO T S E U Q E H T IS T THA

When installing or replacing parts of plumbing systems, installers must comply with the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Byelaws, to protect drinking water supplies.

In most situations, advanced notification must be made to the local water supplier. This helps you as installers ensure your proposed work meets legal requirements. In most situations notification applies to non-household installations. However, there are a few exceptions such as large baths, shower type bidets, shallow or overly deep laid water pipes to name a few, which would apply to all property types.

Less understood is what is meant by the notification requirement of a ‘material change of use’. Most people will associate this with a physical change in the use of the property. Commonly this could be changing a pub into a home; or a home into offices, for example.

However, the Water Fittings Regulations also include a lesser known requirement regarding the storage and use of fluids. Specifically, this relates to fluids which if mixed with water could create a category 4 or 5 fluid. These pose a ‘significant’ or ‘serious’ risk to health, respectively.

What does this mean in practice?

wras.co.uk

The recent Regulation Interpretation (N05) aims to clarify changes within any premises where high risk fluids are to be stored or used.

Proposing to install rainwater harvesting or greywater systems in any property supplied with mains water is classed as a ‘material change of use’. Where this could catch installers or users out is when the change applies to a residential property, where prior notification for alterations is not normally required.

Water suppliers often find these systems are installed incorrectly and therefore prior notification is required.

There is a range of information about this and other topics in the ‘Interpretations and Advice’ section of the WRAS website. For more information on prior notification in your area, contact the local water supplier.

An accent on training…

We know our boilers are only as good as you – the installers who fit them. That’s why we put so much into our training and support programmes – so there’s more for you to take out. And when it comes compliance and new developments, like ErP, we help you stay on top of your game and ahead of the field.

Scan the QR code to go mobile with the NEW App for installers!

© 2015 Vokèra Ltd. All rights reserved.

With an expanding number of training centres across the UK and hundreds of courses every year, we make sure that you’re ready for anything.

Find out more at vokera.co.uk

Vokèra Affinity offers FREE Gas Safe notification, extended warranty activation and automated points claims. Register today at www.vokeraaffinity.co.uk

34 | NQI WINTER 2015 | CAREER GUIDANCE

1

CHOOSE A MANUFACTURER PARTNER THAT WILL HELP YOU PROSPER

Embarking on your career as a newly qualified heating engineer can be a daunting proposition, especially if you’re going it alone as a self-employed installer. And with your reputation being the most valuable asset you own, specifying the most reliable products from a premium manufacturer is key to ensuring your customers are happy and will give you those crucial word-of-mouth recommendations.

2

MAKE THE MOST OF TECHNOLOGY

There are plenty of free apps available that will assist with everything from general admin to managing customer relationships. masterTEC from Vaillant allows you to complete Gas Safe notifications directly from your smartphone (if you’re registered with the Advance scheme) to reduce the burden of paperwork.

Also, if you’re self-employed, setting up a company Twitter or Facebook page is a low-cost and effective way of promoting your business.

3

KEEP EXPANDING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

The best installers are those who never stop learning.

Products and legislation are constantly evolving, and each manufacturer’s guidelines will be slightly different. Take advantage of the free training most manufacturers provide to ensure every installation is trouble-free.

KICK START R E E R A C R U O Y Gregg Cole, Commercial Director at Vaillant, offers his top tips on how those new to the industry can get their career off to the best possible start in 2016:

4

STAY AHEAD OF INDUSTRY TRENDS

Reading the industry press will provide insight into the latest products, so you can meet homeowners’ demands and find ways to add value on installations, such as recommending enhanced controls for a more efficient system. Following influential Twitter accounts will also provide bite-size nuggets of information, helping you to stay ahead of the competition.

5

JOIN A LOYALTY SCHEME

Being part of a loyalty scheme will give you a range of services to help further your career. Some manufacturers reward loyal installers with price promotions, extended guarantees and credits to cash-in for business rewards.

Vaillant’s runs regular, free Advance loyalty events where installers can get together, learn about new technologies and share experiences.

To start benefiting from the support that Vaillant offers join the Advance loyalty scheme today – it’s open to Gas Safe registered installers at all levels. For more information visit vaillant-advance.co.uk

Energy

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36 | NQI WINTER 2015 | PUZZLE CORNER

FAMOUS PLUMBERS

?

TEA BREAK

TIME

MATT MUNRO OK, so probably none of you will remember him but he was Britain’s answer to Frank Sinatra, carving out a successful career as a singer, and representing Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964. Born and brought up in London, he worked as a plumber’s mate before breaking into show business.

1

3

2

4

5 6

7

8

9 10 11

12

MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN

13

Are you living with a drip?

Waterwise estimates that leaking taps waste at least 5,500 litres of water a year; that’s enough water wasted to fill a paddling pool every week for the whole summer.

14

15

16

?

After the Civil War in America, it was common practice to sell a boiler and provide piping plans to the buyer. The surge of business in the late 1800s led to situations where “men who were totally incompetent for the work came in time to be doing the plan-making work for some of the manufacturers with disastrous results.” Hmmm – guess this is where DIY should mean ‘don’t involve yourself’.

18

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Type of off grid fuel 6 Source of room heat 9 Avoid the risk of this from hot taps 11 Setting up and testing a heating system or boiler after it’s been installed 13 Practical experience whilst learning at college 14 Usually a good place to store tools!

15 The colour associated with renewable technologies 16 Type of heat pump 17 A guarantee on a piece of equipment 18 Type of bathroom, usually with a totally tiled floor

2 3 4 5

Controls a heating system Used for cutting, and also a puzzle!

Type of shower which controls temperature Liquid by-product from high efficiency boilers 7 Type of burner which has a range 8 Different areas in the house for heating which can be controlled separately 10 Giving the pipes a good clean out!

12 Online way of advertising your company 14 Type of screwdriver used for tightening things 15 Registration body for gas engineers

Answers (hope you didn’t peek before you finished!) ACROSS: 1. LPG, 6. Radiator, 9. Scalding, 11. Commissioning, 13.

Apprenticeship, 14. Toolbox, 15. Green, 16. Air source, 17. Warranty, 18. Wet Room DOWN: 2. Programmer, 3. Jig Saw, 4.

Thermostatic, 5. Condensate, 7. Modulating, 8. Zones, 10. Power flushing, 12. Website, 14. Torque, 15. Gas Safe

DID YOU KNOW?

17

38 | NQI WINTER 2015 | TRADE BODIES

BE A PROFESSIONAL! In the UK, we have lots of trade associations and professional bodies.

This is especially true in the plumbing and heating industry where membership can bring several benefits.

APHC

CIPHE

As one of the largest trade associations in the industry, the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) has minimum standards for members. APHC offers access to cost savings on a range of services, along with expert knowledge and advice to help and support businesses.

Members are listed with their ‘find a quality plumber’ search engine used by consumers.

Founded in 1906, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is a professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry. The membership of 8,000 includes consultants, specifiers, designers, public health engineers, lecturers, trainers, trainees and practitioners as well as approximately 200 manufacturers and distributors.

aphc.co.uk

ciphe.org.uk

GSHPA

HHIC

One of the smaller trade bodies, the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) requires members to sign up to its Code of Ethical Practice and to work to the GSHPA Standards. Members include installers, consultants, drilling and piping services. Members receive a listing on the GSHPA website.

The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council is a member organisation committed to effectively driving, supporting and promoting the sustained growth of the UK domestic heating and hot water industry. They provide an active voice for members through a range of activities, services and well established contacts. Installers get access to updates on best practice, Building Regulations, compliance and training.

gshp.org.uk

centralheating.co.uk

TRADE BODIES | NQI WINTER 2015 | 39

For a start it gives you kudos and a certain level of approval if you can say you belong to a professional body. In addition, many trade associations offer free technical advice to members, along with regular updates on the latest building regulations.

Here we’ve taken a look at some

of the trade associations at work in the plumbing and heating industry, along with the benefits they can offer members. This is by no means a full list. In addition, there’s a choice of competent person schemes which we looked at in the summer issue of NQI that you can read online at hip-magazine.co.uk

Trade association benefits  Membership of a professional body  Kudos with your customers  Technical advice & updates  Help with marketing  Networking and events with fellow professionals

CORGI

FETA

Formerly the competent person scheme for gas installers, CORGI now promotes itself as being the home of quality trades people.

Approved membership is all about generating more business for members, whilst providing consumers with the most safe and professional workmanship available. The CORGI membership packages include free work leads, online listings, membership card, van logos, discounts and special offers.

The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) represents the diverse interests of manufacturers, suppliers, installers and contractors within the building services sector. It is split into six principle Associations ADCAS, BCIA, BFCMA, BRA, HEVAC and HPA. Membership includes over 400 manufacturers, suppliers, installers and contractors within the heating, ventilating, building controls, refrigeration & air conditioning industry to policy makers and the wider public.

corgiservices.com

feta.co.uk

HEATFED

IDHEE

The Heating Engineers and Allied Trades Federation Ltd is a not for profit organisation which provides an independent voice for heating engineers and allied tradesmen. There’s a range of membership options, all of which receive the quarterly newsletter updates. Heatfed represents member’s views and concerns, influencing change and improvement in the industry.

The Institute of Domestic Heating & Environmental Engineers is a professional body for the domestic heating engineer.

The Institute aims to promote energy efficient domestic central heating components and the installation of safe and efficient systems.

Established for over 50 years, they offer technical advice and CPD events for members.

heatfed.co.uk

idhee.org.uk

40 | NQI WINTER 2015 | TRADE BODIES

NACS

SNIPEF

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) was formed in 1982 as a professional Trade Association, promoting high standards for the sweeping, inspection and maintenance of chimneys. With over 600 Members, NACS is recommended by all major fuel organisations, including the Solid Fuel Association, HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing & Approval Scheme), and OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association).

SNIPEF (Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation) is the trade association for plumbing and heating businesses based in Scotland and Northern Ireland. SNIPEF has just over 750 member firms employing over 3500 plumbers and 700 plumbing apprentices. SNIPEF runs a range of schemes, providing professional and practical assistance to plumbing and heating businesses in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

nacs.org.uk

snipef.org

SOLAR TRADE ASSOCIATION Members of the Solar Trade Association range from manufacturers to distributors and from developers to installers in the solar industry.

Membership benefits include the chance to help influence public policy, discounts on insurance, training and market intelligence providers, free advice from experts on technical issues, and access to an online library of market research and technical reports.

solar-trade.co.uk

SPIROTRAP® MB3 and the new

SPIROTRAP® MBL

Fast, easy removal of dirt particles in HVAC and cooling systems • Industry-leading 20 year guarantee • Quick and easy service • Quick, easy universal installation (360°) • Removable high-powered magnet

The new SpiroTrap MBL is now available in larger sizes 1¼”, 1½” and 2”.

SpiroTrap MB3 is available in connection sizes 22, 28 mm, ¾” and 1”.

• Sturdy brass housing

Want to find out more? Get in touch today!

• Up to 7.4% energy saving

Call us on 0208 451 3344 www.spirotech.com info@spirotech.co.uk

maximising performance

42 | NQI WINTER 2015 | HALL OF SHAME

HALL OF

Here’s your chance to catch up with some truly awful installations.

It never ceases to amaze us how creative people can be with pipework and how they can attempt to defy basic laws of gravity and physics.

The vast majority of plumbers and heating installers do a great job, but here are some of the worst offenders that we’ve seen recently.

, or ace for a u-bend is is the correct pl tion. lla ta ins is th Not really sure th r fo ght process was ou th e th at wh even

Every good plumber sh ould make su ready supp re they carr ly of spuds ya for those tric ky installati ons.

r this one to Isaac We’ll have to refe Or perhaps cal explanation.

Newton for a logi say, it’s illogical. as Spock would

Obviously hoping that the customer might not notice, or even mind, an open ended pipe over the basin.

HALL OF SHAME | NQI WINTER 2015 | 43

. es? Well here you go

not to bend pip Want to know how s.

Don’t do it like thi

Not sure whi ch is worse – the stop tap or the tiles?

Surely this isn’t a permanent arrangement.

Please tell me it isn’t. Or is it?

HALL OF

FAME!

soil conceal a y trying to k ake ic m tr s t’ ys le a , Alw m. I know o ro th a b pipe in a f it! a feature o

These are definitely not in the Hall of Shame, but we wanted to show you these brilliant urinals in the Bell Inn at Ticehurst, East Sussex.

If you’ve come across a dodgy installation, send your pictures to us and they could be featured on this page!

You can email us at editor@sng-publishing.co.uk A big thank you to our friends at Bad #Plumbing for supplying us with so many great photos.

Pop along to their facebook page to have a look at more! /Badplumbing?fref=ts

44 | NQI WINTER 2015 | PUZZLE TIME

JUST FOR FUN! See if you can find these words in amongst our topical wordsearch!

D

H

W

E

T

R

O

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F

I

P

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> APPRENTICE

> PRESSURE

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> COPPER

> PUMP

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> DRAIN

> SHOWER

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> ENERGY

> TANK

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> FILTER

> TAP

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> GUTTERING

> TRAP

L

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> PIPING

> VALVE

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> PLUGHOLE

> WASTE

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> PLUMBER

> WATER

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> PLUNGER

> WETROOM

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COMING E U S S I NEXT

SPRING ISSUE 2016 DUE OUT LATE MARCH

Watch out for more great features in the next issue of Newly Qualified Installer:

 Online marketing and websites  Endorsements and referrals

 Employing staff  Invoicing and credit control

We’ll also be featuring our regular mix of news, interviews, new products and competitions.

LOOK OUT FOR YOUR COPY. IF YOU’RE READING SOMEONE ELSE’S, THEN GET YOUR OWN! REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE COPY OF NQI ON THE SUBSCRIBE PAGE AT HIPMAGAZINE.CO.UK

CONNECT WITH CONFIDENCE

Look at the PLUS points Market leading Push-Fit System Tectite tube - the worlds first flexible metal tube in sizes 15mm and 22mm Tectite tube - combines the advantage of copper and plastic systems Reduces number of fittings used by up to 40% Installed cost savings - joints made in a fraction of the time Heat-free. No hot works Rotatable joint - makes working in confined spaces easier Superb quality manufacture

BENDING THE RULES OF PLUMBING FOR A PLUMBING SYSTEM THAT COMBINES THE BEST OF COPPER AND PLASTIC - CHOOSE TECTITE

Tectite

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

Check out > INSIGHT

Turn to Pegler Yorkshire for fully integrated support

www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk

The unbiased product assessment tool to help you make the right choice.

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