ECN January 2020 by All Things Media

uickwire

The revolutionary new junction box for lighting www.quickwire.co.uk

VOLUME 40 NO. 01 • JANUARY 2020

SPECIAL FEATURE: EV CHARGING

ELECTRICALCONTRACTINGNEWS.COM

24 COMPETITION Win a Quantum thermostat, courtesy of Salus Controls

SPECIAL FEATURE: EMERGENCY LIGHTING

ELECTRICFIX: MORE THAN A HOUSEHOLD NAME Part of the Screwfix brand, Electricfix offers quality tools from some of the industry’s leading electrical brands. This month’s cover story takes an in-depth look at the company’s full capabilities, along with details of the enhanced levels of customer service the company provides to each and every customer. Offering a range of more than 8,000 specialist electrical products, in stock at more than 650 stores across the UK and Northern Ireland, an Electricfix account provides electricians with the security and convenience that they can have the products they need, when they need them. Account holders have access to a dedicated trade counter within Screwfix stores, where staff will be on hand to support alongside a free cuppa on arrival. Industry leading electrical brands, such as Schneider, Eaton, BG and Crabtree, are available to click and collect in as little as a minute, or via next day delivery to home, site or store. All of the key elements of a three-phase installation can be purchased through Electricfix, alongside Screwfix’s extensive product range of over 33,000 products – providing the confidence for electricians that they can get the tools and equipment needed to complete the job.

Turn to page 10 for the full story.

SMART EV CHARGING SOLUTIONS FCP – Screwfix.indd 1

@RolecEV / Rolec-Services

www.rolecserv.com

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meet our new sales manager

OPTILENS The OptiLens utilises the latest lens development to provide market leading uniform light distribution for both escape route and open area emergency lighting applications, reducing the number of required emergency luminaries and radically reducing the overall electrical power consumption.

Neil joined Ventilux in 2000 as a commissioning engineer.He was then appointed the Service Manager and soon moved into Major Project Engineer. His key responsibilities were working closely within the specification market to assist with innovative solutions for Emergency Lighting within the major project sector.

Specifications Supplied with both asymmetrical and symmetrical lens. Suitable for recessed ceiling mounting. Suitable for temp range – 0°C to 30°C. 3 way shrouded plug/socket mains connection. 220mm ceiling void compatible. Ceiling cutout - 38mm (Standard SelfContained). Ceiling cutout - 50mm (N5XP/ DALI/ Auto Test Versions). Dimensions of remote pack – 30mm dia x 480mm.

Neil a Certified ICEL Engineer, is well known as an Emergency Lighting Specialist whose technical expertise has translated into securing some of the largest emergency lighting schemes in Europe. Congratulations Neil and thank you for all your hard work! The Ventilux Group

Ne l tt ng am

VENTILUX

L I G H T I N G

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UK SALES MANAGER Tel: +44 (0) 151-5464155 neil@ventilux.co.uk

T O G E T H E R

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CONTENTS VOLUME 40 NO. 01 • JANUARY 2020

CONTENTS… Regulars 4 Editor’s Comment

16 Key Issue

Celebrating 40 years of ECN.

One year on from the implementation of the 18th Edition, Michael Kenyon explains why the new framework is helping to raise safety standards.

6 News Details of the upcoming ECA Awards, a new agreement between EDA and BMF, information on late payments becoming an increasing issue, and more.

18 Project Focus Emergency lighting from Kohler Uninterruptible Power has been installed at Tiree harbour terminal to ensure safe ferry crossings for the island’s residents.

10 Cover Story Part of the Screwfix brand, Electricfix offers quality tools from some of the industry’s leading electrical brands. Find out about the company’s full capabilities.

22 In The Know Aurora Lighting has recently launched a new range of emergency lighting. Jeff Richardson explains that its objective is to provide all the lighting necessary to accommodate every project.

12 Contract News LED lighting for a bowling alley, infrared heating for a 12th century church, a grand entrance for the new Hard Rock Hotel, and more.

24 Competition A chance to win a Quantum Thermostat, courtesy of heating controls manufacturer, SALUS.

14 Training News of the latest SkillElectric champion, electrical training across MPACT, details of the Gira Academy, and more.

52 Company Showcase Sponsored content from around the sector.

Features 20 Comment Phil Hansen of Connected Distribution looks at video distribution across the home, and explains the various video qualities available.

26 Sponsored Feature Paul Chaffers provides an overview of NAPIT’s latest publication, which provides practical solutions to electrical installations.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

EV Charging

Emergency Lighting

eSleds are heralding a 28 Electric-powered new dawn for snowmobiling in the Arctic

Lillistone discusses emergency lighting and the 34 Giles requirement for successful installation and testing.

Circle – and Hylec-APL has come up with a novel solution to a junction box issue. million drivers in the UK will switch to 30 Eight hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs) in the next five years, driving demand for robust charging infrastructure. Steve Hughes investigates. overview of the latest developments 32 An from EV charging point provider, Rolec EV – including details of its home-based solutions and a look at what’s in store for 2020.

electricalcontractingnews.com

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Baldwin looks at the self-test area of the emergency 36 Neil lighting sector and explains how it can save building owners time and money. self-testing and diagnosis be the next efficiency step 39 Could for your emergency lighting system? Alan Daniels argues the cause. tragedies have put a fresh emphasis on emergency 42 Recent systems – and when it comes to lighting, contractors have

Circuit Protection & Switchgear looks at how Arc Fault Detection Device 44 Eaton technology can make all the difference when it comes to safety. explains everything you need to know before 46 Wylex your next AFDD installation. Andrews looks at the role of Type F RCDs with 48 Chaz regard to the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. upgraded range of Caravan Hook up 50 Lewden’s units is offering greater safety than ever before.

a pivotal role to play, writes John Allden.

January 2020 | 3

20/12/2019 14:44

EDITORIAL

NEXT TIME…

Wiring Accessories

A SPECIAL RUBY ANNIVERSARY FOR ECN

elcome to our first issue of the year – one that’s a big landmark for us here at ECN, as we’re proudly marking our 40th anniversary as the industry’s leading publication. We’ve come a long way from our humble beginnings back in 1970, and with a new decade upon us, the opportunities for electrical contractors seem to be opening up to a greater extent than ever before – something that’s reflected in this issue, with a multitude of stories about the electric charging boom, and the evolution of the smart home continuing to excite and surprise. As part of our celebrations during the year, we’ll be taking a look back over what has (and

hasn’t) changed since our inaugural issue went to press; and in March, we’ll be devoting the bulk of the issue to our 40th anniversary celebrations, with in-depth profiles and commentaries from some of the industry’s leading organisations. If you would like to learn more and join us in celebrating this significant milestone, please contact my colleague Kelly Byne by emailing kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com. This issue also contains our handy, pocketsized 2020 yearbook, which serves as the definitive guide to the sector’s key players and service providers. We entrust that you’ll find the information contained in this reference guide of immense value, and I’m sure you’ll be reaching for it time and time again throughout the year. I hope you enjoy the issue, and I’ll look forward to seeing you out and about throughout the year!

EDITOR: SIMON ROWLEY T: 01634 673163 E: simon@allthingsmedialtd.com

Published monthly by All Things Media Ltd., Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Kent ME5 8UD. Tel: 01634 673163 Fax: 01634 673173

Smart Lighting & Lighting Control

GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER: KELLY BYNE T: 01634 673163 E: kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com STUDIO MANAGER: BEN BRISTOW T: 01634 673163 E: ben@allthingsmedialtd.com

Simon Rowley, Editor

UPS & Power Distribution

February Issue Advertising deadline: January 24 Editorial deadline: January 20

BUSINESS SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR: CAROL GYLBY T: 01634 673163 E: carol@allthingsmedialtd.com MANAGING DIRECTOR: DAVID KITCHENER T: 01634 673163 E: david@allthingsmedialtd.com ACCOUNTS T: 01634 673163 E: susan@allthingsmedialtd.com

ECN charity of choice

The editor and publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors nor do they accept responsibility for any errors in the transmission of the subject matter in this publication. In all matters the editor’s decision is final. Editorial contributions to ECN are welcomed, and the editor reserves the right to alter or abridge text prior to the publication. Overseas Subscription Rates: Europe £60.00; Rest of World £70.00. Copyright © 2020, All rights reserved. Printed by Micropress, Reydon Business Park Fountain Way, Reydon, Southwold, IP18 6SZ.

Editorial.indd 4

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INDUSTRY NEWS DOUBLE AWARDS WIN FOR SCRUFFS Performance workwear brand, Scruffs, scooped two top accolades at the 2019 On The Tools Awards, as voted for by UK tradespeople – one award for workwear, and the other for boot brand of the year. The awards, which were handed out at a ceremony held at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, recognise and reward construction workers, sub-contractors, tool and equipment manufacturers, and construction companies from across the UK. Deborah Hunt, Marketing Manager at Scruffs, notes, “This is the fourth year running that we have been awarded these two titles, which means so much to us – because they are voted for by tradespeople themselves. So we know that our products are really meeting the needs and expectations of our customers when put to the test across a broad range of trades. “I’d like to congratulate our whole team for the fantastic products we’ve created and continue to create, delivering head-to-toe comfort and value for money to our customers.” Designed to recognise both individuals and leading brands, the awards were judged by a panel of industry judges and an online public vote. Scruffs, scruffs.com

ECA AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES

STICKLERS FOR CLEANLINESS HIGHLIGHTED IN VIDEO SERIES

The ECA Industry Awards 2020 are now open for entries. These prestigious awards recognise topperforming ECA Member businesses and individuals from across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry. Award winners will be announced during the ECA’s 2020 Industry Awards Dinner held once again at the Hilton Bankside Hotel in London and supported by headline sponsors Ledvance and Electrium. The dinner is one of the top events on the industry calendar, and more details will be announced shortly. Helen Atkinson, ECA Director of Member Services, comments, “These awards are an ideal opportunity for ECA Member businesses to showcase their achievements to key clients and other stakeholders, while enjoying a night of celebration and networking with their peers and key supply chain representatives. Apart from the huge sense of pride felt by both business leaders and their staff teams, winners and runners up have gone on to receive significant ongoing publicity for their businesses.” The closing date for entries is March 13, 2020. For more details on how to enter the awards, email awards@eca.co.uk or visit the website below.

As the demand for faster and more reliable networks increases, inspecting and cleaning each and every fiber optic connection has never been more important. In light of this, Sticklers Fiber Optic Cleaners has put together an informative series of training videos sharing its knowledge on the best practices to perfectly clean fiber. Whether installing a new fiber network or maintaining an existing one, it is essential for service providers to implement proper fiber cleaning procedures to ensure its performance. The three-part training video series delves into some of the most important practices to consider when cleaning fiber. Rick Hoffman, Sticklers’ National Accounts Manager, comments, “Contaminated fiber remains the number one reason for network failure. Therefore, understanding how to clean fiber connectors properly is instrumental in the success of a system. Video one looks at why cleaning is so important, highlighting the negative impact contamination has on the network’s performance and the tools that will help to combat this issue. “Video two continues in educating the industry by highlighting ‘connectorised’ cleaning and the best practices for cleaning fiber connectors. Finally, video three looks at fusion splicing and the process for cleaning splices successfully.” Visit Sticklers’ YouTube channel or visit the company’s website to find out more.

ECA Awards, ecaawards.co.uk

EDA AND BMF STRIKE NEW AGREEMENT The drive towards digitalisation and improved B2B product data across the UK’s construction sector has received a boost due to a new agreement between two trade associations – the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) and the Builders Merchants’ Federation (BMF). ETIM, the open source data model for the standardisation and classification of technical product data, was introduced to the UK’s electrotechnical sector back in 2017 by the EDA. Now, the BMF will start work on its expansion into two further sectors: HVAC, and sanitary and building materials. Thus far, the EDA has been the official representative of the ETIM model in the UK and the ‘national organisation’ for ETIM International. In January 2020, a new legal entity will be created, called ETIM UK Ltd. This independent organisation will champion the development and implementation of the ETIM data model in this country, with the EDA and BMF leading in their respective sectors. ETIM UK will provide sector-neutral management of the maintenance, development and promotion of the data model. The agreement was signed by EDA and BMF CEOs, Margaret Fitzsimons and John Newcomb, at the recent ETIM UK digitalisation forum, in the presence of board-level members from both associations and the ETIM international board. The ETIM data model is used in 22 countries across the globe after starting life in the Netherlands in 1991. The model enables standardisation and classification of the technical features of any product.

Sticklers, sticklerscleaners.com

EDA, eda.org.uk ETIM UK, etim-uk.co.uk

6 | January 2020

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electricalcontractingnews.com

17/12/2019 14:19

INDUSTRY NEWS SURVEY SHOWS BENEFITS OF OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION Offsite construction leads to a range of benefits to industry and society, according to a new ECA survey of businesses in the electrotechnical and engineering services industry. Broadly, these benefits include improved health and safety outcomes, increased productivity, a smaller carbon footprint and reduced operational costs. Almost two thirds (61%) of survey respondents reported increased productivity, and nearly one in two (47%) reported enhanced employee safety. More than half saw improved quality of work (57%), reduced operational costs (59%) and less project downtime (55%). Many respondents (43%) also experienced a reduction in their carbon footprint – an increasingly important performance indicator for UK businesses following the Government’s commitment to ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2050. ECA CEO, Steve Bratt comments, “Offsite construction has the potential to

become a key mechanism for delivering projects of all sizes in the present and future. Early adopters in the industry who have embraced this way of working are already reaping the rewards, so it will be important that the rest of the sector considers its response, or they could face being left behind.” However, the biggest barriers to carrying out offsite manufacturing were identified as a lack of suitably skilled staff, a high level of ongoing investment, and installation onsite. Additionally, the number of clients specifying offsite was lower than expected and maintaining a stable flow of work for offsite facilities was therefore challenging its viability. Despite these barriers, the vast majority (81%) of businesses agreed that offsite manufacturing will offer them new commercial opportunities in the future. ECA, eca.co.uk

LATE PAYMENTS RESULTING IN UNPAID EMPLOYEES

TRUSTMARK SCHEME TAKES THE NEXT STEP

Nearly half of small business owners and managing directors (47%) had to stop their own pay due to the impact of unfair payment practices by their buyers, according to new survey findings from engineering services trade bodies ECA and BESA. Overall, three-quarters of business owners said they had made sacrifices, including reducing their own salary (37%), and cancelling company training and learning activity (23%). Over one in three (36%) say they have struggled to pay business taxes due to payment issues. Alarmingly, almost one in 10 employers (7%) were forced to pay their own staff late – an action which can have devastating effects on employees, who may then miss mortgage or rent payments as well as other vital overheads, such as utilities and loan repayments. The impact of unfair payment practices also had further knock-on effects to businesses. Nearly one in three (28%) said it caused staff morale to drop, while nearly one in six (15%) said it led to a fall in productivity. One in five said they were unable to replace broken equipment as a result. Over nine in 10 respondents (92%) said their business had faced payment issues. Almost two-thirds (65%) said they were paid late frequently or very frequently. BESA Director of Legal and Commercial Services, Debbie Petford, comments, “Urgent reform is required to prevent companies inappropriately using retentions money owed to smaller businesses down the supply chain to prop up their cash flow. The status quo is both economically unsustainable and detrimental to the wellbeing of hardworking people in our industry.”

Following on from the recent inclusion in the ECO3 regulations, TrustMark, the only Government endorsed quality scheme, is offering an additional level of consumer protection and trade accreditation to both householders and tradespeople looking to do any repair, maintenance or improvement work in or around the home. In partnership with Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, the two government organisations are delivering a ‘Trading Standards Approval’ scheme to help consumers gain confidence when looking to employ a trader. The scheme is an accreditation that reassures and protects homeowners that the firm they employ to work in their home complies with TrustMark Government-endorsed quality for workmanship, understands fair trading practices and has consumer protection as an integral part of their business. The scheme, which is being delivered by local authorities across the UK, gives firms local reassurance with national recognition. It also provides firms with further credibility that they are reputable and have a solid trading history as customers will know they have been thoroughly checked and approved by both Trading Standards and TrustMark to use this accreditation. To join the scheme, which costs £90 plus VAT, firms need to be TrustMark registered and can then apply for the full accreditation.

ECA, eca.co.uk BESA, besa.org.uk

electricalcontractingnews.com

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SURVEY SHOWS STEADY GROWTH DESPITE CHALLENGING QUARTER The latest sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey, sponsored by Scolmore, shows that sector growth remained steady in the third quarter of 2019. The survey, which included data from industry trade bodies ECA, BESA, Select and SNIPEF, found that close to eight out of 10 businesses (79%) reported their turnover had increased or stayed the same compared to the previous quarter. The commercial outlook for Q4 is broadly similar to the previous quarter, although slightly more businesses (25%) believe their turnover will decrease. Predictions under a ‘no-deal’ Brexit are for delays and complications on availability of materials and labour which could cause short term uncertainty over price and availability of materials and labour, which – according to the survey – have been steadily rising. Rob Driscoll, ECA Director of Legal and Business, explains, “With ongoing uncertainty over Brexit exacerbated by the general election, along with warnings of one of the harshest winters on record this year, coupled with wider economic indicators of a slow-down, it is no surprise that businesses are somewhat sceptical about turnover in the coming period. We know that our sector sits at the back of the economy, so there is a time delay before front-end economic slow-down hits us, giving us a gloomy outlook in the face of a current ‘no-deal’ Brexit scenario.” The cost of materials continued to rise in Q3, as reported by nearly two thirds (60%) of respondents. However, although the cost of labour continues to rise, half of respondents (51%) say this has not changed since Q2.

TrustMark, trustmark.org.uk

Scolmore, scolmore.com

January 2020 | 7

17/12/2019 14:20

INDUSTRY NEWS NIBE WELCOMES HEAT PUMP REPORT The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has published a new policy paper which sets out a clear roadmap for the role of heat pumps in delivering a net zero future. The report stresses the urgent need to increase the installation of heat pumps across the UK. As a proven technology that can immediately reduce carbon emissions from homes, heat pumps must be part of the transition to net zero, the report states. However, to enable this increased uptake, the HPA argues that the Government must take advantage of the upcoming policy decisions that can be made in the near future to encourage the deployment of heat pumps and begin the process of heat decarbonisation. It is recognised that meeting the net zero target will be challenging, but the heat pump sector is ready to scale up and support the delivery of low carbon heating solutions to homes and businesses. The sector has come together to ensure that

the consumer is at the heart of the energy transition, and to ensure that this is achieved, the report highlights the need for a comprehensive training curriculum to upskill installers so that they are able to advise consumers on the benefits of heat pumps. NIBE Energy Systems, a member of the HPA, has welcomed the report and will work with industry partners and installers to ensure that there are courses and support available to enable the current workforce and the next generation of installers to meet the demands of a net zero future. The report calls for 10 specific policy changes to enable increased deployment of heat pumps. These policy changes will ensure that homes are future-proofed and the benefits of heat pumps are recognised by developers and property owners, as well as occupants.

2019

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

heatpumps.org.uk

2019

DELIVERING NET ZERO: Developing the installer base: what needs to be A ROADMAP FOR THE ROLE OF HEAT PUMPS

The increase in the deployment of heat pumps 9 Heat Pump Association creates some potential questions that will need to be addressed if this ambition is to be met. The higher yearly sales of heat pumps will rely on the development of a secure supply chain that can ensure the production and installation of heat pumps is achieved to a quality that provides consumers with a reliable heating source. It will also depend upon consumer demand and acceptability for a change in their heating done? methods. For this development to happen,

manufacturers will need to ensure that they are producing sufficient heat pumps and also that there are enough installers who are then able to install these products. The relatively high upfront cost may also act as a barrier to consumer uptake. In general, these challenges will fall to the responsibility of Industry and can be split into 2 main areas that need to be addressed for the successful deployment of heat pumps and resulting decarbonisation of heat:

Confidence provided by Government through policy commitments.

Low-carbon heat installer apprenticeships;

The development of a ‘skills card’ as a quality assurance scheme, similar to the Gas Safe scheme currently used; Training curriculum to upskill installers in heat loss calculations, hydraulic balancing, flow temperature calculations and heating system sizing;

Challenge 1 Developing the Installer Base

With this will come an increase in consumer awareness and trust in the benefits of heat pumps. Consumer acceptability will play a big part in increasing the deployment of low-carbon heating. This will be improved through the knowledge imparted by well-trained installers who are able to advise consumers on the benefits of heat pumps in terms of usability. The consumer experience will also be vastly improved, as heat pumps guarantee comfortable, consistent heat in homes at the same time as offering the potential to revolutionise the consumption of heat.

Challenge 2 Consumer Acceptability

Heat pumps do not only maintain a comfortable and stable temperature throughout the day but can also allow for the ‘smart’ consumption of heat, utilising the ‘Internet of Things’ to provide a tailored service to match each consumer’s individual preference. By allowing the shifting of demand to heat the home in periods of the day that avoid peak consumption levels, it can also lower fuel bills, provide grid balancing functionality and save the consumer money when combined with the use of dynamic price tariffs. The technology also has a significant advantage of providing cooling to consumers throughout the summer.

Heat Pump Association, heatpumps.org.uk

FURTHER GROWTH FOR STIEBEL ELTRON

LIGHTS OUT FOR UK SUBSIDIARY Tadd LLC / Light Efficient Design recently announced that its UK and France operations closed as of December 13, 2019. The UK subsidiary has struggled with difficult and uncertain market conditions within the UK and France, and has been unable to secure sufficient market share to make continued investment viable. The closure will enable more effective focus on operations at home in the USA, the company states.

ROLL OF HONOUR BADGE FOR REXEL Following its successful shortlisting at the UK Social Mobility Awards, electrical distributor, Rexel, made the 2019 Roll of Honour in recognition of its progressive apprenticeship programme. The awards focus on making the advancement of social mobility a central part of how organisations are run in the UK, recognising best practice and innovation by celebrating excellence in elevating social mobility as a cause equal to the level of other diversity issues. To qualify for the roll of honour, Rexel entered the awards’ Progression category and successfully got shortlisted to the final 57 from the 115 submitting organisations. Vicky Ordish, Apprenticeship Programme Manager at Rexel, explains, “Rexel is always looking to support young apprentices, and we firmly believe it’s important to show stronger commitment to this talent pool by offering the security of providing long-term career paths, progression opportunities, training and development.” A badge of honour has been created for Rexel to display on all company communications to help inspire positive change in wider industries.

Heat Pump Association

Stiebel Eltron UK has announced a turnover increase of 38% year on year in 2018, as demand for renewable energy in the UK continues to grow. This positive trajectory continued into 2019 with the organisation seeing a 50% increase year on year in turnover in Q1 – growth which has led to the addition of three new account managers to cover all regions of the UK. The growth follows increased demand for sustainable energy and is reflected in the performance of the company internationally – with the wider Stiebel Eltron group posting a turnover increase of 23% year-on-year from £418 million to £516 million. This growth has surpassed initial projections following a year of expansion. Mark McManus, Managing Director of Stiebel Eltron UK, says, “We believe that electricity is the green energy source of the future, as methods of generation become more environmentally friendly. Our business strategy reflects this, and it’s brilliant to see it paying dividends across the group internationally and in the UK. Stiebel Eltron, stiebel-eltron.co.uk

ACQUISITION SET TO BOOST TURNOVER FOR NG BAILEY NG Bailey, an independent engineering, IT and facilities services business, has completed the acquisition of Schneider Electric’s Substation Engineering Services (SES) division, a leading provider of power engineering and facilities solutions. The acquisition provides an excellent opportunity for NG Bailey to extend its range of services in the electricity distribution network sector, the company states. The acquisition will generate a further £10m of annual turnover and will see more than 70 highly skilled employees join the NG Bailey Group

from Schneider Electric. The team will become part of NG Bailey’s Services division and operate under the Freedom brand that was acquired in March 2018. The SES division has successfully provided engineering capital replacement and ‘hard FM’ maintenance services, particularly within utilities, for more than 10 years. It works primarily with electricity distribution network operators (DNOs) and private network owners across substations and networks. NG Bailey, ngbailey.com

MOVERS & SHAKERS… The Kensa Group, a ground source heat pump company, has made two recent appointments. Ieman Barmaki joins as Director of Low Carbon Partnerships to help achieve 2030 carbon reduction ambitions, while Karl Drage will serve as Director of Business Development. David Bate has been named as BMF’s ETIM UK Project Manager. Having worked in a similar role for the EDA, he will lead a number of ETIM standardisation working groups and drive the UK roll-out of the ETIM classification model.

Rexel, rexel.co.uk

8 | January 2020

Industry News.indd 8

electricalcontractingnews.com

17/12/2019 14:20

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COVER STORY

ELECTRICFIX: MORE THAN A HOUSEHOLD NAME Electricfix, part of the Screwfix brand, is a trade only supplier that is dedicated to meeting the needs of electrical contractors and heating engineers across the UK. In this month’s cover story, we look at how the brand has evolved over the past decade, and look at some of the latest products made available to its ever-growing customer base.

ffering a range of more than 8,000 specialist electrical products, in stock at more than 650 stores across the UK and Northern Ireland, an Electricfix account provides electricians with the security and convenience that they can have the products they need, when they need them. Account holders have access to a dedicated trade counter within Screwfix stores, where staff will be on hand to support alongside a free cuppa on arrival. Industry leading electrical brands, such as Schneider, Eaton, BG and Crabtree, are available to click and collect in as little as a minute, or via next day delivery to home, site or store. All of the key elements of a three-phase installation can be purchased through Electricfix, alongside Screwfix’s extensive product range of over 33,000 products – providing the confidence for electricians that they can get the tools and equipment needed to complete the job.

Complete commercial installations Screwfix has been operating ‘Electricfix’, its separate proposition for electrical professionals, for over 10 years now, and the brand has one clear mission: to help professional electricians get their jobs done. Electricfix is a world where you can buy all the hand tools, power tools, workwear and many other products that you require as an electrician, alongside all the essential products needed to complete your jobs. It offers low trade prices, has over 650 stores open early until late, and a click and collect service that enables you to collect orders in as little as one minute. Electricfix has gone from strength to strength over the last decade, with more trade trusted brands joining the catalogue, extended product ranges, and enhanced service levels.

10 | January 2020

FCP – Screwfix.indd 10

The EZYPAT battery operated PAT tester from Kewtech is one of many products available from the extensive Electricfix range of products

What products are in the Electricfix commercial range? “Our aim at Screwfix is to ensure we supply our busy tradespeople with the right products, at the right time.”

Three-phase distribution boards from Chint and Wylex are currently available for next day delivery, along with all the products required to complete a job, such as RCDs, MCBs and glands. In 2020, electricians will be able to purchase more industry-leading distribution boards and enclosures from Schneider. Electricfix also provides enclosures and fittings from Hylec, and the trusted brand also features heavily in the range of overload relays and starters. Switch disconnectors from industry leading brand, Eaton, are available from Electricfix at competitive prices and for next day delivery, either in store or on site. Controls and switches from Hylec and BG are also available, whilst an extensive range from Schneider is also due to be added to the catalogue in 2020. Electricfix has also extended its commercial lighting ranges, and now offers products from a broad range of premium brands, including Aurora, Luceco and Robus. It also offers great value in bulk buys from LAP, including 10 packs of integrated downlights.

Alongside the range of commercial electrical products, customers can purchase from the comprehensive range of power tools and hand tools from DeWalt, Milwaukee and CK, alongside multimeters, PAT testers, multifunction testers and more from trade-trusted brands including Fluke, Kewtech, Megger and Seaward. Chris Wells, Electrical Category Manager at Screwfix, says, “Our aim at Screwfix is to ensure we supply our busy tradespeople with the right products, at the right time. Our Electricfix proposition allows electricians to purchase the products they need to complete their jobs from start to finish. “Our dedicated trade counters for electricians allow us to have a chat over a cuppa, get to know you face-to-face and get the industry-leading products you need now and later. We’re open early until late seven days a week.” Screwfix, screwfix.com

electricalcontractingnews.com

20/12/2019 13:07

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19/12/2019 10:18

CONTRACT NEWS VENTOLA SHINES LIGHT ON TEN-PIN BOWLING ALLEY Leicester-based provider of specialist electrical LED lighting installations, Ventola Projects, has just completed a major project at the newly re-launched Cheshire Oaks Tenpin bowling centre near Ellesmere Port. Cheshire Oaks has invested more than £1 million in the recent transformation, which includes the latest technology, new attractions and will create more than 25 new jobs. Ventola Projects has helped to implement some of this latest technology. Managing Director, Mick Ventola, and his team have assisted the venue in achieving its ultimate objective; to change the dynamic of the existing design, ensuring high quality white lighting plus the inclusion of vibrant colours through the site.

Functionality and controllability were high on the wish list of the client, and neither of these proved to be a challenge for Ventola, which understood the wants and needs of the entertainment facility. As per the brief, the finished systems allowed the global control of the facility in just one action, but also offered the flexibility of controlling specific areas separately either via the main controls, from an app, or from another PC elsewhere in the building. The entire project, completed in just three weeks, included the installation of lighting across the bar, restaurant, seating area and ten pin bowling alley. Utilising a variety of products from the VAvR LED range, including linear optics, CS16 downlights, CS4 downlights and VAvR pixel tape, Ventola

Projects matched the client’s exact needs with the best-suited system available. As well as meeting every detail of the original brief, the Ventola solution incorporated low energy products, removed the need for mains power to any of the fixtures and offered easy ‘plug and play’ installation to minimise future maintenance needs.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Oaks Tenpin bowling notes, “We are very satisfied with the end result and amazed at the functionality of the VAvR LED lighting system, its vibrant colour effects and how it also incorporates conventional white LED lighting for general day to day use at the simple touch of an icon on a computer screen.” Ventola Projects, ventola.co.uk

WELL-VERSED LIGHTING FOR NEW OFFICE SPACE

NEW LEDS FOR SHROPSHIRE LAW PRACTICE Megaman’s Berto panel and Renzo bulkhead LED fixtures have been used to create a comfortable, safe and energy efficient working environment for multi-disciplinary law practice GHP Legal’s new office in Shropshire. Established in 1970, GHP Legal has grown significantly over the years and now has four branches across North Wales and Shropshire, with its new office situated in the centre of Oswestry at 21 The Cross. Megaman was tasked with providing a full lighting design and specification for the new office. A combination of 36W Megaman Berto ultra slim LED integrated panels and 15.5W Megaman Renzo LED bulkhead fixtures were selected. Berto panels, which feature a low glare diffuser ensuring a high quality of light, were easily installed in the suspended ceiling structure. The 600mm x 600mm LED panels are the same size as the ceiling tiles, so could be installed simply in their place with no need to adapt the structure. The 4000K colour temperature LEDs deliver a cool white light ideal for the office environment. Megaman’s Renzo surface mounted, LED bulkhead range was chosen for use in the stairwell areas as an energy efficient alternative to compact wall-mounted fluorescents. The fixture’s opal diffuser has been designed to produce an even distribution of light. The Renzos selected for use on this project included the Renzo sensor with a built-in microwave motion sensor to help lower energy usage. The Renzo Emergency was also specified, meaning the lighting will also function as a threehour (E3) emergency lighting solution to provide uninterrupted illumination for a safe evacuation in the event of a fire or loss of power. Megaman, megamanuk.com

12 | January 2020

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Luminaires from Zumtobel Lighting have provided an innovative lighting solution for the Verse Building (formerly Napier House) in Shoreditch, London. The architects, BuckleyGrayYeoman, along with independent design consultancy, chapmanbdsp, worked closely with Zumtobel on all stages of the project to create the perfect lighting solution. The client’s requirement was for an efficient scheme specifically created for this application where mounting options were limited because there were no ceilings. In order to meet the stringent requirements for the reception and stairwells, Zumtobel worked in close partnership with BuckleyGrayYeoman to create a bespoke design. A special LED luminaire was developed to provide a slim ‘tube’ of light suspended out from the wall. The luminaire comprises a black finished wall bracket containing the electronic control gear and, where required, a threehour battery backup. Subtle arms projecting the PMMA frosted tube forward of the wall complete the luminaire and give the appearance of a floating tube of light. To negate the lack of ceilings, Zumtobel came up with a clever solution involving the use of Ondaria luminaires mounted on Tecton, a continuous row lighting system with an 11-pole current conducting section built into its trunking. Tecton is free from joints that form unbroken light lines and delivers a compact, versatile and uniform lighting solution. It allows for all functions such as power supply, lighting control and connection with emergency lighting to be quickly installed and seamlessly integrated into the multifunctional trunking system. Ondaria is an opal, circular luminaire with soft contours and a homogeneous silhouette that provides a subtle indirect component and provides a diffused, soft light distribution. The lighting is controlled via Zumtobel’s Litecom, a flexible, great value lighting control system, packed with software driven features that negates the need to replace modules when something different is required. Zumtobel, zumtobel.com

C-TEC’S ZFP GETS GATES INTO GEAR C-TEC’s touchscreen-controlled ZFP addressable fire panels are protecting Gates Power Transmission in Dumfries, Scotland. A subsidiary of the giant US corporation, Gates manufactures power transmission belts for the automotive and industrial markets. The fire panels were supplied and commissioned by fire specialist company, CMD Electrical Engineers and installed by Gates’ own engineering team. A network of eight ZFP one and two loop addressable fire panels connected to over 300 devices, including 90 of C-TEC’s new EN54-23 certified visual alarm devices, which were used to upgrade the old fire alarm system. To accommodate the plant’s 24/7 operation, a phased installation was required to ensure at least 90% of the old fire system remained active during the changeover. As the existing system was a mixture of old conventional and addressable panels in multiple buildings, the first step was to install, network and commission the new ZFPs to allow for the phased changeover of each area. The engineers then began the laborious task of working through the old fire system. CMD’s Craig Dolier explains, “Gates’ engineers created loops between two radial circuits on the conventional systems and tested the wiring ready for connection. We then upgraded each addressable system to ZFP, working through the radial circuits to make loops and configuring and commissioning the new devices. The facility also had two zone one areas which needed to be integrated into the new system. “The new system is a massive improvement on the old multiple one as, if a device previously activated, the area had to be physically visited to find out which one it was. With the new one, however, the identity and location of the triggered device is clearly visible on any one of the eight ZFPs.” C-Tec, c-tec.com

electricalcontractingnews.com

19/12/2019 10:14

CONTRACT NEWS A GRAND ENTRANCE FOR THE HARD ROCK HOTEL Reggiani’s Yori pendants have been chosen by renowned London-based Nulty+ lighting designers to welcome guests to the new 900-bedroom Hard Rock Hotel in London. The property, located on the corner of Marble Arch and Park Lane, was once home to The Cumberland Hotel. The venue has recently undergone a major refit to include two bars, a 370-seat Hard Rock café in the lobby and an onsite ‘Rock Shop’ selling Hard Rock merchandise. Nulty+ was responsible for creating the overall lighting design and the related sense of destination, both of which had to complement each individual space whilst also ensuring that the illumination used was precisely centred on the many pieces of iconic rock memorabilia on display. The entrance lobby greets guests with a blast of rock-worthy sensory stimulation that is generated by the juxtaposition of brass panels, rods and mirrors, ably supported by Reggiani’s narrow, 2W wire-suspended Yori pendants with a 28-degree medium beam in a striking mix of matt black and brushed gold finishes. The luminaires themselves have been installed in an inverted U-shaped entrance space which, from the outside, offers a 3000K warm and welcoming lighting configuration that beckons and draws the visitor into the building and towards the reception area. The suspended Yori pendant fittings in matt black and brushed gold continue through the lift lobby areas,

as well, to create a uniform way-finding lighting solution for hotel guests as well as preannouncing the main drumstick feature over the reception desks beyond. Here, the music theme soars with an eye-catching and

original, bespoke short and wavy drumstick-light-curtain feature that creates an illuminating check-in experience for every visitor. Reggiani, reggiani.net

RIEDEL PROVIDES COMMS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SWISS MUSIC FESTIVAL

HEATING UPGRADE FOR 12TH CENTURY CHURCH Infrared heating manufacturer, Tansun, has helped to improve heating for a church congregation at the Church of St Nicholas and St Peter ad Vincula, a Grade II listed building in the village of Curdworth, near Birmingham. The church congregation was in desperate need of a permanent heating solution to replace the 20-year old system they were currently using to keep them warm during the winter months. They needed an efficient system that didn’t take hours to preheat and that blended in with the surroundings as much as possible. Tansun’s powerful Apollo infrared space heaters and the portable Beaver infrared heater were chosen for the church as they are powerful enough to heat large buildings with high ceilings including the 5m in the nave, with Tansun recommending six heaters to replace the 12 previously in place. A further two Apollo heaters were installed in a side room and at the chancel. Tansun offers a range of bracketry, so the space heaters could be mounted at the appropriate angle to warm those below. Tansun, tansun.com

For the seventh straight year, Riedel Communications Switzerland provided a comprehensive communications infrastructure for the Winterthurer Musikfestwochen, held last August in the historic old town of Winterthur, Switzerland. In its biggest commitment to date for the world-famous music festival, Riedel supplied a communications and signal routing backbone based on its Bolero wireless intercom and MediorNet realtime signal transport, processing, and routing technology. Now in its 45th year, the Winterthurer Musikfestwochen showcases the best in Swiss music, including international newcomers, promotion of young talent, and a full supporting programme. The festival spanned 12 days and included five stages, featuring over 70 acts and supported by 1,000 volunteers. Riedel once again provided the radiobased communications infrastructure for the 2019 festival, deploying 110 digital radios and seven radio groups to serve the organisation, security, and medical services as well as supply and cleaning. Working within the constraints of the special and challenging infrastructure of the old town, Riedel devised a solution for optimal radio coverage by installing a repeater in the bell tower of the city church. For the first time, Riedel added 15 beltpacks of the Bolero wireless intercom system, integrated with three MediorNet modular frames. The MediorNet nodes networked the front of house, stage, and sidestage. Thanks to the range of the Bolero beltpacks, Riedel was able to cover the entire festival area, spanning the entire old town of Winterthur, with just four antennas. Riedel, riedel.net

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19/12/2019 10:14

TRAINING ‘SMART THINKING’ WITH THE GIRA ACADEMY Gira, a full-range supplier of intelligent system solutions for building management, is offering a new way of learning by actively helping to support, develop and grow the smart home sector with its new Gira Academy. Gira offers a broad range of intelligent building technology that requires a good working knowledge of modern electrical installation. Thanks to the Gira Academy, electrical contractors can now grow their knowledge and expertise via web-based training, Gira webinars and face-to-face tutelage. Mark Booth, Managing Director of Gira UK, explains, “This facility is essential for developing the professional knowledge of modern electrical installation, which in turn, will make

consulting easier and ensure more satisfied customers. By taking on new segments with the help of the Gira Academy, you will be able to tap into new revenue potential and expand your business into previously untapped markets. “The Gira Academy gives the freedom to customise, so each training course can be personalised to each new learner. By combining various learning methods – on site, on demand and online - users can determine their own training program as part of a group or remotely at home.” New research by OnePoll shows that Gira is serving a real need, as 15 million homes are recorded as being

MPACT STAFF NOW FULLY COMPLIANT Expanding building services specialist, MPACT Group, has completed top-to-bottom training for every electrician within the firm to remain at the forefront of safety within the UK’s contracting industry. Every MPACT Group electrician – including those in senior management – has now been fully briefed in critical changes to the latest IET Wiring Regulations, which include wiring guidance vital to authentic electrical professionals. Dean Stevens, Operations Director of MPACT, says, “As highlighted by Scotland’s leading trade industry body Select, the activities of unqualified or under-qualified electricians can and does put members of the public at risk. Although it should be a matter of fact that anyone calling themselves an ‘electrician’ is fully compliant, the unfortunate truth is that this is not always the case. “That is why we have made the investment to ensure that our staff – the most valuable resource within any organisation – are fully compliant with the latest regulations governing our trade. This is a vital element in our ethos of serving our employees, clients and the public.” In addition, all MPACT electricians hold CSCS cards. Although not a legislative requirement, cards from the not-for-profit CSCS provide proof that individuals on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they are employed to do. MPACT Group, mpactgroup.co.uk

‘smart’ in Britain. Already high, this figure is set to increase even more as those already committed to home automation plan to further update their home to continue to save money and improve home convenience. The Gira Academy can become a personal educator and mentor, enabling users to learn about the latest Gira products and intuitive home systems that facilitate increased home comfort, will monitor energy use, save time, enhance security and ensure a future-proof revenue stream for your business. Gira Academy, academy.gira.com

SKILLELECTRIC 2019 CHAMPION CROWNED Nineteen year-old Ben Kidner has been named 2019 SkillElectric champion following a challenging three-day event at WorldSkills UK Live – the nation’s largest skills and careers event with over 80,000 visitors. Employed by Rogers Restorations Electrical in Somerset, Ben kept calm under the watchful eye of students, parents and college representatives at the event where more than 500 apprentices and students competed in over 70 different disciplines – battling to be the best in the UK. Ben scored consistently high in a complicated task to install a range of first and second fix items including PVC/ PVC surface clipping, plastic conduit and trunking and, in a new challenge to this year’s final, steel conduit and a surface clipped MICC circuit. Judges had to assess how well the competitors performed in areas such as measuring accuracy (within 2mm), horizontal and vertical alignment, electrical terminations, functionality, containment symmetry, testing and inspection and safe working practices, including PPE application. Taking second place and a silver medal was Lewis Sim of Moray College Technology Centre and employed by McDonald and Munro. Third place and a bronze medal was awarded to Darren Kerr of SECTT and Prime Electrical Group. A special ‘Highly Commended’ mention went to Alex

SkillElectric champion, Ben Kidner celebrates his gold medal with Martyn Walley of Scolmore

Rendall of Bridgwater and Taunton College for an excellent performance alongside the three medal winners. All finalists in the competition received a two-channel HD CCTV kit from ESP, a professional safe isolation kit from DiLog, a goody bag from Unite the Union and were kitted out in workwear from Dickies. As the winner, Ben also received an 18th Edition Multifunction Tester from Di-Log and his college also received £500 worth of products from Scolmore Group. SkillElectric is organised by industry charity National Electrotechnical Training (NET). SkillElectric, skillelectric.co.uk

GDHV TRAINING ACADEMY HITS THE MARK Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation’s (GDHV) new training academy has proved a hit with more than 50 engineers working on behalf of housing association, Aster Group. GDHV has supplied its Dimplex electric heating solutions to Aster – which owns, develops and manages over 30,000 residential properties across the south of England – since 2015. As part of this scheme, the GDHV team offered Aster’s current roster of engineers the opportunity to take part in a customised training programme to learn more about their heating solutions in a bid to improve their understanding and best practice on things like installation, repair and diagnostics. Proving popular with installers working on behalf of Aster, the course debuted to more than 50 installers from the housing provider’s regional sites, including Devizes, Andover and Wareham. Led by industry experts, the five-day course delivered expert advice on everything from the basic principles of ventilation and how to utilise the latest data-logging feature on Xpelair extractor fans; even giving useful tips on fault finding using diagnostics on Redring’s Selectronic showers – a popular choice in the care sector for more than 25 years. Two further training sessions are scheduled for January 2020, including a course on the BPEC qualification. GDHV, gdhv.com

14 | January 2020

Training.indd 14

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18/12/2019 15:41

KEY ISSUE

A GREENER ERA FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY One year on from the implementation of the 18th Edition, Michael Kenyon, Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas, explains why the new framework is helping to raise safety standards.

ith the rising adoption of evermore smart technologies in UK homes and workplaces, electrical safety and best practice is increasingly at the top of the agenda across many sectors and industries. This is particularly evident since the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations came into force. For the modern electrician and the wider industry, the escalating impact of climate change has seen an increased focus on sustainability in the regulations – in the form of recommendations on installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging points and considering energy efficiency. Indeed, these were introduced against the growing attractiveness of electricity as a clean power source in today’s society. For the first time since the Industrial Revolution, Britain is obtaining more electric power from zero-carbon sources than from fossil fuels, spurring the switch to electric technology in everything from transport to heating and other industries. And what this means is a wholesale shift in the use of electricity; not only in lighting, heating and ventilating commercial buildings, but also in terms of transitioning energy-intensive commercial processes to cleaner power. In fact, in July, the UK government launched an £80m fund to help businesses create the supply chains required to enable wider electrification in the automotive, aerospace, energy, industrial, marine, off highway and rail sectors.

A large driver is the government’s ambitious carbon targets. To meet these, drastic action will be needed in the way our buildings use energy. As such, greater use of electricity as a power source will be the cornerstone of meeting the UK’s environmental obligations, presenting the electrical industry with ample opportunity to grow and diversify their income stream.

“The installation of electric charging points represents a massive growth opportunity for the electrical contracting industry.”

Powering the EV revolution Nowhere is this more evident than in the rapidly evolving rules on EV charging, which are facing a major update since the 18th Edition was published. The installation of electric charging points represents a massive growth opportunity for the electrical contracting industry, especially as the government recently announced a £400 million fund to help develop rapid charging infrastructure points. Despite being a fledgling industry, the technology in this area is developing at such a fast pace that wiring regulations are being amended to reflect this. For instance, the initial guidance focused on the earthing requirements and the use of RCDs in such installations. Subsequently, this led to the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installations moving on to its third edition being released earlier this year. As such, there’s a greater onus for installers of EV charging points to be accredited by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), as well as clearer guidance on different types and classifications of RCDs and how to test them. What’s more, being accredited by OLEV will also allow installers and their clients to access vital government grants such as the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Grant (EVHS) or Workplace Charging Grant (WCS). Most recently, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) announced it will publish a standalone update to Section 722 in early 2020, which is expected to make installing charging points quicker and easier, and cheaper for both installers and consumers.

Green light for energy efficiency As the first edition of wiring regulations to have a dedicated focus on energy efficiency, it’s expected to become a fundamental part of the next major amendment to BS 7671 in 2022. Appendix 17 offers expert guidance on the lessening environmental impact of electrical installations, through measures such as replacing traditional standard filament, halogen and fluorescent lights with super-efficient LEDs as one of the easiest ways to cut energy costs.

16 | January 2020

Key Issue – Bureau Veritas.indd 16

Power factor correction is also covered as an increasingly sought-out energy-efficient measure which employs the use of high quality, reliable capacitors that compensate for any wasted reactive power demand; restoring power factor as near to unity as possible. In this way, power factor correction (PFC) units can achieve significantly reduced power consumption and CO2 emissions, along with lower electricity bills – another great revenue stream for the electrical contractor to enter into.

A step up for fire safety As expected, the latest Wiring Regulations have also pushed the standards of electrical safety a step further, in particular addressing the risks of fire safety. For instance, one of the most significant recommendations in the 18th Edition regulations is that all new installations should now be fitted with arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) to mitigate the risk of fire in final circuits from arc fault currents. Indeed, since the 18th Edition went live, the electrical industry has transitioned well to the new standard, with wholesalers now stocking AFDDs, surge protection devices (SPDs), as well as a wide range of fire resistant cable supports. Another recommended measure to thwart fires and protect people from getting fatal electric shocks is the greater emphasis on the use of residual current devices (RCDs). However, implementation of such measures has come with its own challenges.

A surge in surge protection The 18th Edition section 443.4 also sets out changes and guidance on protection against overvoltage, advising the use of SPDs in public sector buildings such as hospitals, where they could potentially save lives. And that’s not all; SPDs are increasingly being used to preserve the cultural heritage of historic buildings by reducing the risk of fire from overvoltages, as well as minimising disruption to commercial activities in a number of industries. Although not a new technology, SPDs have not been used as widely until the 18th Edition, with section 443.5 introducing a new more complex risk assessment for electricians using such devices and leading to accreditation bodies such as NAPIT and NICEIC now offering seminars on the practical application of this assessment. Furthermore, the market has also responded, with manufacturers now selling 18th Edition-compliant distribution boards readily installed with SPDs. Bureau Veritas, bureauveritas.co.uk

electricalcontractingnews.com

17/12/2019 14:21

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02/11/2019 18/12/2019 11:09 15:42

PROJECT FOCUS

SECURING A LIFELINE Emergency lighting from Kohler Uninterruptible Power (KUP) has been installed at Tiree harbour terminal in the Inner Hebrides to help ensure safe ferry crossings for the island’s residents.

Without emergency lighting in place, ferry crossings to the Isle of Tiree were far from straightforward

18 | January 2020

Project Focus – Kohler.indd 18

hen ferry owner and operator, Caledonian Maritime Assets, instigated a programme of infrastructure improvements across its newly expanded portfolio, the emergency lighting it installed at its Tiree harbour terminal represented a lot more than a safety-first approach – it helped secure a literal lifeline for the island’s inhabitants. The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides. Measuring only 12 miles long by three miles wide, it is home to just 650 permanent residents, all of which rely on ferry services to access the mainland throughout the year. This essential transport connection, described as a lifeline service by locals, was being impacted by periodic power cuts on the island, which, when in effect, resulted in ferry operators attempting to dock in almost complete darkness, using only the limited lights on the ferry itself. Paul Thomson, Works Manager for Caledonian Maritime Assets, explains, “When we took over the network from the previous operator, we identified a programme of work that we wanted to complete. We were looking to modernise and improve the electrical infrastructure and power protection at a number of docking terminals across our 28 locations, as part of our continuous commitment to improving the safety and reliability of the services we offer.

“For Tiree residents, the once-a-day ferry is their only way of getting on and off the island, but it is also the main way deliveries arrive, so it touches everyone’s lives and really is a critical service. However, if there was power outage, which actually happens a lot more often than on the mainland, the ferry was in real danger of not being able to dock, especially in winter months when sunset is before 4pm. At the time, the pier where the ferry moors had no emergency lighting, so if the power did go out when the weather was inhospitable, it could result in the captain deciding it wasn’t safe and returning to the mainland. You can imagine the impact that would have on our customers, and that’s what made this project a priority for us.”

Identifying the lighting requirements With the Tiree project approved, Thomson and his team set about specifying the equipment required to provide three hours of emergency lighting protection – enough time to safely disembark and embark passengers – as part of the larger programme of works. Thomson continues, “Working with my team of design and electrical consultants, we identified the new LED lighting requirements for the Tiree terminal and pier. These were for constant use, when we have mains power, but the process also provided us with the accurate requirements for the emergency lighting, highlighting a significantly reduced load due to the higher efficiency offered by LEDs, compared to the lighting we were replacing. With the load understood, we went out to market and spoke with a number of specialist emergency lighting providers that could install quickly, and whose product efficiency credentials met our expectations. “I had worked with Kohler Uninterruptible Power (KUP) previously, as we had another consultant involved in the project. We were impressed by the company’s products and the level of service it offered, so we were keen to see its response. After reviewing all the quotes, it was clear that KUP represented the best option for us and our needs.” With KUP chosen as the preferred supplier, representatives from its emergency lighting division worked with Thomson to agree the specific products, battery run time, and system configuration. The approved solution included a PowerWave EL100XA, with a 3kVA battery capacity to support the single-phase load for the agreed three hours, and operating in passive standby.

The approved solution included a PowerWave EL100XA, with a 3kVA battery capacity to support the single-phase load for the agreed three hours

A critical energy saving benefit

“The pier where the ferry moors had no emergency lighting, so if the power did go out, it could result in the captain deciding it wasn’t safe and returning to the mainland.”

Compared with a no-break configuration, where the emergency lighting system is always on and the load is continuously supplied by the static inverter, a passive standby static inverter emergency lighting system uses the mains supply to power the load. In the event of a power outage, the load automatically transfers to the emergency lighting inverter and a UPS battery provides power to the inverter to support the lighting load. This approach provides an energy saving benefit and, additionally, the UPS system components are less stressed, so it extends their working life and maintenance requirements. Thomson enthuses, “The PowerWave EL100XA ticked all the right boxes for us. It is a physically small unit – with the batteries included – that can be wall-mounted and is more than capable of handling our current load, as well as providing opportunities to grow if our requirements change in the future. I was impressed with its documented 97% efficiency credentials too. One of the pillars of our broader works programme is centred on improving efficiency, so it is important that all new equipment is competitive in this area.” The PowerWave EL100XA product consists of high-performance static inverters, offering single-phase input and output, to support a range of applications with emergency battery power. Leveraging the latest technology, the EL100XA series is highly efficient, capable of 120% continuous overload and rapid recharge, and is ideally suited for loads from 500VA to 3000VA. With the product selection made, delivery was scheduled for two weeks later. After arriving on site via the ferry, installation of the new system to support the pier’s emergency lighting was rapid. Managed entirely by the KUP team, the process was completed in just a few hours, including all relevant safety checks and full testing, and without any disruption to passengers or the terminal’s operations. Kohler Uninterruptible Power, kohler-ups.co.uk

electricalcontractingnews.com

18/12/2019 15:56

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13/12/2019 18/12/2019 10:12 15:42

COMMENT

PIXEL PERFECT Getting on the custom installation ladder is an excellent opportunity for electrical contractors. In this month’s guide – the first of a two-part series – Phil Hansen of Connected Distribution looks at video distribution across the home, and starts by explaining the various video qualities.

ne of the most common elements of a custom installation is the distribution of video around the home. The ability to watch any source material on any television is a very popular request by customers, but it does come with various challenges. Video, by its very nature, is a visual experience and our eyes are very good at spotting problems with video. We are far less forgiving of poor video signals than we are of poor audio quality. And people are obsessed with having the very latest and very best video quality, so that means 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) with High Dynamic Range (HDR), whereas the same people are probably happy with low quality audio like MP3 and Bluetooth streaming. Funny old world, but hey, that’s the way it is, and we need to work with what the customer wants. So that means moving very high definition signals around the house, and that is very data and bandwidth intensive. That’s the reason why it is so important to get the cabling infrastructure right in the first place. Let’s start with some basics so we can get an understanding of the amount of data we are talking about.

Pixels: a full explanation Electronic images are made up of tiny squares called pixels. Theoretically, each pixel is able to recreate all the colours of the visible spectrum, by mixing red, green and blue light – you’ll have heard of RGB. In reality, each pixel is assigned something called a Colour Bit Depth, which is the number of colours it can actually reproduce. The most common depth, before the birth of 4K TV, is called 24 Bits. This means that because there are three primary colours – RGB – each colour gets eight bits, and eight bits can produce 256 different shades of the primary colour (for those of you who remember binary from school, that’s colours from 00000000 to 11111111). Multiply 256 x 256 x 256 and you’ll find that each pixel can create 16,777,216 colour variables. The human eye can discriminate around 10 million colours. That sounds like a lot, but as there are only 256 variants of each primary colour, it is very possible to get banding when colours transition from one to another. You will no doubt have seen this when watching DVDs – especially low light scenes where the background is variations of greys, blues and black.

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Comment – Connected Distribution.indd 20

“4K or UHD TVs are capable of much higher video resolution and hence can show up the limitations of 24-bit depth colour much more clearly.”

The 4K era has well and truly arrived 4K or UHD TVs are capable of much higher video resolution and hence can show up the limitations of 24-bit depth colour much more clearly. The latest specification is called HDR (high dynamic range) and for this standard, the Colour Bit Depth figure is upped to 30, or 3 x 10 or 1024 x 1024 x 1024 (remember your binary – 10 bits = every colour from 0000000000 to 1111111111 or 1024 colours). This is a staggering 1,073,741,824 colours possible per pixel. This is the minimum standard for 4K HDR TV and is called HDR10. You may have also come across Dolby Vision, which is becoming more common on some TVs and this is even higher with 64 billion colours per pixel. What we are getting at here is bandwidth that you are going to have to move around the house is going up and up. OK, that’s colours. Now let’s look at frame rates. Motion pictures have been filmed at 24 frames per second since the 1920s. This is still used on a lot of BluRays and is the reason why sometimes with super-fast moving action you get a juddering action on screen – known as artifacts. Higher frame rates, of up to 60 per second (called 60 Hertz) are becoming more common, with devices like Apple TV working at this rate, and they give a much smoother picture. This requires more bandwidth.

When is 4K TV not 4K TV? Resolution is next. When is 4K TV not 4K TV? When it is sold as 4K UHD. Full 4K TV has a resolution of 4096 pixels wide by 2160 pixels high, or 8.85 million pixels. But a TV with this size screen has an aspect ratio

of 1:1.9 (or 17:9) and the TVs we buy in the shops are all 16:9. This gives a screen size of 3840 x 2160 or 8.3 million pixels. As this is four times the resolution of 1080p HD, which is 2.07m pixels, you can see why UHD TVs are referred to as 4K. There’s also something called Chroma Subsampling, which we’re not going to go into any detail about here, other than to say you will come across something called Colour Space which is expressed as 4:2:0, 4:2:2 or 4:4:4. It’s a way of trying to reduce the bandwidth needed by letting adjacent pixels display the same colour as their neighbour. But for purists the more 2s or 4s the better (although it is arguable whether you can actually see the difference). And, as is becoming the pattern here, the bandwidth required to move the image around gets ever higher. It’s time for the last figures for this episode as we’ve run out of space. To distribute a 4K/UHD TV signal with a 60 Hertz frame rate and a Colour Space of 4:4:4 and HDR requires us to be able to move data at a speed of 22.28 Gbps (that’s 22.28 billion bits per second). But HDMI 2.0, the latest available specification, can only handle a maximum of 18 Gbps.

How do we get around this problem? We’ll pick this up next month when we look at the various ways of distributing video around the house and help you choose which method is best for which situation.

Connected Distribution, connecteddistribution.com

electricalcontractingnews.com

19/12/2019 10:15

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NC Series advert 244x340mm V1.indd 1 Untitled-5 1

16/12/2019 10:01:17 18/12/2019 15:43

IN THE KNOW

Sponsored Feature – Napit.indd 27

20/12/2019 12:22

SPECIAL FEATURE

ALL ABOARD THE SNOWMOBILES Aurora Powertrains, which are electric-powered eSleds, herald a new dawn for snowmobiling in the Arctic Circle. Here, we look at how Hylec-APL came up with a novel solution to an ongoing issue with the vehicle’s junction boxes.

he Arctic Circle evokes so many mental images – an untamed wilderness of snow and ice, the Northern Lights, Arctic foxes, midnight sun. It is a place of mystery, unique landscape and wonders, yet has become more accessible than ever before with visitor numbers increasing every year. For decades, the tourist industry has used snowmobiles to transport people around on the snow and ice. With the move from fossil fuels to electric energy for vehicle power happening around the world, and concerned about the detrimental effects too much tourism has on fragile ecosystems, a team at the Lapland University of Applied Sciences in Finland started the first in a series of research projects in 2010 with the aim of developing an electric snowmobile.

28 | January 2020

EV Charging – Hylec.indd 28

Introducing Aurora Powertrains In 2017, the last research project ended, and some members of the team decided to continue development and commercialise electric snowmobiles. As a result, Aurora Powertrains was born. That first winter of 2017-18 saw an additional investor come on board and the electric powertrains the company designed inhouse built into four snowmobile chassis. The efficient, silent electric snowmobiles or eSleds were then used successfully for a couple of snow safaris. After the short winter season in 201718, Aurora Powertrains concentrated on completing the manufacturing of a full eSled fleet for the next winter. The safari business was also growing, and a brandnew safari house was built to serve as a base station for safari operations.

electricalcontractingnews.com

20/12/2019 13:04

EV CHARGING

SPECIAL FEATURE

Succeeding in extreme conditions The challenges of building electric powertrains for use in such extreme conditions as the Arctic Circle are significant. Large temperature fluctuations, snow, water and ice do not form a happy partnership with electricity. To make a commercial success of the eSled, Aurora Powertrains had to develop reliable power transmission and charging systems. A weatherproof junction box and split connector was needed to distribute the AC power supply from the charging inlet into the on-board charger and the on-board heating system of the eSled. High specification, robust weatherproof junction boxes capable of operating reliably in this extreme environment, with temperature fluctuations between -40°C to +10°C and exposed to snow, water and ice were required.

Overcoming junction box hurdles

A research team in Finland first started development of the electric snowmobile back in 2010

Winter season 2018-19 was successful for the safari business, and also enabled Aurora Powertrains to gather a lot of data on how the eSled performed when in constant use. Based on data and visual inspections, there was a need to find even better components in certain areas. Further product development was conducted during Spring and Summer 2019 to overcome minor issues and to create even more reliable vehicles.

The Aurora team researched possible products and contacted a number of companies, including UK-based HylecAPL. Impressed by the quick response from Hylec and its willingness to discuss and understand what was required, Aurora Powertrains asked Hylec to come up with solutions for the junction box problem. Hylec presented the TeeBox range, which is available in many configurations and has been proven in multiple applications in demanding environments. Matti Autioniemi, one of the founders at Aurora Powertrains, comments, “Space was very limited for this junction box, but the TeeBox is very compact and easy to design in. Other suppliers simply didn’t have the kind of product we needed.” There are currently 25 eSleds in action for the 2019-2020 winter tourist season in the Arctic Circle, and the advantages they offer to both users and the environment are significant. Almost silently, they glide across the snow and ice; plus, unlike their conventionally fuelled counterparts, they emit no exhaust gases, so there is no smell.

“The challenges of building electric powertrains for use in the Arctic Circle are significant. Large temperature fluctuations, snow, water and ice do not form a happy partnership with electricity.”

Riders can get closer to wildlife, pause to appreciate the beauty of the starry night sky, and view the awesome spectacle of the Northern Lights in almost perfect silence. Discussions are also currently taking place with the authorities, which should see the eSleds permitted in some areas where conventional snowmobiles may not travel. Although eSleds can be driven at up to 100kph, snow safaris take place at the more sedate pace of 15kph to 35kph and last between two to three hours. The eSleds charge from IEC 62196 Type 2 charging stations (the official standard charging connectors for electric cars within Europe) located right outside on the snow. A single charge between safari departures takes either an hour or 90 minutes and recharges the eSled sufficiently to travel the next safari ride. “The future of Arctic tourism depends on our ability to travel lightly,” says Autioniemi. “Our sister company, Aurora eMotion, now offers the first electric snowmobile safaris in the world. Visitors can experience the Arctic wilderness in all its breathtaking beauty and get closer to nature than ever before in the knowledge that they are not adversely affecting the environment.”

To make a commercial success of the eSled, Aurora Powertrains had to develop reliable power transmission and charging systems

Hylec-APL, hylec-apl.com

electricalcontractingnews.com

EV Charging – Hylec.indd 29

January 2020 | 29

20/12/2019 13:04

SPECIAL FEATURE

EV CHARGING

FULL SPEED AHEAD Eight million drivers in the UK will switch to hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs) in the next five years, driving demand for robust charging infrastructure. Here, Steve Hughes, Managing Director of REO UK, explores how the industry is shaping up.

lectric vehicles (EVs) have proven themselves to be one of the top technological success stories of the early 21st century so far. In 2013, a mere 3,500 EVs were registered in the UK. By the close of the decade, this number had risen to approximately 255,000. This is a far cry from the millions of HEV converts that CompareTheMarket reported in late 2019 would take to the streets by 2025, but it still signifies a noticeable change in the transport sector. There are several factors steering this change. For automotive manufacturers, it’s becoming cheaper to manufacture EVs due to reduced component costs, substantial developments in battery technology and wider availability of largevolume manufacturing for parts such as powertrains. According to Bloomberg NEF, the accelerating rate of these changes will make EVs cheaper upfront than combustion vehicles by as soon as 2022. Then, of course, there are the environmental factors, in terms of air pollution and carbon emissions. EVs are widely seen to be cleaner alternatives to conventional vehicles due to the substantial difference in carbon emissions from use.

30 | January 2020

EV Charging – REO.indd 30

A particularly good statistic to exemplify this comes from the US Department of Energy, whose Vehicle Technologies Office reported that “The national average is 4,815 pounds of CO2-equivalent emissions for a typical EV per year, as compared to the average gasoline-powered car which produces 11,435 pounds of CO2-equivalent emissions annually.” Based on this statistic, we can see that EVs in this instance generate only 42% of the carbon emissions of a conventional vehicle. Although EV manufacturing has attracted criticism from detractors for producing more carbon emissions — 15% according to a report by The Union of Concerned Scientists — than their gasoline-powered counterparts, these differences disappear when EVs are in operation. This forms the backbone of the UK Government’s Road to Zero strategy. This strategy outlines steps to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2040, in part by banning the sale of diesel and petrol cars by that same year. Such initiatives complement industry change, but consumers are already ahead of the curve – environmental concerns are already among the leading reasons for investing in HEVs.

Charging: faster but longer The growing adoption of EVs is an undeniable win for environmentalists, but it is something of a double-edged sword for energy systems operators and electrical experts going into 2020. Charging point locator service, ZapMap, has reported that there are more than 29,000 public charging points in the UK as of December 2019. This is more than three times the total number of petrol stations in the country, but unfortunately, the recharging process is not directly comparable to refuelling. More charging points are required, especially ones that are capable of charging rapidly. EV charging points are split into three main categories: slow, fast and rapid. Slow chargers, which typically are rated up to 3 kW, are best suited for home charging as they can take 6–12 hours to fully recharge. Fast charging units are rated either 7 kW or 22 kW depending on whether they are single- or three-phase. Rapid charging, as the name implies, is the fastest. Units are generally rated 43 kW for alternating current (AC) units or 50 kW and above for direct current (DC) chargers. Understandably, users want the fastest charging experience possible. It’s for this reason that many automotive manufacturers are investing heavily in developing faster

electricalcontractingnews.com

20/12/2019 12:23

SPECIAL FEATURE

EV CHARGING If we imagine that hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles plug in to charge at units rated between 7 and 43 kW, it becomes apparent that grid infrastructure must be robust to handle the peak demand. This has been one of the biggest concerns among electrical engineers surrounding widespread EV adoption. However, it becomes more complicated when we account for the rectification that must take place to convert the AC power of many charging points to the DC required for EV batteries. This process introduces harmonic currents into the mains AC signal that, if left untreated, cause higher losses, signal interference and accelerated electrical component wear – none of which are ideal for any connected devices, let alone charging EVs. This is arguably the biggest challenge facing the adoption of EVs and the growing usage of EV charging infrastructure, and it’s one that we explore in detail in our recent eBook, R30. Unless these harmonic currents are accounted for and mitigated, the electrical grid will face a harmfully noisy electrical signal on top of sudden surges in demand. Fortunately, electrical contractors can play a crucial role in minimising the risk by ensuring that any EV charging projects include suitable harmonic filtration components in the surrounding infrastructure. For example, installing one of REO UK’s mains line filters or harmonic filters ensures that harmful currents

charging infrastructure, such as Porsche’s electric pit stop that promises to suitably charge EV batteries in as little as 20 minutes. As for consumers, user trends seem to imply that slow charging systems are quickly becoming overlooked. In its 2019 EV Charging survey, Zap-Map reported a clear majority used fast or rapid charge points, with fast points becoming more popular for domestic installations. Interestingly, it also found rapid units were being used for longer durations – mostly between 20 and 40 minutes, but an average time increase of 146% since 2016. This is no doubt due to larger EV battery capacities in modern models. This trend for faster charging points comes as no surprise. It’s very possible that slow charging points will largely disappear over the next few years in favour of 7 kW units. This will likely be a slow process, as several EV models are only now moving to onboard chargers capable of effectively using 7 kW. Latest models of the Nissan Leaf, for example, have onboard chargers with a capacity of 6.6 kW — almost able to make full use of the 7 kW capacity of a fast point.

Grid strain Irrespective of whether vehicles are using slow, fast or rapid charge points, they will still need to use them. It’s to be expected that the most demand will be confined to peak times of the day, during rush hour as commuters drive to or from work.

“The growing adoption of EVs is an undeniable win for environmentalists, but it is something of a doubleedged sword for energy systems operators and electrical experts.”

are attenuated and filtered out to avoid damaging the integrity of the mains power. The inclusion of filtering components seems like a common-sense solution, yet it remains one that can make a significant difference in overcoming one of the fundamental challenges in EV adoption. In fact, we believe that the consideration of such harmonic mitigation strategies at a grid level will be a key trend in EV infrastructure over the coming years. If we are to see eight million drivers make the jump to EVs in the next five years, we must begin to reinforce our infrastructure now to cope with demand. 2020 will be a pivotal year in ensuring charging infrastructure is up to scratch to meet user expectations, both in terms of charging speed and overall system reliability. REO, reo.co.uk

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VOLUME 39 NO. 11 • NOVEMBER 2019

SPECIAL FEATURE: FIRE, SAFETY & SECURITY

ELECTRICALCONTRACTINGNEWS.COM

42 COMPETITION

SPECIAL FEATURE: WIRING ACCESSORIES

Win a £250 Amazon voucher courtesy of Hylec

SECURITY AT THE HEART OF SCREWFIX Tools are pivotal for any electrical contractor’s livelihood, and the risk of them going missing or being stolen is a constant threat. Electricfix, part of the Screwfix brand, has the perfect range of solutions to help overcome this ongoing security challenge. Whether it’s protection from theft or just getting the job done right first time, Electricfix provides security for its trade customers. With access to Screwfix’s catalogue of 33,000 products and a dedicated Electricfix catalogue, Electricfix account holders can be confident that whatever they need for the job is available today or the next day at one of over 650 Screwfix stores. A recent survey of Screwfix customers revealed that 46% of respondents have had their tools stolen, reinforcing the importance of helping tradespeople secure both their tools and livelihoods with the latest technology.

MONTHLY PRINTED ISSUES

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Turn to page 12 for the full story.

SMART EV CHARGING SOLUTIONS FCP – Screwfix.indd 1

@RolecEV / Rolec-Services

www.rolecserv.com

QUARTERLY STANDALONE SUPPLEMENTS 31/10/2019 15:18

March 2019

smart buildings

June 2019

An ECN Supplement

THE FUTURE IS SMART

DON’T SKIMP ON PROTECTION

TOTAL CONTROL

CEDIA looks at cabling requirements for the modern home and explains why education is so important

Doepke explains why it’s essential for a networked home to strive for the strongest possible levels of safety

BEG Lighting Controls has released its first range of DALI-2 multisensors for building management systems

wiring accessories

August 2019

An ECN Supplement

Cable, Cable Management & Labelling

MK ELECTRIC

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

DETA ELECTRICAL

BRENCHAM

MK Electric explains how to choose the right wiring devices for any given project, and looks at three key solutions that tick the right boxes for the contractor and end-user

Knightsbridge recently celebrated 20 years of service within the lighting and accessory market. Find out about its latest range of innovative wiring solutions

Deta has lauched Vimark Curve and Vimark Evo ranges, along with a new series of USB sockets. Discover all the benefits of these high-quality accessories

With basket tray sales on the rise, Tamlex FastConnect explains why it can offer the perfect solution for cable containment

To get involved with editorial content please contact Simon Rowley, Editor.

For advertising & marketing please contact Kelly Byne, Advertisement Manager.

Email Simon@allthingsmedialtd.com

Email Kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com

EV Charging – REO.indd 31

WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS & DEDICATED E-SHOTS

DONCASTER CABLES Britishowned wiring manufacturer, Doncaster Cables, has provided durable and reliable cables since 1984

November 2019

An ECN Supplement

UNITRUNK Cable management specialist, Unitrunk, is providing training to electrical and instrumentation design apprentices at Sellafield

Lighting

BRACKENHEATH Deemed the ‘new generation’ of floodlight, Brackenheath has introduced a new CCT frameless floodlight

An ECN Supplement

GREENBROOK

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Details on why it’s essential to doublecheck your fire rated downlights to ensure compliance

A London gym is making considerable energy savings thanks to LED battens from Goodlight

CALL 01634 673163 WWW.ELECTRICALCONTRACTINGNEWS.COM

20/12/2019 12:24

SPECIAL FEATURE

EV CHARGING

LEADING THE CHARGE INTO A NEW DECADE With a plethora of products and 150,000 charging points installed to date, here’s an overview of the latest developments with EV charging point provider, Rolec EV – including details of its home-based solutions, and a look ahead to what’s in store for 2020.

ast year saw a dramatic month-by-month increase in electric vehicle registrations across the nation; and the UK’s efforts in becoming a greener environment has been evident amongst various government and individually led initiatives. Whilst car manufacturers produce top-of-the-range electric vehicles (EVs) to accommodate the desire and demand for these types of vehicles, for over ten years, Rolec EV has been at the forefront of producing and providing charging points that power this growing number of electric vehicles. But it’s not simply a matter of designing, manufacturing and installing charging points: Rolec EV seeks to provide quality products that continue to innovate and inspire drivers to partake in the EV journey. With the importance of the environment at the core of its values, Rolec EV is committed to ensuring that all EV drivers are equipped with charging points that allow for a seamless and simple charging experience, with the assurance that each time they plug their vehicles in, drivers are making a positive impact on the environment around them.

A stimulating summer in 2019 EVs, emissions and the environment were focal points of discussion last summer, and promising plans for the future were postulated by the government to encourage the uptake of EVs. Becoming the first major economy to pass the net zero emissions law, the UK quickly became a reference for influence, motivation and determination; countries are now joining the road to a greener way of operating in order to protect the environment around us. Partnered with the 0% Benefit in Kind for company car vehicles initiative, as well as consultations for new properties to be furnished with EV charging points, greater numbers of opportunities have surfaced for Rolec EV. The company has observed many industries expressing their support of the government’s aims in becoming a zero emissions economy by 2050, with car parks, attractions, offices, retailers and more, all pronouncing their needs for EV charging infrastructures within their premises.

32 | January 2020

EV Charging – Rolec.indd 32

Future-proofing has become a fundamental component in many organisations’ plans for the coming EV uptake. Evidently, establishments are now, more than ever, getting to grips with the talks surrounding the immediate actions required to tackle climate change, and because of this, many are choosing Rolec EV as part of their corporate social responsibility strategies.

Charging up at home Over 80% of EV drivers charge their vehicles at their home, and most of the charging occurs overnight – allowing drivers to hop into their cars and commence their daily routines with a fully charged vehicle the next morning. Rolec’s WallPod:EV has enjoyed over 10 years of evolution, and the recent launch of the WallPod:EV HomeSmart was intended as a way to serve the demands of the everyday person with its smart features. Owners of EVs are now able to charge their cars in the comfort and convenience of their homes whilst managing and operating their charging activities via their smart devices, whether that be a mobile phone, PC or tablet. Those who have opted for the HomeSmart have praised its capability of reporting meaningful analytics, such as the level of energy savings they have made. Whilst the charging point provides the capacity to maximise renewable grid and off-peak energy use, it also allows drivers to schedule their charging times as and when they wish. A great proportion of EV owners have chosen Rolec EV’s WallPod:EV HomeSmart for these features, due to its ability to accommodate their needs with simplicity.

Bespoke services for all requirements Although domestic charging for EV drivers plays a major part in the adoption of these types of vehicles, Rolec EV has collaborated with various workplaces and commercial locations to meet the charging requirements for their employees, clients and visitors. As EVs are gaining further traction, with predictions of a considerable increase in 2020, senior decision makers of multiple industries have come to the conclusion that EV charging infrastructure within their premises is not a luxury, but a necessity to ensure EV drivers are provided with peace of mind when driving to and from

Rolec EV collaborates with workplaces and commercial locations to meet the charging requirements for their employees, clients and visitors

their locations. Of course, each business and location requires its own attention to detail when it comes to the installation of the charge points, but similarly, each EV charging point location often requires a complete bespoke service. From branding to back office communications, Rolec EV’s projects have consisted of producing charging points that mirror the brand’s image, as well as catering to the needs of those who operate the charging activity of the EV at their location.

An ongoing commitment Speaking on the target of lessening the overall carbon footprint of the business, Frankie Mellon, Head of Rolec’s EV Division, comments: “We have an ongoing commitment to ensuring that we, as a business, are doing our best to improve the environment that we are living in. 30% of our fleet are EVs, and we have plans to increase this number in the near future. Employees benefit from courtesy minibuses to transport them from home to work and back again, which minimises traffic on the workplace/home commute. “We are also in the process of completely diminishing the use of plastic across all of our packaging to a point where 100% of our products will be delivered in 100% recyclable packaging. Amongst our various environmental efforts, our Environmental Committee collaborates regularly to understand and discuss the need of the environment and how we can reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and general environmental footprint.” Rolec EV, rolecserv.com

electricalcontractingnews.com

18/12/2019 15:58

SMART

ELECTRIC VEHICLE

CHARGING SOLUTIONS

WORKPLACE PUBLIC FLEET Over 150,000 EV Charging Points Manufactured & Supplied To Date The UK’s Largest Range Of AC Fast, DC Rapid & DC UltraFast EV Chargers Europe’s Largest Range Of Smart Charging Solutions

For more details contact Rolec’s technical / support / sales team or visit your local electrical wholesaler

t: 01205 724754 e: rolec@rolecserv.co.uk Untitled-2 1

@RolecEV / Rolec-Services www.rolecserv.com 29/10/2019 12:18

SPECIAL FEATURE

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

SAFETY WITH STYLE Giles Lillistone, Technical and Quality Manager at GreenBrook Electrical, discusses emergency lighting and the requirement for successful installation and testing.

t is now considered that emergency lighting is a primary factor in fire safety, and it should enable occupants to immediately locate fire-fighting equipment and alarms should an emergency arise. Emergency lighting installations are examined as part of a building’s overall fire precautions risk assessment. If a building is occupied at night, there should be emergency lighting installed in all areas, including those lit naturally during the day. Emergency lighting is a general term and is subdivided into ‘emergency escape lighting’ and ‘standby lighting’. Standby lighting is the part of emergency lighting that enables normal activities to continue in the event of failure of the normal mains supply. The difference between these is that whilst emergency lighting forms part of the fire protection of a building, standby lighting does not.

Positioning of emergency lighting Emergency escape lighting should illuminate the following: •E ach exit door – (where the exit route or final exit is not readily identifiable or familiar to the occupants, a sign should be used with a pictogram of the person moving towards the doorway, rather than just a lighting unit.) •E scape routes • I ntersection of corridors •O utside each final exit and on external escape routes •E mergency escape signs •S tairways ensuring each flight receives adequate light •C hanges in floor level •W indowless rooms and toilet accommodation exceeding 8m² •F ire-fighting equipment •F ire alarm call points •E quipment that would need to be shut down in an emergency or a high risk task area •L ifts •A reas in premises greater than 60m² A sufficient overall level of light is required to allow all of the above items to be visible and usable; it is not necessary to provide individual luminaires for each item listed.

34 | January 2020

Emergency Lighting – Greenbrook.indd 34

Maintained or non-maintained?

“Even though emergency lighting is a legal requirement, we can now choose a variety of styles to ensure the fitting is in keeping with its surroundings.”

Emergency escape lighting can be both ‘maintained’ – i.e. on all the time continuing to operate in the event of a power failure – or ‘non-maintained’; a system that only operates when the normal lighting fails. These units are designed to operate for durations of greater than three hours after the mains power supply fails. Non-maintained operation is generally the most popular choice, being cheaper in terms of energy consumption and the life span of the fitting. However, in some premises where the luminaires are always ‘on’ – i.e. in maintained mode, such as theatres and cinemas – there is sometimes no choice in the matter. A disadvantage of non-maintained variants is that the condition of the lamp can only be established through regular testing; it’s no good waiting for a power cut to discover it isn’t working. Emergency luminaires are also available as signs. A typical example is the pictogram of the person moving through or towards a doorway, with a directional arrow. Others may use text, e.g. ‘fire exit’. These units are available in both maintained and non-maintained versions in a range of styles, from the simple box type through to the slimline hanging sign. Pictograms and pictograms with text should not be mixed in the same premises.

Further options There are two main types of luminaire, the relevant standard for which is BS EN 605982-22: self-contained and centrally supplied.

The self-contained luminaire contains all the essential components (i.e. battery, charger, control unit, lamp, diffuser and any test or monitoring facility) for it to function as an independent emergency light. This is the most common form of emergency lighting and is typically supplied as a surface-mounted, rectangular bulkhead luminaire – although a wide range of selfcontained luminaires are available. Centrally supplied luminaires, or ‘slaves’ because they cannot function independently, are defined by BS EN 605982-22 as follows: “Luminaire for maintained or non-maintained operation which is energised from a central emergency power system that is not contained within the luminaire”. Slave fittings contain the lamp and some of the control gear, but the charger, battery and often the changeover device are located remotely and provide the supply to a number of luminaires.

Illumination The degree of illumination required should be closely related to the nature of both the premises and its occupants, with special consideration required for care homes, hospitals, crowded venues (like pubs, nightclubs etc.), and to whether the premises has overnight accommodation. In areas of high risk (operating moving machinery or vehicles, a kitchen or chemical area), the maintained illuminance should not be more than 10% of the required maintained illuminance for the task. This will be subject to a minimum illuminance of 15 lux. The minimum

GreenBrook's non-maintained LED twin spots for interior installations can provide up to three hours of emergency lighting

electricalcontractingnews.com

20/12/2019 12:25

EMERGENCY LIGHTING allow testing of emergency lights while preventing non-authorised operation of the test switch. Following a full discharge test, the batteries typically take 24 hours to recharge. The premises should not be re-occupied until the lighting system is fully functioning. It is best practice to keep a record of all tests in the safety/risk assessment logbook. Way-guidance equipment complements emergency escape lighting, especially for those occupants unfamiliar with the premises, to help identify exit routes. This comprises of photo luminescent material, lines of LEDs, or strips of miniature incandescent lamps, forming a continuous marked escape route at floor level. These systems have proved particularly effective when people have to escape through smoke, and for partially-sighted people.

duration is the period for which the risk exists to people. All emergency luminaries should meet the lumen output specified by the manufacturer to ensure any areas that need emergency lighting are well lit. Choosing illumination with features such as refractive optics that provide high and uniform light levels ensures clear vision.

Testing Legislation clearly states the requirements of testing emergency lighting units. Regular checks ensure that all users have sufficient illumination in the event of an emergency. Testing should include: •A daily visual check of any central controls if a centrally powered system with slave luminaires is installed; •A monthly function test by operating the test facility for a period sufficient to ensure that each emergency lamp illuminates; and •A n annual full discharge test to ensure that the lamps are lit for the full discharge period (usually three hours) and that the batteries are re-charging.

SPECIAL FEATURE

The LED IP20 1W emergency downlight from GreenBrook

LED emergency lighting With increasing focus on energy saving, LED is becoming the popular choice for emergency luminaires. The lamps start up instantly, giving an additional bonus against some other types of low energy lamps; and in addition, LEDs are smaller, so can be used in more stylish designs. New emergency fittings come complete with an auto testing feature which can be cost effective and more reliable than manual testing. It’s considered the best

A typical test is using a key operated switch that is located either near the main fuse board or adjacent to relevant light switches. This is also known as a ‘secret key’ switch, as it is designed to

way to meet current testing regulations and reduces the burden of testing manually. Even though emergency lighting is a legal requirement, we can now choose a variety of styles from downlights to bulkheads to ensure the fitting is in keeping with its surroundings. GreenBrook offers a selection of twin spots, downlights, bulkheads, exit signs, recessed lights and emergency gear trays with LED options. GreenBrook Electrical, greenbrook.co.uk

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SPECIAL FEATURE

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

EMERGENCIES NEEDN’T BE TESTING TIMES Neil Baldwin, Managing Director at ESP, looks at the self-test area of the emergency lighting sector and explains how it can save building owners time and money.

mergency lighting is a legal requirement in almost every building, with one simple, lifesaving task: to provide light if a power outage shuts down a building’s standard operational lighting. It is the responsibility of building owners and responsible persons to prove that the emergency lighting systems they are responsible for are working correctly and are regularly maintained so that they are in full working order.

All emergency lighting installations must have routine tests carried out, with each system luminaire the subject of daily, monthly and annual testing. These tests should all be documented, with the results – including maintenance and rectification results – all held on file. Whilst the testing of emergency lighting does not take much effort and isn’t difficult, manually inspecting every single lighting luminaire for lamp starting, operation and duration performance can be a very labour intensive, and therefore expensive, task. However, with the latest improvements in technology, routine testing can be simple, automatic and much less expensive. It is now possible for building owners to take advantage of emergency lighting equipment that ‘self-tests’ in accordance with the relevant standards.

Reducing the burden Installing self-test emergency lighting units can reduce the burden of testing emergency lighting installations, as they perform all mandatory testing automatically, removing the need for manual testing to be carried out by the user or building owner. The resulting reduction of labour time leads to inevitable cost savings.

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Whilst the initial costs for the products may be higher, overall they will provide a very short payback period – making them an ideal option that should be given consideration at the beginning of any project. The benefits of self-test emergency light units include ease of installation, with no need for key switches or data cables, for example. Convenience is also a major plus, with mandatory tests carried out without disruption to the normal use of the building, and any faults identified. The self-test units identify faults in luminaires and any faults are then highlighted to maintenance personnel, saving them the time and effort it would take to search the building in question for faults.

Programmed for success Self-test units use an accurate internal clock programmed to interrupt the permanent mains supply at set intervals, initiating emergency lighting tests. Short duration weekly and monthly tests and annual full duration tests are automatically activated with the results shown via an LED indicator on the light. The responsible person only needs to check the indicator

electricalcontractingnews.com

20/12/2019 12:25

SPECIAL FEATURE

EMERGENCY LIGHTING and it means that only lights with reported faults will need to be attended to by maintenance personnel. During initial power up of a selftest unit, an automatic commissioning stage will begin. The internal clock will commence at a random time between 0 and 24 hours – this avoids the luminaires all going into test at the same time. After the initial charge up time (up to 72 hours), the unit will carry out a full duration test. After all initial tests are completed successfully, the inbuilt processor will start the standard programmed test schedule, reporting failing functions via the status LED. In addition, it is also possible to initiate a manual test on self-test emergency lighting fittings for extra peace of mind. Monitoring the results is straightforward. A single bicolour LED indicates the system status. A green LED on constant, with a pulse once every minute, shows that the micro-processor is active and functioning. A battery low status will be indicated by an amber LED flashing and internal buzzer which sounds for 10 seconds every four hours. If a fault clears, the LED indicators will return to green. During the test periods, the following statuses will apply: • Green LED on constant • Passed test – LED returns to green • Failed test – Red LED flashing

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Meeting the latest standards

“Inspecting every single lighting luminaire for lamp starting, operation and duration performance can be a very labour intensive and expensive task.”

As a leading supplier of safety and security products through the electrical wholesale channel, ESP continues to develop its Duceri range of emergency lighting to meet the latest standards and to keep up with the latest technology. The company has recently added a range of self test emergency light fittings, which offers numerous benefits over standard fittings by reducing the costs and time associated with manual testing and inspection. There are five new self test products to its growing Duceri emergency lighting range: •3 W LED maintained emergency selfcontained downlight with self-test and interchangeable open and corridor lens. •3 W LED emergency open lens downlight with self-test •9 W LED IP65 non-maintained emergency twin spot with self-test •3 W LED IP65 maintained emergency bulkhead with self-test •3 W LED maintained emergency exit box with self-test

Retrofit solution Emergency light test switches offer a simple, retrofit solution to testing existing emergency lighting fittings. They are designed to test batteries, lamps and the duration function of emergency lighting

luminaires in accordance with current emergency lighting standard BS5266. These automatic, key-operated emergency lighting test switches are permanently wired to the emergency luminaire supply. The key switch is used to interrupt the supply for a pre-programmed period of time. At the end of that period, the supply to the luminaries is automatically reinstated, so there’s no risk of depleting the batteries in the emergency fitting by leaving them connected for prolonged periods. ESP currently offers two models – standard LED display or countdown digital display. They each feature four preprogrammed test intervals – 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 180 minutes. There is also the option for an audio buzzer alert for completion of duration test. ESP, espuk.com

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EMERGENCY LIGHTING

SPECIAL FEATURE

PASSING THE TEST Could self-testing and diagnosis be the next efficiency step for your emergency lighting system? Alan Daniels, Technical Director at P4 Limited, argues the cause.

ighting, including emergency lighting, has become very much based on LED technology to reduce energy consumption. Emergency lighting is now often powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries in order to save operating costs; however, there is greater opportunity to make savings in emergency lighting through self-testing and diagnosis of its operation.

Regular testing of emergency lighting and the correction of faults is required by legislation

Why test emergency lighting Regular testing of emergency lighting and the correction of faults is required by legislation. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005 requires not only the installation of emergency lighting in most premises other than dwellings, but also that it is regularly tested and maintained. Approved document B of the UK Building Regulations requires emergency lighting installed in accordance with BS 5266 Part 1, the latest version of which was published in 2016. BS5266 Part 1 is a Code of Practice that summarises the requirements of harmonised European standards for the installation and operation of emergency lighting systems. One of the harmonised standards to which BS5266 Part 1 refers is BS EN50172, which sets out requirements for the operation of emergency lighting systems, including the frequency and duration of testing. Any person responsible for emergency lighting must be able to demonstrate compliance with testing requirements to show they are meeting their legal requirements under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. BS EN 50172 requires functional testing at least monthly and rated duration testing at least annually.

M-Web is the central supervision unit for P4’s Fastel automatic test and monitoring system

electricalcontractingnews.com

Emergency Lighting – P4.indd 39

“Annually, not only must the emergency lighting function be checked, but it’s also essential to ensure that each luminaire or sign continues to operate for its rated duration period.”

What is self-testing emergency lighting? Emergency lighting operates when the supply to the luminaire or sign is interrupted and its light source is powered from its emergency battery. Traditionally, emergency lighting has been tested utilising a wall mounted keyswitch which emulates supply failure by disconnecting the emergency lighting supply whilst the switch is operated. Somebody must visit the emergency lighting and operate the keyswitch at least monthly to check that the emergency lighting operates as intended. Annually, not only must the emergency lighting function be checked, but it’s also essential to ensure that each luminaire or sign continues to operate for its rated duration period – which is typically three hours.

Automatic self-testing Automatic testing is normally a function of the luminaire or sign that regularly carries out the prescribed testing without the need for manual operation of a test switch. The automatic test program is typically built-in to a microprocessor inside the luminaire or sign. It will automatically conduct tests at least as frequently as required by BS EN 50172, saving many hours of work for staff visiting emergency lighting installations simulating failure of the supply to test them and manually logging results. In its simplest form, self-testing emergency lighting products indicate the results of automatic testing through their indicator LED colour and animation. Normally, the local indicator displays green

when the unit is operating correctly and displays red when there is a fault. In many self-testing emergency lighting products, the indicator LED is also animated, and a flashing sequence will identify whether a fault has occurred within the charging circuit or lamp circuit.

Automatic self-testing with remote monitoring Self-testing emergency lighting may also have automatic monitoring facilities to communicate the test results to a remotecontrol panel and fault indicator where data is collected and stored. Automatic monitoring facilities require communication between emergency lighting products and a remote-control panel, which may be through wired or wireless connection. The remote-control panel may also communicate to an intranet or to the internet for remote monitoring. There are many different configurations of such systems, but it is vital that any self-testing and monitoring facility shall comply with BS EN 62034, the harmonised European standard for self-testing emergency lighting.

Advantages of self-testing emergency lighting The first advantage of self-testing emergency lighting is that the emergency lighting is always tested in accordance with the requirements of the standards, at the correct time and for the specified period – regardless of the availability of staff to carry out the testing.

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19/12/2019 10:09

SPECIAL FEATURE

P4’s BiLED is a versatile, energy efficient LED emergency light, available with fully automatic self-testing

Emergency Lighting – P4.indd 40

EMERGENCY LIGHTING In fact, facilities management staff may be diverted to other priorities, and often the emergency lighting is not manually tested at the prescribed time, if at all. Secondly, regular exercising of batteries in emergency lighting luminaires avoids memory effects, which can reduce the effective capacity of batteries and require their replacement earlier than necessary. The third advantage is that the nature of any fault discovered through automatic testing is displayed and is not cleared until that fault is rectified. The remote-control panel and fault indicator may include facilities to control the operation of luminaires and signs, allowing the time at which they will carry out tests to be individually set. This is ideal to avoid interruption of activities during the day or night through unwanted testing of emergency lighting. Typically, with manual keyswitch testing, the emergency lighting in the whole of an area is tested at one time by operation of the keyswitch. When a full duration test is carried out, all the emergency lighting is discharged, leaving no emergency lighting provision for people to occupy the premises. Self-testing emergency lighting normally has the provision to test selected luminaires and signs leaving all others fully charged, available for use in emergency. Notification of faults in monitored selftesting systems can be communicated to facilities management staff via email or another form of electronic communication so that they may rectify faults as they occur.

Efficiency steps

“Contractors don’t always conduct tests as frequently as required, and discharging the emergency lighting in whole areas of a building leaves no cover for occupants remaining in the building.”

Efficiency steps achieved by self-testing emergency lighting may be through a cost saving. However, it could be through the increased safety or through continuous compliance with the legal obligations. Cost savings that can easily be identified through self-test emergency lighting include: o need to manually test emergency •N lighting, which can prove time-consuming and costly. •K eeping records of testing is also timeconsuming and costly – standalone self-testing is more cost-effective but still requires monthly recording of tests. •S elf-testing with automatic monitoring avoids the need to keep manual records. Test results are automatically stored, as are records of any faults and their rectification. •S elf-testing emergency lighting can easily be shown to make substantial cost savings over manual testing and automatic recording of tests and faults increases the saving. •S elf-testing and automatic monitoring can offer electrical contractors a significant business opportunity, providing a monitoring and rectification service for clients. Increases in safety resulting from selftesting includes:

•C ontractors carrying out emergency lighting testing often fail to do so in accordance with the requirements of BS EN 50172. Specifically, the tests aren’t conducted as frequently as required, and discharging the emergency lighting in whole areas of a building leaves no cover for occupants remaining in the building. •L ocal unqualified staff are sometimes responsible for more monthly functional testing, and again, this may not be carried out as prescribed or adequately documented. •T he net result of incorrect testing may of course be that the emergency lighting will not work when it’s required. •S elf-testing emergency lighting ensures correct testing and increases safety. Increased compliance results from selftesting by: •S elf-testing permits easy diagnosis of emergency lighting faults. Monitored systems provide an automatic record of testing, faults and fault rectification. •F aults identified through self-testing can be easily identified and efficiently rectified. •S elf-testing emergency lighting with monitoring facilities automatically generates logs required to demonstrate compliance to legal requirements. •L ogs of emergency lighting testing and maintenance are available for examination by inspecting authorities. P4 Limited, p4fastel.co.uk

19/12/2019 10:10

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SPECIAL FEATURE

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

EMERGENCY LIGHTING — MAKE IT YOUR PRIORITY Recent tragedies have put a fresh emphasis on emergency systems – and when it comes to lighting, contractors have a pivotal role to play, writes Tamlite Managing Director, John Allden.

n an era in which health and safety has attained an ever-higher profile in the public consciousness, you could easily assume that emergency lighting is a de facto priority in the development and maintenance of all buildings. Unfortunately, our experience over the last ten years indicates that, all too frequently, it is still an issue that is being tackled in the later stages of a project, and sometimes with inadequate knowledge of the technical and legal requirements. The latter seems especially hard to justify given that the regulatory framework in the UK is both clear and concise. Under the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) of 2005, emergency lighting is a legal requirement in workplaces, residential complexes and mixed-use spaces. Now required to be installed and tested in line with British Standard BS 5266:1 2016, emergency lighting should provide adequate lighting levels and directional indication in the event of a mains failure, allowing occupants to move around and/or exit the building without accident or injury. It follows, then, that in the case of both new-builds and retrofits, the provision and maintenance of an effective emergency lighting system is of paramount importance. Due to their involvement at every stage of a project, electrical contractors are arguably best-placed to ensure that this happens, making building owners and managers aware of the implications and requirements of emergency lighting. The expectation that they fulfil this role has surely become more acute in the wake of several high-profile tragedies, including

42 | January 2020

Emergency Lighting – Tamlite.indd 42

the development of new services and systems, as well as the expansion of our information resources and continued certification with a number of exacting independent standards bodies.

Seeking solutions

“As recent events have illustrated all too painfully, there is no space for cutting corners when it comes to emergency building systems.”

Grenfell Tower, and related studies such as the Hackitt Report on Building Regulations and Fire Safety. Although there is no suggestion that the emergency lighting in Grenfell Tower was responsible for loss of life, there have been indications that the lighting was unable to penetrate the intense smoke in the stairwell – and, consequently, could not achieve its purpose of guiding residents and firefighters out of the building safely.

Effective engagement More than ever, there is an awareness that all stakeholders in a building need to work together effectively to ensure that all emergency systems are fit for purpose. For contractors engaging with emergency lighting, the challenge revolves around ensuring that the system addresses a number of core issues. These include: the function of the building or room/area; the mode of operation (for example, office, commercial or residential); the extent to which users are familiar with the building, including consideration of whether it receives many short-term visitors; specific usage and how it is likely to change over time; aesthetic requirements, including compliance with listed status if applicable; and the fact that different fixture heights and distances will be required for lighting in various areas of the building. Make no mistake: this can be a complex and time-consuming task, especially with an increasing number of companies also working towards internal and external efficiency targets. In this context, it can often make sense to engage with a specialist lighting company at the earliest stage of a project, since they will be able to provide access not only to the latest solutions, but also guidance on any new or prospective regulatory changes. Here at Tamlite, we can attest to the increase in related enquiries over the last few years – a trend that has informed

Tamlite was the first lighting manufacturer to have been granted ICEL membership (Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting) via the LIAQA Scheme. ICEL is a division of the Lighting Industries Association that represents the highest level of legislation for luminaire quality and specialises in emergency lighting. We also recently renewed our BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) certification for the design of emergency lighting systems after an extensive audit process. Meanwhile, our emergency lighting product range continues to evolve. The e-Connect system uses the DALI protocol to deliver automatic, self-testing of emergency lighting installations – a capability that is increasingly regarded as essential for large buildings and estates. In early 2020, Tamlite will introduce Vision Smart, which utilises wireless connectivity to achieve more finely tuned automatic testing. Deployed in conjunction with our latest LED lighting systems for optimum energy efficiency, these systems can provide peace of mind to contractors eager to ensure that emergency systems remain fully operable. Underlining the importance of a system’s post-installation life, we are also able to undertake statutory monthly and annual testing. As recent events have illustrated all too painfully, there is no space for cutting corners when it comes to emergency building systems. As well as stressing the legal and moral imperative of regulatory compliance, building contractors who can convey the benefits of investing in high-quality and durable systems to clients will also benefit – in both the short- and long-term. With many inside and outside the industry calling for additional safeguards, there is a good chance that extra regulations and assessment will be introduced in the future. In this context, it is probable that many will opt to partner with a specialist lighting provider, safe in the knowledge that this provides the most direct route to achieving an emergency infrastructure that is entirely fit for purpose. Tamlite Lighting, tamlite.co.uk

electricalcontractingnews.com

18/12/2019 15:59

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SPECIAL FEATURE

CIRCUIT PROTECTION & SWITCHGEAR

A SAFETY-FIRST APPROACH An Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD) is designed to detect the presence of dangerous electrical arcs and disconnect the circuit affected. With recent high-profile fires at Grenfell and university accommodations, Eaton looks at how AFDD technology can make all the difference.

ccording to figures released at the end of 2019 by Eaton, a global provider of power management solutions, the majority of UK universities are failing to invest in new technologies that reduce the risk of electrically ignited fires. This new data was obtained through a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, issued to 134 universities across the UK, with 76 of them responding. The data revealed that more than one in four universities (28%) have received complaints from students, staff or the public in the last five years regarding fire safety or building evacuation procedures. Despite technological innovation today and the widespread availability of proven fire safety and evacuation solutions, many universities are abiding by the minimum standards required by regulation, but not yet aware of, or investing in, existing technology which can improve safety standards for their students and staff.

The changing nature of fire prevention

AFDDs, such as the Eaton version shown here, can mitigate the risk of fire due to the effects of arc fault currents

Modern universities are always-on environments. They are experiencing and catering to growing demand for energy given the increase in connected devices used on campus and both students and employees’ requirements for 24/7 uptime. Today’s increase in electrical device usage means the need for fire safety measures to protect against electrically ignited fires has never been more important. Research has previously revealed that 54% of all fires in England are caused by an electrical defect. As UK universities invest in technology to support their always-on, connected learning environments, they will also need to consider the potential consequences of this shift – including how best to safeguard against electrical faults that have the potential to spark fires. This FOI revealed that many universities have not yet invested in proven fire prevention solutions which can avert an electricallyignited fire. For instance, the majority (63%) of responding universities do not have Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) in place. AFDDs are considered best practice in circuit protection due to their ability to digitally monitor the wire for specific frequencies that can indicate an arc fault. While current UK electrical regulation remains below the level required to maximise protection against electrically ignited fires,

44 | January 2020

Circuit Protection & Switchgear – Eaton.indd 44

“AFDDs are considered best practice in circuit protection due to their ability to digitally monitor the wire for specific frequencies that can indicate an arc fault.”

the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations is a step in the right direction. This new national standard included recommendations for the installation of AFDDs to mitigate the risk of fire due to the effects of arc fault currents. Marc Gaunt, Segment Lead, Commercial Buildings at Eaton, comments, “Given how recently UK regulation has recommended the use of AFDDs, it’s likely that even the early adopter universities are yet to fully grasp the benefits of AFDD technology or implement it across all of their higher-risk buildings. “For facilities managers balancing all the demands within a building, from maintenance to security, getting a close grip on the latest safety technology available or even the ins and outs of regulation beyond bare minimum standards can be tricky. Yet with lives at risk, it’s vital that building owners and facilities managers consider the huge safety advantages which come with implementing technology which not just detects fire, but can prevent it in the first place.”

Adaptive evacuation strategies for today’s risks The majority of UK universities (72%) today communicate their evacuation procedures proactively through written mediums. The FOI also revealed that two thirds (66%) communicate through passive written materials – for example, posters in buildings – while 64% use passive digital materials, such as their website. However, this widespread focus on ensuring students and staff are aware of the evacuation procedures is not yet supported by implementing technology which helps individuals to exit a build as quickly as possible depending on the type and location of risk.

Almost all (92%) of responding UK universities do not currently have adaptive evacuation signage in place, which uses digital technology to switch between a number of predefined routes in a given circumstance and guides people towards the safest available exit. For example, the directions displayed by exit signage would change in the instance of fire on the fourth floor, versus a flood on the second floor. While 16% of UK universities plan to implement adaptive evacuation signage in the coming three years, there is a clear opportunity for facilities managers to look into the benefits of this technology – creating a safer environment for students and staff as well as reducing the likelihood of complaints around evacuation standards in future. “Adaptive technology that responds to specific circumstances to ensure safe evacuation of occupants is particularly important for universities, considering the size and complexities of many campus buildings,” comments Gaunt. “The changing nature of risk in today’s buildings means there are a wide range of reasons for an evacuation – from fires, to floods and terrorism. It’s important university management and facilities managers are constantly re-evaluating the evacuation procedures and newest technologies to help protect students and faculty. This means knowing where the risk is located and not falling back on a ‘stay put’ strategy. “New technologies are available that help avoid congestion or unintentionally guiding people towards the threat when trying to evacuate. In a university, where the safety of students is of the utmost importance, it’s imperative facilities managers are continually educating themselves on the newest evacuation technologies and that they are sharing this knowledge with key stakeholders.” Eaton, eaton.uk.com

electricalcontractingnews.com

20/12/2019 09:52

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