GUIDANCE
STARTING FROM HERE Can the New Homes Quality Board succeed where others have failed? Page 18
Find out more Access content from previous issues of P&H Engineering at www. pandhengineering. co.uk
Proposals
Low carbon training plans break cover
I
NSTALLERS ARE BEING urged to have their say on how the industry will move to enabling low carbon heating systems to become the norm. The CIPHE and Heat Pump Association has set out proposals for training for low-temperature heating systems and heat pumps. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently undertaking work to understand the existing skills base within the UK heating industry and the mechanisms required for increasing the number of low carbon heating installers. Industry giant Vaillant has urged
installers to get involved. Mark Wilkins, head of training and external affairs at Vaillant, said: “As well as growing the number of qualified installers, we must ensure that those undertaking the work have the confidence and the right skills to build a reputable heat pump market.” Paul Harmer, CIPHE lead technical consultant, said: “The regulated
qualification is designed to upskill installers and to act as a prerequisite before installing a low temperature heating system for all heat source technology. “The course will cover the design of low temperature heating systems including heat loss, heat emitters, pipe and pump sizing and domestic hot water storage to name a few.”
COVID-19
Advice
LABC UPDATES ON STORM DRAINS
DON’T LET UP ON COVID-19 TESTING
LOCAL AUTHORITY BUILDING Control Warranty has updated its advice on storm drain fitting. It advises: “Principle failures for both foul and storm water drainage are inadequate falls in underground pipework. “The main issue appears to be with 100mm polythene pipes. For example, Diagram 9 of Approved Document H supporting the England and Wales Building Regulations, indicates that the minimum permissible fall for 100mm pipework is 1:80, provided
ACCESSING TESTS TO protect yourself and others from the COVID-19 is vital, the CIPHE has warned. Lateral flow tests are one way of avoiding the virus and companies including Baxi are using these as a part of their plan for supplying services. The CIPHE are making members aware that they can regularly use lateral flow tests to check their COVID-19 status. Membership director Tim Sainty, said: “Responding to new challenges brings innovation, and we have seen
www.ciphe.org.uk
that there are adequate flow rates above 6.3 litres/ second. This would normally be achieved by at least 1 WC on the system.” It warned: “The introduction of plastic pipe work has inevitably led to a skill set loss of the groundworker. Common indications of likely poorly laid pipework are operatives laying pipes between inspection chamber positions without using a taught line.” Read more at: https:// bit.ly/39wYcJp
Covid-19 Safe Community Tests (CSCT) develop a supporting app for tradespeople to reassure customers before entering their property.” To find out more visit: csctests.com
QUARTER TWO / 2021
P&H ENGINEERING 9
