26 minute read
Frontline
Can the New Homes Quality Board succeed where others have failed? Page 18
Proposals
Low carbon training plans break cover
Access content from previous issues of P&H Engineering at www. pandhengineering. co.uk
INSTALLERS 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.”
Advice
LABC UPDATES ON STORM DRAINS
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 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
DON’T LET UP ON COVID-19 TESTING
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 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
Product safety
Find out more
Read the plans at bit.ly/3sXOxm5
Parts safety law overhaul to meet 3D threat
PRODUCT SAFETY LAWS will be overhauled to counter the threat of fake 3D parts.
Copies of parts made with sophisticated printers which are then sold on the web are a critical issue for the industry and a manifesto goal for the institute.
Business minister Paul Scully said the current laws date back to 1987 and have not kept pace with innovation.
The crux issue is software updates and AI techniques like machine learning mean products and their safety implications can continually change over their lifetimes. And modern manufacturing techniques like 3D printing mean products can be built in consumers’ homes.
For the industry, that means everything from washers to pumps being counterfeited without quality materials or
processes like heat treatment.
And in the future, product software upgrades may not meet standards – as happened in the Volkswagen emissions scandal.
The regs reboot is being overseen by the Office for Product Safety and Standards. The CIPHE is already lobbying to make sure the industry isn’t left out.
Business Minister Paul Scully said: “Much of the product safety system was devised in 1987 when The Terminator was still out on Betamax. Now we want to make sure artificial intelligence and robotics are working for us and not against by making the UK a world-leader for both safety and cutting-edge innovation.”
P&H Verdict
The reality is Whitehall has been blindsided by tech. The consultation is a start but the timeline is minimum two years, and the tech industry will lobby hard. Manufacturers and industry must make sure their voice is heard, particularly when consumer safety is exposed.
Regulation
HEATING REGS GET RADICAL OVERHAUL
TOUGHER STANDARDS on air tightness in rooms are on the way as part of a regulation overhaul to meet low carbon targets.
The government is set to update the Approved Document L of planning guidance to improve minimum standards of air tightness and energy use.
Among the changes are new demands that collars and grommets are fitted on service pipework going into a building. The changes to the Document are part of the work leading into the Future Home Standard in 2025. Broadly, the new Document L will set new standards on thermal performance and heat loss from buildings plus energy conservation requirements linked to the installation of services including heating and hot water.
Changes
WESTMINSTER MOVES
REGULATIONS COVERING INDUSTRY changes post-Brexit have been completed by Parliament.
The UK Internal Markets Act 2020, as expected, has created a Trade Remedies Authority that will resolve disputes over imports and exports.
And the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) 2020 regulations have come into force. This partially implements Article 15(1) of the Energy Performance Buildings Directive 2018/844/EU. Covering air conditioning unit assessments, it demands audits focus on optimised performance. Read more at: https://bit.ly/3sFx02Q
Education
APPRENTICES CLEARED FOR END ASSESSMENT
The exams regulator has ended months of waiting for apprentices by signing off details on how they can do their final tests.
OFQUAL ANNOUNCED LAST month that eligible apprentices can now take their end-point assessment before achieving their functional skills qualifications (FSQ).
It ends the limbo for trainees whose practical learning has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak which shut colleges until earlier this year.
The regulator confirmed flexibility will be available until 31 May 2021 and applies to apprentices at all levels who: • are ready to take an FSQ assessment but are unable to due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. This means they have exhausted all possibilities to access FSQ assessment via face-to-face and remote delivery. • have confirmed their intent to continue and complete their FSQ within three months of starting their EPA. • meet all other gateway criteria to progress to their EPA except FSQ achievement. • Providers must retain evidence that the apprentice is eligible, as set out in the Apprenticeship Funding
Rules. Providers will need to make a declaration to this effect. The
Apprenticeship Funding Rules and
COVID-19 guidance will be updated to reflect this change.
There are three ways learners will be able to access a result. • Assessments can continue to take place in a training provider, college, school, employer’s premises or alternative
location, where it is safe for them to do so in line with public health guidance. • Assessments can be taken remotely or online. • Where neither of these options is possible, and learners need a result to progress, then the grade can be awarded through alternative arrangements.
Ofqual said: “This flexibility will mean many learners will be able to quickly progress and not be delayed. It will also ensure that apprentices can progress through their apprenticeship and to future employment.”
Paul Harmer, CIPHE lead technical consultant, said: “This is the same approach as taken for other sectors. It’s sensible and as long as apprentices have kept up, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Not sure about how you’re affected? Read more at: https://bit.ly/2POUPGV
Initiative
WORKING WITH INSTALLERS, DESIGNERS AND MANUFACTURERS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS: As an approved Government Kickstart Gateway Organisation, FIESTA supports members wishing to access the new Government employment initiative.
Kickstart is a £2 billion pound Government scheme designed to aid post-COVID regeneration.The initiative allows employers to offer a six-month funded work placement. These placements are open to young people aged 16-24 who are at risk of long-term unemployment and are currently claiming Universal Credit.The scheme will run until December 2021 and is an opportunity to introduce new talent whilst showcasing your industry to young people.
Employers will receive: • 100% of the relevant NMW for the kickstart Participant up to 25 hours per week – www.gov.uk/nationalminimum-wage-rates • Associated employer contributions such as NI and pension contributions • A grant for a funded training program for the Kickstart participant
Please note, Kickstart may only be used for new positions and must not replace existing roles or result in a reduction of hours for permanent roles.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS EXPERT AND FORMER PRESIDENT, TERRY FILLARY REMEMBERED
Former president and renown specialist in historic buildings Terry Fillary MBE, has died. CIPHE chief executive officer Kevin Wellman pays tribute.
TERRY FILLARY MBE was unique and a highly regarded ambassador throughout the industry.
Terry joined the CIPHE in 1961 as a Member and Registered Plumber. Honorary Fellowship was conferred upon him in 1999. In 2002 he was presented with his Master Plumber Certificate and in 2013 he gained his Master Craft Certificate in Leadwork.
He became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers in 1982 and was awarded the St Michael Medallion in 1997, the Company’s highest distinction.
Terry received the MBE in 2014 for services to historic building restoration and conservation. A specialist in ornate leadwork, among prestigious restoration projects were the Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Mansion House, as well as the planters in the Rose Garden at Buckingham Palace and at Sandringham.
Terry, and his son Paul, were vital to the refurbishment of the CIPHE during 1982/83. The work included installing the first unvented hot water storage system in Essex. It wouldn’t have been complete without leadwork and this is still visible through the display of a lead hopper depicting the Battle of Agincourt at the rear of the building.
He was president of the CIPHE in 1991-92. His fears over public speaking resulted, with assistance from Vic King from Barking (Brassware) Grohe, in the ‘Let’s Talk’ speaking club affiliated to Toastmaster’s International. He became an extremely accomplished speaker.
As president, he recognised the value
Terry proudly displaying his book that was received with great acclaim by the industry
of developments in plumbing. He was open minded and not afraid to support changes. He led the consumer campaign to search for Britain’s Favourite Plumber.
In the early 90’s Terry participated in a technical roadshow that trained hundreds of installers on the ‘old’ Water Byelaws. His ability to captivate an audience was inspiring.
As unvented hot water storage system (UVHWSS) installations began to ‘take off’ in the early 90’s, he maximised his engineering prowess to develop a test kit to check water pressure and flow rates, the ‘Fillary flow gauge’. It was used during UVHWSS training to show how simple it was.
In 2012 he fulfilled a long-time ambition by publishing his book ‘Ornamental and Conservation Leadwork: Techniques and Materials’. He was honoured and privileged to be able to personally present a copy to the Queen.
Following a CIPHE President’s Dinner at Church House, he returned home to find a mouse had travelled home with him in his bag. The following year he presented Church House with a hand-crafted mouse.
He enjoyed teaching others and had fond memories teaching students at Hackney College, through his support of the Plumbers’ Workshop Museum Trust at Singleton and for many of those who visited him at his workshop at his home in Dagenham.
Terry never shied away from giving help and guidance to others when required including trainees, installers, architects, historians and manufacturers.
His legacy will be remembered for many years to come thanks to his experience, expertise and commitment to plumbing, leadwork, related crafts, public speaking, lecturing to name but a few of his accomplishments.
Terry receiving his Master Leadworker Certificate from the Lord Mayor of London in 2013
FIRST AMONG EQUALS
Karen Boswell OBE is the new MD at Baxi. In her fi rst major interview, she sets out her plans for the fi rm and ideas on how the industry can change.
In an industry where the perfect fi t matters, the new MD at Baxi is just that.
The industry is grappling with a huge shift in its business model caused by the climate emergency. At that exact moment, taking the helm is someone with a proven track record in engineering, low carbon, innovation and diversity.
Karen Boswell OBE joined the Prestonbased fi rm to lead the UK and Ireland business. Announcing the appointment in September, the fi rm said her priority would be moving the fi rm towards achieving net zero carbon. She joined from Hitachi Rail UK where she helped rapid growth from annual revenue of £248m to £1.4bn, and circa 300 to 2,500 people. A core project was the Inter City Express replacement programme (IEP).
A clear vision
Her refreshing lack of management speak and her clarity about both the industry and her purpose is what comes across in the video interview.
“Baxi Heating has some of the bestknown and respected brands in the market, and people who are passionate and successful in delivering for customers,” she says.
She’s clear the new role is a logical progression and talks passionately about engineering.
“I’d been in the rail industry for 18 years and am immensely proud to have been part of that. My background is working around manufacturing and supply chain. I was involved in building and delivering the £5.7bn high speed rail project.
“The heating and rail industry share many similarities; they’re both driven by decarbonisation and digital technology. Rail has gone from coal to diesel to electric to hydrogen and exploring batteries,” Boswell says. “We design, build and service the units. I’ve got a manufacturing site building heating units and more. And we’re facing the same challenges.”
She adds: “On a personal level, there has always been something about working in an industry that matters; that has social implications, that has a sustainable agenda. Coming into this industry is a really exciting opportunity.”
That means the zero emissions goal which is driving a total reset for the industry. Boswell has already announced a pledge for the fi rm: commitments to social, environmental
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Baxi Heating is owned by BDR Thermea and focuses on low carbon heating and hot water solutions.
Its factory is in Preston and customer support is in Warwick. The fi rm has been manufacturing in the UK since 1866. Today, it’s part of the BDR Thermea Group, operating in more than 82 countries and employing over 6,500 people worldwide.
Within the Baxi Heating portfolio, it has some of the best-known brands in the domestic and commercial heating industry including Potterton, Main Heating, Heatrae Sadia, Remeha, Andrews Water Heaters, Potterton Commercial and Packaged Plant Solutions. The main rivals are Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, Vaillant and Ideal.
The brand has a 4.5 trust rating for its products.
For product range information go to: https://bit.ly/3fSF9NV
and economic sustainability with regular audits to avoid greenwash.
There are big decisions for a firm whose employees will be impacted directly. Boswell sets out the strategy: “It’s being prepared. There’s going to be remote digital systems, heat pumps and hydrogen. I’m not saying there should be a one-stop-shop for hydrogen.
“And by the way, the gas market is going to be with us for some time to come. I’d really like to influence that agenda.”
The decisions can’t be delayed, a fact that seems to have passed the government by.
“If you look at that from a skills perspective, we’ve got people who need to think about how they adapt,” she says.
But the MD is confident an industry built around problem-solving is up for the change – and has proved it in the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I do believe that we have it in our gift to be part of the transformation,” she says. “When you think about the pandemic, the industry has a real part to play. We supported the Nightingale hospitals. We haven’t closed our manufacturing - we’ve been safe – and we’ve serviced people when they’ve needed us. And more people are working from home.”
One of her first big decisions was to work with the Institute to help apprentices hit by the downturn stay in the industry. She says: “I’m a strong advocate of supporting apprenticeships. We’ve already been appointed into the Kickstart Programme.”
And the customer side of the business will also evolve. Motor manufacturer Volvo announced the end of its dealer network, shifting to online selling and brand experiences. That industry has been questioning the need for sales networks for two decades. Volvo has called the market early.
“Good luck to them; it’s brave,” she says. “We’re starting to see the motor industry do some very strategic things. E-commerce is a massive shift. We’ve started a lot of digital training.”
Baxi will also be helping to overhaul training and diversity. Boswell uses the example of her own children and grandchildren to highlight the gaps: “I’m astonished at how clued up they are with tech. There’s also what’s important to them: net-zero carbon and diversity.”
The company will be moving quickly – all products will work with low carbon energy by 2025 and the business will be carbon neutral by 2030.
The other trend she sees coming is a consumer shift to ‘my country first’, partly driven by COVID-19.
Boswell says: “In adversity, something good comes out of it. Homeowners and businesses are making much more conscious purchasing decisions. It’s about self-sufficiency; look at the challenge on PPE. It’s already happened with food. I’m not a futurologist but I think there are going to be some significant changes.”
The boiler assembly hall at Baxi
Facing challenges
Just as challenging is diversity. Black Lives Matter has changed public attitudes; it never was just about policing. There is no going back.
“It does all come back to people,” she says. “There’s a real opportunity to make a difference in the diversity space. Some reports suggest 50% of installers are in their 50s – and they’re mostly men. Most come in on friends and family recommendation.”
The crux of the problem is getting in front of people who see law, finance,
medical professions and degrees as the only way forward for the people the industry needs.
Boswell has identified the challenge and will be working with the Institute to solve it. She says: “We’ve got a big job to do in how we influence educators, schools and those wider community leaders. How do we tell people this is a brilliant industry to be in? Why wouldn’t you want to attract and divert people towards us? Diversity is a prerequisite. Our industry should look like the people who we serve.
“When I think about being consumerfocused, coming up with the right carbon solution, part of that needs to be about how we interact with customers. Some people might prefer a female technician and there’s the wider religious aspect.”
There’s also a business case: “You get better earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (used as an indicator of the overall profitability of a business) with representation.”
Working with government, other industry bodies, IAs and more is the only option to make headway on these complex agendas. That’s why Boswell has been keen to forge an alliance with the CIPHE. “The CIPHE is great at getting the industry’s voice heard and explaining where we need to be,” she says.
Boswell has a final prediction: future employees and customers won’t let the industry off. She says: “What I’m hopeful of is the next, Millennial, generation – they are expecting leadership to be doing all this. Future generations will judge us.”
CAREER INSIGHT: RIGHT ON TRACK
Karen Boswell’s journey to the top started as a management trainee with Allied Lyons.
Her career took off when she joined US retail firm Aramark in the late 90s as a regional managing director. Her break into the rail industry came when she moved to Great Western Railways in 2001 to be their head of onboard services.
Her next big step up was with train firm First Group as deputy MD and customer service director. In 2009 she became the MD for the East Coast mainline, which at the time was in the grip of being renationalised. She had a key role in turning customer services around before joining Hitachi in 2015.
At Baxi, she replaced David Pinder, who retired.
A passionate advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, in 2019, she became a Board Member of Enginuity. It’s an organisation transforming Engineering Skills Productivity in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology and enabling UK industries to compete globally. She received an OBE for contribution and services to the UK railway industry in the Queen’s 2016 Birthday Honours List.
JUST THE JOB?
Interested in joining the Baxi team? There’s a range of roles from field team members to commercial specification managers.
Benefits include a competitive salary alongside 25 days holiday per annum not including UK bank holidays. They also offer a contributory pension and sick pay schemes and staff discounts. Job postings are at: https://bit.ly/3dupu4w
STARTING FROM HERE
The new housing regulator for England has started work. Can the New Homes Quality Board succeed where others have failed?
Overturning years of failings in the construction industry isn’t going to happen overnight, but the new regulator is already under pressure to make its mark.
The New Homes Quality Board has started work after a low-key launch in February that confirmed the new board in charge. It had already been operating as an interim body for a year. The board members are from the housing sector, including Homes England, NHBC and developers. Its creation followed pressure from new home buyers outraged by major failings on their properties and the Grenfell Tower fire inquiries (see right).
But the government also wants more homes built fast. In March, the communities secretary announced planning laws on retail premises would be changed to allow them to be converted into housing. The industry is optimistic that consumers will get a better deal. But can the new watchdog take on the big private sector builders and ensure standards are maintained?
How will it work?
The core job is to ensure developers build to a standard rather than the planning regs. So the first priority is agreeing a new industry code of practice. The other job is appointing the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) which will mediate for buyers in the event of a dispute in the same way as the Financial Services Authority. All this will, according to the NHQB, “plug the gaps in existing protections and aim to deliver consistently high-quality homes and considerably stronger consumer protections”.
So far, so good.
But there’s a sticking point. It will be paid for by the housebuilding industry through an annual registration fee and a levy based on volumes. Referrals to the ombudsman will also have a fee. But access to the New Homes Ombudsman will be free to consumers. The ombudsman will not cover cases retrospectively and will only cover homes reserved from the date a developer registers with the NHQB and signs up to the new arrangements.
The problem? Other ombudsmen funded by the industry have failed, such as the Gambling Commission which is set to be replaced after years of controversy And the make-up of the board, when it was announced, was criticised for being too close to the big builders and the government’s inner circle.
The chair is Conservative MP Natalie Elphick, who before taking her seat had pushed hard for finance reforms as a director of the Housing and Finance Institute. She says: “The new
arrangements will lead to a step change in how new homes are built and sold and how customers are treated. The board is committed to driving new build quality and strengthening protections for buyers. It is essential that buyers have confidence in both the product and the processes in place to support them.”
The other members include Jennie Daly, group operations director at Taylor Wimpey, Katy Jordan, a former surveyor now managing director of Storey Homes and Paul Smee who is a former director general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Also involved is Nicholas BoysSmith, former chair of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.
Although the launch got a positive industry response, critics raised concerns a board made up of big developers, politicians from the same side as the government and representatives of groups that have already been beaten by the rogue players wasn’t robust enough.
How Whitehall responds will define the board and ombudsman. Usefully, there’s a lot riding on the outcome for housing minister Eddie Hughes who was appointed to the job in January
As chair of the APPG for Excellence in the Built Environment, Hughes chaired the inquiry into the need for a new homes ombudsman in 2018 that led to its formation. He says: “I welcome the launch of the New Homes Quality Board and look forward to working closely with them to ensure the house building industry is delivering new homes of the highest possible quality.”
So, what does the industry think so far? After Grenfell and the rows over shoddy quality, the industry has to restore consumer confidence. Stewart Baseley, executive chair of the Home Builders Federation says: “The industry is absolutely committed to putting measures in place to help deliver consistently high-quality new homes and effective redress for buyers. Recent years have seen significant improvements made in build quality and customer service and we are determined to go further. The proposed arrangements will present the industry with some challenges but will, I believe, ultimately prove of considerable benefit to builders and customers alike.”
There must be honesty in assessing compliance
Will they do it again?
With questions being asked after the green energy grant debacle, there is also concern that the regulator could be swept aside by an administration that doesn’t ‘do’ detail.
Caroline Gumble, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Building, says: “I want to reiterate that quality remains one of the biggest issues facing the construction industry and the new Ombudsman will have a significant role as a mechanism for driving improvements in the quality of new homes.”
Simon Storer, chief executive of the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) warns success will mean improving actual quality as well as emissions and energy targets. He says: “There must be honesty in assessing compliance with those standards and what they can, and will do, if houses do not meet the required standards. Quite simply, if a home fails to meet performance standards, then it should not pass.”
The UK has building codes, getting compliance with a new one is the acid test. CIPHE chief executive officer Kevin Wellman says: “After decades of failings, it would be unfair to dismiss a regulator at the start. There are lots of competing pressures and how those are balanced will decide its credibility. But there can’t be fudged decisions. Light touch oversight has failed and we can only go forward by being open and clear about standards.”
GRENFELL EXPOSES INDUSTRY FLAWS
Critical failures in products and installation have been revealed at the Grenfell inquiry.
The public inquiry into the fatal fire has heard products used in the tower block’s refurbishment did not meet standards and were poorly installed.
The technical officer for fire Sideriser, the firm that made the cavity barriers, said the site installation was flawed.
Christopher Mort, technical officer for fire, said an inspection that took place after the fire revealed the barriers had either been siliconed in place or not fitted at all.
And the lead scientist at British Board of Agrément revealed the firm that made the cladding, Arconic, had ignored 11 requests for fire test data.
BBA said it had no processes in place for data being withheld and crucially had issued a certificate of worthiness in 2015 – a year late - based on data sourced from the firm’s website in order to close out its request.
The inquiry continues.
P&H VERDICT
Industry has backed the idea, now the NHQB needs to prove it isn’t in the developers’ pocket.
More information
Find out more about the New Homes Quality Board at:
BACK TO THE FUTURE
The Eden Project championed eco-living. Before world leaders hear about its work, P&H Engineering got an exclusive access all areas tour
Like the DeLorean in Back to the Future, the Eden Project was created by a visionary and has captivated the imagination of millions.
When it opened in 2001 after a £141m build, it raised the bar for visitor attractions, revitalised Cornwall’s economy by £2bn and challenged conventions in building design.
It remains radical 20 years on – even the facilities team call it The Space Ship.
Giving back to nature is vital in an ecological emergency
And just like the Doc’s Time Machine, the Eden Project has been given a new core to keep it ahead of the game. The most powerful governments will see it fi rst-hand during this summer’s G7 summit. And like the CIPHE, the Eden Project team will be making a big noise at the UN climate summit COP 26 in November. But before that, P&H Engineering has been granted an exclusive insight into the massive overhaul that has brought the centre’s critical systems into the 21st century.
The demands are signifi cant: support a million visitors a year, sustain two different environments for rare plants – and enable movement between the two – and run conference and offi ce buildings. And the critical demand is the drainage and pumping system that prevents the former clay pit from fl ooding.
So how do they do it?
Energy manager, Charles Sainsbury says: “The way we approach sustainability is as a negative – we want to give back more than we take. That’s vital in an ecological emergency.”
The complex consists of two biomes – one tropical and one warm temperature – which share a walkway. Then there’s a roofl ess biome that makes use of the local climate – which is similar to Chile – and two visitor complexes. The 35-acre site is home to 2 million plants that need watering.
First principles
Kevin Bate, site manager has spent 13 years overseeing the heating, ventilation and critical pumping equipment. He works with two mechanical engineers.
He says: “It’s amazing, world-beating
