Frontline

ALL THAT’S HAPPENING IN PLUMBING AND HEATING

SUSTAINABILITY

It is hoped the new grant will encourage homeowners to adopt green technology

Government announces heat pump grants

Three-year plan aims to decrease Britain’s dependence on gas for domestic heating and hot water

NEXT APRIL, HOMEOWNERS in England and Wales will benefi t from £5,000 government grants through a £450m, three-year Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Through the Heat and Buildings Strategy, the government plans to incentivise people to install low-carbon heating systems. This will signifi cantly reduce the UK’s dependency on fossil fuels and exposure to global price spikes, whilst supporting up to 240,000 jobs across the UK by 2035. The transition over the next 14 years will see households move away from fossil fuel boilers when they need replacing, rather than forcing households to remove existing boilers.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: “We are backing our brilliant innovators to make clean technology as cheap to buy and run as gas boilers – supporting thousands of green jobs.”

Kevin Wellman, chief executive o cer of the CIPHE, said the project will require greater focus on training. “The industry needs support to train up to 100,000 installers in low-carbon technologies to ensure systems are designed and installed correctly. It is imperative that installers are trained to NVQ level 3 or equivalent and be in possession of the CIPHE’s Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water design qualifi cation [see page 30]. The world is watching the UK closely, so it’s crucial that the government strategy pulls together the many strands required to make it work.”

SUSTAINABILITY

Yvonne Orgill says she hopes the sector will use UWLA products in making changes

UWLA welcomes net-zero strategy

The Unifi ed Water Label Association (UWLA) has welcomed the launch of the CO2nstructZero change programme, which details the commitments made by the industry to reduce carbon emissions.

The initiative, led by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), includes a Performance Framework, which sets out how the sector will commit to and measure its progress towards net zero.

Yvonne Orgill, UWLA managing director, said: “This represents a step change in opinion about the need to act now, with more than 2,500 comments received to shape the framework. Whilst many of the metrics focus on the activities and output from fi rms within the sector, others relate to the delivery of energy savings in the building of new homes and the CLC retrofi t strategy of existing properties.

“We are looking forward to continuing the dialogue with the construction industry and the retrofi tting sector to encourage the use of UWLA products.”

Read more at: bit.ly/3B48TyV

TRAINING

Uponor awards over 2,000 certifi cates

Uponor’s on-site installation training programme, which provides bespoke training on the company’s range of products, has issued a staggering 2,000 certifi cates, trained sta from around 300 companies and provided bespoke on-site training for over 200 projects.

The free, certifi ed training for sub-contractors, mechanical contractors, main contractors and consultant engineers gives delegates an in-depth understanding of how Uponor’s components work, how to install each of the connection technologies correctly and professionally, how items integrate to provide a complete, safe system as well as advice on tooling. The courses also cover important health and safety aspects of carrying out an installation, including the correct handling of hydraulic press tools.

“Our training is seen as essential skills development and an essential part of the support we give to our customers,” said Luciana Kola, marketing manager at Uponor. “The success of this training programme is refl ected by the number of certifi cates we have issued in such a short time and shows the popularity of our core products.”

For more information visit www.uponor.co.uk/services/ services-for-installers/ uponor-training

SAFETY

Bath scalding death was avoidable

CIPHE Industrial Associate Intatec has outlined the importance of fi tting and servicing TMVs, following the death of a care home resident from scalding.

Frances Norris, a 93-year-old who had dementia, was placed into a bath of scalding water at Birdsgrove Nursing Home in Bracknell, Berkshire. Aster Healthcare pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter following her death.

Under building regulations, baths in healthcare buildings must be fi tted with thermostatic mixing valves that are TMV3 certifi ed. Cynthia Fisher, commercial director at Intatec, said: “There is no excuse for a scalding death in a healthcare setting. Every TMV2 and TMV3 accredited valve should meet strict operating criteria to not allow a bath to fi ll with scalding water. A valve should be fi tted and regularly serviced. What has happened is tragic and it’s incredibly disappointing that we’re seeing yet another avoidable death.

“The reports I’ve seen covering the case don’t mention that the bath should have been fi tted with a safety device, so I think it’s important to reiterate that new baths in healthcare environments need to be fi tted with anti-scald devices – it’s the law.”

All baths should be fi tted with anti-scalding devices SUSTAINABILITY

Triton Showers awarded Carbon Trust Standard

Triton Showers has achieved the Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon, underlining its commitment to reduce carbon emissions year-on-year, as part of the group’s ambition to achieve carbon net zero by 2025. During the assessment period, Triton lowered its CO2 footprint by 38%.

David Tutton, managing director at Triton, said: “We are delighted to have received such a well-recognised and notable accreditation thanks to everyone’s hard work and determination. Attaining the standard is the culmination of many di erent strands of activity taking place throughout our entire business to make a cumulative change – but we are not done yet.”

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Europe’s commercial buildings aren’t ready for the transition to net zero

SUSTAINABILITY

High emission property prices fall

Owners who fail to take action to retrofit carbonsaving measures are warned they will lose money

ACCORDING TO IPSX and Carbon Intelligence, high emission real estate, with no plans to slash carbon emissions, is set to depreciate in the next five years.

Carbon Intelligence’s real estate commercial director, Oliver Light, said: “By not investing CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) now into a long-term net-zero strategy, not only will building owners miss out on the short-term advantages associated with a building that drives high tenant demand, due to minimal energy costs, prestige, and ESG credentials, but they will also have to invest the same or more to deal with obsolescence as a result of non-compliance, voids, and capital deprecation of the building.”

David Delaney, group chief executive of IPSX, said: “Investors need actionable data to benchmark a building’s energy efficiency performance in order to make informed investment decisions.”

Separate research from investment management services provider Fidelity International found that 97% of commercial real estate in Europe cannot currently support a net-zero transition: “Today’s liquidity conditions mean valuations do not yet reflect the stark difference between buildings that are ready to support the low-carbon transition and those that are not. That won’t last forever and owners who delay investment in retrofitting could come to regret it.”

LOGISTICS

Changes to HGV test

The government has announced changes to the HGV driver test in order to free up capacity for 50,000 additional tests per year to address a shortage of drivers. However, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has said this is a risk to road safety.

Drivers will now take one test to drive both a rigid and articulated lorry, as opposed to two tests spaced three weeks apart. The government says this will free up 20,000 HGV driving tests a year, enabling drivers to get their licence more quickly. In addition, car drivers will no longer need to take another test to tow a trailer or caravan, allowing roughly 30,000 more HGV driving tests to be conducted every year.

Tests will be made shorter still by the removal of the reversing exercise – and for vehicles with trailers, the uncoupling and recoupling exercise – and having it tested separately by a third party.

Brian Kenny from the RHA said: “According to HSE, there are about seven people knocked down and killed in yards each year with vehicles reversing. I think it is a step back.”

More HGV driving tests are needed

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SUSTAINABILITY

The Welsh government has pledged to build 20,000 lowcarbon homes for rent

Fossil fuels banned in Welsh new build homes

THE USE OF fossil fuels to heat new-build social housing ended on 1 October 2021 in Wales, where residential emissions account for 10% of all carbon emissions. The ban reinforces the Welsh government’s aims to significantly reduce emissions to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.

Minister for climate change, Julie James, said: “How we live and heat our homes over the coming years will be pivotal in reaching our net zero goals. I have every confidence the social housing sector will prove themselves trailblazers of the ambitious standards, as they deliver on our pledge to build 20,000 low-carbon homes over the next five years.”

However, installers say they needed more time to prepare. “While it is good that fossil fuels have been phased out in Wales, there has not been an opportunity to develop skills for new technology,” says Paul Williams, MCIPHE, owner of Albert Williams Plumbing and Heating. “The Welsh government should have put some forethought into this decision to ensure installers knew where to train before the ban was implemented.”

COVID 19

Worcester Bosch uses COVID app

Worcester Bosch has been using a new COVID-19 app in order to help continue its vital work throughout the UK.

The CSC App provides complete visibility for both employer and employee, giving the workforce complete peace of mind that the working environment is as safe as possible. The new software allows people to take a quick and easy test and log their result in the app, before heading back to work on the result of a negative test.

Allan Ovington, service engineering manager at Worcester Bosch, said: “We used the CSC App to better control the safe working of field service engineers and apprentices who have had to work in pairs during the pandemic. Giving these colleagues the opportunity to regularly take lateral flow tests and the ability to demonstrate their negative status to each other on the app has given them greater confidence to work together.”

AFFORDABILITY

Helping hand

According to a survey of 1,000 people, 82% believed the Scottish government should make some form of financial contribution towards net zero home improvements, with over a third believing that the government should meet all costs.

EVENTS

BEAMA webinar series

BEAMA has partnered with the elemental community for advancing innovations in heat, water, air and energy to present three weeks of digital events in October, all relating to BEAMA’s series of white papers and its Net Zero Campaign. The BEAMA Zero Carbon Homes webinar series, powered by elemental, will include seven talks covering the delivery of 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, thermal storage, heating controls for zero carbon homes, reducing the cost of net zero, net zero healthy homes, home electrical infrastructure of the future, and skills for net zero.

To find out more information about the webinars and to register, visit www.beama.org.uk

BUSINESS

Boost for SMEs

New analysis from Powered Now has revealed that the home improvement boom experienced during lockdown has seen sales for SMEs in construction during 2021 increase by 35%, compared to those in 2020, with the average value of an invoice increased by 6%. Ben Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, said: “This golden year for tradespeople has meant that the trade has become a hugely popular sector for job seekers.”

TRAINING

High-quality training results in better installations

REHAU calls for new training

Polymer pipework specialist says training is needed to support the growth in district heating projects

REHAU BUILDING SOLUTIONS has called for comprehensive training to support district heating development in the fight against climate change.

The rising popularity of district heating developments across the UK as a means of decarbonising heat in buildings has served to highlight the importance of training across the supply chain.

With the push to net zero likely to result in further growth for the district heating market, Steve Richmond, head of marketing and technical at REHAU Building Solutions, explains how training must be emphasised as more projects are established:

“The increased uptake of district heating networks is a heartening sign for the UK’s net zero targets. However, we need to ensure that as more mechanical and civil contractors become involved with district heating, they are trained to a high standard to ensure new district heating installations run smoothly.

“The key advantage of district heating networks is the efficiency – a factor which will ultimately form the crux of our wider efforts to decarbonise the heating sector. A poorly installed project may result in lower efficiency, so it is critical that proper training is deployed to ensure that all district heating networks remain high-quality.”

Read more about REHAU’s low-carbon heat management systems on page 14.

BUSINESS

Tax digital penalties

According to new research by Mazuma, 41 % of plumbers are unaware of the Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules due to come into force in April 2023, with one in eight at risk of penalties.

Of the 200 plumbers who took part in the survey, 83% are at risk of falling foul of MTD penalties when the law is enforced due to not using online apps or software to keep a track of income.

Lucy Cohen, co-founder of Mazuma, is calling for HMRC to be more transparent around MTD to help self-employed workers avoid unnecessary fines.

She said: “While this system intends to make filing tax returns easier, it’s clear that HMRC hasn’t been transparent enough. If you extrapolate our figures, we could be looking at over 124,000 plumbers who are currently falling foul of the new legislation.”

Tax rules change in April 2023

LOGISTICS

Employees can learn to drive HGVs by next May

Selco launches Driver Academy

Selco has launched its own Driver Academy to help address the nationwide shortage of qualified HGV drivers by giving colleagues from any areas of the business the opportunity to apply to for a Level 2 HGV Apprenticeship.

Successful applicants completing the apprenticeship will become a fully qualified HGV driver, with a Category C Licence, by May 2022.

Marc Lucock, HR director at Selco, said: “We have more than 20 vacancies to fill and that number is rising. We wanted to be proactive, not only to fill our vacancies but also play a small part in helping to address the national shortage.”