P&H Engineering / Q1 2023

WATER WASTE

How water boards are tackling UK shortages

FRESH THINKING

WHY OUR BUILDINGS NEED A NEW APPROACH TO VENTILATION

LEARNING CURVE

What employers need to know about apprenticeships

PROPER PIPES

The great pipework debate: copper vs plastic

THE NEW YEAR usually evokes a sense of positivity, but for the many people still dealing with fuel poverty the outlook remains bleak. It’s therefore important that plumbing and heating engineers continue driving e ciency in customers’ homes, while stressing the importance of using qualified installers.

Following the needless death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, which was caused by long-term exposure to damp and mould in his family’s flat, we highlight the importance of ventilation and education to ensure good health. (p18)

Hosepipe bans and sewage discharge experienced in the UK last summer left consumers questioning where water companies are going wrong. We explore the issues surrounding water and sewage management, and what improvements are being made to minimise leaks. (p26)

Although serious injuries are rare in the heating and plumbing industry there are potential hazards. We look at the importance of risk assessments for all jobs to ensure engineers’ safety. (p50)

SARAH WELSH

Editor

pandhengineering

@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

FEATURES

32 Education Advice on working with apprentices from Leeds College of Building

36 The Fix: Water

40

Editor Sarah Welsh Project manager Lizzie Hufton

Design and production manager Christina Richmond

Publisher James Houston

Published by James Pembroke Media, 90 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BG Tel 01225 337777

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Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6NB Tel 01708 472791

Membership Founded in 1906, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry. Membership is made up of consultants, specifi ers, designers, public health engineers, lecturers, trainers, trainees and practitioners. The CIPHE has a membership of 7,500, including over 150 manufacturers and distributors. The majority of members live in the UK, although over 1,000 are residents in Hong Kong. The CIPHE is a member of the Construction Industry Council

and a licensed member of the Engineering Council.

Subscriptions P&H Engineering is the magazine for the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, containing technical articles, latest industry news and environmental and educational updates.

It is published four times a year and sent free to members.

Annual subscription for non-member £120

Annual subscription for overseas non-member £145 To join CIPHE, email tims@ciphe.org.uk

KEVIN WELLMAN Chief executive officer kevinw@ciphe.org.uk

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR licensing schemes to exist for those undertaking plumbing, heating and gas work in cities and provinces around the world. This certainly applies in the US and Canada, for example.

In these countries, a licensed plumber is someone who has successfully obtained their trades qualification from a recognised postsecondary school, o ering apprenticeship plumbing programmes. Some plumbers may have additional criteria to satisfy, such as an inter-provincial standards programme that allows a trade worker, like a plumber, to have their provincial trades qualification recognised in other provinces.

campaigning for through our support of the voluntary Register of Plumbers, which was inaugurated in 1886.

BUILD YOUR SKILLS

To enrol for the new qualifi cation, visit lclawards.co.uk/learner-zone/ find-a-centre-near-you/

• Enter your postcode

• Select Renewables Sector

• Select LCL Awards Level 3 Award in Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Systems in Dwellings

Members get the accompanying training guide at a discounted price and a voucher for a reduction in your next membership renewal.

Call 01708 463 116 for more information

Plumbers do not need to be licensed in all cities and provinces, so a trades qualification is what many people refer to when they look for a licensed plumber. A municipal business license is also required for any large or small plumbing company.

Hong Kong has a Licensed Plumber requirement, which duly qualified CIPHE members can apply for. It is arranged through the Water Supplies Department.

Australia also has a licensing scheme in place, which has served the country well for many years. I must admit that I was surprised to hear about the recommendation made by CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia) in its submission to the Federal Government of Australia Employment White Paper to reduce occupational licensing for plumbers and electricians. It is the complete opposite to what the CIPHE has been

Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand (MPANZ) has slammed CEDA’s proposal and said: “Plumbers undergo intensive, specialised training and experience during their apprenticeship, reflecting the breadth, complexity and risk in the work they are responsible for when qualified and licensed.” Whilst there is room for unskilled individuals to be allowed to operate in the UK plumbing and heating industry, it will remain unsurprising that there are many plumbing-related issues that a ect the safety, health and wellbeing of the public and, in some cases, result in fatalities. In addition to issues such as Legionnaires’ disease, we have hundreds of cases of scalding from baths and showers and burns from pipework and radiators. Moreover, insurance underwriters pay out in excess of £1.8m each day in escape of water insurance claims. The vast majority of these are as a result of poor workmanship. As far as the UK is concerned it is a sad reality that things will undoubtedly become worse in the future.

I do hope that the powers that be in Australia fully consider the impact that deregulation would undoubtedly have on their industry and, more importantly, the wellbeing of the public.

Around the world, many areas have tighter licensing rules for plumbers than the UK – and they should look at our problems before considering relaxing them

“In the UK there are many plumbing-related issues that affect the wellbeing of the public”

Government launches new green funding

THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced its £1 billion ECO+ scheme to help thousands better insulate their homes, reduce consumption and save them money.

The new ECO+ scheme will extend support to those who do not currently benefit from any other government support to upgrade their homes. Joining the existing £6.6 billion ‘Help to Heat’ energy schemes, this new £1 billion funding will ensure hundreds of thousands more households benefit from new home insulation and with that, lower bills.

A new £18 million public information campaign will also o er technical tips and advice for people to cut their energy use, while also keeping warm this winter. Alongside the impact on their bills from the Energy Price Guarantee, the campaign will demonstrate how consumers can make significant savings.

About 80% of the funding available through the ECO+ scheme will be made available for those households who are in some of the least energy-e cient homes in the country – that is, those with an EPC rating of D or below – and

in the lower Council Tax bands.

This will help those households who do not currently benefit from any other government support to upgrade their homes. Around a fifth of the fund will also be targeted to those who are the most vulnerable, including those on means-tested benefits or in fuel poverty.

On top of this, the government will significantly expand its Help for Households campaign to help customers to reduce their own household energy usage and bills, while also giving vulnerable groups the right information for doing this without harming their health.

Working with energy suppliers, the Government will start the scheme in April this year and will run for three years to March 2026.

ECO+ has £1 billion in funding and is currently under consultation, which ends on 23 December. The government is looking for feedback on the scheme, which can be given via the link below.

www.gov.uk/government/ consultations/design-of-the-energycompany-obligation-eco-2023-2026

Coroner rules child’s death was caused by mould

Awaab Ishak died in December 2020, eight days after his second birthday, following ‘chronic exposure’ to mould, a court has found. Senior coroner, Ms Joanne Kearsley said that the death of the “engaging, lively, endearing” two-year-old was a direct result of black mould in the flat where he lived.

England’s housing ombudsman, Richard Blakeway, said landlords must prepare to tackle the “real risk of worsening damp and mould issues” as the cost of energy rises.

Ms Kearsley said: “The tragic death of Awaab will, and should, be a defining moment for the housing sector in terms of increasing knowledge, increasing awareness and a deepening of understanding surrounding the issue of damp and mould.”

The findings of the Coroner’s inquest into the death of Awaab made clear his family were failed by their housing association. The government has since taken robust action to make sure that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) acts without delay to improve the living conditions of the tenants for which they are responsible.

Find out more about ensuring adequate ventilation in homes in our feature on page 18

The ECO+ scheme will help people to insulate their homes

ECO+ scheme should help thousands of households reduce running costs and boost sustainability

More social landlords shamed

THE HOUSING OMBUDSMAN has found severe maladministration of handling complaints by Orbit Housing, Lambeth Council and Birmingham City Council.

Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, said: “Each of these landlords has failed their tenants, letting people su er in disgraceful conditions while refusing to listen to complaints or treat them with respect.

“Housing providers will have nowhere to hide once our Social Housing Bill becomes law. A beefed-up Regulator will have the power to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs with landlords footing the bill.

“I’m urging everyone o ering advice, from solicitors to voluntary organisations, to always direct social housing tenants with complaints to the Housing Ombudsman. Every tenant deserves a decent home, and landlords must not use legal cases as an excuse to delay making repairs or act on complaints.”

Ten percent of homes in the social

rented sector failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard in 2021-22, with 177,000 social homes a ected by damp, according to statistics from the English Housing Survey published earlier this month.

Gove announced that he will block government funding to any housing provider that breaches the Regulator of Social Housing’s consumer standards until they can prove they are a responsible landlord, with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing the first provider to be sanctioned (see story, opposite).

The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill will drive up standards in social housing – tackling damp, cold, unsafe homes, making sure landlords don’t ignore tenants and bolstering the Regulator’s power to act.

FMB calls for more support

The launch of the Government’s ‘It All Adds Up’ information campaign to help householders cut their energy bills is a good initiative, but a long-term plan is needed to insulate UK homes to make them more energy e cient, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, CEO of the FMB, said: “For

Consumer showering habits change

New research from Triton has found that 53% of shower users have made changes to the way they bathe in a bid to save money and reduce household bills.

A third of consumers admitted they would consider switching to a more e cient shower type, but 69% said they don’t know enough about the category to commit. The results suggest there is work to be done when it comes to raising awareness of the benefits of electric showers.

Ashley Cooper, marketing director at Triton Showers, said: “Electric showers provide a significant opportunity for consumers to save energy, water and money, thanks to their e cient operation. An electric unit can save up to 52,000 litres of water and knock up to £208 o a three-person household’s bills when compared to alternatives like mixers and baths.”

Plumbing and heating engineers can show customers how much they can save using the water and energy saving calculator, by visiting www. tritonshowers.co.uk/calculator/ savings

years, the FMB has been calling for a Government-backed public information campaign to help us all save energy and make our homes cheaper to heat, so it is good news that they have listened. But a well-funded, multi-channel media campaign is only part of the retrofit puzzle.

“What is urgently needed is a long-term

plan to insulate our 28 million homes, which are some of the leakiest and oldest in Europe. Local builders must be supported to invest in skills and training to deliver retrofit improvements, and the funding announced to incentivise energy e ciency upgrades needs to be brought forward in time for this winter, not next.”

A third of consumers would consider buying a more e cient shower

JTL champions apprenticeships

Training provider JTL is reminding those in the trade industry about the advantages of taking on an apprentice with a new campaign exploring employers’ experiences of apprenticeships.

The ‘Employers like YOU hire apprentices’ campaign encourages employers to take on apprentices by sharing the first-hand experiences of employers who have already done so.

The videos demonstrate how taking on an apprentice is a reliable method for building a skilled and loyal workforce, uniquely tailored to individual businesses’ needs. Each 30-second video contains a direct excerpt from an interview with an employer operating within a trade.

Employers that take on a JTL apprentice will receive a dedicated training o cer to manage the apprenticeship process from the initial appointment through to completion. All JTL apprentices are

supported with learning resources and a free toolkit for their workplace. Hayley Tabberer, campaign manager at JTL, said: “Over the years we’ve explained the financial incentives, the modernisation opportunities and the essential advantages that an apprentice can provide. With this campaign we share first-hand real life experiences from employers who have seen multiple benefits since employing an apprentice.”

Plumber helps those in need

In 2017, James Anderson set up a community interest after being shocked and saddened to discover the low quality of life many of his elderly, disabled, vulnerable and low income customers endured due to poor quality heating and plumbing.

A registered Community Initiative Company, Depher relies on public donations to cover the cost of labour and materials, allowing it to provide free services during the winter months and discounted services at other times. It provides support to people over the age of 65, customers registered disabled and those on a low income.

Depher provides urgent emergency works such as repairing gas leaks, installing new boilers and heating systems –and providing running hot water to those without it.

Since Depher was launched, Anderson has supported over 17,000 people and during the pandemic also branched out into helping distribute personal protective equipment and food to his community. The company now works with 67 subcontractors and thousands of volunteers across the country. He said: “Without support from our community and other donors worldwide Depher would not be able to continue.”

For more information, visit www.depher.com

Championing women in STEM

Ideal Heating is continuing to fly the flag for women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, with three of its team members crowned winners at Hull and East Yorkshire’s Women in Business: Women of Achievement Awards.

Helen Villamuera, engineering director, won the Woman Breaking Boundaries Award in recognition of her achievements. Maria Gillum, senior design engineer, was named the top Woman in STEM across Hull and the East Riding. Nina Weldrick, a fourth-year apprentice technician in Ideal’s engineering services team, claimed the Apprentice/Trainee prize.

Shaun Edwards, CEO of Ideal Heating, said: “Encouraging women into

engineering is important to us; all three of our winners champion this approach, inspiring and helping women understand the opportunities available in manufacturing and engineering.”

TrustMark

o ers 24-7 Support

Installers registered with the Licence Plus scheme from TrustMark can now price installations, order equipment and appliances, and handle payments through their smartphone or tablet thanks to a new partnership with backo ce support app, hiber.

Tradespeople registered under TrustMark’s recently launched Licence Plus scheme will have access to hiber’s back-o ce support and consumer financing options.

Successful AGM for Unified Water Label Association

THE UNIFIED WATER LABEL Association held its AGM in Barcelona on 15 December, with members and supporters from all over Europe attending in person or taking part remotely.

UWLA President Carlos Velazquez was re-elected for a further term of o ce, as was Georg Taubert as UWLA Vice President, Timo Kopka as head of marketing and Christian Taylor Hamlin as head of the technical committee.

Unified Water Label Association MD

Yvonne Orgill updated the meeting on the scheme’s progress, highlighting recent growth and examples of how the Unified Water Label was increasingly being used as the benchmark for government legislation such as the EU Taxonomy Directive.

Velazquez said: “We have made great progress, but our challenge remains to continue to improve visibility of the label in the marketplace. 2023 will be an important year to build on the strong growth we have experienced so far.”

The Licence Plus scheme o ers a vital pathway for aiding TrustMark-registered businesses in their adoption of whole-house retrofits. The scheme aims to showcase installers’ competency and quality workmanship, while supporting e orts towards reducing energy use to save households money and reach the UK’s net zero goals.

Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, said: “We are delighted to have hiber on board to remove some of the administrative pressure from tradespeople, enabling installers to grow their businesses.”

INDUSTRY

Women are underrepresented in STEM

SUSTAINABILITY New recycling scheme

Wolseley has launched a component reuse scheme, which will allow heating engineers to return faulty printed circuit boards, diverter valves and fans, and receive a small payment per component. The faulty components will either be refurbished and o ered back into the market or recycled. Wolseley customers will be able to purchase a selection of Kitemark-approved refurbished products, with a two-year warranty at a lower price than new.

INDUSTRY HVO Vehicles

Heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier TG Lynes has taken the next step on its road to net zero by introducing low carbon Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) vehicles to its fleet.

Improving boiler standards and e ciency

IN DECEMBER, THE DEPARTMENT for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launched a new industry consultation, ‘Improving boiler standards and e ciency’.

The consultation seeks views on proposals to improve boiler and heating system e ciency through improvements to minimum standards, proposals to mandate that from 2026 all newly-installed gas boilers are ‘hydrogen-ready’, and the potential role of gas boiler-electric heat pump hybrids in heat decarbonisation in the 2020s and 2030s.

These proposals aim to reduce domestic gas consumption, thereby lowering consumer bills and carbon emissions, improving the UK’s energy security, and preparing for the transition to low-carbon heating.

Martyn Bridges, director of technical services at Worcester

Bosch, said: “We’re specifically encouraged that BEIS have taken a system-first approach, not just appliance. They cover controls, correct maintenance and tackling boiler oversizing, instead of simply what appliance should generate heat.

“We will be responding to the consultation and supporting where we can. We urge installers, manufacturers and consumers to do the same.

“This consultation is a sign we are moving in the right direction to increase e ciency and reduce emissions in the way we heat our homes, and together we can help further this progress.”

To read the consultation and respond, visit www.gov.uk/ government/consultations/ improving-boiler-standards-ande ciency

TG Lynes has started using HVO in two of its 18 tonne lorries, which were running on diesel, making them 90% more carbon e cient. The business has also installed a 10,000 litre HVO tank at its Enfield base for easy on-site refuelling.

INDUSTRY KENSA FACTORY AND OFFICE OPENING

Sir Nigel Wilson, CEO of Legal & General, has opened the Kensa Group’s factory and o ce at Mount Wellington Mine in Truro, Cornwall. The factory can manufacture 30,000 ground source heat pumps every year –providing the equivalent carbon saving of taking 60,000 cars o the road. Kensa’s own heat pumps provide the buildings with underfloor heating, hot water and cooling by exchanging heat with water from a flooded mine shaft on the historic site.

Government’s energy strategy criticised

IN ITS LATEST report, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has highlighted “significant gaps” in the government’s energy saving and e ciency strategy to secure supplies.

To deliver genuine energy security, the EAC’s report states that the strategy should have placed greater emphasis on energy saving measures. It goes on to say that boosting e ciency in homes and businesses is the fastest way to cut energy usage, but the government missed a “crucial window of opportunity” last summer.

The report also highlighted the poor energy e ciency installation figures in 2022 in comparison to Governmentbacked energy e ciency schemes a decade ago. It suggests a national “war e ort” on energy saving and e ciency will be required and that upgrading homes to Energy Performance Certificate C or above must be

INDUSTRY

TG Lynes announces new MD

Andrew Ingram (left) has been announced as the new managing director at heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier TG Lynes. Long-serving Ingram has taken over the top job at the thriving Enfi eld-based business from Martin Hastings.

a priority to improve the UK’s energy security, cut costs and emissions.

Dr Richard HauxwellBaldwin, research and campaigns manager at MCS Charitable Foundation, who provided evidence to the inquiry, said: “Ministers’ failure to address the intolerable condition of Britain’s heatleaking homes has cost households thousands of pounds, and misery for millions of people. While the government has now announced some much-needed funding for homeowners to insulate their houses, this falls well short of the billions of pounds of investment required to make every home fit for the future.”

Wolseley agrees to acquire Kooltech

Wolseley Group has signed an agreement to acquire Kooltech as it continues to build its portfolio of suppliers and distributors across the UK. The deal is expected to be completed in mid-2023.

Simon Oakland, CEO of the Wolseley Group, said: “Wolseley is continuing to bring together the

UK’s best in our aim to be the most complete specialist provider of plumbing, heating, cooling and infrastructure products. Kooltech joining our group will enable us to extend our o er to customers further across the sector and create new opportunities for Kooltech as part of a broader business.”

“I am delighted that the board agreed with my ideas and has given me the opportunity to carry on Martin’s fantastic work,” said Ingram.

LCB Appoints New Assistant Principal

Chris Tunningley has been appointed assistant principal at Leeds College of Building for Adult Learning and Higher Education. He said: “I am thrilled to start in this post. I’m passionate about how education can raise prospects and know that gaining a sought-after trade while attaining maths, English, and digital skills can be life changing. Studying part-time or following a vocational higher-education pathway like a degree apprenticeship is a hands-on and economical route that ultimately leads to the same successful career destination as traditional academic routes.”

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Read all the latest news, updates, and member benefits Facebook/CIPHE twitter.com/CIPHE www.ciphe.org.uk

Bernard Bateman

MBE HonFCIPHE

Humanist, plumbing and heating business leader and politician

LONG-TIME PLUMBING and heating industry figure, politician and businessman, Bernard Bateman MBE, passed away peacefully on 26 January at the age of 78, following a year-long illness. He will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality; his enthusiastic support for the UK plumbing and heating industry; his unflagging empathy for others and, of course, his signature shock of white hair.

Born in Bristol in 1944 and brought up in South Wales, Bernard achieved a huge amount in his lifetime. In 1967, at the age of 22, he became the youngest ever councillor in Cardiff City Council and in 1973 he became a Magistrate for the Gwent Bench.

In his early career he worked as branch and area manager for plumbing and heating merchants OBC in South Wales, later to become part of Wolseley Hughes Plc. He was promoted in 1978 to sales and marketing director of Yorkshire Heating Supplies, becoming one of the youngest directors of the merchants, and moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Bernard played an important role in the renaming of the brand to Plumb Center in the 1980s and continued to run the sales and marketing function for Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland until 1993. He then joined merchants Harcross as managing director until taking them to sale in 1997. He established Geberit in the UK, where he oversaw the purchase of Caradon Terrain in 1999.

A champion of professionalism in plumbing and heating, he was appointed national President in 1980/81 and in 1987 was awarded Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Plumbers (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). He was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Freeman of the City of London and Honorary Secretary and founder of the World Plumbing Council, an international

organisation which aims to achieve the best possible plumbing for the world through growth and development of the world’s plumbing industries.

Bernard was also appointed to the Water Regulations Advisory Committee by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) in 1999 and played an important part in the introduction of dual-flushing into the UK, saving millions of litres of water every year.

However, many will know Bernard for the amazing plumbing and heating industry trips and conferences that he ran over many years, both in the UK and around the world, covering almost every continent.

In 1993 Bernard was a co-founder and chairman of The Think Tank, a London-based marketing agency, which he launched with his son Liam Bateman and Shaun Madle. The award-winning agency continues to thrive today and Bernard was an active advisor and mentor right up to the end.

Bernard also chaired Ripon YMCA for 29 years, sat on the National Council of the YMCA, was Chairman and President of Age UK North Yorkshire and was chair of Ripon Festivals for over 20 years, responsible for over 50 annual community events. During his lifetime he raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities, including the ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity.

Bernard was awarded an MBE in 1988 for his services to the plumbing industry.

Returning to politics in 1999, he held positions including Mayor of Ripon, Mayor of Harrogate District, Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council and was a Councillor on Harrogate District Council until he was taken ill in 2021.

Bernard is survived by his wife Linda, their two sons, Liam and Nicholas, and four granddaughters.

Kevin Wellman, CEO of CIPHE, responded to the sad news to say:

“Bernard’s infectious enthusiasm was completely unique. His efforts led to the development of the IoP since he joined in 1965. He was responsible for establishing the successful series of regional exhibitions and conferences and the introduction of the Industrial Associates. He was an inspiration to many people over the years and leaves a wonderful legacy. Bernard will be sorely missed by all his friends across the world.”

Bernard Bateman MBE was born in Bristol on 21 March 1944. He died on 26 January, aged 78.

Bernard Bateman was awarded an MBE in 1988

Raymond Gorton’s plumbing career began over 75 years ago and, on occasion, he continues to take up the tools to this day

RAYMOND GORTON joined the plumbing and heating industry two weeks before his 14th birthday in 1945, just as the Second World War was coming to an end. He started out as a bound apprentice working for Arthur Bradshaw Plumbing Company, which carried out plumbing work on domestic and commercial buildings.

“A man came to our house to repair a lead waste pipe and I was fascinated with the blow lamp,” recalls Raymond. “It was this experience that led me into plumbing. I was too young to attend technical college as the minimum age was 16, so I joined a basic engineering course run by the education department.”

Once Raymond had completed his two-year course, he attended the technical college in Bury, Lancashire where he achieved a technical and national certifi cate in building construction. He also went on to gain a City and Guilds certifi cate in sanitary and domestic engineering.

After finishing his apprenticeship, Raymond was drafted into the Royal Engineers to carry out his national service. He was posted to Elgin, Inverness in Scotland to carry out training as a fi eld engineer.

“The course wasn’t very long and soon after completion I was posted to the Suez Canal,” recalls Raymond. “I was a plumber carrying out pipe fitting during the day and at night I was put on guard.”

Building a career

When Raymond returned home to the UK, he met his late wife Mavis. It was at this point that he decided to study sanitary and domestic engineering at Bolton College. By 1956, he had become a registered plumber.

“In my mid-20s I secured a position in a heating drawing o ce,” explains Raymond. “It was 1958 and the average home didn’t have central heating, so it was an exciting time.

“It was around 1960 that I went to work for a firm of architects called Scherrer and Hicks, designing plumbing and drainage for universities and chemical factories. I loved designing and calculating the water flows.”

Becoming an apprentice at the age of 14 was just the beginning of a long, varied and satisfying career in the industry. Now 91, Raymond believes we should push harder for opportunities for apprentices.

RAYMOND GORTON ENGTECH MCIPHE RP

Once a plumber, always a plumber”

“I was a plumber during the day and at night I was put on guard”

At 91, Raymond carried out plumbing work on a new house and even worked on the lead flashing for the windows

Celebrating his 90th birthday with his grandsons (L-R) James, Alex and Thomas Dixon

Raymond remained in this position for six years and it sparked his interest in plumbing design. In 1966 he obtained a first class City and Guilds certificate in plumbing design.

“After I had finished my course I joined a multinational engineering company called G N Haydon, which specialised in heating, ventilation and plumbing,” explains Raymond. “I worked in the drawing office and worked my way up to become drawing office manager.”

In 1971 Raymond went to work for the HAT Group as a director, running a small heating and plumbing company in Bolton, with 70 employees. Here he worked on large projects, such as factories, schools and universities.

Raymond’s next position at Christian Salvesen was as a commercial heating manager where he carried out similar work to his previous role. His final post before retirement was with Robert Hayworth as a heating manager. While he was with the company he achieved a City and Guilds heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician’s certificate.

Semi-retirement

Raymond has completed many courses over the years to keep up to date with changes in the industry. “I am proud of my craft and I still have

Did you know?

Historically, being bound in an apprenticeship referred to the indentured service that apprentices were obligated to give to their masters for a set amount of time.

all my tools,” he says. “The saddest thing today is the lack of apprentices. In the drawing office we used to take apprentices directly from the grammar school. I have always believed in apprenticeships, but I don’t think we push hard enough for them.”

Although Raymond retired at the age of 60, he went on to build two houses and carried out the plumbing work and even the lead work to the dormer windows at 91 years of age.

“Despite the fact that I officially retired some years ago, I have continued to have involvement with plumbing work,” admits Raymond. “Plumbing has given me a very good living and it has been my life. Once a plumber always a plumber.”

GET IN TOUCH

Would you like to share your story? Contact the editor on pandhengineering@ jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

Above left: (L-R) Raymond at a charity dinner, with Henry Cooper (boxer) and Terry Ratcliffe (architect). Left: Raymond still has his tools. Above: Raymond became a registered plumber in 1956.

Below: Raymond with his late wife, Mavis

“The average home didn’t have central heating, so it was an exciting time”

Illustrations: Adam Gale

FRESH FOCUS

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the importance of adequate ventilation to ensure healthy living, public and workspaces has received greater attention. Updates to Building Regulations Part F, providing guidance on building ventilation, including building air quality and preventing condensation in domestic or nondomestic buildings, came into force in June last year.

Currently, although social housing is regulated, the quality of the housing stock and treatment of tenants by landlords is not investigated. The update to Part F is a step in the right direction, but with so many people living in substandard conditions, more needs to be done to ensure ventilation is properly addressed and regulated, particularly within the social housing sector.

Regulatory reform is slow, even following the Grenfell tragedy. The promise to give the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) more oversight over housing standards and landlords’ treatment of tenants is still yet to receive royal assent almost six years later.

The death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 is a stark example of the potential consequences of poor ventilation in social housing. His death was confirmed late last year to be a direct result of long-term exposure to

damp and mould in his family’s flat, which wasn’t rectified by the social landlord. The case has sent shockwaves through the social housing sector and beyond, underlining the vital importance of proper ventilation for good health.

Following the conclusion of the inquest into Awaab’s death, Fiona MacGregor, CEO of the RSH wrote to all social housing providers, asking them to submit data on their damp and mould systems and submit evidence that they have systems in place to deal with it properly.

MacGregor wrote in the letter: “The tragic case of Awaab Ishak, who died of a respiratory condition caused by mould in his home, has rightly focused attention on the responsibility of all registered providers – private and local authority – to ensure that the homes they provide are well-maintained and of a decent standard.

“It demonstrates the serious effects that having damp and mould in their homes can have on people’s health and it has highlighted once again the importance of providers listening to their tenants’ concerns.”

Championing change

The new, updated regulations state that it is the explicit responsibility of a building contractor, sub-contractor or

installer to ensure that all work complies with and meets building regulation requirements. Following the correct procedures is crucial to meeting the latest technical performance standards, which ensure that ventilation in a dwelling is safe and fit for purpose. This should be confirmed under inspection from a building inspector or building control officer.

“There is also much greater clarity [in the updated regulations] on when the addition of energy efficiency measures triggers the need for ventilation to be added to existing buildings,” says Colin Timmins, director of technology sectors at BEAMA. “It has always been the case that work on buildings should not make the level of ventilation worse, but this was difficult to quantify. The more explicit guidance in the regulations is welcome.”

The government’s greater focus on building safety and the obvious link between poor indoor air quality and poor health will result in more instances of non-compliance being noted and addressed.

“The new Building Safety Bill aims to drive culture change across the industry to enable the design and construction of high-quality, safe homes,” says Timmins. “Homeowners will have 15 years to claim compensation for sub-

Prioritising insulation in buildings is a positive move for reducing carbon emissions and the cost of living, but adequate ventilation is vital to ensure public health

YOU SAY…

PRACTICAL APPROACH

“I think the regulations to save energy have created inadequately ventilated buildings. Proper ventilation systems should be used in classrooms. Perhaps a warm heater with heat exchanger to recover heat and introduce fresh air, with adequate access to the units and correctly designed and installed ductwork.”

Simon Hinves, MCIPHE

SIMPLE SOLUTION

“We do a lot of social housing work and properties suffering from damp are usually poorly ventilated, poorly insulated and poorly heated. When all three of the above are addressed most of the damp disappears.”

John Doherty, MCIPHE

PERFECT BALANCE

“Ventilation is required to prevent condensation forming, but care needs to be taken to prevent heat loss. It can be tricky to get the balance right.”

Lawrence Hocking, MCIPHE

standard construction work and building owners may face criminal charges if they cannot demonstrate that safety, which should include occupant health, has been considered at every stage of a building’s lifetime, particularly for high rise buildings. The whole enforcement regime will also be looked at, with the Building Safety Regulator setting minimum performance standards that building control bodies must meet, with power to act against those found to be underperforming.”

Public health

BEAMA has long been campaigning to raise awareness of the potential impacts of poor indoor air quality on human health. Linked to a range of health conditions, poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is responsible for a significant loss of healthy life years, loss of life and disease

burden. This also has a considerable impact on costs to the NHS and the wider economy.

“People spend around 90% of their time indoors, which means that our potential risk of exposure is many times that of the risk from pollution outdoors, as air quality and virus transmission indoors can be significantly worse than outdoors,” explains Timmins.

“Poor indoor air quality has been linked to allergies and asthma, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease. More recently, it has even been investigated for its links to dementia. A report into the health effects of indoor air quality on children and young people in 2020 revealed that indoor air pollution caused respiratory problems in children right through from infancy to school age.”

Holistic approach

In 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published new guidelines, which demonstrated the importance of improved IAQ. It recommended adopting a whole-house approach to heating and ventilation and balancing indoor air quality with standards for energy use.

“As the government builds towards its net zero target, homes are becoming more airtight,” points out Timmins. “With energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, being retrofitted to the existing housing stock and new homes built to ever higher levels of energy efficiency, the need for effective ventilation becomes increasingly important.”

There have been numerous studies that highlight the critical role that ventilation plays in removing indoor pollutants and stopping them accumulating. However, BEAMA argues that unless the building industry adopts a ‘ventilate and insulate’ approach, the UK is risking a serious public health burden in the years to come by sealing pollutants and viruses in our homes.

Timmins explains: “An effective ventilation system will be extracting moisture and removing particles and pollutants in the air, such as dust mites or Volatile Organic Compounds

(VOCs), which will be detrimental to health if they’re not removed. A family of four can create as much as 24 pints of moisture in a day and this needs to be extracted, otherwise issues such as mould and damp can result in damage with costly consequences.”

The pandemic has also brought the subject of IAQ in public spaces to the fore and ventilation is now being acknowledged as a key component of building design as occupancy levels begin to return to near normal levels.

“Within building services, good ventilation is vital for improving and maintaining good IAQ, which is vital for the comfort, safety and wellbeing of those within all indoor environments,” says Dave Millard, group product manager at Elta Group. “For younger, more vulnerable individuals, such as pupils, air pollutants can be particularly harmful to their wellbeing. Building on this, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that CO2 and harmful particulates also directly hinder learning and concentration levels.”

Building confidence

In order to deliver good IAQ in UK buildings in the move towards net zero homes, ventilation needs to be considered along with insulation. It is also vital that the industry delivers high quality installations, that are fully compliant with regulations, to ensure effectiveness of ventilation.

“For the ventilation industry, the quality of installation has become the number one issue,” says Timmins. “As it stands, ensuring competency of installers and compliance with building regulations results in installations that meet the standards expected. Compulsory checks and assessments on ventilation provision alongside the installation of energy efficiency measures, as required under the building regulations and set out in PAS 2035, needs to be understood and enforced more widely.

“To help consumers understand their ventilation requirements better, an assessment of current levels of ventilation and how this could be improved should be included as part of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) package.”

BEAMA Bite-size guides

The Building Regulations Approved Documents contain a lot of detail, which can make it difficult for heating and plumbing engineers to understand what’s required of them. The BEAMA Bite-size guides, focusing on Part F (ventilation), can help installers and contractors to quickly understand some of the new requirements and what they need to do to comply.

“They can also help householders to be clear on what they should expect from installations,” says Timmins. “Hopefully this will encourage a healthy dialogue between the customer and installer to ensure that the end result is a healthy and compliant home.”

To find out more visit, https://tinyurl.com/3rnr8muw

Missing link

Pre-pandemic, many companies relied on natural ventilation, such as open windows, but there are now more sophisticated ways to ensure indoor air is free from lingering pathogens or viruses. It is therefore vital that facilities managers have a deep understanding of how ventilation solutions work.

Elta Group is urging businesses to adopt best practices when it comes to IAQ. Its Fans Building Services division is encouraging business leaders and managers to take action and start putting sensors and monitors in buildings to help improve IAQ. The company is already leading by example, having received one of the UK’s first RESET certifications at its head office in the Midlands. To achieve the new accreditation, the ventilation company has decreased its peak CO2 levels by 33%.

One way in which social, private and commercial landlords can ensure the safety of their tenants is by using innovative technology that connects to existing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. These ‘gateways’ use the internet

to send data from environmental sensors placed inside homes to collect data using 4G roaming SIMs.

“The environment sensors connected to the gateway pass temperature, humidity and CO2 data at 15-minute intervals and will last for 10 years on one battery,” explains Chris Jones, CEO at HomeLINK, part of Aico. “This data is converted into a number of insights such as damp and mould risk, ventilation effectiveness, and heat loss (thermal performance of fabric).”

The data helps landlords develop more efficient maintenance, compliance, and sustainability strategies. The landlord is able to identify, prioritise and track issues with damp and mould and their potential underlying causes.

“The data and insights are also presented to the resident who is able to gain a deeper understanding into the healthiness of their home, ensure their safety, and make savings on energy use,” says Jones. “The impact of the indoor environment on health is severe and, while the research is clear on this, many people are still unaware of the risks.”

Too cool for school

Using green technologies was key to creating a new school building with healthy learning spaces

Founded in 1555, Gresham’s is a historic co-educational school, set in 200 acres between the North Norfolk coast and countryside in the Georgian market town of Holt.

The buildings on the Gresham’s campus reflect different eras as the school has grown and developed, but the most recent addition to the school is the award-winning Dyson Building.

The 4,000m² education facility was built using a generous £19m donation from former pupil Sir James Dyson and his wife, Lady Deirdre Dyson, and features classrooms, laboratories, workshops and flexible open-plan work/social spaces dedicated to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics).

The vision

The first meeting to discuss the project took place on Valentine’s Day 2019, with building works commencing in May 2020. The project took two-and-a-half years from the initial meeting to completion, which included achieving planning permission on a site adjacent to a listed building and the constraints imposed by the pandemic.

James Dyson has long campaigned for increased focus on the teaching of engineering and technology in schools, with the James Dyson Foundation established in 2002 to inspire the next generation of engineers.

“The Dyson Building reflects the combined vision of Sir James Dyson and Gresham’s – a building to enable excellence in teaching and learning and

Crunching the numbers

£19m development costs

4,000m² of learning space

30 months to complete

3 heat pumps

35 bore holes

165m average borehole depth

5,775m total bore length

collaboration across the curriculum subjects,” says Robert Dale, senior partner at Daniel Connal Partnership, who project managed the scheme. “The opportunities for making the building as sustainable and user-friendly as possible were identifi ed and pursued from the outset – ultimately becoming a key and very visible principle.”

Located at the heart of the school site, the Dyson Building is next to the school chapel, which is a listed building, and more modern buildings, such as the Auden Theatre (1998) and The Britten Building (2017).

“The ultra-modern design of the Dyson Building was conceived by architects Wilkinson Eyre to sit lightly and comfortably within this environment – the thermally e cient glazing

reflecting the natural landscape of the surroundings and the copper cladding echoing tones in the brickwork of the memorial chapel, Britten Building and Auden Theatre,” explains Dale.

Environmentally friendly

The sustainable elements of the build include thermal glazing and passive ventilation systems that provide light and healthy spaces. As well as the glass and ventilation, the orientation of the building, brise soleil (sun blocking structures), photovoltaics, copper panels and green living walls ensure natural thermal comfort.

“The biophilic walls are made up of 11,000 individual plants (25 di erent species) to actively promote biodiversity, aid air purifi cation, and improve sound insulation in the building,” explains Dale.

“These walls, together with open views to surrounding landscaping, promote positive mental health for students and teachers alike,” says Dale. “The inclusion of green technologies will reduce future operating costs and energy usage, contributing to the economic viability and sustainability of the school.”

Windcatchers provide passive

ventilation by drawing air from the outside into internal classrooms, while people using the perimeter classrooms are able to open panels behind the perforated copper façade. The science labs, however, feature automated panels that are activated by CO2 sensors. During the night, ventilation panels are opened, using a building management system, for purge cooling.

The building is surrounded by 26 planted fins, that support climbing jasmine and ivy, with brise soleil at roof and first floor levels to reduce solar glare and regulate the building’s internal temperature.

“Temperature regulation, thermal comfort and fresh circulating air is extremely important for e ective study and teaching,” says Dale. “The stack e ect draws fresh, cool air into the building at low level and expels warmer air at the roof.”

The desire for sustainability in the building drove the choice of ground source heat pumps, which were chosen to provide heating and cooling in the building and enabled the school to avoid using fossil fuels for heating.

Three Dimplex ground source heat pumps – two 130kW and one 90kW – were supplied by Rendesco to provide all the space heating and cooling to the new STEAM building via

a

Pipework for the heat pumps features valves that open and close to provide heating and cooling

The exterior of the Dyson STEAM Building, featuring sustainable elements

YOU KNOW?

Award-winning design

The construction industry is delivering truly exceptional projects and the CABE Built Environment Awards shine a spotlight on this excellence.

The CABE Award Panel selected the Dyson Building as the New Build Award winner, recognising the project team’s desire to produce a high quality building that is safe and inclusive, a building that incorporates sustainable technologies, and creates positive benefits not just for the client, but for the users.

CABE Award Panel Chair, Lord John Lytton, commented: “The Dyson Building is stunning, the attention to detail for both the technical aspects and the aesthetic appeal of the building is extraordinary.”

mixture of distribution systems including fan coil units and underfloor heating.

“Thirty-six closed-loop boreholes were created, each with an average depth of 174m and a total bore length of 5,775m,” explains Tom Lloyd, commercial director at Rendesco. “These provide the energy to the ground source heat pumps. The ground acts as a heat source when the heat pumps operate in heating mode and as a heat sink when the heat pumps are operating in cooling mode.”

Careful costing

To ensure the building fulfilled both Dyson’s vision and the school’s aspirations within the fixed budget required careful management. The entire design team worked with the school in a collaborative value-engineering exercise – finding innovative cost-saving design solutions which achieved the desired finish quality while meeting the school’s operational needs.

“For example, the exposed steel frame, thermal glazing, passive ventilation, PVs, copper panels and green living walls, designed by Wilkinson Eyre, were fulfilled with bespoke design solutions to address affordability and maintainability, such as standard openable windows behind the perforated copper cladding curtain,” explains Dale.

This approach reduced the cost plan by 12% while achieving all of the project’s aesthetic and functional aims. Furthermore, the collaborative approach

with planners resulted in a Planning Performance Agreement and receipt of planning consent within just five months of passing RIBA Stage 2.

“Excellence and quality were key drivers across this scheme, which uses creative, considered, and bespoke construction techniques together with sustainable solutions to deliver the combined vision of Sir James Dyson and the School,” says Douglas Robb, headmaster at Gresham’s. “This has resulted in an outstanding, state of the art, cross-disciplinary learning and teaching environment, which inspires collaboration across disciplines.

“Reflecting Sir James’ engineering background, it’s a building where engineering itself is showcased, with a key principle being for pupils to be able to see how the building functions and fits together as a whole, rather than concealing its workings behind ceilings and linings. The iconic Dyson Building will have an immeasurable impact on pupils’ learning now and for decades to come.”

“Temperature regulation, thermal comfort and fresh circulating air is extremely important for effective study and teaching”

The building features flexible open-plan work and social spaces

Twin head pumps, with heating buffer vessel

DID

Windcatchers are passive ventilation systems that require no energy for operation

Stemming the flow

With environmental issues high on the Government’s agenda, more needs to be done to reduce water waste and incidences of discharging sewage

UK Water E ciency Strategy to 2030

In the UK, an abundance of safe running water is something we take for granted. However, in 2022, as the mercury rose during the summer months, making it the warmest year since records began, many parts of the UK experienced hosepipe bans in an attempt to save water reserves. This has led many consumers to question why there isn’t enough water to go around.

It’s not just the apparent lack of water reserves that has got consumers concerned. Over the last year, UK water companies have frequently found themselves in the news for the discharge of sewage into bathing waters around the country. This not only caused beach closures in some areas, but raised environmental and public health concerns.

Scarce supplies

The government’s optimistic environmental targets for the UK have led to greater focus on water leakage. According to the economic regulator, Ofwat, around a fifth of water running through pipes is lost to leaks and it expects water companies in England and Wales to improve on this. Although the number of leaks has reduced in recent years, following Ofwat intervention and water companies being set stretching targets, more still needs to be done.

According to Ofwat, 20 million people in England and Wales were subject to hosepipe bans last year. As the pressures around population growth and climate change increase, tackling leakage is vital.

Leakage refers to water that companies cannot account for that has entered

The UK Water E

Strategy, prepared by Waterwise in 2022, sets out a cross-sector pathway to greater water e ciency. Increased water e ciency has an essential role to play in helping ensure we have enough water for people, the economy and the environment now and in the future.

For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/98rjp4fm

ciency

“Customers rightly expect water companies to lead by example in caring for water”

their system, but has not been delivered to homes, businesses or used in their operations. Water companies’ leakage targets and figures are based on the pipes that they are responsible for maintaining, including pipes that supply properties.

While some leaks are inevitable, due to worn or damaged pipes, companies are expected to repair and replace pipes to reduce the amount of water lost.

Ofwat has reported progress in this area, with over 40% of pipes

Why save water and reduce water demand?

To secure future water supplies and adapt to climate change

To enable future growth

To improve the natural environment

To help us reach net zero

To save money and help support people with affordability issues

To deliver on Sustainable Development Goals

replaced since privatisation 30 years ago. Its innovation fund is enabling transformative initiatives to look at new ways of identifying and tackling leakage.

Positive action

According to Ofwat, the best way to secure a future water supply is water companies tackling leakage, which is why it has tasked them with cutting it by 16% in the five years to 2025.

The provisional figures show that progress has been made, with three quarters of the companies meeting their targets, and some have reduced leakage by more than 10% over the past two years. Figures show that industry-wide leakage has been reduced by 11% since 2017-18, heading towards the target of a 50% reduction by 2050.

David Black, Ofwat CEO, commented: “It is encouraging to see progress in tackling leakage, with some companies making significant reductions. We welcome the improvements companies have made in reducing leakage and it’s encouraging to see things heading in the right direction. That said, there is much further to go. In the drier weather we are all acutely aware of the impact

of climate change and the value and importance of water. Customers rightly expect water companies to lead by example in caring for water and helping households to do the same.”

Safeguarding future supplies

The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) estimated that new water supplies, equivalent to the water consumed by over nine million people, would be needed in England by the mid-2030s. The Environment Agency also stated that if no action is taken between 2025 and 2050, there will be a shortfall of around 4,000 million extra litres of water per day in public water supply.

Climate change is also responsible for fluctuating water supplies and increased consumer consumption. However, water efficiency can play an important

“We need to see leadership from across government, communities and business”

part to help mitigate its impact by reducing greenhouse gases.

“If we think about the way water is used during heat waves, we see huge spikes in demand for water,” points out Jo Osborn, policy and projects manager and sustainability champion at Waterwise. “Reusing water or collecting and harvesting rainwater will help us manage high-demand periods.”

Reducing water consumption will also have a positive impact on 10% of freshwater and wetland species that are currently threatened with extinction in the UK. The water we use is taken from the natural environment, so the more water that is saved, the more there is left for nature.

Positive impact

Despite greater awareness of the importance of reducing water consumption, consumers are still unaware of how much they actually use and how much they waste on a daily basis.

According to research by Savanta ComRes for Water UK and Waterwise, 46% of people believe their household uses under 20 litres of water a day when, in fact, the average person in the UK uses 142 litres a day. This highlights where significant savings could be made.

“Personal water use in the home has increased by over 60% since the 1960s and there are an additional 13 million people now living in the UK,” says Osborn. “This means that overall we are using around twice as much water in UK homes as 60 years ago – more than five billion litres more water a day – that’s 2,000 Olympic swimming pools.”

This increase in water demand is already putting pressure on water supplies and the heating and plumbing community can play an important role in educating and advising their customers on how to reduce their consumption.

“Day in, day out installers are interacting with consumers and helping them make choices which could really influence their water use,” says Osborn. “Having conversations about water use and helping to share their knowledge of water will be hugely important. By fitting water efficient kit, installers can help customers to save money on their utility bills, which is a great selling point.”

Many consumers don’t consider the energy it takes to just produce and deliver each litre of water. According to Waterwise, around 5-6% of UK greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to our use of water, so even modest savings can help the UK achieve its Net Zero goals.

A lot of the water that’s used in kitchens and bathrooms is heated, so by encouraging customers to use less they will also be reducing their energy bills. Additionally, people don’t often realise that a lot of the leakage included in

the water company figures can include leaking pipes on their property or business network, so engineers helping them to find and fix the leaks that are their responsibility will have a huge impact on UK consumption.

“Water companies have a big part to play as they have such direct contact with consumers,” says Osborn. “We are pleased they have made commitments to reduce leakage by 50% by 2050 as leading by example is important, if at the same time they are asking consumers to use less. We need to see leadership from across government, communities and business to really make a difference.”

GET IN TOUCH

For more information about the work of Waterwise and how the organisation might be able to help you lead the way in water efficiency, email info@waterwise.org.uk or visit www.waterwise.org.uk

“Personal water use in the home has increased by over 60% since the 1960s”

Room for two?

Copper piping is still widely used throughout the industry and for good reason. However, the practical and time-saving benefits that plastic push-fit pipes offer can also be extremely attractive to plumbing and heating engineers.

“Polybutylene push-fit pipes offer a level of versatility that copper simply can’t match,” asserts Steve Harris, technical support engineer at Wavin. “Push-fit is definitely the best solution when working in tight, awkward or hard-to-reach areas as the pipes can flex and be easily cabled through joists and under floorboards, unlike rigid systems.”

Plastic pipes are also very forgiving, easily adaptable to last-minute changes when something needs adjusting. However, there is room for installer error when it comes to push-fit installation on plastic pipework. If inserts are forgotten during this work then leaks can occur.

Sustainability

Although plastic pipes provide a cheaper alternative to metal, when it comes to the environmental impact, copper is arguably more sustainable than plastic. Copper can be infinitely recycled without any loss of performance or properties.

Although copper piping was historically viewed as a superior product, modern plastic has many benefits too

“Around half of Europe’s copper demand is currently being met by recycled materials and, to date, at least 65% of all copper mined remains in circulation, available for use,” says Andrew Surtees, co-founder of the Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP). “Additionally, according to the International Copper Association, about two thirds of the copper produced since 1900 is still in use today.”

According to data from The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA), the environmental impact of plastic pipe systems across applications including soil and waste, hot and cold water and fresh water supply, is significantly lower than non-plastic alternatives.

“Copper is a conductor, so water traveling in the pipes will lose heat on its way to the spout or showerhead – wasting valuable energy and water volume,” points out Steve Harris, technical support engineer at Wavin. “Polybutylene, on the other hand, is a non-conductor and has insulative properties.

“In addition, by being quicker, safer and easier to install, plastic push-fit systems save installers time that can otherwise be spent on getting to grips with more sustainable technologies like heat pumps, underfloor heating or control systems.”

Safety

Copper is known for its thermal resilience and has the ability to withstand fluctuating temperatures. In fact, its incredibly high melting point means copper pipes won’t melt, burn or give off toxic fumes in a building fire, like some plastic pipes can.

“Additionally, plastic pipes have been known to allow pesticides and other soil

contaminants through into drinking water and studies have shown that certain types of pipes containing plastic can leach MTBE, a toxic petroleum by-product, into drinking water,” says Surtees.

Although copper has naturally occurring anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties that discourage the growth of harmful organisms, if pipes contain limescale then it is possible for water-borne diseases like Legionnaires’ to develop.

Benefits

Today’s plastic push-fit systems are incredibly durable and, if properly installed and maintained, should last decades, which is why some products on the market come with a 50-year guarantee.

“Copper can be used for products that need to keep their integrity for hundreds of thousands of years,” says Surtees. “For example, copper makes up part of Sweden’s nuclear waste handling technology where copper canisters encapsulate the radioactive waste for long-term storage. The canisters are required to keep their integrity for at least 100,000 years, but are thought to last five times longer.”

Copper piping is extremely versatile and can be used across a range of utilities, including water, heating, gas and air conditioning, both inside and outside, while offering greater longevity than plastic.

“The use of plastic push-fit systems makes the installation process much quicker, safer and easier for installers,” argues Harris. “The systems are available in longer lengths and there’s no need for any extra equipment for soldering or gluing either, it is just pushed into place to create a watertight seal. This also removes the need for hot works or solvents onsite, greatly improving safety for installers and their customers.

“Plastic systems are also much more resistant to the cold, even maintaining their flexibility in temperatures as low as -15°C. This makes them much less likely to burst than rigid copper systems and

helps customers avoid the need for costly repairs and emergency winter call-outs.”

When it comes to heating and plumbing systems, copper and plastic both have a lot to offer, with each material serving a practical purpose in different circumstances. While plastic pipes offer speed and versatility, copper pipes are infinitely recyclable and will last for decades. Ultimately, the type of piping material that’s chosen for a job all comes down to the application and personal preference.

YOU SAY…

UNDER PRESSURE

“I teach plumbing at numerous colleges and dislike polybutylene pipes and their big, ugly fittings. Lots of learners forget the inserts, so fittings blow off under pressure. As they are re-used, the grab rings get blunter which again causes fittings to come off under pressure. Give me copper capillary or compression fittings anytime.”

Neil Marsh, EngTech, MCIPHE, Master Plumber

PROPER PLACEMENT

“Plastic piping in floors and boxings is correct practice. The notion of copper being used in floors is antiquated, as is anyone who champions it. All surface pipe work should be in copper.”

Steve Atkins, MCIPHE

“Push-fit pipes offer a level of versatility that copper simply can’t match”

EDUCATION

VIEWS, NEWS AND DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING NEW RECRUITS TO OUR INDUSTRY

The college currently has around 2,800 apprentices on its register

The right fit

Philip Bray, head of faculty for sustainable building services at Leeds College of Building, discusses apprenticeships and the importance of employers understanding how they work

As the only specialist general further education construction college in the UK, former BTEC Apprenticeship Provider of the Year, and CIPHE Approved Training Centre, Leeds College of Building is at the forefront of apprenticeship development.

The college currently works with over 800 employers – from local companies to global corporations – and has around 2,800 apprentices in diverse specialisms enrolled, making it one of the largest apprenticeship training providers in construction nationally.

When it comes to hiring an apprentice, some employers still have reservations and there are challenges that need to be overcome to make it a more appealing prospect.

“Some employers may not feel that they have the time to dedicate to working with a novice, particularly during busy times of the year, as they feel that they will slow them down,” explains Philip Bray. “A lot of plumbing and heating engineers operate small companies or are

one-man bands and it is a lot of commitment to take them on for four years. Additionally, the logistics of picking up apprentices can be tricky as heating engineers travel around to clients, so ideally anyone they take on would need to live close to them.

“The benefits for employers investing their time in an apprenticeship will mean that they will have a team member who they can rely on and work well with. Four years is a long time and at the end of that employers will have a skilled worker who can earn them a lot of money.”

Perfect pairing

Some students attending the college already have an apprenticeship and their employers want to enrol

them on a course. Others are looking for apprenticeships and the college works with local employers to find the ideal match for both parties. When it comes to finding an apprenticeship or apprentice, it isn’t as simple as picking a student at random, according to Bray. Placement o cers work hard to ensure they suggest the right student for the job.

“We run study programmes in all aspects of construction, with an aim to get each student a placement,” explains Bray. “To ensure that students get first-hand experience we work with employers to take students on week-long site visits before being placed with an employer. This is also a great way for employers to try out a potential apprentice.”

If

“We run study programmes in all aspects of construction, with an aim to get each student a placement”

you are considering a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship for employees, read the Employer’s Guide to Professional & Technician Apprenticeships, for more information. https://tinyurl.com/2m5beh9r

SUSTAINABILITY Skills shortage

Although there is a large skills gap, teaching apprentices about renewables is difficult to deliver as employers need to be covering the required tasks on site and demand from consumers remains relatively low.

“The college invested heavily in renewables in 2010 and nothing really came of it,” recalls Bray. “If we were to offer the heat pump route to students, we need to make sure it is viable to run.”

The Government’s mini budget did not offer funding for further education colleges and Bray says they need to invest in developing new recruits, but there simply aren’t enough teachers to deliver the courses.

“It is hard for further education facilities to prepare if we don’t know what direction the government is going in,” adds Bray. “We also need to upskill our staff as well. The reality is that wages are higher on the tools than in education, so it is hard to entice someone from the industry to teach. In fact, teachers are looking to go back into industry.”

Understanding apprenticeships

Finding suitable employers for apprentices is not an easy task and the COVID-19 outbreak has made it more difficult. Although there is a vague sense of normalcy within the industry, things are still not as they were pre-pandemic.

“It has become increasingly difficult to get employers to engage, while others don’t fully understand the apprenticeship process and what is required of the

students from an academic standpoint,” says Bray. “Some employers come to us with apprentices, but they don’t have the right qualifications to enrol on the courses. It is important that if employers are seeking their own apprentices, such as friends and family, they ensure that they are capable of passing the exams.”

When pairing students with employers for apprenticeships the college looks at students’ grades and supports them with extra tuition if required.

Employers’ role

One of the main issues that arises with apprentices is that the employer doesn’t fully appreciate their role in the process. Although the apprentices are a spare pair of hands when times are busy, it’s important that they support them in their academic endeavours too.

“No matter how busy the employer is, it is vital that they allow their apprentices to come to college for their study day,” says Bray. “If they miss

their day in college then they miss out on essential information and are more likely to fail their end phase test. If they fail, they will not receive funding to retake the course.”

It is important that potential employers speak to their local further education providers about apprenticeships and they will be able to explain the funding rules, entry requirements and skills scan (which assesses the individual’s competence against the knowledge, skills and behaviour requirements of the standard). They will also be able to put reliable students forward for apprenticeships.

The College provides a recruitment service to

employers, which includes:

• guidance about employer funding support and incentives;

• advertising vacancies internally;

• candidate screening;

• providing access to full-time students;

• offering interview-hosting facilities and assistance;

• work experience support.

FIND OUT MORE

For apprenticeship vacancies follow the links below:

“Employers need to be doing all of this type of work in order for students to achieve the standard,” says Bray. However, potential employers should not be put off. “We’re happy to speak with employers, to offer our guidance on apprenticeship funding and incentives at individual organisations, and explain where we can support training needs.”

• England: gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

• Scotland: apprenticeships.scot/find-a-vacancy

• Wales: careerswales.gov.wales/apprenticeship-search

• Northern Ireland: nidirect.gov.uk/services/search-apprenticeshipopportunities

“Employers need to be doing this type of work in order for students to achieve the standard”

Bray says employers need to be aware of what is required of plumbing apprentices

Leeds College of Building is a nationally recognised training centre

THE FIX

CIPHE Lead

consultant

Saving energy through water e ciency

Measures to control water usage don’t just preserve this precious resource – they can also help to reduce energy use, too

The CIPHE and its technical working groups helped drive the policy for low temperature heating in domestic properties, subsequently developing a low temperature heating and hot water qualifi cation to support the education of plumbing and heating installers. However, working towards more environmentally friendly buildings isn't just about saving energy through a more e cient heat source or lower temperature heat emitter. Water

e ciency can also play a role in the decarbonisation of our homes.

Water consumption

According to the Energy Saving Trust's (EST) At Home with Water report, the majority of British people don't realise how much water they use, with estimates generally falling between 50 and 100 litres per day. However, the average person actually uses around 142 litres of water per day and the average household 349 litres.

Consumers don't want to sacrifice powerful-feeling showers

Kelda's water-efficient shower technology

Showering has become the biggest consumer of water in the home. In fact, the EST says a typical shower lasts for 7.5 minutes and uses 75 litres. A SAP Industry Forum report (SAPIF Technologies Report) found that showers account for 50% of total household water consumption.

The UK is not immune from droughts during the summer months, which is when we actually realise how valuable water is to our daily lives. However, there are ways of saving energy through reducing water consumption.

One of the biggest challenges with reducing water consumption in the UK is consumers' expectations of a powerful shower, so simple measures such as reducing the flow to shower can ultimately lead to consumer complaints.

The more water that's used, the more energy is required to heat the hot water. In fact, according to the SAP report, domestic hot water is responsible for 36% of total household energy demand, which means showering accounts for

as much as 18%.

As fabric efficiency improves under the tightening of the Future Homes Standard, domestic hot water provision will overtake space heating as the main regulated energy demand in all but the largest house types.

Decarbonising showering

We all enjoy the luxurious feeling of a powerful shower, therefore it’s perfectly reasonable to assume that if the flow rate of water is reduced, the experience and performance is compromised. So, the big challenge is, how do you deliver the same showering experience whilst using less water?

Shower technology, where water efficiency is concerned, has changed little over the last 40 years, with no major developments in water efficiency. However there has been a lot of innovation recently in air powered technology.

Conventional ‘aerating’ showers use the Venturi principle to restrict flow and draw atmospheric air into the water

“Showering has become the biggest consumer of water in the home. In fact, the EST says a typical shower lasts for 7.5 minutes and uses 75 litres”

Larger droplets yield larger momenta, providing the sensation of more spray force, making less water feel like much more

Using less water to shower will also use less energy

through a small hole in the showerhead. This is a very cheap way to reduce the mass flow of water and aerate it to change the ‘feel’ of the shower, but has no measurable boost in force or performance, regardless of flow rate.

In contrast, air-powered showers such as the Kelda shower use the principles of fuel injection technology. Each shower features an intelligent microprocessor and powerful digital fan which controls the delivery of water and air to the showerhead. Within the showerhead, water is injected into a high-velocity air stream where it is broken up into hundreds of droplets that are engineered to be two-and-a-half times the size of a standard shower droplet.

Sizing hot water cylinders

With the government's targets to reach 600,000 heat pumps being installed per year from 2028, naturally we will see an increase in the installation of hot water storage cylinders.

One of the challenges of sizing cylinders for low temperature heat pumps is storing enough water during the non-pasteurisation day whereby the cylinder is only heated to a lower temperature. Figure 2 is a nomograph to assist installers in understanding a typical required cylinder volume for a given peak hour water usage in a domestic property. The nomograph demonstrates the number of available litres of mixed domestic hot water (DHW) at 42°C during a peak hour at various cylinder temperature set points. As you can see from the example in Figure 2, the number of usable litres for a 300-litre cylinder stored at 60°C versus 50°C drops from around 200 to 120 litres, which would lead to a larger

Calculating required cylinder volume for peak use

cylinder volume. However, innovations such as air-powered showers could help reduce the required cylinder volume, or at least reduce the risk of running out of hot water during a high-demand period.

Summary

Part of our role as plumbers and heating installers is to help our customers enjoy the home comforts they've become used to, at a lower cost

to themselves and to the environment. As we've seen, this goes beyond installing lower carbon heat sources. In almost every job we do in a domestic setting, there is an opportunity to improve energy e ciency.

“The number of usable litres for a 300-litre cylinder stored at 60°C versus 50°C drops from around 200 to 120 litres”

FIGURE 2

Cylinder volume (l)

Peak hour DHW usage (L) mixed outlet 42°C Maximum cylinder set point (°C)

Hitting the mark

We are Arrow Valves – The Water Regulations Specialist

Founded in April 1999, Arrow Valves Ltd started out specialising in the supply of Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) anti-pollution valves to protect the drinking water supply from backflow. Arrow Valves Ltd has hugely expanded its services over the last 23 years and now provides a range of water regulation solutions crafted to assist compliance with the Water Regulations. We also strongly believe in family culture and our crew is at the heart of Arrow Valves, with team wellbeing coming first in the form of international team trips including families!

The Water Regulations were introduced on 1 July 1999. All products and materials used in the UK on drinking water installations need to legally demonstrate compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. The regulations apply in all premises where water is supplied by a water company, from the point that the water enters the property to the water being used through

a plumbing system or water appliance. In particular, Regulation 4 details the specific requirements of the components which form a water system. The Water Fittings Regulations set out the design, maintenance and operating standards required of plumbing systems in all types of premises, to protect public health and safeguard supplies by preventing:

• Waste

• Misuse

• Undue consumption

• Contamination

• Erroneous measurement.

To ensure compliance, our team are all BPEC qualified in the Water Regulations enabling them to provide accurate advice on specific applications, no matter what the situation. In addition, we manufacture a range of products to comply with every fluid category required by the Regulations to make compliance easier. We have created a series of Water Regulations tutorials aimed at educating designers

and installers on how to comply with the regulations. These are covered on our website and in our CPD accredited Seminars and Arrow Academy training days.

Building your knowledge base We hold Arrow Academy days where attendees can improve their knowledge of all areas of the Water Regulations. Our most recent Arrow Academy was held in November 2022. This took place at Warehouse Pizza in Berkhamsted, located on the same road as our head o ce. This included a full factory tour, lunch, and an additional speaker and covered areas such as: an overview of the current Water Regulations, the new Water Regulations guide, selecting backflow prevention devices and how current regulations will change your specifications.

We are currently organising an Arrow Academy that will be taking place in Manchester in the next year. We also o er smaller seminars and are flexible when and where these can take place. In the last few years, due to COVID-19, we have held many successful seminars via Zoom but now restrictions have lifted, we are more than happy to come to your o ces.

Our training days help people to expand their knowledge

Missing link

With greater incidence of water pollution from drains and sewers, understanding Building Regulation Part H

says Jerry Whiteley

It is important that drainage work is carried out by a skilled professional because if it is installed incorrectly, problems can arise with wastewater discharging into the wrong system or local streams.

Identifying drainage systems

Domestic drainage systems come in two main categories – separate systems or combined systems. Separate systems only take foul water (from the toilet, sink and so on) to the sewer, while the rainwater or surface water might go to a stream or river and then into the sea. Combined systems are connected to a main sewer and waste goes to the local

treatment plant before it ends up in a river or the sea.

A separate system has two pipes below ground: one for surface water (rainwater) and the other for foul water, which is where the system is replicated in the main sewers. These can easily be identified by two manhole covers, generally side by side, for accessing the pipework.

A combined system does what it says; all water is discharged in one pipe and therefore any line of manholes is singular in many cases. Pipes are laid in straight lines as much as possible, so following manholes can give you a good indication of direction.

is vital,

When new drains are installed, it's essential they're connected by a skilled professional

Another way of identification might be the age of the property. If a house was built before 1920, it is likely to have a combined system. If it was built after the 1950s, then it will have a separate system. The majority of homes built in the last five to 10 years have a separate system on the property, but actually go to a combined sewer. This is done in readiness for sewer upgrades.

At some older properties, a partially separate system used the rainwater from a garage at the rear to flush the main drain with the surface water. Again, it must not become a foul drain as it could be the wrong size, have no water trap seals or access points.

Discovering misconnections

Drains work using gravity. The point in the road is generally the lowest point while the highest point, also known as the head of the drain, is the furthest shallow point. It will be obvious if alterations have been made over the years and this is often a cause of misconnections. If you suspect a problem, look for building extensions and alterations, new manholes and patched up driveways.

Buildings can often go through changes of use over their lifespan: basements become apartments, garages are converted, homes are extended or land is filled in for additional properties. All these have the potential to result in misconnected drainage that is not visible.

It's common to see a washbasin waste outlet connected into the nearest rainwater pipe or washing machine waste pipe running into a rainwater gulley after a new kitchen has been installed (see Figure 1). Adding a downstairs toilet to the system can lead to a misconnection if it is

Identifying misconnected drainage pipes

discharging into a surface water drain simply because it seems to be the nearest.

Digging up that new driveway or path to work on drainage might create shortcuts, taken through a lack of knowledge or failure to take due care and responsibility, making problems for both the customer and anyone subsequently working on the system. These shortcuts can cause issues with contamination if they are not checked properly at the planning stage and, in some cases, a macerator could do the job without the need to excavate. Where macerator waste from toilets or other fittings is pumped out (to a point), this is done because the drains are either too far away or above the natural gravity gradient. These must go into a foul drain of the appropriate size and not a rainwater pipe/gulley.

Correct route

As we are seeing an increase in flooding in many parts of the UK, discharging rainwater from rooftops and surface water from non-permeable surfaces has increased the volume of water. These must go into surface water drains or suitably designed soakaways into a local stream. Surface water may not always be accepted into a combined drain when alterations are made, as putting greater loads onto existing systems can

increase the risk of flooding.

Building control must be consulted before you discharge water to reduce potential flooding or contamination in your area. You certainly don’t want buildings flooded with sewage because of overflowing surface water.

Finding misconnections on a property is done by either using a dye in the water for direction and discharge into the correct locations (with the manholes safely removed) or specialist cameras to help with identification.

This is not a DIY job due to the nature of the work or the potential equipment needed. In many cases drainage work will require inspection and notification to comply with building regulations and to stop incorrect connections occurring, so it's important that installers know what they are doing.

FIND OUT MORE

ConnectRight is the public face of the National Misconnections Strategy Group.

It’s a partnership of organisations that are working to reduce water pollution from drains and sewers. For more information, visit www.connectright.org.uk.

Misconnected drains can pollute local streams, rivers and beaches, damage wildlife and put our health at risk. We will work to reduce the number of misconnected properties in the UK and address other types of pollution from sewers and drains.

“If a house was built before 1920 it is likely to have a combined system. If it was built after the 1950s, then it will have a separate system”

Kitchen extension misconnected to the surface water drain Separate drainage system RWP

RWP

SVP

Rainwater sewer Foul sewer

FIGURE 1

KEEPING UP YOUR CPD? For all the 2022 answers go to www.pandhengineering.co.uk

Draining misconnections

1 What drainage system is most likely on a property built after the 1920s?

2 Identify where rainwater discharges from the drainage pipework?

4 If there are two manholes almost side by side in your driveway, what system might it indicate below?

5 What piece of equipment can be used on a WC, when the head of the drain is higher than the last connection for a foul drain?

3 How might a misconnection be traced?

6 Which Approved Document gives guidance on below

ground drainage systems?

7 Who is responsible for the upkeep of the below ground drainage system within a building boundary?

YOUR CPD

CIPHE members are expected to complete 30 hours of CPD each year. Completion of these assessments can count towards this requirement.

WHAT TO DO

Answer the questions (using an additional A4 sheet if necessary) and return by scanning and emailing or posting to the address below.

YOUR DETAILS

Please complete this form

YOUR NAME:

8 If I own my home, who is responsible for correcting a misconnection?

RETURN TO: CPD Assessment, CIPHE, 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6NB info@ciphe.org.uk Or visit the members-only area of the CIPHE website: www.ciphe.org.uk/cpd

Designer radiator

THE NIVA BATH from Vasco is a steel designer radiator that only uses four litres of water, enabling it to provide a rapid and powerful heating source plus additional storage space, discretely hidden behind the radiator. The radiator is available in 55 colours, whilst the shelves are available in standard in black (RAL 9005), or white (S600).

www.vasco.eu

Heat pump antifreeze

Fernox has launched an inhibited antifreeze based on ethylene glycol for air and ground source heat pump systems. Supplied as a concentrate, HP-EG has been designed to extend the longevity of heat pump systems by protecting against corrosion and limescale. The solution will also protect against freezing at temperatures from -10°C to -33°C. With one 20L drum treating up to 80 litres, it has lower viscosity than propylene glycol-based products, so it demands less energy to pump the heat transfer fluid around the system.

www.fernox.com

Mini overlay underfloor heating

Grant UK has added the Uflex and Uflex MINI Overlay System to its underfloor heating range. The Overlay System can be laid on most types of new or existing floor surfaces, making it an ideal retrofit underfloor heating system solution and an alternative to screed systems. They feature lightweight, high-density polystyrene boards which are available in 16mm and 20mm thickness respectively. www.grantuk.com/products/ underfloor-heating

Thermally e cient piping

Uponor has introduced a 140mm pipe, which o ers exceptional thermal performance with outstanding flexibility and fast installation, to its Ecoflex Thermo VIP range. The larger pre-insulated pipe provides heat loss performance and a low lambda value of insulation material (at <0.004 W/mK), making its insulation performance five times higher than PUR and 10 times higher than PEX. The pipe reduces heat and energy loss as the water travels around the building from the heat source by up to 60%.

www.uponor.co.uk

Illuminated mirrors

Duravit's designer light and mirror range includes heated models that prevent the surface from misting up. Two operating systems are available: an integrated sensor ensures that the mirror and the accompanying light can be operated without contact, and a contactless control panel.

www.duravit.co.uk

PIPES

BATHROOMS

Navigating crossflow connections

When it comes to ensuring you don’t mistakenly install a crossflow, engineers must adhere to Building Regulation Part H and BS EN 12056:2000 says Jerry Whiteley

Acommon issue for installers is overcoming multiple waste pipe connections in a confi ned space. Of course, there are many fittings available to overcome most problems. However, although a particular fitting may appear to be the solution, incorrect application can create problems.

Approved Document, Building Regulation Part H should be the starting point for installers to adhere to the regulations when a cross connection of waste or soil pipes needs to be factored into the system design and installation.

How to use fittings correctly

Figure 1 is an image of a 110mm soil pipe and a no-connection zone of 200mm when a branch exceeds 65mm to stop crossfl ow irrespective of stack diameter.

“Although a fitting may appear to be the solution, incorrect application can create problems”

1

For a branch pipe >65mm

The soil manifold can overcome the problems with multiple connecting waste pipes when space allows

Centre line of opposed branch not to be below this point

FIGURE 2

For a branch pipe <65mm

CPD questions

1 Identify the no connection zone opposite a branch on a 110mm soil stack?

2 Identify the no connection zone opposite a branch on a 150mm soil stack?

Double-branch connections

AA = Noconnection zone for 110mm on a 100mm stack and 250mm on a 150mm stack

zone

Height of lowest connection

3 A boss pipe has four possible connections, what is the maximum points used when horizontal?

4 A bank of toilets (horizontal pipework) suffers from backflow when flushed, what might be the problem?

5 Which British Standard covers gravity drainage systems inside a building?

6 What is the measurement at the lowest branch discharge onto a soil stack of no more than three floors to the drain invert level?

Where the branch pipe is less than 65mm (Figure 2), the no connection zone is 110mm deep on a 100mm soil pipe. If the soil pipe is 150mm diameter, then it is 250mm deep, as can be seen in the image above right.

Another area to avoid when backto-back connections might be required is when a double branch connection is applied as can be seen in Figure 3.

Do not use this horizontally as one WC will flow into the other. You should not add connections in the 200mm zone, but you can use the cut-out boss instead.

A branch pipe should not discharge into a stack at less than 450mm above the invert level, at the foot of the rest

bend (see Figure 4). This is found at the base of the soil stack on single dwellings that are no more than three storeys high; for taller buildings, the distance should be increased to more than 450mm.

For details of how to submit your CPD answers, see page 42, or visit the members-only area of the CIPHE website:

www.ciphe.org.uk/cpd

FIND OUT MORE

Make sure you know how to meet building regulations: www.gov.uk/government/ publications/drainage-and-wastedisposal-approved-document-h

FIGURE

The boss pipe has multiple connections but observe the cross connection

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

Approved Document, Building Regulation Part H should be the starting point for installers to adhere to the regulations

MEMBERSHIP

Meet the Water Regulations Inspector

Emma MCIPHE, EngTech and a Registered Plumber is 24 and from West Yorkshire. She joined Yorkshire Water as a Water Regulations Inspector in 2021 and is pleased to fly the flag for women in what has traditionally been a male role

tims@ciphe.org.uk

+44 (0)1708 463102

How did you get started in plumbing?

CIPHE AND WATERSAFE

Becoming an Approved Contractor Person (ACP) with the CIPHE is free to eligible CIPHE members.

Eligibility

• Plumbing-related NVQ

Level 2 or equivalent in mechanical engineering services

• Water fittings regulations/ byelaws certificate

• Minimum £2,000,0000 public liability insurance and £5,000,000 employers’ liability cover (where appropriate)

Find out more and apply

Members can find out more about the scheme and register online at www. ciphe.org.uk/professional/ benefits-and-o ers/ professional-development/ acp-status/

I didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I left school, just that I enjoyed science and more practical, hands-on activities. Teachers always said you must go to university and the academic route is the only way, but we wouldn’t have homes if we didn’t have plumbers, builders, and the like.

I decided to do an apprenticeship and worked at a university within the estates and facilities department doing the plumbing maintenance on the campus buildings for seven years, alongside going to a local college for four years to gain my Level 3 plumbing qualification. I was the only girl on a course of 20+ students. I then studied Building Services Engineering, and then the job at Yorkshire Water came up.

What was the appeal?

Early on in my apprenticeship, I remember being in a plant room and a Yorkshire Water Inspector was there. I said to my colleague that one day I’d love to do that job – I knew I always wanted to do more than just plumbing on the tools and I wanted to expand

my knowledge as I especially like the more technical side to plumbing. There are so many routes to go down in the industry, the sky’s the limit.

Tell me about your role as a Water Regulations Inspector…

I travel around Yorkshire inspecting businesses to identify any contraventions of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. More frequently known as ‘The Water Regs’, these are national regulations that apply to all plumbing installations. The regulations are there to make provisions for preventing contamination, waste, misuse, undue consumption, and erroneous measurement (stealing) of the water supply.

While on sites, I inspect the business and create a report if contraventions are found, and this informs the customer of the work needed to become compliant. I could be visiting a small vet’s practice, a prison or a huge factory. It’s fascinating to see behind closed doors – some days I feel like Greg Wallace from the TV programme Inside the Factory I enjoy educating people

when they don’t know about the regulations. I have a great team at Yorkshire Water, we attend agricultural shows and carry out seminars at colleges to educate people about the regs and why it’s so important to comply with them.

Are there many women in your position?

I’m the first female Water Regulations Inspector at Yorkshire Water and I’m not aware of any others elsewhere. I’d love to see more female plumbers generally. The plumbing and construction industry has so many opportunities and there are so many career routes you can go down. It’s an industry which still sadly has its stereotypes and boundaries, but these are slowly but surely being broken down.

Some people have looked at me a bit puzzled, or admitted they were expecting a man, and most people are quite shocked that I’m a plumber by trade. I usually get lots of positive feedback and questions about my career though.

TIM SAINTY

CIPHE membership director

Tim looks after the growing CIPHE membership, enhancing services for members and improving communications

Would you encourage other women to get into the industry?

Definitely. There’s so much variety in this job and I like the fact that I’m not looking at the same four walls every day. It never gets boring and I love educating people. I really look up to other women in the industry. Within the Water Regulations and Water Quality team at Yorkshire Water there are some great female role models.

What are common contraventions that you see?

The first problem is that anyone can be a plumber – there’s no law to say

you must be an approved contractor. We see the damage unqualified and DIY plumbers do all the time.

Cross connections to different water systems (such as boreholes and rainwater harvesting) are a common issue. If someone hasn’t had the proper training, they don’t realise the damage and harm contaminating the water supply can do.

On sites we see inadequate backflow prevention on so many things. An example of a common contravention is insufficient air gaps when a category 5 fluid (serious health hazard risk) is being mixed with or used with mains

water such as lab taps with hoses which are submerged in chemicals, or hose taps with hosepipes submerged in faecal material, butchery or other substances that could make you seriously ill.

We see hundreds of contraventions a week, but it’s our role as Water Regs Inspectors to ensure these are rectified so the water supply is protected.

There have been incidents where installers and business owners have been fined and ended up with a criminal record due to the contamination caused by their bad work and lack of knowledge.

What do you think about WaterSafe?

I think every plumber should be a WaterSafe member. We only recommend WaterSafe plumbers at Yorkshire Water

Emma’s top tips for plumbers

Always used approved fittings. Approved fittings have been tested to ensure they meet standards and are fit for use. In a perfect world

I’d like to see only approved fittings on sale.

Read the instructions. A lot of plumbers don’t read the instructions. For example, something as simple as a wrongly set up toilet cistern can cause contamination. An insufficient air gap within the toilet cistern can mean water is back siphoned into the plumbing system. This generally comes to light when the blue water from a bloo block comes out of the kitchen tap!

Have a copy of the water regs handy and keep up to date with industry news through WaterSafe, Water Regs UK and WRAS. Your local water company will also have a dedicated Water Regulations Team who will answer queries. Our team is always answering questions and queries from plumbers – we’re here to help.

as we know their work is compliant, they have a good standard of workmanship, and it stops cowboys. We say if you use an approved plumber once, you won’t have to do the job twice.

The problem is you can’t see what’s in water – it can be contaminated with all sorts if plumbing is installed incorrectly. Hopefully one day it will be law that you must be an approved plumber.

“I’d love to see more female plumbers. The plumbing and construction industry has so many opportunities”

Be prepared

Carrying out risk assessments on all jobs is essential to minimise the likelihood of injuries in the workplace

There is always an element of risk for plumbing and heating engineers carrying out their work, so it’s important that they can identify and manage any potential hazards.

Communication plays an integral role in keeping everyone on site safe, so it’s vital that any risks are clearly explained to colleagues and clients.

The Engineering Council, the regulatory body for the engineering profession in the UK, has a leaflet called Guidance on Risk, which is applicable to all engineering professionals.

According to Alasdair Coates, CEO of the Engineering Council, “Engineers have a crucial role to play in assessing and managing risk, especially as they frequently work in safety critical areas. Guidance on Risk supports individual engineers and technicians by providing key principles that can be incorporated into their daily practice with engineering teams, inter-disciplinary teams and when communicating risks to the wider public.”

Due diligence

Many plumbing and heating engineering companies will have SSOW (Safe Systems of Work) practices and/or RAMS (Risk Analysis Management System) in place to show they have considered and adapted to potential risks.

Guidance on Risk

The Engineering Council’s Guidance on Risk leaflet can be downloaded here: www.engc.org.uk/media/3824/ guidance-on-risk.pdf

Typically, RAMS documents contain details of hazards in addition to a stepby-step safe working guide to follow and contain more detail than standard risk assessments. However, according to the HSE, RAMS are not required by law, whereas SSOW are.

Health and safety legislation requires employers to create SSOW that allow employees to work in an environment that does not create unnecessary risks. Of course, it is not possible to remove all risks, but SSOW can reduce them.

You say…

“My present company has RAMS and SSOW practices in place and, although only as good as the person’s input of information, the systems permit one to work. I think companies should have a software system in place to halt jobs if they do not pass a RAMS assessment on a tablet or paper work.”

Richard Clark MCIPHE

✓ all the obvious significant risks have been dealt with, taking into account the number of people who could be involved

✓ the precautions are reasonable and the remaining risk is low

✓ workers or their representatives were involved in the process

The SSOW process starts with a risk assessment that covers all aspects of a job to highlight potential hazards, followed by guidance to complete their tasks in a way that minimises the risk to their health.

It’s important that information contained within a SSOW is easy to understand and implement, so tasks should be broken down into steps that employees need to complete in a specific order to ensure their safety.

Legal obligations

The law states that a risk assessment must be suitable and su cient, and should show:

✓ a proper check was made ✓ who may be a ected

According to the HSE, the level of detail in a risk assessment should be proportionate to the risk and appropriate to the nature of the work. Insignificant risks can usually be ignored, as can risks arising from routine activities associated with life in general, unless the work activity compounds those risks. Risk assessments should only include what individuals can reasonably be expected to know, not unforeseeable risks.

The risks associated with plumbing work can range from dealing with hazardous materials to serious burns. These risks can be minimised through education and proper assessment. Employers have a legal duty to protect sta and customers, and SSOW are a powerful tool to protect everyone.

“Engineers have a crucial role to play in assessing and managing risk”

Everyone on site must be made aware of any risks present