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Northern Ireland’s Fold Housing Association has committed more than £1million to install solar PV panels on around 100 of its homes.
‘Phoenix Sportive’ Mournes challenge Northern Ireland’s corporates turned out in style for an early start at Tollymore Forest, Newcastle for the inaugural Phoenix Sportive on September 20. A gruelling 80-mile challenge across Northern Ireland’s highest mountains lay ahead for the brave cyclists from NI Water, Mutual Energy, PTS Group, Gallen Vehicle Hire, as well as Phoenix and many more. The unique route, set by champion cyclist Joe Barr, included enduring hill climbs for the cyclists to conquer such as Dree Hill and Spelga Dam, all in aid of local charities Energy for Children and Cancer Fund for Children. Michael McKinstry, Chief Executive of Phoenix Natural Gas, said, “This is the first event of this nature we have run and the support and commitment we have received has been fantastic. Our corporate partners have really got involved to help make a difference to the lives of local children.” W: www.phoenixnaturalgas.com
A celebration of achievement for plumbing apprentices Plumbing apprentice, Graeme McKenzie, who is employed by CHC Group Ltd, Craigavon, has been awarded ‘Best Improved apprentice’ in an annual prize giving ceremony in Edinburgh, organised by the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) Edinburgh and District Branch. The event recognises apprentices who excel in their performance at college and are committed to completing their four-year plumbing industry approved Modern Apprenticeship. W: www.snipef.org
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The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) has called for subsidised energy tariffs to encourage biomass heating. It wants 15-year tariffs to make biomass more attractive than fossil fuels to heat business premises. BES Ltd, the mail order specialist and ‘one stop shop’ within the plumbing, heating and gas supply industry, has launched its new and improved catalogue, with over 15,000 product lines available ‘next day’ to plumbing and heating engineers.
Vaillant showcases the future of housebuilding with integration of hybrid systems Vaillant is helping to showcase how future homes can afford to integrate renewable technologies with a pioneering project in partnership with Wienerberger, a leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations. The project is the first e4 brick house and was officially opened at BRE’s prestigious Innovation Park, as part of the park’s 10th anniversary celebrations. The home, which features a Vaillant aroTHERM hybrid system consisting of a gas boiler and air source heat pump, will be the first to be assessed to BRE’s new Home Quality Mark, which was launched earlier this year at Ecobuild. The house utilises a fabric first approach using a clay building envelope and the concept can be used for a wide range of sizes and typologies. Installed by Matrix Energy Systems, Vaillant’s ecoTEC pro boiler will meet the home’s hot water needs, while the aroTHERM air source heat pump will provide the space heating required, which is being delivered through a combination of underfloor heating and radiators. Vaillant’s aroTHERM hybrid system combines the reassurance of a traditional boiler system with the cost-saving credentials of an air to water heat pump. Uniting both technologies, the aroTHERM hybrid incorporates a unique controller system which works based on the homeowner’s individual energy tariff. T: (NI) 0844 693 3133 or (RoI) 0044 844 693 3133 W: www.vaillantrenewables.co.uk
ISO 9001, the most widely-adopted quality management systems, has undergone its first major revision since 2000 to incorporate changes made following feedback from users and experts around the world. Terms crucial to understanding ISO 9001 are defined in ISO 9000, which has also been revised.
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