Connections Scotland - Spring 2019

SPRING 2019

Home comforts Electrical contractors are well placed to take advantage of the growing trend for smart home technology

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WE KEEP YOU MOVING NO MATTER WHAT THE JOB

Wiring Accessories

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Lighting

Fire & Security

Electrical Accessories

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INSIDE

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HELLO 4 NICEIC is committed to increasing and maintaining competence across the industry in Scotland – with help from you, our Approved Contractors

INDUSTRY UPDATE 5 Working Group on Electricians update, increased funding for apprenticeships, and NICEIC roadshow to visit Scotland in September

HOME AUTOMATION 6 No longer a futuristic dream,

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smart technology is now part of the fabric of our homes – bringing fresh opportunities for contractors in Scotland

CONTRACTOR PROFILE 8 A passion for electrical safety led Kirsteen Green to set up Glasgow-based inspection and testing consultancy KGESTC

FIRE DETECTION 10 Taking a look at the Scottish Government’s new standard for fire and smoke alarms – brought about in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy

CON TAC TS / CO N N E C T I O NS

Level 5, 78 Chamber Street, London E1 8BL EDITORIAL General 020 7880 6200 Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk Editor Nick Martindale Technical editor Timothy Benstead Sub editor Kate Bennett Senior designer Will Williams Picture researcher Akin Falope Publishing and business development director Aaron Nicholls ADVERTISING/MARKETING Senior sales executive Thomas Ainsworth Display/classified 020 7324 2726 Email thomas.ainsworth @redactive.co.uk

PRODUCTION General production enquiries 020 7880 6240 Production manager Jane Easterman Senior production executive Rachel Young Email rachel.young@redactive.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS Should you require your own copy of Connections or multiple copies for your staff, subscriptions are available by calling 020 8950 9117 CONTRIBUTIONS Connections welcomes ideas for contributions.

Please email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk

© Redactive Publishing Ltd 2019 Level 5, 78 Chamber Street, London E1 8BL. Registered No. 3156216. All rights reserved. This publication (and any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any print or electronic format (including but not limited to any online service, any database or any part of the internet) or in any other format in any media whatsoever, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Redactive Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.

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ISSN 2042-5732

WWW.NICEIC.COM ENQUIRIES Certsure 01582 539000 Communications manager Paul Collins 01582 539148 paul.s.collins@certsure.com NICEIC Direct Paul Elcock 01582 539709 paul.elcock@certsure.com Twitter @officialNICEIC or @officialELECSA Customer services 0333 015 6625 Sales 0333 015 6626 Training 0333 015 6627 Technical helpline 0333 015 6628 Insurance 0333 015 6629

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T E C HN CAL KEVA N I PA RKER

Maintaining standards Competence and maintaining technical standards are essential for a strong electrical industry in Scotland

W

elcome to the latest edition of Connections Scotland. The observant among you will note the change of face at the helm of NICEIC. I accepted the role of interim managing director having previously been the director of certification and operations for the last three years.

My new role has given me the opportunity to better understand the policy side of the business. As a result, I have acquired a greater understanding of the environments in which electricians operate on either side of the border.

While there are differences between the operating systems, what is fundamental is that people like you who operate within these

Kevan Parker is interim managing director

systems are passionate about upholding technical standards for the profession, and the protection this brings to customers.

NICEIC is working with colleagues from across the sector to ensure that competence – that important combination of knowledge, skills and experience – is at the heart of electrical work.

The fact that you willingly volunteer to allow an independent third party to assess your organisation’s work on a regular basis clearly demonstrates your commitment to this cause, and I look forward to working with you on the drive to increase and maintain competence across our industry.

Thanks for your support so far.

‘People like you are passionate about upholding technical standards for the profession’

N I C E I C I N S COT L AND / ME E T T H E T E AM STUART THOMPSON, SCOTTISH SALES MANAGER Stuart is an experienced commercial manager with previous experience of national account management, project management and marketing. Based in Scotland, he is responsible for NICEIC Scotland membership and works with a wide network of members, key customers, stakeholders, business partners and specifiers.

YVONNE WARNER, AREA ENGINEER Yvonne is an experienced electrician and has worked in all aspects of the electrical industry, from domestic to commercial and industrial.

In addition to her role as an electrical inspector, she assesses hazardous areas, as well as MCS solar and wind.

PHILIP MARTIN, AREA ENGINEER Philip is an electrical technician with more than 30 years’ experience in all areas of the electrical engineering and petrochemical industry. Previously a senior qualified supervisor with British Gas, he helped establish its current quality auditing regime, which identifies training needs for all electrical operatives.

EDDIE ARROWSMITH, REGIONAL ENGINEERING MANAGER Eddie is NICEIC’s regional engineering manager, based in Aberdeen.

He served his electrical apprenticeship with British Rail and specialised in DC systems, high-voltage AC systems and DC machines.

He went on to work for consulting engineers’ practices for 18 years, and was senior electrical engineer with WS Atkins.

JOE GALLAGHER, AREA ENGINEER Joe is a multi-disciplined engineer with more than 30 years’ industry experience, from small domestic to large-scale industrial projects. He is the MCS, CPS and Green Deal inspector for NICEIC, having previously worked as an assessor, centre manager and external verifier.

EDDIE THOMSON, AREA ENGINEER Eddie has been an area engineer with NICEIC since 2001. After serving an apprenticeship with British Rail, he worked with several companies, carrying out electrical, lighting design and project management. He also spent some time in charge of a large maintenance and works depot.

LOUISE FRAME, AREA ENGINEER Louise covers the North Glasgow and Lanarkshire regions. She started her career with an electrical apprenticeship when she was 16.

Since then, she has worked in homes, schools, offices and factories, theatres, sports stadia and museums. She became a QS and was in an electrical management role before joining NICEIC.

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SCOTTISH UPDATE

APPRENTICESHIP GRANT FUNDING INCREASE

NICEIC and SELECT visit Holyrood NICEIC and SELECT recently joined Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP at his offices in Holyrood to provide him with an update on the recent Working Group on Electricians.

The Working Group was established by the Scottish Government back in 2017 and has been investigating the scope and scale of the issues relating to rogue electricians in Scotland, and how to address consumer awareness of the need to use competent electricians.

NICEIC and SELECT are set to discuss potential routes to ensure that consumer protections remain in place via regular independent assessments of competence while ensuring that electricians who work within the current system are not disproportionately affected.

Cheryl Cox, public affairs

manager at NICEIC, said: “It is vital that the current protections that are in place for both electricians and consumers are maintained.

Any regulation also needs to be supported by a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of using competent electricians who are regularly assessed to ensure that their knowledge and experience are up to date.

“We look forward to further talks with Mr Halcro Johnston and others with an interest in the important area of safety to deliver what is best for consumers and the industry without creating additional burden to those who already do the right thing. Anything that increases the recognition of competency and supports a change of culture is to be welcomed.”

The Construction Industry Training board (CITB) has increased the grant funding available to employers taking on apprentices.

As of April 1, the attendance grants available to employers have gone up to £2,500 per year.

Achievement grants have also increased to £3,500 for companies where an apprentice successfully completes their training.

For a four-year apprenticeship in Scotland, this provides a 30 per cent increase in funding, rising from £10,250 to £14,500.

The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) president Stephen Kemp said: “A 30 per cent increase in grant funding for construction industry apprentices is hugely welcome and provides an important incentive for employers to take on more apprentices to help meet the current and future skills requirements of the industry.”

NICEIC roadshows set to return in September NICEIC’s technical team will be returning to Scotland in September for another round of our roadshow events.

More than 350 contractors attended last year’s roadshow events, which are an opportunity to meet experts from across the industry to discuss the latest industry news.

The dates and venues for the September events are still to be confirmed. Keep an eye out on www.niceic.com for more details.

“It is important that we get out and meet contractors to hear their views and work to take the sector forward,” said Darren Staniforth, technical presentation manager at NICEIC.

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HO M E AU TO MAT I O N

TAKING CONTROL T Contractors in Scotland are taking advantage of a growing trend among householders to integrate smart appliances and technologies into their homes

BY DAVID ADAMS

here was a time when smart homes seemed ridiculous, consisting of pointless gimmicks. In recent years, though, that has changed.

Today, there are two kinds. Some are based on a cabled infrastructure and customised for high-end homes. They may be built around technologies such as Control4 or KNX and could incorporate integrated controls for lighting, heating, cooling, windows, blinds, smart meters, renewable energy equipment, door locks and other security systems, and/or home entertainment equipment. They may be controlled through fixed or wireless touchscreens and/or via a smartphone or tablet app. Projects like these are not yet mass market.

The other type of smart home is likely to have been built in a more piecemeal way, for less money. It may offer remote control of some of the functions listed above, via smartphone apps. It might use a data cabling infrastructure that is already present in the home, or be based on individual devices, accessible via WiFi. Demand for both types of home is growing in Scotland, so installing and maintaining smart/ automated home technology could be a useful service for an electrical contractor to add to their portfolio.

In part, this trend is linked to the popularity of smart heating systems such as Nest or Hive, and smart security technologies that may combine alarms, video cameras and access control. More consumers are able to use these systems remotely, often via phone or digital assistant, and are intrigued by the possibility that they could control other things in the same way.

‘What you’re doing for the client needs to be more than they could do for themselves’

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IMAGE: ISTOCK

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE Contractors in this market can work on smart home infrastructures alongside builders and architects. One such firm is IDES, founded in Edinburgh in 1985. Its 11 staff serve clients across Scotland and northern England.

IDES’ projects have included creating a smart home in a 15th-century building.

Here, it used KNX technology to control lighting, blinds, audio and video systems and security, with the technology carefully sited so that it remains almost invisible.

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‘This stuff ’s going to be standard within the next five years, in the same way that TV ownership spread in the past’

“A lot of work is repeat business,” says technical director Stephen Kerr. “But you need to offer a wide range of smart home products, and what you’re doing for the client needs to be more than they could do for themselves.”

Many consumers will appreciate the support of qualified experts in installing smart security devices such as locks, alarms and cameras. An understanding of how such items might be integrated with other smart home products could be useful to a contractor working with these technologies. Kerr says installing smart security equipment has often led to clients asking IDES to install other smart technologies.

LEADING LIGHTS Some contractors might consider adding lighting design services to their capabilities. One trend to watch is Power over Ethernet (PoE) technologies, which enable lighting to be controlled and powered by the same Ethernet cable.

Smart heating controls tend to be installed not by electrical contractors, but by heating engineers working for the equipment manufacturer. However, a number of contractors have worked with heating and plumbing firms to install these devices and then integrate them with control of other smart home products.

Electrical contractors who also have heating or plumbing capabilities can do both.

The devices are often part of a broader family of relatively low cost smart home products that can be controlled by a digital assistant. The Nest intelligent thermostat is part of a suite of smart home devices including smoke alarms and security cameras. Hive’s product range includes smart lights, movement sensors and cameras.

ONE TREND TO KEEP AN EYE ON IS POWER OVER ETHERNET (POE) LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, WHICH ENABLE LIGHTING TO BE CONTROLLED AND POWERED BY THE SAME ETHERNET CABLE

Some firms working with smart home technologies have a background in high-end audio and video home entertainment and/ or computer and electronics installation. The team at one such company, Lairds of Troon, has extended its expertise to offer smart home project design and installation.

“The range of people using these technologies has extended,” says business development manager Johanna Laird. “When you’re looking at things like Control4, you’re targeting the higher end, but now you might have people who start off with a Sonos box, then add more systems.”

Creating an aesthetically pleasing installation is important: Lairds may build ‘invisible’ speakers in walls, or install concealed TVs in mirrors.

SMART THINKING The smart home market in Scotland looks healthy, but it is in transition. Ronnie Grant is director of RB Grant, a contractor founded by his father in 1974. The firm has offices in Kirkcaldy and St Andrews and employs about 50 staff.

Its range of services has included smart home installations for more than a decade.

Grant says the growth in clients using smart home equipment controlled by phones may have reduced the number of major smart home projects, but a steady supply of high-end clients remains. He expects to see more examples of the phone/digital assistant-controlled smart home.

“That’s where the market’s moving to,” he says.

“It’s becoming more accessible.”

Laird adds: “This stuff’s going to be standard within the next five years, in the same way that TV ownership spread in the past.”

Ultimately, installation of data cables may be as commonplace as electricity and landline phone connections are today. The age of the smart home has arrived.

David Adams is a freelance business journalist

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE

Glasgow-based KGESTC Ltd has been providing inspection and testing services to Scottish businesses since 2014, and is currently considering a move into installation works

BY NICK MARTINDALE

t was while working in the inspection and testing division of a large contracting business that Kirsteen Green first resolved to start her own business. “I was frustrated with my clients waiting six weeks for a report and thought I could do much better than that,” she recalls. “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision; I went on to Companies House, set up the company and that was it.”

That was in November 2013, and KGESTC Ltd – short for Kirsteen Green Electrical Safety Testing Consultancy Ltd – started trading the following February, based out of its Glasgow headquarters.

Kirsteen is not an electrician herself – she’d previously worked as a site manager for Hills Electrical before the firm was taken over by SSE Contracting – but brought onboard a former SSE colleague to undertake the work. “It meant that from day one we had a qualified, experienced and trusted tester who had come from a health and safety background, which was the most important thing for me,” she says. “I was with my previous employer a long time and health and safety was paramount to the company ethos.”

With Kirsteen’s background in servicing blue-chip clients, the business quickly picked up work with hotel groups, schools, commercial and industrial premises. It has now grown to

‘I was frustrated with my clients waiting six weeks for a report and thought I could do much better than that’

five engineers, supplemented when needed by trusted sub-contractors, such as over the busy summer period when the schools’ testing programme kicks in.

Most of KGESTC’s work is in Scotland, but it will take on projects anywhere and has recently found itself working for firms as far south as Manchester or Liverpool. “I’ve also been contacted by a lot of electrical contractors in England asking me to cover testing jobs they have up here in Scotland, so it’s grown that way too,” she says. “Our continued partnership with OCS Compliance Services is one example of that.”

But Kirsteen is picky when it comes to the type of premises she will accept work in. “We’ve avoided places like abattoirs and morgues; if I couldn’t walk into a place, I wouldn’t expect the guys to either,” she says. “You have to think about your employees’ happiness and wellbeing, and putting them into a situation that may make them feel uncomfortable is not good for them.

Last year we tested a chicken farm, which was a bit of an eye-opener.” Hazardous area testing is one sector she’s targeting for growth, and two operatives are already qualified to take on inspection and testing work in this area.

EXPANDING HORIZONS This year, the business is also starting to move into the installation space, having long taken on

IMAGES: © PETER SANDGROUND, ISTOCK

TEST CASE I

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KGESTC LTD HAS NOW GROWN TO FIVE ENGINEERS, SUPPLEMENTED WHEN NEEDED BY TRUSTED SUB-CONTRACTORS

division and maybe even a specialist hazardous area testing division,” she says. “It would mean engaging a few more engineers on the installation side, but the engineers that I do employ are fully qualified in all aspects of installation as well as inspection and testing.”

For now, Kirsteen hopes to grow the business to around 10 engineers, although she acknowledges that at that point she may be looking for further growth, and doesn’t rule out opening a second office in England at some stage.

“As I grow, I would have to look for someone to take on more of what I do but I’m one of these people who micro-manage,” she admits. “I don’t like anything being sent out without me having seen it, so letting go would be difficult.”

OPENING DOORS Kirsteen believes being a woman in the sector has not hindered her, and in some ways has proved

‘I started this company because I believe electrical safety should be given the highest priority’

remedial works arising from inspections. “We’ve just started working with a lift company where we’re installing electrical equipment in lift motor plant rooms,” says Kirsteen. “It’s not very labourintensive because you’re only there for a day at a time over a given period, but we’re slowly moving that way. I’ve always been resistant to it as my core business is testing, but you can’t be too selective in the current environment.”

She plans to see how that side of the business develops in 2019, before potentially starting a dedicated installation arm in 2020. “I like divisions, so we could have an inspection and testing division, an electrical installation

Company KGESTC Ltd Established 2014

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to be a positive force. “People find it fascinating,” she says. “If I’m making an appointment for the first time it will open doors because they are intrigued to meet me. But there’s also our technical expertise and knowledge; we’ve been complying with the 18th edition since October last year and my health and safety background and qualifications mean I can advise clients on any other issues I come across when I’m carrying out the surveys.”

The business has attained SafeContractor and Reset Certification Scheme accreditations, she adds, while Kirsteen herself achieved her C&G 2382-18 last year and is planning on taking her C&G 2391-52 inspection and testing this year, which may allow her to carry out the odd testing job when required.

Kirsteen admits there have been tough times along the way – payment is something that has been a headache in the past, which has prompted much tougher credit control processes – but she’s certainly got no regrets over her decision to start up the business five years ago. “I didn’t start this company to get rich,” she says. “I did it because I believe electrical safety should be given the highest priority. I’m passionate about keeping people and properties safe and ensuring my clients are fully compliant with their duty of care.

That’s all-important to me”.

Nick Martindale is editor of Connections

Kirsteen started the business five years ago

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X X XD XE XT XEXCXT I O N F IXRE

RAISE I THE ALARMS

mmediately following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon established a Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety to help ensure that people are safe in Scotland’s buildings.

This group, of which I am a member, has completed its review of building and fire safety regulatory frameworks and made a number of recommendations, which the government is now taking forward. During the past 20 years the number of house fires has nearly halved, and the number of fatalities has fallen by more than 60 per cent – but we are committed to doing more.

One of the group’s first actions, therefore, was to consult on new minimum standards for fire and smoke alarms across all types of housing.

The responses were supportive of changes that would bring all homes – owned or rented – in line with standards in the private rented sector and newbuild homes.

The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 has been the driving force behind a move to improve building and fire safety in Scotland

BY KEVIN STEWART

IMAGE: GETTY

WHAT’S CHANGING? The new standard is a significant step towards improving fire safety for everyone in Scotland, and will come into force on 1 February 2021.

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NICEIC’s guide to what you need to know Tolerable standard guidance The Scottish Government has issued guidance on what is the tolerable standard, defining what is ‘satisfactory’:

Bedroom Landing

• One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes (lounge/living room)

• One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings

Kitchen

• One heat alarm installed in every kitchen.

Lounge

Heat alarm Smoke alarm Mains power and interconnecting* wiring Mains power supply * Interconnection provided, so that all devices give a warning if a fire is detected (See Clause 13.2(c) of BS 5839-6)

These minimum requirements are similar to a Category LD2 system. Furthermore, the guidance details that all smoke and heat alarms are to be ceiling mounted and interlinked.

Interlinking is important to ensure that an alarm is raised at the earliest possible opportunity.

The guidance issued also permits mains-operated (with battery backup) alarms, and those having tamper-proof long-life lithium battery alarms. These are not to be userreplaceable or of a PP3 type.

As with any system, it is important that fire detection and fire alarm systems are regularly maintained and tested in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, and align with the recommendations of recording such information found in BS 5839-6.

‘It is the responsibility of the homeowner, or landlord if the property is rented, to meet the new standard’ Housing of all tenures will require: • One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes • One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings • One heat alarm installed in every kitchen.

All alarms should be ceiling-mounted and interlinked. Private landlords were previously required to install mains-operated alarms, but tamper-proof, long-life lithium battery alarms (not PP3 type or user-replaceable) as well as mains operated alarms (with battery back-up) are now permitted.

Carbon monoxide detectors must be fitted where there are carbon-fuelled appliances such as boilers, fires (including open fires), heaters and stoves, or a flue.

HARD WIRED OR BATTERY OPERATED? The decision on whether to install hardwired or battery-operated systems rests with homeowners, and will depend on which type of system works best for them. As with other housing standards, it is the responsibility of

THE COSTS TO MEET THE NEW STANDARD COULD BE IN THE REGION OF £200, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF ALARMS REQUIRED

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the homeowner, or landlord if the property is rented, to meet the new standard, which will protect and preserve their property.

We estimate the costs to meet the new standard could be in the region of £200, depending on the number and type of alarms required. Mains-wired alarms are generally cheaper than sealed long-life battery alarms, but installation will need to be carried out by an electrician – an additional cost to consider.

A variety of alarm types is available, and the published guidance makes clear the alarm types permitted under the new standard.

THE ROLE OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS While some homeowners may be confident about installing battery systems themselves, many will prefer a mains-wired system and will need an electrician to carry out the work. For those people, electrical contractors will provide a valuable service.

Fire alarms are one of the most important investments anyone can make to protect life and property, and this new standard ensures everyone will benefit from the same level of protection. Although the standard does not come into force until February 2021, I hope that most people, recognising the safety benefits, may take action sooner.

Kevin Stewart is MSP, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning

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