Thorn Lighting commits to climate neutrality by 2025 

Thorn Lighting has committed to climate neutrality by 2025, and you can track its progress on its newly launched sustainability hub. Here you will find updates on its technology, solutions, and the steps it takes to reduce its CO₂ and help to achieve your sustainability goals. We all need to adopt a culture of sustainable decision-making to ensure future generations flourish. To do so, we must find a better balance between the environment, economy, and human empowerment. Sustainable actions from a key part of the Zumtobel Group's corporate strategy. In line with the wider group, Thorn is committed to conducting business in a way which will ensure the planet is safeguarded for future generations. The manufacturer intends to go above and beyond to protect the future of our environment. Therefore, it is committing to achieving climate neutrality by 2025. Saurabh Pandhi, Vice President, Thorn says, "Sustainability and climate change will be two of the most significant challenges of the 21st century. As a manufacturer, Thorn Lighting must take action to be part of the solution. The Zumtobel Group, of which Thorn is a proud member, has signed up to 12 of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. To publicly demonstrate Thorn’s commitment to operate our business responsibly, we are looking to offer and develop more sustainable products and solutions as well as finding ways to improve our processes in a bid to reduce waste, bring down energy consumption and lower our carbon emissions. This will be achieved by investing in research and development to bring you, our customers and partners, innovative technologies through products and solutions, so that you, too, can reach your own goals when it comes to tackling this shared, universal issue.” Neil Raithatha, Head of Marketing, Zumtobel Group UK and Ireland, comments, "We are on a journey. Whether providing high-quality EPDs, introducing technologies that enable sustainable lighting to protect the dark skies or working with clients to help them increase energy efficiency, our goal is simple. To reduce our CO2 emissions and to be a partner of choice in helping others achieve theirs.” [embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuIa9ItCJIg[/embed]

EnviroVent relocates to zero carbon premises

EnviroVent has relocated to new purpose-built zero carbon headquarters as part of its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The new 61,000 sq. ft premises in Harrogate is the culmination of a 10 month build project and brings together EnviroVent’s manufacturing facility, warehousing, head office and training suite into one purpose-built headquarters. The build was carried out by Sutcliffe Construction, working alongside Teakwood Developments. Andy Makin, Managing Director of EnviroVent, says “It is fantastic for the company to be together under one roof in our new zero carbon headquarters. We are truly committed to good environmental practices throughout our business and these purpose-built premises allow EnviroVent to operate on an even more sustainable basis. With much larger premises, we have room to expand our ambitious plans. Working alongside our parent company Soler & Palau, we fully expect to grow our brand, protecting and creating employees’ roles, benefitting our customers, our suppliers and the wider community. We are very excited about the future!” James Sutcliffe, Sutcliffe Construction’s Managing Director says: “We’re delighted to complete this sustainable new HQ building for Teakwood Developments and EnviroVent. Our credentials in building manufacturing and warehousing buildings across the North of England are strong and the quality of the finish on this building both inside and out is something we’re particularly proud of.” Daniel Martin, Director of Teakwood Developments, comments: “It’s been a long road but so rewarding to reach the end, providing a facility that we can all be proud of. It secures the future of this fantastic business in Harrogate, providing a state-of-the-art facility, with the all-important expansion capabilities.” EnviroVent’s zero carbon head office will be the base for its 260 employees, which has involved the relocation of staff from two existing premises in Harrogate. The new self-sustainable building will reduce the company’s environmental impact significantly and includes many energy efficient initiatives. These include solar panels providing electricity, renewable energy sources, air source heat pumps to heat the premises and the latest mechanical ventilation heat recovery system to ensure high levels of indoor air quality. The premises feature optimum building design for insulation, electric charging points for vehicles to promote green travel, as well as featuring LED lighting units and responsive lighting to minimise energy use. To offset any further carbon emissions, EnviroVent has also built a partnership with MoreTrees, which will plant 5,000 trees per year on its behalf. This will remove a total of approximately 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year. By 2030, EnviroVent will have planted 46,500 trees, removing around 14,000 tonnes of CO2. The new zero carbon headquarters and commitment to planting 5,000 trees per year is part of EnviroVent’s plan to achieve net zero by 2030.

Bureau Veritas advises businesses on EV charging

Driving forward with its ambitious plan to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK by 2030, the government recently announced a new £20 million pilot scheme to give drivers access to more than 1,000 EV charge points across the country. With this latest announcement set to ignite a renewed surge in businesses putting EV charging on their agenda, Bureau Veritas is urging them to act now, in order to reap the benefits of front-end advice and early adoption in order to secure a sustainable and long-term investment that works. Together with the EV charge point grant and the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), this latest monetary injection from the government only encourages businesses and the public sector to embrace the country’s move towards net zero. However, Bureau Veritas is warning that there is much to understand and consider before engaging the installer. George White, Senior Consultant for Electric Vehicles at Bureau Veritas, says: “The new £20 million investment rollout scheme supports the government’s drive to encourage more motorists to go electric, saving them money on fuel and running costs, while improving air quality as the country moves towards net zero. This is hugely encouraging and welcomed at a time when cost of living is soaring, but when businesses are considering installing EV infrastructure to help the switch, it’s important the take the correct advice before making the significant investment, to make sure it’s the right one for their premises and employees. “When it comes to EV charge points, one size does not fit all. Each will require a bespoke solution to suit individual needs. For example, some may need high-speed chargers while others require a slow charge unit; no two installations will be the same.” George continues: “To ensure the right infrastructure at the best cost, partnering with an independent third-party EV specialist, such as Bureau Veritas, can help advise business needs right from the offset, including which grant to secure, through to the charge point installation and ongoing testing and inspection of the units to guarantee safety and reliability. “Investing in front-end consultancy advice can help save valuable time and money in the long run and ensure that the very best infrastructure is provided and maintained. No business wants to be in the position where they have rushed into decision making and financed unnecessary and incorrect EV charge points that don’t meet their needs.”

Reckless school pupils put lives at risk as school fire alarms are activated

A recent spate of maliciously activated hoax fire alarms in a number of schools and colleges has lead Council chiefs, the Police and the Fire and Rescue Service to condemn the reckless behaviour and warn that the unnecessary emergency callouts could stop genuine emergencies being attended and even result in a tragedy. One school was evacuated seven times in the first 12 days of the new term due to hoax fire alarms, with fire crews attending one school on seven separate occasions in one week due to pupils repeatedly setting off the fire alarm. Hoax alarms have also been sparked by an irresponsible social media ‘trend’ which encourages students to post videos of the ensuing chaos worldwide. Anti-vandal alarm call point covers offer a simple, effective solution Anti-vandal alarm call point covers offer a simple, effective solution, designed to protect essential fire and security equipment against these types of unwanted false alarms. One example of these is the Smart+Guard range of anti-vandal alarm call point covers manufactured in the UK by Vimpex. Smart+Guard is a tough polycarbonate hinged protective cover that can easily be installed over a range of emergency switches and other devices to provide protection from vandalism, accidental damage or misuse that causes unwanted alarms. Importantly, this type of cover offers significantly more physical protection and a far greater deterrent than the flimsy plastic covers often supplied with call points.

Drayton promotes free online training for installers

At the start of 2022, Drayton announced that it was making this the year of education, and it is furthering that promise by announcing its latest live session details. These will consist of free online training sessions and expert panel discussions on The Drayton Community Facebook group. These sessions have been running since the start of the year and have been designed to help installers stay up to date with the latest legislation and industry changes. Moreover, it’s about providing installers with the tools they need to optimise heating systems as much as possible, which will in turn help save their customers money on their energy bills. The Facebook live training sessions are led by James Clark, Drayton’s Training Manager and a familiar face to many installers. As well as helping installers expand their knowledge on Drayton’s range of heating control products and applying it to every-day situations, it’s also an opportunity for them to ask any questions they have and receive expert-led advice. Drayton will also be running discussion panels throughout the rest of the year, joined by industry experts including Richard Burrows, Kimbo Betty, Rob Berridge. As part of these sessions, there will be the opportunity for participants to ask questions, which can be raised and brought into the often-animated conversation. Topics of these live sessions range from water quality and priority domestic hot water through to simple steps that installers can take to help their customers reduce energy and save money, such as lowering flow temperatures, system balancing, zoning and selecting smarter heating controls. To find out further information on the topics that are being discussed, the dates and how to get involved, visit Drayton’s Facebook page.

Scolmore boosts its sustainability credentials

At a time when green credentials and sustainability remain high on the agenda for businesses, Scolmore has announced a number of initiatives the company has undertaken to limit the environmental impact of its warehouse operation. One of the key aims for the business was to reduce the overall amount of packaging used in the warehouse. The first step was to review the use of all the boxes and packaging in which products are received into the warehouse. Instead of this packaging material being sent off for commercial waste recycling, it is now shredded on site and used for the subsequent packing up of products for distribution to customers. An additional measure has seen the replacement of the original cardboard cushioning used to protect the products in boxes, with an alternative 100% recycled polymer pillow packing solution which is 80% recyclable. This has enabled the company to save the amount of protective packaging used, as well as the cost of the provision. In a further endorsement of its green credentials, Scolmore has had confirmation that the company supplying the boxes and cardboard tubes used to package products – Sandland Packaging - has recently become the first UK sheet plant to become fully carbon neutral. According to its announcement statement, “Sandland Packaging has continued its pioneering environmental journey to become the first corrugated sheet plant in the UK to become fully carbon neutral by measuring and offsetting all carbon emissions across Scope 1 and 2 and all 15 categories in Scope 3. This means all boxes produced by Sandland Packaging are certified carbon neutral and crucially are emissions free for their customers.” The use of plastic tape to seal up boxes was another area for consideration. As well as being less recyclable than paper and taking longer to break down, plastic tape may also rely on more complex resources and energy systems in the creation process. Scolmore now uses the eco-friendly paper tape alternative. Commenting on the measures taken and resulting savings made, Lee Taylor, Operations Manager for Scolmore Group says: “Sustainability has been at the forefront of our operations for as long as I can remember, and we are continually taking measures to address our environmental impact. With the focus on packaging reduction, we have not only saved on the amount of packaging and waste we use as a business but have also made significant cost savings in the process. Our switch to paper tape means that we have saved 769,000 metres of plastic tape since the beginning of 2022.” At the same time as overhauling its packaging solutions, Scolmore undertook a review of the lighting provision throughout the warehouse. This resulted in the replacement of the old incandescent light fittings with more energy efficient LED alternatives. The fittings chosen for the general warehouse areas were the Ovia Inceptor Hion 200W LED High Bay dimmable lights with microwave sensor and a total of 140 have been installed throughout the warehouse space. The microwave sensor version was selected as the best energy saving option, with lighting only being activated in areas that are occupied. To provide energy efficient lighting under the mezzanine area of the warehouse, Ovia’s Inceptor U-Lite luminaires were chosen. Inceptor U-Lite is a slimline, non-corrosive utility LED luminaire. It features an integrated diffuser and gear tray anchored to the base, which allows for simple and hassle-free installation. A total of 15 Inceptor U-Lite luminaires have been installed, and the microwave sensor version was the preferred choice.

Record-breaking numbers tune into The Wire 

NICEIC, the UK certification body for the building services industry, has broken another record, as over 2,000 contractors tune in live to the latest episode of The Wire. Timed to coincide with the implementation of Amendment 2 of BS 7671:2018, the latest broadcast saw NICEIC JPEL/64 members interact with the audience in a live Q&A session which was rated 4.8 out of 5 by attendees. Forming part of an Amendment 2 series, this latest episode joins a suite of seven webinars which have been viewed over 25,000 times live and on-demand. “We are delighted so many of our contractors joined us live for this special episode of The Wire,” says NICEIC’s Head of Technical Services, Paul Collins. “It is always fantastic to break records, but when it comes to The Wire, this is especially true as it proves that we are consistently providing the content our customers want and need. “If you are with NICEIC and missed any Amendment 2 broadcasts, I would encourage you and your staff to check them out via The Wire on-demand service.  Also, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming sessions which will cover AFDDs and an introduction to Prosuming. “Free and exclusive to you, these sessions are CPD certified, and you will receive a personalised CPD certificate for each episode watched.”

BCIA Awards 2023 now open for entry

The BCIA has announced the launch of the 2023 BCIA Awards which will take place on Thursday 4 May 2023 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The BCIA Awards recognise innovation, product development, project delivery and great training in the building controls sector. Awards entries can now be entered using the online entry system which allows you to start, edit, view and download your entry before submitting it. The closing date for entries is Thursday 19 January 2023. There are nine different categories available to enter, with a brand new Apprentice of the Year Award category. Building Controls and BEMS Installer of the Year Awarded in recognition of the building controls and/or Building Energy Management System (BEMS) installer which demonstrates professionalism, commitment and understanding of the needs of clients. Engineer of the Year This award is open to individuals working for controls installers, manufacturers, consulting engineers or FM companies who best demonstrate engineering excellence in controls and BEMS. Young Engineer of the Year Awarded to the individual aged 35 years or under who best demonstrates the achievements gained through successful participation in the BCIA Technical Training Programme and other building controls educational programmes. Apprentice of the Year Awarded to the individual who best demonstrates the achievements gained through successful participation in an approved Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) or building controls Apprenticeship. Energy Management Award Awarded to a manufacturer, installer or team in recognition of a project which demonstrates how building controls and/or BEMS have been applied to increase energy efficiency in a building or building complex. Best Service & Maintenance Provider Awarded to the company which best demonstrates outstanding levels of customer care in the provision of long-term service and maintenance contracts for Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) and building controls. Technical Innovation of the Year – Products Awarded to the most innovative building controls/BEMS product development introduced in the last 12 months. Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects Awarded to the project installer/team which best demonstrates innovation and the deployment of smart technology to create a sustainable building/complex. Contribution to Training Award Awarded to the individual, company or organisation that has contributed to training on the installation, design and/or use of building controls and BEMS. Graeme Rees, President of the BCIA, says: “This year’s BCIA Awards was a fantastic occasion and I was very proud to make my first President’s speech. We have added a new category this year, with the Apprentice of the Year Award highlighting the value and importance the BCIA places on new talent entering the building controls sector.” He adds: “I am sure everybody in the industry is looking forward to celebrating the best innovation and talent in the business and I am confident we will see some very strong entries once again.”

Half of UK tradespeople experience mental health problems 

For World Mental Health Day (10 October), a mental health expert has shared their top pieces of advice for UK tradespeople, after research revealed that more than four in five (82%) experience mental health problems due to work-related issues.  The research was commissioned by IronmongeryDirect and the results have been published in its annual industry report.  It found that almost two-thirds (64%) of tradespeople experience some form of mental health problem, such as stress, anxiety or depression, every month, and sadly, one in eight (13%) feel symptoms every single day.  Finances remain the number one cause of stress, with over a third (34%) saying that money worries play on their mind. In fact, the top five reasons are the same as last year, with customer tensions (24%) taking second spot once again.  The most significant change from 2021 is the impact of customer abuse, with almost a fifth (18%) saying they struggle with insults or threats, which is treble the figure from the previous report (6%).  The top 10 most common causes of stress for tradespeople are:  #  Issue  %  1  Finances  34%  2  Tensions with customers  24%  3  High workload  23%  4  Tensions with business partners  21%  5  Tensions with suppliers  20%  6  Job security  19%  7  Making mistakes at work  19%  8  Abuse from customers  18%  9  Risk of catching COVID-19  18%  10  Doing the best job you can for customers  15%  Unfortunately, despite the benefits of doing so, more than four in five (85%) tradespeople don’t feel comfortable talking to others about their feelings. Just one in six (16%) have spoken to friends or family about their mental health, which is considerably fewer than last year (42%).  Furthermore, one in six (16%) worry what their colleagues would think if they told them what they were going through, and more than a quarter (28%) feel they can’t take time off work for mental health reasons.  As part of its campaign to raise awareness of mental health amongst tradespeople, IronmongeryDirect is partnering with Basildon Mind, the mental health charity, and is donating over £3,000 to support with its vital services.  Emma Mamo, Head of Workspace Wellbeing at Mind, says: “In male-dominated industries such as construction, employees are often less willing and able to open up about their mental health and ask for support. This can be problematic because mental health problems often become worse if left untreated, and the consequences can be fatal.   “We urge employers to create cultures where employees can speak openly and honestly about their mental health.”   Mind’s top tips for dealing with mental health problems:  Understand more about stress Figure out what you find helpful to deal with your mental health, as well as what can trigger it Learn about different coping techniques and if they work for you  Exercise regularly Practise mindfulness and meditation  Open up and talk to your family, friends and colleagues   Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, says: “It’s an unfortunate truth that mental health issues are common across our industry, and it’s awful to see that so many tradespeople experience problems on a regular basis.  “It’s particularly worrying to see that the number of people talking to others about their mental health has dropped significantly from last year. As difficult as it can be to discuss your feelings, talking about them with someone else, whether that’s a colleague or family member, can really help to begin addressing the issues.”  

UK Power Networks outlines autumn dangers

A change of season needs a shift in mindset when it comes to staying safe around high voltage electricity. UK Power Networks has compiled autumn safety tips for families outlining the potential dangers and the continued need to take care near overhead power lines. The company, which distributes electricity to 8.4 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England, wants all household members to heed the advice campaign. When the clocks change at the end of October, working and driving in darkness creates a significant new risk. There are extra tasks to undertake at home and in the garden and also traditional celebrations like Bonfire and Fireworks Nights which can bring their own dangers. Ros Forbes, Safety Advisor says: “Autumn can be the neglected season when it comes to safety messaging with more focus on other times of the year, but we want people to think about electricity all the year round and be mindful of different seasons bringing different dangers. ”The clock change at the end of October is a key moment in the calendar. Darker evenings impact driving safety, and also link to tiredness, fatigue and poor decision making. “With a range of activities from hedge cutting to clearing guttering at home, or in the farming and haulage industry the start of the potato and sugar beet harvest, it’s important to remember that overhead power lines are more difficult to see in the dark. “We always urge people to be aware of their surroundings and while most people will recognise that Fireworks Night on 5 November may present potential dangers, it is vital to think about and stay safe around high voltage electricity throughout these autumn months.” Six top tips to stay safe around electricity during autumn include: Remember the clock change on 30 October will mean darkness falling earlier so take care if working around overhead lines in the dark Be mindful of darkness leading to possible tiredness as fatigue can lead to poor decision making when carrying out activities at work and at home Families need to celebrate safely around Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night and make sure there are no overhead lines near any planned events If hedge cutting or clearing guttering always look out and look up for power lines During the autumn half-term break, ensure children never use substation sites as a hiding place or den and never enter a substation site to retrieve anything, be it a ball or even something more valuable like a dropped phone, because nothing is more costly than serious injury or even death If camping or caravanning, never attach or tie anything to electricity poles, pylons or electrical equipment and never light a fire under an overhead line as heat could cause the wires to sag or break.