BAFE and NAPIT announce a new competency scheme

Following an extensive development process over two years in the making, the BAFE Fire Safety Register and NAPIT are proud to announce a new scheme to assess the competency of organisations who provide design, installation, commissioning and maintenance services for BS 5839-6 Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. BAFE DS301 (For the Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Grade D Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Domestic Premises) supports appropriate British Standards and best working practice, most notably the latest iteration of BS 5839-6 (Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises). Acknowledging progress of recognising both organisational and individual competency following the Grenfell Tower fire, the BAFE DS301 Scheme will also focus scrutiny on two key personnel roles required for an organisation to become Third Party Certificated/BAFE Registered for Grade D systems. These are a Principal Duty Holder (the person appointed by the organisation to have responsibility for the maintenance of the overall standard and safety of the fire detection and fire alarm system work) and a Qualified Supervisor (a Competent Person who meets the requirements of the BAFE DS301 Scheme and with specific responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the safety, technical standard and quality of the fire detection and fire alarm system work). A key requirement for the Qualified Supervisor will be to ensure that all operatives undertaking fire detection and fire alarm work for the organisation are competent. Chris Auger, Director of Schemes at BAFE, comments “The roles of Principal Duty Holder and Qualified Supervisor for the BAFE DS301 Scheme is a crucial element to upholding quality and competency of those delivering these services. Dame Judith Hackitt and subsequent Working Groups have raised the topic of both organisational and individual responsibility which have been incorporated into the BAFE DS301 Scheme organisation competency criteria as a direct result. With this, there will be a transparent chain of responsibility for such systems aiding the desired ‘golden thread’ of key information. It was a core component in the development of the Scheme.” “We are delighted to officially announce the BAFE DS301 Scheme with NAPIT as the first Licensed Certification Body, who will be delivering assessment for those registered within this scope for the electrotechnical sector.” Justin Maltby-Smith, NAPIT Technical Scheme Development Manager, adds “NAPIT are delighted to be leading the way with the development of the new DS301 Scheme with BAFE. The DS301 Scheme will help to raise standards within the domestic electrical sector for organisations who carry out design, installation, commissioning and maintenance work on BS 5839-6 Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems. BS 5839-6 was fully revised in 2019 and amended in 2020 and it is extremely important that work on Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems is performed in compliance with and to the current British Standard. Achieving this Third Party Certification will demonstrate an organisation’s commitment and competence to perform quality and compliant work to keep people safe in their homes.” The BAFE DS301 Scheme (For the Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Grade D Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Domestic Premises) is now available for application/assessment via NAPIT.

Study reveals SMES could be losing up to 54% of online revenue

Yell has released new research into how businesses in the trades sector are approaching their online presence in light of the pandemic, and how, as we come out of lockdown in the UK, getting your website right has never been more important.  The research identified an effective online presence as a key driver for sales and enquiries for tradespeople. 79% of businesses stated that their branding and customer reviews were the most important aspect for generating leads and sales, closely followed by their website (78%). 34% of tradespeople stated that they thought their website was unimportant before the pandemic, but now think that it is important and over one in three (37%) think that their business would not survive without a website.  Consumers are increasingly seeking out businesses online too. On average, 80% of consumers are either likely or very likely to seek out a trades business online before making a purchase or booking in a job.   Content is king  Out of the websites analysed, on average, trades websites were last updated an estimated 20 months ago, revealing that many businesses are neglecting to update them regularly.  Yell’s research shows that this could have a direct impact on revenue from online sales, with the study finding that consumers spend 54% less per month on average on websites that have not been updated regularly versus those that have. Moreover, when consumers were asked what element of a business’s website would most likely increase their chances of making a purchase or booking a service with that business, 42% stated that it was a website having up to date information.  The most common reasons amongst businesses for not updating or amending their website are, a lack of expertise (47% of respondents), followed by a fear of something going wrong and a lack of money (both 39%). Interestingly, 63% of respondents agreed that it was costly to update their website.  Designed for success  More than half (51%) of businesses in the trades sector stated that design is the most important part of their website and this is reflected in consumer behaviour too. Half of consumers surveyed stated that they would be less likely to give a website their business if it was badly designed and 41% said they would not use that business again.  However, the analysis of websites showed that 13% of trades websites contained text too small to be read on a mobile device. Furthermore 31% of businesses had a website with horizontal scrolling on mobile devices, a common complaint amongst mobile users, and nearly 1 in 5 (19%) were not optimised for mobile at all.  Speed is of the essence  With 36% of consumers stating that they would be less likely to give a company their business if their website was slow to use and 9% even saying they would post a negative comment about their experience on social media, site speed is another incredibly important factor for businesses in the trades.  On average, out of all websites analysed, the analysis found that it took 6.7 seconds for a business’s website’s page to go from a blank screen to a visually complete state. In comparison, it took trades websites 6.2 seconds, on average. Showing that on the whole, trades websites are performing slightly better than the standard amongst other SMEs.  Claire Miles, Chief Executive Officer of Yell comments: “It’s been an incredibly tough time for tradespeople across the country. The pandemic has forced them to adapt quickly and has led to a widespread adoption of digital services at speed. Whilst these digital services have been crucial for businesses to survive the past 16 months, our insights show that this trend towards digital is set to continue long past the pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial for SMEs to be getting their digital strategy right and an effective website will always be at the heart of that. Our research highlights just how important an effective website is in helping to drive sales and leads for businesses in the professional services industry, which is why Yell is delighted to have enhanced its website product by teaming up with Wix, combining our digital expertise and customer service with one of the world's leading web development platforms to create websites that are easy to update, secure and professionally designed.”   

Explore the NEW interactive construction site: Bosch Professional World

In a digital-first world, customer experiences involving hands-on opportunities are always the most powerful. But due to the restrictions over the last 12 months, this has been quite tricky to achieve for power tool manufacturers. However, Bosch Professional have created something truly unique to get power tools in the hands of UK tradespeople. Bosch Professional Power Tools and Accessories are bringing back the opportunity to get up close and personal with their products - and you don’t even have to leave your sofa. Using the latest scanning technologies and innovative design platforms, it has built a fully immersive 3D world for you, its users, to connect to Bosch Professional in a way never seen before. Bosch Professional users and power tool fans alike will have the opportunity to explore this online world and navigate between specific zones for Power Tools, Measuring Tools, and Accessories. In each zone it will be possible to interact with new and exciting products, learn more about their capabilities, and engage with a huge array of content designed to show the development process that goes into creating each tool to suit the needs of tradespeople and make them more efficient in their work. The Power Tools zone showcases the heroes of the revolutionary BITURBO Brushless range and the dynamic ProCORE18V batteries that make this extreme performance possible. This zone also lets you pick out the perfect toolbox for key trades. If you’re an electrician in need of a nifty GOP 18V-28 Multi-Tool, or if you work in construction and need something that packs a punch like the GBH 18V-26 Rotary Hammer, there’s a toolbox curated by Bosch, for all users. Over in the Measuring Tools area, Bosch Professional demonstrate how its precise and durable tools can work efficiently even in the toughest jobsite conditions. You can also discover the benefits that Green Laser Technology brings to jobsites with tools like the GCL 2-50 G Combi Laser, or if you fancy something a little bigger, check out the GRL 600 CHV Rotation Laser with its dual slope feature. Be sure to head over to the Accessories zone where you can maximise the potential of your tools with our new EXPERT range. Many of the EXPERT Accessories utilise Carbide Technology to offer proven performance advantages to ensure the most efficient working for demanding jobs. After all, what is not to like about accessories that can last up to 100x longer than standard bimetal accessories? “The Bosch Professional World has been developed as an interactive construction site. It allows tradespeople to learn more about the Bosch Professional brand, and the innovations and technologies built into our tools, designed to help make tradespeople more efficient in their day-to-day work. You can find out about our latest products, enter competitions, and see live events with well-known tradespeople.” says Kate Pritchard, User Marketing Manager, Bosch Professional. The Bosch Professional World is yours to explore. Don’t miss out and be sure to check out this incredible online experience.

Aico host resident engagement day with Poplar HARCA

Aico have hosted a two-day resident engagement session with Poplar HARCA, discussing the importance of fire safety and walking residents through the basics of alarm testing and maintenance. Poplar HARCA (Housing and Regeneration Community Association) own and manage over 9,000 homes in East London and, like Aico, place resident engagement at the forefront of safety. The award-winning Association was delighted to partner up with Aico over the two days and invite residents to come and discuss fire safety, provide information on how to test and maintain their alarms and answer any questions they may have. National Sales Manager for Aico, Daniel Little, alongside Regional Specification Manager for East London, Mark Wood, and HomeLINK’s Product Owner & UX Lead, Amrita Poptani, attended both days on one of Aico’s state-of-the-art Mobile Training and Demonstration Units. They were able to give residents hands on product demonstrations and explain the importance of a monthly test to their life saving devices. Poplar HARCA are set to roll out Environmental Sensors which will monitor Temperature, Humidity and Carbon Dioxide across their housing stock. The Aico team were able to display a live demonstration of the new Resident App, which will support the Environmental Sensors and give residents the ability to monitor things like condensation, damp and mould. Resident packs and goody bags with fire safety literature were provided to ensure attendees had all the information they required to keep their homes safe. Poplar HARCA’s Compliance Co-Ordinator Clarizza Murray who joined Aico for the resident engagement sessions was delighted with the turn out, comments “I had the pleasure of working with Aico and HomeLINK for our team's first in-person resident engagement, Covid safe event this year. We're proud to be installing 'Internet of Things' devices in our homes, and when we demonstrated the app it didn't take much convincing to get residents interested. It was also a fantastic opportunity to get some really useful community views on our carbon agenda. We're looking forward to a long-standing relationship with Aico and HomeLINK and making a difference in our residents' lives.”. Elizabeth Williams, Assistant Director of Asset Management at Poplar HARCA adds “This was a really engaging way to share safety advice and to promote a fresh approach to safer, healthier homes and lower fuel bills. Residents appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and to see new technology for themselves in a fun, informal environment.” Mark Wood was pleased with the residents response and success of the sessions says “It was great spending two days with Poplar HARCA on our Mobile Unit. We had a chance to engage with residents over both days and discuss fire safety and the importance of testing the alarms. As Poplar HARCA are beginning to install Environmental Sensors throughout their housing stock, we offered residents a chance to see a live demonstration of our new Resident App and gave residents a chance to sign up to having the sensors fitted in their property. Over the two days, lots of residents signed up, they believe Environmental Sensors are key to having a healthy home.”

Aico Pedals the Borders for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund

Aico has supported Adrenaline Sporting Events’ inaugural Pedal the Borders cycling event, in aid of Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. On Sunday 25th July, 100 riders departed from Aico’s Oswestry headquarters at 08:30am to take on the challenge of cycling 100km, from the Shropshire countryside into the Welsh hills. Beginning and ending at Aico, the ride took in miles of stunning local scenery, including the Tanat Valley and Lake Vyrnwy, with some challenging aspects. The first riders arrived back at Aico before noon, with the final riders completing the cycle around 3pm. Upon arrival back at Aico, cyclists enjoyed some well-deserved refreshments and were awarded an attractive finishing medal for their accomplishment. Providing more than just spectacular views, the route proved to be a real challenge for both cyclists and their bikes, but St John’s Ambulance crews were on hand to support those that needed it. Aico were delighted to be able to host and support this event, with 21 Aico colleagues from across the UK taking part in the ride, and more colleagues volunteering to help coordinate the event. Aico colleagues raised a fantastic £4,661 for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. Keen cyclist Michael Wright, Product Development Manager for Aico, followed a challenging training schedule to prepare for Pedal the Borders, including hilly cycles around Glyn Ceiriog as well as flatter routes towards Ruyton-XI-Towns to work on speed. Michael was the 5th person to finish the event, completing the cycle in a speedy 3 hours 23 minutes, and commented “It was fantastic to be part of Pedal the Borders and helping to raise money for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. The route was brilliant with the scenery of Lake Vyrnwy being a welcome sight halfway around! It was great to see so many Aico and HomeLINK colleagues taking part also, challenging themselves for such a good cause. Thank you to all the volunteers and organisers who made the event a great success and really enjoyable. I’m looking forward to next year’s event already.” Matthew Hodgetts, Warehouse Operative for Aico, also took part in the cycle, completing the 100km as his first cycling event. Matthew found the route challenging and great fun, he says “It was a tough route but enjoyable, there were times when I wasn’t sure I could go on but the support from my colleagues and knowing we were in it together for an incredible local charity spurred me on and made me determined. It was a fantastic day and I’m really pleased to have completed it.” Lingen Davies are pleased with the success of the day and astounded by the fundraising efforts of the local community, Helen Knight, Development Manager for Lingen Davies Cancer Trust, says “The team at Lingen Davies are absolutely delighted with the Pedal the Borders event which took place on Sunday 25th July. We had a wonderful turn out, congratulations to all those that took on this incredible challenge. We would like to thank our sponsors who supported us, with an extra big thank you to Aico, who not only supported the event as our main sponsor, but also supported with all of their staff having a role in the day, from volunteering, to actually cycling the 100km. The amount we have raised has completely blown our mind, with us currently having received £32,000! We continue to raise money for the C T Scanner, and also the extension of the centre in having 3 new clinical rooms built. This money will make a great impact into this work. We are excited to think that this appeal could be finished by March 2022, if we can continue to raise funds like those from Pedal the borders. Thank you to all those that played a part in the day, it is so wonderfully refreshing being out and about, putting events back on for people to enjoy and feel part of.”

BAFE and NAPIT announce fire detection and fire alarm scheme

Following an extensive development process over two years in the making, the BAFE Fire Safety Register and NAPIT have announced a new scheme to assess the competency of organisations who provide design, installation, commissioning and maintenance services for BS 5839-6 Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. BAFE DS301 (For the Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Grade D Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Domestic Premises) supports appropriate British Standards and best working practice, most notably the latest iteration of BS 5839-6 (Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises). Acknowledging progress of recognising both organisational and individual competency following the Grenfell Tower fire, the BAFE DS301 Scheme will also focus scrutiny on two key personnel roles required for an organisation to become Third Party Certificated/BAFE Registered for Grade D systems. These are a Principal Duty Holder (the person appointed by the organisation to have responsibility for the maintenance of the overall standard and safety of the fire detection and fire alarm system work) and a Qualified Supervisor (a Competent Person who meets the requirements of the BAFE DS301 scheme and with specific responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the safety, technical standard and quality of the fire detection and fire alarm system work). A key requirement for the Qualified Supervisor will be to ensure that all operatives undertaking fire detection and fire alarm work for the organisation are competent. Chris Auger, Director of Schemes, BAFE, comments: “The roles of Principal Duty Holder and Qualified Supervisor for the BAFE DS301 scheme is a crucial element to upholding quality and competency of those delivering these services. Dame Judith Hackitt and subsequent Working Groups have raised the topic of both organisational and individual responsibility which have been incorporated into the BAFE DS301 scheme organisation competency criteria as a direct result. With this, there will be a transparent chain of responsibility for such systems aiding the desired ‘golden thread’ of key information. It was a core component in the development of the scheme. “We are delighted to officially announce the BAFE DS301 Scheme with NAPIT as the first Licensed Certification Body, who will be delivering assessment for those registered within this scope for the electrotechnical sector.”

Service qualifications help ex-military personnel transition to civilian life

The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) is encouraging ex-military personnel to transfer the electrical skills and qualifications gained in service to a rewarding career in their civilian life. Military training and qualifications had not always been fully recognised outside the armed forces, with many candidates having to undertake additional civilian vocational qualifications once they have made the transition from military life. However, in 2020 it was announced by the ECS that electrical military qualifications for the Corps of Royal Engineers would form a route to an Installation Electrician occupation and ECS Registered Electrician status. The Ministry of Defence had previously established the Ofqual approved Defence Awarding Organisation (DAO) to award vocational qualifications to armed forces personnel, helping individuals to gain this valuable recognition, and as such the Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) were able to work with the Joint Industry Board (JIB) to gain recognition through ECS. This will help ex-military personnel transition into civilian life smoothly using the skills and experience gained during their time in the military within ECS. The Army is involved in a range of major building projects and the quality of training provided by the RSME to the Royal Engineers at Chatham in Kent is extremely high. Following the announcement last year on electrical routes, the JIB has now announced that Electrical and Mechanical Draughtspersons can have their qualifications recognised through ECS as a CAD Engineer. This is one of the recognised Site Support Occupations for both: DAO Level 3 Diploma for Mechanical and Electrical Draughtsperson (Military Engineering) DAO Level 5 Diploma for Mechanical and Electrical Draughtsperson (Military Engineering) Applicants for this card will need to hold the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness assessment or a valid exemption. Andy Reakes, Head of Growth at the ECS, explains: “Industry and employers value the skills, work ethic and organisation of those who have been in the military. This is why ECS cards awarded to those who qualify through this route will be recognised with ‘HM Forces Trained’ on the reverse of their ECS card to show the standards which have been met by the individual.” Andy Mitchell, Head of Defence Awarding Organisation at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, says: “This is such an important development to help ex-soldiers move along with their life after they have left the service without having to prove themselves all over again. Within the Military, you pick up a whole variety of life skills in various disciplines and it is fantastic news that careers developed while in service can easily be continued after soldiers have left. We welcome another route for people trained through the RSME with Mechanical and Electrical Draughtspersons recognised following the work last year to map across training for Electricians.”

New retentions report can be a 'game changer' for the construction industry

SELECT has hailed a new report on cash retentions as “a potential game-changer” – and says its recommendations could lead to greater reinvestment in the industry. The campaigning trade body says the in-depth review by the short life working group (SLWG) could bring an end to the practice of withheld retention payments and deliver “an essential financial lifeline” for contractors. Among its many practical proposals submitted to the Scottish Government, the new report recommends a retention deposit scheme, the introduction of best practice policy and automatic release of retentions as early as possible. It also says that the government should work with industry to ensure retention best practice is reflected in standard construction contracts, including dispute resolution and conflict avoidance procedures. SELECT President Donald W Orr says: “The issue of retentions is one that has blighted the industry for many years, and this report makes it clear that there is a widely-held belief that change is long overdue. “We welcome its recommendations and, if implemented, believe they could provide an essential financial lifeline that could save many businesses thousands of pounds every year. “Retention monies could be reinvested by businesses in employing more apprentices, upskilling operatives or investing in new technology – bringing benefits to the wider industry and helping the whole construction sector build a stronger and more sustainable future. “We therefore hope that the powers-that-be heed the advice in this report and have the courage to adopt what could be a potential game-changer for contractors.” Mr Orr adds: “While we would obviously like to see retentions abolished completely, these recommendations are certainly a step in the right direction and we hope the Scottish Government brings them to fruition. “In particular, we would like to see the introduction of a statutory custodial retention deposit scheme, along with the automatic release of retentions as early as possible, unless a clear issue has been identified. We would also welcome the requirement for contracting authorities to publish their retentions policy and, if they deviate from it, to be made to explain why.” The SLWG was established in January 2021 by the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills to consider and make recommendations on the practice of cash retentions under construction contracts. Its findings have also been warmly welcomed by fellow Scottish trade body the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) and engineering services alliance Actuate UK, of which SELECT and SNIPEF are both key members. SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson comments: “We are grateful to the group’s work and it is heartening to see progress being made via an ongoing spirit of collaboration. Only by continuing to listen, talk and work together will we find a solution that works for us all. “From member feedback, we know that retention delays and non-payment continue to cause problems for businesses up and down Scotland, with the disruption to all-important cash-flow causing both financial worries and serious mental health issues. “SELECT has devoted much time and effort to tackling retentions and urging our members to have their say to make the voice of the electrical industry heard. “We will continue to press hard for these recommendations to come to fruition, both through our own efforts and with our industry colleagues, to develop meaningful solutions that benefit the whole construction sector.”

Toolstation opens 500th store in New Malden

Toolstation, one of the UK’s fastest growing and largest suppliers of tools and more, opened the doors of its 500th store on Monday 26th July in New Malden - creating seven new roles in the area and bringing essential products to local trade and DIY customers. To celebrate the fantastic milestone, Toolstation will be hosting a grand store opening on Thursday 5th August in which customers can come down and enjoy a variety of celebratory activities, including food stalls and in-store discounts. The 500th store opening is a testament to the growing ambition of Toolstation, which opened 60 new stores last year and has opened 36 stores so far in 2021, creating hundreds of new jobs in the process. The store celebrations will begin at 11am, with customers able to enjoy a selection of BBQ food options, and make the most of the 10% discount that will be on offer on a wide range of products in-store. Customers will also be able to sit back and enjoy watching the ‘Trade Games’ that will be hosted in the outside marquee by construction based community On The Tools, which will see tradespeople go head-to-head in a number of unexpected work-related situations to see who comes out on top. A customer competition will be hosted by On The Tools throughout the day, which will offer tradespeople and DIYers the chance to win up to £1,000 of top prizes. The opening will see a guest visit from ex-footballer and TV presenter Dion Dublin who will be coming to New Malden to browse the new store, co-host the Trade Games and join in the outdoor celebrations. The 500th store opening comes after recent research from Toolstation revealed that its DIY customer base doubled since the pandemic, with 65% stating DIY helped to keep them busy. Toolstation offers a wide range of leading brands and trade quality products at great prices in store and online, demonstrating Toolstation’s commitment to quickly and conveniently provide trade, DIYers and homebuilders with tools and more to tackle any task. Toolstation’s multi-channel service means customers can safely purchase the essentials they need from stores directly or at toolstation.com through their click and collect service, with most products available within five minutes after purchase. The knowledgeable store team will also be on hand in-store with expert advice and reliable service. Store manager Kirsty Woods says: “We are looking forward to celebrating not only the opening of the new store that will help support the local tradespeople, DIYers and home builders of New Malden, but also the fantastic milestone of opening 500 stores. Our knowledgeable team are committed to providing local customers with a reliable and convenient service for the essentials they need to tackle any task, as well as celebrate the milestone with the local community next Thursday.” Toolstation New Malden will be open seven days a week, from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm Saturday and 9am to 4pm Sundays.

Freelance electricians earning nearly £50,000 a year

Average weekly earnings for freelance electrical contractors remained well above £1,000 in June, according to Hudson Contract’s latest analysis of pay trends in the construction industry. At £1,032 per week, the earnings for freelance workers are 5.2% higher than the same month last year, and equivalent to an annual salary of nearly £50,000. They have stayed above £1,000 a week every month since July last year, bar January when industry earnings decline in line with seasonal trends. Ian Anfield, Hudson Contract's Managing Director, says: “Electricians are reaping the rewards for gaining a valuable trade that remains in high demand. “The sector is still incredibly busy with housebuilding, renovation and infrastructure work and we don’t see any signs of activity slowing down.” Earnings declined by 3% between May and June, which was attributed to freelancers taking time off with their families during the half-term holiday. Hudson delivers the most accurate indication of subcontractor pay trends across the construction industry, publishing the average pay for a spectrum of 17 different trades split across 10 regions in England and Wales.