Scolmore enhances online ordering experience

Scolmore has made a number of changes to its online ordering facility across all sites – Scolmore, ESP, Ovia and Unicrimp – with the aim of enhancing customer experience through improved load speeds and user functionality, as well as the addition of some new features. The new sites will benefit from speeds that are twice that of the old sites, with some sections, including order upload functionality increasing by four times the original speed. For added security, customers will now be required to log in using their email address - rather than account code - and the same password. Customer feedback has played a key role in shaping the new site and a number of features have been added. These include: Multi-accounts - customers can now have a single account (one login) and have access to all the branches they order for, using the ‘customer account switcher.’ Bulk-rates – when a customer is close to reaching the threshold for a bulk rate price, they will be informed on the basket. The basket summary will also show how much they have saved thanks to these bulk rates. Small order charges – a pop up will alert the customer to how much more needs to be spent to qualify for free carriage and to avoid small order charges. ETA’s - users do not have to click into a product to see the next time stock is available, it will show the next due date for available stock on the search screen. Low stock – products with low stock will be highlighted in red to alert to a potential back order. Going live on 5 October, the website addresses and online ordering links will remain the same, with customers only required to refresh their favourites to be directed to the new sites.

DP Building Systems announces partnership with Cancer Research UK

Specialist construction, mechanical and electrical supplier, DP Building Systems, has announced its charity partnership with Cancer Research UK. The partnership has a clear focus of raising £100,000 of funds over the next two years at an extremely critical time for cancer research. The donations in which Cancer Research UK receives are extremely important in supporting its pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The charity is estimating a £160m drop in income this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For every product purchased, a donation will go directly towards helping to reduce this shortfall. To commemorate the partnership, DP Building Systems and Cancer Research UK are currently working together to launch two products in November 2020, which will feature a Universal 5-in-1 USB Fast Charging Cable which includes the Cancer Research UK branded colours. Rob White, Commercial Director DP Building Systems Ltd comments: “Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer, and when we researched the impact that COVID has had on the vital research, we knew we wanted to become a corporate partner with Cancer Research UK and make a difference with our products. “Our products have been designed to raise much needed donations whilst adding value to everyone’s day-to-day lives, not just a throw away product. The packaging is 99% biodegradable, and the products have all been tested and approved." Caro Evans, Director of Partnerships at Cancer Research UK, says: “Cancer Research UK is absolutely delighted to be launching our partnership with DP Building Systems. We are excited that DP Building Systems have designed a unique 5-in-1 charging cable that will help to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK. DP Building Systems’ support is invaluable and will help us continue our life-saving work to make progress for people affected by cancer, who have never needed us more. We look forward to an exciting time ahead working together." The products will be available to purchase from November 2020.

The Ironbridge finally lights up

Fifteen years ago, the LIA began a campaign to have the famous Ironbridge professionally illuminated and, finally, on 19 September this year, the lights were turned on. For years the bridge was occasionally washed with a dim yellow sodium light and when floods damaged the fixtures, they often weren’t replaced so at night, the bridge was all but invisible. The original campaign began with Keven Verdun MBE, the then CEO of the Lighting Association and was then taken up in 2008 by Peter Hunt. Despite many meetings with the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust and English Heritage, the project was thwarted at every turn. Finally, in 2017, Telford & Wrekin Council decided to re-light the Bridge as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Telford New Town. In March of 2018, LPA Lighting was appointed to design the new scheme. Liz Peck and Bob Bohannon - both LIA trainers – persisted to deliver the scheme, despite many obstacles along the way. The final lighting scheme delivers a simple white-light scheme to highlight the detail of the bridge during the week, whilst a special effect on weekends evokes a historical reference to the furnaces which are at the heart of the area’s industrial history. The LIA is delighted that the bridge has finally been re-lit and is especially proud that two of its expert trainers have achieved a major improvement to the famous world heritage site.

Stay Safe With Snickers Workwear's Protective Wear Solutions

Long working days and cheap uncomfortable clothing makes Snickers Workwear’s protective wear range the better-informed choice for men and women working in hazardous environments and inclement weather. There’s a comprehensive selection of ergonomically designed base-, mid- and top-layer clothes, certified as appropriate for different risks at work to ensure comfort, health and workforce-wellbeing all day, every day. The new range also includes waterproof and windproof AllroundWork Hi-Vis Jackets that provide protection in low-light, high-risk environments. So, whatever the hazard on site, the Snickers Workwear Hi-Vis collection and ProtecWork range can provide a protective wear solution to provide maximum, certified protection whatever the risks on site.

C-TEC’s CAST and Hush Pro systems specified at mixed-use site

C-TEC’s revolutionary CAST and Hush Pro fire alarm systems are safeguarding a charming cluster of commercial and residential properties in Llangollen, Wales. As a ‘mixed-use’ building housing both business units and domestic dwellings, a combination of commercial and residential fire systems was required. Allied Fire & Escapes Ltd, a Wrexham-based fire specialist company, installed one of C-TEC’s powerful CAST XFP addressable fire systems to protect the ground floor retail units and interfaced it to three of C-TEC’s new Hush Pro domestic fire systems to safeguard the residential dwellings on the first floor. Said John Westerman, Director at Allied: “Linking C-TEC’s CAST system to Hush Pro proved the ideal solution for this mixed-use building. Each domestic dwelling is fitted with a Hush Pro controller connected to a series of Hush Pro smoke detectors, base sounders and heat detectors - all interfaced via Hush Pro’s CAST Landlord Interfaces - to the CAST XFP communal/landlord system.” Specifically designed for flats, apartments and high-rise residential buildings, Hush Pro provides residents with easy-to-use detection, alarm, silencing and test facilities so they can test their own devices, be alerted to system faults and hush any false alarms at the Hush Button which is positioned at light-switch level for easy access. Westerman said: “We specified Hush Pro as it offers higher levels of fire protection over the Grade D unmonitored battery alarm systems typically used in domestic installations. As a fully-monitored BS 5839-6 Grade C system, Hush Pro reports open and short circuit faults and operation faults back to the CAST fire panel and even allows management and maintenance companies to remotely monitor the system. In the event of an emergency, Hush Pro relays information to the CAST panel to effectively notify building management.”

Get a share of the £2bn Green Homes Grant Scheme

Matt Parton, product manager with Scolmore Group Company, Sangamo, welcomes the news that heating controls are being included in the Government Green Homes Grant, and here he looks at what the scheme means for installers. The Green Homes Grant scheme will see the injection of £2bn into improving the energy efficiency of homes in the UK and is part of the government’s overall goal to reach the target of net zero by 2050. Whilst no official launch date has been announced, the government has confirmed that applications will begin at the end of September, and the scheme will run until March 2021. The new scheme will see the government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements - up to £10,000 - on over 600,000 homes, supporting over 100,000 jobs in green construction. The Green Homes Grants will give homeowners, including owner occupiers and social/private landlords, vouchers to install one or more of the following: Solid wall, under-floor, cavity wall or roof insulation Air source or ground source heat pump Solar thermal In addition, households can use their voucher for further energy saving measures. These include one or more of the following: Double or triple glazing/secondary glazing, when replacing single glazing Upgrading to energy efficient doors Hot water tank/appliance tank thermostats/heating controls (such as smart heating controls and thermostats) The scheme provides the electrical industry and other sectors with the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of UK homes. For example, the transition to smart controls for heating controls and boilers will require electrical input. The Sangamo Choice Wi-Fi thermostat is designed to offer installers the opportunity to easily add a smart control function to their customers’ home heating. It provides users with energy efficient programming and with remote access via the APP, it allows for constant monitoring and control at your fingertips. We see the electrical sector as having a key role to play in the success of the scheme. With over 600,000 homes eligible, this is an excellent opportunity for electricians and other tradespeople to get involved. In order to take part in the scheme, which is set to support over 100,000 jobs in green construction, tradespeople must register for TrustMark or Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Heating buildings accounts for almost a fifth of UK greenhouse gas emissions and reducing carbon dioxide from homes will be essential to reaching net zero by 2050. The government’s wider green package also includes an additional £1bn programme to make public buildings, including schools and hospitals across the UK more energy efficient. An additional £50m will pilot innovative approaches to retrofitting social housing at scale.

Aico supporting the fire and rescue service

As part of a new campaign to increase support to the fire and rescue service, Aico is offering free support in the form of CPD training and the use of its facilities to each of the 52 fire and rescue brigades in the UK. The campaign will focus on offering increased support to each of the fire and rescue brigades. The support will include free, FIA approved CPD training based on BS 5839-6:2019, free use of Aico’s mobile training and demonstration units and access to office space at its Centre of Excellence as well as homeowner and tenant safety packs. Neal Hooper, Managing Director of Aico comments, “For us, it is not just about alarms. One of our core values is creating safer communities and this year we have decided to increase our support for the fire and rescue service. We already have strong partnerships with several fire and rescue services around the UK but feel we could be doing more.” Recently, Aico has partnered and increased its support with Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service by sponsoring two of its fire engines. The sponsorship involved the centre water ladder lockers of each engine having graphics printed on them, to encourage and highlight to residents the importance of testing their alarms. Martin Lucas, Head of Fire Safety at Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service states, “Aico have provided unparalleled customer service and support, whether it be by Andy Sturgess, the Regional Specification Manager for our area or the teams within the head office. They have worked to train all of our watches on the government standards and technical requirements, and have worked with us to educate local government on best practice. The island has never had support like this, everyone at Aico is always going the extra mile and the training they provide is excellent. “

JIB looks to build on long-term strategic priorities after decisive response to coronavirus

After taking a proactive approach to the coronavirus pandemic, the Joint Industry Board (JIB) is aiming to build on its longer-term strategic priorities of raising employment standards, achieving significant business growth and creating a safer built environment. To help its members during lockdown the JIB announced the introduction of a Temporary Furlough Benefits Credit, which gave employers the option to purchase a reduced level of cover for operatives on furlough. It also announced a temporary suspension of National Working Rule 16 to allow furloughed employees (including apprentices) to use their electrical skills to good effect, including performing socially valuable voluntary work. The JIB is an impartial organisation that sets the standards for employment, welfare, grading and apprentice training in the electrical contracting industry. As the UK went into lockdown in March, the JIB worked collaboratively and took clear and decisive action by implementing flexible and supportive measures to ensure jobs and businesses are fully protected. The JIB was one of the first organisations to boldly take clear and decisive action to support the industry and its workforce by introducing flexibility to allow access and use the government’s job retention scheme option to purchase reduced benefits for furloughed staff and allowing staff to undertake socially valuable voluntary work. Now, JIB Chief Executive, Jay Parmar, says this year has been an important time in which the industry can take stock and reflect on how it runs itself. Parmar explains: “The speed and spread of the virus took us all by surprise, not only threatening lives, but livelihoods – impacting on how we work, live and learning the new norms. For me, it brought to light a lot of things about our industry that we DO get right but, like with everything, it also exposed areas that we could be managing a lot better. “Prior to lockdown, we were busy developing a comprehensive Business Plan for the JIB, which aimed to build on our longer-term strategic priorities. During its development I had no idea just how important it was going to be in helping us prioritise our support and engagement as the country was plunged into lockdown and the activities and plans for the construction sector being drastically curtailed. “We are all learning how to adapt to new ways of living and working and I remain confident that through resilience and innovation our sector will bounce back stronger and thrive once again. JIB will continue to ensure it remains at the forefront of recovery through increased engagement and support in these turbulent times.”

Half of public sector bodies not planning for net zero carbon

Over half of public sector bodies and quangos across the country (52%) are not planning for net zero carbon by 2050, according to research by ECA. Overall, just 30% of respondents said they were planning towards net zero carbon by 2050, while a further 18% said they were partially planning for the legally mandated requirement. The remainder either said there were not currently planning for net zero, or did not know if they were. In addition, over half of respondents (53%) did not know the 2018 carbon footprint of their organisation’s HQ building. ECA energy advisor Luke Osborne comments, “These findings show that many public sector bodies have major work to do if they are to meet the government’s legally binding commitment for net zero carbon by 2050. “ECA urges all public sector bodies to lead by example and get zero carbon done, by monitoring their energy usage, as well as quickly putting into place plans for the next 30 years.” Around half of respondents (47%) said they have a plan in place to generally reduce carbon emissions relating to their built assets, which include offices and other facilities. Around one in five (18%) said they did not have a plan, while the remainder (35%) said they did not know. Overall, 78 public sector bodies and quangos responded to ECA’s freedom of information request earlier this year. Respondents included 12 executive agencies, 52 quangos, and 14 non-ministerial departments. Last year, the government brought in legally binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero by 2050.

Select Introduces New Conditional Membership Level

Select has introduced a new enrolment scheme that allows firms to join Scotland’s largest trade association and enjoy the benefits of full membership, despite ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. The campaigning body has created a dedicated Conditional Membership category, which means companies can still join Select despite the suspension of in-person assessments due to strict social distancing measures. The move has been introduced in response to a surge of interest in membership since the pandemic struck, with companies recognising the wealth of guidance offered by trade bodies in a time of crisis. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of Select, says, “Coronavirus has brought into sharp focus the tangible benefits of being a member of a trade association like Select, as companies increasingly subscribe to the reality that we are stronger together. “With clear advice and information never more important, we are keen to ensure that electrotechnical businesses of all sizes can still become members of Select and enjoy the many benefits we offer. “Unprecedented times require unprecedented measures, and we think this is an innovative solution that demonstrates our willingness to listen to the industry and respond accordingly. “By introducing new criteria in lieu of physical assessments, we are able to maintain our high standards of membership and continue our ‘business as usual’ mantra, while at the same time protecting our staff, members and the wider public.” To be considered for membership, applicants must now satisfy two additional criteria – the nominated Qualified Supervisor must have a current SJIB (ECS) Grade Card and completed updated training in BS 7671:2018 Requirements for Electrical Installations 18th Edition. In addition, the technical assessments necessary for membership are now carried out remotely in two stages. Firstly, a Select Technical Adviser voice or video calls the applicant to conduct an office-based assessment, then directs a live virtual walkthrough of the site to see testing and meter readings. If successful, the applicant firm is made a Conditional Member with full access to all member services, subject to conditions. At the earliest opportunity, and when physical distancing conditions allow, an in-person technical assessment will be carried out to confirm full membership. Select has already welcomed ten new Conditional Members into the scheme since its launch, with dozens of other applications currently being processed and awaiting online technical assessments. Dave Forrester, Director of Technical Services at Select, says, “It is important that any qualified firms wanting to join Select are not disadvantaged by the restrictions in place, which may last for some time to come. “That is why we have introduced the concept of Conditional Membership until our normal regime of physical assessments can resume.”