Cambridge Finance Office Gets Marshall-Tufflex Cable Management Solution

The finance offices at the Cambridge University Press has benefitted from a cable management solution from Marshall-Tufflex, which supplied a range of products to serve this large, high-end office.  Michael Penfold, Director of M Penfold Electrical Contractors Ltd, had worked with Marshall-Tufflex products previously and knew the products and services to be reliable, robust and ideal for such a high-profile job.  “We were working to quite a tight schedule for this one, with plans that the entire office was going to be stripped bare, including all the flooring and walls. From then, we had a twelve-week schedule in place to install fuse boards, powertrack, power and data modules and trunking, in order to supply power and data to a large number of desktop computers,” he says. “This installation was going to take place across five offices, including one with video conference facilities. The main office consists of 105 desks – which all required underfloor to desk solutions.”  For this project, Michael worked closely with Glenn Woods, Area Sales Manager at Marshall-Tufflex, to ensure this extensive refurbishment could be carried out to schedule.  To supply each desk with a power source for desktop computers, Marshall-Tufflex supplied a number of its Clean Earth (CE) 63amp Powertrack lengths. Supplied complete with pre-assembled coupler, end cap and floor mounting brackets, it was the perfect solution to install underfloor power within the allotted time.  These were then connected to power modules, which were secured underneath desks by a simple to install wire basket solution, to keep floors clear of cable in the busy office.  Finally, for perimeter trunking, PVC-U Sterling Profile 3 was specified. The profile is a robust trunking solution that contains 54% recycled material that can comfortably hold data and power cables. To accommodate corners and the office shape, couplers and flat tees were also used.  “Marshall-Tufflex products are extremely high-quality, which means they are not prone to bending or breaking on-site like some products tend to be,” says Penfold.  “Due to the robust, high-quality nature of the products provided, installation went incredibly well and was very straight-forward, which has allowed us to complete our work to schedule.” The offices at Cambridge University Press are now open and operational. 

New PowerWAVE 3000/P1 From Kohler Uninterruptible Power

Kohler Uninterruptible Power Ltd (KUP), a leading provider of critical power protection products and services, has unveiled its new PowerWAVE 3000/P1, the most energy efficient UPS unit in its class. The PowerWAVE 3000/P1 solves the problem of providing economic-to-run dependable critical power protection for higher load single-phase applications such as vital servers, networks and telecommunications. Compact in size and easy to install and operate, this advanced new 10 kVA or 20 kVA double conversion model lowers energy costs and carbon emissions, whilst providing a stable and resilient supply of power. Behind its class leading efficiency of 96.6% lies intelligent design, optimised air flow and highly efficient components. With up to four units able to be connected in parallel for larger loads, dry-contact cards, network interface SNMP cards and responsive sensors allow close monitoring for maximum confidence and peace of mind. Other key features of this new unit include a bright 4.3” graphical touch screen display, providing quick access to an intuitive system menu and a maintenance bypass switch connection. Dual feed input The PowerWAVE 3000/P1 dual feed input design increases the levels of reliability and availability of the UPS system, a feature which is more commonly found in larger systems. This superior protection allows the load to be supplied directly from the mains power source. Longer runtime applications For mission critical applications requiring longer runtimes or higher specification batteries, the PowerWAVE 3000/P1 employs an internal intelligent charging system with up to 12 Amps configured by the touchscreen display control panel. Additional matching battery cabinets can easily be added and have been designed both technically and aesthetically to complement the UPS, forming a combined unit which can easily be located without the need for special site considerations. Compact footprint At just 250mm x 826mm, the PowerWAVE 3000/P1 offers one of the smallest footprints available on the market, providing exceptional power density of 112kW/m2 at 20kVA / 20kW capacity in one cabinet, for the ever space conscious IT Manager. Smart battery management Intelligent battery management combined with exceptional efficiency of 96.6% means that PowerWAVE 3000/P1 battery sizing is optimised and longer runtimes are achieved. Maximum battery care is maintained by a three-level charging system to achieve the best possible performance and operating life. Unique self-learning function predicts more accurate back-up autonomy and improves information for the user. David Renton, Managing Director for Kohler Uninterruptible Power, comments, “The dual feed PowerWAVE 3000/P1 is an unrivalled new addition to our market-leading UPS range. Capable of supporting higher loads with a much smaller footprint, it is ideal for space-limited areas in which only lower capacity units may have fitted previously.” He continues, “This new model offers efficiency, scalability and reliability for industrial processes, networks and telecommunication systems. I am delighted to offer this new system in our single-phase range, it’s simple to install, run and maintain, offering our customers greater choice and flexibility.” Key features Most energy efficient unit in its class (96.6%) Unity power factor Overall footprint of 0.1775 m2 Communications interface: Network interface SNMP card, dry-contact, Wi-Fi card, RS232 Dual feed External maintenance bypass switch connection Alarm history data log (500 events) 3” Graphical touchscreen display – user friendly, advanced interface Premium quality EnerSys brand batteries as standard Intelligent charging system able to support additional battery cabinets for extended autonomies Further information can be found https://www.kohler-ups.co.uk/product/powerwave-3000-p1.

ElectricalDirect Launches Click & Collect Service

ElectricalDirect has launched a new Click & Collect service, providing a choice of delivery options for customers across its extensive electrical range. Customers can order their products as usual from the range of sockets, lighting, consumer units, trunking and more, and should select the Click & Collect option at the checkout. Orders will then be delivered to a convenient network of local pick-up points, including branches of stores such as Sainsburys, Matalan, Homebase, Currys PC World, Rowlands Pharmacy as well as select local convenience shops. There is a pick-up location within a 10 minute drive of 90% of the UK population, meaning there is almost always a suitable option for customers. Tom Ramshaw, Director and Head of Operations at the company says, “Our expanded range of delivery options will allow greater flexibility for customers to ensure they have the products they need, when and where they are required. "Waiting at busy trade counters for products or a missed delivery can cause delays to the work and frustration for the customer. The ability to choose a convenient pick up location will help to make our customers’ jobs easier and minimise unnecessary delays. This year we plan to introduce further delivery options, adding thousands of additional pick-up locations for an even better choice for customers.” ElectricalDirect has a large range of electrical products in stock, including top trade brands and by monitoring competitor prices, ElectricalDirect ensures customers always get the best deal. Customers also benefit from the hassle-free returns promise and can send items back free of charge for a full refund. If customers need any advice or technical support, ElectricalDirect’s team of specialists are available seven days a week. The ElectricalDirect Click & Collect service is free on orders over £45 + VAT, or only £3.95 on orders under £45 + VAT - compared to £5.95 for standard delivery on orders under £45 + VAT.   

New Sprinkler System Measures For High Rises ‘Will Protect Lives And Property’

New measures which make sprinkler systems mandatory in all new high-rise blocks over 11m high are so important they will help save lives and property in the event of fire, says specialist, AEI Cables. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, says,  “The new guidance is so critical that it will undoubtedly save lives and property at some stage but we need to see the detail behind it. “The fire performance industry has been waiting for this announcement for some time so it is warmly welcomed, but now we need to see how it will work in practice. The sooner the practical guidance can be rolled out then the sooner they can be applied and the sprinkler systems being specified now can be installed in the knowledge that all best practice has been followed for the interests of safety for all concerned.” The government announced an amendment to the statutory guidance to building safety regulations, known as Approved Document B, reducing the requirement for sprinkler systems from the current 30 metres to 11m. The Fire Safety Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in April, will also empower fire and rescue services to take enforcement action and hold building owners to account if they do not comply with the law. The tried and tested generation of AEI Cables’ fire performance cabling ensure critical fire-safety circuits can continue to operate in the event of a fire from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes and often support systems which provide intelligence for the fire and rescue services. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling is the only cable to be independently approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B) Category 3 Control for firefighting systems, including sprinkler pumps, fire suppression water mist systems, water spray systems, wet riser pumps, wet riser valve and equipment monitoring under the Code of Practice.

Half Of Construction Businesses Report Employees Experiencing Mental Health Issues

Half of SME construction businesses (50%) say that their employees have suffered health issues due to late or unfair payment issues, according to a new YouGov survey commissioned by ECA and BESA. The construction sector fared badly compared to 11 other sectors of the economy surveyed, including manufacturing, real estate, and healthcare. Overall, construction was the second worst for health issues caused by payment and contractual issues, after the legal sector (53&%). Decision-makers at SME construction businesses reported the following mental health issues, due to issues such as late payment and mid-contract changes to terms:       Four in 10 (40%) say employees suffered from stress       Almost one in five (18%) say employees suffered from depression       Around one in six (17%) say employees suffered anxiety and /or panic attacks       3% say employees had suicidal thoughts, and;       1% say employees had attempted suicide Rob Driscoll, ECA director of legal and business, and a member of the CLC coronavirus contractual taskforce, says, “These findings are a shocking, if unsurprising, reflection of the widespread mental health issues across the construction industry caused by poor contractual and payment practices. “The construction sector could well face a spike in further cases of conditions such as depression and anxiety due to the impacts of coronavirus and the lockdown. The Construction Leadership Council has though laid out a blueprint for industry to improve collaboration and mitigate contractual issues and we urge businesses to follow this lead.” Debbie Petford, BESA Director of legal & commercial adds, “These sobering statistics show our industry was already facing a huge mental health crisis before the Covid-19 pandemic placed additional and unforeseen pressures on the payment landscape. “We know that poor and unfair payment practices only perpetuate the mental health issues facing employers and employees and we echo the calls from all parts of the industry for people to work together in a constructive and collaborative manner to minimise unnecessary conflicts and disputes in these unprecedented times.” The survey also found that contractual issues in construction caused a variety of other challenges to SME business viability, including inability to grow the firm (21%), lower productivity (12%) and lack of means to repair or replace faulty equipment (12%). The Construction Leadership Council’s coronavirus contractual task force has produced best practice guidance for industry to reduce contractual disputes. The CLC has also advocated fair contractual and payment practices and a focus on mental health in their ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ vision.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Some Wear Hi-Vis

Scolmore is continuing its support for the UK’s largest online construction based community, On the Tools, with a renewal of its sponsorship for their annual awards.  With restrictions being placed on events nationwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s awards event has been replaced with an online awards ceremony called ‘Heroes in a Hi-Viz’.   ‘Heroes in a Hi-Vis’ is a celebration of the fortitude, bravery and selflessness demonstrated by the trade during the Covid-19 pandemic. The online awards ceremony will put the spotlight on 10 tradespeople who have gone above and beyond during this crisis.  Two brands within the Scolmore Group – Ovia and Click - will each be sponsoring one of these 10 heroes. The ceremony will be streamed across Facebook and YouTube on Friday, July 3 at 6pm and hosted by trade personality Andy Stevens. Each of the 10 winners will share their inspirational stories and receive both a personal award and a donation in their name to the trade charity, The Lighthouse Club. Nominations for the awards are now closed and judging is currently taking place ready for this Friday’s online awards ceremony. Scolmore is committed to playing its part to help secure the future of the electrical industry.  The company invests a significant amount of time and money to support and promote the industry through a range of measures including sponsorship, event organisation and attendance.    

Fegime Offers Members Free Pass On Subscriptions

UK electrical buying group, Fegime are working to adapt and support members during the coronavirus pandemic by not invoicing members for any subscriptions for the year 2020-21. Fegime, with over 120 electrical wholesale locations across the UK and a UK turnover of £450 million, has grown into a multi-national supplier focused organisation that is actively looking for ways to bring added value to its members and suppliers.  Fegime lean on the adage that they are stronger together to keep their member businesses and staff healthy and safe.  “One of the things about a crisis is that it does bring out creativity, ingenuity and collaboration,” says Alan Reynolds CEO of Fegime UK. “We have taken the decision today to advise our members that it is NOT our intention to invoice members for any subscriptions for the year 2020-21. The Group want to offer as much support as possible to its members during this difficult time and show a distinct benefit in being part of the Fegime Group.”  Since joining Fegime in 2014, Reynolds has always tried to show to its members and its preferred suppliers that the group generates value and is not just a buying group.  This year has posed a new and unknown issue, not only for Fegime but for the industry. When the Government announced the lockdown on March 23, many of the construction sites Fegime members supplied came to a swift halt. This would prove challenging for many businesses in all sectors.  The Chairman of Fegime and Managing Director of Rapid Electrical comments, “It was really about coming together, to help drive more support to the membership.  Collectively, we have a really strong membership base at Fegime and ensuring that members feel supported was our top priority.”  Fegime has retained a sustained growth in membership over the last six years from across the United Kingdom.  “I would encourage any electrical wholesalers out there who see this release to consider the benefits of joining a buying group such as Fegime and to contact me directly,” adds Reynolds. “The electrical wholesale market is changing with the digital age, and I firmly believe that Fegime has a big future and a role to play. We have the scale, knowledge and resources to be able to continue to grow and I am sure that we will come out of the current situation both stronger and wiser.”

Andy Johnson Joins CLC’s Insurance And Surety Working Group

For many companies in the electrotechnical sector, Trade Credit Insurance (TCI) is an essential ingredient in their dealings with suppliers. It gives much-needed confidence to enter into contracts. But due to COVID-19 and increasing cash flow difficulties, businesses have faced the risk of credit insurance withdrawn, or premiums increasing to unaffordable levels. In early June, the Government announced that Trade Credit Insurance will receive up to £10 billion of government guarantees. This Trade Credit Reinsurance Scheme, which has been agreed following extensive discussions with the insurance sector, will see the majority of TCI coverage maintained across the UK. The EDA welcomes the Scheme and is delighted that EDA Board Member and MD of LEW Electrical Distributors, Andy Johnson, has joined the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) Insurance and Surety Working Group, that will help to shape the package to shore up the TCI sector. The Working Group has issued a new guidance document for businesses, which is available to download via the EDA’s COVID-19 Hub.  “Many construction and maintenance supply chain businesses, including electrical wholesalers, builder’s merchants, manufacturers and suppliers, use TCI,” explains Johnson. “It gives them the confidence to trade with one another, providing protection when customers do not pay their debts owed for products or services. “This new guidance aims to provide practical advice and considerations for discussions with brokers and insurers when seeking TCI. It also provides an outline of the TCI Reinsurance Scheme between Government and insurers. I am delighted to be a part of the new Working Group to bring our sector’s voice to the table.”

Cloud-Based Estimating And Contract Management Software

Trimble Metrics is the new cloud-based estimation and contract management software helping MEP contractors to improve their profit margins on small projects by managing all their project costs and cash flows in one place. Designed specifically to increase profit, Trimble Metrics allows users to perform digital takeoff, create estimates and manage their project profitability in real-time, from tender all the way through to completion. The easy-to-use software combines graphical takeoff, the LUCKINS database, integrated contract management, and cash-flow visibility with unlimited document storage into one solution that can be accessed via a web browser. Trimble Metrics is available for MEP contractors in the United Kingdom. Contractors, estimators and installers can sign up for a free 60-day trial or purchase it online at https://go.metrics.trimble.com/. For further information, visit trimble.com.

Over Six In 10 Businesses Struggle To Obtain RPE

Over six in 10 engineering services businesses (63%) are having ‘sustained difficulty’ in obtaining suitable face masks (FFP3) for use on site, according to a new survey from ECA, BESA, SELECT, SNIPEF, LEIA and the CICV Forum. Of these businesses struggling to obtain FFP3 masks, 15% said their situation was ‘impossible’, and 36% said it was ‘highly challenging’. Additionally, over four in 10 respondents (44%) said they were having ‘sustained difficulty’ in obtaining FFP2 masks for use on site, with 10% of businesses reporting they had encountered faulty or counterfeit respiratory protective equipment (RPE). 37% said the current RPE situation had caused them to ‘delay our activity’, with 3% saying it had ‘already caused us to lose work’. However, more than one in five businesses (21%) said that they were taking steps to adjust by ‘redesigning our work to avoid respiratory hazards’. The cost of both FFP3 and FFP2 face masks has also risen dramatically during the crisis. Over nine in 10 respondents said prices had increased, with nearly half of businesses reporting that face masks had at least doubled in price (49% for FFP3, 46% for FFP2). ECA Director of CSR Paul Reeve comments, “The inflated cost of RPE is clearly a problem but it’s overshadowed by the difficulties being encountered across our sector, to businesses who want to provide protection, but also reassurance, to their employees regarding coronavirus, as well as the other more established respiratory hazards.” BESA Health and Safety Advisor Rebecca Crosland adds, “RPE and PPE are vital for our sector to operate safely, not only to protect workers from COVID-19, but from regular hazards such as inhaling dusts, silica, and other poisonous chemicals. This survey demonstrates the scale of the supply problems our members are experiencing, and it is anticipated there will be an additional increase in demand as further businesses reopen. The supply of compliant RPE/PPE must be urgently addressed to maintain productivity and the health and safety of workers.” Overall, four in 10 businesses (41%) said current access to face fit testing was a ‘practical concern’, though a similar number (also 41%) indicated it was not an issue. The survey, which was completed by 230 engineering services businesses, was held during June 2020.