New Glasgow office for ECS Group

ECS Group (Electrical Safety and Compliance), a UK-wide electrical contractor, is about to open a new office in the old Glasgow area of Port Dundas. The location will provide easy access to Glasgow's vibrant city centre and the city's modern motorway system to all parts of central Scotland. The ECS Group employs over 125 compliance and testing professionals across the group, and offers services across the UK. On June 20, ECS welcomed guests, including local MPs, councillors, local authorities, housing associations and local community projects, to its new office opening and launch of ECS Scotland. Peter McGowan, Managing Director of ECS, confirmed that for the ECS Group to carry out high-volume electrical testing work throughout Scotland, it is imperative that they have a strong local presence, in order to deliver complete support across all Scottish contracts. He says, “We pride ourselves in providing an outstanding service on all contracts we service, whether it’s electrical compliance or water hygiene services. Our emphasis is on achieving very highest safety and compliance standards, increased efficiency and to pass cost savings on to our clients. To do this successfully, we need to be firmly embedded in Scotland.” Expansion into Scotland was the logical next step for ECS Group, which recently acquired Total Environmental Compliance (TEC), a water hygiene and legionella consultancy. David Low, Chairman of ECS Group, adds, “We are delighted to be opening an office in one of the UK's most vibrant cities, and we look forward to forging strong relationships in the local community. We hope to create a number of new jobs in the area and we look to the future with confidence.” Both companies (ECS and Total Environmental Compliance) will be providing services to the social housing, public and commercial sectors in Scotland. ECS Group's head office is based in Corby, Northamptonshire, with other offices in Brighton and Widnes.

Bureau Veritas provides school of thought on asbestos and electrical safety

As the end of the summer term fast-approaches, Bureau Veritas, an international certification agency, is advising schools to kick off their annual holiday maintenance programmes with a focus on asbestos management and electrical safety. Figures obtained by the BBC show that over 80% of schools across the UK have reported asbestos present in their buildings, with over seven million children at risk of exposure. During the period 2006-2016, councils in England paid out more than £10 million in compensation to former teachers, school staff and pupils who developed illnesses because of asbestos in school buildings. In March 2018, the Department for Education introduced the Asbestos Management Assurance Process (AMAP), with the aim of collecting data on asbestos management in schools to ensure compliance with Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. At present, almost a quarter of schools in the UK have failed to inform the government of how much asbestos they have present in their buildings and how they are managing the risk. Meanwhile, when it comes to electrical safety, schools are required to carry out routine checks on fixed electrical installations every six months and formal fixed electrical testing every five years. If there is a swimming pool on site, formal inspection and testing must be done every 12 months. Michael Kenyon, Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas, says, “Over the summer holidays many schools, colleges and universities will be embarking on their annual maintenance programmes. With an obligation to ensure that premises are safe for staff, pupils and visitors, our advice this summer is to pay particular attention to asbestos and electrical safety – ensuring robust checks and procedures are in place for effective management." Michael continues, "In recent years, asbestos related deaths have increased significantly from an average of three per year during the 1980s to an average of 17 per year. And given the government’s tougher stance on compliance, a lack of reporting suggests that many in the education sector may be unaware of their obligations in regard to asbestos management." “Similarly, neglecting fixed electrical testing not only puts students, staff and visitors at risk in terms of their safety, but educational establishments could also face a hefty fine for failing to comply with Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and Electricity at Work Regulations (1989). It is therefore imperative schools are doing everything they can in terms of electrical safety and to control and eradicate the serious risk posed by asbestos exposure.”

JTL opens electrical training centre in Carlisle

Work-based training company, JTL, has opened a new dedicated training centre in Carlisle. With a brand new and fully equipped electrical workshop, the centre has been designed to offer top-quality training to electrical apprentices in the Carlisle and wider Cumbria area. The centre was officially opened on June 12, 2019 by JTL’s Chief Executive Jon Graham, Jo Lappin, CEO of Cumbria LEP and the new Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor Marilyn Bowman. This centre is the latest of a number of dedicated centres and joint ventures JTL has launched in the last few years. JTL now has its own centres operating successfully in Birmingham, Tankersley, Norwich, Oxford, Yeovil, Orpington, Maidstone, Ashford and Langley Mill in Nottinghamshire – and of course now in Carlisle. There are plans for a further centre to open in York later this year. Every young person JTL works alongside has the support of a dedicated Training Officer. Many of JTL’s Training Officers have been ‘on the tools’ themselves, so they understand the pressures and the needs of young people coming through a work-based training programme, and are able to effectively listen to and mentor their apprentices during their training. They also work as liaison officers with local employers, making sure both apprentice and employer are content with the way things progress throughout the apprenticeship – which is typically four years. Introducing JTL to the attendees at the opening, Chief Executive Jon Graham said, "We are delighted to be here in Carlisle, and the welcome we have received already has been very rewarding and clearly shows there is an appetite for the kind of training we offer here in the city and the surroundings areas. At present, we are planning to run electrical apprenticeships on block release, delivering the necessary training over two years - the full apprenticeship still remains as four years - but delivering block release training works particularly well for companies that work away from their base. We currently have one block in the first year and one in the second year ready to work from this centre. "We will also be offering day release training here from September and this will be delivered over three years, so we will have block and day options available for employers, and we expect to run one stream of each from September. "We are looking to recruit new apprentices to join us from September, to join 19 currently in their second year and 16 in their first year."

Select marks year of success at 107th AGM

Select, the trade body for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland, recorded another year of successful awareness-raising, outreach and training initiatives, its President told members at the association’s 107th AGM. Kevin Griffin (pictured right) was re-elected as President of Select, and Donald W Orr was elected as Vice President at the meeting which was held at the Grange Manor Hotel in Grangemouth. The Officebearer team also includes Immediate Past President, Eric Rae. Griffin notes, “As you can imagine, the past year witnessed a huge increase in demand for our BS 7671 course, and to date, we have delivered this training to nearly 600 delegates at venues all over Scotland.” Select now offers more than 20 different technical and management-based courses, covering topics such as BS 7671, health and safety, and Scottish Building Standards. He continues, “Development of new training courses is also at the forefront of our minds, and the last year has seen the introduction of a new electric vehicle charging course and a health and safety course for non-technical staff. “One of Select’s key strengths is the direct contact we have with our members. Our teams of technical advisors and membership representatives are in daily contact with members. This includes visits to their offices, engaging with them at training courses, toolbox talks, branch updates and member drop-in events. He continues, “Our advice service continues to be the benefit most often used by members. Over the past year, we have spoken to hundreds of members face-to-face, over the phone and via email to provide answers to a whole host of technical, health and safety, employment and contractual questions. “We have also provided similar support to other organisations, including housing associations, local authorities and members of the public. This form of contact remains an essential part of promoting the Select brand across Scotland. “Regulation of the industry continues to be a priority for us. Our members tell us it’s important, and their customers tell them it’s important too. It’s heartening to see a groundswell of support for what we’re trying to achieve, but we know these things don’t happen overnight. So, we will keep lobbying, keep working with external organisations to spread the word, and keep representing our members’ interests.” After the formal AGM concluded, Select Managing Director, Alan Wilson (pictured left), spoke about future plans for the association. Following this, Dave Forrester, Select’s Head of Technical Services, gave a presentation on new requirements for fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings. Select’s 1,250 member companies account for the majority of electrical installation work carried out in Scotland and provide employment for 15,000 people. The organisation helps to shape the market environment by representing the industry to all levels of government, and helps influence legislation to create industry conditions which enable member firms to provide a quality service and maintain profitability.

Tamlite granted ICEL certification

Tamlite Lighting, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned lighting companies, has secured ICEL (Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting) certification for the manufacture and testing of quality luminaires. Tamlite is the first lighting manufacturer to have been granted ICEL membership via the LIAQA Scheme. The ICEL is a division of the Lighting Industries Association (LIA), representing the highest level of legislation in terms of luminaire quality, specialising in emergency lighting. Membership of the ICEL confirms that Tamlite’s technologies and solutions are designed to be effective in the event of an emergency or loss of mains power, allowing a building’s occupants to evacuate quickly and safely. The ICEL membership follows recent news that Tamlite has secured BAFE certification, confirming the quality of the company’s emergency lighting designs. The company is also a recent winner of the inaugural LIAQA Award – which rewards highly robust quality management systems – and the commendation is regarded as a mark of confidence across the industry. John Allden, Managing Director at Tamlite Lighting, comments, “Tamlite Lighting was a founding participant of the LIAQA scheme, and we have always been committed to its purpose. The ICEL certification offers proof that we maintain extremely high standards within the manufacturing process of our emergency luminaires – and this gives our customers an added level of confidence. It is fair to say, reliability and quality are core aspects of our culture at Tamlite – we see both values as an essential pillars of our business practises.” Tamlite Lighting are also full members of the LIA, corporate members of Institute of Lighting Professionals and members of the Society of Light & Lighting.  

Secure access control for the BBFC

The Norpass access control system from Nortech, which uses Norpass3 software, is providing secure access control at the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) building in central London. Chosen for its ability to provide a secure access control solution, Nortech’s Norpass system was installed on 16 doors around the Soho Square offices to support a range of access levels, according to staff responsibilities, and it includes a management system with a user-friendly interface. This allows staff movements to be monitored, ID cards to be issued, and access rights to be changed according to ongoing requirements. The BBFC is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that helps people in the UK choose age appropriate films, videos and websites, wherever and however they watch or use them. Bradley Thomas, Facilities Manager at BBFC, notes, “We have had the Nortech system in place for many years, as we find it reliable and easy to use, and its customer service team has always been helpful and informative to any queries.” The flexibility of Norpass access control modules and the user-friendly PC-based Norpass3 software, together with Nortech’s elegant card readers, made the Norpass access control system the ideal choice for BBFC. Since the installation, the system has provided secure access control throughout the building and, with Nortech’s support, BBFC has been able to keep the system up with changing requirements. Benefits of using the Norpass system include easy to use software offering a range of access levels, security that can be matched to an organisation’s needs, a flexible structure for easy expansion, and a system that has been developed in the UK and is supported by a UK based team.

ECA backs Government zero net carbon commitment

Electrotechnical and engineering services trade body ECA has welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to legislate for a UK net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. ECA is now urging the Government to commit to meaningful and swift action to help meet their own ambitious target. Paul Reeve, ECA Director of CSR, comments, “This is the first step on what we hope will be the UK’s journey to Net Zero Carbon. No-one should expect the feat of resolving the UK’s carbon footprint to be anything other than daunting, but the Government has issued a truly remarkable response to the ‘zero carbon’ challenge set out by the CCC in May.” He continues, “The task ahead is immense: the UK is drastically short of the infrastructure, supply and installation capacity needed to introduce low-carbon building heating at scale. There are also major ‘low carbon’ skills gaps across building design, construction and installation. We also need to ensure that whatever happens in the years ahead delivers the quality and performance necessary for whole-life low carbon buildings.” Luke Osborne, ECA Energy Solutions Advisor, notes, “It is great that the outgoing Prime Minister is finally taking a positive step in committing to tackling climate change. However, it must be noted that any recourse to ‘carbon credits’ could be used as a backdoor, allowing the UK to buy success while relying on action from developing nations. “The Government, therefore, needs to focus on reducing UK domestic emissions as much as possible, through measures such as decarbonisation of the grid, and the full electrification of public transport.”

Abtec BT scoops Contractor of the Year award

Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) has been crowned Contractor of the Year at the 2019 ECA Awards. The prestigious event celebrated achievements in the electrotechnical and engineering services industry during a ceremony held in London on June 7. Abtec BT, a company within Abtec Group, scooped the award in the sub £1 million turnover category for electrical services. The company was lauded for its development of game-changing building technologies and a commitment to exceptional customer service. Abtec’s award-winning Hydra energy management software was highlighted, as it enables clients to easily monitor their energy use without the complexity of a traditional BMS. It is now deployed at sites all over the UK and is trusted by big-name brands, including Siemens and Ibstock. Abtec was also commended for its strong culture of professional development and commitment to open standards for flexibility, including KNX and the Niagara framework. This provides clients with an opportunity to automate more of their building, and future-proof their infrastructure. Dave Watkins, Director of Abtec BT, comments, “We are delighted to have been recognised by such a respected industry body such as the ECA, and this award is testament to the commitment and skills of our team. We’d like to thank the ECA, as the support we’ve received through our membership has allowed us to strive further and reach a wide client base with innovative solutions to energy challenges.”

Ideal launches shielded 'Feed-Thru' connector

Ideal has released a new range of shielded connectors specifically designed to handle the challenges faced with field termination of shielded cables. Used in combination with the FT-45 crimp tool, the complete solution makes the traditional, time-consuming RJ-45 assembly and crimping process faster and more consistent. The versatile tool is capable of crimping Ideal feed-thru, standard, shielded and unshielded connectors and includes 568A and 568B wiring schemes marked on the tool for ease of use. The heavy duty cutting blade will last for over 2,000 cuts and is replaceable, allowing users to control costs by easily maintaining the crimp tool, instead of purchasing a new one. By using the industry-leading products in the FT-45 solution, installers can benefit from a completely new take on the traditional, time-consuming RJ45 assembly and crimping process. With FT-45, the process is simplified and the success rate of terminations is increased. To speed up the assembly process, FT-45 installers no longer need to spend time accurately pre-trimming conductor wires to a specific length. Instead, to get started, simply strip an appropriate section of jacket, remove the centre spline (if present), untwist the pairs into the right order, and trim the ends flat. The cable can then be slid into the connector until foil enters the back end of the shielded connector. As the wires are fed through the clear connector they can be seen, enabling installers to visually verify the correct wiring order. This is far easier than looking through the plug’s shell, as with a standard connector, ensuring greater accuracy and fewer errors. In addition, the open-ended feed-thru plug includes three-pin contacts, rather than the two-pins seen in most other RJ45 modular plugs. This improves wire stability by providing three prong contacts into every wire for more conductive contact points, as well as a better transfer rate. Once the wires are fed through, the user can pull the cable into the plug, allowing the twists to be pulled to the front of the connector. This provides better radio-frequency performance and minimal untwisting, while ensuring that the cable jacket is fully secured under the strain relief tab. After wrapping the drain wire around the base of the strain relief or cutting it off, the strain relief can be closed or crimped around the jacket with a plier nose tool or crimper. To complete the process, the installer places the assembled plug into the compact and easy-to-use FT-45 crimp tool and squeezes the handle to the closed position. With reduced hand force and no ratcheting, this cleanly shears the excess conductor wires and leaves a smooth, flat finish – crimping and cutting in one easy action. For maximum efficiency, the FT-45 package can be used with an Ideal PrepPro to strip the cable jacket. With auto-adjusting blade depth, replaceable blade cartridges and a spring-loaded mechanism for consistent cutting force, the cable jacket can be stripped easily. The Ideal electrician’s scissors can be used for easy spline removal and wire trimming. The pre-formed clip can be closed and crimped with a standard nose or plier-nose device like the Ideal 33-719 or other Ideal T-strippers. The new range includes the following connectors: Shielded Feed-Thru for large diameter Cat 6a/6/5e cable that typically will not fit into a standard in-line modular plug design, Feed-Thru for Cat 6, shielded Feed-Thru for Cat 5e, standard shielded for Cat 5e and standard for Cat 6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD2zAsvx8mY&feature=youtu.be

Schneider to supply 'green' energy for Scottish ferry

Schneider Electric is to supply locally produced 'green' electrical power to the MV Hamnavoe NorthLink ferry while docked in Stromness, Orkney. The project is believed to be the first large commercial ship shore connection in the UK, and is just one element of an overarching low carbon travel and transport project for the town. This power supply system, known as 'cold ironing', will cut the current overnight carbon footprint from the vessel’s diesel generators and engines, lowering the MV Hamnavoe's fuel consumption by at least 500 tonnes a year and resulting in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2). It will also make a contribution towards further reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and noise. The ferry, which is a shipping lifeline for the island, connecting it with the rest of Scotland, will be £160,000 cheaper to service each year as a result of the project. The project is expected to fully pay for itself within three years via efficiencies and cost savings. The shoreside installation work is being carried out by Schneider Electric, an expert in the digital transformation of energy management and automation. The project will see the installation of a cable connection system to the ship to provide overnight shore power, pier cables and a transformer upgrade - with the power coming through Orkney's renewable energy resources. The 'Stromness multi-modal low carbon transport and active travel hub' project has three other elements: - The installation of an electric bus charger at the ferry terminal to open up opportunities for an electric vehicle to be used on the Stromness to Kirkwall route. - The installation of electric vehicle charging points for ferry users as well as all other EV owners. - The procurement of electric bicycles for use by members of the public, plus associated shelters and charging facilities. Councillor Graham Sinclair, Chair of the Council's Development and Infrastructure Committee, says, "The vision for this project is to achieve a sustainable future for transport to and in Orkney. This project will provide a unique combination of transport decarbonising initiatives covering ferries, buses, cars and cycles, utilising electricity from Orkney's unrivalled wind and tidal energy.” Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, adds, “It is fantastic to see continued progress towards low carbon and sustainable transportation in Orkney thanks to Scottish Government and European Regional Development funding. The innovative ship shore connection at Stromness utilises local renewable energy to help decarbonise the MV Hamnavoe, which will contribute to improved air quality and reduced emissions in the area. The Stromness Multi-modal Low Carbon and Active Travel Hub further demonstrates the commitment in Orkney to capitalise on a range of sustainable e-mobility options which will benefit health and the environment.” Peter Selway, Marine Segment Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric, notes, "Marine pollution is a serious but often underreported environmental and public health challenge. Engine emissions from the UK’s fleet at berth amounted to nearly 2.6% of the entire transport sector’s nitrogen oxide emissions in 2016. These pollutants have been linked to many health issues, and even early death. Shore connections are a technology that the UK has been slow to adopt, despite enormous environmental and commercial benefits. By plugging into the power grid with 100% renewable electricity, UK ships at berth could avoid environmental impacts of up to £402 million a year and reduce a major health hazard. Orkney leads the way in renewable and sustainable energy, and we hope this project in particular will bring many benefits, commercial and environmental, to the island, its wildlife and its people.” £670,000 of funding was secured for the project from the European Regional Development Fund in August last year, with additional funding coming from the Council's Miscellaneous Piers and Harbours fund and HITRANS. Serco NorthLink and Transport Scotland have future-proofed the Hamnavoe main electrical control components through a detailed technical upgrade and rewire, offering full compatibility with the cold ironing technology.