Knightsbridge tackles homelessness with charity drive

Lighting products and wiring accessories company, Knightsbridge, has announced that it is donating £13,000 to Crisis, the national charity for homeless people. Inspired by the national ‘Crisis at Christmas’ campaign, Knightsbridge pledged to donate a portion of its December sales to the charity. Customers were informed that orders placed with the company during December would qualify for a donation of varying amounts to Crisis, in an effort to end homelessness in the UK. This donation represents the equivalent cost of: 240 sessions of counselling with a mental health professional 500 days of CV writing and interview skills workshops, to help a homeless person improve their employability 520 hours of new home training for five homeless people, helping them develop skills to manage their tenancy and maintain their new home 2,600 sessions with a Crisis advisor at Christmas to introduce guests to Crisis’ services Knightsbridge CEO, Catherine Connolly, said, “We are all delighted with the result of this campaign. It reflects the work we have been doing in the organisation to support the homeless and those in need in our local community through our #Feed500 campaign for the Dunstable Food Bank. A massive thank you to all our customers who supported this initiative and our staff who created the campaign. We aim to continue our support throughout 2019.” To find out more about Crisis, or make a donation, visit www.crisis.org.uk

Rogue trader jailed after investigation

A man has been jailed for carrying out dangerous work while posing as a registered electrician. John Draco of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, pleaded guilty to fraud and consumer protection-related offences after falsely claiming to be a qualified electrician. He advertised his services on Yell.com as accredited by ELECSA and Trustmark-despite not having either accreditation. He also claimed to be NICEIC registered. He was jailed for 13 months following a trial at Durham Crown Court in January. The court heard how Draco had offered to complete a full rewire of a property for £3,000, but had left it in a highly dangerous state. When his work was challenged by the homeowner, he abandoned the job and kept the full sum. The homeowner got in touch with Hartlepool Trading Standards, who took on the case with help from ELECSA. Such was the poor standard of the installation, an investigation by an electrical engineer ordered it not to be used as it posed a serious risk of fire and electrocution. Work to rectify the problems left by Draco ran into thousands of pounds. Draco, who traded under the name J and A Electrical Solutions, ended up paying the victim back £3,820. Ian Harrison, Hartlepool Borough Council’s trading standards and licensing manager, said, “This successful prosecution sends out a strong message that the courts will not tolerate rogue traders conning people out of their hard-earned cash. Kevan Parker, interim managing director of Certsure, which operates the ELECSA and NICEIC brands, added, “We take a dim view of those who pretend to be registered electricians when they are not. We will work with the appropriate authorities to protect those contractors who are legitimately registered with us and have the quality of their work assessed on a regular basis. Anyone thinking about using our logo fraudulently will be caught and dealt with appropriately by the courts.”

Electrical safety guidance launched for social housing

Guidance on how social housing providers should take care of the electrical installations they manage was launched with a reception at the Houses of Parliament on January 23, 2019. The Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) brought together over 25 social housing providers and stakeholders to develop the Code of Practice for the Management of Electrotechnical Care in Social Housing, in response to complaints that there was no agreement in the sector on how to determine the electrical safety of stock and assets. The publication aims to provide this by setting out how often the electrical installation in a domestic tenanted property should be inspected, who should carry out these inspections, and how social housing providers should arrange to gain access to properties. Ryan Dempsey, chair of the ESR’s social housing sub-group, said, “I spent many years working in social housing, and found it very difficult to justify some of the decisions I was making to others because there was no standard to refer to. This Code of Practice will provide that justification. He continued, “What makes this document particularly special is that it has been developed by experts in the management of domestic tenanted properties. Their first-hand experience has allowed us to directly address the most common concerns in the sector, which we have done in a way that will be easily understandable even for those without specialist electrical knowledge.” The launch event took place in the historic Churchill Room at the House of Commons, and was sponsored by NAPIT. The morning gave MPs, Lords and industry stakeholders the opportunity to hear more about the document and quiz its authors on how electrical safety in social housing could be improved. Mike Andrews, NAPIT group chief executive, added, “This document is a real step forward for the social housing sector. Striving for higher standards has always been a key part of NAPIT’s ethos, and while safety has improved dramatically in the past few decades, there is always more that can be done. If the recommendations in this Code of Practice are widely adopted, we are sure that the safety of social housing tenants across the country will be significantly improved.” The ESR has also released a short summary document outlining key recommendations at a glance, alongside an infographic to educate tenants on the dangers of electricity. All of these documents can be downloaded for free from the social housing pages at www.electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk.

A wiser generation of smart heating controls

Drayton, a leading brand in the UK domestic heating market and part of Schneider Electric, has announced the next generation of smart heating controls with the launch of its new system WISER – which seeks to allow installers to work wiser, not harder. Showcased extensively during the company’s 70th anniversary celebrations in Kensington on January 17, Drayton’s newest range is designed to offer the fastest install on the market, with a standard UK wallplate on the Heat Hub allowing WISER to be retrofitted in minutes. WISER boasts a simple user interface, allowing multiple users to control heating and water temperature across a number of rooms in a home, wherever they are, with the use of a simple app. Downloadable on both Android and iOS devices, WISER is also compatible with internet connected voice control systems such as Amazon Alexa. A unique feature of the WISER range is the addition of smart radiator thermostats, which can be easily and quickly installed onto existing radiators. With valve adaptors included, installation is as simple as unscrewing the existing radiator valve head and screwing on the new smart radiator thermostat. This offers users a flexible approach to smart heating with the option of individual room control in up to 16 rooms. Each radiator thermostat includes a simple ‘boost turn’ function to enable a two-degree increase or decrease in temperature for an hour. Designed as a buildable system, WISER centres around the Heat Hub, with three ready made thermostat kits as well as two multi-zone kits available. Further room thermostats and radiator thermostats can be added, allowing users to expand the system over time.

SMEs still reeling one year on from Carillion collapse

Exactly one year on from Carillion’s collapse, business owners are telling Government that not enough has been done to ensure a similar insolvency crisis does not happen again. Carillion went into administration last January owing £7 billion in total, according to the Official Receiver. A parliamentary committee found that subcontractors and suppliers were owed around £2 billion by Carillion, which they lost as a result of the liquidation. However, supplier businesses who survived losses have been understandably reluctant to share their experiences, for fear of affecting their business prospects. A managing director of an ECA member SME which worked for Carillion, said, “We came as close to going out of business as you possibly can. It wasn’t just the money they owed us, it was the detrimental effect it had on our order book, and letting people go. When Carillion went under, other companies started to hold onto cash longer.” Other business and industry leaders are concerned that the core issues relating to late payment and retentions have still not been addressed. ECA business director, and SME business adviser to the Cabinet Office Rob Driscoll, commented, “One year after Carillion’s collapse, thousands of SMEs are still feeling the commercial impacts of lost payments and business uncertainty, in addition to those who were wiped out in 2018. Stopping payment abuse at source is critical to UK productivity and growth, and Government should urgently back legislative reform to eliminate the abuse of SMEs." Rob continued, "ECA is working with Government and the Construction Leadership Council and Government to achieve much-needed reform on cash retentions, to protect the supply chain, and to achieve under 30-day supplier payment.” Political support for the Aldous Bill, which would see cash retentions held in trust and protect suppliers from upstream insolvency, has surged in recent weeks with over 250 cross-party MPs now in favour. A number of new high-profile supporters now back the campaign, including Education Select Committee Chair Robert Halfon, Treasury Select Committee Chair Nicky Morgan and Shadow Cabinet members John Trickett and Andy MacDonald. Cross-party support for retentions reform includes Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP, DUP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party. Supporting MPs represent 18 million people in constituencies covering the whole of the UK. ECA member Paul Antino, managing director of NRT Building Services Group, added, “In terms of retentions, our business currently has £252,000 being held overall, of which £117,000 is work currently ongoing and £135,000 is jobs that are finished with no outstanding problems. If the Aldous Bill enters into law, this could make a massive difference by ensuring monies owed to us in cash retentions are not unfairly withheld from our business.”

Thermal efficiency target behind schedule

Renovate Europe, a political campaign group targeting an 80% reduction in energy use in buildings across Europe by 2050, has reported that the EU are currently behind target, particularly in the domestic sector. There are an estimated 200 million dwellings in the EU that need renovating, it claims, and improved energy conservation measures are also needed. The current rate of renovation is 1% per annum, whereas 3% per annum is required to meet the 2050 target. “Improved insulation and energy efficiency of dwellings makes sense whatever the heating system deployed, since this will reduce emissions and fuel costs regardless of technology,” said Graham Wright, president of the Heat Pump Association (HPA) president. “Although there is an urban myth that heat pumps can only be installed in highly thermally efficient buildings, there can be additional benefits for heat pumps when retrofitted in renovated buildings,” he continued. The additional benefits referred to are that the existing heat emitters may be able to provide the new reduced heat demand at lower than the original design temperature. This optimises heat pump performance, whilst at the same time does not require heat emitters to be upsized by replacement. A further advantage of major renovation is the possibility to choose some of the new low profile wet underfloor heating (UFH) systems. While it is not essential to use UFH with heat pumps, it does mean the occupier may be able to benefit from the increased comfort and reduced running costs that UFH provides when fitted with any heating system. The HPA supports the Renovate Europe campaign to improve the thermal efficiency of all buildings.

Solar PV company directors jailed

Two directors of a Warrington-based solar panel company have been handed four-year jail sentences for fraudulently deceiving customers and falsely claiming to be NICEIC registered. The two men were each sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court following an investigation by Warrington trading standards. James Thomas Birchall, 36, was found guilty of 12 offences of fraud and money laundering. Peter Steven Haddley, 32 was found guilty of 19 offences of fraud and theft. Both men denied the offences. The investigation related primarily to Key Energy Solutions of Winwick Street, Warrington that was linked with Future-Energy-UK of Piccadilly, Manchester. Both companies were involved in the sale and supply of solar panels and battery systems for solar panel systems. Victims were enticed into purchasing solar panels with the promise of payments back via the Feed in Tariff. However, customers were never entitled to such payments, because the company was not certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). The companies were found to be providing fraudulent contracts using logos they were not entitled to use, issuing fake MCS installation certificates, pressure selling and not refunding deposits legally owed to customers. Kevan Parker, managing director of NICEIC, comments, “The NICEIC name is associated with quality and we will work with the appropriate authorities to protect those contractors who are legitimately registered with us and have the quality of their work assessed on a regular basis. “This latest prosecution is a warning to anyone thinking about using our logo fraudulently, that they will be caught and dealt with appropriately by the courts.” NICEIC urges anyone who is suspicious about using a registered contractor to check their details at its website. It contains a full list of all those contractors who are legitimately registered with NICEIC and also a wall of shame which lists those firms who have been caught fraudulently using the logo.

Electrical apprentice contest heats up

Following the announcement last September of the 2019 NICEIC and ELECSA Electrical Apprentice of the Year Competition, the organisers have revealed that over 650 students have now entered. The contest, which is taking place for the fourth year running, measures the technical skills of electrical students across the UK and enables them the opportunity to prove their knowledge and abilities. Stage one of the contest closed at Christmas, and judges are now working their way through the entries to determine who goes through to the next phase. Stage one was an online, multiple choice quiz of 40 questions. The second stage will see the top 20% of the contestants take part in a written, 90-minute exam that will be held at several locations across the UK and will be marked by industry experts Darren Staniforth, Jake Green and Tony Cable. The top eight students will then take part in in the grand final on June 4, 2019 at the headquarters of the competition’s partner, The Scolmore Group. The top three prize winners will receive holiday vouchers, whilst the eight finalists will each get an iPad and goody bags. Every college that enters 20 or more students into the competition will qualify for a ‘College Pack’ from Scolmore, featuring 25 double sockets, 25 switches, 25 6" pendants and 25 batten holders. The college that produces the eventual winner will also receive £1,000 worth of Scolmore products. The employer of the winning apprentice will also receive a year’s free registration with NICEIC and ELECSA, whilst the college that produces the eventual winner will also receive an additional £1,000 worth of Scolmore products.

CED celebrates 25th anniversary with new innovations

Countrywide Electrical Distributors, a family business based in Dagenham, Essex, is looking ahead to its next phase whilst celebrating its 25th anniversary. The company, founded in 1994 by Ravi Sood and Jayanti Velani, has become a major force in electrical accessories with the Axiom brand, LED lighting with Meridian, and heating and ventilation via Airmaster. Success has come from a simple business model – the offer of affordable quality to the supply chain and, continuing this philosophy, the company is preparing for its next phase of growth, via both new products and customer service developments. The first innovation is in the branding, as the company name is changing to the CED Electrical Group to more clearly represent the business. There will also be a brand simplification, with AXIOM taking up all products previously in the Fortis brand, including site electrics and industrial products. Dramatic improvements have been made to the CED website to make it as customer friendly as possible, the company states, with ease of navigation a major objective. Key features for electrical contractors are the inclusion of images and full technical specifications for all products - with data sheets now available for download. The new website can be found at www.cedelectrical.co.uk The start of 2019 also sees the launch of a new comprehensive range of Axiom AXM White Moulded Accessories designed and priced to meet the day-to-day needs of electrical contractors. Axiom will also have a new Site Electric range as well as 3 Phase Boards, whilst Meridian starts the year with new ranges of Emergency Fittings and Wall Lights. All of this follows recent launches of Axiom LED Dimmers, Airmaster Lot20 Compliant Panel Heaters and Meridian Lighting Controls. Investment in a stock optimisation system enabling major steps forward in forecasting and stock control, combined with new advanced warehouse management systems, will help deliver highly competitive levels of complete and on-time deliveries. This is a crucial step forward in enabling wholesalers to satisfy their customers, both in terms of major contracts and in the regular last-minute emergency purchase sector. January 2019 sees the introduction of a single all product catalogue in A5 format, and - given that one of the company’s major benefits is in the supply of a wide spectrum of products - a combined catalogue seems a natural step forward. CED tells us that its 25th Anniversary is the catalyst for launching this next phase of the business, focusing on customer satisfaction levels across the supply chain from electrical wholesaler to electrical contractor and ultimately the end user – with emphasis on ensuring contractors become more aware of what CED offer via the electrical wholesale channel in terms of product, price and service.

ECA highlights key 18th Edition changes

The 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, which were first introduced in July 2018, officially came into full effect on January 1. ECA tells us that the new publication is essential for all electrotechnical designers and installers, with changes varying from simple rewordings to some complete regulation overhauls. The regulations – also known as BS 7671 – are not retrospective, and installations designed after December 31, 2018 are to comply with BS 7671:2018. ECA is recommending that installations are kept up-to-date by carrying out regular maintenance inspections alongside periodic testing of electrical systems, to highlight any potential failings and areas of improvement. Some of the key changes to be aware of in the 18th Edition include: The requirements on SPD (surge protection device) consideration and usage have been revised There are new requirements for AFDDs (arc fault detection devices) Requirements for cabling support and fixings have changed More emphasis has been placed on protective devices being selected properly and working together in a system There have been some changes applying to work within special locations There is a new appendix on energy efficiency Gary Parker, ECA senior technical engineer, comments, “The way we design, install and use installations is rapidly evolving with new technologies, shifts in end-user behaviour, and lessons learned from previous editions of the book. The 18th Edition ensures that UK technicians stay ahead of the curve and continue to design, install and maintain electrical installations to a world-class standard.” To highlight the key changes in the 18th Edition, ECA held 15 free member-only #Project18 Roadshows across much of the UK, and members who attended received a free copy of the new Wiring Regulations book. A series of free tools and guidance is also available to members including an SPD calculator, bitesize videos, technical guides, discounted training, and free editable certificates.