Unitrunk Helps Coral Reef Refurb Go Swimmingly

Refurbishment of Bracknell Forest Council’s ‘Coral Reef’ Waterworld in Bracknell has been completed using both plastic-coated and stainless steel trunking from Unitrunk’s cable management range. The transformation project includes a complete remodelling of the existing centre along with a new pool roof and construction of a new flume tower with five exciting flume rides. All the existing electrical services were stripped from the building and the cable management infrastructure was reinstalled throughout. The existing switch panel was retained and new mains cabling was installed in the undercroft above the pool area, using Unitrunk’s three-compartment plastic trunking to protect the cables from the humidity and chlorine in the pool area. The new cabling infrastructure had to be installed while the pool remained full of water and at operational temperature, despite not being in use, without causing any interruption to basement plant services. Unitrunk’s 100x50mm plastic trunking was also used at low level for small power in the ‘changing village’ and suspended from the vaulted ceiling in the pool area to contain the cabling for the lighting system. In the flume tower, Unitrunk’s two-compartment stainless steel trunking system was used as the main riser for power, pump, lighting and fire alarm cabling, while Unitrunk’s pre-galvanised cable tray with plastic coating was used for security and data cabling in the changing village and coral spa. Vincent Paliczka, director of environment, culture and communities from Bracknell Forest Council said, “It was vital that all elements of the refurbishment scheme were robust enough to offer us a long service life in a demanding leisure pool environment while providing value for money and the ease and speed of installation required to re-open Coral Reef Waterworld for service users as quickly as possible.”

Trade Chimp App Offers Support For Small Businesses

A new tech trades services company, Trade Chimp, is offering operational and administrative support to tradespeople and small trades businesses, including electrical contractors and electricians, with up to 10 staff. The Trade Chimp job management software package can be downloaded as an app on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop. The software and app, designed by Arc Studios at Hull’s digital centre, C4DI, aims to reduce trade companies’ dependence on paper time sheets, diaries, and spreadsheets, and help deal with payroll and invoices. Trade Chimp also aims to empower tradespeople with access to data about their suppliers, jobs, and customers through a monthly business intelligence report. Trade Chimp is designed to be particularly suitable for businesses that pay their staff or contractors based on the time they have worked, usually by an hourly rate or fixed salary, although it can also work if businesses pay staff or contractors by fixed prices for agreed pieces of work. “Trade Chimp is, quite simply, all about helping trades people across the country to fully develop the potential of their businesses,” said Trade Chimp managing director, Sam Overment, a former electrical contractor. “Having run my own electrical contracting business, I know first-hand how much time and energy can go into quoting for work, sourcing suppliers and parts and tools, let alone completing the work.”

The Future Of Lighting At LuxLive

It’s that time of year again – ExCel London will see its doors open to host LuxLive 2017 on November 15-16. ECN takes a look at some of the highlights that will be taking place at this year’s event. With the lighting industry abounding with new technology and innovation, the annual lighting event has become a calendar staple for the sharing of new products and information. LuxLive helps attendees stay up-to-date with the latest tech and trends that are evolving within the sector – from novel products to the smart home and connected lighting. This year’s event, which is free to attend, is set to be a platform for learning, networking, and the exchange of information between leading industry members. More than 300 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest lighting products and services available, and delegates will also have the opportunity to take part in a diverse learning and education programme, delivered by industry experts. There is a wealth of information to take in, from practical ‘how to‘ sessions to seminars and panel discussions that take a deeper look into more in-depth issues facing specific sectors. Exploring the future The Gooee IoT Arena will be the centerpiece stage of the event. It’s looking to the future, providing a rolling programme of talks that will explain the ways in which the digital revolution is set to transform traditional lighting. There will be a lot happening on the stage over the course of the two-day event. As well as several break-out sessions, the arena will also highlight some real-world case studies, including connected lighting installations at BMW’s flagship showroom in Munich, Absa Bank branches in South Africa and the Petrie Museum in London. The stage will be the scene of a number of presentations and demonstrations that will cover a range of topics. From Power over Ethernet (PoE), Li-Fi – internet and data delivered using visible light rather than radio waves – and Bluetooth mesh, the arena will provide a place to learn about how lighting might change with new technology. Scottish start-up pureLiFi and Linmore LED will be demonstrating elements of this new technology as part of their Li-Fi experience zone. The zone will offer more information on LED ‘light bars’, which could replace the commonly used fluorescent tubes. The zone will explore whether integration of Li-Fi within LED strip lights could drive mass adoption, enabling Li-Fi to move into full-scale implementation within places like offices, schools, warehouses. pureLiFi and French light fitting manufacturer Lucibe will also be showcasing a newly developed luminaire. It places all the necessary Li-Fi components in a black ring that lies flat against the ceiling and is designed to circle an LED light. Delivering the internet via visible light, it is able to support between eight to 16 users at once, and deliver data at rates of 45Mbps. The Ores Li-Fi fitting will be on display at the for an up-close look. In and out The Smart Spaces Conference, powered by Holophane, is new for 2017, and will turn its focus on connected outdoor lighting. Through a number of talks, case studies and best practice discussions, delegates will have the chance to learn more about advanced lighting features such as environment monitoring, asset management, parking information, lamp and ballast failure reporting and integration with third party systems and software. The Smart Spaces Conference is collocated with LuxLive and is free to attend for a wide range of industry professionals, including engineers and advisors, owners and operators of large lighting estates in retail, education, healthcare, outdoor and public realm, industry, transport, highways, commercial, offices and public sector. Learning zone As well as a myriad of new technology on show, LuxLive will be offering an opportunity to get advice, ask questions, and learn about the latest in lighting. The LIA Lighting Academy is a new educational programme at LuxLive which will take delegates through the fundamentals of light, light sources, standards, legislation and lighting design. The Academy is designed to give attendees extra knowledge and information to aid in their decisions when it comes to the installation of lighting in buildings. The programme offers delegates CPD points and a certificate of completion. Delegates will be able to learn more about CEF’s National Accounts and Projects departments, and its solutions for lighting professionals working on domestic, commercial or industrial jobs CEF’s Projects service allows larger contractors to receive tailored support, guidance and equipment for specific electrical jobs. The National Accounts department, meanwhile, provides a centralised experience, as well as pricing compliance for organisations with multiple accounts across the UK or those that have nationwide requirements. Safety first The LuxLive exhibition will also cover all things related to emergency lighting – from best practice and legislation to energy efficiency and easy maintenance. As well as tutorials and presentations led by authorities on lighting, there will be the opportunity to take a closer look at state-of-the-art emergency lighting equipment from industry innovators. There are a number of things that those responsible for emergency lighting installations need to be mindful of, including the latest legislation and best practice, energy efficiency and low maintenance, as well as ensuring a building’s occupants are safe at all times. Panel discussions will allow delegates to ask questions, discuss and share expertise about key issues in emergency lighting, including smart technology and the role it has to play, as well as signage, luminaire conversions, and regulations in a changing world. The Escape Zone will place a focus on emergency lighting requirements and standards. The zone is a place to gain practical knowledge, including how to do a risk assessment, regulation compliance, best practice procedures and of course the latest innovations in emergency lighting and safety. Hochiki Europe’s emergency lighting manager, Ian Watts, will be outlining best practice regarding the latest standards around emergency luminaries. He will will present Is my emergency lighting compliant? which will pinpoint the major changes just applied to the standard in the Escape Zone at 10:30am on the first day. Hochiki Europe will also be showcasing its combined emergency lighting and fire detection system, FIREscape+. The system has been specially designed to inform building occupants of unsafe exit routes during emergencies. This is possible via the product’s shared system, in which emergency exit signs and luminaires sit on the same loop as fire detectors being controlled by the same panel. Lightspace will be taking place alongside LuxLive, and is aimed at bringing architects together with the lighting design community. It is another space for the exchange of new ideas and new products, and presentations will include talks on such topics as lighting without luminaires, virtual reality and lighting design on a budget. A pop-up restaurant at Lightspace, the Lumen Café, will provide a place for delegates to relax in between presentations. The first day of LuxLive 2017 will be wrapped up with an extended closing time. The event will be open until 9pm on Wednesday November 15, giving both exhibitors and attendees a chance to network with colleagues and clients at on-stand drinks parties that will take place from 6pm. Getting technical This year’s event will be continuing its tradition of providing a platform for the latest novel technologies coming to market. Lighting controls specialist B.E.G. will showcase its new range of intelligent light controls using the DALI open standard. The LUXOMAT net DALI System provides end users with an entire intelligent lighting control package which includes multisensors, relay modules, switch interfaces, a power supply with USB interface and DALI software for set-up with the DALI electronic ballasts. This scalable network solution is aimed at providing greater energy efficiency in buildings, while also providing enhanced wellbeing for the room or building’s occupants. There are solutions from single rooms, to multiple rooms, to full building control which integrates into the Building Management System. Crompton will showcase its Phoebe LED range of domestic and commercial fittings for interior, exterior and specialist areas. The Phoebe LED range is designed to provide totally energy efficient lighting solutions with emergency, sensor and DALI options available as specials on most of the range. Making its debut at the show will by the Spectrum, an app-controlled tuneable fire rated downlighter that can be operated from a smartphone. Beckhoff Automation will be demonstrating advanced lighting controls as part of its holistic approach to a wider Building Management System. Beckhoff’s PC and ethernet-based control platform can be used to create a buildingwide automation solution or converge existing systems and expand them to optimise energy usage, ensure occupier comfort and wellbeing, and provide IoT connectivity of all assets for today’s smart buildings. Don’t miss out LuxLive 2017 is set to be a an exciting chance for the sector to explore the new revolution in smart devices that can control the living environment. The event will highlight the ways in which lighting can form the backbone of this new digital world, giving attendees the information and knowledge to embrace the way lighting will change in the future. The event will be taking place at ExCeL London on Wednesday November 15, from 9am to 9pm, and Thursday November 16, from 9am to 5pm.. Entry is free – simply preregister at the LuxLive website. Advanced bookings are required for the LIA Lighting Academy and Smart Spaces Conference. For further information, visit www.luxlive.co.uk

ECS Registered Electrician Launched By JIB

In October, the JIB launched the new ECS Registered Electrician status. Steve Brawley, JIB chief executive, explains the reasons behind the introduction of the scheme, and the benefits it will offer the industry. The JIB has introduced a new ‘Registered Electrician’ status – via the ECS card scheme – to recognise those electricians who are both qualified to NVQ Level-3 and also working to the latest British Standard in terms of electrical installation. Any ECS Installation or Maintenance Electrician gold cardholders who are qualified in the current edition of the BS7671 Wiring Regulations can now apply for the new ECS Registered Electrician status. For a cardholder, becoming a Registered Electrician means they can get a well-deserved endorsement for their professionalism and skills, stand out amongst their peers and get a valuable boost to their status and credibility across the industry. For electrical contractors, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate to clients that their electrical workforce is up-to-date on the latest industry technology developments and are committed to maintaining this level of professionalism. With the introduction of the new ECS Check service for clients and main contractors, this new initiative also raises the profile of electrical contracting amongst the wider construction industry and procurement community. Why is the JIB doing this? For many years there has been criticism that the ECS card is an ‘evergreen’ card, since an electrician can apply to the scheme then simply renew their card every three years by paying the fee and passing the Health & Safety Assessment – without any need or obligation to demonstrate they are keeping up to date with changes to the Wiring Regulations, Continuing Professional Development or other industry standards. By introducing the Registered Electrician status, the JIB’s aim is to raise the professionalism of individual electricians, electrical contractors and the industry as a whole. It enhances the quality of work by encouraging every ECS electrician to qualify to the current Wiring Regulations. It’s also complementary to existing Approved Contractor and Competent Person Schemes, which certify the companies that undertake electrical installations. Already around 33,000 electricians – around 55% of the ECS gold cardholder population – are automatically eligible for Registered Electrician status. Boosting status with clients and main contractors With the introduction of Registered Electrician, we have also developed a means by which electrical contractors can demonstrate the qualifications of their workforce when bidding for projects. With any electrical installation, the quality of the final product depends on not just the electrical contractor’s company registration but, crucially, the person carrying out the work. ECS Check is a new online system that allows main contractors and clients to verify the skills and qualifications of electrical personnel working on projects. The ECS already verifies applicants’ qualifications in order to issue them with an 
ECS card – and has done so for over 45 years. There are around 65,000 electricians working at ECS Gold Card level to show they meet the industry-recognised standard. ECS Check provides a convenient way for employers to profile the qualifications held by their workforce and the ECS cards they hold. Clients, main contractors and project managers can use ECS Check’s online portal to validate the electrical workforce on-site and produce electronic summaries for auditing and reporting. Those working at ECS Registered Electrician level can also demonstrate they hold the latest edition of BS7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) and have committed to maintain their technical knowledge and qualifications. Registered Electrician criteria For those who wish to become an ECS Registered Electrician, there are three key criteria that must be met. First, the applicant must meet the core requirements for the ECS Installation or Maintenance Electrician. Second, they must hold the current edition of the Wiring Regulations. Finally, they must agree to a Code of Professional Practice, which includes a commitment to Continuing Professional Development. This is a voluntary scheme – no cardholder is obliged to become a Registered Electrician. If an electrician does not wish to apply for Registered Electrician status, they can still remain in the ECS as a standard Installation or Maintenance Electrician gold cardholder. For existing Installation or Maintenance Electrician cardholders, there is no additional cost involved in becoming a Registered Electrician. A new 'virtual card' showing their Registered status will be offered to all current cardholders. This will be downloadable to a smart phone at no extra cost. As an option, the applicant can order a Registered Electrician card at a discounted price if they would like one. If you employ gold card electricians that have also kept up-to-date with the Wiring Regulations, they should be proud of the time and effort put into their skills and professionalism so far. With the launch of the ECS Registered Electrician, it gives cardholders the status they deserve, improving not only their credibility but also their company’s reputation with main contractors and clients. For further information, visit www.registeredelectrician.uk

Uponor Gains CIBSE Accreditation For Water Hygiene CPD

Uponor, provider of hygienic drinking water delivery and plumbing infrastructure, has successfully achieved Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) accreditation for the company’s ‘Hygienic Water Supply Systems’ CPD presentation. Designed to highlight the importance of hygienic water supply systems and discuss the steps that should be taken to overcome the risk of Legionella, the CPD begins by defining wholesome tap water and highlighting the Legionella risk created by stagnant water in the system and inadequate water temperatures. The CPD discusses guidance and legislation, drawing attention to industry sources such as HSE, CIBSE, HTM04-01 and EN806 to aid engineers and installers on designing pipework networks to reduce risk, and for building operators and facilities managers on automated smart-flushing systems to ensure stagnant water cannot become a breeding ground for Legionella. “While building services engineers are aware of issues with legionella, they are often shocked by the level of risk, and surprised to learn that the number of Legionella bacteria doubles every eight hours if there is stagnant water in the pipes within the 25-440C temperature range," explains Uponor's Dave Lancaster. “The purpose of the CPD is to offer design strategies for engineering Legionella risk out of plumbing installations so that, even in healthcare environments covered by HTM04-01 which are considered to have the occupants that fall in the highest risk category, conditions that support Legionella growth can be avoided.” The CIBSE-approved CPD discusses the pros and cons of Tee, Serial and Loop plumbing network designs, highlighting the benefits of loop configurations in avoiding dead ends and dead legs on the network.  It also discusses the importance of the pipe material in avoiding calcification and microfilms to ensure Legionella cannot collect on the internal surface of the pipe. Following CIBSE approval of the CPD, Uponor is planning a programme of more than 60 CPD events over the next year for building services engineers, architects and installers.

Retentions ‘Must Be Held In Trust’, Say ECA And BESA

Any cash held as retentions by construction clients and major contractors ‘must be held in trust at the nearest opportunity’, the BESA and ECA have advised the government. This proposed ‘Australian-style’ system would mean cash being held cyclically, in a similar manner to deposits in the private housing rental market. Looking ahead, the two engineering services trade bodies want to see cash retentions completely phased out, in order to protect suppliers from poor retention practices. At present, large businesses retain the cash in their own bank accounts, for use in a manner of their choosing. The comments follow the release in October of an independent review of the current state-of-play on retentions by consultancy Pye Tait, and the announcement of a government consultation on the issue. In the government response, they recognise that ‘some payment practices prevalent in construction are a barrier to investment, productivity improvements and growth’. ECA director of business Paul Reeve and BESA director of commercial and legal Rob Driscoll jointly comment, “While the significant and unacceptable problems of cash retentions in construction have been identified by independent research, and even acknowledged by government, the government has chosen to consult once again on the extent of the problem and what to do about it. “The BESA and the ECA will continue to call on the government to ensure that all cash retentions are held in trust as soon as possible, and to phase them out entirely by the early 2020s. For the good of the economy, and the supply chain, we need a firm commitment to remove the retentions issue.” Some £10.5 billion of the overall construction sector turnover of £220 billion is held in retentions. An estimated £7.8 billion has been unpaid across the construction sector over the last three years. Some £40 million of retentions is lost by small firms each year due to upstream insolvencies. Banks do not consider unprotected retentions as security for lending purposes to SMEs. The ECA and the BESA will both be responding to the government consultation on retentions, which will run until 19 January 2018.

EIC Challenges Industry To Give Up A Coffee For Charity

The Electrical Industries Charity is challenging the 1.3m people who work in the electrical sector to give up a cup of coffee every month and use the money to sign up for powerLottery instead. The charity’s number one fundraising stream, powerLottery, is open to everyone and offers every participant the chance to win a cash prize of £1,000 every month. Every £1 that is spent on powerLottery goes towards helping those in need in the industry. The lottery draws provide the charity with 30% of its annual income, which is directly handed out in financial grants to the electrical industry through the charity’s Employee Assistance Programme. This includes the apprentice, pensioner, practical participation and the family and employee support programmes. The programmes are designed to offer people in the industry a hand-up in their time of need through a wide range of services which include legal support, counselling, financial assistance and grants as well as carer support, debt advice, and apprentice scholarships and bursaries. “powerLottery is a fun and easy way to support your industry charity and help to provide access to a wide range of services for people in our industry when they are in need of support,” says managing director, Tessa Ogle. “By signing up to powerLottery you too can help your friends and industry colleagues, ensuring that no-one in our industry is ever alone in their time of need.” To enter the powerLottery, go to the EIC’s website to fill in the online form. As well as the monthly prize, a bonus prize of £5,000 is also on offer this month.

Embracing The Future Of Renewable Energy

Eaton, global power management company, discusses the benefits of its new energy storage solution, xStorage Home. Did you know that whenever someone uses social media, Eaton builds and maintains the infrastructure that runs those datacentres? Planes, trains, hospitals and the electricity grid are all things people depend on every day, and the companies behind them depend on Eaton to solve some of the toughest power management challenges on the planet. Eaton always needs to be on and always needs to be safe. Managing power, reliably, efficiently and safely are what underpins Eaton’s past, and defines its future. Eaton’s electrical residential solutions offer regulated technology and include wireless intruder detection solutions through to sockets with in-built phone charging points. xStorage Home has been developed in partnership with Nissan –­ which has sold more all-electric cars than any other carmaker – using its lithium-ion batteries, to ensure xStorage Home meets the highest electrical safety codes. Homeowners need to take control of their energy supply to address multiple challenges, including increasing power bills, variable electricity rates, power outages, potential natural disasters, intermittent solar PV production and decreasing incentives for solar PV production. There are a number of ways that xStorage Home is designed to address these challenges. Lower electricity bills Connected to residential power supply and/or renewable energy sources such as solar panels, the unit helps save money on electricity bills by charging up when renewable energy is available or energy is cheaper (e.g. during the night) and releasing that stored energy when demand and costs are high. Lower CO2 footprint By storing, consuming or selling renewable energy back to the grid, homeowners are contributing to the decarburisation of the energy supply, maximising consumption of onsite generation, primarily solar energy. Ease of installation and use This integrated unit is designed to ensure safety and performance when storing and distributing clean power. Once set-up by a certified installer, it is ready to work, giving homeowners the ability to plug in and power up easily.
It also has smartphone connectivity to enhance usability and allow them to switch between energy sources at the touch of a button. Safe technology The technology is industrialised, tested and configured by Eaton to deliver high levels of quality, reliability and performance. As a power management company with over 100 years’ experience and a leader in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), Eaton brings a depth of experience that is unmatched by many storage players. Nissan is a leader in electric vehicles and is a proven, high volume, maker of reliable Li-Ion batteries that meet the high safety standards of the automotive market. Join Eaton Eaton has a purpose-made facility in Bedford with partner Carter Sullivan to offer high standard commercial and technical training, protecting the consumer in this growing market. To become part of Eaton’s new accredited xStorage Home Authorised Installer programme, visit the Eaton website. Joining offers comprehensive training to gain product knowledge and best practice for installations at a dedicated Eaton facility in Bedford, with many other additional benefits such as new sales opportunities and leads, priority updates of product, technology and regulation developments and support via phone, email and WhatsApp, among other benefits. As Manchester City’s official home energy storage partner, Eaton is proud to work with the Club to showcase its commitment to renewable energy and sustainability.

Hunt For Missing Substandard Cable Renewed

The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) has supported a BBC investigation which has re-ignited a seven-year hunt for more than three million metres of substandard cable product that remains unaccounted for in UK buildings. In 2010, an ACI investigation led to more than 11 million metres of cable, manufactured by Turkish company, Atlas Kablo, being recalled from the UK market, following the suspension of two of its product certification licences by BASEC (British Approvals Service for Cables). According to ACI, reports of faulty cabling from concerned contractors earlier in 2010 led it to test samples of product from the Turkish cable manufacturer. The samples were found to have insufficient copper leading to high conductor resistance and did not comply with appropriate British Standards. Independent testing by BASEC later confirmed this, leading to the suspension of Atlas Kablo’s BASEC licence for a serious decline in quality across its range of products. Last week, a BBC report highlighted that the HSE decided not to issue a compulsory recall notice, instead relying upon a voluntary approach. This meant only a proportion of the cable was recovered and destroyed and the unaccounted-for cable was enough to fully rewire 8,000 houses, electrical experts have told the BBC. Subsequent market surveillance by the ACI led to stocks of the substandard cable being found on sale in Homebase, Wilco and Focus DIY. ACI intervention led to the stocks being removed from sale. The Atlas Kablo cable is marked with the manufacturer’s identification 'Atlas Kablo' and carries a 2010 manufacturing date and the TSE ‹HAR› approval mark. The cable sheathing colours included white, cream, yellow and blue and marking may be embossed or printed. Many of the cables are also marked with British designations such as 3183Y and BS6500.

Rexel Team Completes Cycle Challenge For Charity

A team of 11 cyclists from Rexel has successfully taken part in a 400-mile charity bike ride which saw them pedal from Bordeaux to Paris. The charity challenge, which raised over £30,000 for the Electrical Industries Charity and MacMillan Cancer Support, took place over four days and saw each individual team member cycle 100 miles each day. The Rexel UK team, comprising eleven cyclists and two support crew, included purchasing director, Peter Elliott; corporate sales director, Chris Gibson and Phil Wyatt, regional sales director, North. Setting off last month, the team reached the company’s global headquarters in Paris in just four days. “Cycling over 400 miles was a real test of grit and determination, and far more of a challenge than we ever anticipated,” said Peter Elliott, speaking at the finish line. “Prior to setting off, we knew the mileage would be testing but the two 12 hour days cycling 125 miles really took it out of us physically and mentally. However, knowing the level of support behind us and being able to raise such a huge amount for two charities which carry out some incredible work made it all worthwhile. “Our customer base, including the suppliers and manufacturers we work with, have been incredibly generous, digging deep in order to support these two charities which are close to many people’s hearts, especially within the electrical industry.” As part of the challenge, Rexel Group, France and UK also pledged to donate €3,000, which meant the team was able to exceed its original target of £30,000.