Toolstation launches Sunburn Swatch campaign

Toolstation, a UK supplier of tools, accessories, and building supplies, has partnered with cancer support charity Macmillan for a new campaign that aims to raise awareness of skin cancer among tradespeople. Developed by PR agency Finn Partners, ‘Sunburn Swatch’ is designed to raise awareness of sun protection for tradespeople when working outdoors. The campaign features images of different sun swatches to represent skin types, alongside striking statistics of how many tradespeople use sun protection on site. Under half (48%) of tradespeople worry about getting burnt while they are working outside, research commissioned by Toolstation reveals. 24% skip wearing sun protection while working outside in the summer months, despite 68% always or often wearing it while on holiday. The poll of customers from Toolstation also found that 59% of customers who work in a trade had suffered from sunburn working outside while on the job. Half (50%) of trade customers who rarely or never wear sunscreen when working outside in the summer said they don’t wear protection because they forget or don't think about it before going to work, while 14% don’t think they need it. The same proportion (14%) opt against wearing it because they see it as an inconvenience. Greg Richardson at Toolstation says, “We know that tradespeople don’t have much time on their hands so prioritising suncare can be difficult, but it’s really important that tradespeople are well informed about the implications of being burnt while working in the sun and the steps they can take to minimise that risk. "We hope this campaign helps them overcome that risk and will make wearing sun cream when working outdoors as common as PPE.” Rebecca Fanning at Macmillan Cancer Support adds, “Skin cancer is often linked to UV exposure, and we know that up to nine in ten cases of melanoma skin cancer in the UK could be prevented by staying safe in the sun. “Working with Toolstation, we’re doing whatever it takes to help more people with cancer to get the best possible care. "By doing something as simple as applying SPF when out in the sun, tradespeople across the UK can minimise their risk of skin cancer and help reduce the number of people who need Macmillan’s support in the first place.” For more from Toolstation, click here.

Collingwood publishes guide to emergency lighting

Collingwood Lighting, a UK manufacturer of LED lighting products, has produced a specifiers’ and installers’ guide to emergency lighting to help ensure compliance and safe evacuation of a building. “Emergency lighting can save lives," says Anthony Martindale, Product Manager for Collingwood Lighting. "The responsible person for a building is legally responsible for fire safety and if a building needs evacuating, then emergency lighting will minimise panic and help get people to a place of safety, especially if there is a power outage. “Our guide will help specifiers and installers advise the building owner on the best design and system for their building based on a risk analysis and their budget.” The guide explores factors that can influence the specification, such as who is likely to be in the building; their age, awareness, and familiarity with the layout; what tasks they may be doing; and the type of building. It goes on to explore the different technologies and products available, and what to select for different applications. The final section deals with designing a compliant system to ensure that it is fit for purpose and helps people get to a place of safety. Anthony continues, “Designing a compliant emergency lighting scheme is not a one stop solution; it is based on a full risk analysis and involves working closely with the building owner or person who is responsible for the occupants’ safety. "Quite rightly there is legislation and a number of standards that you need to be aware of. “We all hope that a real emergency never happens in a building that we are responsible for, but if it does, the responsible person has a legal duty for the occupants’ safety. A specifier and installer of emergency lighting plays a critical role in helping them achieve this.” For more from Collingwood Lighting, click here.

Drayton's training van to go on tour

Drayton, a manufacturer of heating controls in the UK, has unveiled its new mobile training van that will embark on a tour across the country this year. The purpose-built van will offer training opportunities on Drayton’s range of products, including the Digistat range, valves range, and Wiser smart heating control. With interactive displays on board, installers can catch live product demonstrations from Drayton’s technical experts, who will be on hand to provide guidance on products, support with queries, and offer best-practice advice for industry professionals visiting the training van. Plus, there will be the opportunity for installers to take part in competitions and other initiatives at merchants up and down the UK. Clare Weller, Trade Marketing Manager at Drayton, comments, “We’re thrilled to have finally revealed Drayton’s brand-new training van, which will allow us to conveniently take our products and expertise directly to the door of merchants that provide our products to heating engineers. “By coming directly to them, it provides installers with the ideal opportunity to get a thorough understanding about the range of high-performing products Drayton has to offer, as well as seeing them in action first hand.” For more from Drayton, click here.

Coloured Connector Blocks added to Click Essentials range

A new collection of Coloured Connector Blocks has been added to electrical accessories designer and manufacturer Click Scolmore’s comprehensive Essentials range, offering improved safety, convenience, and functionality for electrical installations. Commonly referred to as Service Connector Blocks, they are essential components used to split and connect mains meter tails from the electricity meter to one or more consumer units within a building. This provides a secure and reliable connection point for power distribution in both residential and commercial areas. The new Connector Blocks are colour-coded in brown, black, grey, blue, green, and pink to allow easy identification of phase, neutral, and earth conductors. This is useful in minimising and preventing installation errors and improving on-site safety. These coloured variants offer several key features, including: • Locking screw compatible with security tags for tamper resistance • Click-close cover for quick and secure access • Retained shutters providing safe blanking of unused terminals • Dual screw terminals for strong, stable connections • Slide-in module connections to simplify wiring and speed up installation The Connector Blocks complement the broader Essentials range, which comprises Ezylink, drylining and fire-rated back boxes, the Aquip range of weatherproof outdoor switches and sockets, Metal Clad and premium Metal Clad Pro wiring accessories, and Fused Mains Switches. The entire Essentials range is designed to provide contractors with high-quality, reliable solutions for everyday electrical installations. For more information on Click’s Essentials range, visit the Scolmore Group website or download the Scolmore Group app to access the latest catalogue. For more from Click Scolmore, click here.

BG introduces smart dimmer and app

British General (BG Electrical), a UK manufacturer of electrical wiring accessories, circuit protection devices, and consumer units, part of the Luceco Group, has released a smart dimmer switch range alongside a new BG Smart App, designed for use in residential lighting control. The BG Smart Dimmer can be installed either as a complete dimmer switch or as a retrofit smart dimmer module. It is compatible with BG’s decorative dimmer ranges and requires no neutral wire, making it suitable for most standard lighting circuits. Both one-gang and two-gang master and secondary switch formats are available in a white moulded profile, as well as universal retrofit modules. Installation and setup The smart dimmer uses Bluetooth connectivity and does not require a hub. Installation involves pairing the device directly with the app, removing the need for additional hardware. Features and controls Lighting can be adjusted via the BG Smart App or by voice control through Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. The app allows users to dim lights, set timers, create scenes, and programme schedules. A “random operation” mode is also available for security purposes when the property is unoccupied. For installers, the system allows pre-configuration of timers, presets, and lighting scenes before handover, enabling the homeowner to use the lighting system immediately after installation. The app also supports migration of existing BG Home devices via the BG Connect feature. Product availability The BG Smart Dimmer is available as a complete unit or as a retrofit module, providing options for both upgrading individual switches and installing across whole-home projects. BG Electrical operates under the Luceco Group, which also includes the Sync Energy and Masterplug brands. The group supplies a range of electrical and lighting products to commercial and residential markets. For more from BG, click here.

ECA welcomes Apprenticeship Pathways report

A new report, Apprenticeship Pathways, recommends the Welsh Government should work with schools, colleges, and employers to present vocational courses as a good quality option. The Senedd’s Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee - set up to hold the Welsh Government to account on specific issues, including skills - opened a consultation in the Spring. ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association), which represents electrical contractors and companies across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, submitted detailed evidence to the Committee based on the Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter. The Committee’s findings show that if the Welsh Government increases awareness and take-up of apprenticeships, this will allow people to improve their skills and earning potential, building a more productive workforce and boosting the economy. The report recommends the Welsh Government initiates better engagement and promotion of apprenticeships as a viable education pathway for students. It also calls for barriers to recruiting and retaining skilled assessors and apprenticeship trainers to be addressed. Echoing ECA’s own position, the report additionally recommends faster progress in developing a vocational education and training strategy. Jeremy Parkin, ECA Vice President and Director of Powerlink Electrical Services, in Ebbw Vale, comments, “We welcome the Apprenticeship Pathways report promoting apprenticeships as a respected and high-quality career pathway. "Apprenticeships are the preferred route for training the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of our industry. ECA Member firms in Wales regularly point out the lack of attention given to trade careers and apprenticeships in our schools. "We’re pleased to have contributed to evidence that highlights the long-term benefits of apprenticeships for both individuals and businesses in Wales. "We urge the Welsh Government to heed the Committee’s recommendations to embed apprenticeships as an essential part of the Welsh social and economic fabric.” For more from ECA, click here.

£100bn clean energy asset class to transform home heating

The UK’s first investor-funded ground source heat pump network has broken ground in South Wales. Installed by British heat pump manufacturers Kensa and backed by funds managed by Octopus Energy’s renewable arm, Octopus Energy Generation, the project is set to power millions of homes and kickstarts a new £100 billion UK asset class in clean energy infrastructure. Funded networks, like the one being installed for 114 new homes at the Parc Eirin development in Tonyrefail, could be a cornerstone of the UK’s energy transition. By 2040, 250,000 homes a year are expected to connect to one of these networks. The funded network model creates a new, subsidy-free way to install clean heat, aiming to make it easier households to benefit from the high-efficiency and reliability of ground source heat pump technology. Once complete, each Parc Eirin property will be fitted with a compact Kensa Shoebox NX ground source heat pump, housed inside the property like a traditional gas boiler. This shared underground infrastructure mirrors the way existing utilities like water, gas, and broadband are delivered, where the customer doesn’t have to pay the upfront installation cost. The system uses underground pipes connected to a compact heat pump inside each home, offering the familiarity of a gas boiler but with lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions. The renewable heating method has been successfully fitted in thousands of new and existing UK homes, including over 100 other properties at the aforementioned Parc Eirin, completed during a previous phase of the development. Each new property from this latest phase will feature a ground source heat pump, solar panels, and battery storage, with all works expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Tirion Homes, alongside contractor Morganstone, is delivering the new homes. The not-for-profit housing provider received funding from the Development Bank of Wales and the Welsh Government to complete this phase of the Parc Eirin development. Comments Tamsin Lishman, CEO at Kensa, comments, “Kensa's unlocking of third-party institutional investment is a major milestone for ground source heat pump deployment and will unlock access to deliver energy-secure heating for millions of homes, whether new build or existing homes. “By turning ground source infrastructure into an attractive investable asset for pension funds, we can address the financial barriers to adoption and empower the installation of highly efficient and affordable heating and hot water systems that cut both energy bills and carbon emissions. “At Kensa, we are proud to be working with Tirion Homes, Octopus Energy Generation, and the Welsh Government on this project. Parc Eirin is a flagship initiative showing how we can deliver game-changing renewable heating at scale.” Alex Brierley, Co-Head of Octopus Energy Generation, states, “Decarbonising heat is one of the biggest hurdles on the UK’s path to net zero and it calls for practical, scalable solutions. "This project shows how we can do things differently – harnessing proven technology to deliver clean, affordable warmth from the ground up, without the usual upfront costs. "Working with Kensa, we’re proving a model that can grow to heat communities nationwide, helping households save money while moving the UK closer to a low-carbon future.” David Ward, CEO at Tirion Homes, adds, “We are delighted to be delivering the heating solution for Parc Eirin with Kensa with the support of the Welsh Government. "The delivery of renewable energy infrastructure remains a huge challenge, particularly in marginal locations where project viability is challenging. "Tirion has been working hard to identify opportunities to reduce the cost burden of energy infrastructure, and the Kensa model provides a commercial route to delivering our future heating needs without prohibitive up-front costs to consumers, whether they be house purchasers or those renting homes." The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, says, “The homes at Parc Eirin will be climate-friendly and future-proof – a fantastic example of how the ground source heat pump network can be both innovative and commercially viable. “I’m so proud of our work with partners like Tirion Homes to deliver even more affordable and energy-efficient homes across Wales and I can’t wait to see this project delivering for households, the local economy, and the environment for many years to come.” For more from Kensa, click here.

The new BS 5839-1:2025 standard explained

Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement with Scolmore Group, looks in detail at a number of key changes in the recently published updated BS 5839-1: 2025 standard. As with the introduction of all British Standards, other than for BS 7671, the old standard is superseded on the same date as the new one is published. BS 5839-1: 2025 came into effect on 30 April 2025, and the old 2017 version was subsequently withdrawn on that same date. The forward of any standard details some, but not all, of the changes introduced in the new standard. What should also be noted is that BS 5839-1 is a ‘Code of practice’. This means that it provides guidance and recommendations; it is not legislation. This article will highlight several specific changes and the likely implications for all those involved in the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems. Section 1 – General: Introduction All standards contain a foreword detailing the relationship with other standards and specific information about the new document. However, under Section 1 (General) the new Standard differs from the 2017 version by adding an introduction prior to the Scope of the document. This introduction now details the principal purpose of a fire detection and fire alarm system is to ‘support the fire evacuation strategy’ for the building rather than, as the previous standard stated, the ‘fire safety strategy’ for the building (Clause 6.1 Commentary). This is a subtle but important shift in how the recommendations of this standard should be applied. The focus on the evacuation strategy alone means that the design has a single focus, rather than a slightly more general ‘fire safety’ strategy. The introduction also makes much clearer reference to other standards and guidance documents where there are levels of uncertainty. These include: BS 9991; BS 9999; guidance documents that support fire legislation; insurance documentation; and any relevant fire risk assessment. The common practice amongst many contractors seeking to design a fire detection and fire alarm system was/is to ask a manufacturer to design the system, and then supply and commission the system to meet the requirements of the design. However, the fire strategy must be considered as of primary importance insofar as the design is concerned. A fire risk assessment is important, but it is not a strategy. Exchange of information and definition of responsibilities The previous Clause 6 (now Clause 5) has an updated commentary as well as amended recommendations. It is important that there is clear communication between relevant parties, and Clause 5 has made things much clearer. Clause 5.1 now recommends that consultations take place prior to the design stage. This has amended the recommendation from the 2017 standard that consultation should take place ‘prior to or at’ the system design stage. These prior consultations should be between: user/purchaser; consultants (to include architects, M&E and fire engineers); the designer; the authority responsible for enforcing fire safety legislation; and the property insurer. At the design stage (Clause 5.2), consultation should happen between the designer, user/purchaser, and consultants. The amended clause no longer places the responsibility on the designer alone to ensure this consultation takes place. A more collaborative approach is now called for. At the installation stage (Clause 5.3), consultation should happen between the designer, user/purchaser, consultants, and the supplier of the system. Again, this amended clause no longer places the responsibility on the installer to ensure this consultation takes place; indeed, the installer is not included in the list to this consultation. Where a designer has made a proposal for the category of system (Clause 5.4), this should be agreed with the user/purchaser. This is an important change of emphasis, requiring all relevant parties are able to ‘sign off’ the design. Similarly, the designer should agree with the user/purchaser (Clause 5.5) whether the system incorporates visual alarm devices (VADs). A further change has been made to what should occur prior to the placing of an order for the system (Clause 5.6), and this is to also include ‘handover’ within the list of those with responsibility for each element of design, installation and commissioning. Furthermore, greater clarity has been provided for who is responsible for the creation of the zone plan (Clause 5.7). This should be clearly defined, agreed and documented. Variations (Section 7) Variations have long been an accepted part of the design process. There may be instances, for example, where a thoughtless application of a recommendation would lead to a design which is less than optimal. Indeed, the fire risk assessment process may lend itself to including certain variations. As with the previous standard, any variations must be clearly identified and recorded in the logbook and relevant certification, and should be such that they are immediately obvious to any relevant parties. Previously there were no stated exclusions from permissible variations. This is no longer the case. Clause 6.6 now details those departures which are considered as so detrimental to the safety of the system, that they should be excluded. These excluded items are: The absence of a zone plan or other suitable diagrams in which there are more than one zone and particularly where people sleep. The absence of a facility for transmission of an alarm signal to an alarm receiving centre (ARC) in supported housing, or a residential home. For more from Scolmore, click here.

15.8km of new electricity cables for East London

UK Power Networks has invested nearly £8 million in replacing underground electricity cables in the Ilford area of London. The electricity firm is upgrading the local cable network from Perth Road to Redbridge with brand-new, environmentally-friendly, cross-linked polyethylene cables. The cables that span multiple circuits, joining two substations together, should increase the reliability of power supplies for customers in the area. The project has installed three brand-new 33,000-volt circuits that total over 15.8 kilometres (or the length of 150 football pitches), replacing older circuits. This project is part of UK Power Networks' £800 million investment programme this year. Jason Gunning, Programme Manager, comments, “This cable replacement project in the Ilford area is part of our ongoing investment in the electricity network. “By upgrading infrastructure at Redbridge and Perth Road, we’re reinforcing the reliability of local power supplies and helping future-proof the network for residents and businesses as demand grows and more low-carbon technologies connect to the grid.” UK Power Networks is the distribution network operator for London, the South East, and the East of England, serving 8.5 million homes and businesses. For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

'Half of van thefts happen on the job'

Summer is a busy time for tradespeople, with vans often left parked for long stretches. When a van is stolen, it’s not just the vehicle that’s lost; it’s valuable tools and crucial work time too. A recent survey of over 500 tradespeople revealed that 33% have experienced van theft in the past two years, and 16% have had their vehicle broken into. New research from Tempcover, a temporary business van insurance company, shows that half of all vehicle thefts occur while vans are parked at job sites, compared to just 7% outside the home. In terms of break-ins outside the home, 31% of tradespeople reported damage with nothing stolen, while 8% experienced break-ins where both tools and other items were stolen, along with damage to their vans. Tools, time, and trust: The real cost of van theft Lost tools and unhappy customers due to job delays or cancellations can seriously hurt a tradesperson’s reputation. When asked what impact the loss of a vehicle or vehicle issues had on their work, the survey showed: • 26% were unable to work for some time, having to cancel or delay jobs due to lack of transport • 40% had to rely on a vehicle from friends, family, or colleagues to keep working • 15% had to buy a new vehicle altogether • 8% relied on lifts from others to get to jobs while their van was unusable • 6% received customer complaints due to last-minute job cancellations Contingency plans Despite the clear disruption caused by losing access to a work vehicle, many tradespeople are unfamiliar with some of the practical options available to stay on the road. When asked about the first step they take if their work vehicle becomes out of action, 34% said they borrow another vehicle, while 27% opt to rent. However, 7% admitted they have no contingency plan in place. Tempcover claims that temporary business van insurance remains an "underutilised" resource. According to its survey: • 43% of respondents said they are not aware of what it is or how it could help them • 19% had used it previously to get insured on an alternative vehicle during a period of disruption • 5% said they are currently considering it Claire Wills-Mckissick, an employee at Tempcover, says, “Temporary business van insurance is a practical solution for tradespeople who suddenly find themselves without a vehicle. "Whether their van has broken down, been stolen, or is in the garage for repairs, flexible short-term cover allows them to borrow a van and continue their work without interruption. "It’s quick to arrange and can last from just a few hours to several weeks, helping minimise downtime, protect income, and maintain positive relationships with customers.”