Leading UK designer and manufacturer of ventilation systems EnviroVent has created a dedicated ventilation showroom at its training centre in Harrogate.

 

The showroom contains working installations of the various ventilation  units, where the ducting and airflows can clearly be seen.  Visitors are invited to make an appointment and receive a demonstration of the operation of  ventilation products and how these  help reduce humidity levels and prevent condensation and mould from forming in a home.

 

Larry Soper, Training Manager at EnviroVent, said: “Customers often want to see a ventilation unit in operation to get a better understanding of how they work and how effective they are, especially when it comes to systems like MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery).  We refurbished our showroom so self-builders, contractors and specifiers can visit and take a look at this exciting technology, which can make a huge difference to the air quality in homes.”

 

Also at the new showroom, visitors can take a look at the operation of the new myenvirovent app.  The app is available for the energisava 200, 250 and 380 MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) systems.  It offers greater control and flexibility for a home’s ventilation by allowing the end user to access certain settings on the unit from anywhere in the home.   Myenvirovent also speeds up the installation process and makes set-up and commissioning of an MVHR unit far simpler and more efficient.

 

EnviroVent’s training centre in Harrogate has also recently been approved to deliver NICEIC ventilation courses. The two day NICEIC Domestic Ventilation course run from the centre is designed for experienced electricians, plumbers, ventilation installers and heating engineers that are looking to improve their knowledge and understanding of Domestic Ventilation Systems. 

 

To find out more about the NICEIC Certified centre and courses available at EnviroVent call on 0345 27 27 807, email enquiries@envirovent.com or visit http://www.envirovent.com/

 

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Paul Everall, LABC Chief Executive said: “We welcome the interim findings of the Hackitt Review and we agree with Dame Judith’s observations that the detail within the regulations “is largely owned by government, with industry – those who should be the experts in best practice – waiting to be told what to do and some looking for ways to work around it.”  This echoes our requests to different Ministers for a review, not just of the guidance relating to Fire, but also their relationship to other parts of the building regulations such as Conservation of Energy.”

Everall continues, “Dame Judith also expresses her shock at practices and even the culture of the building industry.  She refers to ‘the mindset of doing things as cheaply as possible and passing on responsibility for problems and shortcomings.’  We’d add to this the pressures of competition coming in from all directions, not just in building control, but also in the way manufactures use test and certification as a marketing advantage. It’s an indictment of the current system that building control surveyors may not know what is being delivered on site, when, by which supplier, or even how to identify it.”

Finally, Paul Everall concludes, “LABC and its members will do whatever we can to speed up the implementation of the Hackitt recommendations.  In our quest for better building standards we have already introduced independent auditing for our local authority building control teams, including competencies. This will provide a robust platform for implementing Hackitt’s detailed suggestions.  We’ll work with the department, other services and industry to bring about the changes necessary to provide a more robust and improved system for the future.”

For more information please visit the LABC website: www.labc.co.uk

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Described by IIC as an achievement of ‘world-class best practice’, the Gold Award secures NAPIT a top spot on the list of companies with the highest standards of people management and development that support their business goals.

Mike Andrews, NAPIT Group Chief Executive, commented: “I am delighted with this year’s result. We believe that the quality of our customer experience is one of the largest factors when determining profitability and long-term success. We have an ongoing commitment to measurement, feedback, and improvement, as the insights gathered will help us address the weak spots and enhance our strengths, year on year.”

“Achieving Gold reflects the dedication and passion of our staff and a testament to the fact that everyone is fully engaged in our vision” added Mike.

The coveted IIC award is presented to businesses based on an independent assessment designed to establish the strength of a business’s relationship with its customers. Registered NAPIT members, training customers, and staff were all asked a wide range of questions regarding their perceptions of NAPIT to provide a detailed picture of their overall experience.

Independent IIC Assessors, CXCO Ltd, Chief Executive Charlie Williams commented: “NAPIT have been undertaking the annual IIC assessment since 2014 and have seen steady progress as they use the feedback they receive from their Members and Staff to improve the services they provide. This year has seen them achieve the highest IIC rating (Gold) for the first time which is a testimony to how they have consistently listened and responded to their Members over the years. Of particular note this year was the increase in scores from their Membership and Staff alike which resulted in a significant improvement in overall scores that is unusual for companies achieving the highest IIC rating for the first time.”

Now in its 25th year, NAPIT has registered over 10,000 members in electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation, microgeneration and building fabric trades across the UK domestic, commercial and industrial markets and offer a wide range of discounted and free support services, including training, certification, and promotion across a wide range of multi-platform media.

To learn more about NAPIT membership and how it can benefit your business, visit www.napit.org.uk or call on 0345 543 0330.

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Article for Progress Magazine by: Phil James, CEO The Institute of Leadership & Management

NHIC has a clear mission to improve living standards and reduce fuel poverty. Who wouldn’t sign up to its vision of the future? But as everyone on board becomes buffeted by life’s unreadable flow, how can leaders inject vision with a dose of staying power?

The bombing of Manchester Arena and London Bridge terror attacks highlighted are extreme examples of disorienting events that affected the General Election, as each party struggled to hold a clear line amid the shockwaves. Businesses too are grappling with uncertainty.

After a recent survey of the world’s millionaires, UBS Wealth Management chief economist Daniel Kalt told the International Business Times:
“After a year of uncertain events and high-profile shocks, most believe we live in a very unpredictable age. In response, we see evidence of short-termism creeping in – people reacting to each event as uncertainty grows.”

So, how can a leader maintain a coherent and lasting vision amid the Shakespearean slings and arrows of outrageous fortune? And how should that vision flex in the face of events?

There’s a whole industry involved in predicting and planning for the future, but we can’t control it. As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans”. For leaders, the key is adaptability: It’s future-readiness that counts, not our desire to control change.

But the agility to respond to events requires a vision that is a persuasive expression of a higher purpose, rather than one rich in detailed activities. Ours at the Institute, is ‘To inspire great leadership everywhere’. How we go about that will change. We’re committed to inspiring great leadership, rather than to the mechanics through which that is done.

For NHIC, it’s the same. Governments will come and go,events beyond our control will continue to shape the world around us. But the vision of a better world,free of fuel poverty, with enhanced standards of living for all is a compelling one for all who subscribe to it. Purpose is everything – if you can hold on to that, then the unpredictable becomes opportunity.

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Attending his first glazing industry show, Phil Pluck GGF Chief Executive commented;
“It was an invaluable event for really getting under the skin of the industry and discovering what people and businesses are really doing and thinking. We connected with many of our Members and some were keen to express just how important the GGF is to their companies and being the voice of glass and glazing. The show proved to be a fantastic arena for promoting the benefits of being associated with the GGF.”

Birmingham NEC hosted the show for the first time and it was clear that the exhibition benefited from being larger with more stands on a bigger scale than previous years. In addition, the organisers allowed exhibitors to run their own stand parties on the first evening (Big Tuesday) of the show. The GGF used this to great effect with their 40th Anniversary Party that attracted over 80 people who seemed to enjoy the live entertainment and networking with other Members and guests.

James Lee, GGF Director of Marketing and Communications added;
“We enjoyed having more space this year. It allowed us to make a really strong brand statement to reflect our 40th anniversary year. The four metres high “Founders Wall”, our Members Lounge and the GGF video on our TV monitors attracted many visitors to the stand. It was good to see many Members enjoy our hospitality and it was great to engage with many non-members who were interested in joining the GGF.”

Brian Smith, GGF Director of Home Improvement and Membership added;
“We were inundated with membership enquiries as our special offer of 40% off first year’s subscriptions attracted many potential new members to our stand. The good news is, the special offer continues for 40 working days after the FIT Show. So companies who couldn’t make it to our stand, can still take advantage of this once in a generation special subscription offer for new members. Overall, this was the best ever FIT Show for the GGF.”

The FIT Show is clearly not resting on its laurels and the organisers (FIT Events) are already looking ahead to 2019 and doing it all again at the Birmingham NEC. The GGF has already booked to exhibit in 2019.

Find out more about The FIT Show here.

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While the next UK Government will face many challenges over and above negotiating Britain’s departure form the EU, the National Home Improvement Council wants all political parties to clearly establish within their manifestos how they would work with industry to overcome some of the fundamental challenges currently faced; including not only the need to build more quality energy efficient homes, but also how to improve the quality of our existing stock.

Anna Scothern, Executive Director of the NHIC said ”Great Britain is one of the richest countries in the world, yet 4.5 million families still live in fuel poverty, the National Home Improvement Council believes that no individual or family should have to make heat or eat choices each winter.” She added “27% of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from our existing 26 million homes and while demand for housing continues to rise with new house building failing year on year to meet the established government target of 1 million new homes by 2020, refurbishment, repair and maintenance must be clearly reflected as part of the new Government’s overall housing strategy.”

The National Home Improvement Council, established in 1974, is a member based organisation whose primary aim is to encourage the safe and efficient refurbishment of the UK’s existing homes and cross the private and social sectors to improve living standards and reduce fuel poverty. The NHIC uses expertise form across its membership to bring about positive change for UK homes and would very much like to work with Government to address these important issues.

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A materials engineer with a PhD in wind energy and the design of turbine blades, Peter is passionate about the role that building science can play in finding solutions to the challenges that the built environment faces in delivering buildings, homes and communities that work for people, the environment and the economy.

In May 2012 Peter received the prestigious Peter Stone Award from the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to building engineering and the built environment. CABE also awarded him Honorary Fellowship in 2013.

He was awarded an OBE for services to research and innovation in the construction industry in June 2012. The following month he was elected as Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in recognition of his leadership on innovative built environment research.

Since 1974 the prestigious National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) Annual Awards have recognised achievement in UK housing and have grown over the years to become highly regarded as the premier event in this sector.

Dr Bonfield said “I am pleased to support this years NHIC Annual Awards. If we are to have a fighting chance at meeting the 2050 target set by Government, which commits us to an 80 per cent reduction in carbon – we must address existing stock, and reduce their carbon output by 80 per cent. This is a huge and difficult challenge and I am looking forward to seeing the Award winners and how they are contributing to the need for innovation in this important area.”

Anna Scothern, Executive Director at the NHIC said “The NHIC Annual Awards provide a real opportunity for the home improvement industry to showcase its talent for innovation and I am really excited to hear what Dr Bonfield will say in his address to our guests”.

Tickets for the awards luncheon on Thursday 17^th November 2016 are available by contacting marketing@nhic.org.uk or telephoning 02074483853.

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In recent years the use of Triple Glazing (Insulating Glass Units consisting of three panes of glass with two cavities) has been on the ascent. This increase could be attributed to several factors including:

1. A greater demand from consumers because of more media coverage of the benefits of Triple Glazing
2. Architects and building designers specifying larger areas of glazing than referenced in Building Regulation Guidance.
3. The increased awareness of the thermal benefits of Triple Glazing which is becoming the standard specification within low and zero energy homes.
4. Companies in the industry driving strong marketing campaigns to grow the Triple Glazing product sector

Russell Day, GGF Senior Technical Officer commented, “Over the last few years it is clear that increased promotion of triple glazing by the industry has increased the consumer demand for this product. This new guide considers the benefits associated with triple glazing, and the factors that manufacturers and installers of triple glazed windows should consider. “

The factors to be considered are thermal performance, acoustic performance, IGU and frame design and specification, manufacturing requirements, the effects on distribution and installation and the possible effects on optical and visual quality.

Steve Rice, GGF Technical Director commented, “As we have seen the triple glazing sector grow, the GGF technical team felt it was essential to produce a guidance document that would help them in the manufacture, supply and installation of this increasingly popular product.”

The new Guide will be available for free download from the Members Area of the GGF website here and if printed copies are required Members will be able to order them at a special Members’ discount from the GGF shop http://shop.ggfmembers.com/.

 END

For further information contact:

James Lee, Head of GGF Group Marketing & Communications, 020 7939 9114, e-mail jlee@ggf.org.co.uk

Natasha Erskine, GGF, Marketing and Communications Executive, 020 7939 9128; e-mail nerskine@ggf.org.uk

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If poorly managed, asbestos removal can leave householders and those removing asbestos materials with serious health problems. This new brochure aims to inform homeowners on the facts, risks and correct procedures of dealing with asbestos.

Phil Pinnington, GGF Health, Safety and Facilities Manager, commented: ‘This guide should raise the awareness that asbestos is often present in domestic settings. By improving awareness, we hope homeowners will be better informed as to why professional companies such as those in GGF Membership are well placed to help manage its control and disposal if necessary.”

If asbestos is suspected and work is being carried out that could disturb the material, the GGF advises homeowners to seek advice from a competent assessor. Though the GGF cannot be directly responsible for promoting or authorizing the work of individual assessors, it does recommend that property owners discuss the matter with their window, door or conservatory installation company.

This publication is available from the GGF’s consumer website MyGlazing.com for free download or can be purchased from the GGF Shop http://shop.ggfmembers.com/

END

For further information contact:

James Lee, Head of GGF Group Marketing & Communications, 020 7939 9114, e-mail jlee@ggf.org.co.uk

Natasha Erskine, GGF, Marketing and Communications Executive, 020 7939 9128; e-mail nerskine@ggf.org.uk

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