I have to say at the outset that the October 2001 PHEX at Manchester was an event not to be missed and having originally started out in life as something of a side-show, PHEX has matured into a substantial exhibition that is invaluable to those in less central areas of the UK.
There were over 80 relevant stands and I sincerely hope PHEX grows to become the dominant mobile event for plumbing and heating and boldly go across the whole UK.
A funny thing happened two weeks ago. One of my restaurateurs telephoned to say he had a problem with a cooker. I tried to explain the regulations and that I am only 1-15, which generally provides protection from the risk of cockroaches claiming asylum in my tool box when I am not looking. His persistent efforts to persuade me to call anyway failed.
To avoid any further delay he actually sought out a Corgi Registered Gas Installer appropriately qualified which as you all know according to published figures, 87% of people do (?). That apparently sorted he phoned said Corgi Installer again as his hot water failed. There are three Honeywell 2 port valves and he changed motors in two of them to no avail. Personally I have never yet met with a failed Honeywell. Many others and especially the pre power-extra Potty but not a Honeywell.
Our Corgi chappie charged my customer only for the two syncron motors (£25 each) and suggested he needed a ‘plumber’ as there was a blockage in the primary flow / return pipework ? That was the night before PHEX and I was dragged out screaming the following morning.
Fortunately there were two unnecessary legs and manual vents off the primary flow and return and both were full of water. As restaurateurs are not familiar with the time period ante meridiem I managed to reach a compromise and agreed late morning, despite the alleged urgency. To save time I froze the return leg and slapped on a Tectite elbow complete with drain off tap and managed to drag the airlock or gung out quickly enough with a hose. For now that is.
Fully pumped but the bathroom radiator is also connected and I shut that off for a while to ensure warp drive to the circs. My H&V kit then jumped from a stubborn 25 degrees to 70+ degrees and sustained it under all conditions and tests. The system is an old one and actually needs cleaning. Passed my Sentinel kit tests (?) but full of dirt nevertheless and the bathroom radiator takes a while to heat up.
Never having worked on gas there I had not previously noted the Glowworm Hideaway BF boiler. The flue is near an external corner and has an aluminium hood less than 50mm bigger than the terminal and projects about 450mm from the wall. Should be able to show you a photograph soon. He emphasised he knows it is illegal but says he has no choice ? He assumes it is the exhaust and is not aware of the intake as well. One does one’s best to explain.
The bottom line is that I ended up attending PHEX in my working gear as I was meeting someone and was nearly arrested on the Marcrist stand for removing and studying a new component out of sight of the main stand. Fortunately I was wearing my ID and able to point to much recent correspondence with Marcrist. More on this later as I deferred a job and went back the following day wearing my whistle, plain glass bifocals and emeritus professor ID – Love doing that.
The main event, not in any particular order and I apologise to those exhibitors I did not have time to attend but I am sure all visitors are unlikely to have visited everyone. Web site links are provided and where not previously available in our library they are now.
SENTINEL – BetzDearborn
It seems the competition is hotting up - unlike some heating systems - and it was announced that Sentinel will be producing an online database of Approved Operators (Sentinel Jets) on a new web site, soon to be announced. Although research was alluded to in information prior to the event, no one I spoke to was aware of any having taken place. However their literature targeted at Installers on the scheme refers to ‘several years field experience’. The main boast over simple X400 treatment is that the work can be completed in one day or even less with Sentinel Deposit Remover. The latter is citric acid to be used where one stop shop cleaning is required. I still prefer X400 as it gives me an excuse to put the flushing job off for a couple of weeks and juggle my workload.
They were sporting their powerful new jet-flushing machine that will tackle 3 storey rateable hereditaments thanks to the Grundfos pump which the Fernox machine also boasts as I recall. The new machine has quarter-turn valves and I may get chance to road test one soon. That restaurant mentioned above would be an ideal venue. Any spillage would certainly benefit the place. We could stand the machine in the bath as I have to carry out a complete refurbishment of illicit staff quarters soon anyway.
The information refers to BS Code of Practice BS 793 which states that a chemical cleanser must be used to clean a system and that the system must be flushed rather than simply drained down.
LA-CO
As I mentioned at an earlier date, LACO were in attendance with a range of products. I already use their flux and hand cleaner. We each bought a bottle of their Cool-Gel which I got chance to try out. Sprayed a piece of 100 x 50 softwood with the water-based gel and laid a piece of 15mm copper on with a coupling and raised off only on two short ends of 15mm Cu. I sweated the joint and not a mark on the softwood.
Also got chance to use it today (5.10.01) when I threw in another 24i. I had already installed and high pressure tested the first floor so the joiners could install that awful pseudo-wooden floor stuff. The five pipe ends were left sticking through the ceiling but only 30mm and capped with speedfit. I sprayed the plasterboard ceiling with Cool-Gel and not a scorch in sight. Impressive stuff.
Liquid PTFE is available in a handy container fitted with a brush. They also had what looked like a shaving stick which it was suggested would seal a nick in a pipe caused perhaps when bending same, by forming a bond inside and outside ‘like a rivet‘. That was quickly put away as it was noted we were not amused even if it worked. I pay my public liability so I decide what I use. If I am ever careless enough to nick a pipe I will renew it: That’s why people pay me – WEB SITE
RELIANCE WATER CONTROLS
These people need no introduction and we each picked up a CD which contains just about everything, including all the past training features from HVP magazine. That CD is available via the web site we are informed so why not avail yourself– WEB SITE
TESTO
I had to be honest and declare I am still well satisfied with my Telegan Tempest T50 FGA complete with backlight and printer etc but Testo have some good deals on at the moment with BS approved FGA being bundled with an expensive tool kit.
I was taken with a new temperature compensating digital manometer. After years of Trojan service my Anton Pressure-Mate has developed a fault and I am looking for a new one. The Pressure Mate always delivered a steady reading but I usually found it safer to allow a two minute or more temperature stabilisation period. The Testo avoids that delay and if you need proof of reading will fire a message by infra red to a portable printer that will also work in association with FGA.
I have a Digitron differential but I fancy the Testo with temperature compensation. I am given to understand that Corgi now recognise digital manometers. Has anyone seen anything in TGI ? – WEB SITE
BOILER MANUFACTURERS
Many in attendance and only one looked lonely. I made a bee-line for Worcester who have promised to attend a project meeting in the next few days with one of my customers and provide designs and boilers on 16 new luxury (allegedly) flats. Part of my motivation is to encourage the customer to adopt recognised control standards which are often unfortunately seen as superfluous. I can manage 16 but if anyone is interested in teaming up let me know.
MARCRIST
They have as one or two have mentioned on this web site before, a dust extraction head to which an exhaust or indeed water can be introduced. At less than £ 100 I will be having one of those. Links up to any old vacuum cleaner with a bag and I routinely carry a Rowenta with the Dyson kept indoors. Marcrist seemed to be the most favoured option on the Discussion Board. If you disagree, say so. Plumbcenter have bundled yet another deal with Marcrist – WEB SITE
UNITED UTILITIES
I had not expected UU (nee North West Water) to be in attendance promoting the Approved plumber scheme but there they were in force. I even met the guy who promised to get back to me three times but failed to do so. Their explanation was lack of numbers AND they are trying to provide the assessment free of charge. I honestly thought they were not interested – can you blame me ? - but the impressive display and sincere enthusiasm suggests otherwise. After 15 months from receiving my BPEC learning package St Helens College put on an assessment course for me at short notice. A solo affair but I got my WRAS C0080 registration number as a result. I understand there are now double that number. Well worth having under your belt in my view. St Helens will be getting my ACS business now for putting that one off assessment on.
There is a useful UU information sheet (Information on NOTIFICATION of Proposed Plumbing Work) if anyone wants me to put this online let me know. It should scan ok with OCR.
CORGI
My young and enthusiastic Corgi Inspector lasted only fifteen months and has been seduced – presumably – by Stelrad who were almost opposite. Was able to clarify a few topical points with my new Corgi Inspector who was usefully in attendance and I actually met him at a Corgi Technical Evening. As usual I learned stuff I did not previously know.
Specifically:
My ceiling to ridge vent floppy and exposed Kopex flue liners are Not To Current Standard (NTCS) providing there are no adverse symptoms and no other faults exist in which case the situation becomes At Risk. There are other faults. None of my warm air units – that I have seen so far - have air for combustion and all are housed in an internal windowless hall. Yet more work for my Marcrist cutters thanks to GSIUR.
It seems to be generally known that Bob Towse has left Corgi and taken up a technical post at the HVCA. Thinking about it today this could be an excellent opportunity to start a Registered Gas Installers Professional Association. We have the ideal formula and no one could be better qualified ? Time someone took up the baton as existing ‘bodies’ seem curiously reticent to engage with gas issues. Cartilaginous vertebrae perhaps.
ENERGY SAVING TRUST
Just a reminder that the EST are to launch their attack on the nation this month though what form the assault will take has not yet been mentioned. If you want to join the scheme then zap an email to the trust. The EST web site as I have said before is well worth a visit and includes a section for Installers.
BENCHMARK
Alan Johnson himself was sharing a pigeon hole with the EST but it is obviously worthy of dedicated mention. Alan seems optimistic that Benchmark will become a key component in support of the Building Regulations Part L, as first muted by Alan Sims at the Ideal training day. And that I eagerly await news on. There is some new supporting Benchmark data but visit the web-site and have a browse.
MEDIA
HVP with their 33000 + circulation and abundant pages were able to afford a stand which simply sported a table and a pile of magazines. Meanwhile Barbara Field was circulating with her new digital camera and it will be interesting to hear Barbara’s summing up of the show next month. I urged less targeting of Installers and more co-operation plus communication during almost an hour in discussion with Barbara and Alan Johnson. Alan and I then hit the bar for fizzy water with lime to discuss the fizzy ramifications of Part L and Benchmark’s role in that. If you want more on this latter point let me know.
HPM were represented by bodies only and I was treated to a pot of tea and discussion by the publisher’s Business Development Director, Greg Dunbar. David Craig was not in attendance as he has a new assistant to look after apparently. HPM is undoubtedly improving following a turbulent career with many changes of ownership and a realistic programme of steady development is promised. HPM is now owned by the originators Unity Media plc. If you have any ideas for improvement contact gdunbar@unity-media.com - No one has a monopoly on ideas. If you prefer email us and we’ll pass ideas on. I have said I want to see Installer’s letters published.
APOLOGIES
I may issue a supplement to this if I have time and apologies to anyone not mentioned yet. I could have done with two full days but such is life, some were spared my attentions. Well done PHEX for a spectacular event.
REGAINUK ?
Never mentioned it but I deliberately never do. I was however approached on some issues contained in the pages in a very interesting way. Hopefully Installers are starting to be heard. I have no ambition for regainuk but I do have ambition for democracy and balance.
