Gas-News.co.uk

Library (Manufacturers) – 30.12.2001

We have updated the Danfoss-Randall links following advice received. Their .co.uk URL has been added as well as the .com address.

Ariston – 19.12.2001

Thanks to a tip off we have added the Ariston web site to our Library (Manufacturers).

Thin end of the wedge ? – 16.12.2001

All governments indulge in spin and control freakery but the current administration leaves all previous governments in the starting blocks. The situation arises from the large majority, which is unhealthy whatever the flavour of government. Take a look at the following article found in the Electronic Telegraph and after ACS tell us who you would link RGI computers to.

Norstrom change of details – 13.12.2001

We have received the following change of details.

Could you please change any links that you have on your site from the Norstrom Normanner Group to the Norstrom Group. Our internet address has also changed to http://www.norstrom.co.uk/. We would appreciate it if you could take the time to change these items on your site. (Ed – the Library has been updated)

Editorial – 09.12.2001

As introduced for the first time last month the Editorial now has a slot on the Discussion Board should anyone wish to present a different viewpoint on issues raised.

Apologies for Web Site Absence – 06.12.2001

Anyone breathing a sigh of relief at our apparent departure is advised not to have a heavy lunch. We’re back online and here to stay.

We have been trying to renew the domain name at Verisign (Uncle Sam) for weeks but have been hitting a brick wall with page-not-found message. All emails still remain unanswered. Logged onto their technical support chatroom today and they instantly offered a completely different renewal URL to that forced online. Result, logged on first time and paid by credit card.

The online facility uses an https prefix and not http. Interesting but it does not explain why they do not offer the alternative URL online. which we have used before. The snag with the alternative URL is that we could only renew for 12 months and not take advantage of discounts. Still, only $70 and if I get that super job below …

We may migrate to a UK based domain so we have more UK control and re-direct regainuk to the new site for 12 months or so then we do not lose our current pole position on search engines and index sites etc. Any ideas for a new domain name or should we stick with what we have ?

Excellent Job Opportunity – 06.12.2001

Advert in Fish4Jobs if anyone is interested ?

GAS Service Engineers required for West Yorkshire client. £19.00 for fire and back boiler service. £15.00 for wall mounted boiler service. Immediate starts. Please call (0113) 234 2067 (Agy).

Now, according to David Adams then at Valor and writing in HPM, a good gas installer can earn £ 250 per day (if quote – he keeps his nose clean – unquote). I make that 13.16 BBU per day or 16.67 boilers.

No time to get a dirty nose – soot notwithstanding - so it could be the ideal earner ?

Interesting URLs – 01.12.2001

Of interest possibly to anyone thinking of launching into development work I have been offered the URL of Cotherm. Sourced by an anonymous donor.

There are many commercial opportunities to save energy and EnergyShop-plc offer solutions across the range to what is probably a more enlightened audience. This includes a nifty way of insulating valves and controls in the boiler room once the old asbestos is removed. Well worth a visit and now permanently installed under a new sub-heading in our Library, Energy section.

ILA finally axed – 30.11.2001

To add to the extraordinary catalogue of failures in the corridors of power during 2001, the Electronic Telegraph summarises the short life of the ILA scheme but we are told something will replace it. The scheme has been ruined by the predations of cowboy entrepreneurs who vastly outnumber cowboy Installers - More

Landlords Accreditation Scheme – 22.11.2001

It seems Pendle Borough Council are to blaze the trail to common sense by introducing a voluntary scheme which could serve as a model for the Rt Hon Stephen Byers MP. Article courtesy of Lancashire Evening Telegraph. If you hear of any more initiatives please let us know - More

Cylinderplinth.com – 20.11.2001

This is an innovative product designed and patented by an Installer to serve as a bund for Hot Water Cylinders. The web site will shortly change to cylindertray.com but we will keep you informed. However you can see the product at their web site which has contact details but no email address yet. It is available via web site contact or through Plumbcenters.

Power flushing – 19.11.2001

We have suspended our Power Flushing – Viewpoint in the Library pending revision in the light of new technology and indeed some new products. The threat to our viewpoint referred to in the pre-PHEX comment below (10.09.2001) was realised. I was starkly reminded of that today when I went to see our restaurateur in a vain (?) attempt to persuade that his problems are due to a dirty (filthy) and indeed faulty system. This is the one with the Hideaway boiler and illegal Hideaway Flue recently featured on the Discussion Board - More

Editorial – 18.11.2001

Long overdue actually and we examine the bizarre OPINION featured in Professional Heating and Plumbing Installer magazine (November 2001) which focuses on alleged discrimination in the industry. A seemingly curious comment at first but it is not an original thought. The notion simply mirrors comments made by Ivan Lewis, Minister for Young People and Learning. A bit risky that as unfortunately Ministers are often not in touch with reality. Certainly not in this case anyway.

Interbuild 2002 – 13.11.2001

As announced in TGI on Page 10 you can now book online for this show and there is the chance to win a VW LT van. Definitely having two days there next year.

Energy Saving Trust - 13.11.2001

I asked a while back if people would keep an eye open for indications of the Government’s Energy Efficiency Programme being launched on the wider population. As reported in TGI on Page 46 the CHIC are in their fourth phase of training with their Best Practice courses. Well worth doing that course even if you are not subscribing to the EST Installer network.

Apologies for absence - 13.11.2001

Aside from being inordinately busy we took our main PC to the Doctors on Friday and were without important techo for 3 days effectively.

GWINTO – 04.11.2001

I may be a bit late but the promised web site facelift has taken place now GINTO has metamorphosed into GWINTO (Gas and Water Industries NTO). Much quicker and well worth a visit.

Useful URLs – 04.11.2001

Someone has submitted the following useful URLs and declines credit for the information. The first two are particularly relevant and rite-vent (only) already appears in our Library. specflue.com will be added also to the major supplier section.

http://www.specflue.com/ - http://www.rite-vent.co.uk/ - http://www.marleyroofing.co.uk/ - http://www.dovetailroofing.co.uk/

Air Dusters – 02.11.2001

Peter (Plombier) Tibbetts has drawn our attention (Discussion Board) to what appears to be a superb rechargeable air gun which we hope to be able to report on in a few days time. Take a look yourself at the Northern Tool & Equipment Co. (UK) Ltd web site where Peter found the professional looking product and a snip at £ 9.99.

Not only but also – 30.10.2001

Took my cherished white transit 2.5di van in for the winter big one today. Should get it back tomorrow. My mechanic was having a moan about computers, ECU’s and other stuff. Guy rolls up in a BMW. Right angle shaped gash 25mm x 25mm in his spare wheel. Wants to know if it will need a new tyre (?).

Power Flushing – 29.10.2001

Page 79 of the October 2001 HVP sports an advertisement for the Norstrom jet flushing machine which the manufacturer’s claim is still the best seller. Our jet flusher is infact an early Norstrom. They have a web site (now in the Library) which contains a lot of information on the subject of jet-flushing. Some of it a wee bit naïve but if you are interested in the subject there is a lot of good stuff and you can pick the bones out yourself.

Guest Corner – 21.10.2001

Some genius has come up with the notion of having a Guest Corner. If you don’t have a soap box or don’t want to risk being held up at Watford en-route to Hyde Park corner then now is your chance to speak. Submit copy to us and we will publish. Copy can include images and if you have not got any we can perhaps locate some in our huge database.

Range-Cylinders – 21.10.2001

Opened a boxed Flowmax 140 Combination Thermal Store (Boiler Model) Cylinder on Saturday and noted they have a web site at Range. Now in the Library. No pretty images but a there is a bit of useful information on this superb technology .

HSE report (Issue 02) – 14.10.2001

It appears to us having analysed everything that the HSE conveniently overlooked our report for six months or more to enable Corgi to correct the situation at the Agents concerned. The HSE final report is therefore based upon manipulated history. In other words the Agents were given the exam paper six months before the exam. This disguises an obvious weakness in the self regulation system for LGSR.

What I am pleased about is that successive Installers had made it increasingly difficult for these cowboy operators to exist in society.

By a curious irony Colin the Skunk (?) is being promoted in TGI and is a campaign aimed at Students to raise awareness on gas safety. Full marks to Corgi for that. It is a pity the HSE are not as open.gov as they claim to be. The Agents concerned house a lot of students. I dare not publish our reply or there will be cars with ‘funny’ number plates rolling up outside.

Selkirk – 14.10.2001

Thanks to Chris for a tip-off that Selkirk were not in our Library – shame on us - but it is now. Selkirk provided a useful looking mail shot in TGI October 2001. Installed and tested. Please pass on any more.

HSE report (Issue 02) – 13.10.2001

The long awaited report is now installed in the Issues Section. The gist of the damning reply is also noted though it would not be politic to disclose the actual reply.

Unregistered Installers – 11.10.2001

I trust you have all read your Installer Guide to the Annual Report issued with TGI this month and noted that Corgi referred over 600 unregistered installers to the HSE. The rest is up to the HSE though it would be nice to see figures on that alongside, if not too embarrassing.

A useful step was the prosecution of two companies on page 34 where one was fined £ 1000 for failing to ensure their sub-contractor was Corgi registered and the sub-contractor was fined £ 4000.

60 people have fallen off the register for failure to hold etc but 268 new people have been added.

There seems to be a lot more real and relevant news in a bulky TGI this month and note that the shy (?) Salamander Engineering have made a customer of BG with their new water treatment products.

SF Detection have a spread on page 12 and I had a long chat with them at PHEX which I hope to pick up on in PHEX II report, work permitting.

Let’s have some observations on TGI articles please.

PHEX – 06.10.2001

My incomplete report is now online but I do not want to delay any longer. I may issue a supplement, work permitting.

Snowed under – 05.10.2001

No copy for a few days due to being inundated with work (not enquiries). We hope to remedy that this weekend though I am having to work much of that. Alleged leaking thermal store cylinder in the morning in Liverpool where hospitality can be relied on.. If you have any interesting snippets of anything local to you, please email.

Apologies for down time – 25.09.2001

We have received no explanation for the web site and email being down yesterday. I did not get in until 8.00pm and have no idea how long the site was down before that. It was certainly off for 3 hours until 11.00 pm.

Northern Ireland – 23.09.2001
by Alan Begley

A topical viewpoint from Alan Begley as ACOPS inexorably draws to a close and Northern Ireland shivers under the weight of bureaucracy and diverse training needs.

N.I. must be unique in the UK with the relatively recent introduction of Natural Gas to Greater Belfast. How long do those in power believe we will all continue to subsidise their naïve ambitions without protest ?

We have repeatedly pointed out the need for balance over the past two years but this falls on deaf ears. HMG stick their head in the sand and hope everything will turn out alright. GWINTO have an impossible task and can do no more than make a dent in the growing tide of losses from the industry.

At the end of the day it boils down to cash. The authorities will have to put their money where their ambitions are. The next year or so will prove very interesting.

Heating, Ventilating and Plumbing – 22.09.2001

This month’s issue (September) is packed with goodies as usual to maintain their Trade Magazine publishing lead by a wide margin but unfortunately includes another sanctimonious and inappropriate swipe at Installers. More

ISSUE 02 – 17.09.2001

Interrupted by the tragic events in the USA, was a detailed report we have recently received from an Installer ( Company ) who visited regainuk and immediately recognised the Landlord / Agent referred to in Issue 02. That Installer – name and address supplied – was sourced by the Landlord from well outside the area such has been their difficulty in obtaining contractors. The Installer quickly withdrew from the work, in fear.

Their concerns were laid before Corgi in April 2000 but I saw no evidence of that during my brief stay with the Landlord / Agent who will be named in due course.

To add to my concern as the Installer has pointed out, the Landlord set up a new company last year and is currently advertising gas services in the new Yellow Pages and their advertisement states that they are specialists in boiler repairs. Yours of course, not their own.

The interesting aspect of this now is that due to acknowledged HSE negligence in failing to act for six months that advertisement must have been placed before the HSE finally rumbled into action: The company is still registered at corgi-gas.com

The Landlord is steadily being forced into a corner but the spineless authorities are relying wholly on Installers to suffer the burden of bringing about change. Meanwhile someone may die waiting for action, resulting in yet more legislation being heaped upon Installers and the many good Landlords.

Our MP will of course be notified soon.

WEB SITE RESTORED – 17.09.2001

Life has to move on after the holocaust of 11.09.2001 for which a suitable memorial note will be added to the About page in due course.

AVG Software – 10.09.2001

If anyone wants to share in our virus protection there is a high quality free download available from http://www.grisoft.com and this URL appears on the bottom of all emails sent out from our techo.

League of Professional Craftsmen – 10.09.2001

Repeat request - Anyone with any information on this – alleged – organisation please let me know. I have never heard of them before the name appeared on an advert recently. We have a snapshot of their logo but are unable to trace the organisation. Please contact me if you have heard of it as I am researching such bodies.

This is not the same – I assume – as the long established Guild of Master Craftsmen who were once prepared to sign us up for a fee, without any evidence of qualifications, experience or public liability insurance. Help me out people.

Virus Alert – 10.09.2001

We have received a third email with an attachment containing a virus at the regainuk email address. Our AVG software intercepted it. The message is precisely the same but is from yet another email address. One of our number received a copy from the same librarian@eggconnect.com but disabled it in time. Not come from us as I’ve sprayed the qwerty with dettol.

Hi! How are you? I send you this file in order to have your advice See you later. Thanks

PHEX news – 10.09.2001

Just received an update which includes some details of exhibitors. There is enough new techo to whet my appetite on October 3/4 at MUFC (and Chelsea November 7/8). Under the headline banner “New guidelines” exists a threat to blow my power flushing observations out of the window - More

As indicated earlier you can now register online for PHEX.

thegasplace – 08.09.2001

Have gone all posh with a makeover if you would like to stroll over there. Showing us up.

Update on last item – 07.09.2001

You may have noticed the last item has been amended to indicate we are dealing with a brass fitting and not a plastic one as I originally indicated.

I have had a meeting today with the contractors who have suffered three failures of main stop taps on homes only one year old. The fitting concerned is a COMAP brass stop tap connecting 25mm polyethylene to 15mm copper pipe. In all three cases the brass stop tap blew off the polyethylene main. Assuming the copper pipe support is installed, the main suspect then becomes the Installer who tightened the compression joint.

This is a major and professional plumbing contractor who investigate any failure carefully rather than just shrugging them off.

One such stop tap was selected at random from their huge and carefully organised stores of fittings. Three of us tried to make the PE joint in the luxury of open air and space, not struggling inside a sink unit where they would normally be used.

Little me was unable to make a successful joint. Indeed I struggled with the correct tools to undo a joint made by one of the other two. Despite that tight joint I was able to grip the PE and turn it. Not easy but I should not be able to do it at all. Had it been me who installed the failed taps I would have tightened up as much as possible and been content with that. My joints would then have failed. That worries me.

The problem is the olive. The angle of the bevel is acute. The body of the tap is simply gripping the outer edge of the olive and the olive is not digging into the PE. What also worries me is that I have fitted three of these recently that a customer supplied. I am changing them next week.

My task now is to find an acknowledged – expert - academic who can prove beyond any reasonable doubt that what we know to be true, is true. I’ll start with WRAS then I’ll turn to Universities. Anyone with experience of this please let me know.

I left a sample Talbot-Hawle fitting for them to play with. They stay on, even at 600 psi pressure and are a breeze to fit. As the man said, you get what you pay for. I only supply Talbot Hawle myself.

25mm PE to 15mm Cu – 07.09.2001

We have received a report from a leading contractor concerning problems with a particular make of PE to Cu coupling. The fitting is brass and employs a thick copper olive. The problem is on the PE side as the fittings are blowing off the water main (yes there is a pipe support in place).

Personally I would never use any plastic compression fitting on copper pipe having seen too many blow off in the past. A huge development of ex-council flat conversions near us suffered from this problem. We changed many but the developer eventually changed the remainder to be safe.

Full details will be announced later when we have had a meeting with the company concerned and obtained all the evidence. Meanwhile we recommend Talbot-Hawle PE fittings.

If you have heard of similar problems please let us know. As always confidentiality is guaranteed.

Johnson and Starley II – 05.09.2001

My second visit to J & S yesterday completed my basic product training. This one-day Maintenance Course threw some new surprises into my circle of knowledge. Backed up with handy and robust pocket size trouble-shooting guides, it was an interesting day. I hope to write more soon, customers permitting: Warm air is here to stay.

Virus Alert – 04.09.2001

We have received a second email with an attachment containing a virus at the regainuk email address. Our AVG software intercepted it. The message is precisely the same but is from a different email address. The sender will not have virus protection and may not even know they have sent it. The message is precisely as follows:

Hi! How are you? I send you this file in order to have your advice See you later. Thanks

LPC – 02.09.2001

I assume this is the correct acronym for the ‘League of Professional Craftsmen’ but I have never heard of them before the name appeared on an advert recently. We have a snapshot of their logo but are unable to trace the organisation. Please contact me if you have heard of it as I am researching such bodies.

Your contributions – 02.09.2001

Busy as we have been your postings have not gone unnoticed thank you. If you have any news or comments for this home page then please email them through.

Although my trees still have all their leaves and HRPC remain shut on Saturday mornings, winter is definitely looming. So also is the Energy Saving Trust campaign which should hit the hoardings this month. Please let us know if you see any related material other than in the trade press.

Not only but also – 02.09.2001

I’ve not been idle and have noted those in power are attempting to apply the scalpel to doctor training in favour increasing their numbers. I am reminded of the TV programme years ago “Never mind the quality, feel the width”. The same misguided individuals will be most vociferous when standards slip as would be inevitable.

By amputating a mere 20% off training NHS boffins calculate they can increase available numbers sooner rather than later, even if they are hobbling about. Doctors fortunately have the BMA to sing out when the anaesthetic wears off. This is all too familiar to us and once I have had chance to study the GWINTO First Sector Workforce Development Plan may be making similar noises. We have no one to speak for us.

If we could find some way to positively link such reckless tactics to future medical tragedies or CO tragedies perhaps we could bring corporate manslaughter charges against those responsible ? That is to say NHS managers and Gas Industry Stakeholders.

Apologies for absence – 02.09.2001

Which is due entirely to busy-bodying, hither and yon. Besides which I’m sorry now I mentioned drains recently. Still, I’ve got another condensing boiler this week. Every little helps the environment as the mouse said when it didn’t vote for George W.

Telesales – 21.08.2001

It has come to our attention that some telesales people are trying a new and sinister angle to extract money from those who work for a living, sole traders in particular. Threats of litigation are being used.

Anyone who has followed regainuk from the earliest days may recall our long feature on cowboy entrepreneurs. Over a period of time we identified several species of these parasites who have nothing useful to offer society so they try to impose themselves on us as do all vermin.

We have not advertised in Thomson Local or Yellow Pages for some time and have even insisted upon removal of the free one-liners so we could cleanse ourselves of telesales infestation. We are not up to date with current tactics but someone else is.

If you have any recent experience of the telesales nuisance or would like us to run the feature again please let us know. We have managed to find the information buried deep in the sub-conscious of our old Amiga 1200. Whether we can get Cross-Dos to work is a different matter. It may have to be re-typed.

Mobile Telephone Scam – 21.08.2001

We have received a confirmed report off a well wisher concerning a scam involving text messages to mobile telephones. The body of the message is as follows, though we have concealed part of the telephone number:

[Please forward to everyone in your address book and anyone else you know.

I have been notified that a new mobile phone scam is in operation. This comes in the form of a SMS (text message). The message will say something along the lines of ‘ Please call me on 09011 5XXXXX – Urgent ‘ sent from someone identified as ‘KB’.

Do not call this number – It is a premium rate number which is charged at £ 5.00p per minute. When you call you will hear an engaged tone. This is not a real engaged tone. It is simply a recorded sound to encourage you to call again so that you can be charged again.

I hope this saves you all a lot of money. ]

(Ed – name and email address withheld )

GWINTO – 21.08.2001

I am conscious of the fact that we have not written anything on the SWDP yet due to pressure of business. This has not been overlooked.

Northern Ireland – 16.08.2001

Alan reports that Industrial / Commercial ACS will be available in Northern Ireland from September. That is the good news. The bad news is that this will only be for Natural Gas. Now the previous virtually monopoly of LPG is threatened, perhaps those people will respond accordingly.

Dogged for too long as a poor relation it is time the authorities put their money where their ambitions are and levelled the playing field in Northern Ireland.

The end is nigh – 14.08.2001

Midnight on October 14 2001 marks the end of an era. The second birthday of regainuk and the date when our license expires with Network Solutions (Uncle Sam). We therefore have two months to consider the future of regainuk.

We need fresh impetus that can be sustained into the future. A web site is a means to an end and not an end in itself. Maintenance of a web site is a huge commitment, particularly where there is a Discussion Board that needs to be monitored frequently, in case of abuse.

Regainuk served its original purpose well. We now need to redefine our purpose. That purpose will have to include others and regular input from others. By input we mean news and views from around the UK. We receive a lot of private emails, most of which really needs to be seen by others, so everyone can consider the opinion and everyone will know there is opinion, aside from our own.

There is overwhelming need for a professional association. Whether there is overwhelming support for the idea remains to be seen. Your thoughts and ideas will be crucial to any decision that is made. Comments on or off the record will therefore be welcome.

UPDATE - 12.08.2001

We have now translated the GWINTO plan into plain HTML for those unable to process PDF files or having memory limitations. It is available plain at 397K or zipped at a modest 33K. These files are also stored in the Library – Facts and Statistics section.

I have to say much of it is old hat but there are plenty of bones to chew on if anyone wants to comment. Our analysis will be some time coming yet as effort has been focused on making it available to everyone.

GWINTO have informed us that the First Sector Workforce Development Plan is available from them in hardcopy. I would suggest emailing as there is no specific link for the document. I should point out the whole site is being revised to accommodate their new role in re the Water Industry, therefore the existing site will not be updated beyond a minimum.

The GWINTO URL is now updated to http://www.gwinto.co.uk/ and you may wish to alter your bookmarks. The web site seems to load a lot faster now.

GWINTO – 09.08.2001

A tip off from Chris carried me to GWINTO last night where their First Sector Workforce Development Plan is now available online on the splash screen. Simply click on the GWINTO link opposite. Please note the document is available only in PDF format and is a hefty 846K.

If any of you are unable to access pdf files for any reason please email and we will translate the document into plain HTML text as quickly as possible. There are one or two charts but I reckon we can handle that.

We have downloaded and saved the plan for future reference should it disappear and will make it accessible from the library, statistics section.

A Discussion Board topic has now been set up if anyone wishes to make any observations on the plan. Please do not forget that GWINTO have a message board. No prizes for spotting the error in the CEO’s introduction.

Humble apologies for the absence of regainuk during the past 24 hours which we now know, thanks to Paul Hillbeck at NET4NOWT (the leading Directory of Free ISPs), was due to technical problems at our web host. The following message has emerged from our web host.

Please accept our apologies for the recent server downtime. We had another disruption at about 16:00 8th August which lasted for about 24 hours, due to a serious technical fault.

We have taken the opportunity of this downtime to carry out some urgent and essential upgrades to the problematic servers, and would like to ensure you that we did everything possible to restore the service to you as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately when problems occur, we get inundated with telephone calls. faxes and emails, however because of the high volume of customers asking when the service will be back up, or `my website is down', we cannot respond to them all, although please be assured we do read them all.

We would also like to assure you all that no matter how large or small a customer you are, you are equally as important as each other, and would like to say sorry for the inconvenience this must have caused you.

We are taking steps to ensure this will not happen again. Many thanks for your kind patience whilst we sorted this out.

Following a faultless several months service there have been numerous minor niggles over the past few weeks and hopefully this will draw a line under the matter.

PHEX – 06.08.2001

We have just received notification of the October 3/4 (Manchester) and November 7/8 (London) exhibitions. As usual these are at Football Club venues. PHEX have caught up with Interbuild and H & H and you can now register online at: http://www.phexshow.co.uk/ - There is no list of exhibitors so we have sent off for the information.

Stern stuff from the electronic telegraph promises a clamp down on errant Landlords, including some local authorities.

Technical bulletins from the July/August edition are now etched in the Library-TGI Technical Notes section for your future use. We explore other matters.

We mentioned this in passing recently during a discussion on WIAPS. By registering today with Her Majesty’s Government you can obtain £ 150 .00p towards recognised training of your choice. It could of course be used in favour of ACS. Simply register and hang on to your proof until you need it.

Full details can be found at the DfEE web site (now Department of Education and Skills post election).

Unfortunately the pdf information employs poorly considered colours which makes it difficult to read. Anyone with sight problems may find it impossible. There is a helpline number for anyone wishing to check if a course is suitable for ILA support – 0800 072 5678.

Our comment on this vexed subject is now on-line as promised and will be installed in the Library.

I’ve had an interesting email on this subject and have taken this as an excuse to prepare a permanent feature relating to heating system cleaning. I may publish an abridged version of the email, protecting the privacy of the correspondent, to enable others to contribute if they wish to.

One bit of gossip arising from the Ideal product training day concerned the imminent Building Regulation Part L changes.

A bit early for our monthly editorial. We review the situation following attendance at the Ideal ‘M’ series product (condensing boilers) training course and coincidental recent response from the EST.

Spent the day at Southport College attending a lively product training session on the ‘M’ series range of boilers which includes the Icos (conventional boiler), Icos system (system boiler) and Isar (combi), all of which are condensing boilers. I understand the Isar is wheeled out at £ 550 .00p on the road. Hopefully there will be more to add in the next few days.

We’ve had a sabotage attempt at RegainUk possibly in the form of a virus which was intercepted by our virus checker. Although it purported to be friendly and helpful we were suspicious and moved it to a place of safety before attempting to open it. Grisoft successfully defused it. The email originates from Tesco.net and the Sheriff is on the trail already. The attachment subject line is: [cms project.doc.txt(214kb)].

You may recall I wrote to the EST in May regarding the need for PIO membership in order to engage the Energy Efficiency Installer Network. I have just received an encouraging reply from the EST which I know will be of interest to many. The EST have rid themselves of the daft Einstein motif, which I doubt Albert would have approved of anyway and the new web site is well worth a visit.

Thanks to Danny Panesar for the link to Saunier-Duval, now listed in our Library under Manufacturers. Please keep these links coming and indeed any other relevant links.

We argue the case for further – voluntary – training on Landlord’s Gas Safety Checks.

HSE update – 21.07.2001

The DTLR letter referred to below is now on-line with our proposed reply. If you have any comments or observations there is a link to the appropriate Discussion Board sub-topic. Our reply will be sent on Monday.

Chaffoteaux & Maury – 21.07.2001

Thanks to Keith Bailey for the link to what is obviously a fully featured web-site for Chaffoteaux & Maury, now listed in our Library. We did not have this well known name in the Library at all and are keen to develop the section as online manuals are proving invaluable. I was able to confirm within minutes to a customer that a boiler he wanted moving, did offer generous flue options. There are language choices with links for the UK and elsewhere from the parent web site.

For those who remember the concerns we had in Issues (Landlord), a lengthy letter has been received from the DTLR (former DETR), which is interesting. More information will be given this weekend. My MP has specifically requested observations on the matters raised and I would be pleased in turn to hear any views you may have before I reply.

Featured on the news today was the southern German town of Freiburg where I spent several weeks last year marvelling at their embrace of matters environmental. Featured also was a family living with negligible energy costs. Seemingly everyone has a bicycle and most of those have trailers for offspring and shopping. People of all ages use roller blades which will be on my shopping list when I go back.

It is certainly a University town with I was told, many more students than the 24000 suggested on the University web site. I was able to monitor the then Gasnet web site from the University and study their photovoltaic installations, plastic bottle pfand – refund – and diverse waste recycling activities.

Residing with a gang of students for whom separation of waste was instinctive, we inevitably ended most days at their famous Schlapen sampling the local brew and (Peter Lilley take note ) more. Pity we cannot offer the same affection for the environment.

If you want a change from ye olde Glowworm space-savers and parking problems click here.

Links have been added opposite to both the CITB and CIBSE. As with GWINTO, loading the CITB web site is a test of stamina – do not adjust your set - but there is plenty going on once you arrive.

Worcester-Bosch – 19.07.2001

Some nice pdf downloads enable us to include Worcester-Bosch in the Library. If you hear of any more manufacturers with manuals on line please let us know.

After waiting more than 15 months since receiving my BPEC Water Regulations Training package I finally made it today across the assessment hurdle, following less than 24 hours notice. Course / Assessment Centres are presumably struggling to arrange courses through lack of numbers.

United Utilities (North West Water) failed to honour pledges to contact me and in desperation I recently contacted St Helens College. I received a telephone call at 5.00 pm yesterday asking me to call this morning for assessment only. Despite the short notice I turned in a respectable performance. Having said that I have studied and revised four times in response to past promises not kept.

I stood in awe of that nine year old College Building which offers a comfortable environment with plentiful parking, monitored by CCTV. It entirely has the congenial atmosphere of a University and is not in any way let down by a well set out and informative (not to be missed) web site. Their search engine has no knowledge of the words ACS, Gas or Plumbing but the obvious link to courses remedies that. A very impressive establishment that is gearing up to providing the range of ACS options (BPEC) by September 2001.

I was delighted to read an article in the Electronic Telegraph yesterday where a Crown Court Judge slammed the London Underground for “ Institutional Blindness “ and safety standards which fell “ Lamentably Short “ of those required, when forcing human beings in their employment to work in a dangerous environment. Lord Cullen’s recent use of the words “ Institutional “ and “ Lamentable “ (rail-track) seem to be catching on.

At long last a line manager was described as a “Dictatorial Bully“ and was fined £ 5000 personally. Well done HSE, well done Justice and well done common sense..

Years ago building sites were death traps and I saw many injured, maimed and even killed. I have been to sites run by AMEC and the like which are well organised and spotless. However I had a conversation last week with a someone who had recently left a medium sized contractor because he genuinely feared for his own safety if he remained.

At the request of a visitor the Discussion Board will now replace the whole page rather than open in a new window. Return to the web site will be via a new link on the Discussion Board home page. This will assist if you access the Discussion Board first directly and visit the web site afterwards ( as we hope you do ).

I’ve been receiving letters from Nigeria every year for many years now. This scam relies on greed and catches out many supposedly intelligent people every year. Another victim has been claimed according to the Electronic Telegraph. We have clipped the story in case it vanishes from ET.

Another story concerns the CIA and Quote “ THE Central Intelligence Agency stuck out like a portable typewriter among the titanium-encased laptops and black-garbed delegates at this year's international computer hackers' conference. “ Unquote. I recall reference in a computer magazine years ago where it was reported a CIA boffin confiscated a laser printer in a raid to enable them to lift incriminating text off the ribbon ?

We have now created an editorial list which can be accessed from any editorial. Handy for me when researching past comments and data. I will still knowingly contradict myself from time to time as my views are subject to change with the benefit of new learning.

Remember the twin-entry radiator valves that only – as far as I know – utilised 8mm copper pipe ? HPM (June 2001 – page 9) includes a novel idea for saving up to 40% on labour and materials. Ingenious but how efficient ? - comments

Someone asked about Corgi accounts a while back and having had one of my paper clearing binges this week came across accounts for the year 1999 – 2000. The accounts we receive are an abridged version, though a full set can be obtained from the Corgi public relations department. The abridged version contains little more than a pie chart.

I noted in the same copy that Corgi referred over 500 unregistered gas installers to the HSE. It is reasonable to assume nothing has left 1 Elmwood without being meticulously scrutinised, therefore it would appear it is not only F2508G forms that are ignored by the HSE, given the current list of HSE prosecutions since April 1999 ? - comments

No not a gas installer but an electrician. HPM ( June 2001 ) reports on that rare C0 poisoning involving a storage heater with a CI heat exchanger that overheated. The judge ruled the electrician could not have foreseen the fault that caused C0 generation, even though the electrician by-passed safety device (we suspect a frost protection stat) to enable the unit to work. It could be argued the judge has by-passed a legal safety device ? - comments

The subject revolves around condensing boilers and is a rehashed posting I made at the IOP forum.

You’ll need to add this word to your spell checker soon to prevent those annoying wiggly lines from appearing underneath. It seems HMG is to reduce the number of NTO from the current 73 to around 30. So GINTO will become GWINTO and take on board water. This took place in April but will manifest in their web site some time this month. Hope they do not get their pipes crossed.

Perhaps they will take the opportunity to drastically cut down the loading time of the home page then I would visit more often. It was 1.5 mb at one time. Have not checked it recently but it is still painfully slow and if you click somewhere prematurely it leapfrogs back.

Following the unexpected response ( thanks ) to this section of the Library the whole section has been reorganised and extended.

We have made the following available as text files as we have had two reports of problems with the graphics page versions. These should still print out as they are left justified. Please continue to try the graphics ( gif ) versions in case it is simply a case of slow loading from our web hosts. All loading has seemed slow to me during the past 24 hours. Please let me know if the situation changes.

Feedback is vital so we know what is or is not happening. We cannot tell from here. Please indicate your browser and version with all reports.

I’ve had a report of problems loading some information under this heading ready for printing. The information is supplied on plain pages without the regainuk header. These pages are deliberately created as images to enable you to print them out onto A4 straight from the screen. I have now added text messages on those pages to warn of brief loading delays which should be no more than a few seconds. All have been tested on Netscape as well as Explorer.

The whole network seems slow today. Is everyone else trying to hack into Bill Gate’s credit card or has Corgi answered a letter ?

We now have a table of Positive Pressure Boilers ( Fanned Flue – Room Sealed ) in the Library. It is also referenced in TGI Technical Notes as it is sourced from TGI. Thanks to Graham Hodges for typing it all up – I had no idea.

Helpful as always, in response to a request the data collection sheets mentioned somewhere on the Discussion Board have now been put online. This complements the standard rates shown. The whole has been consolidated and a new section created in the Library under Technical.

The complete Consultation Document is now available on our web site in the form of three pdf files in Library (Study Papers) before it disappears from HMG. Mainly of interest to design and conservation boffins.

It seems we may get some movement at last on the complex proposals in favour of Climate Change Levy. August is cited as the date when all will be revealed with implementation in February 2002. The proposals are available at the DTLR ( nee DETR ). Focus on insulation and controls at long last.

For anyone interested in conservation do not forget we have a link to the Association for Environment-Conscious Building in the Library ( Energy ).

Fewer Installers – 05.07.2001

It seems the penny is beginning to drop. I could not resist pasting the following two paragraphs from Page 32 of HVP June 2001 relating to the Energy Efficiency Seminar.

Comments of other speakers and discussion groups can only be briefly summarized here. A major problem, cited by many, was the dwindling number of installers, but few knew how to reverse the trend. Peter Thom said there could be 30% fewer installers within two to four years, due to age, retirement, ACS burdens, a growing black economy, and the Health & Safety Executive saying it could take two years to change ACS.

Some criticized 28-Weeks installer training courses. Equipment complexity was growing as installer numbers fell. Career prospects were good in an industry, which would last, but a “white collar” climate was against it. Recruitment through schools must be a top priority. The Quality Mark scheme was doubtful, partly because its fees added yet again to installer costs.

Wherefore art thou ? – 05.07.2001

According to HVP this month ( June editorial ), an IOP competition winner allegedly failed to turn up at the annual bash. It seems the winner confirmed attendance but vanished instead. Any ideas ?

As promised on the Discussion Board we have created a summary of all prosecutions brought by the HSE since April 1st 1999 under the heading of plumbing. Disregarding matters not subject to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations and those cases which have resulted in multiple prosecutions, the list is not really impressive.

It is at least a simple list in this format, can be loaded and saved for study later when off line. Hefty at 84K we have made it available zipped at 15K.

The HSE do undoubtedly prosecute more than appear in TGI as their database illustrates. This should bring some comfort. Included amongst the 98 successful prosecutions brought since April 1999 are several who have completed Landlord’s Gas Safety Records although they were not Corgi registered. The list does not include those that have gone, are going or may go in the next six weeks to appeal. The database is updated weekly.

Web Site – 30.06.2001

The new format seems to be working well on both our Explorer 5 and Netscape 4.7. If anyone is experiencing any problems please let me know. Less glamour but the bonus is it is easier to maintain.

Issue 02 – 30.06.2001

This has now been fully updated. I suspect the Rt Hon Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for the DETR has a hand in progress following intervention by my intrepid MP, Ms Bev Hughes. I can fully understand difficulties faced by the HSE but the current IUP situation is iniquitous and must be altered. Pity we do not have a professional association with sufficient clout to balance the arguments.

In the light of recent progress on Issue 02 we discuss some of the arguments surrounding the Industry Unsafe Procedure.

Editorial – 17.06.2001

Yours truly takes a bite out of the financially uncertain gas fire installation market.

We have received some information that may be of interest on the IDHE, or to apply their full Sunday name, The Institute of Domestic Heating & Environmental Engineers. Like the Institute of Plumbing, the IDHE describes itself as a Professional body rather than a trade association. Completely independent and non-profit making it was founded in 1964 and has around one thousand members, each paying a modest fee by today’s standards.

You can obtain details of membership on line at their web-site. I like their new ( technician ) membership level which encourages new entrants and will guide the willing through a continuing professional development (CPD) programme. Like the Institute of Building and others many years ago, new IDHE entrants are entitled to adopt the distinguishing letters TnIDHE.

The IDHE along with others has always been in our Library under Trade and Professional Associations.

Flueless Gas Fires – 16.06.2001

It has occurred to me that whilst I have some background knowledge and interest in flueless gas fires, many of you may not have actually had a chance to see the beasts that are the stuff of nightmares for manufacturers of conventional OF gas fires and indeed it seems the National Fireplace Association. You may recall there was some scare mongering in the pages of HPM until the new publishers gained control of editing. A brief overview is offered for anyone interested.

Which is potentially the appliance of greatest concern, sub-conscious or otherwise for installers, in either the home or more particularly on the vexed subject of Landlord’s Gas Safety Checks ?

I am not ordinarily given to quoting passages from the pages of journals but I could not in all conscience deprive you of the leader comment that appeared on page 3 in the May / June 2001 edition of FIRES and Fireplaces. Not to be missed this one.

Archive – 16.06.2001

The simple format of the web site now makes it feasible to archive stories from this front page should that be of interest to anyone in the future. The archive will ultimately be indexed as the store of information grows.

Better late than never ? My report is online if anyone is interested and wishes to comment in the main discussion area of the Discussion Board. Apologies for late arrival.

Web Site Changes – 14.06.2001

The web site changes have now been fully introduced. Not as pretty but should run much faster and links will work across a wider range of platforms. Please let us know if there are any problems.

There will be many changes introduced this coming week end to improve access to a wider audience. Most of the work has already been done. Aside from the Discussion Board that should remain unaffected, the web site will go offline for an hour or so after midnight on Saturday.

A brief but nevertheless interesting day today at this annual event. Surrounded by icons to vanity and profligacy though much useful knowledge was gained. The centre-piece for me was the new Burley range of flueless gas fires. I’ll get back on this when I have chance and will be adding some new links to the site.

Are offering £ 75 towards ACS training according to page 46 of TGI, for every condensing boiler fitted. Now that has to be worth a mention and could easily catch on. Anyone else care to join in ? The offer is in conjunction with SWALEC

I can say from my long studies on energy conservation since the beginning of 2000, the Welsh have led the field in that arena. While I am on the subject those interested in wind power should look here though the turbines may be turning more slowly now the party political broadcasts have finished.

Tony has been reminding us about asbestos recently and there was certainly much detail I was not aware of. As announced in TGI the HSE has produced two booklets which for those of you with plastic can be ordered on line at http://www.hsebooks.co.uk

Page 5 of TGI June 2001 lists 42524 businesses registered as of April 30th 2001. Mid 2000 David Salisbury, emeritus CEO of GINTO kindly supplied a breakdown on registrations to regainuk. Businesses registered at that time were 43929, which according to my new Johnson & Starley calculator was 1405 more.

The 42524 figure includes 95288 operatives. It should be remembered that Corgi registers only businesses and not operatives. Many operatives are also registered in their own name and therefore artificially inflate the business registrations. Observations invited on the main Discussion Board.

However the figures last year for operatives were 97000 which suggests a drop of 1712 operatives in the interim. That figure seems less than predicted but does not take account of measures designed to control the crisis and we are talking crisis here people.

This does not prove disenchantment by the way as a number will drop off each year through retirement. More work is required on David’s figures to see if any conclusions can be drawn.

I have now completed the gaps safety check on all links within the Library under all headings. Please let me know if you have any problems. There is no premium rate for tech support, just slap an email in a chamber and hit the button. I’ll start work on Issues now.

Library – TGI Technical has been updated to include June 2001 gas safety features.

A report on my successful two days at the headquarters of this original and enterprising company that in my view offer real potential to lovers of niche markets as I am. Details of training are already on the Discussion Board until they expire in December 2001.

Details now online on the Discussion Board and one of our number has informed me he has signed up. Definitely a must. Keep a close eye on the theory of boiler efficiency involving conductivity of cast iron. I guarantee you will learn something of interest and walk off with a briefcase full of relevant, future proof information.

Page 15 of TGI June 2001 has published an excellent letter from an installer in response to the naïve and reckless comments by Peter Taylor of Telegan on the subject of Flue Gas Analysis (TGI May 2001). The installer has purchased an analyser but clearly prefers to keep this undoubtedly useful tool in proper context. I blame Corgi for colluding as the article must have been vetted first - Although the letter is inappropriately headlined, I say well done TGI for introducing some balance.

Or maybe NAFF ? Yet another product gas safety alert in TGI on page 16 begins with the usual delightful phrases alluding research and development has revealed a concern, which is of course spin. The topic is interesting as the concern appears to hinge around flame disturbance caused by air currents underneath. I can only assume that cut-outs in the base cover are causing the problem ? Not something that could necessarily be envisaged but I do wish they would simply say so. Anyone care to launch a theory debate for the problem in the main Discussion Board ?