News History 2012 - News History 2012 Index:

Scottish Renewables Exhibition & Showcase - Perth - 23 October 2012 SNIPEF Suggests Solution To End Cash Payment Debate World Plumbing Council (WPC) Update HSE Announce Plans To Introduce Health and Safety Cost Recovery Scheme In October Apprentice From Ayr College Wins 2012 SkillPlumb Competition Scottish Energy Installers Alliance Launched 38th CIBW062 International Symposium- Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings Meet the buyer event Gas Safety Week: Take care, be Gas Safe Harry Matheson MCS Consult On Technical Competent School Artwork Competition Sponsored By SNIPEF New SNIPEF President Elected BPEC (Training) Ltd Life Award Scottish First Minister promotes World Plumbing Day Scottish Government Announce New Boiler Scrappage Money David Stevenson UK Copper Board Competition celebrates World Plumbing Day Inverness & Northern District Master Plumbers’ Association Award Apprentice Prizes Scottish Plumbers Warn Of Green Deal Dangers SNIPEF Launches Winter Consumer Campaign

Scottish Renewables Exhibition & Showcase - Perth - 23 October 2012 The Scottish Renewables On-site Renewables Exhibition & Showcase will showcase the technologies and organisations capable of delivering your renewable energy needs. The event will host a number of free to attend workshops alongside the exhibition. These will provide an informative insight into a whole range of topics including the Green Deal, The Renewable Heat Incentive and the Feed-in Tariff. The exhibition is aimed at designers, builders, owners and managers of facilities, property owners, built estate and brownfield and greenfield sites. It will set out the practical options for you to take control of your own energy needs and benefit from the renewable heat incentive and feed-in tariff schemes. Entry as a delegate is free, however you must still register to attend SNIPEF Suggests Solution To End Cash Payment Debate

SNIPEF has welcomed the debate which has been started by Treasury Minister David Gauke on the practice of cash payments in the construction industry. Mr Gauke said that it was "morally wrong" to pay tradesmen such as plumbers or builders in cash in the hope of avoiding tax. Alan Wilson, Head of Membership for SNIPEF appeared on BBC Radio Scotland’s flagship “Good Morning Scotland” show today (24 July) and said that the current economic climate, coupled with a VAT rate of 20% is likely to have pushed more people in seeking to avoid paying VAT. Alan said “The gap between those seeking to avoid VAT and those playing by the rules has grown significantly. An average heating installation may cost around £3000 and if you add Vat at 20% this pushes the bill up to £3600. Our members are finding it very difficult to compete with those not charging VAT”. Alan added “The construction industry has suffered significantly from the recession and we have seen hundreds of jobs lost and perhaps more significantly we have witnessed a huge reduction in the number of apprentices being recruited. Apprentice numbers have reduced from a peak of just fewer than 550 in 2008 to less than 250 in 2012”. To resolve the issue at one stroke, SNIPEF urges the government to adopt the practice which applies in France where a VAT rate of 7% applies to repairs in private dwellings. Cash payments are impossible to police and a simple yet effective way of resolving the issue would be to reduce the VAT rate in line with the model which applies in France. If the rate was reduced to this level then government would see an increase in tax receipts and it would allow businesses to compete on a level playing field. SNIPEF is sad to report the recent death of one of its Past Presidents, Harry Matheson from Falkirk. Harry served as SNIPEF President in 1978/79 and also served as Local Association President of the Central Counties Mechanical Services Association on a number of

occasions. Harry is survived by his wife, Irene and his children, Barbara and Elizabeth and Gordon and Fraser who still work in the plumbing business. World Plumbing Council (WPC) Update Click here to read about the recent activities of the World Plumbing Council (WPC) and activities around the world to celebrate World Plumbing Day. HSE Announce Plans To Introduce Health and Safety Cost Recovery Scheme In October The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that its cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), will start on 1 October 2012 subject to Parliamentary approval. New, detailed guidance has been published on HSE's website setting out how the scheme will work in practice. Developed in consultation with representatives from industry, it explains how FFI works and includes examples illustrating how it would be applied. FFI recovers costs from those who break health and safety laws for the time and effort HSE spends helping to put matters right such as, investigating and taking enforcement action. Law-abiding businesses will be free from costs and will not pay a fee. Gordon MacDonald, HSE's programme director, said: "Confirming the date for the start of Fee For Intervention and publishing the guidance will give dutyholders clarity and certainty about the start of the scheme and what they can expect. "We have worked with industry representatives in shaping the final form of the scheme and the published guidance explains how the scheme will work and what businesses can do to comply with the law and avoid incurring a fee. "It is right that those who break the law should pay their fair share of the costs to put things right - and not the public purse. Firms who manage workplace risks properly will not pay." The HSE Board recommended the introduction of FFI to ministers in December 2011. HSE has completed a successful test run of the scheme in preparation for its start in October. New Body Launched To Protect Specialist Contractors Specialist Engineering Contracting Group Scotland (SEC Group Scotland) has been set up to represent the interests of subcontractors, to lobby governmnet on procurement methods and tendering procedures. SECG Scotland will also campaign against contractual practices that encourage late payment and damage cash flow. SEC Group Scotland was launched at an event held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and Alex Neil MSP spoke at the launch about the important role which specialist contractors play in the scottish economy. SECG Scotland is made up of SELECT, the body for the electrotechnical industry; the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF); the Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES); the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA); and the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA).

SEC Group Scotland said that creating a single voice for these bodies was ‘a major step forward in advancing collective interests’. Together these trades represent the largest single component (by value) of Scottish construction output, at £2bn. Chief executive of SEC Group Scotland is Professor Rudi Klein, who has spent many years in construction industry trade associations. He said of the new group’s membership: "These are the trades which really bring a building to life. They are the ones who make it function, and they are all highly trained specialists. They account for a significant amount of employment and they make a major contribution to the Scottish economy." He added that SEC Group Scotland would be strongly recommending the institution of project bank accounts, in which payments due at particular times are paid into the account to create a safety net for the supply chain in the event of a main contractor or other vital party failing. Prof Klein said: "Our member companies are operating in a complex contractual and financial environment and the formation of SEC Group Scotland is a very positive step towards acting in a concerted manner to advance our legitimate interests." For more information on SEC Scotland click here. Apprentice From Ayr College Wins 2012 SkillPlumb Competition Plumbing apprentices from across Scotland took part in the prestigious Scottish Regional SkillPlumb Competition held at Cardonald College on 15 and 16 June 2012. First place was won by Shaun MacPhail, an apprentice plumber from Ayr College, second place was won by Alex Oswald from Perth College whilst Tyrone Oakley from Dundee College took third prize. Shaun MacPhail also won the prize for best copper work whilst Tyrone Oakley won the best lead work trophy. The competition, which is in its 37th year, is organised annually by SNIPEF and attracted apprentice plumbers from 13 Colleges and Training Centres across Scotland where the Plumbing SVQ Level 3 qualification is taught. The competition consisted of two workshop exercises, a copper pipework exercise and a lead bossing and forming exercise followed by a multiple choice exam paper on aspects of plumbing and heating work. Materials used in the exercises were donated by leading industry suppliers, Plumb Center and 1st Supplies/Calder Lead. SNIPEF was represented at the Prizegiving by Vice-President, Raymond Leslie, who commented: “As always, this SkillPlumb competition has enabled entrants to demonstrate the very high level of skills they have acquired during their Modern Apprenticeship. I congratulate them all, particularly of course the very worthy winners. I also pay tribute to their employers who continue to support the Industry Apprenticeship Scheme even in these tough economic times.”

Mr Leslie concluded “Plumbing is a career for life and is a career increasingly focused on micro-renewable technologies including solar panels and heat pumps; the excellent training received through the Modern Apprentice Scheme has never been more important.” Prizes were donated by Worcester Bosch and Plumb Center and were presented by Jason Reid, Area Sales Manager (West of Scotland) Plumb and Parts Center in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Jason said “We are delighted once more to support this very worthwhile competition and warmly congratulate the winners. Apprentices like these represent the future of our industry and we welcome this opportunity to help celebrate their professionalism.”

Jason Reid from Plumb Center, the winner Shaun MacPhail and Raymond Leslie, SNIPEF Vice-President Scottish Energy Installers Alliance Launched

The Scottish Energy Installers Alliance (SEIA) has been launched. This Alliance is a powerful voice for over 60% of the Scottish Construction Industry with some 3,500 member firms and more than 30,000 skilled operatives and apprentices. The Scottish Energy Installers Alliance will strongly represent the views and interests of energy efficiency, energy savings and renewable energy solutions installers in Scotland to national and local government, clients, the professions, institutions, other trade groups, the media and all other relevant groups. The SEIA membership consists of:

Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF) Scottish Building Federation

SELECT (Scotland's trade association for the electrical, electronics and communications systems industry)

Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES) (formerly the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association) (Scotland)

Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) National Insulation Association (NIA) Construction Licensing Executive (CLE) Scottish Renewables Asset Skills (the Sector Skills Council for facilities management, housing, property,

planning, cleaning and parking) Construction Skills (Scotland) Energy & Utility Skills Group (the Sector Skills Council for the gas, power, waste

management and water sector) SummitSkills (the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering sector)

With the impending introduction of the Green Deal and the continuing focus on energy efficiency, energy savings and microgeneration, the spectrum of building service technologies that is now subject to and dependent on UK and Scottish Governmental programs is hugely increased. The Scottish Energy Installers Alliance (SEIA) is being established to ensure that Scottish micro, small and medium size firms can be involved from the outset in Green Deal and similar opportunities, that processes and procedures are simple, straightforward and affordable and that the Scottish skill and qualification norms are protected. Commenting on the launch, Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, said: “I welcome today's launch of the Scottish Energy Installers Alliance. "The Scottish Government is working closely with DECC to ensure that businesses in Scotland are able to make use of the Green Deal and get the most out any energy efficiency measures. It is essential that firms across the engineering and construction sectors can contribute towards our carbon emissions reduction targets." For more information on SEIA click here. 38th CIBW062 International Symposium- Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings The Drainage Research Group at Heriot-Watt University invites you to participate in the 38th CIBW062 International Symposium on Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings. The Symposium takes place in Edinburgh from 27th to 30th August 2012 and offers delegates an opportunity to showcase or access world-leading, industry-focused research and innovation. The event is open to all who have an interest in the field of water supply and drainage for buildings and participants typically include: practitioners; academics; manufacturers; code authorities; and consultant engineers.

Abstracts are now invited from those who wish to present (please send to cibw62@hw.ac.uk). Alternatively, you are welcome to register as a delegate either for the duration of the event or as a day-delegate. As the Symposium coincides with the Edinburgh International Festival we have also reserved a number of high-quality hotel rooms for visitors. In addition, we offer a comprehensive Accompanying Person’s programme that is open to all partners, family and friends of those attending the Technical Sessions. Further information is available at www.cibw62.org.uk Meet the buyer event Construction workers in Scotland are being offered the chance to meet prospective clients and build business relationships at a free ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, hosted by Constructionline, the UK’s largest pre-qualification certification scheme. The event, being held at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3 October, will see small and medium-sized construction companies meeting face-to-face with key procurement decision makers. It forms part of Constructionline’s national ‘Meet the Buyer’ event programme, which has already been attended by over 1,200 suppliers so far this year. A number of private sector and public sector organisations have already confirmed their attendance, including:

Scotland & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF); City of Edinburgh Council; West Lothian Council; Midlothian Council; Falkirk Council; Heriot Watt University; Hadden Construction; Scottish Building Federation; Dunedin Canmore Housing Association; The Considerate Constructors Scheme; Supplier Development Programme; Seddon Property Services and; SELECT.

On the day, contractors will also be able to attend presentations about winning work in the public sector and Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP). Alastair Robertson, client relationship manager for Constructionline, said: “In our experience, many local councils and other businesses want to give work to SMEs in their area and, in turn, the contractors are eager to win these tenders. However, it is often hard for contractors and buyers to gain access to one another and discuss opportunities.

“Our ‘Meet the Buyer’ events are designed to give local construction companies some valuable introductions, as well as helping them to learn about upcoming work opportunities and how best to win business from the buyers.” The event is free and you do not need to be registered with Constructionline to attend. To register your attendance, please visit www.constructionline.co.uk or email supplierday.constructionline@capita.co.uk.

Launched in 1998, Constructionline helps both public and private sector organisations save time and money by providing a central database of pre-qualification information, which prevents contractors from having to repeatedly fill in PQQs and buyers having to assess them. The scheme also works with buyers to help combat the industry-wide problem of duplication that so often stands between suppliers and work opportunities. Constructionline currently has around 22,000 supplier organisations on its database. Supplier members include contractors, consultants and material suppliers of all shapes and sizes; their trades ranging from cleaning services and landscape design to architecture. Along with suppliers, Constructionline also has around 2,500 buyer organisations from across the public and private sector on its database. Gas Safety Week: Take care, be Gas Safe We are proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week taking place 10th -16th September 2012.

Gas Safety Week is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on your gas boiler, gas cooker and gas fire. Gas Safety Week

aims to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is a national campaign with events, advertising and PR taking place across the country to help keep the nation Gas Safe.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Follow these top tips to help keep you and your family gas safe:

make sure only a Gas Safe registered engineer works on your gas appliances. Illegal gas fitters can put your life at risk

always check the engineer's Gas Safe Register ID card make sure gas appliances have a regular service and a gas safety check every 12

months look out for warning signs that your gas appliances aren’t working correctly e.g. lazy

yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room

know the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness

install an audible carbon monoxide alarm if you smell gas call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999

For gas safety advice or to find and check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

Harry Matheson SNIPEF is sad to report the recent death of one of its Past Presidents, Harry Matheson from Falkirk. Harry served as SNIPEF President in 1978/79 and also served as Local Association President of the Central Counties Mechanical Services Association on a number of

occasions. Harry is survived by his wife, Irene and his children, Barbara and Elizabeth and Gordon and Fraser who still work in the plumbing business. MCS Consult On Technical Competence In recent months, MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has been working to establish a new working group designed to consider and report on a suitable process to include competence criteria requirements in the MCS installation standards. This would encompass all technologies and to identify performance criteria relevant to a company certification scheme. These proposals are designed to make things clearer – not more complicated. MCS has recently launched a consultation to promote that they have now developed the Company Competence Criteria for different roles and have also identifed which roles are required for each of the different technologies covered by the Scheme. This will make it simpler for everyone to understand exactly what they need to become members of the Scheme. The company scheme will remain the same, but will provide clearer defined Competency Criteria to demonstrate compliance against. To access the documents and response form, please visit http://mcs.online-consultation.co.uk. A video is also included which provides a background to the project and also a quick summary of what the consultation is all about. Further information about the project, can also be found at http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/news All response forms should be submitted with "Competence Criteria Consultation Response Form" in the subject line to mcsconsultations@gemserv.com. Any queries should be directed to mcs@gemserv.com / 020 7090 1082. The consultation will only be open for responses until 5pm on 23rd July 2012. School Artwork Competition Sponsored By SNIPEF Following a project in partnership with Drummond Community High School, the SNIPEF offices have now been presented with 8 original paintings on the theme of water. Headteacher, Norma Prentice and Art Teachers, Vaila MacLaren and Philippa Drummond visited the SNIPEF offices on Monday 11 June 2012 along with 7 of the 8 pupils whose original designs had been selected after a competition involving two S3 art classes in the school. They were welcomed by SNIPEF President, Fraser Lawrence who referred to the positive relationship which had been created between SNIPEF and the school (which is located very near the SNIPEF offices, Bellevue House).

The winning artists and their paintings.

New SNIPEF President Elected

Fraser Lawrence, principal of F&S Lawrence based in Rait near Perth, became President of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) at its Annual Conference which was held in the Hilton Dunkeld Hotel on Saturday 12th May, 2012.

Fraser is only the third President of SNIPEF to come from the Perth & District Master Plumbers’ Association and the first for more than fifty years. The others were J McLeish in 1929 and J Queen in 1956. In his inauguration speech Fraser said “As we are all aware our industry, like many others, continues to suffer from an ongoing reduction in workload. To put this into context SNIPEF lost over 70 firms from membership last year, the majority of which sadly went out of business. Ironically 2011 was also one of the best years for the recruitment of new SNIPEF members as a result of which the overall membership of the organisation was largely unchanged for the year as a whole”. He continued “It is in times like this that membership of a trade body like SNIPEF makes a real difference. SNIPEF members benefit from a whole host of “member only” schemes, many of which save money and time. I know from personal experience that our insurance scheme can save an average sized member business several hundreds of pounds each year and I would encourage you all to check out the range of services YOUR trade body can offer”. Fraser is married to Sheena and they have two daughters, Alison and Pamela. BPEC (Training) Ltd Life Award The BPEC Charity is delighted to announce a major new initiative called the Life Award which is in memory of BPEC’s founding chairman, Raymond J Brooks. This award offers a first prize of £10,000 using plumbing skills to enhance life. The aim of the award is to recognise and facilitate the use of plumbing skills to benefit life anywhere in the world through knowledge, imagination and determination. This exciting award is open to individuals or groups who operate within the UK plumbing industry and who hold a recognised plumbing qualification. They may be sponsored and/or supported by any business operating within the plumbing industry. There is no restriction on imagination - here are some general ideas:

Product Invention Innovative Product or Service Charitable Plumbing Activity or Project Raising the Image of Plumbing A Change in Perspective

The closing date for submissions is 31st July 2012. To download a submission form visit www.bpec.org.uk/lifeaward. For further information please contact David Johnson 0845 644 6558 or email djohnson@bpec.org.uk.

Scottish First Minister promotes World Plumbing Day 11 March has been designated World Plumbing Day by the World Plumbing Council as a means of raising awareness of the significant role which the plumbing industry plays in public health and the environment around the world. With the theme “Plumbing-Vital to Global Health” plumbing organisations throughout the world will be undertaking a range of activities with the aim of raising awareness of the important role played by today’s plumbing industry. In recognising the important role which plumbing plays in our day to day lives, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has added his support to the day. He said: "I'm pleased to support World Plumbing Day on 11 March 2012. The World Plumbing Council does much to raise the profile of the industry while embracing its global role in public health and protecting the environment - both of which are key Scottish Government priorities.” To mark World Plumbing Day in Scotland, SNIPEF (The Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation) the trade body for plumbing businesses, commissioned a DVD which features a presentation by Professor Mala Rao, a former Chief Medical Adviser to the NHS in England and currently Professor of International Health at the University of East London. In the DVD, Professor Rao sets out the background to the medical advances which were achieved in 19th century Britain through the installation of clean water supplies and sanitation facilities and contrasts this with the appalling situations which still exist today in many developing countries where lives are regularly lost through lack of access to basic plumbing. She also stresses that even in the developed world plumbing needs to be taken more seriously against a background of climate change and natural disasters. She concludes with a clear message to all that plumbing is essential to life and must not be taken for granted.

Scottish Government Announce New Boiler Scrappage Money The Scottish Government has just announced a further £500,000 available to households switching from poor performing boilers to a more energy efficient model. Households will be able to apply online or over the phone through the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland organisation for a grant of £400 towards the cost of a new boiler. Up to 1000 households in Scotland will be able to apply to receive £400 towards the cost of a new boiler, under the reopened boiler scrappage scheme. Households who have a central heating boiler which is listed as a category G rated boiler in the SEDBUK listing (www.sedbuk.com) and which convert less than 70 per cent of fuel into heat, will qualify for cash back on a new energy saving model. Installers must be registered with Gas Safe (for gas installations) and should be a member of a recognised industry body such SNIPEF and the boiler must be on the Energy Saving Trust Recommended list. Click here to visit the EST website for more information. David Stevenson

SNIPEF was sad to report the sudden death of one of its Past Presidents, David Stevenson from Lurgan, Northern Ireland. David served as SNIPEF President in 2005/2006. Up to his death, David remained an active representative of SNIPEF serving as a Board member of Plumbing Pensions and BPEC as well as Northern Ireland CASEC. David had also represented the plumbing industry on the Board of SummitSkills. David is survived by his wife Alison and his children Gayle and Andrew. UK Copper Board Competition celebrates World Plumbing Day To celebrate World Plumbing Day, the UK Copper Board is running an online competition to test the knowledge of the UK’s plumbers. Plumbers and student plumbers are invited to visit the UK Copper Board website during the week leading up to World Plumbing Day (5th-11th March) to take part in a quick

questionnaire on copper pipework services. Everyone who correctly answers all of the questions will be entered into a prize draw and the winner will receive a digital camera. World Plumbing Day is an international event on March 11th, initiated by the World Plumbing Council, celebrating the important role plumbing plays in the health and safety of modern society. To enter the competition, go to www.ukcopperboard.co.uk. For more information on World Plumbing Day, see www.worldplumbingday.org. Inverness & Northern District Master Plumbers' Association Award Apprentice Prizes A new shield to be known as the ‘Inverness & Northern District Master Plumbers’ Association Shield’ is now awarded annually by Inverness College to the apprentice obtaining the highest achievement in lead working. The very first winner was Kyle Henderson of member firm Sandy MacGregor Ltd, Wick. The winner of the INDMPA Cup for the apprentice obtaining the highest achievement in the Plumbing Craft Certificate Course was Paul Woodworth employed by Shetland Electrical Services.

Kyle Henderson of member firm Sandy MacGregor Ltd, Wick Scottish Plumbers Warn Of Green Deal Dangers SNIPEF has issued a warning over proposals contained in the “Green Deal” consultation document issued by the UK Government’s Energy and Climate Change Department. In its response SNIPEF said "It is difficult to see how the vast majority of businesses in the plumbing and heating industry which are either micro businesses or SMEs will be able to participate in Green Deal. There must be safeguards put in place to ensure that small businesses don't miss out." SNIPEF CEO Robert Burgon said “It is vital that a simple and streamlined system is available within Green Deal so that customers can continue to use a local plumber or

heating engineer they know and trust. It’s also frustrating that government are creating yet another organisation with costs and red-tape particularly as there are very similar schemes already in place.” Robert added “Whilst we acknowledge and support offering assistance to customers, many of whom are in “fuel poverty”, a chance to update their heating systems, SMEs MUST be part of the Green Deal solution. As it presently stands they are not and this is not good news for installers or customers”. SNIPEF Launches Winter Consumer Campaign SNIPEF has launched an advice campaign, targeting consumers throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland with its “Plumbing Top Tips” guide. Robert Burgon, Chief Executive of SNIPEF said: “We are encouraging householders, businesses and public service providers to think ahead and take a few simple steps, aimed at avoiding the considerable damage and inconvenience of burst or frozen pipes this winter.” You can download SNIPEF’s “Plumbing Top Tips” here or contact a SNIPEF registered plumber via www.needaplumber.org. SNIPEF supports the Winter Campaigns of Scottish Water (www.scottishwater.co.uk) and Northern Ireland Water (www.niwater.com) and SNIPEF plumbers are also contactable via these websites.