March 2007
- Green consumers
- Drinking Water for Life
- Safe Drinking Water
- Water down the drain
- Terry's Water Music
- Use a professional plumber
- President's Dinner
Green consumers
The budget brought good news to consumers wanting to cut CO 2 emissions by increasing the grants for household renewables by £6m, bringing the total funds committed to over £18m. However, Blane Judd, chief executive of The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) gives the following warning.
“The Chancellor makes specific claims in his budget paper regarding the need to take care of the natural environment and resources; he specifically highlights the concerns shared by many in the industry regarding water shortage and quality. He also raises the issue of cost considerations and lack of information as areas where Government intervention can help to encourage behavioural change.
“However, without properly trained and qualified professionals assisting to deliver this change process, we are at risk of creating a free for all where unqualified people offer ‘eco-friendly’ solutions to householders. Consumers who are attempting to ‘go green’ will be encouraged to buy products and services that contribute little or nothing to the reduction of their carbon footprint.
“We already know of cases where consumers have been encouraged to purchase energy efficient appliances only to find that the product being replaced was more energy efficient. The creation of the enviro-rogue has begun and we need to prevent their growth before they take a hold in the market place.
“The IPHE has begun the work of drawing up a minimum competence standard in the area of solar heating and will follow this with standards for other green energy areas. The next task is to ensure that consumers understand that they need to carefully select the professionals who they employ, so they can assist them to buy the right product. There is no doubt that we need to embrace the opportunities that this government offers through tax breaks to start the process of change which will protect the environment, the challenge is to engage the right people in the process to prevent the unqualified or unscrupulous from benefiting at the cost of our planet.”
ENDS (329 WORDS)
MARCH 2007
Drinking Water for Life Campaign
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) launched its ‘Drinking Water for Life’ campaign in National Science and Engineering Week (9th – 18th March). The campaign is aimed at consumers and makes the point that bad plumbing in the home can affect the quality of drinking water.
Danny Davis, IPHE technical officer, says: “If plumbing has not been carried out by a professional, you cannot guarantee that it has been carried out safely and correctly, which means that the water that you are drinking and using for washing may not be as safe and clean as you think.
“Owners and occupiers of premises and anyone who installs plumbing systems or water fittings have a legal duty to ensure that these systems satisfy the Water Regulations. This means that your plumbing system must be designed, installed and maintained to meet the requirements of the regulations.”
Consumers wanting more information can request a leaflet called ‘Drinking Water for Life” from the IPHE by ringing 01708 463100 or by sending a SAE to: Drinking Water for Life campaign, IPHE, 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6NB.
ENDS (168 WORDS)
MARCH 2007
Safe Drinking Water
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) launched its ‘Drinking Water for Life’ campaign in National Science and Engineering Week (9th – 18th March). The campaign is aimed at consumers and makes the point that bad plumbing in the home can affect the quality of drinking water.
Danny Davis, IPHE technical officer, says: “If plumbing has not been carried out by a professional, you cannot guarantee that it has been carried out safely and correctly, which means that the water that you are drinking and using for washing may not be as safe and clean as you think.”
The IPHE worked in partnership with a local specialist science school, Sanders Draper, during National Science and Engineering Week to get the point across to 1,000 pupils. With the help of Ted Cassey, from the educational unit of Three Valleys Water, the children were involved with a number of projects including water quality experiments and a water audit.
“The water audit showed that a staggering one million litres of water will be wasted over a period of a year if the school doesn’t resolve the problem with its leaky taps,” said Danny. “I think this really brought home the message to the children that drinking water is a precious commodity and shouldn’t be wasted.”
IPHE Branches are helping to spread the word to consumers by distributing leaflets on safe drinking water.
ENDS (232 WORDS)
MARCH 2007
Water down the drain
Pupils from Sanders Draper School in Hornchurch, took part in a water audit of their school during National Science and Engineering Week (9th – 16th March). They came up with some shocking statistics. If nothing is done to fix the school’s leaky taps, it is estimated that they will waste around a million litres of water over the period of a year.
The water audit was organised by Ted Cassey, who works for the education department of Three Valleys Water. “People don’t realise how much water and energy is wasted by a dripping tap,” said Ted. “For instance, a hot water tap that leaks by two drips per second would lose 15,000 litres of water per year and the energy lost is equivalent to boiling a kettle 10,000 times!”
The school, in partnership with The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) worked on various projects connected with water. Danny Davis, IPHE Technical Officer, commented: “We have just launched our ‘Drinking Water for Life’ campaign and this was a great opportunity to get across the message to the children that water shouldn’t be wasted and also that water quality can be affected if there is poor plumbing in the home.”
Martin Fletcher, head of science, said he was shocked by the outcome of the audit and the school would be taking steps to remedy the situation. “It would be interesting to carry out the audit in other schools to see how they fare. Water is a valuable resource and we must all do our bit to stop wastage.”
ENDS (261 WORDS)
MARCH 2007
Terry's Water Music
Pupils from Sanders Draper School in Hornchurch, took part in some unusual lessons this week, all in the name of science. The school, in partnership with The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) worked on projects connected with water for National Science and Engineering Week (9th – 16th March).
Terry Fillary, IPHE member and Master Plumber, showed Year 11 students how to bend copper pipe to create musical instruments with a difference. Terry is no stranger to teaching as he used to be a plumbing lecturer at the Hackney Community College in London.
“It’s great to work with such enthusiastic youngsters,” said Terry (72), who has five generations of plumbers in his family. “Many of the children were surprised by the amount of maths and science involved in plumbing.”
Martin Fletcher, head of science, commented: “The children certainly enjoyed their practical session with Terry. Who knows, it might even encourage them to think of a career in plumbing.”
ENDS (161 WORDS)
MARCH 2007
Always use a professional
Has your plumbing system and appliances been checked recently to see if there are any leaks? According to Research carried out by Halifax Home Insurance, Britons pay more than £1.8 billion per year to repair the damage caused by leaking water in their homes.
Leaks from washing machines, burst pipes, baths and showers cause a substantial amount of damage. The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering advises consumers to always use a professional plumber to work on their plumbing installations and systems.
“Don’t be tempted to have a go at plumbing jobs that you are not qualified to do, just to save money. It could cost you twice as much if it all goes horribly wrong,” says Danny Davis, technical officer for the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE).
He also advises homeowners to make sure they know where their stop-valve is located. “It can be terrifying to see water cascading through the ceiling,” says Danny. “Make sure you limit the damage by turning off the water at the stop-valve.”
Consumers can visit www.iphe.org.uk to find an IPHE Registered Plumber in their local area or they can ring the Institute on 01708 472791 in office hours, Monday to Friday.
ENDS (204 WORDS)
MARCH 2007
IPHE President sets out the plan for the future
Around 42 guests had dinner with the President of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) on 7th March 2007 at the Café Royal, London. Peter Ashby MIPHE RP, National President for 2006/2007 was delighted that so many of the Institute’s supporters could join him for the evening.
In the President’s speech, he talked about the importance of petitioning for a Royal Charter and thanked those who are helping the IPHE to achieve this special recognition. He said that now the Centenary Year had passed we should focus on the future of the Institute. To help us do this a business plan has been put in place, which sets out the strategic direction of the Institute and embraces its purpose to enhance the safety and health of the public.
“This year, the Institute will concentrate on public awareness by using national campaigns to bring ‘Carbon Monoxide’, ‘Drinking Water’ and ‘Asbestos’ to the attention of the public and show how plumbing can make a positive impact on lives. To underpin its activity in 2007 the organisation will, by using the campaigns, create customer demand, continue to increase its membership and therefore promote itself in influential circles.
“The focus on public awareness, personal development and technical authority will be rotated in a three-year programme, as set out in the plan. We, as individual members can push forward the 2007 initiative of public awareness in our day-to-day business, confirming our support and enlarging the influence of the Institute.”
Mr Ashby went on to talk about conserving the resources of the planet and urged plumbing and heating engineers to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date, so they can advise consumers about water conservation and energy efficient products.
The President thanked all his guests for coming and presented his wife with a bouquet of flowers, to show his appreciation for all the support she had given him. He also presented the Coventry Branch Secretary, Stanley Wilcox, with an Exceptional Service certificate. Stanley has been a member of the Institute for 40 years and Branch Secretary for 20 years.
ENDS (353 WORDS)
MARCH 2007