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Tackling
the Plumbing Skills Shortage with Time-Saving Products
The
inherent problems arising from the skills shortage in the plumbing trade
have been well documented. Trade associations and other industry authorities
have repeatedly voiced their concerns whilst the Construction Industry
Training Board forecasts that the UK will need over 6,500 new plumbers
every year for the forseeable future.
In order to be ‘able to carry out work unsupervised’, plumbers
must be qualified to at least NVQ Level 3. It takes an average of four
years to reach Level 3 meaning the skills shortage is a problem to which
there is no quick answer.
How
can manufacturers help?
Manufacturers can help in several ways. Several larger organisations have
introduced training programmes and increased their recruitment of trainees.
However, a less obvious but equally effective solution can be found in
the development and design of products that are easier and quicker for
existing qualified plumbers to install.
Helping improve installer efficiency is no longer a ‘nice to have’
but a fundamental responsibility of all manufacturers in the sector. One
manufacturer which has embraced this responsibility is Midlands based
Thomas Dudley Ltd (TDL) - a long
established supplier of plastic WC cisterns and flushing components. The
company’s market-leading ‘Vantage’ concealed cistern was
the first to be supplied fully factory assembled and has continually been
upgraded since its launch to incorporate additional time-saving features.
Sales Director Roy Seaward explains ‘the Vantage has been developed
with the plumber at the forefront of our minds. As such we have included
time saving features that enable the Vantage to be installed in less than
half the time of traditional concealed cisterns’.
The
Vantage, which is available in dualflush and single flush models, is supplied
factory assembled and with snap-fit fixing brackets that allow the cistern
to be simply clipped in. A Speedfit® elbow allows instant connection
of the water inlet pipe whilst a push-fit flushbend will shortly be available
to further speed installation. Further details and a free installation
DVD are available.
Tel: 0121 557 5411
Email: info@thomasdudley.co.uk
Web: http://www.thomasdudley.co.uk
A
Sparkling New Design from Drummonds
Customers looking for true opulence in the bathroom can now take inspiration from Drummonds' latest bathroom design, which can be seen at its showroom in Hindhead, Surrey.
This design incorporates Drummonds' newest bath - The Lomond - in a mirrored surround with a matching custom made side table, wall mirror and Drummonds' unusual Lionhead spout bath filler.
Drummonds has complemented the look with its light, natural limestone and cabouchon flooring and the company's extravagantly large heated towel rail for that added touch of glamour.
‘The design exudes the high quality and craftsmanship that is evident
in every product Drummonds manufactures,’ says the company.
The Lomond bath is also available freestanding or with the customers choice
of handmade surround. It comes in two different sizes 1750 and 1950, as
well as with rounded ends, if preferred (The Ness).
Tel: 01428 609444
Web: http://www.drummonds-arch.co.uk
New
Kappa50 Complements Designer Bathrooms
Geberit,
the supplier of sanitary, supply and drainage systems, has produced a
new dual flush plate which will complement any modern bathroom.
Manufactured from high quality zinc, the new Kappa50 has sleek, straight
lines and comes in a choice of finishes including gloss chrome, matt chrome
or white.
As the only visible component of Duofix, Geberit's frame for wall-hung
sanitaryware, the design of the flush plate is of key consideration and
the distinctively simple Kappa50 provides an element of sophistication
to any bathroom.
Popular among designers, wall-hung sanitaryware can be found in many new
leisure establishments such as hotels, bars and restaurants, and is becoming
standard in domestic bathrooms.
Simon Spridgeon, Head of Product Management for Geberit, said: ‘The
new Kappa50 dual flush plate is a simple design that will appeal to the
design-conscious.
‘Its neat geometric form reflects the straight lines and shapes of
sophisticated, modern bathrooms.’
For further information about the Kappa50 and other Geberit products,
visit http://www.geberit.co.uk
or call 01622 717 811.
Safety
First with Marflow's Thermostatic Bath/Shower Mixers
With
around 20 people killed annually by bathroom scalding accidents, maintaining
a safe water temperature in the bath and shower is vital, especially for
the elderly, disabled and small children.
Bathroom
brassware specialist Marflow Engineering
offers thermostatically controlled bath/shower mixers on many of its most
popular ranges, including the Exena, Trident, Geni, Citizen and Sovereign
collections, combining style with safety in the bathroom.
With thermostatic controls, the temperature of the water supply to the
bath taps or shower head is maintained by automatic adjustment of both
the cold and hot water supply. For example, if a WC is flushed whilst
the shower is in use, the cold water supply will drop. Without thermostatic
control, this would cause the temperature of the water to rise, creating
at best discomfort and at worse, serious injury from scalding.
With thermostatic control, the flow of hot water is restricted to compensate
for the drop in cold water supply, and the constant temperature maintained.
‘Thermostatic control is currently one of the biggest issues in showers,
and will become mandatory in domestic water systems in the next few years,’
said Marflow director David Stone. ‘Second degree burns can result
from exposure to water at 51(C in just 17 seconds, so maintaining a constant,
safe water temperature isn't just a matter of comfort.
‘Some homeowners will compensate for a too-small water heater by
turning up their thermostat to well above the 49 degrees C considered
to be the highest safe setting. Vulnerable people such as children, the
elderly and the disabled would be put at severe risk if water temperatures
were allowed to rise above this, as they are unlikely to be able to react
quickly enough to avoid scalding.’
Marflow's thermostatic controls have a pre-set maximum temperature of
between 38 degrees and 45 degrees C, controllable to +/- 1 degree. As
well as a controlled supply to the shower head, the water supply to the
bath via the single mixer tap is maintained at a constant temperature,
avoiding potential accidents and allowing for safer bath filling.
Web: http://www.marflow.co.uk