June 2006
- Saving Water
- Super Mario Martin
- New President for IPHE
- A stark warning
- Lucky draw competition
- Conference 2006 - Torquay
- Global health
Institute urges householders to conserve water
With Drought Orders becoming more commonplace, the Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering urges householders to check their plumbing systems to make sure water isn’t being wasted.
Taps are very important when it comes to water conservation. Make sure you turn them off properly. Dripping taps can waste up to 30 litres a day; not only wasting a valuable resource but also your money. Taps that drip even when closed are usually a sign that your plumbing system is in need of maintenance. Regular maintenance will not only ensure your system is working at peak performance, it also reduces the risk of major problems occurring.
If you are thinking of replacing taps, those which use a spray pattern can use up to 80% less water than a traditional tap. Also, using a water saving flush or dual flush system on your WC can save the amount of water you use and also greatly reduce your water bills. Homeowners should make sure the water level inside the cistern is set at the correct level and is well clear of the overflow pipe, if the level is too high it will overflow, again wasting water and money. Other ways to save water include ensuring you use the washing machine and dishwasher only when fully loaded, having a shower instead of a bath, washing your car with buckets of water opposed to using a hose and having a water meter installed.
For more information on saving water and energy, please visit the Consumer and Environmental section at www.iphe.org.uk. To find a Registered Plumber either visit the website or ring 01708 472791, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
ENDS (279 WORDS)
JUNE 2006
Going for Gold
IPHE member, Mario Martin EngTech LCGI MIPHE RP was presented with a Gold Award at the House of Commons on 14th June. The accolade came from the Association of Colleges and was in recognition of his success from hard work and professional development. Mario (47) was trained at Leeds College of Building some 24 years ago. Since then he has held a part-time teaching post at the college and has attended many courses to update his own skills.
Mario, a self-employed plumber, has notched up an impressive string of awards, including H & V News Domestic Installer of the Year 1996, Tradesperson of the Year 2005 and Britain’s Favourite Plumber Award 2005. Earlier this year he was presented with his Master Plumber Certificate by Geoff Marsh MBE at The Worshipful Company of Plumbers Annual Lecture. Geoff made the following comment:
“Mario’s success is a fine example of what may be achieved by a person who has received a vocational education and acquired a craft skill. By persistently striving to develop his career from this foundation, Mario has brought great credit to himself, his family and the plumbing industry.”
ENDS (191 WORDS)
JUNE 2006
Beyond expectations
Around 400 delegates, partners and children attended the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s (IPHE) Centenary Conference & Exhibition, which was held at The Palace Hotel, Torquay, 1st – 4th June. Delegates were full of praise for the technical and social programme that spanned three days.
Besides a varied programme of seminars and technical presentations, delegates had the opportunity to visit the exhibition, which had nearly 50 stands.
The AGM took place on Friday afternoon. Before stepping down as National President, Tony Brunton IEng LCGI FIPHE RP presented George Wingfield EngTech LCGI MIPHE RP and Robert Burgon from SNIPEF with Honorary Fellowships. John Prestage MBE IEng MIPHE RP received his Honorary Fellowship at the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening. Peter Ashby AIPHE RP then took on the role of President. In his inaugural speech, Peter talked of his total commitment to improving standards in the public interest.
Following on, Keith Lawrey, Liaison Officer for the Foundation of Science and Technology, urged the IPHE to petition for Royal Charter. He said the centenary year was the ideal time to apply. “Incorporation by Royal Charter is a mark of recognition of the importance of any professional organisation that has built a strong reputation. It would confirm that the Institute is operating at a senior professional level.”
The proposal was greeted with enthusiasm from the audience. Andy Watts, Chief Executive, intimated that discussions would continuing to prepare the way for an application and that an EGM would be called in the near future to give the membership the opportunity to vote on the issue.
Grant Nicholl EngTech LCGI MIPHE RP was elected as Vice President, Len Gold EngTech MIPHE RP was elected as a member of the Board of Trustees and Reg James CBE CEng FIMarEST was appointed as an independent chairman of the Board of Trustees.
At the end of the conference, Kevin Wellman, operations director, said he had been overwhelmed by the response of delegates and their families. “I have had so many people offering thanks to the conference team and head office staff for all the hard work that has gone into this very special event. Many have said it has exceeded their expectations, which is brilliant. I would also like to add my thanks to all the sponsors and exhibitors who supported the Institute. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
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JUNE 2006
A stark warning for the future
Delegates attending the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s (IPHE) Centenary Conference and Exhibition, were left in no doubt that renewable energy must be top of the agenda for the plumbing and heating industry in the future.
Professor Bill McGuire from University College London gave a hard-hitting presentation on the greenhouse effect and climate change. According to research carried out by Benfield Hazard Research Centre, the future looks bleak for life on Earth if we don’t halt the amount of CO2 emissions polluting the atmosphere.
Professor McGuire said that our planet is facing the greatest mass extinction of animals and plants for 65 million years. It is also anticipated that there will be widespread desert expansion and in Africa and Asia there will be an increase of 200 million people at risk of starvation through drought. The professor said that renewable energy is critical, microgeneration is the direction to take.
Graham Blandford, marketing manager for Viessman, also covered climate change in his talk. Escalating energy costs and the decrease in fossil fuels means we have to look to other options for our energy needs. His presentation included using wind turbines, hydro and waves, biomass, solar thermal & photovoltaic, heat pumps and Micro CHP.
Managing director of Worcester, Bosch Group, Richard Soper warned that because we now have to import gas, security of supply could pose a major problem for the future. Richard believes in leading by example and has already had a heat pump and solar water heating system installed in his own home.
John Thorp, director of Energy Centre for Sustainable Communities was also worried about gas supplies in the future. He said that by 2020 it is calculated that half of the world’s gas will be coming from countries that are currently perceived as relatively unstable, either in political or economic terms. He added that energy prices are predicted to triple in the next 5 – 10 years.
Around 400 delegates, partners and children attended the conference, which was held at The Palace Hotel, Torquay, 1st – 4th June.
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JUNE 2006
Win a bottle of champagne
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering is offering a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne as a lucky draw prize in a survey it is carrying out. The interactive survey form can be found in the Consumer Advice section of its website www.iphe.org.uk.
Visitors to the site will be able to find a Registered Plumber in their area or get information on environmental and public health issues.
Note to Editors: The lucky draw competition closes 31st August 2006
ENDS (73 WORDS)
JUNE 2006
Terrific Torquay
The Palace Hotel, Torquay, hosted the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s (IPHE) Centenary Conference and Exhibition on 1st – 4th June. Around 400 delegates, partners and children attended the event – the largest the IPHE has ever staged.
Delegates had the opportunity to attend seminars and talks on various subjects including matters affecting public health and renewable sources of heat and energy. Prominent speakers such as Dr Jamie Bartram from the World Health Organisation, gave a talk on the connection of good health and plumbing systems in third world countries. Whereas Professor Bill McGuire from University College London gave a hard-hitting presentation on the greenhouse effect and climate change.
Kevin Wellman, operations director, summed up the conference in one word, “Terrific!” Kevin went on to say: “Besides having a fantastic technical programme arranged, the venue was perfect. Torquay is a great place to visit, it made the whole experience far more pleasurable for our delegates.”
ENDS (156 WORDS)
JUNE 2006
The day after tomorrow
Global health was top of the agenda at the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s (IPHE) Centenary Conference and Exhibition on 1st – 4th June. Professor Bill McGuire from University College London gave a hard-hitting presentation on the greenhouse effect and climate change. According to research carried out by Benfield Hazard Research Centre, the future looks bleak for humans and animals if we don’t halt the amount of CO 2 emissions polluting the atmosphere.
Professor McGuire said that our planet is facing the greatest mass extinction for 65 million years. If temperatures keep increasing across the world, polar bears would become extinct and there would be a 97% loss of coral reefs along with 50% of Mediterranean wetlands. Africa & Asia will see 200 million more people at risk from hunger through drought.
The professor said that renewable energy is critical, microgeneration is the direction to take. But perhaps more importantly, we need international agreement to work together.
Delegates also heard from Dr Jamie Bartram from the World Health Organisation, who gave a talk on the connection of good health and plumbing systems in third world countries.
Around 400 delegates, partners and children attended the conference, which was held at The Palace Hotel, Torquay.
ENDS (206 WORDS)
JUNE 2006