News
Fire and security industry awards n
Two leading members of the UK fire and security industry were honoured at the
Fire and Security Association (FSA) annual lunch in October. Pat Allen, director of Abel Alarm Company, received the 2012 FSA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Fire Systems Industry, while Mike Cahalane, ASC founding member and stalwart figure in both the security consultancy field and in security systems, received the 2012 Peter Greenwood Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Security Systems Industry. Pat Allen was presented with his award by ECA
president Paul McNaughton and FSA chairman Steve Kimber during the event held at Drapers Hall in the City of London. Announcing the award, Kimber said: ‘I have known, and worked alongside, this gentleman for many, many years and consider him a good friend and
trusted colleague. He is an immensely popular, enthusiastic and passionate individual who has dedicated his career to improving the industry for installers and customers alike.’ The Peter Greenwood Award, which is
sponsored by the Fire and Security Association (FSA) and awarded by the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP), was presented
to Mike Cahalane by the master of WCoSP, Gerald Moor, and Una Riley, past master and guardian of the award. Revealing the award winner, Stefan Hay, head of the FSA, said: ‘This gentleman is a genuine industry professional of outstanding pedigree and has been a true friend to both our industry and many of his peers present in this room today.’
Pat Allen (centre) with Steve Kimber (left) and Paul McNaughton (right)
Mike Cahalane (centre) with Gerald Moor (left) and Una Riley (right)
DECC looks to extend scope of RHI n
The Department of Energy and
Climate Change (DECC) has issued a long-awaited consultation on allowing domestic premises to access the renewable heat incentive (RHI), which pays owners of renewable energy sources an on-going tariff for heat generation. From summer 2013, DECC proposes that customers can claim the tariffs for using air to water source or ground-source heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal panels. All the tariffs cover only the costs beyond
that of installing a new gas boiler, and they will only be paid for seven years, in comparison to 20 years for solar photovoltaic (PV) Feed-in Tariffs (FITs). In addition, the RHI tariffs have been capped so that they do not exceed that received by offshore wind turbines. Remarkably, even
DECC suggests that its tariffs won’t be enough to greatly encourage solar thermal systems or ground source heat pumps. In its consultation, which closes on 7 December, it says: ‘We would expect...
deployment [of these measures] to be low.’ On air-to-air heat pumps, the picture is particularly disappointing. DECC says: ‘We believe there is no need for RHI incentives to support the uptake of such heat pumps in the domestic sector. Industry stakeholders have also expressed this view to us. However, we welcome evidence to the contrary, in particular case studies, since we will be keeping the situation under review.’ Speaking about the consultation, Paul Reeve, ECA head of Business Policy and Practice commented: ‘If building services or renewables installers have examples of impressive energy or carbon savings from air to air heat pumps, now is the time to tell their trade body – and DECC.’ DECC has also consulted
on expanding the non- domestic RHI to allow users to claim the RHI for more technologies. For example, DECC aims to allow
14 ECA Today November 2012
businesses to claim the RHI for installing air-to-water heat pumps for the first time. DECC suggests that users should be paid 1.7p/ kWh of heat generated, for 20 years. DECC is also aiming to expand the RHI so can claim it for burning any type of biodegradable waste.
As of late September, of
more than 260 accredited schemes and more than 750 applications, some 90 per cent are for biomass systems. Paul Reeve said: ‘Government needs to do much more to support R&D and the commercial uptake of a broad suite of renewable heat sources, not just biomass. Instead of leadership and a renewables revolution, the current approach isn’t expected to greatly modify UK customer behaviour. Building services contractors will need to carve out new business by showing customers they are the very best providers of energy solutions.’
Apprentice levels call
ECA skills ambassador Diane Johnson has called for action over the fall in construction apprentice numbers, warning that failure to recruit sufficient young blood would have disastrous consequences in the future. Johnson said: ‘These
industries are sitting on a ticking time bomb – without an increase in the number of apprentices we are going to face a skills crisis in five years’ time. This has further implications than on just the construction industry. UKCG figures show construction delivers a £2.84 return on every £1 spent, so we cannot afford for this sector to suffer.’ Johnson added: ‘Regulation
means that it’s hard to get insurance for apprentices under the age of 19 to work on site. This inhibits work- based training and makes it difficult for cash-strapped businesses to take on apprentices. The government needs to make flexible funding available for construction apprenticeships. ‘
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72