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as safety is clearly an important issue that everyone needs to be aware of, but all too often it is seen as an issue for the domestic sector. However, with


56mg/kWh and for oil-fired products 120mg/kWh.


TRAINING BSEE


Commercial training: the key to knowledge and compliance G


With legislaon constantly evolving, it can be dicult for building engineers to keep up with gas safety requirements. Training is increasingly becoming essenal for engineers of all ages and experience, explains Steven Evans, Sales Director at Poerton Commercial.


commercial plants usually much larger than their domestic equivalents, the repercussions of a heating system fault could potentially be much more serious. With commercial properties, the lease should determine who has responsibility for gas safety – tenant or landlord. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently responsible for implementing the rules which keep people safe whilst at their place of work. Strict penalties are imposed on those who allow, through negligence, accidents to occur – the most severe of which can result in two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine, under the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008.


So it’s more important than ever for engineers to keep up with changing regulations. But it can sometimes feel like there is a constant conveyor belt of regulatory change to take into account.


For example, we’ve just seen the implementation of the third tier of changes to the Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive legislation, which have been staggered over four years. The new requirements place mandatory limits on NOx emissions for the first time. For gas/LPG fired products the maximum NOx emissions are


Consequently, manufacturers are adapting their products, because those that don’t meet these minimum requirements cannot be legally sold in the UK and other EU countries. As a result, the boiler market is evolving, with new technology ensuring that the new standards are met.


How manufacturers can help


Manufacturers play an important role in boosting engineers’ knowledge and expertise with product-specific training. With often substantial differences in protocol from one brand to another, it is important that all appliances are installed in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.


Therefore, it is crucial that engineers undertake regular training delivered by the manufacturer of the products they are working with. The aim is to make engineers more confident about working with those products, improving safety in the process. Most quality manufacturers also guarantee products for minimum of two years, including parts and labour. If there is a problem, there’s a team of qualified engineers available to help diagnose and repair any fault.


Sharing best pracce


Commercial training is also an opportunity for engineers to


network with peers, share knowledge and experiences, and form new business relationships. The level of knowledge will always differ from business to business. For example, a hospital or care home is likely to have an on-site facility manager who is well versed in heating maintenance. However, the person arranging engineer visits may be the administration manager or secretary. Training by manufacturers is a simple, effective and often free way for engineers to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the industry and constantly refresh their skills. There is a growing demand from heating engineers for training, and in response Potterton Commercial has recently launched its new Commercial Training Academy. All product training is free and course content is tailored to the needs of the audience, ensuring


engineers gain practical experience in a real-world environment. When it comes to improving gas safety, manufacturer training courses are helping engineers to know everything they need to know about the products they are working with. Contractors such as Paul Hull, director of P R Hull Plumbing & Heating Ltd, have found the training invaluable because, as he says, “taking the time out to attend a training course is a small price to pay to keep customers safe”. With more opportunities than ever for engineers to improve their knowledge of new and existing products, and their understanding of changing legislation, the industry can look forward with confidence. For information on the Potterton Commercial Training Academy, or to book a course, visit:


www.pottertoncommercial.co.uk/training


VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk


BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2018 25


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