PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2025 8 News Review


Apprentices lift a cup to success


A plumbing apprentice from Redditch has been announced as the winner of JTL’s 2025 National Apprenticeship Awards. Stephanie Hitch was up against eight other finalists but impressed the judges with her technical ability, dedication and inspirational progress. Stephanie completed her training while working for Arcus FM and is now a qualified professional. The Awards took place at the Royal


Armouries Museum in Leeds, where top apprentices, employers, tutors and training officers from England and Wales were recognised for their exceptional contributions. The annual event celebrates the achievements of apprentices, employers and training staff from across England and Wales, highlighting their contributions to the future of the building services industry. In a video shown before Stephanie was presented with her trophy, JTL training officer Scott Bland explained why she was such a worthy winner: “Stephanie has shown exceptional dedication to her development, completing a strong apprenticeship portfolio and continuing with a Level


3 electrical qualification at night school. She has become the go-to engineer for Air Handling Unit systems, with excellent problem- solving skills and critical thinking. Steph is now a key member, known for resolving complex issues and adding real value to her company.” Other outstanding apprentice


winners included: Daniel Brown, from Brentwood,


winner of the Paul McNaughton Electrical Apprentice of the Year Award, who completed his apprenticeship with T-Clarke. Kit Swerdlow, of West Bridgford,


was named MES (Mechanical Engineering Services) Apprentice of the Year, for excellence in plumbing


while und ertakin g his apprenticeship with PHD Plumbing. Dominic Walton, from Retford,


who received the inaugural Rising Star of the Year award, reflecting his early career promise and passion for renewable energy technologies while working with Wright Renewable Heating Limited. The ceremony also recognised the crucial role employers play in apprenticeship success, awarding Employer Recognition Awards to: J & R Electrical (Halifax) Ltd (Northeast), Chris Bowker Ltd (Northwest), Lowe & Oliver (Western), Cromer Electrical (Eastern), Cardinal Electrical (Southern), and Quartzelec Ltd (Wales).


M&E firms optimistic despite headwinds


The UK’s 30 largest mechanical & electrical contractors enjoyed collective growth of 23% last year despite a period of “considerable economic turmoil”, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). The latest edition of the Association’s annual Top 30 Contractors’ report shows that the combined turnover of the 30 firms grew to £6.4 billion in 2023/24. This represents approximately a quarter of the


total M&E market which is estimated at £23.2bn “suggesting room for further consolidation in what is still a highly fragmented sector,” BESA says. The report showed that firms were standing up


well to “various financial headwinds” and were poised for further growth in 2025. “The overall mood is surprisingly buoyant,” comments BESA CEO David Frise. “The outlook is generally optimistic despite the considerable financial, technical and regulatory hurdles they are having to navigate.” He adds that, while the long-term impact of the global market turmoil unleashed by Donald Trump’s tariffs remained uncertain, the best performing M&E engineering businesses were remaining calm in the face of this latest ‘bump in the road’. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/725/08


MCS installers can join the HPA for free


The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has announced it will now be offering free membership for MCS certified heat pump installers. This initiative is designed to strengthen the voice of installers and their representation within the HPA, provide valuable industry insights, and encourage greater collaboration across the heat pump sector. “We recognise


that installers are the backbone of the heat


pump sector and will be critical in the transition to low carbon heating in the UK,” says Charlotte Lee, chief executive of the Heat Pump Association. “This new free membership option ensures they have enhanced support and have their voices amplified at no cost. By offering free membership to


Hidden water waste in public buildings


As summer heat waves magnify water shortages in the UK, the are


experts from Cistermiser advising that public and


commercial buildings across the UK could save thousands of litres of drinking-quality water each day by addressing hidden leaks and inefficient washroom systems. The company, which specialises in


MCS certified businesses, we’re removing barriers and engaging more participants as we work to simplify and enhance the path to decarbonised heating.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/725/10


water and energy-saving solutions, highlights that toilets, urinals and showers all use the same high- quality potable water that comes from kitchen taps. Much of this is being unnecessarily wasted due to silent leaks, continuous flushing


and outdated infrastructure. According to industry estimates, up to 8% of toilets in the UK are leaking, often from the flush seal, wasting as much as 400 litres of water per day per unit. Some urinals, particularly


those that


flush continuously, can use nearly 200,000 litres annually, even when buildings are unoccupied. Cistermiser says modern systems


such as motion-activated urinal controls and leak-proof flush valves could dramatically reduce water waste, helping to cut both costs and carbon emissions. With water companies under


pressure to meet environmental targets and reduce


energy use,


improving efficiency within buildings is being described as a simple and cost-effective opportunity.


Heating engineers have been issued a reminder by the Hot Water Association (HWA) about the importance of regular servicing of unvented hot water storage cylinders. Whether unvented systems have heat pumps or boilers, or they are stand-alone unvented cylinders, ensuring safety, system efficiency and warranty compliance is essential. The HWA advises that servicing should be carried out at least annually by a competent person, ideally someone with a valid G3 qualification. Manufacturers commonly make regular servicing a condition of warranty, and homeowners must be able to provide documented proof of maintenance, usually via Benchmark.


Key checks during cylinder


servicing include: • Manually operating safety valves


such as the expansion relief valve and temperature & pressure relief (T&P) valve to ensure they function correctly and are free from limescale or debris. • Inspecting the discharge pipework


to confirm it is not obstructed and allows water to flow freely in the event of a pressure release.


• Testing the pressure reducing


valve to ensure it is still calibrated correctly and maintaining safe operating pressure. • Checking the expansion vessel


or internal air gap to confirm it still has the correct charge or volume to accommodate thermal expansion. • Monitoring overall system pressure to detect potential faults before they lead to failure. Failure to carry out these checks


can result in valve malfunction, uncontrolled water discharge, and system damage, often leading to costly repairs and voided warranties. The HWA also strongly advises


the use of genuine replacement parts. Using incorrect or non- certified components can alter system parameters, compromise safety, and invalidate manufacturer warranties. “Only genuine parts are tested


and certified to perform safely within the system they’re designed for,” warns Kevin Lowe, technical manager at HWA. “Installers should source replacements from the original manufacturer wherever possible or their designated spare parts stockists.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/725/09


HWA issues cylinder service reminder for installers


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