PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2026 4 News Review


Awards to recognise industry excellence


Nominations have opened for the 2026 APHC Quality Plumber Week Awards, with plumbers and heating engineers invited to put themselves or others forward for recognition. The nomination period runs


Building fi rm botch left boiler fl ue inside extension


A Yorkshire-based building company and its director have been sentenced after botched work on a home extension compromised gas safety and put a homeowner and her two children at risk.


Adam’s Building Construction


Ltd had been hired to build an extension at the rear of a property in Bradford. Work began in January 2024, but the extension was built over existing gas service pipework without repositioning the flue serving the gas boiler, exposing the family to the risk of gas leaks, fi re, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning. On 22 May 2024, a building


control inspector from Bradford Council discovered the boiler fl ue terminating inside the extension. Northern Gas Networks found the installation to be immediately dangerous, with the boiler still operating and the flue discharging into the extension. The gas supply was cut off,


leaving the residents without gas for several weeks and costing around £4,000 to put right. The investigation found the


company had been warned several times by building control inspectors during the work that the gas pipework and fl ue needed


Improvement notice HSE served an Improvement Notice requiring the company to introduce a system for producing written construction phase plans where it was the principal contractor. The company subsequently failed to comply with the notice. Mr Azhar also failed to provide information required by the HSE investigation. The court heard that neither he nor the company continues to work in the construction trade. Adam’s Building Construction Ltd, of Leeds Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) and Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. On 7 August 2026 at Leeds Magistrates’ Court, the company was fi ned £10,000 and ordered to pay £4,263 in costs. Mr Azhar pleaded guilty to


breaching Section 37(1) and Section 33(1)(e) of the Act. He was fi ned £1,000 and ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge.


to be properly relocated. Its sole director, Mohammed Adam Azhar, was also unable to show HSE inspectors that the company had prepared construction phase plans for its domestic building projects.


until 20 September, ahead of Quality Plumber Week, which will take place from 5–11 October. The awards, organised by the


Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), will feature seven categories recognising different aspects of


Call for Warm Homes guarantee


Heating and retrofi t contractors delivering government-funded energy effi ciency work should provide fi nancial guarantees to protect households if installations fail, according to evidence


submitted to


Parliament by Macbrook Gas. CEO Johnathan McKenna warns that weaknesses in previous schemes have vulnerable


work across the plumbing and heating industry. The categories cover sustainable installation, community support, commitment to training, technology, new businesses and diversity and inclusion. There is also an award for APHC Installer of the Year.


Each category is sponsored by an industry company and includes a


prize worth at least £250. Prizes range from vouchers and training sessions to plumbing and heating equipment.


The awards are designed to recognise professionals who demonstrate high standards


in areas including workmanship, customer service and professional development. Installers can nominate


themselves, colleagues or other people working in the industry. Customers and homeowners are also encouraged to submit nominations for installers whose work they believe deserves recognition. The winners are due to be


announced during Quality Plumber Week in October. To nominate someone in the Quality Plumber Week Awards, use the online link below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/01


The 16th annual Gas Safety Week will take place from 14–20 September, bringing the gas industry together to raise awareness of gas safety and the simple steps people can take to protect their homes, families and communities. This year’s theme, ‘Take No


left residents facing


poor-quality work, unfi nished projects and delays to essential improvements. The company is calling for tougher contractor require- ments, including checks on fi nancial stability, compliance history, insurance


and


trading credentials, alongside performance


bonds or


guarantees to fund repairs if fi rms cease trading or fail to complete work.


Chances’, is a reminder that warning signs should never be ignored. If a gas appliance does not seem to be working correctly, it should be checked promptly, while all gas work should be carried out by a qualifi ed Gas Safe registered engineer. Hundreds of supporters from


across the gas industry are expected to take part in the week- long campaign, helping to raise awareness and encourage positive action to keep people safe. Gas Safe Register is offering a free Gas Safety Week toolkit to help businesses and organisations share key safety messages with their customers and communities. Resources include pre-written social media posts, posters, leafl ets, images, articles, factsheets, logos and a press release template.


Businesses can also add their own logo to selected materials, helping them promote gas safety while reinforcing their credentials with customers. The campaign provides a diff erent


focus for each day of the week, giving supporters opportunities to maintain momentum across their websites, social media channels and local communities. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/02


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