Ireland's Plumbing and Heating Magazine Issue101

The only bi-monthly journal for the plumbing & heating industry in Ireland

IN THIS ISSUE

BOILERS ROSSMAR SPECIAL SCHOOL STRABANE ACADEMY TOP BATHROOM PRODUCTS LATEST NEWS

ISSUE 101 - MAY/JUNE 2021

WastefloMacerator Simply and efficiently removewastewater STUARTTURNER

The clean and simple way to remove waste water

T: +44 (0)1491 572655 E: info@stuart-turner.co.uk www.stuart-turner.co.uk

T: +353 (1) 961 7700 E: info@idealenergy.ie www.idealenergy.ie

Altecnic Ltd - Caleffi group www.altecnic.co.uk For further details: oemsales@altecnic.co.uk +44 (0) 1785 218208 or Chris Reilly, Country Manager for Ireland, on 00353 (0)85 2152288, chris.reilly@altecnic.co.uk or Gary Swann, Northern Ireland Sales Manager, on 07760 596727 or e-mail gary.swann@altecnic.co.uk

CONTENTS

In this issue...

Issue 101 - May/June 2021

News &Views 4

Product News 11

In Focus 42 Rossmar Special School

Origen Energy appointment Heat-Pump Technical Support Specialist, John O’Brien, joins the Origen Energy team.

Ideal Energy Distribution Stuart Turner’s Wasteflo macerators are now available from Ideal Energy.

Thomas Hanna & Co Ltd and supply chain deliver top class school for children and teachers.

13 HEVAC

Firebird legend retires Jerry Cronin, retires after 40 years working with Cork-based Firebird Heating Solutions. 15 Beggs and Partners add Derry branch New Derry City branch flourishes as Beggs and Partners’ growth plan continues at pace. 66 Grant shares ‘Toolbox Talk’ online Heating technology manufacturer Grant launches its new ‘Toolbox Talk’ series of videos on YouTube. THE TEAM: Managing Director Karen McAvoy Publication Manager Jacqui Fairley Editor Heather Campbell Production Manager Julie Anne Guiney

50 Gas Chat Ireland

New compact Galletti Ductimax i fan Coil units added to HEVAC product range.

Showcases Gas Chat Ireland some of the best install pics from members across the country.

25 Baxi

76 Strabane Academy

Baxi 600, Baxi 800 and Baxi Assure boiler ranges have been certified to run on a 20% hydrogen blend.

Vaughan Engineering and supply chain delivers a sophisticated building to create the perfect learning experience.

40 Grant

82 Top bathroom products

Grant launches heat pump course on its new e-Learning Academy for merchants, plumbers and installers.

Read our round-up of the hottest new bathroom products.

CONTACT US: The Forge, 13b Lisburn Road, Moira, Co. Armagh BT67 0JR T: Moira: 028 9261 2990 T: Dublin: 01 696 8319 E: plumbing@kmpltd.co.uk www.plumbingmag.com

plumbing & heating magazine

plumbing & heating magazine @plumbingmag plumbingmag

Digital Creative Manager Jo Wilson Digital Content Editor Cathal Delea Photography Gordon McAvoy Printed by W&G Baird

Plumbing & Heating Magazine is published on a bi-monthly basis and distributed throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on a controlled circulation.

PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 3

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NEWS

The Energy for Children Charitable Trust, a charity initiative of Phoenix Natural Gas has provided funding to children’s charity, Cancer Fund for Children to help support bereaved families. The generous donation will help Cancer Fund for Children provide 20 families who have experienced the death of a child or parent as a result of cancer with a bespoke bereavement box. The bereavement boxes contain age- appropriate resources including books and memory making crafts and to help children, young people and parents remember their loved ones, share memories and openly express their grief. The Energy for Children Charitable Trust was established in 2005 to provide financial support to groups and individuals that may slip through the net of the wider charity network. Founded on the principle that ‘all monies raised go directly to local children and young people’, the Trust aims to reach deeper into the heart of local communities throughout Greater Belfast and beyond in order to really make a difference to disadvantaged children’s lives. www.phoenixnaturalgas.com PHOENIXGASHELP LOCALCHILDREN’S CANCERCHARITY

John O’Brien, Origen’s new Heat-Pump Technical Support Specialist and Paul Begadon, Origen’s CHP Field Service Engineer

NEWAPPOINTMENTFOR ORIGENENERGY

Origen Energy, part of the HEVAC group, has recently appointed John O’Brien as the company’s Heat-Pump Technical Support Specialist. John has a long-standing career in the industry, previously working as Branch Manager and Business Development Manager for Heat Merchants and as Project Manager for Gaffney Mechanical. He will be providing nationwide coverage for Origen’s on-site heat pump commissioning as well as dealing with faults and looking after all new heat pump installs. John is looking forward to being at the forefront of this rapidly expanding heating sector. He says, “There are advancements being made all the time in heat pump design and installation and it’s going to be a busy period going forward with the changes to NZEB legislation regarding new builds increasing the demand for more energy efficient heating systems such as heat pumps.” John joins Paul Begadon, Origen’s CHP Field Service Engineer. Paul

joined the Hevac Group in 2016 as a Technical Sales Engineer in Hevac’s Industrial Division. He spent the previous nine years as a mechanic in the Army and earned an Engineering degree studying part- time. In January 2018, he joined Origen Energy as Field Service Engineer for Combined Heat and Power systems. His responsibilities include maintenance, servicing, commissioning, and technical support for contractors and design consultants. He covers all of Ireland and provides rapid emergency response for Origen’s service contracts. Origen Energy’s strong engineering and support staff, coupled with their nationwide logistics cover and connections to industry-leading companies in the HEVAC Group, mean they can offer a complete service for every aspect of your project. Call Origen on: +353 (0)1 4191940 or email sales@origen.ie to talk to their team today.

Phoenix Natural Gas has provided funding to help the Cancer Fund for Children provide bereavement boxes for grieving families.

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THE SLUDGE KILLERS INSTALLERRETROFIT KIT Available throughout IRELAND, ADEY™ products are all that is needed to protect a central heating system from the damage caused by sludge. ✓ LIFT ✓ SHIFT ✓ PROTECT ✓ MONITOR

LIFT MC3+® Cleaner | MC5® RapidFlush Cleaner Developed specifically to keep heating systems free from debris. Once added, its powerful formulation gets to work on breaking down magnetite and other sludge in as little as an hour. What’s the difference? MC5 is a high strength cleaner which means it starts working after one hour but should only be left in a system for up to 7 days. It is specifically designed to use with the MagnaCleanse. MC3+ on the other hand starts working after one hour but can be left in the system for up to 28 days – giving you more flexibility on planning your work schedules. MC3+ Rapide is also available for convenience.

MC3+® Cleaner and MC5® RapidFlush Cleaner

SHIFT MagnaCleanse®

Combining our RapidFlush® filter and VibraClean® agitator, MagnaCleanse system flushing removes debris from the system. The precision agitator removes more sludge in 20 seconds than can be extracted in 30 minute without it. It even shifts hardened debris, reducing the need to remove radiators to completely clean the system. To find out the difference between a MagnaCleanse system flush and powerflush visit www.adey.com/product/magnacleanse

MagnaCleanse®

PROTECT MagnaClean® filters | MC1+® Protector Formulated to prevent wear and tear and the resulting debris, MC1+® stops magnetite and other deposits forming. As it does this, it protects the central heating, keeping the boiler working efficiently and helping to ensure the system lasts for longer.

MagnaClean TwinTech®

MC1+® Protector

MagnaClean Professional2®

MagnaClean Atom®

MagnaClean Micro2®

MONITOR MagnaClean Professional3 Sense® | ProCheck® The MagnaClean Professional3 Sense gives your customer complete peace of mind throughout the year. It senses the amount of sludge starting to build up in a system and alerts you (and the homeowner if they wish) that there is a risk of sludge damage BEFORE IT HAPPENS. Adey ProCheck enables water tests instantly to ensure the heating system is left protected and verified by an independent lab test in your hand.

MagnaClean Professional3 Sense®

Adey ProCheck®

Stocks available from: Ideal Energy Distribution - Ascot House - Kinsealy Lane - Malahide - Co.Dublin K36 HH42 Phone : +353 (0)1-9617700 - Email : sales@idealenergy.ie

NEWS

Plumbmaster, a leading supplier to the plumbing and heating industry in Northern Ireland, is doing its part to help raise much-needed funds for Addiction NI. Devastatingly, covid-19 has forced many charities to cancel their fundraising activities throughout 2020/21 and left them experiencing difficulties accessing much-needed funds. Committed to lending their support, Plumbmaster, part of the Haldane Group, launched their ‘Step Away with Addiction NI’ Challenge and raised a total of £3,000 for Addiction NI. The initiative encouraged employees across Northern Ireland and England to work together in teams of four to achieve the maximum number of steps over the month of March. With a total of 23 teams and over 90 participants, employees walked a combined total of 36,876,533 steps, the equivalent to 19,047 miles in just 31 days. Eamonn McCarthy, Plumbmaster Director said, “I am absolutely delighted with the uptake in the Steps Challenge. It brought serious competition within the teams and a healthy and clearer mind-set for all those who participated - as well as raising vital money for an extremely worthwhile cause. I congratulate each and every person on their efforts, especially the winners.” www.plumb-master.com PLUMBMASTER STEPSUPTO RAISE£3,000FOR ADDICTIONNI

Jerry Cronin – 40-year Firebird veteran.

LOCAL LEGENDRETIRESAFTER40 YEARSOFSERVICE

atmosphere in Firebird and we all looked forward to Anne Corkery’s baking at tea break,” Jerry said. “It is amazing to see how the company grew over the years and went from manufacturing a backboiler to what it is today.” Mark Doyle, General Manager from Firebird said, “We cannot thank Jerry enough for his hard work and dedication across four decades. “He is one of the many people who is more part of the Firebird family rather than a colleague. “He will be greatly missed but we wish him all the best for the future. Ádh mór!” In his retirement, Jerry looks forward to having more time to pursue his passion for hill walking. www.firebird.ie

Firebird, based in the heart of the Gaeltacht in Co. Cork, has bid a fond farewell to one of its longest serving colleagues who has retired after 40 years working with the business. Jerry Cronin, who lives in Carrigadrohid, hung up his overalls having worked with Firebird from before its inception and throughout its growth and success which sees Firebird today as Ireland’s leading supplier of high-performance heating solutions. Jerry, a father-of-four and an avid hill walker, left school at 14 and joined Firebird as a qualified welder in 1980. “I was raising a young family at the time so job security was important but the friends I made over the years is the main reason for staying with Firebird for so long. There was always a good

SAFETYAWARDTOCOBHNETWORK CONTRACTOR The Ervia Major Projects Contractor

Safety Award has been won by Farrans Sorensen joint venture for their work in delivering the Cobh Networks Contract on behalf of Irish Water. This focus on safety is key to keeping the works on track to successfully treat the raw sewage discharge from Cobh Town, as Irish Water delivers the Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project.

Pictured clockwise from back: Kevin McSherry, Head of Ervia Major Projects; Déaglán Healy Ervia Major Projects; Joe Cunningham, Farrans Construction; John Wallace, Sorensen Civil Engineering at Cork Dockyard Pumping Station construction site, Cobh

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FUTUREPROOFYOURBUSINESS OFTEC, YOURTRUSTEDPARTNER INTHEDECARBONISATION OFHOMEHEATING

DEMONSTRATEYOURPROFESSIONALISM Liquid fuel • MCS • Renewables • TrustMark Electrical (Part P) • Solid fuel • PAS 2030 BYREGISTERINGWITHOFTECFOR:

OFTEC IRELAND NEWS

Amammoth task but liquid fuel industry is up for the challenge

OFTEC WELCOMES INCLUSION OF BIOFUELS AS ENERGY STRATEGY CONSULTATION SEEKS ROADMAP TO NET ZERO EMISSIONS...

W hen it comes to decarbonising home heating in Northern Ireland, it’s not a case of one size fits all, instead it is going to take a mammoth effort from all sectors of society to achieve net zero greenhouse gasses by 2050. At OFTEC we welcome a major first step in this journey with Economy Minister, Diane Dodds launching a public consultation on a new Northern Ireland energy strategy. We are also pleased to see the inclusion of biofuels in the consultation as an option for the 500,000 homes in NI using liquid fuelled heating systems. The Energy Strategy was released at the end of March to the public outlining ideas to achieve net zero carbon and affordable

energy in Northern Ireland. We would urge everyone to get involved and have their say on this very important issue. The consultation has proposed two broad approaches to phasing out fossil fuel heating oils for off-grid consumers. In one of these scenarios, oil boilers would be banned, which would place a significant emphasis on heat pumps for off-grid properties. The second of these options continues to allow oil boilers for properties and would instead focus on phasing out the sale of fossil fuels. This option would give consumers a range of options for their home heating including biofuels and biomass in addition to heat pumps. It has been estimated that bringing homes already heated by liquid fuel up to an

acceptable level of insulation would cost on average between £12,300 - £18,900 depending on the type of property. The subsequent average installation cost of an air source heat pump would add approximately an additional £11,000. OFTEC believes that consumer choice must lie at the heart of any new energy strategy and given the costs of retrofitting above, believe many will opt to retain their liquid fuelled boiler and decarbonise their fuel instead. We have always said that heat pumps are a great option for new and well insulated homes but over 50% of houses here are below SAP level C and not very thermally efficient. These homes will require extensive and expensive remedial work to bring them up to the optimum level for

“In the longer term we see HVO playing an important role in helping Northern Ireland meet its net zero commitments.”

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OFTEC IRELAND NEWS

Photo by Julian Hochgesang

“OFTEC’s aim is to enable all existing oil heating users to convert to a 100% sustainable

fossil-free liquid fuel by 2035”

HVO is already available in Northern Ireland and global supply is increasing fast.

OFTEC Ireland Manager, David Blevings.

heat pumps to become a viable option. The consultation has challenged the oil industry in Northern Ireland to provide a credible pathway to net zero by 2050 involving biofuels. This work must provide robust and comprehensive information on current and future costs and supply. We are certainly up for the challenge. A change to biofuels utilising existing equipment is an easy, low cost and non-controversial option. OFTEC’s aim is to enable all existing oil heating users to convert to a 100% sustainable fossil- free liquid fuel by 2035, well ahead of governments’ 2050 decarbonisation targets. We will work together with the distribution sector to deliver a clear and concise plan outlining how biofuels can lead the way to reaching energy targets. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) offers a near drop-in replacement for heating

oil at a fraction of the cost of installing an air source heat pump and an immediate reduction of around 88% in carbon emissions. HVO is already available in Northern Ireland and global supply is increasing fast. With the right policy support, UK industry could scale up domestic production and deployment to meet the heating requirements of rural homes well within the net zero timeframes. We’re already seeing some refineries move away from fossil fuels in favour of creating new renewable fuels. We know the lifespan of fossil fuels is limited but in the short to medium term consumers should not be put off investing in new heating systems which run on liquid fuels as fossil fuels will still be in the marketplace for a number of years and the majority of appliances sold today are already biofuel compatible. In the longer term we see HVO playing

an important role in helping Northern Ireland meet its net zero commitments. Hitting that target will be a mammoth task which will involve all departments of government and all sectors of society pulling together, but the liquid fuel industry is ready to play its part. We think it’s an exciting time and predict hugely interesting developments over the next 10-15 years. HVO is only the start and we can envisage home heating liquid fuels being derived from other waste materials such as used tyres and plastics as technology moves forward to address the needs of a low carbon society. Local industry will engage and help deliver solutions here in Northern Ireland which could well be different from the rest of Europe but will meet Governments’ requirement for a speedy reduction in the use of fossil fuels. For more information, visit www.oftec.org

David Blevings, OFTEC Ireland Manager on T: +44 (0)28 9186 2916 Sean McBride, Ireland Representative on T: +44 (0)7540 502 304 (NI) or +353 (0)87 241 7041 (RoI) www.oftec.org

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PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 9

Available ex-stock from Ideal Energy Distribution, Ascot House, Kinsealy Lane, Malahide, Co.Dublin, K36 HH42. T: +353 (0)1 961 7700 – E: sales@idealenergy.ie

COVER STORY

STUART TURNER’S WASTEFLO MACERATORS - AVAILABLE FROM IDEAL ENERGY - OFFER A CLEAN AND SIMPLE WAY TO REMOVE WASTE WATER… Smart waste-water solutions

M aximising the use of space within many properties often requires the installation of toilets and hand basins in locations where a gravity flow to the soil pipe is impractical or impossible. These problems can be solved by Stuart Turner’s innovative Wasteflo range of macerators, which are available from main distributors, Ideal Energy. Making the best use of the space

Super-slim macerators, suitable for converting any area into a simple toilet or a complete en-suite.

available when undertaking a property refurbishment often calls for a creative approach. None more so than when planning to use a space where either a gravity flow of waste water to the main soil pipe is not possible, or in a situation where running waste pipes along internal walls is impractical and unsightly. Common examples include the creation of a toilet, shower

An innovative cassette system makes access for maintenance really simple.

innovative feature is the height adjustable toilet pan connection.

‘back-to-wall’ toilets. Sharing the unique features of the rest of the range, the WC 4C can be installed completely out of sight behind a wall structure or stud partition. As with all Stuart Turner pump solutions, Wasteflo macerators offer tried and tested engineering designed and built to the highest standards of quality, innovation and reliability. All Wasteflo products are standards approved, CE compliant and are supplied with a two-year warranty.

room or utility room in a basement, installing an en-suite bathroom some distance from the outside drain, or fitting a toilet in the space under the stairs. Many of these challenges can be overcome simply and effectively with Stuart Turner’s innovative, easy to install Wasteflo range of macerators. INSTALLING A WC USING A MACERATOR Super-slimWasteflo macerators fit neatly behind the WC and allow the cistern to be fixed directly to the wall, often without the use of battens. They automatically reduce waste to a liquid form and pump it away to the soil pipe. Each model can pump vertically up to 5 metres or horizontally up to 52 metres depending on the diameter of the waste outlet pipework used. Wasteflo macerators feature an inverted helical vortex pump and cutting blades, which greatly reduces the chances of blockage. A watertight cassette system houses the electrical and mechanical pump components. This allows for clean and easy access without having to remove the toilet or pipework when servicing or maintaining the unit. Another

This eliminates the frequent need to ‘raise up’ either the macerator or toilet to ensure that the spigot on the toilet aligns accurately with the connector on the macerator. The waste outlet connector also features an easy-fit adaptor suitable for use with either 22mm, 28mm or 32mm diameter waste pipe. This greatly simplifies the replacement of an old macerator unit where the existing pipework cannot easily be replaced. The Wasteflo WC-1 features a single inlet connection for a WC only, whilst the WC-2 and WC-3 models feature one and two additional waste inlets respectively. These can be used to connect a hand basin in the case of the WC-2, or a hand basin and a shower in the case of the WC- 3. They utilise ‘nut and cone’ fittings rather than metal jubilee clips which corrode and are difficult to clean. Flexibility is further enhanced with the inclusion of inlet adaptors, which enable connection to 32mm (1¼”) or 40mm (1½”) diameter pipework. The WC 4C macerator unit is designed specifically for use with ‘wall-hung’ and

For more information call:

Ascot House, Kinsealy Ln, Kinsealy, Malahide, Co. Dublin, K36 HH42

T: +353 (1) 961 7700 E: info@idealenergy.ie www.idealenergy.ie

Market Place, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK, RG9 2AD T: +44 (0)1491 572655 E: info@stuart-turner.co.uk www.stuart-turner.co.uk

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PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 11

NEWRANGEOF DUCTIMAX i FanCoil Units MODULATIONANDEFFICIENCY INARECESSCEILING-MOUNTEDUNIT

ERGO Supervision

2-pipe System

4-pipe System

Ducted Centrifugal Fan

FEATURES: • Permanent magnet BLDC motor • Low electricity consumption • Easy setup of ventilation section • Heat exchanger up to 4 rows • Compact dimensions • Reversible water connections • Can be integrated into the ERGO Incorporable ioniser • Vast range of available accessories

AVAILABLE VERSIONS: • DM xx0 D i Unit for 2-pipe systems • DM xx1 D i Unit for 4-pipe systems equippedwithanadditional 1-row exchanger for the hot water circuit • DM xx2 D i Unit for 4-pipe systems equippedwithanadditional 2-row exchanger for the hot water circuit

www.hevac.ie

• Muirfield Drive, Naas Road, Dublin 12 - Tel: 00 353 (1) 419 1919 • Unit L, Furry Park Industrial Estate, Santry, Dublin 9 - Tel: 00 353 (1) 842 7037 • South Ring West Business Park, Tramore Road, Cork - Tel: 00 353 (21) 432 1066

E: info@hevac.ie or tender.enquiry@hevac.ie

FAN COIL UNITS

Galletti Ductimax available from Hevac.

NEW GALLETTI DUCTIMAX I FAN COIL UNITS PROVIDE PERFORMANCE AND COMPACTNESS IN RECESSED CEILING INSTALLATIONS... Galletti DUCTIMAXunits available fromHevac the optimal configuration of the unit. DUCTIMAX I fan coil units also feature a washable air filter made of acrylic fibre with filtration class G2 or G3 applied on the air intake. The use of a single-phase asynchronous multi-speed electric motor with a

T he new Galletti DUCTIMAX i fan coil units from Hevac have been conceived for air conditioning interiors where the installation of high- performance medium-head units with reduced overall dimensions is required. The DUCTIMAX range comprises 12 models with air flow rates from 300 to 1200 m3/h and nominal cooling capacities of up to 8kW. A high efficiency heat exchanger with 3 or 4 rows allows the DUCTIMAX to be used in a wide variety of operating conditions and can be combined with another 1 or 2 row exchanger for exceptional performance even with low temperature differentials. The heat exchangers can also be optimised for centralised applications such as district cooling. The DUCTIMAX units are designed for horizontal ceiling installation, with the main condensate drip tray situated inside the structure of the unit and at a positive pressure relative to the drain outlet to facilitate condensate drainage. Built from galvanised steel sheet, the units are heat and sound insulated by means of Class 1 self-extinguishing panels. The structure makes it possible to combine a wide range of accessories on the air intake and outlet sides so as to obtain

“The DUCTIMAX range comprises 12 models with air flow rates from 300 to 1200 m3/h and nominal cooling capacities of up to 8kW.”

permanently connected capacitor and thermal protector, mounted on vibration- damping supports, allows proper sizing of the machine by correctly balancing performance and noise levels. Double suction centrifugal fans are made with ABS or aluminium, with statically and dynamically balanced forwardcurving blades which are directly coupled to the electric motor. The new Galletti DUCTIMAX units available from Hevac are built for compatibility and can be combined with a wide range of wall-mounted

• Multi speed motor • Heat exchanger up to 4 rows • Reversible water connections • ABS centrifugal fans • Can be integrated into the ERGO Incorporable ioniser Features include:

controllers, including controllers of an electromechanical type and

microprocessor controllers with display. The use of MYCOMFORT MEDIUM and LARGE or EVO enables Ductimax to be connected to ERGO and heating elements complete with safety devices are available to supplement the hydronic system. The action of the G3 air filter can also be combined with an air ionisation system.

T: Paul Devereux, M: +353 (0) 86 173 8060 T: +353 (0)1 419 1919

E: paul.devereux@hevac.ie E: tender.enquiry@hevac.ie www.hevac.ie

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PLUMBING & HEATING

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BEGGS AND PARTNERS DERRY CITY

New Derry City branch at Springtown Industrial Estate.

Open for business. Pictured L-R is Paul Duddy, Storeman, Connor Stewart, Trade Counter Sales, Gavin Harkin, Branch Manager and Rosie McEntee Showroom Design Consultant.

NEW DERRY CITY BRANCH FLOURISHES AS BEGGS AND PARTNERS’ GROWTH PLAN CONTINUES APACE... Beggs andPartners adds Derry City tobranch network

B eggs and Partners opened their new Derry City branch on April 12, providing another link in the growing network for the home of bathrooms, plumbing and heating. It was the right time for them to make the move to the Maiden City, says Richard Robinson, Sales Director for Beggs and Partners. “We have always had a good customer base in the City, logistically it’s a great addition to our branch network; post lock-down the home sector has been busier than ever so it felt like the opportune time to make the move.” Group Sales and Marketing Manager Nicola Flynn adds, “The Springtown Industrial Estate is a hive of business activity and our 10,000 sq ft new-build depot sits comfortably amidst many complimentary businesses, making it a destination shopping location for the home improvement market for the City, County and surrounding counties of Donegal and Tyrone.” IN STORE The branch provides the full range of plumbing and heating, gas and oil stock and there is an opportunity to develop

the ever-growing heat pump sector. It’s in the safe hands of Branch Manager Gavin Harkin - well known locally for his knowledge, ability and customer service. “Beggs and Partners are renowned for our stock holding capacity, with a ready supply of plumbing and heating goods ‘on the shelf’,” says Nicola, “this sets our trade sales counter apart from the competition. Our wider stock profile of commercial products simply isn’t on offer anywhere else in the City. And our own brand Instinct range provides our customers with incredible value from some of the most reputable brands in our industry. “We have a 15-bay showroom and a dedicated Showroom Design Consultant, Rosie McEntee, who can design the most stunning bathrooms to suit any budget using the latest 3D design software.” Always forward thinking, Beggs and Partners continues to adopt new ways of doing things; “It is important that we reduce our carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly, so we have switched to electric forklift trucks in our warehouses and

introduced the use of paper bags for goods sold at the trade counter, we know that small changes can make a big difference,” says Nicola. Beggs and Partners only took possession of the new branch building in early March, so this opening represents an extremely fast turnaround for the company, admits Nicola. “Our team, headed up by our Operations Director Stuart Duncan have this process down to a fine art now; having expanded our network from five to 12 branches in eight years.” The response from the City has been “excellent” says Nicola. Gavin adds, “We have had a great response from local trades and also the public with many customers discovering us for the first time.”

Springtown Industrial Estate, 4 Springtown Drive, Derry City, BT48 0LY T: +44 (0)28 7122 5725 www.beggsandpartners.com

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BEGGS AND PARTNERS ASSOCIATES

SUPPLIERSTO BEGGSAND PARTNERS

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BEGGS AND PARTNERS DERRY CITY

Right: One of Beggs & Partners own Instinct brand product range.

BEGGS AND PARTNERS, THE HOME OF BATHROOMS, PLUMBING AND HEATING, EXTENDS ITS NAME INTO NEWMARKETPLACES...

Growing an iconic brand

T he first Beggs and Partners 1960. In the intervening 61 years, the business has gone from strength-to- strength. With the opening of their Derry City store, the firm now boasts 12 branches and four divisions; trade, retail, commercial heating and contract sanitary ware. Sales Director, Richard Robinson store opened its doors in the Sailortown district of Belfast in states, “We are into Derry City for the long-haul so we’re looking for a steady growth here from a sound starting point rather than trying to take everything and not provide the service that Beggs and Partners is renowned for.” That said, the bathroom, plumbing and heating firm is not content to stand still. Not even a pandemic gets in the way of their expansion plans. In 2020, they opened a brand new branch in Cambridge and amalgamated four previously acquired stores located in the greater Essex area into the Beggs and Partners brand stable. “We are an ambitious company,” admits Nicola Flynn, Group Sales and Marketing Manager, “and we know we have the right mix of product, people

and service to meet a growing market demand. We have no intention of slowing down. “Our new branch in Cambridge had been planned for some time,” says Richard, “and it opened in March 2020, which was a bit of a difficult time to start. But once we got back after the lockdown the branch has forged ahead and is doing really well. We’re delighted with that.” “We acquired four Essex Plumbing and Heating branches three years ago, and have successfully integrated them into the Beggs and Partners network,” adds Nicola; ‘’these 5 GB depots provide an excellent foothold in the lucrative greater London area, allowing us to service our increasing client base, particularly for our commercial sanitary ware and commercial/mechanical heating divisions.” REFRESH AND UPDATE Beggs and Partners are well known for the quality of their showrooms and refurbishments are a constant feature of operations. “There is a constant cycle of refurbishment and updates throughout our branches,” says Nicola. “Pinterest and other social media

platforms have heightened customers’ design expectations. We know how important it is to provide products that will match their expectations so we are constantly refreshing our showroom displays in-line with the latest trends.” So, what’s next for the pioneering bathroom, plumbing and heating firm? According to Nicola, “Beggs and Partners plan to increase our focus on GB; continue to forge strong supply chain partnerships and build on our solid foundations of excellent service, value and quality for our customers.’’ “We know we have the right mix of product, people and service to meet a growing market.”

Springtown Industrial Estate, 4 Springtown Drive, Derry City, BT48 0LY T: +44 (0)28 7122 5725 www.beggsandpartners.com

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BEGGS AND PARTNERS ASSOCIATES

AVAILABLE FROM

taps | showering | accessories where inspiration flows

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18 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE

BEGGS AND PARTNERS DERRY CITY

Gavin Harkin, Branch Manager.

FULL MERCHANT SUPPORT FOR THE DOMESTIC AND MECHANICAL PLUMBER... Everything under one roof

B eggs and Partners’ newly opened Derry City branch is thriving, offering everything a domestic plumber might need while also catering for more commercial and mechanical requirements. Branch Manager, Gavin Harkin says, “Our aim is to accommodate commercial plumbers as well as fully serving the domestic side of the business. For example, we’re stocking up to 2” galvanised steel, copper and iron clamp fittings off the shelf – there’s only one other outlet in the City offering that.” Serving a customer base that stretches from County Donegal, to Omagh, Strabane and Limavady, Beggs and Partners’ new branch has been busy since its soft opening on April 12. “Despite having a low-key opening to allow us all to get up to speed with all the operating systems and processes we’ve been incredibly busy. It’s been like trying to hold back the tide at times! We started with four staff, including myself, but

after just four weeks trading we already need to recruit a new van driver. We’re definitely on the right track here.”

Paul Duddy checking stock levels.

PEOPLE POWER The branch’s prime location at

working really well,” says Gavin. The free coffee vending machine is also proving to be a hit, he says. “The lads visit in the morning to pick up their items and stay for a quick coffee and a chat, which is great craic.” His message to the local trade who haven’t yet passed through the doors is. “If you’ve not been in before now, come in and talk to us; you will be well looked after.” Looking to the future, Gavin has this to say, “There is plenty of work in the City and surrounding area, and we are here to support our customers and back them up as much as we possibly can.”

Springtown Industrial Estate and the reputation of the Beggs and Partners name are key drivers for this immediate success, but Gavin also recognises the huge impact his staff has made on customer service and sales. “People buy from people, and it has been noted how knowledgeable, accommodating and friendly our trade counter, salesroom and delivery staff are. Between us all we have over 60 years’ experience in the plumbing, heating and bathroom industry – and it shows.” The attractive trade counter carries the huge range of stock that Beggs and Partners are renowned for, including its own Instinct brand range. The 15-bay showroom is incorporated into the trade counter. “It’s all under one roof, which is

“There is plenty of work in the City and surrounding area, and we are here to support our customers and back them up as much as we possibly can.”

Springtown Industrial Estate, 4 Springtown Drive, Derry City, BT48 0LY T: +44 (0)28 7122 5725 www.beggsandpartners.com

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BEGGS AND PARTNERS ASSOCIATES

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BEGGS AND PARTNERS DERRY CITY

Rosie McEntee, Showroom Design Consultant.

Showroom displays from leading bathroom brands.

HIGH TECH AND HIGH DESIGN ON DISPLAY AT BEGGS AND PARTNERS’ DERRY CITY BATHROOM SHOWROOM... Style and substance

T he 15-bay showroom is integrated within Beggs and Partners’ new Derry City branch, and has been designed to offer customers a complete showroom experience. Rosie McEntee is in charge of the showroom and with three years’ experience in the industry she is best placed to provide a knowledgeable and personable service. Her passion lies in helping homeowners make their dream bathroom ideas a reality. “Often customers arrive in the store with Pinterest images of how they want their new bathroom to look like,” says Rosie. “A lot of the bathroom furniture illustrated in the likes of Pinterest is bespoke, which is impossible to source, but I really enjoy searching through our suppliers to see if we can find something similar. I get so much satisfaction from going that extra mile to ensure their vision comes to life. “I always put myself in their shoes. If I had an idea of what I wanted my bathroom to look like, I wouldn’t want to scrap it simply because the showroom staff couldn’t be bothered to search for similar products. This is the side of the business that I enjoy the most!” The showroom displays are from leading bathroom brands such as Heritage, Roper Rhodes, Geberit and Dansani as well as

their own brand Instinct. “The Heritage range of traditional style bathroom furniture has been a real hit so far,” says Rosie. “We’re planning on expanding our tile offering in the near future, bringing in more suppliers to add to our current displays; however shower-boards from suppliers like Multipanel and Fibo remain a firm customer favourite as they are easy to install and low maintenance.” ON TREND ‘’Black is the most sought after colour for taps, waste and shower profiles’’, says Rosie. “There is a trend to match taps, waste and profiles – with no chrome in sight. People are starting to treat their bathroom like their kitchen and living room. They’re putting a lot of design and thought into it and love the fact that they can incorporate storage. It’s not just about a white bath, sink and toilet anymore. Coloured baths are also in demand with customers wanting to include statement pieces.’’ With Beggs and Partners’ 3D design tool, Virtual World, at her disposal, Rosie can help customers visualise their new bathroom. “From the large wall-mounted TV screen, they can see what I am

designing for them on my own monitor. This is particularly helpful on the bigger projects and new builds. Not everyone can imagine what something is going to look like.” Rosie also carries out site visits for new builds. “I like to have a walk around with the customer to get a feel for the space and I’ll bring along samples for them to see in situ. It’s even harder to imagine what a design will look like in a bare new-build, so I will take photos so we can compare before and after images.” Like the trade counter, business has been brisk in the showroom. “I am really delighted with how well received the showroom has been and already I have some large scale new-builds and beautiful renovation projects on-going” says Rosie. “It’s great to see such a positive response to the new branch opening.”

Springtown Industrial Estate, 4 Springtown Drive, Derry City, BT48 0LY T: +44 (0)28 7122 5725 www.beggsandpartners.com

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BOILERS

Andy Callaghan, Field Service Engineer ROI.

L-R Ronnie McCormick, Gareth Dines, Field Service Engineers NI and Stephen Thornhill, Senior Field Service Engineer.

Mike Stewart , Renewables and Commercial Engineer ROI and NI.

WORCESTER-BOSCH’S EMERGENCY PROTOCOL KEEPS ENGINEERS, INSTALLERS AND HOMEOWNERS 100% COVID-SAFE…

Safety first and foremost extension window by Worcester-Bosch without damaging the warranty, allowing engineers to concentrate on attending emergency call-outs. W orcester-Bosch, a leading manufacturer of high efficiency gas condensing boilers, made

Ronnie McCormick and Gareth Dines are responsible for all gas, oil and LPG warranty and Andy Callaghan covers ROI. “Our line managers have also been really supportive throughout. If we need any help, or extra PPE, there’s been no issue. The company has tried to ensure we have a really safe work environment to go into, and that the customer feels safe too.” Andy Callaghan agrees. “I’ve been on my toes since the start of Covid, very busy. The great thing about Bosch is that their call centre makes sure we’re not walking into a house that has covid. They ensure the customers know how to let us just get on with the job, without interaction; although there’s always the one or two who likes to offer a cup of tea, which we have to reject of course.” Ray concludes, “As Northern Ireland and Ireland gradually move out of the pandemic, Worcester-Bosch engineers will continue to deliver the excellent service delivered throughout the covid-19 restrictions. “Obviously, we’ll proceed with caution and keep the good health and safety measures in place until we are completely out of this situation.” For information contact, Ray McClay on T: +44 (0)7767 432 567 or John Savage on +44 (0)7790 489573 or visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

the health and safety of their engineers the utmost priority during the pandemic. Ray McClay, Regional Sales Manager for Worcester-Bosch explains, “Our covid-19 working protocol was very much in line with government guidelines. While our sales team had to work from home, our engineers being essential workers had to go out into the field. Ensuring their safety was paramount. “PPE, sprays etc are continuously supplied to all our engineers, and when a customer books a call out our call centre checks if anyone in the house has covid-19, or been in touch with anyone who is self-isolating. Providing the house is covid-free the warranty call is then booked. The customer is then advised that when the engineer arrives they open the door and go directly to a room away from where the boiler is to let the engineers do their work. “We’ve been committed to protecting our engineers, consumers and installers from the impact of covid. Thankfully, in Ireland, none of our team contacted covid and the engineers kept up all their daily calls.”

“We have a fantastic team of engineers on the ground who are all willing to go far and above the realms of their contract,” says Ray. “It’s not unknown that engineers take on emergency calls that come in after their working day ends, particularly if that call is from a vulnerable person.” As well as their normal warranty work, the Worcester-Bosch engineers often take calls from installers requesting technical advice. “Many of our installers prefer to talk to our engineers directly, even though we have a very good technical service at Head Office, which is open six days a week. Our guys are happy to talk them through scenarios. They really are very good.” ON THE GROUND Senior Engineer, Stephen Thornhill is based in Northern Ireland and is full of praise for the company support given to his team. “Worcester-Bosch has been fantastic; they’ve really stepped up to the mark,” he says. “We’ve got a really good team here - Mike Stewart looks after renewables and commercial for the whole of Ireland as well the domestic side when we get busy; in Northern Ireland,

Boilers due a service during the pandemic were given a six-month

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BOILERS

BAXI CONTINUES TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY AND CLEVER PRODUCT CHOICES… Baxi boiler ranges achieve certification for usewith 20%hydrogen

B axi has achieved certification to run on a 20% hydrogen blend. The examination certificate issued by an independent notified body states: The boilers are qualified for the addition of up to 20vol.-% hydrogen to natural gas (G20) as burning gas. Until the gas network and domestic boilers are ready to be converted to 100% hydrogen, a blend of 20% hydrogen into the natural gas mix we use today would substantially reduce carbon emissions. In fact, using a blend of natural gas and 20% hydrogen across the UK could save for the Baxi 600, Baxi 800 and Baxi Assure ranges of gas boilers six million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, equivalent to taking 2.5 million combustion engine cars off the road! Nick Wilson, Commercial and Marketing Director at Baxi Heating, said, “The independent certification of our boilers means peace of mind for specifiers and installers. With proposals to supply a blend of natural gas with 20% hydrogen to more and more properties in coming years, we hope to make it easier for them to make their boiler purchasing decisions. “It has long been recognised that decarbonising our domestic heating and hot water is critical to achieving the government’s legally binding net zero target. And at Baxi Heating, we believe our multi-stranded approach will offer solutions to fit all of our customer’s needs. This includes heat pumps for well insulated or newbuild properties together with heat networks for multioccupancy buildings and dense city centre housing.” Nearly 85% of existing homes rely today on natural gas for heating and hot water, and the UK gas network is among the very best in the world, so it makes sense to convert it to carry a low carbon alternative. There are many reasons why hydrogen boilers would be a suitable option, not least that they look and work like the gas boilers most householders already have and are directly compatible with their current central heating systems.

“Using a blend of natural gas and 20% hydrogen

across the UK could save six million tonnes

of carbon dioxide a year.”

Baxi 600, Baxi 800 and Baxi Assure ranges of gas boilers have been certified to run on a 20% hydrogen blend.

Baxi has been involved with the HyDeploy project at Keele, in which existing gas boilers have been running on a blend that includes up to 20% of hydrogen by volume for over a year. The extensive field trials will pave the way to larger scale deployment. In fact, the next phases for the HyDeploy project are expected to deliver a blended gas to over 2m properties in the North East and North West. Baxi Heating is committed to making its customers’ lives easier and to support them through the energy transition by offering clever product choices. As well as developing hydrogen boilers,

Baxi also offers a range of air source heat pumps, electric boilers and heat network products.

Your Baxi representative for NI is Sharon English: T: 07966 585 902 ROI Enquiries: +353 (0)1 459 0870 E: sharon.english@baxi.co.uk

Keep up to date with the latest Baxi news on Twitter or Instagram@Baxiboilers or on Facebook @BaxiUK or visit the website at www.baxi.co.uk

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Branch Network

Antrim Springfarm Ind Estate Antrim BT41 4NT 028 9448 1352

Belfast Boucher 4 Balmoral Road Belfast BT12 6QA 028 9055 1380

Coleraine 5 Loguestown Ind Estate Coleraine BT52 2NS 028 7034 4422 Cookstown Sandholes Road Cookstown BT80 9AR 028 8676 2211

Eglinton 15 Killylane Road L’Derry BT47 3DW 028 7181 3976

Bangor 70 Balloo Road Bangor BT19 7PG 028 9127 8939

Belfast Duncrue 42-44 Duncrue Crescent

Belfast BT3 9BW 028 9037 3650

BOILERS

IDEAL HEATING’S BOILERS – AVAILABLE FROM MACBLAIR PLUMBING – THE MARKET LEADERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND... More than a century of Ideal Heating solutions

I deal Heating was established in 1906, with the founding principles of quality, innovation and value – and has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing pioneering heating technology ever since. Over the last century, Ideal has played an important role in introducing affordable and reliable heating solutions into homes across the UK and Ireland. The launch of the Logic range in 2009 was a landmark moment for the business. Its arrival allowed Ideal to offer its most efficient boiler to date – with more than 90% of the heat released from burning fuel being recycled back into the system. A mainstay of the Ideal range, Logic boilers are known and loved by installers and homeowners alike for their simplicity, ease of install and use, as well as quality and reliability. The Logic Max also comes with a system filter to keep it working efficiently and effectively all year round, and has a 10-year warranty for extra peace of mind. What’s more, households can now also enjoy more flexibility and control over their home heating with Halo – Ideal’s stylish new range of compatible programmable room thermostats. The Halo Combi RF and Halo Combi Wi-Fi are compatible with Ideal Logic and Vogue combi boilers, and can be set up and running in minutes.

Logic-Combi.

Logic MAX Combi.

SMART TALK Inside the box is the Halo unit and the Smart Interface it communicates with, which slots into the aperture on the front of the boiler with no need for wiring. With a large colour screen and simple dial making the Halo easy and enjoyable to use, Halo allows households to control their heating to suit their lifestyle – delivering better comfort and energy efficiency. Up to six heating periods can be programmed throughout the day, and users can vary the schedule from one day to the next. The Halo Combi Wi-Fi model also features internet connectivity and app-controlled heating, enabling users to control their heating on-the-go, via their Google Home or Amazon Alexa smart home assistant, or simply by their whereabouts – using the Geolocation feature on the Halo app. Ideal Heating is a market leader in Northern Ireland, with one in every four new domestic boilers being installed

across the UK at present bearing the Ideal name. The same level of success can also be found in the world of commercial and industrial boilers, where the Ideal name is even more prevalent.

Ideal also continues to drive the industry forward in setting new

standards, challenging technological boundaries and constantly evolving to meet new regulatory targets. Most recently, this has seen the launch of Ideal’s Environmental Division, which oversees a programme of investment into research, product development and stakeholder engagement, to support the decarbonisation of the domestic heating sector.

Contact your local MacBlair Plumbing Merchant for more information about Ideal Heating’s market leading boiler solutions. Visit www.macblair.com

Halo programmable thermostat is compatible with Ideal Logic and Vogue combi boilers.

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