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Green News
Ascertiva selected for Green Deal pilot
Set to launch in 2012, the Green Deal will incentivise householders and businesses to install energy efficient products by off – setting the cost through savings in energy bills.
To successfully deliver the Green Deal a network of approved Green Deal advisors and installers will be needed. UKAS is now working with a limited number of Certification Bodies including Ascertiva, to develop the requirements for advisors and installers.
“The Green Deal will be central to achieving the Government’s energy efficiency objectives. We believe that Ascertiva and NICEIC contractors will be key to delivering the Green Deal measures which will support this initiative” said Ascertiva CEO Emma McCarthy.
“As a leading certifier of professional tradespeople we believe there is a real opportunity for our contractors with the appropriate expertise to benefit from the Green Deal and also an opportunity for other tradespeople to become certified to undertake the Green Deal measures.
“Ascertiva’s acceptance on the UKAS pilot gives us the chance to help shape the proposals going forward and play a key role in achieving the Government’s challenging targets.
“We look forward to working with UKAS on the Green Deal pilot and leveraging our experience and knowledge of certification to make the Green Deal a success,” added Emma.
For more information about Green Deal go to the Department of Energy and Climate Control (DECC) website
For more information about the Ascertiva group log on to www. ascertiva.com
1st Amendment Courses
NICEIC offers e-learning option for first amendment
Contractors looking to get an early understanding of the first amendment to the 17th Edition wiring regulations can now learn online thanks to a new e-course offering from NICEIC.
The first amendment is published on July 1and will have significant consequences for everyone involved in the design, erection and verification of electrical wiring systems. The e-learning course will provide details of what to expect so users can go about their work confidently and in the knowledge that it will comply with future regulations.
The course has been produced through a partnership between NICEIC and Trades e-Academy, a division of Virtual College. This innovative style of course provision provides a flexible approach to skills development and reduces any potential loss of income as a result of time spent away from work.
The course, which can be taken at the learners own time and pace, costs £49.50 plus VAT and is available from July 1. Bookings are being taken now and the first 100 people to sign up will receive a 15% discount.
In addition to this NICEIC is also running a series of first amendment workshops. The one day workshops will cover all the expected changes and are being run at various venues across the country.
Those who book now will get a place on the workshop, a free DVD (safe isolation procedures) and a copy of the IET Wiring Regulations 17th edition BS7671:2008 incorporating amendment No1 2011 – all for £155. For more details visit www.niceicdirect.com and book your place now.
To book a place on the e-course visit www.niceic.com and click on Training. Or call NICEIC Training on 0870 013 0389 or email traininginfo@niceic.com
Part P news
Appeal to Government on Part P
NICEIC, the UK’s largest registration body for the electrical contracting industry is asking government to listen to its registered contractors over proposed changes to Part P of the Building Regulations.
Part P is currently under review by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), formerly known as the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) which launched the original legislation in 2005.
“NICEIC is lobbying for Part P to be amended sensibly, with focus particularly on maintaining confidence in the legislation, enforcing compliance by non-registered contractors and ensuring consistency in these troubled times,” explains Emma McCarthy, chief executive officer of NICEIC.
“Our great concern is that the electrical contracting industry will be left in 2013, as we believe was the case in 2005, with an imperfect regulation, with little enforcement support from Local Authorities and very little publicity from government.”
NICEIC has surveyed its customers to get their view on Part P and what they would like to see happen to the legislation.
“There is no doubt registered contractors quite rightly want to see Part P amended for the better, and naturally they have very little regard for DIY electrical work,” Emma continues. “I find it quite remarkable that this review was inspired by comments, many ill-informed from DIYers, on the government’s Your Freedom website. Electrical installation work is potentially dangerous and should be left to the acknowledged experts. The electrical contracting industry’s voice must be heard, otherwise there is a danger the industry will be left with a shell of a regulation and the householder not knowing where to turn for a safe job.
“The argument that Part P of the Building Regulations is “red tape” and a barrier to DIY electrical work in the home has formed the basis for this questionable review. That is fundamentally wrong and there is a danger this premise will compromise safety. Electrical contractors want confidence, consistency and compliance from legislation and that is what we will campaign for.”
The comprehensive survey was sent to NICEIC’s email database of registered contractors with 1500 completed surveys returned.
• 85% said retain Part P but amend and improve it
• 73% say public listing of their company for consumers is strongly valued or critically important (ie a business benefit)
• 49% of NICEIC contractors have seen an improvement in the standard of electrical work since Part P was brought in
• 95% said no to allowing DIY work without the need to notify
• 90% said that all installers carrying out electrical work under the Building Regulations should be required to register as Competent Persons
• 62% agree with Risk Based Assessments
• 93% want to see more frequent and significant action against non-compliance
• 73% want schemes to jointly fund consumer publicity
• 96% want DCLG to recognize the need for increased public awareness
The consultation for Part P will begin in October 2011 and NICEIC intend to share the results of its survey with civil servants, government and other stakeholders.
