Heat loss calculations
A recent survey showed 50% of OFTEC registered technicians were not aware of the recent changes made in England to Approved Document Part L (ADL).
Delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions – an inspector’s viewpoint
Consistency of quality is key for the future of the heating industry if we are to meet our net zero ambitions, which will require a set of standards to ensure. Enter OFTEC’s inspection services manager, John Vinter, as he discusses how we can reach our goals while retaining essential standards.
Minimum non-domestic appliance efficiencies – England
The importance of identifying the correct appliance efficiencies
Solid fuel hearths – boundary issues
The purpose of a hearth is to provide a safe area around a combustion appliance to prevent the appliance setting fire to building fabric, furnishings and limit risk to persons in close proximity This area of a hearth’s surface separates and protects floor and room contents from radiated heat and falling embers. Regional building regulations guidance state that the edges of this surface should be visually apparent to provide a warning to the building occupants not to place combustible material on the hearth. This should also discourage combustible floor coverings from being installed too close to an appliance. In what ways can the edges be marked? The most common way to mark the boundary is a change of height, such as raised or lowered area of the hearth. However, this is not always practical. BS 8303 discusses the following alternative approaches: “As an alternative, the hearth and its boundary can be identified by using a different material or colour to the non-combustible flooring in the room where the appliance is located. In such a case the hearth is normally set into the floor or forms a part of a solid floor. This approach can be used for an appliance in a fireplace recess or free-standing. Alternatively, a fender, fireguard or non-combustible upstand securely fixed to the floor below by, for example, screws can be used to mark the boundary of the hearth”. OFTEC wishes to remind solid-fuel registered technicians that even in cases where the floor of a room is totally non-combustible (such as fully tiled), it will still be necessary to implement one of the methods of marking the edge of a safe zone above. Installing an appliance as shown in the picture above is not acceptable.
OFTEC launches heat pump training course and technology neutral vision
OFTEC has announced the launch of a heat pump course developed by industry experts, which will help installers equip themselves with futureproof skills.
Stream video to OFTEC’s technical team using ResponsEye
Wouldn’t it be easier to show OFTEC’s technical team what you’re seeing, rather than trying to explain it on the phone?
Interactive training
Cardiff-based YTIC offers monthly OFTEC Oil courses 101, 105e and 600a, as well as OFTEC Solid Fuel (D/S/W) every other month.
Building regulations: what the L changes in June?
What heating engineers need to know about important new changes to building regulations
Technical notices – red diesel reform updates
OFTEC technical notice addresses red diesel reform
OFTEC to offer heat pump assessments to installers
OFTEC is helping its installers to seize the opportunity offered by the growth in renewable heating technology.