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Hot TopicsNew Training FacilityNew Products at EcobuildApplying Technology Supplement –including BiomassCommunity ChallengeOakham School Project

B A X I C O M M E R C I A L D I V I S I O NSPRING 2013

Baxi Commercial Division, Wood Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9QPTel: 0845 070 1055 • Fax: 0845 070 1059 • Sales: 0845 070 1056 • Technical: 0845 070 1057 • Service: 0845 070 1058

COMMENT

2 HOTaction SPRING 2013

� The Government’s long-term vision of a thriving,low carbon economy requires fundamental

changes to be made to the way we generate and useenergy. The many complex issues involved, such asrenewables, nuclear energy, carbon capture andstorage, are keenly debated in the media and the message emerging is farfrom upbeat. Developing the new electricity generation technologiesrequired and rejuvenating existing methods will take time, be costly and willoften be resisted – and may provide an irregular supply. It is a relief, then, tofind some positive news in the pages of recent Government publications.

In the Annual Energy Statement 2012, laidbefore parliament last November, theSecretary of State for Energy and ClimateChange reported that oil and gas are set toremain a vital part of our energy system foryears to come. An earlier DECC consultation,following the publication of its ‘Future ofHeating’ strategy document, revealed thatsome 80% of industry heat load is reliant onthe gas grid. The conclusion was drawn thatthe gas grid should be maintained for thelonger term, to in effect be a safety net ‘shouldelectricity not be decarbonised in time (and)leave open the potential transition to hydrogennetworks.’ Far from being dismissed, the vitalrole of gas energy in ensuring continuity whilenew electricity generating technologies andprocesses are introduced is now understoodand appreciated.

SHORT-TERMIndeed, the DECC has recently followed theadvice of a panel of independent experts andenabled shale gas to become a new andvaluable addition to the UK’s indigenousenergy supplies. Shale gas has the potentialto reduce our reliance upon imported gassupplies and improve our fuel security,although it may not make the same impact inthe UK as it has made in the United States.The US Energy Information Administrationrecently reported that in 2010 shale gasaccounted for some 20% of indigenous gasproduction, a figure projected to increase toover 40% by 2035. Although shale gasproduction in the UK will be no match for thisvolume, DECC commissioned researchsuggests that known recoverable shale gassources could, on their own, meet gasconsumption demand for almost two years.This bright outlook for gas does not detract

from the importance of pressing ahead with

the application of Low to Zero Carbon (LZC)technology solutions, even though progresshas been slow despite the financialencouragement offered by FiT, RHI and theGreen Deal. The hesitant general integrationof LZC into the heating and hot watermainstream is bringing into focus action thatcan be taken to improve energy efficiencybefore LZC implementation. This is achievedby the application of water heaters and boilersbased on condensing technology, which willyield substantial energy and cost savings.Such actions will be mandatory for newinstallations under ErP and BuildingRegulations Part L2 requirements, whichwill make non-condensing equipmentunacceptable.

LONG-TERMThe underlying importance of the stabilisinginfluence of gas in the long journey towardsthe low carbon economy has always beenappreciated by forward looking, marketleading manufacturers. This foresight hasresulted in the current availability ofcondensing water heaters and boilers that notonly comply with regulations, but also enableexisting non-condensing equipment to bereplaced before any LZC decisions are made(read more on page 6). This allows commercialundertakings to enjoy the benefit of improvingthe energy efficiency of existing buildingheating and hot water systems, with reducedemissions and costs, without prejudicingadditional advantages arising from futureLZC integration.

Paul HardyManaging Director,Baxi Commercial Division

Gas – StillThe Governor C O N T E N T S

REGULARSComment Page 2

News Page 3

Where’s Watty Competitionand Winner Page 14

Knowledge Bank Page 15

PROJECTSCommunity Challenge Winnerand New Opportunity Page 10

Oakham School Page 11

FEATURESBehind the Scenes –Spotlight on Health and Safety Page 5

New Product Preview – ECOflo Page 6

New Biomass Boiler Page 6

Innovation Partnership Page 8

Applying Technology SupplementCentre Section

• Effective Biomass Application

• Legislation Update

Solar Thermal Page 9

Marketing Re-focus Page 12

Cover StoryOakham School, Rutland,where a Baxi-SenerTecUK Dachs mini-CHP unitand two new PottertonCommercial Paramountboilers are serving anewly built swimmingpool and sports hall.(Read more on Page 11)

Contact the Editorial Team Thank you for taking the time to read our latest news. We would very muchlike to hear your views on any industry topic so, if you have any thoughts orsuggestions, simply contact us at: hotaction@baxicommercialdivision.comYou can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

www.facebook.com/baxicommercialdivision

www.twitter.com/baxicommercial

Jeff HouseMarketing andApplicationsManager

CatherineJohnstoneMarketing andCommunicationsExecutive

HOTaction SPRING 2013 3

NEWS

TrainingHub

The new facility comprises a largepresentation area with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment. Thevenue lends itself to various seatingconfigurations, catering for up to 50theatre style or 35 conference style.The facility contains examples ofmany of our products, somedisplayed as cut-outs.This space will effectively provide

a permanent physical represen-tation of our ‘one-stop-shop’ offerwhich will allow our customers toget “hands on” with our products

and experience their quality.As well as using this space for

training purposes, workshops,CPD seminars and customerpresentations, we will hold ourlarger internal meetings, such assales conferences, here andthereby eliminate staff travel tooff-site venues, reducing ourcarbon footprint. Webex facilitieswill also be set up for internalGroup meetings, again savingtravel between the 8 UK sites,PMI Ireland and BDR Thermea

HQ in Apeldoorn.We will also be inviting customers

to use the conference facilities for,say, branch managers’ meetingsand already several industry bodieshave expressed interest in usingthis venue for regional meetings.So, if you have need of a meeting

space in the Birmingham area, just5 minutes from J5 on the M6 withample free parking on site, or tofind out more information on thetraining courses available, pleasecontact us at info@baxicommercialdivision.com forfurther details.

�We are putting the finishing touches to our impressivenew training facility that will complement the existing

Baxi Commercial Training Academy, allowing even greateropportunities for sharing industry knowledge.

Coming to yourTV screen soon...� Baxi Commercial

Division was recentlyapproached by theProduction Team for theBusiness Channel.tv witha view to participating in aprogramme, supported byCIBSE, featuring interviewswith manufacturers fromdifferent sectors of thebuilding services industry.Jeff House was invited, as Baxi

Commercial Division’s nominatedspeaker, to represent us as anexpert, talking about wider industryissues and making reference to ourproducts in terms of innovation andfuture developments.The interview is currently being

edited for incorporation into theprogramme, entitled ‘InnovativeEngineering and BuildingPerformance’. It is scheduled to airon the Sky Business Channelduring Q1 2013. Once the pro-gramme has aired, the full interviewcan be viewed online by visiting:www.thebusinesschannel.tv, orwww.baxicommercial.co.uk,Youtube, Facebook, etc.

“When the production facility thatpreviously occupied this part of thebuilding had moved out, we had92,947 sq ft of clean empty spacefor our new warehouse function.While the planning for logisticaloperations, stock layout, rackingdesign and transfer in of existingstock got under way, we looked atthe projected running costs to seewhere we could cut down on waste,make energy savings and minimiseour carbon footprint.“We started with the only item

already in place – the lighting which,as it had been installed for a differentuse, was neither suitable forwarehousing requirements norenergy efficient. Therefore, newPIR lighting units were installedthroughout the warehouse spacethat, in themselves, are 20% moreefficient than the previous lightingsystem. Each lighting unit is fittedwith a sensor that detectsmovement below and keeps thelight on. After a period of inactivity,the light dims to a minimum level fora pre-set period, before switching offcompletely. We anticipate this willmake a significant contributiontowards savings on energy andreducing the carbon footprint ofthe building.“Health and Safety goes hand in

hand with efficiency and is a prioritythroughout the building. The riskassessment is higher in thewarehouse environment due to thepotential proximity of people tomoving vehicles, both fork lift trucksoperating within the warehouse andlarge trucks manoeuvring into andout of the yard. Our Health andSafety Manager worked with thewarehouse teams who were keyin planning how these issues couldbe managed safely to eliminate,wherever possible, risk toemployees.“The high level of stock

movements in the warehouse areaalso required that policies andprocedures be put in place toreinforce safe working practices.

“The first task was to plan stockmanagement to keep movement toa minimum. Restricted access to thewarehouse limits the incidence ofpedestrians in the area who are nottrained in warehouse health andsafety measures. We have been ableto create defined pathways for thosewho do need to enter, well awayfrom separate designated routes forforklift traffic.“An enclosed walkway has been

erected to ensure vehicular traffic iskept separate from pedestriansgaining access to the additionaltraining facility that has been newlycreated adjacent to the warehouse.”Read more about our generalapproach to Health and Safety in the“Spotlight” item on Page 5.

Warehouse in the Making� The relocation of warehousing into the building already occupied by Baxi

Commercial Division at Erdington in Birmingham, presented us with a rareopportunity. From scratch, we designed and planned this logistically criticalspace and the operations within it, based on future business forecasts and with Health andSafety and waste reduction very much in mind. Paul Gussin, Supply Chain Manager, who hasoverall responsibility for the warehouse and project managed the move, takes up the story.

SPONSORED AWARDS

4 HOTaction SPRING 2013

� Baxi Commercial Division brands are sponsoring TheBuilding Services Consultancy of the Year category of

the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2013.Jeff House, Marketing and Applications Manager, pictured far right, was

invited to sit on the judging panel for four categories: Energy UsingProduct of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Client of the Year and PassiveProduct of the Year.Following tradition, the winners are announced and presented with

their accolades before an audience of their peers at a sparkling Awardsceremony, held this year on the 5th February at the prestigious GrosvenorHouse Hotel, in London.

This arrangement sprang from oursponsorship of the CIBSEGraduate of the Year Award which,in 2010, was won by a graduate ofCoventry University. At the Awardsceremony Paul Hardy met PrincipleLecturer and Course Adviser, KenParker, who explained the Faculty’scommitment to promoting building

services engineering among theengineering disciplines offered. Weare the only company from the areasupporting local Building Servicesand helping with CIBSEmembership for students.Paul says, “I see this sponsorship

as a further opportunity for us toforge links with educational

establishments at all levels. In thisinstance we are supporting localgrown talent and encouraging thepromotion of building servicesengineering as a worthwhile careerchoice that can influence thedevelopment of a more sustainable

built environment.”Wherever possible we continue

our relationship with graduates.Three of this year’s group arearranging for Jeff House to deliverCPD presentations at their placesof employment.

Learning Curve� For a considerable number of years, Baxi Commercial Division

has sponsored sixth form students who have successfully appliedfor financial assistance with their engineering and design studiesthrough the Arkwright Scholarships Trust scheme. Paul Hardy ispictured with Hannah Gibbs, the latest student to receive the Divisionsponsored Arkwright Scholarship Award at a ceremony hosted by theInstitution of Engineering and Technology at Savoy Place London.

The Arkwright EngineeringScholarships support youngpeople from across the UK whohave the potential to be industry’sfuture leaders in engineering anddesign. During their sixth-formstudies, Scholars receive £600 tosupport their technical coursesand have access to a range ofexciting opportunities to learnmore about engineering, such asmentoring and company visits.The school also receives £400 perScholar towards equipment.Scholars are selected following a

rigorous selection processcomprising a detailed applicationform, a two-hour aptitude exam

and an interview hosted at a topengineering university. The schemeis not elitist in the respect that anysecondary school can becomeaffiliated to enter students. Thisyear 1,103 applicants competedfor just 335 Scholarships. Hannahwas selected from nearly 100applications for this Scholarship,based on the flair and originalityshe demonstrated in solvingengineering design problems andin presenting her Design andTechnology GCSE project work toa panel of experts earlier this year.Hannah enters her sixth form

studies at Bishop Luffa CE Schoolin Chichester, West Sussex,

with 11 GCSEs– 5 at A Grade,3 at B Grade and2 at C grade –to her credit. Thesubjects she haschosen for herA level studies are Mathematics,Physics, Chemistry and ProductDesign with a view to reading eitherStructural or Civil Engineering atUniversity.Paul Hardy said, “Being able to

offer this sponsorship is particularlyrewarding because it gives us theopportunity to encourage careerinterest in engineering at such anearly stage and allows us, through

mentoring and work experience,to demonstrate what an importantpart building services engineeringhas to play within the engineeringdiscipline. We will be extending toHannah, later this year, theopportunity to spend time at ourbusiness unit in Birmingham fora short spell of work experience,which we hope will help to bringher studies to life.”

CIBSE Award Sponsors

Sponsoring Local Grown Talent� Continuing with the Baxi Commercial Division

Sponsorship Awards for outstanding studentsgraduating from the Building Services Engineering courseat Coventry University, Paul Hardy is pictured with the 2012winners as they receive their prizes. From a total £1,000sponsorship, each acknowledged winner was presented witha company cheque for £200 at the Annual Faculty AwardsCeremony on 22 November 2012.

Judges in conference

BEHIND THE SCENES

HOTaction SPRING 2013 5

Spotlight on

Health and Safety� Baxi Commercial Division enjoys a good health and safety record, having a robust policy in place and a high

commitment to ensuring that good practice is observed, which involves continuous engagement behind the sceneswith employees. Health and Safety Manager, Ben Wiltshire, discusses with the Editor how Health and Safety is becomingincreasingly important when interacting with both suppliers and customers when off-site as well as when in a familiarworking environment.

Editor What does your roleas Health and Safety Managerentail?BW My role includes implementingHealth and Safety policies andprocedures within the business tocomply with legislation and toensure it is a safe place to work.Making sure Health and Safetytraining is up to date and that theskills learned are put into practice.Working alongside teams within thebusiness to assess risk and puttinginto place suitable and practicalcontrol and preventative measures.A further vital element is to promotehazard awareness within theworkplace, monitoring anyaccidents and instigating correctiveactions.

Editor What specialistqualifications and experiencedo you bring to the role?BW Initially, as a productionengineer in another part of the BaxiGroup business, I carried out riskassessments and Safe Systemsof Work, completing the IOSHManaging Safely course. This firedmy interest in the subject so Ipursued my studies throughNEBOSH while taking on asupporting role to the Healthand Safety Manager, eventuallybecoming fully responsible forthe site’s health and safety inaddition to my engineering role.In 2011, I successfully applied tobecome Health and SafetyManager for both the Warwickand Erdington sites.

Editor How do you divideyour time across the sites?BW My responsibilities coverGroup offices, both Brooks Houseand Acorn House, and heateam atWarwick, and Baxi CommercialDivision offices and heateamCommercial Service. I normallyspend three days at one site andtwo at the other, althoughsometimes I am off-site withheateam engineers and I will bebuilding in more time with the

recently formed heateamCommercial Service. It has beennecessary to spend a slightly higherpercentage of time at the Erdingtonsite since Baxi Commercial Divisiontook over sole responsibility for thebuilding last Autumn. Health andSafety has played a key role duringthe subsequent refurbishing andrearranging of office space,creation of new meeting areas and,most importantly, around planningand stocking the new warehouse.

Editor Are there any Health andSafety initiatives that you areplanning or implementing for theCommercial business?BW Moving into a new and emptywarehouse space provided a blankcanvas allowing us the rareopportunity to put in place exactlywhat is needed, not only for bestpractice in terms of safety, but alsowith a view to energy savingmeasures and minimising waste.The business is moving towardsstandardising Health and Safetyprocedures where applicable onall sites which has requiredintroducing a team approach toHealth and Safety improvementinitiatives. We have also askedcolleagues for their opinions onhow working practices and theworking environment could beenhanced. Already introduced andcurrently being driven forward isthe Good Spot scheme of hazardawareness, combined with a pro-active approach to accidentprevention. This promotescontinuous awareness of hazardsand encourages supportiveinteraction among colleagues toobserve safety procedures.

Editor How do you get people‘on board’ with this approach?BW Training is paramount. Part ofthe Health and Safety Act is thatyou ensure you don’t harm anyoneand that includes yourself. I makesure that all health and safetytraining is right up to date and thateveryone understands its

relevance. There is always arequirement for one-to-oneinductions and refreshers on safeprocedures but, wherever possible,I train in groups. I believe this helpsindividuals understand that lookingout for the safety of others andmentioning lapses when seen, isa helpful and positive action to bewelcomed and encouraged. I havejust completed a “train the trainer”course in manual handling so thatI can conduct this training myself.This would usually be in groups ofup to 10 and I am looking at thefeasibility of expanding this facilityacross Health and Safety generally.

Editor How does your rolesupport the latest GroupCorporate Social Responsibilitydrive?BW For some time now we haveseen a growing requirement by ourcustomers, particularly in the publicsector, to include within tenders astatement of the company’s Healthand Safety and environmentalpolicies. Part of my job is to collateand provide statistics for this and itis helpful that Baxi CommercialDivision has a good health andsafety record. I am also involvedfrom both perspectives in theproject that is working towardsqualifying for ISO1401. And, ofcourse, Baxi Commercial Division

must ensure that wherever ouremployees work, especially on thesites of other organisations, wemust not only look after their safetyand wellbeing, but also that ofcustomers’ and contractors’personnel.

Editor How is your work able toinform environmental issues?BW In addition to planning andbeing instrumental in implementingenergy saving and waste reductionmeasures, I have set up anenvironmental ‘dashboard’ whichrecords our utility consumption andwaste and shows the conversionof energy consumption to a carbonfootprint. We are aiming for year-on-year improvement, with thetarget of zero waste to landfill. Theresults are published monthly andconfirm we have made goodprogress in this direction. However,while sharing the Erdington sitewith another company, the figureswere combined and includedabnormal waste resulting from theirmove out of the premises. Newlighting recently installed in thewarehouse will make a significantsaving to electricity consumptionand therefore to our carbonfootprint. We are now looking tomaking further reductions in theuse of water, gas and electricity.

ClarificationIn the Autumn 2012 issue of HOTaction it was stated thatBradford White Corporation had ceased supply of parts to

Lochinvar UK. We have been informed that this is not the case.

NEW PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

6 HOTaction SPRING 2013

Exhibiting at Ecobuild 2013

One of the greatest advantagesof this technology being offeredby Baxi Commercial Division isthat our ‘one-stop-shop’ facilityextends beyond advice on systemsizing and optimum integrationwith any associated energyefficient heating plant. As well asboiler design and installation, wecan advise on fuel storage require-ments, fuel delivery suppliers andash collection services in additionto maintenance schedules. And, ofcourse, there is the option to takeout a service contract withheateam Commercial Service notonly for the BBS, but also for the

rest of the heating plant if desired.The new Potterton Commercial

BBS is constructed from highgrade steel and the build qualityis that expected of Germanengineering. Also included arefully integrated controls that allowremote access and monitoringof the system via a web basedportal. This boiler system can beconfigured for both wood pelletand also wood chip fuels,depending on the site application.To ensure optimum performanceand efficiency the correct fuel mustbe used. Carbon emissions areminimised by the integral five-pass

Andy Green, Technical Manager, talks us through the featuresand benefits of the new products that will be launched orpreviewed at Ecobuild 2013.

The New ECOfloRange Extension� In preparation for the full

introduction of Lot 2 of the ErPDirective, prescribing minimumefficiency and NOx emissions levelsfor water heaters and storage tankswith up to 400kW input or 2,000 litrescapacity, Andrews Water Heaters ispreviewing an important extensionto the ECOflo range.This will ensure that a suitable high efficiency

condensing product will be available fromAndrews Water Heaters, in all sizes and inputranges, to meet any specification complyingwith the new Directive, as well as the revision toPart L2 of the Building Regulations that are alsocoming into force this year.Due to be launched in Q4 this year, the new models will be intrinsically

similar to their larger counterparts in that the internal design is comparable,though there are some small aesthetic differences. Four new models willoffer the following additional capacities and outputs at the lower end of therange: 150 litre/23.3kW, 190 litre/23.5kW, 245 litre/42.8kW and 285litre/43.2kW achieving a gross efficiency of up to 96%. These new modelswill effectively replace the existing non-condensing Standard Range ofAndrews Water Heaters, including the CSC and RSC, thereby providingalternative high efficiency condensing units in all output requirements.

New BBS Biomass Boiler� The addition of biomass technology to the Potterton

Commercial product portfolio is a significant step inextending its range of LZC options available to heatingsystem designers. Specifiers also can benefit from theavailability of this technology from our ‘one-stop-shop’,particularly with regard to compliance with local authorityplanning requirements to include a percentage of renewableenergy technologies. In addition, utilisation of this type ofplant can assist building owners and managers to observeincreasingly stringent accountability measures for abuilding’s use of energy and its carbon footprint.

“Making its debut appearance is the new PottertonCommercial Biomass Boiler System (BBS), a totally newtechnology being incorporated into the portfolio of LZCsolutions offered by the Baxi Commercial Division“One-Stop-Shop”.

“AndrewsWater Heaters is previewing the extendedECOflo range of condensing direct-fired storage waterheaters that will broaden the existing range of ECOflowater heaters in readiness for the introduction of theEnergy Related Products (ErP) Directive.”

This is the platform from which wewill launch the new BBS biomassboiler and, given its physical size,instead of an actual boiler beingexhibited there will be arepresentation of this productwithin a scale model plant room.A preview of the new range ofAndrews ECOflo condensing directfired storage water heaters will be

represented by the additional sizeunits that are extending the optionsin system design. This is also anopportunity to see the innovativePotterton Commercial iHEcondensing combination boiler,designed specifically forcommercial applications, which hasbeen much in demand sincemaking its debut at Ecobuild 2012.

There will also be a demonstrationof our industry-first library of BIMcontent for all our condensing andLZC products.Much of the display area will

reflect the theme of Ecobuild andfocus on LZC Carbon Technology.Exhibits will include an impressiveexample of an Andrews SOLARflosolar thermal package solution, thePotterton Commercial A-CubedGas Absorption Heat Pump andthe Baxi-SenerTec UK mini-CHPDachs unit. Popular for integratedsolutions, condensing gas-fired

products from PottertonCommercial and Andrews WaterHeaters will include the awardwinning MAXXflo stainless steelstorage water heater and theFASTflo constant flow range.The stand has been designed to

offer more space for customersand specifiers to talk to our salesand technical teams about thenumerous options available to themvia the Baxi Commercial DivisionOne-Stop-Shop. In particular, thiscould be with regard to integratedsolutions and the advantages of

� You can see our new products and much more onour Stand No. N2740 at Ecobuild 2013 from Tuesday

5th to Thursday 7th March at the Excel Centre, London.We look forward to welcoming you!

HOTaction SPRING 2013 7

Biomass – What’sin a Name?� Biomass is biological material derivedfrom plants, from which biomass fuel isprocessed. While growing, plants absorband retain carbon from the atmosphere andwhen biomass fuel is burnt, the retainedcarbon is released back into theenvironment.

� The biomass fuel cycle of growing andburning is carbon neutral. This does notapply to fossil fuels, as burning themreleases carbon absorbed from theatmosphere millions of years ago, thusadding to the volume of carbon in today’senvironment.

� Biomass is a key part of the UK long-termstrategy to increase the use of renewableenergy sources, necessary to achievemandatory carbon emission reductions.This has been a continuing theme in variousGovernment strategies, such as the Carbon

Plan, the Microgeneration Strategyand the Future of Heating.

� The RHI (Renewable HeatIncentive), introduced in 2011,

provides tariff payments for 20 years foreligible installations based on approvedtechnologies, with biomass boilersspecifically included. Currently onlyapplying to the non-domestic sector,the vast majority of successful RHIapplications use biomass fuel.

� The Government’s ongoing commitmentto the extended application of biomasstechnology is being supported by thedevelopment of biomass boilers. Therecently introduced Biomass Boiler SystemBBS from Potterton Commercial, compliantwith all relevant performance standards,positions Baxi Commercial Division as aleading player in the market.

utilising our BIM library in system designand our heateam Commercial Serviceoptions. Our informative literature andguides on products, solutions andlegislation will be available.You can find out more information to

help you plan your visit to Ecobuild 2013by visiting www.ecobuild.co.uk

smoke recovery system. Distinctivefeatures include a vertical flue pipe, watercooled firebox and up to 2000kW output.The optimised combustion chamber design

allows boiler efficiency at nominal output of 87%and the heat output of individual boiler systemsis quickly adjustable pursuant to Europeanstandard DIN4751 part 2, with a turn down ratioof 3.33:1. Front furnace construction and anautomated grated system make for ease ofoperation. Vertical boiler pipes reduce theamount of cleaning required through normalmaintenance.The further benefit of flexible application

derives from a small overall footprint, comparedto other biomass boiler systems, and the abilityto tailor a boiler programme to meet specificinstallation requirements. Remote monitoring ofthe system, via an Ethernet connection to theboiler plant, is a further option.

The Potterton Commercial BBS hasa one year warranty on the overall boiler witha complete service/maintenance history, witha five year warranty on the combustionchamber and a two year warranty on othercomponents such as controls, drives, augersand moving grates.We can also offer a BBS packaged solution

which includes the biomass boiler, fuel store,controls and associated pipework and headerkits, all in a containerised plant room forinstallation inside a building or external siting.This bespoke design and production service willmeet specific plant room criteria. The containercan fit in with aesthetic or environmentalrequirements and, if required, gas boilers, waterheaters or any other Baxi Commercial Divisionsolutions can be integrated into the plant room.

8 HOTaction SPRING 2013

PARTNERING

Set up in 1991 to design andproduce appliances for thedomestic market, Malvern Boilersis still a small privately ownedcompany whose speciality is niche,low volume manufacturing. Theytook a big step into the commercialmarket in 1997 by partneringPotterton Commercial tomanufacture a range of commercialboilers, which led to an introductionto Andrews Water Heaters in 2005and the subsequent manufacturingof the Queen’s Award winningMAXXflo range.According to Managing Director

Nick Perry, their successfulrelationship is based on trust,respect and innovation. Nick says:“A great deal goes into new productdevelopment and it is imperative tohave mutual trust and respect.Understanding how to make aproject work is paramount andtogether we focus on challengesand finding the right solution.”

ATTENTION TO DETAILThis approach is the strength ofthe partnership explains Paul Hardy,Managing Director of BaxiCommercial Division. “MalvernBoilers understand the way themarket is going and the challengeswhich we face in meetingGovernment targets. They have the

ability to react quickly to changesand develop new products,enabling us to swiftly meet theneeds of our customers.“But of equal importance is the

fact that we share the samebusiness culture and have amutual respect for the part eachcompany plays.”Although shared culture and

mutual respect are important, thekey role that trust plays in thepartnership became very apparentwith the introduction of the iHE highefficiency condensing stainless steelcombination boiler in March 2012.Nick says: “We were surprised by

the use of large domestic boilers insmall commercial applications as alow cost solution. Whilst this was

perfectly sensible, we saw that,because installers understand theconcept of combi boilers, there wasroom for a dedicated solution thatmet the needs of the smallcommercial sector, but also satisfiedinstaller demands. From this the iHEwas born and following an extensiveperiod of customer and marketresearch by Baxi CommercialDivision, we were able to startproduction of the first combicommercial boiler on the market.“Developing new products is one

of our key strengths and by puttingthis together with Baxi CommercialDivision marketing expertise we canoffer something which is far greaterthan the sum of the two parts.”

SEIZE THE MOMENTThe development of the iHE provesthat flexibility is key to success. Paulsays: “For me success is all aboutseizing the moment. In the iHEdevelopment process we respon-ded to feedback and focussedfirmly on making the job of theinstaller easier, with Nick’s teammaking the necessary changes.“It is this flexibility which enables

us to be the first to market with newand innovative products. BaxiCommercial Division has a longhistory of expertise in packagedsolutions, they are tried and testedand we know they work and thatthey are what the installer wants.By matching this experience withMalvern Boilers innovation we

provided the iHE solution, whichthe market needs and wants.”

GOING FORWARDMalvern Boilers focuses on thecreation of new technology anddeveloping products for the future,while Baxi Commercial Divisionfocuses on getting this innovativetechnology to market. Together thetwo companies complement eachother excellently.They share a commitment to

innovation and technology and I amsure we can expect to see furtherexciting developments. However,Paul and Nick are remaining verytight lipped about what might be inthe pipeline.

To read the full article see theDecember issue of BSEE publishedon their website, www.bsee.co.uk.

� Flexibility and the need to react quickly to change arenot the only elements of any successful relationship as

I discovered when I visited Malvern Boilers.

Innovation Partnership(Abridged article by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe, Editor of Building Services and Environmental Engineer)

Given the UK Government’s policy mix of carbonreduction, penalties such as the CRC EnergyEfficiency Scheme and fiscal incentive from theRHI, Biomass boilers are an attractive proposition.As with all LZC technologies, considered applicationis essential to achieving an efficient installation thatmeets expectations.

Not only is there wide variation in biomass boiler designbut there is also a range of different biomass fuel typeswhich can be used to derive useful heat. The vast majorityof applications under the commercial phase of theRenewable Heat Incentive are ‘solid biomass’, typicallywood pellet or wood chip fed units. This article dealsexclusively with ‘mid size’ automatically fed chip andpellet systems for commercial applications.Equally suited to new build and retrofit schemes,commercial biomass boilers can be integrated into existingsystems, with correct hydraulic design, and are bestemployed as part of a bivalent system. In comparisonto a fossil fuelled boiler there are, however, significanttechnical differences, from design through to operationand maintenance, which must be understood andaccommodated.

FUEL QUALITY & STORAGEPerhaps the most important factors to consider whenappraising a biomass installation are sourcing a fuelsupply of an appropriately high standard and provision forits storage on site. Pellet/chip size, moisture content,calorific value and constituents all have a bearing onboiler operation. Procuring fuel produced in accordancewith existing quality standards such as DIN51731 andAustrian standard G30, covering wood pellets and chipsrespectively, will help ensure effective boiler operation.Low moisture content is key to effective combustion,pellet fuel produced in accordance with quality standards

is typically lower than 10% moisture content with woodchip around the 30% mark, so boiler manufacturers willnormally specify a moisture tolerance range which mustbe adhered to. Too high a moisture content can lead toincomplete combustion, release of black smoke and tarswhich can coat internal heat exchanger surfaces and causedamage to fuel delivery systems.There are a wide variety of fuel storage options, frompurpose built rooms, through pre-fabricated silos tocontainerised stores; with automated feed systemstypically comprising an auger or pneumatic arrangement.Physical size, maintenance requirements and access forfuel delivery trucks all require consideration.Handling and storage of fuel can also present safetyissues which must be addressed. For example, wood chipswith high moisture content may degrade and decomposein storage, losing calorific value. In certain conditions,there can be a growth of fungal spores which, if inhaled,can cause an incurable condition called ‘farmers lung’.When wood pellets are blown into a store upon deliverya proportion of ‘break up’ can happen leading to asuspension of dust in the air which can pose an explosionrisk. Furthermore, in the case of pellets, it has recentlybeen reported that stored fuel can outgas CarbonMonoxide, therefore making a robust safety procedureessential when working on or inspecting enclosed fuelstorage areas, including provision for ventilation andsupervision. Established guidance such as The ConfinedSpaces Regulations 1997 and the Dangerous Substancesand Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)provide further information on control of such risks.

SYSTEM HYDRAULICS AND BUFFERINGBiomass boilers are typically less responsive than moderncondensing boilers, with less effective modulation andlower turn down ratios. For this reason it is recommendedthat the biomass boiler is sized to cover the base heat load

This article forms part of a series by Jeff House, Baxi Commercial Division Marketing

andApplications Manager.As well as having overall responsibility for the marketing

function, and for leading activities regarding all relevant legislation relating to products

and the built environment, Jeff provides technical guidance and applications support

for large projects with key end user clients. Jeff is a full member of CIBSE (the

Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers), also representing Baxi Commercial

Division and ICOM Energy Association within industry and CIBSE working groups.

Applying TechnologyA HOTaction SPECIAL PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT

Effective BiomassApplication

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A Baxi Commercial Division Special Supplement • www.baxicommercial.co.uk i

Applying Technology

ii A Baxi Commercial Division Special Supplement • www.baxicommercial.co.uk

of the building in question with condensing gas boilersmeeting peak load requirements. This enables the biomassboiler to run for longer periods without load cycling; thisis important as multiple boiler starts over a short timeperiod can result in incomplete combustion and a rise inpollutant emissions.Taking the above into account, a buffer vessel is essentialin most installations, firstly to allow longer run periodsand smooth out peaks in system demand, secondly whenthe boiler stops firing there can be a great deal of residualheat in the fuel bed and refractory lining which must bedissipated, usually by employing a pump overrun control.Sizing of the buffer store will vary by boiler design, fueltype and the system it is serving. Manufacturers’ advicewill be required but a ‘rule of thumb’ of up to 60 litrescapacity per kW output will suffice for initialdimensioning and space allocation.The diagram below shows a typical bivalent systemlayout with a buffer vessel, peak load boilers and a lowloss header.

With this arrangement it is common for the condensingboilers to operate with a return temperature around 50°Cto ensure optimum efficiency. Many biomass boilers willrequire a return temperature of between 60°C and 65°C,dependent upon fuel moisture content, to preventcorrosion of the heat exchange surfaces. Therefore a backend protection loop, comprising a three port control valveand shunt pump circuit, is a common arrangement therebybypassing the buffer vessel until the boiler loop is up to anacceptable temperature.Flow temperatures also require some consideration assome biomass boilers will operate with an outlettemperature of up to 95°C, again making a buffer vesselimportant. This arrangement allows the buffer targettemperature to be set independently of the main systemflow temperature with a mixing or injection circuitcontrolled by a three port valve. In cases where thebiomass boiler flow temperature exceeds the designtemperature of the system, the system operating pressureshould be appraised to ensure there is a sufficient marginto prevent flash steam formation.

RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVECommercial biomass boilers currently enjoy good supportlevels under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), withpayment levels up to 7.9 pence/kWh dependent uponboiler output and run hours. As with other technologiessupported by the scheme, eligible heat must be ‘useful’,supplying a space heating circuit, hot water production or,in certain circumstances, process heat. Heat meters,

compliant with ‘class 2’ requirements for the MeteringInstruments Directive, must be employed to derive heatdelivery data for claims. OFGEM publish guidance on therequirements for number and placement of such meterswhich will depend on the number of heat sources andcomplexity of the system. In the case of system designsincluding a back end protection loop it is essential thatthis is excluded from any metering, as the heat is notdeemed ‘useful’, typically a meter at the outlet of thebuffer vessel will suffice.To comply with RHI requirements, biomass combustionequipment must meet prescribed emissions and air qualitystandards. Further guidance is available within schemedocumentation and DEFRA maintain a list of Clean AirAct exempt biomass appliances which typically meet theserequirements.

MAINTENANCEFor the O&M phase of a project it is absolutely essential todefine a robust maintenance regime for biomass boilers. Ingeneral terms the biomass plant will have greatermaintenance requirements than a gas boiler which mustbe accommodated to ensure efficient operation, maintainclean flue gas emissions and prevent damage to internalcomponents. Dependent upon the design of the boiler andany ‘self clean’ functionality, it may be necessary tocomplete weekly tasks such as emptying ash bins orbrushing flue ways. Self cleaning units can reduce thisinterval and provide a degree of automation to themaintenance regime.

PACKAGED PLANT ROOMSA complete biomass solution includes fuel storage, fueldelivery system, buffer vessel, back up boilers, hydraulicintegration and controls, together with requirements formaintenance access and fuel delivery. Incorporating all ofthis into an internal plant room can prove problematic interms of space availability, especially in the case ofrefurbishment schemes.To this end, containerised plant rooms including allrequired system components, flues and externalconnection points are becoming commonplace. Thisapproach offers significant benefit in terms of siteassembly time and ensures all of the above design watchpoints have been considered and integrated.

(Ref: D.Palmer (2011). Biomass heating: a guide to medium scale wood chip andwood pellet systems. Biomass Energy Centre, Forest Research, Farnham)

Further Reading:

CIBSE Knowledge Series 10 : Biomass Heating

Palmer, D., Tubby, I., Hogan, G. and Rolls,W. (2011). Biomass heating: a guide to medium scalewood chip and wood pellet systems. Biomass Energy Centre, Forest Research, Farnham.

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Applying Technology

A Baxi Commercial Division Special Supplement • www.baxicommercial.co.uk iii

Blazing theTrailThe fanfares that accompanied the announcementof the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) some twoyears ago left no room for doubt. RHI has a keyrole in achieving the Government objective ofdramatically reducing UK carbon emissions by2050. Phased in to apply in both non-domesticand domestic sectors, with an investment of£860 million, the scheme is not a fringe option.

The number of industrial, commercial and public sectorbuildings with renewable heat installations is estimated togrow seven-fold by 2020. This would increase industrialrenewable heat installations to some 13,000, withcommercial and public sector installations increasing to110,000. An annual budget of some £70 million to supportindex-linked tariff payment, for 20 years, for each kWh of‘useful’ heat produced, would surely make RHI a glitteringattraction. Concerned that take-up would drive spendingover the fixed annual figure, the Governmentsubsequently clarified that, in this event, the schemewould be suspended in the short-term, with reduced tariffsapplied in the long-term to keep spending within the cap.Furthermore, any underspend in one budget period wouldnot be carried forward to the next.RHI came into effect in November 2011 and statisticspublished by OFGEM, the scheme administrator, show thattake up in the first ten months of operation falls belowinitial expectations. In that period, only 348 applicationswere accredited, attracting payments of £1.2 million. Itwas also shown that over 500 applications had beenreturned as incomplete or incorrectly completed.Considering that the average application involvesanswering at least 80 questions this may not be surprising.Further complexity is added by metering requirements.Systems comprising multiple heat sources are notuncommon, but as RHI only covers usable and useful heatgenerated specifically by the renewable technology, anyheat generated by an ineligible source must be excluded.Feedback has made quite clear that these difficulties needaddressing, but despite the best efforts of OFGEM, RHIaccreditation is far from trouble free. At a recent seminar,the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC),reported that the number of applications had risen to over

1,000, with over 500 accreditations. But this clearly impliesthat the number of returned applications remainsdisturbingly high.At the same seminar the DECC noted the effect that therecession is having on the solar thermal and ground sourceheat pump industries and commented that the idea oflaunching the RHI was to see a growth in these markets.Despite the growth, albeit modest, in the number ofapplications and accreditations, it is clear that the non-domestic sector is at the moment unable to fully gain theintended advantages expected when RHI was introduced.It is clear that there is more work to be done if take up isto be anywhere near the expected level, with Governmenthaving by far the greatest power to influence events. Butthat does not mean that other stakeholders are unable to

act, as the followingexample shows. One of thesurprising numbers in theOFGEM statistics was thatonly 3% of accreditedinstallations involve solarthermal technology. Inorder to meet RHI entryrequirements all ‘useful’renewable heat must bemetered by a dedicatedmeter that achieves“class 2” accuracy, as setout in the 2004 Measuring

Instruments Directive. Most solar thermal systems use amixture of glycol and water as a heat transfer medium inorder to provide frost protection. Obtaining a heat meterable to measure a glycol mixture and compliant with“class 2” accuracy requirements proved challenging whenRHI was introduced. This problem was addressed by theindustry and there are now a number of suppliers offeringmeters to the required standard, which enable access toRHI for more solar thermal installations.Baxi Commercial Division has LZC solutions at the heartof its offer, including solar thermal and ground sourceheat pumps and with the latest addition of biomassprovides all three technologies that have the highest RHIaccreditation rate.

5%GSHP

1%Biogas 90%

SolidBiomass

1%WSHP

3%SolarThermal

Proportion of accreditedinstallations by technologytype as of 30 September 2012

iv A Baxi Commercial Division Special Supplement • www.baxicommercial.co.uk

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Applying Technology

BuildingRegulations Part L2: 2013We are nearing publication of the 2013 versionof Building Regulations Approved Document L,a pivotal piece of legislation which deals with‘Conservation of Fuel & Power’. Last year’sconsultation on Part L contained a number ofinteresting proposals, although final content of theapproved documents remain to be seen.Parts L2A & B detail requirements for new and existingnon-domestic buildings respectively. Given the currentgovernment fixation with austerity,and limiting ‘cost to business’, it isexpected that requirements forexisting buildings will not see manychanges. New buildings, however, willbe faced with stricter carboncompliance targets.An overall TERreduction of some 20% versus 2010 isexpected. However, rather than a flatincrement, this will be on anaggregate basis with hard to treat

building types having lower compliance targets than moreheavily serviced types.It is expected that this tighter target will make theeffective integration of a larger proportion of LZCtechnology ‘de rigueur’ in new build schemes. Design watchpoints for LZC are regularly included in this magazine sowatch this space.As per previous iterations, the ‘Non-Domestic BuildingServices Compliance Guide’ will also be updated for 2013,

with some stricter minimumbackstop efficiency values for plantand equipment. For example, directfired water heaters in new buildingswill need to be of condensing design,with a rated efficiency equal to orgreater than 90% for natural gasappliances.Final publication of Part L2 is

expected shortly withimplementation in October.

Published in November 2011, with a corrigendumadded in January this year, BS 6644 coversinstallation and maintenance of gas fired hot waterboilers between 70kW and 1.8MW net input. Thislatest version supersedes the previous 2005 edition,together with the associated 2008 addendum,containing a number of changes which will affectsystem designers and installers alike.The main changes affect boilers with an output in excessof 300kW, the guidance for which has been aligned withBS EN 12828. Effectively the new requirements prescribethe installation of additional safety equipment for largerboilers to provide ‘belt and braces’ protection againstoverheating or overpressure situations. Upon first reading,some of the new requirements may appear somewhatexcessive. For example, the use of liquid separators andvapour discharge pipes on the outlet of sealed system

safety valves on boilers in excess of 300kW input.Thereare, however, alternative design approaches detailedwhich can negate the need for additional equipment.An increasingly popular option for larger boilerinstallations is the specification of pre-fabricated plantrooms or pre-assembled boiler skid systems. Both of thesewill ensure that due consideration is given to relevantstandards during design, and that a robust system isdelivered to site having the benefits of assured compliancetogether with time and cost saving. For more information,visit http://shop.bsigroup.com/BS6644

Revised BS 6644 (2011)

Ecodesign ofEnergyRelatedProducts (ErP)As we move into 2013, Lot 11 of ErP takes effect inthe heating circulator and fan markets, removinglower efficiency products from the supply chain.In comparison the long gestation of Lot 1 (space heating

appliances) and Lot 2 (hot water heaters) continueswithout any such progress.With a target implementationdate of 2015, latest draft technical documents are stillundergoing scrutiny with a number of issues coming tolight for commercial size appliances which, if implemen-ted, would have a detrimental effect on the marketplace.Discussions continue at Brussels with a further round ofamended documents allegedly being prepared for anadoption vote during Q1 2013.This is all well and good,but the target implementation date for such shows nosign of moving, therefore manufacturers will have a veryshort window in which to ensure compliance.There is agenuine will within the industry to ‘get it done’ which isbeing slowly eroded by continued dalliance.

GLAZED FLAT PLATE

Glazed flat plate collectors are the most familiardesign having been on the market for manyyears. This collector type is usually installed atan inclination between 20 and 45° to ensureoptimum performance. With this in mind theyare suited to installation on a pitched roof, orwith specific angled mounting frames for flat roofapplications. In this situation spacing of collectorrows should be considered to avoid inter-rowshading. As a guide, the ratio between storedwater volume and the area of the Glazed FlatPlate collector array should be 50 litres persquare meter.

DIRECT FLOW EVACUATED TUBE

Evacuated tube collectors employ vacuumsealed collector tubes which reduce thermallosses, thereby making them a most efficientmethod of generating solar hot water, even inwet and windy conditions. The solar transferfluid flows through each tube, hence direct flow.The collector comprises a number of tubesinserted into a manifold, allowing the rotation ofeach tube to meet the desired inclination. Thisflexibility and space efficiency enables thecollector to be layed flat on a flat roof or evenvertically on a building façade.

HEAT PIPE

Similar in appearance to direct flow evacuatedtubes, the heat pipe collector uses a dry pocketconnection and condenser bulb principle,enabling individual tubes to be replaced withoutdraining down the system offering lifetime repairand maintenance savings. Each pipe containsa small volume of evaporator fluid and, to allowthe heat pipe evaporation cycle to operate, thecollectors should be installed with a minimuminclination of 20°. In leading edge models, theheat pipes contain a device which, in the eventof low hot water demand and continuedcollector heat gain, prevents the condensedcontent of the pipe from leaving the condenserbulb. This feature, which provides protectionfrom overheating and its consequences, makessuch heat pipes ideally suited to buildingswith low summertime hot water demand orirregular demand patterns such as schools andsports facilities.

HOTaction SPRING 2013 9

RENEWABLE SOLUTIONS

SOLAR THERMAL–the How, Why and When

The device is open and heat transferoccurs until the condenser reaches 95ºC

Snap disks operate and close the device,stopping heat transfer into condenser

Device re-opens as temperature fallsbelow 95ºC, reactivating heat transfer

TEMPERATURE LIMITATION DEVICES – HEAT PIPES

�Whether brought about by obligation under CRC, by financial incentivethrough RHI or by prompting from DECs and EPCs, businesses are actively

reducing their carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.In commercial buildings, energy audits are resulting in the introduction of improved building fabric

and air tightness measures. As space heating and domestic hot water requirements typically representthe greatest energy demand, this is resulting in the predominant heating load shifting from spaceheating to domestic hot water. Capturing latent energy to pre-heat the mains cold feed to a direct firedwater heater is a most effective use of LZC technologies and solar thermal energy is a prime exampleof how an LZC solution can be integrated into a building services system.The role of the collector array is crucial to the performance and longevity of solar thermal system

components, with several options that can provide a perfectly matched solution when designed fora specific application or location.

10 HOTaction SPRING 2013

HELP FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

We asked for specific details abouta building utilised as a regularmeeting place by a communitygroup that needed a newcommercial gas-fired boiler orwater heater, with an explanation ofthe difference that a suitabledonated product would make. Weare pleased to announce that thewinner isMossley Scouts &Guides, for whom Baxi CommercialDivision has been able to make animmediate difference by donating anew constant flow type direct gas-fired condensing water heater.Erected over 100 years ago as a

public house, later becoming aBoy’s Club, the building wasacquired by the Mossley Scoutsand Guides, Brownies and Cubs,Rainbows and Beavers FundraisingCommittee as the troops’Headquarters in 1989. Therenamed Baden House was by thistime in very poor condition so thecommittee immediately embarkedupon a successive round of fund-raising activities. Over the followingtwo decades, sufficient funds wereraised to pay for double glazing,central heating, essential roof andunsafe floor repairs and the

replacement of the original wiring.Phil Richardson, Group Scout

Leader (pictured right), takes up thestory. “Since then, the fund-raisinghas continued and a second phaseof improvements was begun in2010 when two rooms werecreated on the ground floor for newtoilets with a shower area. Thefacilities installed could only drawon a cold water supply, so thedonation of a water heater throughthe Baxi Community Challenge waskey to them becoming fullyoperational.”One of the group helpers, Andrew

Kirk, a mechanical servicesmanager for a contractingcompany, gave his time freely toinstall the appliance. He explains,“It was decided that, due to theoccupancy patterns and usage ofthe building, constant flow waterheating technology would be moreappropriate than direct firedstorage water heaters. Thegreatest need for hot water,particularly for showers, is in theevening and this made theAndrews FASTflo WHC56continuous flow condensing waterheater the best product for the

job. Space for the water heaterwas also limited and this is wherethe FASTflo triumphed because it isa wall mounted appliance, the sizeof a small suitcase.”Phil Richardson recounts,

“Cooking is one of the mainproficiency badges for Scouts andGuides and a fully functioningkitchen will allow them to practicethis skill. Sleepovers are animportant part of any Scout orGuide programme and our facilitiesnow enable us to hold such events.We will now be able to have coffeeevenings and other fundraisingactivities and to offer the buildingfor community purposes, such aschildren’s parties. This will provide

a low cost venue for our familiesand a small additional incometowards its upkeep.“Meanwhile we are really

impressed with the water heaterand everyone is enjoying the supplyof hot water.“On behalf of us all I would like to

thank BSEE and Baxi CommercialDivision for giving us theopportunity to benefit from this BaxiCommunity Challenge initiative.”

Community Challenge – The Winning Entry� In 2012, Baxi Commercial Division teamed up once again with industry publication,

BSEE, to offer one lucky reader the chance to help out their local community by enteringthe Baxi Community Challenge. The prize, a brand new commercial sized gas-fired waterheater or boiler, would be donated to their nominated worthy cause.

Mossley Cubs and Brownies enjoying activities that create washing up

Why not take the opportunity to enter the 2013 Baxi CommercialCommunity Challenge, launched in the January issue of BSEE? It iseasy to enter, simply visit the BSEE websitewww.bsee.co.uk,click the Community Challenge link on the left side of the pagewhich takes you to the Community Challenge page where you will

find all the information necessary to enter thecompetition. We are extending the deadlinefor receipt of entries to 30th April and someapplicants will be featured in subsequent issuesof BSEE and HOTaction before the winner isannounced later in the year.

HOTaction SPRING 2013 11

PROJECT PROFILE

Oakham School, in Rutland, is oneof the country’s leadingindependent co-educational dayand boarding schools and waswinner of the Independent Schoolof the Year in the Daily Telegraph’s2009 Sport Matters Awards.Former pupils include cricketerStuart Broad and rugbyinternationals Lewis Moody andTom Croft. The school has over1,000 pupils aged 10 to 18, withequal numbers of boys and girls,boarders and day pupils. As atestament to the school’scommitment to a wide range ofsporting activities, there are morethan 40 acres of games pitchesand a dedicated sports centreincorporating a 25m indoor pool.The new heating system was

designed by Oakham EstatesDepartment in consultation withinstallers MJL Mechanical Servicesand DL Electrical. An indoorswimming pool is an ideal projectfor employing mini-CHP technologysince, for maximum operationalefficiency, it is important to ensurethat there is a constant demand forheat in order to ensure continuity ofpower generation – and this isprovided by the pool. The Baxi-SenerTec UK Dachs unit generateselectricity whilst, at the same time,producing heat and acting as leadboiler. This is supplemented by twonewly installed PottertonCommercial Paramount 80kWcondensing boilers as well as anexisting Potterton CommercialNXR3 gas-fired boiler which is onlyprogrammed to operate at peakdemand during low externaltemperatures.The Dachs unit was

commissioned on 7th October2010 and, at the time of its secondservice on 15th August 2011, it wasfound to have run for a total of6,529 hours. During this time theunit was running continually andhad generated 89,867kWh of heat

and 35,909 kWh of electricity,resulting in a significant saving inrunning costs and carbonemissions. The electricity is usedto power the swimming pool andsports hall, as well as the art,design and technology classroomslocated above.These are all installed, with other

Baxi Commercial Divisionequipment, in an existing plantroomin the Sports Hall. A spokesman forinstallers MJL Mechanical Servicescommented: “The plantroom wasa total refurbishment with all newpipework, controls and panel. Thepipework was divided into 5 newzones, all controlled separatelythrough a PLC Control unit, whichgives the flexibility to load the Dachsunit 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.Despite the location of theplantroom directly beneathclassrooms, there were no noiseissues. This was the first Dachs unitwe had fitted but we found itrelatively easy to connect with theother boilers and the whole projectran very smoothly. We have been sopleased with the system that we arecurrently in the process of installinga further two new Dachs units withfour Potterton CommercialParamount 115 kW models as

back-up boilers. These will feed thenew Science Block and two existingBoarding Houses.”The Paramount range of wall-

hung condensing boilers featurestate-of-the-art heating technologywith a combustion system whichdelivers energy efficiency levels upto 109% net as well as ultra lowNOx which exceeds Class 5 therebyqualifying for additional credit underthe BREEAM assessment scheme.These boilers have pre-mix, fullymodulating control for completeheating flexibility and thealuminium/silicon alloy heatexchanger carries a lifetimeguarantee. A user-friendly control

panel with full text display ofoperational status avoids theinconvenience of checking codesor lights. Other features includeinbuilt weather compensation,summer/winter changeover andtime control facilities. The advancedISR control system may be usedwith a simple room thermostat or,using volt-free contacts, withexternal control panels or a fullyintegrated Building EnergyManagement System.Baxi-SenerTec UK Dachs gas-

fired units have an electrical outputof 5.5 kW and a minimum heatoutput of 12.5kW or up to 15.5 kWusing an optional condenser.

School PoolsResources� Baxi Commercial Division has supplied energy-efficient equipment,

including a combined heat and power unit, for a completerefurbishment of the heating system serving the prestigious OakhamSchool’s swimming pool and sports hall. This equipment comprisesPotterton Commercial condensing boilers supplementing a Baxi-SenerTecUK Dachs mini-CHP unit which, together, have reduced the school’s carbonfootprint and made a significant contribution to energy savings.

12 HOTaction SPRING 2013

MARKETPLACE

Marketing Re-focus

WorkingModel� Baxi Commercial Division continues

its ‘Job Well Done” initiativerecognising, each month, an employee whohas gone beyond the call of normal duties.In order to be nominated by fellow staff members for

this accolade, an individual must have shown‘endeavour and commitment to achieving Baxi

Commercial Division’s keyobjectives’. Recent prizewinners of £100 worth of

Love2Shop vouchers are:Mike Ngarambe, Internal

Service (August), CatherineJohnstone,Marketing

(September), Steve Miller,Field Service (October), Sean Reynolds,

Technical Support (November) and Ian Halford,Technical Support (December).

Most commercial heating productselection is now necessarily drivenby legislative requirementsregarding energy saving and carbonreduction and therefore involveappropriate integration of ‘new’technologies with more traditionalheating solutions. We thereforerecognise that for all forms ofknowledge sharing on these issues,whether in discussions, hands-ontraining, CPD presentations,exhibitions, marketing material orpopulating websites and socialmedia, technical content isbecoming key.We also find that our customers

increasingly prefer to communicateand obtain information through thedigital medium which requires us tocontinually develop our presence inthis arena. In addressing this wewere the first commercial heatingcompany to introduce a BuildingInformation Modelling (BIM) libraryof our products that can beimported directly into three-dimentional CAD designs of buildingservices systems. We are currentlyimplementing plans for an all

encompassing and fully functionaldigital interface with our customersand will continually strive to improvethe customer experience of ourwebsite, while expanding our socialmedia activity.Jeff House, whose technical

knowledge and his ability to shareit in a way that is easily understood,has for some time been contributingto the services provided bymarketing. Jeff now heads up themarketing team, whilst maintaininghis technical role as ApplicationsManager.AsMarketing & ApplicationsManager, Jeff has overallresponsibility for the BaxiCommercial Division marketingfunction, leading its activities withregard to legislation, governing bothour products and the builtenvironment, including ErP directiveimplementation. In addition heprovides technical guidance andapplication support for largeprojects with key end user clients.Geri Clegg has worked in

marketing for Baxi companies fora number of years and now brings

the benefit of her considerableknowledge and experience to thecommercial side of the business ina new role that has been createdto meet the changing needs ofcustomers.As Digital Marketing Manager,

Geri will direct and supervise allonline digital marketing activity forBaxi Commercial Division and itsbrands: Andrews Water Heaters,Baxi-SenerTec UK and PottertonCommercial. This includes allwebsite design and development,including the BIM Library andSize IT and all social Media,eg. Twitter and Facebook.Catherine Johnstone has been

a valued member of the marketingteam for over three years and hasbeen recently promoted to takeaccount of her increased dutiesand responsibilities.AsMarketing andCommunications Executive,Catherine is responsible for theproduction and management of allBaxi Commercial Division’s salesliterature and other sales andmerchandising materials. She

manages industry exhibition andcontracts for all events as well asassisting in the production ofHOTaction, our business tobusiness magazine.Mandi Rai recently joined the

marketing team and is providingessential administrative supportfor this busy department.AsMarketing and Communica-tions Assistant, Mandi producesand distributes sales leads reportsand creates quarterly reports onmarketing statistics within theDivision. She also handles allliterature distribution and stockcontrol, manages all general emailenquiries.

www.facebook.com/baxicommercialdivision

www.twitter.com/baxicommercial

www.andrewswaterheaters.co.ukwww.baxi-senertec.co.ukwww.pottertoncommercial.co.uk

Tel: 0845 070 1055

� We have recently restructured our marketingdepartment to take account of the increasing variety

of communication channels that require us to be moreeasily available to all our customers and more responsiveto your needs. It also consolidates within the departmentsome additional skill sets that reflect the changingemphasis in the type of information that is important foryou to make the most appropriate and cost effectivepurchase decisions.

ChristmasFundraiser� A Baxi Commercial Division

raffle, arranged by Nicki Morris,Product Support Engineer and TracyHendry, Office Service Manager, was

drawn just before the office closedfor Christmas 2012, raising £233 forGuide Dogs for the Blind.The top prizes were: a 7" tablet, won by Paul

Daniels, and a day at the Newmarket races,which was donated by Eddie Partridge, NationalSales Manager.“Everyone was asked to nominate a charity”

said Nicki, “and there were so many worthycauses proposed that the Guide Dogs for the

Blind was picked out of a hat.”The cheque presentation will take place on

12th March at the Erdington offices and willbe attended by a representative of the Charity.Also invited is Sales Director Gavin Watson’s

daughter, who has impaired sight andunderstands the huge difference that a guidedog can make to improving the quality ofdaily life.

L-R: Mandi Rai, Marketing & Communications Assistant; Jeff House, Marketing & ApplicationsManager; Geri Clegg, Digital Marketing Manager; Catherine Johnstone, Marketing &Communications Executive

HOTaction SPRING 2013 13

ACTION FOR CHARITY

Movember Funds

NotMinnieorMouse� Derek Atkins from Baxi Commercial Division

Warehouse, sometimes dresses up in hisspare time, but always for a good cause. He ispictured in a Minnie Mouse costume with hisdaughters, Kaitlin and Helen, at a recent FamilyFun Day event for the Young Epilepsy charity,which raised £408.Derek recounts, “After having a child diagnosed with epilepsy

in 2010, it became clear just how little support was available atthat time for families such as ours in the Midlands. Havingraised some funds in appreciation for help we received fromthe Young Epilepsy charity, we formed the Young EpilepsyBirmingham support group in January 2012. Its ability tocontinue providing this service relies on fund raising activitiesand the much appreciated generosity of individuals andorganisations, like Baxi Commercial Division.” The MarketingDepartment donated a digital camera for the raffle on the day.

� During November last year a team of14 from Baxi Commercial Division each

grew a moustache to raise funds for theMovember Charity and awareness for men’shealth, specifically prostate cancer andtesticular cancer. Fundraising participants,known worldwide as Mo Bros, must eachbegin on 1st Movember with a clean shavenface, then for the entire month grow andgroom a moustache.Baxi Commercial Division personnel took part under

the name, Team MUC (Moustaches UnderConstruction) and each person chose which style ofmoustache to grow from the Charity’s online ‘StyleGuide’. They set themselves a Division target to raise£2,500 with individuals endeavouring to earn the title‘Tash’ of the Month and to win the award for MostDonations Received by an Individual.Gavin Watson won first place for ‘Tash’ of the Month

with Jonathan Russell and Paul Gussin coming in 2ndand 3rd respectively. The individual who achieved TheMost Donations Received was Paul Gussin who raised£385 for the team by the end of the month. In total,Team MUC received pledges of £3,077! Well Done all!The team is pictured at the start and on the last day

of Movember.

In the Semis� Baxi Commercial Division took part in

the Barnardo’s Football Cup 2012, anationwide 7-a-side football tournament, heldin Birmingham. The competition was made upof 16 teams from various companies throughoutthe country and included a separate team fromthree BDR Thermea Group companies namely,Baxi Commercial Division, heateam andHeatrae Sadia.In the semi-final Baxi Commercial Division was drawn

against Heatrae Sadia who won 3-0. heateam had alsoadvanced to the semi-finals on the opposite side of thedraw and narrowly lost out to Jewson, 1-0.Heatrae Sadia won the tournament on penalties and

overall the event raised a superb £3,800 for Barnardos.Paul Gussin, Supply Chain Manager, who captained theBaxi Commercial Division team said, “With three BDRThermea teams taking part in this tournament, the rivalrywas intense. We were gratified to reach the semi-finals andto have the opportunity to meet the Heatra Sadia teamhead on. Sadly for us they proved the better team on theday and, naturally, we cheered them on in the final.“The Baxi Commercial Division team and heateam were

the first to congratulate the winners and, at the trophypresentation, the semi-finalists were commended for theirefforts. At the end of the day we were all just happy to havethe opportunity to play football and by doing so, raise fundsto help The Barnardo’s children’s charity”.

At the beginning ...Back row from left: Ed Jones, heateamCommercial Service Co-Ordinator;Ian Halford, Prefabricated SystemsManager; Paul Gussin, Supply ChainManager; GavinWatson, Sales Director;Andy Green, Technical Manager; PaulBrookes, heateam Commercial ServiceManager; Jonathan Russell,Management Accountant; Will Johnson,Specifications ExecutiveFront row from left: Daniel Letts,Assistant Project Engineer; SteveArnold, Senior Warehouse Operative;Mike Ngarambe, Internal ServiceRepresentative; Ian Parkinson,Project Engineer.

Last day of MovemberFrom left: Daniel Letts,Assistant Project Engineer;Ed Jones, heateamCommercial ServiceCo-Ordinator; Ian Parkinson,Project Engineer; Paul Gussin,Supply Chain Manager;GavinWatson, Sales Director;Ian Halford, PrefabricatedSystems Manager; SteveArnold, Senior WarehouseOperative.Front: Mike Ngarambe,Internal ServiceRepresentative.

GavinWatson,Winner of 'Tash’of the Month

SponsorshipWorking Hard� The under 15 boys team from the Dynamo Rangers Junior Football

Club is pictured at the start of the new season, ready to strike out innew kit sponsored by Baxi Commercial Division.This team plays in the

Skelmersdale Junior FootballLeague and was the winner of lastseason’s league title and has alsowon two FA County Cupcompetitions, in matches thattook them all over Lancashire. Insummertime, this team, alongwith 12 other junior teams in theDynamo Rangers club, plays away in tournaments all over the country.Since the Club was formed in 2005 it has been successful in terms of both winning many

league titles and cups and in seeing 17 members sign contracts for professional clubs.

14 HOTaction SPRING 2013

� Little Watty Baxter has a stiff neck gazing skywardsat this tiered structure, built 250 years ago,

reminiscent of the East and once guarded by 80 goldendragons. It’s closed to the public, so there’s no lining up –but he is in a queue of sorts!

Q: To enter, simply look at the photograph and tell us:

Which famous structureis Little Watty visiting?To enter, email your answer to hotaction@baxicommercialdivision.com.Alternatively, you can visit Little Watty Baxter on his Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/watty.baxter and send him a privatemessage. The winner will be drawn at random and will receive amini iPad 16g and a cuddly badger. Five runners up will alsoreceive a furry badger each. The closing date for this competition is1st April. You can follow Watty on http://twitter.com/wattybaxter

ON SHOW

Competition Winner

� An iPad was the prize for the luckyperson drawn for correctly identifying

that Little Watty Baxter was pictured besideThe Orbit for the “Where’s Watty” competitionin the Autumn 2012 issue of HOTaction.Congratulations to the winner,Carol Smithof NG Bailey, who is based inBirmingham, pictured receiving her prizefrom Mark Field, Area Sales Manager for theMidlands. Meanwhile Little Watty, whoreturned to earth feeling a little dizzy aftergazing skyward, found himself lookingupwards again on his next visit! See below.

Wina

mini iPad Where’s

Wattybeen?

COMPETITION WINNER

COMPETITION

Not all Exhibitionism� There was a serious purpose behind the Pipe

Center and Climate Center roadshow held at theHinckley Island Hotel on 2nd October 2012, thoughanyone who didn’t know that the evening event was“themed” may have been surprised to meet “OddJob”, (pictured), arch rival of James Bond.A seminar was held during the day and an exhibition in the

evening. Baxi Commercial Division was the corporate sponsorpresenting its product portfolio ‘one-stop-shop’ solution, new

products for 2013 anda review of UK andEuropean legislationto all Pipe Center UKBranch Managers and key external sales representatives.Gavin Watson, Sales Director, and Neville Small,

Business Development Manager, delivered seminarsduring the day. The evening exhibition stand wassupported by Mark Field, Area Sales Manager – WestMidlands and Amanda Pickin, Area Sales Manager –South West (pictured left), which gave them theopportunity to talk one-to-one with all Pipe Centerpersonnel.Readers please note, anyone who sees the character

pictured, who is not licensed to kill, should remind him tokeep his hat on!

Andy Davies of Pipe Center

HOTaction SPRING 2013 15

KNOWLEDGE BANK

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Baxi Commercial Division

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