This month a new scheme is launched aiming to reduce boiler faults caused by poor installation and commissioning. But is Benchmark just an excuse for some good old contractor bashing?
It costs domestic boiler manufacturers an estimated £5 million every year to fix boiler systems that don't work. And, it seems, they're pretty fed up about it. This month sees an initiative first launched to the trade in June go public – its aim to eradicate the 40% of call outs that manufacturers say are down to "rogue installers".

Promising a 'carrot and stick' approach, the Benchmark scheme offers training for installers and an Installation, Commissioning and Service Record Log Book to which Corgi has added its endorsement and logo. The book, which will be retained by the customer, contains contact details for the installer and commissioning engineer, appliance and control details and a commissioning check list. It also includes a records section for ten services, set out in much the same way as a vehicle service history in a car handbook.

The scheme was launched to a generally positive trade and press in mid-June. This month the promotion is extended to the public with an awareness campaign encouraging domestic customers to choose reputable installers. At the same time the log books will start to come as standard with new boilers.

On top of this, an information line has been established and manufacturer training courses now include Benchmark sessions in a bid to raise installation and commissioning standards. So much for the 'carrots', when it comes to the 'stick' manufacturers are warning that they may bring in a call out charging system for persistent offenders and are considering an accreditation scheme, possibly administered by Corgi.

While Benchmark director Alan Johnson is anxious to promote the initiative, which has won impressive cross-industry support, as a tangible way of professional firms distancing themselves from the cowboys, there are those who fear it could be used as a back-door method of loading all the responsibility on to the installer. Certainly, on the back of the recently revised Water Regulations, it is a further sign that the installer is at the sharp end.

Johnson counters this argument, insisting: "Reputable installers have nothing to fear from this scheme but, aside from the cost to the industry, we can no longer accept the hassle and inconvenience that thousands of our customers are put through every year because of law breaking rogues obsessed with the lowest price."

Instead, he believes that the scheme will improve installation and commissioning standards, raise the image of the industry and dovetail neatly with the government's avowed war on cowboys in the building trades. Benchmark has also won support from the DETR and Energy Saving Trust as improved installation competencies should help the government's carbon dioxide emission reduction targets.

"The log book is interesting the DETR," confirms Johnson. It has been looking at formulating a log book for homes, which could be produced as part of the pre-sales package with a home, for some time. The Benchmark model points the way in terms of recorded and accountable information.

Andrew Bacon, chief executive of the Association of Heating and Plumbing Contractors (AHPC), has thrown his backing behind the scheme and endorses Johnson's views. "The log book is not just about form filling, it's a process to ensure trouble-free installation," he says. "It means no quick fixes or short cuts, but a common standard and commonality of approach. It should have little impact on good installers, will benefit poor installers through extra training, and as for the illegal traders – the industry is well rid of them."

In a coup for Benchmark, gas installation licenser Corgi has not only added its logo to the log book but is also actively considering ways of using its database and resources to administer the scheme. "Corgi is looking at coming out with a validation scheme and examining the manufacturers' role," confirms Corgi chief executive Bob Henry. "In addition our central database could be used to collate information and we might also be able to carry out on-site checks."

While representatives of plumbers and mechanical installers generally expressed their support for Benchmark's objectives at its launch, fears remain over its implementation and regulation. "Who polices it is the big question," said one installer, who was also concerned over the costs of additional training which are clearly not going to be met by a very cost-sensitive public customer base. And while manufacturers have pledged to address their own shortcomings with equipment failure, the scheme places the first port of call firmly at the contractor's door.

Indeed, talk of accreditation or licensing of boiler installers also raises the prospect of m&e contractors and plumbers being assessed by manufacturers rather than their trade bodies.

"Obviously there are those who are going to look at it negatively, but that's really not the message we want to get across," insists Johnson. "This is an initiative which should help everyone. Perhaps we can even teach some of the cowboys how to do a good job."

The Benchmark Backers

The Benchmark scheme is supported by Alpha Boilers, Baxi, Caradon, Chaffoteaux et Maury, Ferroli, Fernox, Grundfos, Hepworth, Halstead, MTS Ariston, Potterton, Range, Ravenheat, Sime, Sentinel, Vaillant, Vokera and Worcester, members of the Trade Association of Controls Manufacturers, the Water Manufacturers Association, the Heating Group of the Builders Merchants Federation, the Institute of Plumbing and the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors. Other organisations which have “expressed support” are Corgi, the DETR, DTI and Energy Saving Trust. For more information contact Alan Johnson on tel/fax 01799 543660, e-mail aj5x4@aol.com.

How It Works

From this month all new boilers should come complete with a four page log book. Page one includes the contractor’s logo, the Benchmark logo and Corgi’s branding. Page two provides details of the customer, installer and commissioning engineer, plus basic information on the appliance and controls. Page three is a tick box checklist running through the commissioning procedure and including space for the commissioning engineer and customer to sign. Page four, modelled on vehicle service history reports, has space for ten service records. It is hoped that this will also encourage customers to have their boilers serviced regularly. Should a fault occur, the customer can ring the installer or the manufacturer helpline. Using the information from the log book, the manufacturer should be able to determine if certain installers are persistent offenders. A Benchmark information line is also to be set up.

State of the Nation

Out of 5·5 million social housing homes and 16 million privately owned homes, 24% and 13% respectively have no central heating. Some 2·5 million households live in homes cold enough to increase the risk of ill health during the winter. In 1998, 320 000 electric storage heaters were sold in the UK.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor