The Bathroom Academy | SPOUT 5 | Page 1 of 12

SSSpppooouuuttt Bathroom Academy News | 5 | Sep 2010

IN this issue... Training reduces the risk

Academy progress

WEPLS shortlisted

Part F are you ready for it?

Academy droplets

Meet the staff | our new starter

Get the knowledge

Spout end | exhibitions

Training reduces the risk

It may be unfortunate, and regrettable, but it is a fact that the UK is becoming increasingly litigious. More and more advice programmes on the television and radio are helping consumers know their rights and what they could do if something goes wrong. And businesses, too, know what they should do if their rights have been breached by their competitors.

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“Litigation is on the increase in the UK” says Yvonne Orgill,

Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.

“All sorts of businesses are becoming involved in claims and

counter claims and bathroom manufacturers are no

exception. According to Lloyd’s of London staff education has

to be a key priority. A better understanding of the

consequences of behaviour lessens risk and employees need

to be encouraged to share information.”

Lawsuits are not going away

In a recent article Lloyd’s of London, which sells speciality insurance to business, said that lawsuits

are not going away. A recently released survey of executives suggests that increasing litigation is

driving up costs and stifling risk-taking. It goes on to say that seven out of ten companies have faced

litigation in the past three years and there is a growing risk that more and more companies will be

held liable for their actions. Companies have to behave responsibly and think about the

consequences of their actions and activities.

Training is the key

Orgill is recommending to the members of the BMA that

their organisations should consider specialist training to

increase awareness amongst employees about why

companies get sued. “Everyone in the company should be

aware that it is not just the board’s responsibility. All

staff should know the consequences of their actions.”

Competition Law

The BMA has been working hard to help its members and others bring company staff fully up to date

with the very latest information on company law. One of the Bathroom Academy modules deals with

the basics of the Competition Act.

The module has been created by corporate lawyers and is essential training for anyone having

contact with competitors, contracts and outsourcing.

“This training is web based,” says Orgill “and ensures the learner has a full understanding of what

the Act requires. It concludes with an interactive test to confirm the learner’s knowledge and a final

printout gives evidence of participation.”

“Competition Law - The Basics” available for a small fee | further details from the BMA

| Apply on line | www.bathroom-academy.co.uk/

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Academy progress | busier than ever

Latest stats from the Bathroom Academy website show an increase in visitors. There is no

doubt that the Academy has established itself as an important tool for staff training.

Academy Sponsors | The Bathroom Academy would not exist without the full

backing and support of the BMA. BMA members invest heavily into the Academy with

both their time and money and thanks to them courses are heavily subsidised. All

course material is written by leading industry experts. Thanks also go to these companies and organisations for their sponsorship.

BMA news blog | just launched

Look out for the new BMA News Blog @ http://bmanewsblog.blogspot.com/. The

blog will bring followers up-to-date with the activities of the BMA and the Bathroom Academy. It will also be a forum for industry comment.

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WEPLS shortlisted | major environmental award

“Absolutely thrilled” was the immediate reaction of the staff and members of BMA when they learnt this week that its Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme (WEPLS) had been shortlisted for a major environmental award.

The award, organised by edie.net, seeks to celebrate the year's most successful green innovators and environmental breakthroughs.

Now in their fourth year, The Awards for Environmental Excellence have been recognised as one of the top awards in Europe. The best environmental projects will be judged by a panel of leading lights including the eminent green campaigner Oliver Heath and eco TV presenter Joanna Yarrow. The winners have the chance to go through and enter the coveted European Business Awards for the Environment, fighting it out with the best of the continent's eco projects.

“We are delighted with our shortlisting,” says Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association. “WEPLS is gaining momentum and the last twelve months has seen it grow from a germ of an idea to a fully integrated

scheme recognised by our government and supported by the main movers and shakers of the water and energy industry. WEPLS is not a one-off project but a long term commitment to supporting the push for a reduction in our water and energy consumption. Members of the BMA can be justifiably proud of their achievement in launching the scheme.”

The awards organisers, edie.net, said “The short-listing for the 2010 Awards was one of the toughest ever with a record breaking number of entries demonstrating the incredibly high standard of today's environmental projects. This truly was a bumper year for award entries and the people behind every project to be shortlisted should be justifiably proud of their achievement.”

WEPLS is now recognised by government as a “cornerstone in water efficiency” and is set to grow further during 2010. The scheme recently underwent a major upgrade and is recognised by DEFRA, WaterWise, CLG, CCWater and The Energy Saving Trust. Big DIY stores and major builders merchants are getting involved.

The WEPLS database is accessible via the web and can be found at www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk/

Products listed in the scheme will be labelled to show their water efficiency credentials, details will be shown in manufacturers literature and a selection of point of sale material is being made available for retailers who register (free of charge) with the scheme.

A specially designed on-line calculator adds to the usability of the database. Installers can use the calculator to help them meet the efficiency levels specified in The Code for Sustainable Homes and Building Regulations Approved Document G.

“Members of the BMA are very excited about WEPLS and its recent developments,” says Orgill. “2010 will be

the year when water efficiency becomes embedded into the nation’s consciousness.”

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Stand by for Part F

Are you ready for it ?

Building Regulations

Approved Document Part F VENTILATION

Yes it‟s another change to the

Building Regulations and this time

domestic ventilation comes under

scrutiny. The new regulations were

published in April 2010 and they

come into force on 1st October.

The new regs give the details of requirements for new domestic buildings or substantial refurbishments and the part we are interested in relates to bathrooms.

The changes to the regs have been generally welcomed as an essential “step change” and

a key stage towards reaching zero carbon homes in 2016. The new regs bring hugely significant changes which will drive the adoption of low carbon ventilation as an industry standard.

Newly published

guides are available which will help the architect and installer meet the

requirements. New advice on „passive stack ventilators‟ is available and so

too is information on the requirements for kitchens and bathrooms which have been refurbished.

There is far too much detail to list here

but lots of information can be found on the web and it‟s the law from 1 October so you‟d be well advised to get to know what it‟s all about.

ACADEMY droplets | What is The Bathroom Academy?

The Academy is a division of the BMA.

Regarded as ‘The Voice of the Bathroom

Industry’, the BMA represents major

manufacturers of bathroom products who trade in

the UK.

The BMA has a powerful and influential voice and

is regularly consulted by the press, Government

departments, Non Governmental Organisations

and the Bathroom Industry as a whole.

All learning material issued by the Bathroom

Academy is written by leading Industry experts to

inform and educate so you can rest assured that

quality is guaranteed.

Why need a Bathroom Academy?

To improve the professionalism of the

Bathroom Industry and ensure that we

all ‘get it right first time'. Exceptional

product knowledge creates and

nurtures consumer confidence. Good business is

about getting it right first time!

What are The Academy Courses?

Academy courses have been designed

and written by Industry experts. Whilst

the courses differ in content they share

common goals.

* To raise standards of service to the consumer * To recognise skills that exist in our Industry * To add value to any training already undertaken * To provide qualifications that will assist in career development Thanks to the continuing technical and financial support of the members of The Bathroom Manufacturers Association and other Industry sponsors we are able to offer high quality training

at low cost.

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Meet the staff | New starter

David Brindley

The modest yet indisputable expert of the bathroom

industry has joined the staff of the Bathroom

Manufacturers Association.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime” says Brindley.

“After forty years in the industry I have landed my

dream job. I‟m absolutely delighted and can‟t wait to

get involved supporting the industry and helping

develop its future.”

Brindley has served the bathroom industry since his

school days and has worked in all departments in

sanitaryware manufacturing. Latterly he was the

Technical Manager at Armitage Shanks and in that

position became well known in the industry serving

on many of the standards and technical committees.

“We are delighted to welcome David to the staff of the BMA, say Yvonne Orgill, chief

executive. “David‟s extensive knowledge of literally everything in bathrooms will enhance the

role of the BMA as Voice of the Industry and bring an additional dimension to our knowledge

base.”

SPONSOR’S spout | essential kitchen & bathroom business

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We’re on the move | BMA relocates

The BMA is busier than ever. Membership is growing. Activities and influence are

increasing. And the current offices in Federation House, Stoke-on-Trent are no longer

adequate. So the BMA is moving.

From Monday 25 October 2010 all of the BMA’s activities will be based in its new office suite at

Keele University Science & Business Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The new, state of the art offices, sit at the centre of the

University‟s breath-taking 617-acre campus in the unspoilt North

Staffordshire countryside. A mixture of stunning buildings,

fantastic facilities and tranquil grounds, it‟s an inspiring new

environment for the BMA. The offices are minutes from

Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent, and within easy

reach of major cities across the UK and beyond.

NEW Address from 26 October 2010

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association Innovation Centre IC1

Keele University Science and Business Park

ST5 5NB

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Get the Knowledge | Put a brick in it?

Q | I bought a new WC and I want to save water as much water as I can to help the

environment and save on my water bill but there is no room in the cistern for a brick! What

do you suggest?

A | It is wrong to assume that putting a brick or other

„cistern displacement device‟ in your WC‟s cistern will

always save water. It is a little more complicated than that.

If you bought your WC after 2001 it will already be water

efficient with a maximum flush of 6 litres. The current Water

Regulations (The Water Byelaws in Scotland) require all

new WCs to flush with 6 litres as a maximum. Your suite

(the WC pan and the cistern) will be factory matched and

perfectly designed to work well together at this maximum. If

your WC is a dual flush design then it will probably allow

you to choose a short flush or 4 litres and a long flush of 6

litres. Some WCs launched in the last couple of years flush

on even less than the maximum allowed.

You should not attempt to save more water by placing a brick or other device in the cistern

tank since this will interfere with the correct functioning of the suite, it may not clear correctly

and you may end up using even more water by multiple flushing.

Get the Knowledge | What is EN997:2003?

The UK bathroom industry is governed by many British and European standards and rightly

so. Some of these standards specifically relate to the performance of the product. In

particular, EN997:2003 Class 2, is extremely important since it governs the construction,

performance, function and testing of the WC.

The WC suite has, for a long time, been regarded as the bad boy in the bathroom since it

uses more water than any other item of sanitaryware. In response to the push for water

efficient and eco-friendly bathroom products manufacturers trading in the UK have

responded by developing toilets which flush with water volumes as low as 2.6 litres, short

flush.

But do these products conform with EN997:2003? “Any new WC suite installed in the UK

simply must conform with EN997,” explains Chris Taylor-Hamlin, Technical Director of the

BMA. “Furthermore, it must conform with Class 2 of the standard otherwise it is deemed

illegal.”

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But what is EN997:2003 Class 2?

The standard relates to the

construction, performance, functional

criteria and testing of the WC. Class

1 of the standard is applicable only to

WCs sold in mainland Europe where

flush volumes vary from 4 litres to 9

litres. Class 2, however, is specific to

WCs sold in the UK and defines a

long flush maximum of 6 litres. All

WCs installed in the UK must

conform to Class 2.

EN997:2003 Class 2 also covers

such criteria as the depth of water

seal, flush performance, water

absorption, load testing, leak

tightness, valve reliability, wash of the

bowl, flushing of toilet paper, over-splashing, after-flush volume, static load and durability.

As you can see the standard is comprehensive and purchasers should be confident that the

WC does its job!

EN997 was authored by the British Standards Institute and the European Committee for

Standardisation. “Members of the BMA are keen to ensure that their products do fully

conform with these standards,” says Taylor-Hamlin, “and bathroom buyers and installers

should be fully aware of them. More information is available from our technical team at the

BMA head office.”

Get the Knowledge | Top six selling tips

At the 2009 Bathroom Conference one of the speakers, Kathryn Rathouse a social researcher, gave her six top tips for selling water efficient bathrooms. Here they are

1. The easiest way to sell more water efficient fittings is ONLY to sell water efficient fittings 2. Let consumers compare LIVE displays in the showroom 3. Get plumbers to believe in your products and they will sell them for you

4. Show potential customers the feedback from consumers who have already tried your products previous consumers. They will endorse your products for you

5. Use a “feel-good” icon to communicate your water efficient products

6. Use cutting edge technology and modern design to break the association between water efficient products and the tin baths of yesteryear.

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BMA – what’s that? | The BMA is the trade association for bathroom

manufacturers operating in the UK. It is the principal ‘Voice of the Bathroom Industry’ and acts as an information highway between industry, government and the consumer on issues that affect the bathroom business. The BMA represents, through its technical, marketing and management committees, the interests of almost 40 major bathroom manufacturing groups with over 75 well-known brands in the market place. The manufacturing base directly employs 8,000+ people at over 60 sites

in the UK with The combined annual turnover of the membership is in excess of £800 million pounds sterling per annum.

BMA AGM | Fake sanitaryware imports and stolen labelling were amongst the

discussions at the recent AGM of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association. Manchester‟s prestigious Lowry Hotel was the venue for this year‟s event with an excellent

attendance of BMA members, the press and guest speakers. Other topics discussed

included the rapid progress of the BMA‟s unique and

respected Water Efficient Labelling Scheme, European

funding for bathroom product innovation and proposals for

Toilet Scrappage to reduce the country‟s carbon footprint.

“This was a busy and productive meeting,” commented

Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the BMA. “Once again

our members showed that they have their finger on the

pulse of our industry. I‟m delighted with the progress we

are making.”

In strict accordance with the BMA‟s constitution, retiring

President, Steve Lee, passed the responsibility to new

president Ian Stuart, Chairman of both Aqualisa Group

and JT Group.

“We are looking forward to another busy year at the BMA,” said Stuart. “We will meet the

industry‟s challenges head on. I am privileged to have been elected to this important position

and look forward to serving the membership and furthering the BMA as The Voice of the

Bathroom Industry.”

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Spout end | Exhibitions coming up

Exhibitions are vitally important to the health of the bathroom industry. They are a showcase for manufacturers and their products and a catalyst for education and innovation. The BMA is delighted to support the exhibitions which are now in the industry calendar.

They will further enhance the importance of the bathroom industry and its role in the drive for water and energy efficiency.

Heating Ventilation – HEVAR – London - 22/09/2010 till 23/09/2010

Interior Design - 100% Design – London - 23/09/2010 till 26/09/2010

National Home Improvement Show – London - 01/10/2010 till 03/10/2010

Grand Designs Live – Birmingham - 08/10/2010 till 08/10/2010

Building Construction – Interbuild – Birmingham - 17/10/2010 till

20/10/2010

Plumbing Heating – PHEX – Manchester -20/10/2010 till 21/10/2010

The Sleep Event – London - 24/10/2010 till 25/10/2010

Plumbing Heating – PHEX – London - 17/11/2010 till 18/11/2010

KBB – London - 15/03/2011 till 17/05/2011

Thursday 4th November, Scotland – Hampden Park Wednesday 10th November, Birmingham – National Motorcycle Museum Friday 12th November, Manchester – Manchester United FC Tuesday 16th November, Bristol –West of England Exhibition & Conference Centre Thursday 18th November, London – Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge

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