We hear how commercial heat recovery has been deployed in a Carmarthen health and wellbeing project.

Vent-Axia’s award-winning Sentinel Apex units have been specified for the landmark Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb project, delivering energy-efficient ventilation to this transformative multi-million-pound development. The 245,000ft2 scheme is repurposing the former Carmarthen Debenhams building into a Health and Wellbeing Hub.

Facilities

The new hub will offer a range of services including public healthcare, a Customer Service Hwb, and new 24 hour Actif gym. Other facilities will include a family entertainment centre, with indoor adventure golf, toy town soft play, E-Go Karting, and TAG Active. Part-funded by the Welsh Government’s IRCF Fund, with further funding from the UK Government, the development will benefit from Sentinel Apex units installed across all three floors of the building, with four Sentinel Apex HR21 specified to meet the demand of the gym area alone.

Formerly a shopping centre, the building has been redesigned as a dynamic Health and Wellbeing Hwb for the people of Carmarthen. The extensive refurbishment involved a full reconfiguration of the internal space to create a welcoming environment that balances health, wellbeing, and entertainment under one roof. The project team includes: main contractor, Bouygues; M&E Consultant, Hoare Lea; Sub-Contractor, FP Hurley & Sons (Crosshands), and Distributor, Ventilation Warehouse. The Sentinel Apex commercial heat recovery units were specified for their energy efficiency, good indoor air quality, and their ultra-quiet operation, as well as meeting stringent Specific Fan Power (SFP) and dBA acoustic requirements, ensuring a comfortable and compliant building.

Neil Higgins, Contracts Manager, F P Hurley & Sons said: “We chose the Sentinel Apex units because they deliver exceptionally quiet operation and low Specific Fan Power, ensuring they met all Building Regulation requirements. The units were also available in a wide range of airflows, allowing us to specify the correct units for each space. In short, they offered the ideal balance of airflow, low noise, and energy efficiency.”

Adam Bullon from Ventilation Warehouse added: “I have worked with Vent-Axia for a long time. The Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb was an interesting job with the Sentinel Apex ticking all the right boxes for the project, including energy efficiency, noise, and ease of maintenance. Twenty Sentinel Apex units were delivered over three project stages.”

Maximum comfort

A brilliant fit for the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb project, the Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex is the next generation of commercial heat recovery ventilation, providing specifiers help in creating low-carbon buildings. The Sentinel Apex is specifically designed to have a high level of energy efficiency with industry-leading SFP and low embodied carbon. Individuals using the Carmarthen space will find maximum occupant comfort as this has been a priority for the development of the Sentinel Apex unit, operating quietly whilst improving indoor air quality.

The Sentinel Apex offers the highest level of IAQ and thermal comfort, whilst maintaining the lowest energy and noise levels, both of which were vital for this refurbishment. Offering up to 93% heat recovery efficiency (EN308 test method), ultra-low sound levels, which are independently tested and verified by SRL Technical Services Limited, and extremely low SFP, the Sentinel Apex has notable performance improvement in comparison with previous commercial heat recovery units and delivers ‘Simply more as Standard’. Its intuitive controls are compatible with Vent-Axia’s range of Sentinel-X Sensors, allowing for easily configurable set points ensuring optimised IAQ, in line with Part F of the Building Regulations, all while minimising ventilation energy consumption.

In order to achieve the highest levels of IAQ, the Sentinel Apex unit features ePM10 50% extract and ePM1 55% supply filters (M5/F7 equivalent) as standard. By carefully selecting the filter media and by utilising the latest motors and impellers (with better than IE5 efficiency), the Sentinel Apex maintains an extremely low SFP with low sound levels whilst maintaining excellent IAQ. The Sentinel Apex also aids thermal comfort with an integral automatic summer bypass that is designed to provide free cooling when available but is sized to eliminate performance loss.

Specifiers can choose from five sizes, as the Apex has been developed for a wide range of applications, and delivers airflows up to 4000m3/hr. At the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb 20 Sentinel Apex units were installed, including four Sentinel Apex HR21s used in the ground floor gym area alone, while Sentinel Apex HR15 units were used for the offices on floor 1 and floor 2, displaying the wide range of Apex units used in the project, in turn ensuring air flow meets design requirements in different parts of the building.

Designed to operate on the principles of demand ventilation, the Sentinel Apex is ideal for applications where the rooms are used at different times of the day by a variable number of people, making it well-tailored to the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb. The Sentinel Apex system, with the matched range of Sentinel-X Sensors, can monitor occupancy and air quality, responding by adjusting the ventilation accordingly, to maintain the IAQ and thermal comfort within predefined limits, whilst recovering up to 93% of the extracted thermal energy.

In control

The Sentinel Apex’s new advanced integrated control system has 3 levels of interface, all as standard: simple purpose-designed onboard user interface controlled incorporating an alphanumerical, 2-line display which lets users know how the system is operating with 4-button keypad for fan status and a basic commissioning setup mounted within the control panel. This allows easy commissioning and set-up. A full range of wired and wireless communication sensors available, with either through local mains or battery-powered options.

The controls are designed to take the complexity out of the control system making it easy for the user, with two levels of interface: one for the engineer allowing commissioning and one simpler one for the end-user allowing them to easily monitor and boost the system if additional ventilation is required.

Designed to have a low embodied carbon footprint, Vent-Axia has used the CIBSE TM65 data collection methodology to collect accurate, detailed embodied carbon information for the Sentinel Apex, working from a component level up. This methodology ensures data is comprehensive, accurate, reliable and up-to-date, making it easier for specifiers to focus on designing low carbon sustainable buildings.

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David Williams, Schneider Electric’s VP Transactional Business and Major Pursuits UK&I, explores the shift from traditional in-person trade counters to blended, multi-channel experiences for the electrical installation industry.

Our electrical installation industry continues to navigate changes and new trends. The digital world has opened many opportunities across our sector, both now and for the future.

Schneider Electric’s research into the Trade Counter of the Future reveals current and future evolutions in our industry.

Distribution is now firmly multichannel

The trade counter remains the vital channel – accounting for 41% of all purchases. At the same time, we’re seeing a purchasing evolution with increases in the use of digital channels. Our research found that three in four customers are expecting to use online for ordering and quoting more in the next five years. And let’s not forget, websites aren’t the only digital channel. Trade customers are also using email, mobile and even messaging apps such as WhatsApp to place orders these days.

It’s important to recognise that multichannel is here to stay. To succeed in this multichannel world, consistency of service and product availability across all channels are vital to create a seamless experience that suits individual customer needs.

Adapting to generational differences

Despite the move to online, a generational divide is evident. Younger tradespeople (25-34 years) overwhelmingly prefer online and mobile ordering, with 84% expecting to increase their use of digital channels in the next five years. In contrast, 39% of those over 55 don’t think their use of online will change.

This means wholesalers could benefit from segmenting their communications and offerings. Digital-first, mobile-friendly platforms are essential for younger trades, while relationship-driven, face-to-face service remains crucial for older customers. Channels like WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and email should be tailored to audience age and digital behaviour.

Setting new standards in terms of speed and convenience

Consumerism has raised the bar when it comes to fulfilment and convenience in our everyday lives. This is influencing the business sector where speed, convenience and customer service are key elements in the purchasing journey, it’s no longer just about price.

Over half of trade customers now expect the same speed and convenience from their business suppliers as they get in their personal (consumer) lives. More than half say they choose online ordering because it saves valuable working time (56%), it offers convenient delivery direct to home or job site (54%) and it ensures fast, reliable and on-time deliveries (53%).

To respond to this, it’s worth investing in supply chain transparency, real-time stock visibility, and robust fulfilment infrastructure to meet these expectations with a seamless approach.

Differentiating with knowledge and education

When visiting trade counters, almost three-quarters (71%) of customers rate knowledgeable staff as extremely important, two-thirds (66%) like to browse new products and two in five are attracted by innovation hubs to trial new technology (41%) or attend live demonstrations (43%).

As product research and price comparisons move online, the physical trade counter can differentiate itself with its deep expertise and experience. Innovation hubs, digital POS displays, and QR-linked product information can transform the trade counter into a centre for upskilling and discovery. Training modules, digital brochures, and incentives for attending knowledge sessions can drive footfall and foster loyalty, especially among younger and new-to-industry tradespeople.

Aligning to customer behaviour and preferences

We identified two main customer mindsets that need to be considered. “Quick Collectors,” who value efficiency and speed, and “Browsers”, who seek advice, product discovery, and in-person engagement.

In this increasingly multichannel world, the trade counter can be reimagined as a hybrid service hub. Express lanes and streamlined collection points will cater to the Quick Collectors, while interactive education zones, live demonstrations, and innovation hubs will engage the Browsers.

Getting ready for the trade counter of the future

In our multichannel world, the trade counter is evolving. Channel customers expect a seamless blend of speed, service, and knowledge regardless of the channels they prefer.

Wholesalers are perfectly positioned to deliver consistent experience wherever an order is placed, while using the physical counter to provide what digital alone can’t: trusted expertise, hands-on discovery and human relationships.

By embracing these changes, electrical wholesalers can not only keep pace with evolving customer expectations and behaviour but also secure their place at the heart of the industry for years to come.

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In this month’s Face to Face we speak with Glenn Ward, General Manager of Dunasfern, and find out more about the business and the industry sector it operates in.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about Dunasfern and what the company offers?

Dunasfern has been serving the data and communication market for over 43 years and has evolved into one of the leading suppliers of data infrastructure products across the UK. Breadth of product range and being commercially competitive are essential and a given in today’s world but at Dunasfern, the real benefit and differential we offer, is the market leading customer service and focus we dedicate to every customer and every order.

Q. How has the cabling solutions industry changed since Dunasfern first entered the market?

Since the birth of LAN data cables and the growth in networking computers, we have seen a massive increase in data demand and speed of transmission. This need to transmit more data and faster has continued and accelerated since the pandemic in 2020 with more hybrid working, streaming meetings almost continually and with the evolution of AI, this demand for data capacity and speed will only continue to grow.

Q. What products and solutions are popular with customers at the moment?

Within the whole communications spectrum, LAN data cables represent the largest volume and value, and we are continuing to see demand migrate from Cat5e to Cat6 and even Cat6a. There is still significant demand for low data use within CCTV environments and Cat5e is a perfect choice for this type of solution. Within the solar market, we are seeing Cat5e shielded SWA armoured cables installed to feed the CCTV cameras around the site. Further to this, we are seeing increasing demand for Belden type equivalent cables, alarm cables and even coax and telephone cables. The old 1308 BT type telephone cables are now being used in door entry systems due to them being a really cost-effective solution.

Q. What markets does Dunasfern operate in and how do requirements differ depending on environment?

Dunasfern is the leading supplier of data networking products to electrical wholesalers and in this market demand is mainly centred around Cat5e and Cat6 installations using PVC, LSZH and PE insulation and mostly unshielded. In a harsher industrial installation and in areas where power cables run close by, a shielded cable would be required to minimise data interruption. Coupled with this is the supporting infrastructure connectivity products such as plugs, modules, faceplates cabinets, wall boxes and all products within, such as patch panels power distribution, patch leads, etc. The demand for fibre cable installations is quite low but in larger commercial and data centre installations, fibre is the cable of choice rather than copper.

Q. Has the growing home automation market resulted in increased demand for structured cabling in homes?

The biggest increase in demand at home has followed on from the pandemic in 2020, with more people working from home, streaming meetings, whilst the children are streaming learning platforms or gaming. This has significantly increased demand for data but with increased performance from Wi-Fi networks and routers, the need to install data cables at home is currently quite low, unless the home is very large. This data demand is set to continue to increase with the development of AI, so it maybe the case that a need for data cables installed within homes will be required.

Q. What are Dunasfern’s plans for the year ahead?

Our plan is to continue to work proactively with our electrical wholesale partners, to help bring greater awareness of the wide range of data networking products available from them. We do this with a range of point-of-sale merchandise, a training programme designed to improve awareness within the branch staff to help them in their discussions with their customers and bespoke promotional activity at branch level. As our business continues to grow, we are always looking to strengthen the team and increase the resources to support our wholesale partners.

At Dunasfern, we want to continually strive to improve the proactive support we offer across customer service, product availability and commercial support. We take nothing for granted and our dedicated account managers are always on hand to discuss ways to improve our collaborative approach.

Find out more about Dunasfern here

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Clear guidance on inspection regimes, evolving terminology and practical considerations is helping wholesalers and contractors navigate electrical equipment safety with confidence, says Steve Dunning, Managing Director at Martindale Electric.

Electrical equipment safety remains a fundamental responsibility across every workplace. Yet confusion still exists around what needs to be tested, how often, and even what the process should be called. While Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is a familiar term, the introduction of Electrical Equipment Testing (EET) reflects a broader, more accurate understanding of today’s requirements.

At its core, the requirement is straightforward. Under the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989), any electrical equipment that could cause injury must be maintained in a safe condition. PAT emerged as an established method of meeting this duty, focusing on the inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances to ensure they are safe for continued use.

However, the industry’s shift towards the term Electrical Equipment Testing is more than just a rebrand. Introduced in the fifth edition of the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, the updated terminology addresses a long-standing misconception that only smaller, movable items require testing. In reality, the scope extends far beyond traditional ‘portable’ devices.

EET better reflects the full range of equipment that must be considered, including a wider variety of mains powered appliances and equipment. This could encompass anything from laptops and kettles through to vending machines, refrigeration units and even larger industrial equipment. While PAT remains widely used in conversation and training, understanding EET ensures that no equipment category is overlooked.

Frequency 

One of the most common questions surrounding PAT or EET testing is how often it should be carried out. Unlike some regulatory requirements, there is no universal testing interval defined in law. Instead, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a risk based approach, often interpreted in practice as annual testing, but this is only a guideline.

The appropriate frequency depends heavily on both the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used. For example, a power tool operating on a construction site is subject to significantly greater wear and risk than a desk lamp in a hotel room. As such, it requires more frequent inspection and testing.

This flexibility can make compliance feel ambiguous for employers. While PAT or EET testing itself is not explicitly mandated, the legal obligation to maintain safe equipment is absolute. In practical terms, regular inspection and testing provide a recognised and defensible way to demonstrate compliance with both the Electricity at Work Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

For contractors advising clients, or for wholesalers supporting those contractors, this distinction is important. The conversation should not centre on whether testing is legally required, but rather how businesses can evidence that they are meeting their duty of care.

Equipment selection

In most commercial and industrial environments, such as offices, hotels, factories and public buildings, testing is typically carried out on site. This may be undertaken by an in-house maintenance team, but more commonly is delivered by specialist contractors.

For those carrying out testing, the choice of equipment is critical. Portability and ease of use are key considerations, particularly for engineers working across multiple locations throughout the day. Lightweight, handheld testers that are simple to operate help improve efficiency while reducing user fatigue.

Modern units, such as Martindale’s HPAT550 and HPAT650, are designed with these needs in mind. Features like USB-C charging support extended use in the field, while intuitive interfaces help streamline the testing process, particularly for less experienced operatives.

Beyond the tester itself, record keeping is another essential element of any PAT/EET regime. This can range from traditional handwritten logbooks through to fully digital, cloud based systems. Regardless of the method, maintaining accurate records is vital, not only for operational tracking but also for demonstrating compliance during audits or inspections.

Labelling also plays a key role. After testing, equipment is typically marked with a clear pass or fail indicator, providing immediate visual confirmation of its status. For wholesalers, this creates an opportunity to supply complementary products such as labels, logbooks and bundled kits. Solutions like the Martindale PATKIT1 PAT Accessory KIT, which include 1,000 pass labels, 200 fail labels, IEC adaptors and logbook, offers a convenient way to support both new and existing users.

Compliance

A persistent misconception within the industry is that PAT testing is a legal requirement in its own right. In reality, legislation focuses on outcomes rather than processes. Employers must ensure equipment is safe; PAT/EET is simply one of the most widely accepted ways of achieving this.

This distinction matters because it reinforces the importance of a tailored, risk-based approach. High-risk environments, such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities, will naturally require more frequent and rigorous testing regimes than lower-risk settings like offices.

For contractors, this means applying professional judgement rather than relying on fixed intervals. For wholesalers, it means understanding the nuances of different applications so they can recommend appropriate solutions and equipment.

Ultimately, whether it is referred to as PAT or EET, the underlying objective remains unchanged: ensuring that electrical equipment is safe to use. The updated terminology simply brings greater clarity to the scope of what should be included.

Regular inspection and testing, supported by appropriate equipment and robust record keeping, not only helps organisations meet their legal obligations but also reduces the risk of accidents and downtime. From contractors on site to wholesalers at the point of supply, having a clear understanding of both the terminology and the practical requirements is essential. By doing so, they can provide informed guidance, support compliance, and contribute to safer working environments across every sector.

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This year marks a major milestone for Click Scolmore as the company proudly celebrates 35 years of continuous BSI Kitemark certification on its BS1363 socket outlets.

In a market where imitation products and misleading claims are becoming increasingly common, this achievement is more than a badge of honour – it is a powerful reminder of what genuine, independently verified quality looks like.

The BSI Kitemark has long been one of the most trusted symbols in the electrical industry. First registered in 1903, it confirms that a product has been rigorously tested, repeatedly checked and proven to meet recognised industry standards. It offers reassurance that what sits behind the faceplate is every bit as reliable as what you see on the surface.

That reassurance matters now more than ever. Copycat products and ‘like for like’ claims are increasingly finding their way into the market, and while many of these alternatives may look similar, the differences beneath the surface can be significant. Cheaper products often achieve their price point by substituting critical materials with inferior alternatives – thinner brass, or copper where brass should be – compromising durability, safety and long‑term performance.

Click Scolmore’s approach stands in stark contrast. Every product is designed in‑house in Tamworth, Staffordshire, by specialist teams, then developed in close collaboration with a small number of long‑standing overseas manufacturing partners. These factories operate exclusively for Scolmore, supported by investment in equipment, technology and skilled personnel. Regular site visits and strict quality systems ensure that every product meets the company’s exacting standards.

This controlled, transparent and accountable supply chain is not something that can be casually replicated. Yet some suppliers continue to imply that their products come from the same factories or are made to the same standards. Such claims mislead customers and undermine the importance of verified testing and approvals. Without the BSI Kitemark, there is simply no equivalent assurance of safety or performance.

As Click Scolmore celebrates 35 years of holding one of the industry’s most respected quality marks, the message to the market is clear: don’t judge a product by its appearance alone. Judge it by its testing, its materials, its provenance – and by whether it carries the Kitemark that proves its quality.

Commenting on the achievement, Shahm Barhom, Managing Director, Product Certification, BSI, said: “Marking 35 years of BSI Kitemark certification is a significant achievement and reflects Scolmore’s enduring commitment to quality, safety and trusted performance.

“Scolmore’s longstanding certification demonstrates not only compliance, but a proactive approach to maintaining the highest standards over time. We are proud to recognise this achievement and to support organisations like Scolmore that are dedicated to delivering excellence over the long term.”

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Ruth MacEachern, Product Manager at EnviroVent discusses PIV and MVHR and choosing the right ventilation strategy for healthier indoor environments

As awareness of indoor air quality continues to grow in line with new regulations like Awaab’s Law, ventilation is no longer viewed as a “nice to have” but a fundamental part of delivering healthy, compliant living spaces. Homes today are more airtight than ever, which brings energy efficiency benefits but also increases the risk of trapped pollutants, excess moisture, condensation, and indoor air quality issues if ventilation isn’t properly addressed.

Two of the most commonly specified whole‑house ventilation approaches in UK homes are Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). While both are designed to improve indoor air quality, they work in very different ways and suit different property types and scenarios.

Understanding how each system functions and where it performs best is key to ensuring the right solution is specified for each home.

How PIV works

Positive Input Ventilation is a whole‑house system that works by gently supplying filtered air into the property, typically from the loft space. This continuous input of air creates a slight positive pressure inside the home, which helps to push stale, moisture‑laden air out through natural leakage points such as trickle vents, air bricks and gaps around doors and windows.

Rather than extracting air mechanically from individual rooms, PIV focuses on dilution and displacement. Pollutants such as excess humidity, odours, airborne allergens and everyday household contaminants are gradually forced out and replaced with filtered air.

Because the air is introduced at a low flow rate and filtered before entering the living space, modern PIV systems operate quietly and unobtrusively, providing background ventilation without relying on occupant interaction.

The indoor air quality and health benefits

PIV can play a particularly valuable role in reducing condensation, damp and mould, which remain some of the most common indoor air complaints in UK housing. Excess moisture generated from everyday activities such as cooking, showering and drying clothes can quickly build up in poorly ventilated homes, creating ideal conditions for mould growth and dust mite proliferation.

By constantly introducing drier external air, PIV helps to stabilise humidity levels across the entire dwelling, reducing surface condensation and limiting the conditions mould needs to thrive. This, in turn, supports better respiratory health, especially for occupants affected by asthma, allergies or other breathing conditions.

Unlike intermittent extract fans, which depend on manual operation or occupancy sensors, PIV systems run continuously, maintaining consistent air movement and improving overall air freshness throughout the home.

When PIV is the best option

PIV is particularly well suited to existing homes and retrofit scenarios, where installing a ducted ventilation system may be disruptive or impractical.

It is commonly specified in:

• Older properties with limited or inconsistent background ventilation
• Homes experiencing condensation or mould but without major structural defects
• Social housing and private rental properties where minimal disruption is important
• Occupied homes where residents need an immediate, low‑maintenance solution

Because installation requirements are relatively straightforward, PIV offers a cost‑effective and scalable way to address indoor air quality issues across large housing portfolios. Its simplicity, reliability and ease of upkeep make it a popular choice where a quick improvement in living conditions is required.

However, it’s important to recognise that PIV relies on the building’s natural leakage paths to expel air. As housing stock becomes increasingly airtight, this is where alternative strategies may be more effective.

Introducing MVHR

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery operates on a fundamentally different principle. Rather than supplying air into the property and allowing it to escape naturally, MVHR systems extract stale air from wet rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms, while simultaneously supplying fresh air to living and sleeping spaces via a fully ducted system.

What sets MVHR apart is its ability to recover heat from outgoing air. As warm, stale air is extracted, the heat is retained within the heat cell to pre‑warm the incoming fresh air, improving thermal efficiency while maintaining a continuous supply of air. This controlled, balanced airflow allows MVHR systems to manage indoor air quality with a high degree of precision.

Why MVHR delivers long‑term indoor air quality control

MVHR is particularly effective in airtight, modern properties, where uncontrolled air leakage is minimal and ventilation must be carefully managed.

Because air supply and extract rates are balanced, MVHR prevents pressure imbalances within the home, reducing draughts and helping maintain stable internal conditions. The continuous removal of humidity and pollutants directly from source rooms makes MVHR highly effective at reducing condensation and helping to protect the building fabric.

From an indoor air quality perspective, MVHR systems also offer excellent filtration, helping to reduce the ingress of outdoor pollutants and allergens, which are a growing consideration in urban environments.

When MVHR is the right choice

Under Approved Document F of Building Regulations, MVHR is suitable for a dwelling with any air permeability level, however MVHR is often suited to:

• New‑build homes designed to high airtightness standards
• Properties undergoing deep retrofit or whole‑house renovation
• Homes where energy efficiency and occupant comfort are key priorities

While installation is more complex than PIV, the long‑term benefits in terms of comfort, air quality control and energy performance make MVHR a strong choice where design conditions allow.

Choosing the right system

No single ventilation system is right for every property. The most effective solution depends on a range of factors, including:

• The age and airtightness of the building
• Existing ventilation pathways
• Occupant behaviour and lifestyle
• Budget, disruption tolerance and long‑term performance goals

In many existing homes, PIV provides a practical and accessible route to improving indoor air quality and reducing moisture‑related problems. In contrast, MVHR offers maximum control and efficiency for homes designed to support a fully ducted ventilation strategy.

What matters most is that ventilation is considered early, specified correctly, and matched to the realities of the building and its occupants. With indoor air quality now firmly on the agenda, choosing the right approach has never been more important.

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Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement with Scolmore Group, which incorporates the Unicrimp division of cable accessories, explores how correct cable support prevents strain and damage – and why wholesalers are central to ensuring contractors have the right products to meet BS7671 requirements.

For wholesalers, cable support is more than a simple add‑on sale. With BS7671 placing clear obligations on installers to protect cables from mechanical strain and damage, contractors rely heavily on their wholesaler to supply compliant, high‑quality fixings and accessories.

Why cable support matters

Regulation 522.8.1 of BS7671 requires wiring systems to be selected and installed so that cables and their terminations are not damaged during installation, use or maintenance. In practice, this means contractors need access to a wide range of support solutions – and they often turn to wholesalers for guidance on what’s appropriate for each job.

Regulations 522.8.5, 522.8.11 and 522.8.12 go further, stating that:

• Cables must not be subjected to mechanical strain
• Supports must not have sharp edges
• Fixings must not damage the cable

This places real emphasis on choosing the right product for the right application – something wholesalers are ideally positioned to support.

Types of support wholesalers should stock

Contractors expect wholesalers to carry a broad and reliable range of cable support options, including:

• Cable ties
• Cable cleats
• Cable clips
• Cable tie accessories
• Cable glands

Products such as Unicrimp metal cable cleats and Unicrimp brass meter tail glands are examples of items that help installers meet compliance requirements while ensuring long‑term system integrity.

The choice of fixing depends on:

• The installation surface (e.g., clips for timber, ties for basket tray)
• The cable type (e.g., cleats for SWA cables)

Wholesalers who understand these distinctions can better support their customers and strengthen their technical credibility.

Guidance contractors rely on

The IET On‑Site Guide (OSG) remains a key reference for installers. Appendix D provides recommended spacing for cable supports, with Table D1 detailing distances for accessible cable runs.

For example:

• A cable with a diameter up to 9 mm requires closer clip spacing
• Larger cables can be supported at greater intervals

Wholesalers who understand these guidelines can help contractors select the correct quantity and type of fixings – improving customer service and reducing returns.

Bending radii are also critical. Regulation 522.8.3 requires cables to be bent without placing strain on internal conductors. The OSG’s Table D5 gives examples, such as the minimum bending radius for 1.5mm² twin and earth.

Cable entry: a common point of failure

Wholesalers frequently supply the accessories that prevent damage at cable entry points.

Two issues must be addressed:

1. Sharp edges on metal boxes – requiring grommets or bushings
2. Strain on terminations – requiring proper support and compression glands

Stocking the right glands, grommets and strain‑relief products ensures installers can meet Regulations 522.8.5 and 522.8.12.

What this means for wholesalers

Electrical wholesalers are a vital link in ensuring safe, compliant installations. By offering a comprehensive range of cable supports – and understanding the regulatory drivers behind them – wholesalers can:

• Help contractors meet BS7671 requirements
• Reduce installation faults and call‑backs
• Strengthen customer trust
• Increase sales of complementary products

Unicrimp’s extensive range of clips, cleats, ties and glands gives wholesalers the opportunity to supply everything a contractor needs to install cables safely and compliantly.

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Nick Gwilliam, Lighting Designer at Ansell Lighting, shares his insights on how to approach outdoor lighting schemes effectively and explores the benefits of integrating the latest smart and solar-powered innovations.

Summer is finally on the horizon and outdoor lighting projects are high on the agenda for many. But they can be complex, requiring solutions for garden and social spaces, alongside safety and security requirements – and all with an eye on design as well.

Different roles

Whether it is for a home, garden, business premises – or a combination of the three – outdoor lighting is about so much more than security lights.

Lighting plays a multitude of roles, enhancing visibility during hours of darkness, ensuring safety and security around building perimeters and public access areas, deterring criminals, and enriching the ambience and visual appeal of buildings, gardens, features and outdoor spaces.

Planning an outdoor lighting project therefore goes beyond simply choosing a fitting and a place to install it. Considerations include product styling and durability; CCT and brightness settings; positioning, mounting heights and spacing; and, of course, issues such as light pollution avoidance.

The best starting point for an outdoor lighting project is to look at the spaces that require illumination and consider how each area will be used. Is lighting needed to enhance user safety or provide security? Is ambience important? Will the space be used for leisure or just access purposes? Is visual impact important? Is constant illumination required?

Defining the purpose of the lighting required will help to guide both the design and product specification. And combining all of the required elements takes some careful planning.

Product types

Product specification is key, which is where a knowledgeable wholesaler comes into their own. Different areas require different types of products. For example, wall-mounted luminaires are ideal for building façades and wall areas; floodlights for car parks and large open spaces and bollards are ideal for pathways or landscaped zones.

And due to their very nature, luminaires for outdoor and exterior building use need to be robust, with a high IP and IK rating. Those that are constructed from materials such as die-cast aluminium, polycarbonate or stainless-steel will offer the best performance against the elements for longevity.

In garden settings, whether that is residential or public realm, the most effective schemes usually incorporate a variety of lighting techniques, to add depth and bring life to the spaces.

Uplighting creates a dramatic effect, perfect for drawing attention to trees, sculptures or water features. Downlighting, which mimics moonlight, is ideal for softly illuminating paths, patios or doorways. Silhouetting involves placing light sources behind plants or objects to emphasise shape and structure, creating a striking artistic effect.

Other techniques like wall washing and grazing can highlight textured surfaces and materials, while cross-lighting and mirroring enhance depth and dimension. Together, these approaches ensure a dynamic and visually interesting space after dark.

Avoiding light pollution is a major consideration when designing an outdoor lighting installation and must not be overlooked. Clever placement, low level lighting and the specification of fittings that hold the Dark Sky Fixture Seal of Approval accreditation, are all recommended, helping to keep light spill to a minimum. The Dark Sky certification is only given to products that are fully shielded and emit minimal amounts of blue light and glare in the nighttime environment. Where this is not possible, luminaires with optics that combine advanced lens technology and enhanced glare control designs should be selected. The key objective is to ensure the minimal amount of light is given off upwards or sideways.

A huge part of product specification is, now more than ever, energy efficiency. Outdoor lighting can be left on for many hours – especially during winter months – meaning electricians and installers are under increasing pressure to deliver lighting that is energy efficient and cost effective to operate.

Opportunity

For wholesalers, this presents a key opportunity to add value and support to customers, by providing a comprehensive range of high-efficiency lighting solutions that work alongside LED fittings, to help reduce consumption and meet sustainability targets.

A great place to start is with motion sensors which ensure lighting is only in use when a space is occupied. Typically, there are two main types of motion sensor technology in use: Microwave and Passive Infra-Red (PIR).

Smart technology is another game-changer in terms of energy-efficiency. Allowing users to control, customise and automate lighting to an exceptional degree, connected lighting solutions help to optimise energy use and enhance functionality. They are great for domestic and commercial projects alike where lighting can be scheduled to operate only when areas are in use or programmed to activate at specific times as required.

And, connected lighting, is perfect to enhance design and ambience in social areas, with its adjustable settings allowing users to select different colours and colour temperatures to transform the look and feel of a space. Whether it’s a warm, welcoming white tone or a decorative colour for seasonal events, smart technology allows users to create a custom environment.

Solar power

Solar lighting is also worthy of consideration because of what it is able to deliver in terms of cost effectiveness and, increasingly, in performance. Significant advances in the technology has resulted in more efficient solar panels, improved LED function and better battery storage capabilities, so solar-powered lighting is now a reliable and high-performing choice, even in the UK’s less predictable climate. And as a result, the selection of solar lighting products now available has also increased.

Solar is of course completely free to operate and doesn’t add to household or business running costs, but the other huge bonus is quick and straightforward installation, with no need for disruptive outdoor cabling or electrical wiring work, and the flexibility to more easily move the fittings.

There are a myriad of factors to consider with outdoor lighting projects, but achieving an effective installation is easily achievable if time if dedicated, up front, to planning, design and product selection.

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In this month’s Face to Face we speak with Luke Norcross-Evans, Product Development Executive at Aico, and get the lowdown on the alarm system market.

Q. What alarm systems and detector technologies are currently proving popular in the UK market?

Interlinked alarm systems remain a leading choice, with RF, hard-wired and hybrid options providing full-property coverage and flexible installation for both new builds and retrofits.

Multi-sensor alarms combining smoke and heat detection are increasingly preferred for their fast, reliable response and reduced false alarms, forming a core part of Aico’s range.

There’s also growing interest in connected solutions, such as our HomeLINK technology, which allow landlords and housing providers to monitor system performance and plan maintenance more efficiently.

Q. What is HomeLINK and what benefits can it offer to residents and landlords?

HomeLINK is the technology behind Aico’s Connected Home Solution, designed to link together multiple, in-property, life safety devices like our fire and CO alarms and environmental sensors into one single connected system to create a clear overview of the compliance and the health of a home.

For residents, it offers peace of mind. The main benefit is reassurance that their home is being monitored for risks that aren’t always visible, like poor indoor air quality or early signs of damp.

For landlords, the real value is evidence and actionable insight. Instead of reacting to complaints, they can proactively use data trends to spot patterns, prioritise interventions, and demonstrate compliance with safety standards.

 Q. What are the key factors behind the surging popularity of environmental sensors?

The growing popularity of environmental sensors is being driven by a heightened focus on indoor air quality and occupant wellbeing, alongside the increasing need to monitor damp and mould risks to ensure legislative compliance.

A key factor of course is the introduction of Awaab’s Law, which is accelerating the need for social landlords to identify and address hazards within strict timeframes. This is naturally pushing the adoption of sensors that can provide early warning of conditions that lead to damp and mould.

Advances in connected technology also enable real-time data and remote monitoring, supporting a more proactive, data-led approach to compliance and resident safety within property management.

Q. How has the ability to access real time data helped to improve visibility for alarm system end users?

The ability to access real-time data has significantly improved visibility for alarm system end users by providing immediate insight into the status and performance of devices across a property or portfolio.

Users can receive instant alerts to activations, faults or maintenance issues wherever they are, enabling faster response and reducing the possibility of systems being left inoperative and the serious risks associated with it.

Overall, it allows for remote diagnostics and maintenance planning, minimising unnecessary callouts and improving efficiency with faster response times. The real-time data supports a more proactive, transparent approach to system management, enhancing safety, compliance and user confidence.

Q. How are modern fire safety solutions able to better integrate with connected home systems?

Modern fire safety solutions are increasingly designed to communicate seamlessly with connected home systems, allowing alarms, CO detectors, and environmental sensors to work together as part of a single ecosystem.

Technologies like RF interlinking and cloud-based platforms enable connected devices to share data in real time, triggering alerts, notifications, and automated responses across the property.

Integration also extends to property management and monitoring platforms, giving landlords and housing providers a unified view of multiple safety systems. This connectivity allows for faster responses, proactive maintenance, and a more intelligent, data-led approach to home safety.

Q. What are Aico’s aims and objectives for the next 12 months?

Over the next 12 months, Aico is focused on continuing to raise standards and sharing genius across the housing and fire safety sectors, supported by further innovation in our current technologies and services.

A key priority is advancing our connected home solutions and data-led insights, alongside continued investment in education and professional development.

This includes expanding our range of CPD certified and City & Guilds-assured training programmes and qualifications, covering areas such as connected home technology and developments in CO detection. These courses provide industry-recognised accreditation and support improved competence across the sector.

Alongside this, Aico will continue to strengthen partnerships, sustainability initiatives and community engagement, with a clear focus on delivering smarter, safer, and more connected homes.

Find out more about Aico here

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Marcus Walsh, Director at Ventilux, highlights the apprenticeship opportunities the company has championed with Hugh Baird College.

At Ventilux, we believe in building more than emergency lighting systems – we’re building careers, confidence and long-term futures. As an independent emergency lighting manufacturer, we’re proud to play a hands-on role in developing the next generation of electrical engineers. Incredibly, not one but three of our current employees have all been studying at Hugh Baird College, combining academic learning with real-world experience on-site. For us, apprenticeships are not a tick-box exercise. They are an essential part of how we grow our business, strengthen our team and invest in the industry’s future.

Daniel Bold, Reece Webb and Harry Adams are shining examples of why apprenticeships matter. Each of them is gaining practical, hands-on experience in live environments while contributing to high-profile projects across the UK – from Manchester Airport and historic London landmarks to major installations in Scotland.

Competence and confidence

Working on complex emergency lighting installations gives our apprentices invaluable exposure to real challenges: compliance, coordination with other trades, problem-solving on-site, and delivering to strict safety standards. This practical learning complements their college studies and accelerates both their technical competence and professional confidence.

By working with a respected local college, we’re able to align on training standards, ensure apprentices receive the right academic support, and maintain open communication about their development.

Les Simmons, Ventilux’s Installation and Service Supervisor and mentor to the apprentices, explains: “Ventilux is a family-run business that wanted to provide apprenticeships to local young people to grow the team. Working with a local college, such as Hugh Baird, is a great professional relationship.”

That partnership ensures apprentices benefit from structured learning in the classroom while developing practical skills under experienced supervision on-site.

Daniel Bold joined Ventilux in June 2024 after completing his Level 1 and 2 Diplomas at Hugh Baird College. He has quickly become a valued member of the team and describes Ventilux as a “supportive, nice, family-run team.” His progression demonstrates how apprenticeships can provide a clear pathway from education into meaningful employment.

Reece Webb began his apprenticeship in October 2024, transitioning from the Autocare sector. With no prior electrical experience, Reece brought determination and a strong work ethic. His rapid development highlights the accessibility of apprenticeships to those willing to learn and embrace a new career path.

Harry Adams, our newest apprentice, joined us after completing his Level 2 and 3 Diplomas. He has found a welcoming, growth-focused environment where he can continue to build on his qualifications while gaining valuable site experience.

The electrical and emergency lighting sectors face ongoing skills shortages. For independent manufacturers like Ventilux, the solution isn’t simply to recruit talent – it’s to create it.

Fresh perspectives

By nurturing apprentices from the start of their careers, we’re not only strengthening our own team but also contributing to the wider industry. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and a willingness to embrace new technologies. In return, we provide mentorship, structured development and the opportunity to work on prestigious, technically demanding projects.

As a family-run business, we take pride in creating a supportive environment where young professionals can grow, make mistakes, learn and ultimately thrive. For Ventilux, apprenticeships aren’t just about today’s workforce. They’re about ensuring that the next generation of engineers is skilled, confident and ready to uphold the highest standards in safety and compliance. By investing in people now, we’re helping to secure a stronger future for our business – and for the industry as a whole.

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