BEAMA Installation’s first president was Mike Storey, previously EIEMA president. He was a driving force behind the creation of the new association. Its vice-president Geoff McCann (formerly BESA president) has now taken up the reins as president. David Dossett has continued in the position of director for BEAMA Installation, supported by two deputy directors: Anne Humberstone (installation equipment) and Peter Downham (cable management). A newly established Cable Management Systems Product Group is already making an impact, in addition to the existing EIEMA product groups and their associated technical committees.
Member advantages
The merger created many advantages for members. The combined association provides a larger, more stable platform from which to launch industry initiatives and communicate views. The combined resources mean the installation materials sector now speaks with a unified voice.
It is already having more impact when talking with UK and EU governments and exerts greater influence on standards and potential legislation affecting the industry. The director is vice-chair of Orgalime, the European Federation for the engineering industry. He recently spoke for the industry at the launch of the National Standardisation Strategic Framework (a major joint project by DTI, CBI and BSI to use standards to increase UK competitiveness).
There is more focus on international, especially European, lobbying and standardisation work. Anne Humberstone runs the BEAMA standards policy committee. She is one of the senior European experts on the WEEE and EUP Directives. The formation of BEAMA Installation has strengthened BEAMA itself, most notably by its commitment of resources to support its activities. This encourages BEAMA to develop its role by creating new market opportunities for its members and providing savings through economies of scale.
A new identity and logo were created for BEAMA Installation, complementing that of BEAMA and its respective energy and power groups, and echoing that of the previous Associations. The identity makes the new organisation prominent within the electrical industry, reinforcing its forward-looking ethos.
BEAMA Installation does a considerable amount of positive work representing the interests of its members. Following are highlights of areas where it is making an impact.
New standard for power track
Power track is one of the newer products in the BEAMA Installation member’s portfolio. It has recently come of age as a product category in its own right, with the approval for publication of IEC 61534-1: General requirements for power track systems.
Previously, manufacturers developed this product within the overall concept of busbar system design criteria. Yet, with the rapid advance of multi-occupancy, high-rise offices and other commercial installations demanding speedy installation and flexibility of services, it was increasingly clear that a separate standard was needed – one allowing the correct products for this demanding application to be developed.
The newly available standard covers systems rated up to 63 A, together with associated tap-off units for distributing the power to the point of usage. There will be no rest for the international team of standards writers. They must now begin drafting related subsidiary standards for wall and ceiling-mounted, and underfloor power track systems.
BEAMA Installation’s power track producer members have been at the forefront of this work through their technical expertise and manufacturing experience.
Support where it’s needed
A vital, often overlooked, part of any industrial electrical installation is the system used to support the cable tray and ladder, which in turn supports and protects the cabling. These systems are also used to support other services. It is the installer who is responsible for the integrity of this installation.
Contractors and consultants overlook at their peril the design aspects of assessing the loads and forces involved in this part of a building project. It is not enough to leave this element until the system is being erected. Careful consideration by a competent structural design technician is necessary to achieve a cost-effective and safe end result.
For peace of mind, specifiers are advised to use an integrated package approach, which will lead to a safe installation. A leading UK manufacturer of support systems has estimated that 80% of the technical enquiries received are in relation to post-installation problems. For example, excessive deflection under load, which could have been avoided if the product had been correctly specified at the design stage.
Another area of concern is the method of attachment to walls, ceilings and other building structures. The UK Building Regulations ensure that good practice is followed, right down to the installation of roof purlins. Beyond that there often seems little thought about what is attached to them. Examples of poor installation practice can be frequently seen in steel-framed buildings.
A contractor accepting the responsibility of designing the support system as the installation progresses is taking a huge risk. The temptation to use cheaper components of doubtful provenance will compound this risk further. Although they may look similar, are the cheaper components made to the same standard?
Is the grade and gauge of steel adequate for the load or was it chosen for ease of manufacture? Is the finish applied up to specification or will corrosion set in within months of completion? Will the fasteners chosen perform predictably or will they deform under load? Most importantly, will the mix of different components, selected because they are the cheapest, perform adequately together as a completed support system and meet the appropriate design criteria?
The purchaser of an integrated support system from a reputable BEAMA Installation member can readily avoid all of these pitfalls. With technical advice available from the manufacturer at the outset, the design can be created in a safe, cost-effective manner.
The manufacturer’s quality assurance programme will ensure that all components are produced to an exacting and consistent specification and are compatible with each other. Type-testing will have been carried out at the manufacturer’s laboratory. An effective after-sales service will be in place to help resolve any technical difficulties encountered on site.
Without the benefits of complete system integrity, a cheap solution may not be so cheap in the long run.
Supply chain issues
It is in the best interests of all in the industry – especially the end-users – that supply chain costs are minimised. This means ensuring that practices keep pace with modern developments, and that time is not unnecessarily wasted in disputes concerning contracts.
BEAMA Installation continues to participate in the activities of the Electrical Industry Electronic Trading Group (ETG) as an information resource for its members on electronic trading issues. In co-operation with the Lighting Industry Federation, BEAMA Installation has also developed Model conditions of sale, published on the web site. It is an invaluable reference for members when negotiating contracts with customers.
The more information that exists on such issues means less likelihood of contractual disputes and greater chance of a cost-effective and efficient supply chain.
Best-sellers
The Association offers guidance to members’ customers on the use and application of industry products.
Old favourites, such as Forms of separation (over 50 000 copies sold) and IP Codes (over 20 000) have been joined by Type-tested and partially type-tested assemblies. They will all be reissued shortly, taking into account changes in international standards.
Other guides include: Switch and fusegear devices, Fuselink applications and Low voltage busbar trunking systems. They are often referred to as the Bible in their respective fields, because of their authority and comprehensive guidance.
Two new codes of practice approaching publication are: The selection and application of rcds (see page 15) and Design, installation and use of hospital bedhead systems.
ESPG media campaign
The profile-raising initiative implemented by the Engineered Systems Product Group (ESPG) has created a positive response via its loose insert leaflet in prime trade titles. Many membership enquiries and requests for technical guides have been generated. This high-impact promotional vehicle has raised the Group’s profile, highlighting its areas of expertise, but also the profile of BEAMA Installation generally.
ESPG represents the interests of its members active in the electrical equipment sector of the installation industry. Representatives from ESPG companies are key members of influential technical committees, fully participating in the work of many international, European and national standards committees. This close involvement ensures that members rigorously adhere to the necessary standards for the design, development, manufacture, testing and verification for compliance.
The group provides vital expertise and support, resulting in quality equipment of the highest standards of safety and performance.
Within BEAMA Installation, ESPG publishes a series of well regarded, informative product guides, detailing approved practices that are available to consultants, installers and users.
About BEAMA Installation
April 2003 saw the creation of BEAMA Installation through the merger between EIEMA and BESA. BEAMA Installation is the UK’s trade body for manufacturers of electrical installation and cable management products. Its role is to promote and advance the interests of its members, provide contacts, information and advice. Its members together turnover more than £900 million, of which 25% is exports. The Association is represented on committees and councils and seeks to provide a point of contact between the industry and government departments, the European Union and major users. These contacts are used to represent the collective view of the industry on such matters as safety legislation, EU Directives, environmental issues, market intelligence and other relevant information. BEAMA Installation plays a major role in the preparation of national, international and European standards, actively participating in the work of over 200 committees devoted to safety and performance requirements. This provides essential background support for design and product development and results in a range of high quality products that comply with the latest international standards. In addition, its members are independently assessed to the international standard for quality management systems. It also plays a key role in supporting the exporting efforts of its members through seminars and direct action against counterfeiters.Recycling - A weee lead
BEAMA Installation has formed BEAMA Recycling as part of its programme to implement the European Directive on Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the UK. Annually in Europe, around 90% (6 million tonnes) of such waste is disposed in landfill sites. The Directive aims for as much as 80% of this to be recycled in environmentally compatible processes. BEAMA Installation’s initiative follows a similar one in Germany, where over 150 tonnes of fuselinks are recycled every year under the NH/HH recycling scheme. British fuse manufacturers, led by Eaton MEM, Cooper Bussmann and Lawson Fuses, are already well advanced with plans to implement the intent of the WEEE Directive – even though fuselinks are not listed among the equipment identified for recycling. Every tonne of recycled fuselinks yields around 220 kg of copper. To extract the same quantity of copper from the ground would require, on average, 100 tonnes of raw ore. In addition, each tonne of recycled fuselinks will yield 2·5 kg of silver. Recycling is not restricted to the products of the participating manufacturers as the scheme is self-financing. The nature of the fuselink lends itself to environmentally-compatible recycling, because physical dismantling and separation of components is not necessary. Nevertheless, participating manufacturers will identify their products with an environmentally compatible recycling symbol similar to that used by their German counterparts. Analysis of the total cost of recycling fuselinks has indicated that there could be a small net profit. This will be donated to an appropriate charity.Addressing Weee's scope
The WEEE Directive must be implemented in all member states by August 2004. Although the scope is not absolutely clear, it is well apparent that all manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment must keep abreast of developments. This is because the Directive comes under Article 175 of the Treaty, which means that member states must implement it as a minimum, but can for the sake of the environment go beyond that. On behalf of its members, BEAMA Installation has been liaising very closely with the DTI, and via Orgalime has maintained contact with the Commission. The Association’s view is that the Directive’s scope must be the same for all member states to preserve the integrity of the single market. Orgalime has produced a position that will hopefully be considered by all member states. Related financing and collection responsibilities are further issues BEAMA Installation is monitoring. Consistency between member states’ legislation is imperative. For household products, the responsibility for financing their collection and recycling (article 8) is with the producer ie the manufacturer, own-brander or importer. They will be able to add these costs and those of their share (based on current market share) to the price of the new product when tackling the historic waste burden. Also, they must indicate to the authorities that this money has been set aside or show that a meaningful guarantee will be available. Distributors of these products will have to take them back free-of-charge from end-users. The responsibility regime for business-to-business sales (article 9) is different. It offers the flexibility appropriate to professional equipment and the different patterns of trade-in and use of such products. For example, with luminaires installed in offices the refurbisher, demolisher or owner of a commercial installation could be responsible. The producer’s responsibility for financing the historic waste burden will be tied to their sale of a replacement, leaving responsibility with the end-user if there is no replacement. BEAMA Installation is pushing for other installed products – socket-outlets, distribution boards, switches – to be deemed outside the scope of the Directive. WEEE has major implications for manufacturers, distributors and installers. All those in the electrical installation industry should be watching how the UK and other member states are planning its implementation.BEAMA Installation product groups
Single Phase Product Group: electrical wiring accessories, circuit protection devices, plugs and sockets- Accessories Technical Committee
- Low Voltage Circuit-breakers (mcbs) Technical Committee 1
- Low Voltage Circuit Breakers (mccbs, acbs) Technical Committee 2
- Switch and Fusegear Technical Committee
- Fuse Technical Committee
- Industrial Plugs and Sockets Technical Committee
- Cable Management Group Management Committee
- Cable Management Technical Committee
- Rigid PVC Conduits Sector Group
- Flexible and Pliable Conduits Sector Group
- Steel Products Sector Group (tray, ladder, trunking, conduit, fittings, support systems and ties)
- Power Track Sector Group
- Low Voltage Switchboard Technical Committee
- Busduct Technical Committee
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
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