News

27 March 2023

Energy Efficiency Funding for Schools

Schools and colleges in Norfolk will benefit from a share of £500 million government funding to spend on energy efficiency upgrades such as smart lighting. It is hoped that this additional budget will help schools across England to manage their energy consumption, making a positive impact on the environment as well as reducing the budgetary impact of fluctuations in utility costs. We’ve taken a look at what improvements can be made to school buildings to ensure they get the most benefit from the investment.

What funding will each school receive?

On average, a primary school will receive in the region of £16,000, a secondary school £42,000 and further education establishments up to £290,000.

How can a school become more energy efficient?

There are many ways schools and colleges can reduce their energy consumption, costs and emissions. We’ve highlighted a few of our favourites below but you can also view further advice by reading this Government Guide.

Lighting

Lighting upgrades can reduce a school’s energy consumption from lighting by 84%*. This includes the replacement of inefficient lights such as fluorescents with LEDs as well as the adoption of smart lighting solutions such as motion sensors and timers.

Classrooms and other shared workspaces will benefit from low glare lighting such as LED light panels with aluminium reflectors. The lighting design for communal areas such as corridors, washrooms and storage areas can be zoned so that movement sensors trigger light switch on – a considerable energy saving measure, especially in larger buildings.

Diamond Services are experts in lighting design, our skilled team offering a thorough assessment of each building’s requirements.

*source – Energy efficiency Government guidance

Hot water distribution

Hot Water System (HWAT) Trace Heating negates the need for traditional recirculating systems as it keeps hot water at the correct temperature within distribution pipeworks. Incredibly energy efficient, proven to reduce water wastage and effective at preventing Legionella, HWAT controlled services can produce an energy saving of up to 50%**.

Norwich University of the Arts has seen first-hand the benefits of HWAT trace heating. You can read more about the project on our sister company’s website, Diamond Controls case study.

**Source: nVent RAYCHEM

Leak Detection Systems

Water wastage is a big issue in public buildings and schools face many challenges to reduce their water consumption. Leak detection systems enable maintenance teams to pinpoint the exact location of a water leak, using sensing cables and probes that are linked to an alarm panel to provide an instant alert in areas such as toilet blocks, changing rooms, plant rooms and kitchens. This quick and reliable system can also prevent unseen building damage from causing disruption and costly repairs.

Diamond Services provides water leak monitoring including major leak detection, automatic water shut-off systems and monitoring systems for refrigerant and other gas emissions.

Support and advice

Upgrades to distribution panels, audits of a building’s energy management and load monitoring can also significantly reduce the energy consumption of a commercial building. Our skilled team of Norwich based electrical contractors can provide a wide range of support and advice and are experts in energy efficient electrical solutions.

Diamond Services is also one of the few Norfolk based OZEV approved EV charger installers. Government funding for up to £350 per charger installed can help schools embrace the move to more environmentally friendly transportation, and encourage the use of electric vehicles by visitors and teachers.

Managing Director, Martin Barmby said, “This additional funding will bring a welcome boost to schools and colleges in the area, with many already recognising there are improvements they could make to their facilities to become more energy efficient. We are looking forward to working with education providers in Norwich and across Norfolk, providing our electrical contracting services across school sites and making vital upgrades in areas such as lighting schemes, energy management and load monitoring, trace heating for hot water systems and frost protection, and leak detection systems.”

If you’re an educational establishment looking to make electrical improvements to your school facilities, please get in touch for a no obligation consultation.

26 January 2023

Charity Sponsorship funds DJ skills programme for those with a brain injury

Diamond Services is pleased to support a new initiative from Headway Norfolk and Waveney that will see participants undertake a six week DJ skills workshop as part of the charity’s therapeutic activities.

Headway Norfolk and Waveney is an independent local charity supporting adults impacted by Brain Injury resulting from, but not limited to, stroke, road traffic accidents, trips, and falls. The charity works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support and information services. They strive to provide innovative and inspiring therapeutic activities to assist service users with recovery after brain injury.

Amanda Barmby, Therapy Service Manager and Occupational Therapist at Headway Norfolk and Waveney commented, “Post brain injury if people have been unable to resume their previous roles, they commonly have reduced confidence and self-esteem. Learning new skills which are meaningful can encourage feelings of self-belief and competence.”

Headway Norfolk and Waveney recognise that the addition of music to any therapy programme is gaining an increasing evidence base for improving the effectiveness of rehabilitation. For clients with an interest in music, the art of DJ-ing aims to provide an enjoyable and culturally and age-appropriate medium in which to reap the rehabilitative benefits.

Amanda adds “The skills involved in being able to DJ include the ability to sustain and alternate attention by learning to switch between tasks on the decks; it utilises procedural memory and exercises many aspects of executive functioning skills. It also includes the physical benefits of practising motor co-ordination and stamina.”

The six-week DJ Skills programme, which aims to launch at the end of January, will encompass 6 weeks of 2 hours sessions with a local DJ as well as assistance from Headway Norfolk and Waveney Key Support Workers, with clients provided the opportunity to showcase their work on Community Radio Station Future Radio. Diamond Services are lead sponsors of the programme, providing vital funding for this project to take place in the local area.

Diamond Services EA commented “When we heard about the new initiative from Headway Norfolk and Waveney we were delighted to be involved. The DJ workshops will inspire, increase confidence, and help people with a brain injury develop new skills. It sounds like a great way to incorporate music therapy in rehabilitation and also a lot of fun! We look forward to hearing their showcases on Future Radio and hope that their experiences lead to more projects like this.”

For more information about the services and work of Headway Norfolk and Waveney, please visit their website.

10 December 2022

Lighting Design and Full Electrical Fit-Out for Games Distributor

Leading games retailer, Zatu Games, commissioned Diamond Services to undertake the full electrical fit-out for their newly refurbished offices on Bowthorpe Industrial area, Norwich.

Utilising the skills of our experienced team, the complex project included smart lighting design across the multi-floor facility, emergency lighting, over 650 datapoints and, of course, all the electrical requirements for the building.

Diamond Services worked alongside commercial interior and office refurbishment specialists Acorn Works to deliver the project.

The ground floor comprises of an entrance hall and staircase, communications room and warehousing space. The server room was fitted with data racks and cabling which was then fed through ceiling mounted steel cable cages to keep all the cabling organised. Flush floor-fitted data and electrical points were then installed to the office floor above.

On the first floor, a series of offices, meeting rooms and a large open plan office and breakout area have been fully refurbished to provide a modern, welcoming workspace.

Smart lighting

Sensor activated LED lighting has been installed across the whole building to create energy efficiencies for non-occupied spaces. It’s a convenient and highly practical solution for modern commercial buildings that ensures electricity consumption is controlled. Each zonal space including offices, storage and toilet areas, has its own occupancy detectors that are ceiling mounted to activate the lighting system when motion is detected.

We specified backlit LED panels for main office areas, choosing Collingwood’s 600mm square Solis product which has a UGR (unified glare rating) of 16 to provide the best environment for the office team’s productivity and wellbeing when working on computers.

For the large breakout areas and reception, Lucesco LuxFrame halo effect panels were used, creating an attractive, architecturally appealing look that offers excellent illumination.

Emergency lighting products, including back-up battery powered safety luminares, were installed throughout so that in case of an emergency or power outage situation, escape routes are lit and easily identifiable.

Director, Martin Barmby said, “We’ve enjoyed a great working relationship with Zatu Games, having provided electrical contracting services for their distribution centre last year. This latest project looks fantastic now it’s fully completed, and it’s been a real joy to see the original shell of a building, transform into a fully functioning, modern work environment.”

Commenting on the refurbishment project, Lee Mallett, Facilities and IT Manager said, “Diamond Services has been extremely helpful and reliable at every stage of our project, completing tasks on time and to a high standard. It’s been great to work with a local company that excels in what they do.”

Diamond Services provides a complete turnkey solution for commercial, residential and industrial electrical contracting in Norwich and throughout Norfolk. As an approved OZEV installer of electric vehicle charging points, the business has plans to complete its site with EV chargers that will be able to be used by visitors and staff while at work.

18 May 2022

Smart Charge Point Regulations

EV charge point regulations have come into force (June 2022) that will ensure the National Grid can keep up with the growing demand for home electric vehicle charging. There are also some important minimum standards being introduced covering smart functionality and security. We’ve taken a look at the key features of the Electric Vehicle (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.

Rest assured, Diamond Services is committed to providing its customers with the latest products and technology from well-known manufacturers in the industry such as: MyEnergi Zappi, Rolec, and Project EV. All of which are fully compliant to the new regulations. Director, Martin Barmby said, “We’ve many years of experience installing EV chargers for both businesses and home owners and so ensure we’re always up to speed on the leading tech in the market. We carefully consider the needs of the client before choosing the most appropriate model that uses proven technology to deliver a reliable service and welcome these new regulations to offer increased features to our clients.”

What are the requirements of the new Smart Charge Points Regulations?

Off-peak charging

New charge points will be defaulted to charge during off-peak hours to help tackle growing demand and strain on the National Grid. It’s also a great opportunity for drivers to benefit from less expensive off-peak energy rates. Charge point owners will be able to override these settings so don’t worry, you’re also able to charge your vehicle during peak hours if required.

Delayed start

Charge points will also now feature randomised delay functionality of up to 10 minutes at the start of each charge. This will avoid a huge strain on the electricity supply at the start of the off-peak period. Something to bear in mind if you’re checking your charging status remotely and wondering why it’s not commenced immediately.

Security Features

This part of the regulations will not become mandatory until the end of 2022 but once implemented, it will require manufacturers to include a tamper protection barrier to guard internal components. The charger will automatically log and notify the registered owner if an unauthorised attempt is made to access it internally.

In addition, security and privacy requirements such as the ability to delete any personal data and data encryption to protect against potential cyber attacks will also be implemented.

Enabling Demand Side Response (DSR)

DSR is a mechanism for the National Grid to send a signal to participating sites that, typically, have high levels of power consumption. The signal is automated and requests the site to increase/ decrease the load they are currently using to compensate for unpredictable dips/surges in available power supply.

Other requirements include:

Smart Functionality – All charge points will be able to send and receive information via secured communications.
Electricity supplier interoperability – All smart functionalities should continue with a change in electricity supplier.
Loss of communications network access – You should be able to continue to charge your electric car even if there is a loss in network connection.
Safety – Users of a charge point should be prevented from performing tasks that may harm themselves or others.
Measuring System – The electric vehicle charge point must measure or calculate the electricity that is imported or exported.
Records kept – Every smart charger sold must be recorded by the seller and must include details of its make, model, software version, date of sale, etc.

To view more information on complying with the new regulations, read the Government’s UK Sellers Guidelines.

Approved OZEV Electric Vehicle Charge Points

Diamond Services is one of the region’s few authorised installers for both the Workplace Charging Scheme and the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.

If you’re thinking of investing in a home or workplace EV charger, please get in touch for a no obligation quotation.

12 April 2022

Updates to 18th Edition Electrical Regulations

The regulatory body for electrical installations, the NICEIC, has announced an amendment to the British standards BS7671:2018 (18th edition of the IET Wiring Regulations). As members of the NICEIC, Diamond Services is committed to upholding the standards of the regulations, ensuring its electrical engineers are fully up to speed with the second amendment to the 18^th Edition of the well-renowned standards.

What are the changes to the 18^th Edition?

The amendments include the introduction of a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), updated requirements for the safety design for buildings and a new chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations.

Specifically, it includes;

the requirement for the fire safety design of buildings to be documented where specific conditions of external influence exist, such as protected escape routes and locations with risk of fire;
method for determining the requirements to provide overvoltage protection;
changes to identification, labels and notices, such as for consumer units, affecting how safety information is provided to the user of the electrical installations;
a chapter on Prosumer ‘s Low Voltage Electrical Installations, in a new part, Part 8

The Amendment continues to embrace new technologies and Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations and is an essential update to provide for the safety of electrical installations in the UK.

Further changes are included throughout all parts of BS 7671, including the incorporation of Amendment 1:2020 to BS 7671:2018 as part of the main document.

What is the NICEIC?

The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) is a well renowned voluntary body that regulates training and works for electrical contractors and firms across the UK.

The British standards ensure that all electrical installations are completed safely and competently. They apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, plus additions and alterations to existing installations.

Learn more about the NICEIC

Thinking of upgrading your electrical systems? Get in touch to arrange a quotation.

24 January 2022

Electric Vehicle Home Charge Scheme Grants Are Changing

There are some big changes taking place from 1^st April 2022 in the Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles (OZEV) grant funding scheme for residential properties. Homeowners with off-street parking will no longer be able to apply for the £350 grant to part fund their home EV charger installation.

It’s not all bad news, however, as you will still be able to claim if you rent your property or live in a flat. Plus, the criteria for the Workplace Charging Scheme grants will be extended in April so there are more opportunities for small businesses such as B&Bs and accommodation businesses to take advantage of the OZEV grant.

Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding the new grant funding eligibility criteria.

When will the change take place?

The changes will come into effect on 1^st April and so if you’re a homeowner, you have until 31^st March to get your EV charging point installed under the current funding arrangements. Contact us to book in your installation date and request a quote.

How is the EV charging grant changing from April 2022?

OZEV Home Charge Scheme

From April 2022, the EVHS will no longer be open to homeowners (including people with mortgages) who live in single-unit properties such as bungalows and detached, semi-detached or terraced housing.

Installations in single-unit properties need to be completed by 31 March 2022 and a claim submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by 30 April 2022.

The scheme will remain open to:

Homeowners who live in flats
People in rental accommodation (flats and single-use properties)

Workplace Charging Scheme

Grant funding is available to workplaces, B&Bs, small accommodation businesses, SMEs, charities and owners of commercially let premises. This initiative will mean that the owner of a holiday cottage can claim up to £350 off the cost of a charging socket for example – an excellent benefit for guests staying at their property.

In most cases you can apply for funding for up to 40 charging points and this increases to 100 for owners of commercially let properties.

How do I make a claim for a grant?

Installation of your EV charging station needs to be undertaken by an authorised installer such as Diamond Services (part of the Diamond Controls group). Once we’ve agreed your chosen charger and eligibility criteria, we will request some basic information and put together the claim on your behalf. Read more about our charging points and process on the EV Charging Stations page.

What vehicles are eligible for grants?

If you’re thinking of buying an electric powered car, you may be able to benefit from other grants to help fund your purchase. More information can be found on the Government website.

You can also view a list of eligible vehicles for the Homecharge Grant Scheme.

Where can I find out more information about the OZEV grant schemes?

Visit the Government website for further details on changes to the grant schemes and eligibility.

To request a quote, more information, or to book an installation, please contact us.

5 October 2021

Charging stations support sustainable fleet at Ben Burgess HQ

The growth in electric cars is unprecedented as we move towards the goal of a greener transport future through the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars by 2030. This makes them a popular choice for commercial fleets, with organisations looking to use cleaner vehicles and fuels to support their operations. EV charging stations at home and at work are an essential addition to properties, ensuring the ease of use of the new vehicles.

East Anglia’s premier agricultural, construction and grounds care machinery supplier, Ben Burgess, is one Norfolk business that has set its sights on a sustainable future by adding electric powered company vehicles to their fleet.

As an authorised installer of the Government’s workplace charging scheme, Diamond Services, was delighted to assist Ben Burgess with a series of EV charging stations at their head office in Norwich.

Five Project EV charging stations were installed at the premises on Europa Way, providing reliable, energy efficient, fast charging points for both staff and visitors.

Its simple, elegant design is discreet and easy to use so was the ideal choice of unit.

Project EV also offer:

A five-year guarantee,
Full electrical and temperature protection,
Smart charging options

This enables Ben Burgess the ability to offer their colleagues a seamless solution for their electric car charging needs.

Ben Burgess Group HR Manager, Michael Casanova said, “We already have a number of fully electric cars being used everyday by our colleagues and incentivise them to choose electric vehicles over the diesel alternative as a way of increasing the speed our company car users move to fully electric. The installation of car charging points at our HQ was a natural progression and I have been delighted with the service and expertise from Diamond Services.”

“Electric vehicles are just one initiative we have adopted as part of our plans for a sustainable future. We have installed solar at many of our sites and employ the latest technology such as heat pumps HVAC at our new sites to ensure they are as eco-friendly as possible.”

Diamond Services offer many of the leading brands of EV charging stations including Project EV, MyEnergi Zappi, EO Charging and Rolec. Our skilled electricians provide a detailed site survey along with the installation and handle all the registration and grant funding paperwork so that businesses can benefit from the Government’s scheme for workplace electric vehicle charging grants. This means organisations can receive up to £350 per installed chargepoint, for up to 40 chargers at their premises.

The benefits of electric vehicles are clear – zero emissions, tax incentives and highly efficient power costs resulting in running costs that are less than half that of traditional fuels.

UK businesses are planning to spend £15.8bn on EVs between April 2021 and March 2022, a 50% increase on the previous year according to a survey by Centrica Business Solutions. If you’re planning to invest in an electric fleet, contact us today to ensure you’re fully geared up for workplace car charging.

Learn more about our EV Charging Stations

1 July 2021

Office block powered up for new tenants

A brand new office suite in Wymondham is now ready for tenants after we supplied a wide range of electrical services to the property.

Working with TFR Property Improvements, the 1000+ sq ft office building is part of the commercial property portfolio of the Oaktree Partnership. They offer a variety of commercial premises across the area ranging from 500-5000 sq ft and this latest development has the benefit of car parking, air conditioning and BT fibre optic, as well as extra features such as an electric car charging station.

Our qualified and experienced electricians provided an all-encompassing service including the installation of the main distribution board for the property. Power sockets and energy-efficient LED lighting were added throughout, including in the main office, kitchen and wc’s. We also added CAT 6 data cabling to the floor boxes so that any tenant who moves into the property will have easy access to data, catering for most business’ requirements.

Looking to make the best use of modern tech for long term sustainability, Oaktree Partnership commissioned an electric vehicle charging station as part of the project. With over 10% of all new car registrations either plug-in hybrids or fully electric in 2020, this will certainly be a popular addition to the property.

Diamond Services is an authorised supplier of EV charge points for the Workplace Charging Scheme, a government initiative which can help fund part of the installation of your charging station. For this property we installed a Project EV charge point with card access so that tenants and their visitors can set up independent access for their vehicle charging.

To find out more details and the Flexirent options available, you can contact the Oaktree Partnership on 01953 600051.

Learn more about Commercial Electrical Services

27 May 2021

Maintaining the safety of student lets

We are pleased to offer a comprehensive range of services to landlords of HMOs and student lets to ensure their properties are compliant with current electrical standards and provide a safe home for tenants.

With many student lets unoccupied over the summer, now is the time to book in your annual checks. Our service includes:

Electrical installation condition reports (EICR)
Pat testing
Emergency lighting
Fire alarm testing
Led lighting
Electrical modifications & renewals

It is now a legal requirement that all privately rented accommodation has a valid EICR test. To find out more visit the Government website.

As well as getting in a fully qualified electrician for your annual checks and any improvements that are required there are other ways you can ensure your property is as safe as possible.

Check all appliances are in good working order, are pat tested and there are no overloaded sockets
Look for signs of damage or age on all electrical appliances at the end of each tenancy such as cuts or abrasions to the cable, non-standard plugs, loose parts or screws and signs of overheating or burning. Over half of all house fires are caused by electrical faults
Ensure all smoke and fire alarms are mains connected and regularly tested
Don’t attempt any electrical repairs yourself – you could fall foul of the law and may put your tenants in danger

To book in your site survey or for a no-obligation quotation, please contact us.

15 April 2021

Electric Charging Solution Perfect for Country Living

As an authorised installer of electric vehicle chargers for the home, Diamond Services was the ideal choice of electrician for a family who had just taken delivery of their brand-new electric car.

Based in the Norfolk countryside, it was essential that the new car owners could charge up their electric vehicle reliably and at speed and so they chose the EO Mini Pro 2 smart charger as the solution to fit their needs.

Diamond Services is just one of a handful of Norfolk based authorised installers for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) which meant that the family could take advantage of a £350 OZEV (Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles) government grant to help fund their installation costs. The process was simple too, with all application paperwork handled by us as part of the service.

The EO Mini Pro 2 is the world’s smallest smart charger which is perfect for the everyday electric vehicle driver. Users are able to monitor and schedule charging sessions using a handy phone app and its discreet wall-mounted charging unit fits in smoothly with your home’s aesthetics. You can also change configurations to allow charging only at certain times and disable access to prevent unauthorised use. The EO is compatible with all plug-in vehicle brands, so it’s the perfect long-term solution with no concerns over whether it will work if you change your car.

Installation of the charging unit was swift and non-disruptive with power fed from the main consumer unit to the chosen location. Diamond Services’ fully qualified electricians have extensive experience in installing electric vehicle charging points and ensure all units are fully tested on completion of the work.

Over 10% of all cars sold last year were either fully electric or plug-in hybrids and with most car manufacturers offering PHEV or fully electric car options, it’s a trend that’s only set to increase in the years to come. The Government’s pledge to ban non-electric new cars from sale from 2030 will also speed-up this adoption across the UK.

By using electric power, you can save big on your running costs. It can cost as little as 4p per mile compared with 9p per mile for a traditional petrol vehicle*. With zero emissions along with road-tax and company car Benefit In Kind tax incentives, an electric car helps you do your bit for the environment as well as your pocket. Take advantage of the Government’s grant-funded scheme to have the convenience of charging at home. For further information, read more about our EV Charging Stations.

*Statistic taken from https://www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/costs

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