The commissioning industry has received a major boost with the introduction of the NVQ3 qualification in installation and commissioning. It is the result of several years of work to enhance the standing of the Commissioning Specialists Association’s own distance-learning course and gives the commissioning community a nationally recognised qualification.

SAV Modules’ FloCon commis­­sioning modules are now supplied with a bypass to ensure that system flow never falls below 10%. This provides a simple, but effective, way of providing automatic protection for variable-speed pumping systems that cannot be allowed to run dry.

Oventrop valves have been used throughout three buildings that form part of the £21 million Phase 3 redevelopment of Southampton City College — including commissioning sets and differential-pressure regulating valves — thereby streamlining the purchasing route. They were installed by Haydon Mechanical & Electrical.

Over a hundred Honeywell Kombi 4 throttle and balancing valves were installed by M&E contractor Farebrother of Manchester to provide for easier and faster commissioning of DHW systems in the new Holywell Community Hospital in Wales. These valves ensure a constant supply of hot water to all outlets at the right pressure. They also assist in occasional thermal flushing to inhibit legionella bacteria.