Pimlico Plumbers MD joins radiator campaign
Charlie Mullins, founder and managing director of Pimlico Plumbers and star of TV’s ‘Secret millionaire’ has backed calls from the UK radiators industry for a zero-tolerance approach to manufacturers which provide misleading information on the power of their products. He believes the plumbing industry has to be able to have confidence in the products being installed in customers’ premises, especially in terms of efficiency. His company employs over 150 plumbers and heating engineers and is a leading campaigner for improving quality and levels of customer service in the plumbing industry — including eradicating cowboy tradesmen.
MARC, the Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators & Convectors, says that radiators are being imported with claims of outputs in excess of their actual capabilities. Radiators sold in the UK must conform and have outputs verified to BS EN 442, the European standard for radiators. Radiator literature needs to display compliance with this standard, which demonstrates that stated outputs have been independently tested.
Charlie Mullins says, ‘How can plumbers improve their image if they can’t trust the quality of the products they use. Our reputation is in jeopardy from the false claims of these manufacturers. I’d encourage any plumber, heating engineer or end user to make sure the radiators they are fitting have been given the British Standard accreditation.’
John Colling, chairman of MARC, said, ‘Imported radiators that mislead customers are having a serious detrimental effect on our industry. If plumbers and heating engineers follow Charlie’s lead by only using radiators verified to British Standard and reporting non-compliant products to Trading Standards, we will be able to eradicate these radiators from the UK market or ensure they no longer feature false claims.’
