The Copper Connection Podcast – Season 2, Episode 10

On this episode of The Copper Connection Podcast, host Chris Bailey dives into awareness and inspections in building services engineering — a practical guide to staying safe, compliant, and efficient on construction sites. We unpack what “being safety conscious” really means day to day, how to report hazards effectively, the role of site inductions, ongoing training, and toolbox talks, plus exactly what HSE inspectors look for when they arrive unannounced.

From good housekeeping and PPE to working at height and welfare facilities, you’ll learn how simple, consistent habits reduce risk, prevent incidents, and keep projects on schedule. We also cover the documentation you need — risk assessments, method statements, near-miss logs, and equipment records — so your site is always inspection-ready.

Whether you’re an apprentice, site supervisor, or seasoned engineer, this episode gives you actionable steps to improve health and safety performance across plumbing, HVAC, and electrical installations — and to build a culture where everyone goes home safe.

• What “safety conscious” means in practice: engineering controls, admin controls, and daily awareness.
• How to report hazards clearly and quickly — and why near-miss reporting is gold.
• Why site inductions, training (including CSCS), and toolbox talks strengthen safety culture.
• The essentials of good housekeeping: clear access routes, safe storage, waste management, and welfare.
• Working at height done right: edge protection, ladder selection, securing, and training.
• PPE that protects: choosing, using, and maintaining the right kit for the task.
• What HSE inspectors check: sensory and visual inspections, documentation, and equipment maintenance.
• Records that matter: RAs, RAMS, inspections, incidents, and authorisations that prove compliance.
• The business case for safety: fewer accidents, better reputation, regulatory compliance, and cost savings.
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Perfect for: apprentices, technicians, site managers, and anyone working across building services engineering who wants a clear, practical framework for health and safety on construction sites.

SEO keywords: construction safety, HSE inspection, building services engineering, site induction, toolbox talks, PPE, working at height, good housekeeping, risk assessment, method statement, near miss reporting, health and safety compliance, UK construction regulations.

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The Copper Connection Podcast – Season 2, Episode 10

On this episode of The Copper Connection Podcast, host Chris Bailey explores the fundamental heat principles that shape modern construction and building services engineering. From conduction, convection, and radiation to thermal conductivity, U-values, and condensation control, we'll break down the science behind how heat moves through buildings — and why understanding these principles is critical for creating energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthy living spaces.

You'll discover how heat loss occurs through walls, roofs, windows, and ventilation systems, and learn the practical solutions that reduce energy consumption and improve thermal performance. Plus, we'll examine how moisture and condensation affect construction materials, explore thermal expansion calculations, and look ahead to the future of sustainable heating systems including heat pumps, photovoltaic cells, and combined heat and power (CHP) technology.

Whether you're a construction student, building services engineer, architect, or trades professional, this episode equips you with essential knowledge about thermal dynamics, Building Regulations Part L compliance, and the renewable energy solutions transforming the built environment.

• The three mechanisms of heat transfer — conduction, convection, and radiation — and how each affects building performance
• How to reduce heat loss through cavity wall insulation, double glazing, roof insulation, and draught-proofing
• Understanding U-values, R-values, and K-values and how they guide insulation selection
• Condensation causes and prevention — why poorly ventilated buildings develop moisture and mould problems
• The damaging effects of moisture on timber, plaster, steel, and electrical systems
• Thermal expansion in construction and why expansion joints are essential
• Sustainable heating systems — photovoltaic cells, heat recovery ventilation, and heat pumps
• Passive heating and cooling strategies — building orientation, natural ventilation, and solar shading
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology and reducing carbon emissions by up to 30%
• Future-proofing buildings for climate change and temperature extremes
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Whether you're studying construction science, working on retrofits, or designing net-zero buildings, this episode delivers practical insights into thermal principles that determine comfort, performance, and sustainability.

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Access Equipment and Manual Handling in Building Services Engineering

Working at height and lifting loads are daily tasks in building services, but they’re also major sources of injury. This episode dives into safe practices for all types of access equipment—from ladders and podiums to mobile towers and MEWPs. We cover essential pre-use checks, correct assembly, and how to operate safely. Plus, we tackle manual handling, showing you how to plan lifts, use proper technique, and when to opt for mechanical aids to protect your back.

We link every safety step to crucial UK regulations, including the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and Work at Height Regulations 2005. This is your guide to working smarter, safer, and fully compliant.

What You’ll Learn in Episode 9:

Identify and correctly use various access equipment: ladders, platforms, towers, and MEWPs.

Perform critical pre-use checks and safe setup for all access equipment.

Master safe manual handling techniques and know when to use mechanical assistance.

Understand and apply key UK health and safety regulations for work at height and lifting operations.

Sharpen your safety skills and protect yourself and your team on every job.

🎧 Listen to the audio podcast:

👉https://shows.acast.com/663884554e48ad001264210a/68bd42201af371182a4af644

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👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqbeXt0SVbA

🔗 Connect With Us:

🎥 TikTok: @copperconnectionpodcast

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Get a clear, no-fluff walkthrough of how electricity is generated, stepped up/down, and safely delivered to sites and buildings. We cover AC vs DC, single- vs three-phase, why 110 V is used on construction sites, and the protection devices that keep people safe. Plus, the key UK regs you must know to stay compliant.

What you’ll learn:

How power is generated and distributed (grid, transformers, 230 V/400 V star systems)

AC vs DC and why 110 V CTE is used on sites

Fuses, MCBs, RCDs, RCBOs and how ADS/disconnection times work

Earthing and earth loop impedance (Zs) in practice

The essential regs: BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, EAWR 1989, Part P, ESQCR 2002, CDM 2015, and key BS EN device standards

🎧 Listen to the audio podcast:

👉 https://shows.acast.com/663884554e48ad001264210a/68bd42201af371182a4af644

📺 Watch the video podcast on YouTube:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqbeXt0SVbA

🔗 Connect With Us:

• 🎥 TikTok: @copperconnectionpodcast
• 📺 YouTube: @TheCopperConnectionpodca-sm8zx
• 🛠️ Store: https://thecopperconnectionpodcast.store/

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The Copper Connection Podcast – Season 2, Episode 7

In this episode, we tackle one of the most important safety topics in UK construction: fire extinguishers. From timber-frame builds to on-site canteens, fires can break out in unexpected ways — and knowing which extinguisher to use can mean the difference between control and catastrophe.

We break down the six main types of extinguishers used across the industry — water, foam, dry powder, CO₂, and wet chemical — and explain exactly when and why to use them. From a gas cylinder flare-up to an electrical fault in a site cabin, this episode shows how preparation and knowledge save lives.

This isn’t just about compliance — it’s about responsibility. If you work in construction, this episode gives you the clarity you need to make quick, confident decisions in high-pressure moments.

• Identify the six main classes of fire in the UK: solids, liquids, gases, metals, electrical, and cooking oils/fats.
• Match each fire type to the correct extinguisher: water, foam, dry powder, CO₂, or wet chemical.
• Understand the dangers of using the wrong extinguisher — like water on oil or electrics.
• Apply real-world construction site examples: welding gases, paint stores, electrical faults, and canteen kitchens.
• Connect extinguisher use with UK fire safety regulations, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Recognise why fire safety is everyone’s job, not just site managers or safety officers.

Whether you’re an apprentice, tradesperson, or site manager, this episode will sharpen your fire safety awareness and help you protect people, property, and projects.

🎧 Listen to the audio podcast:

👉 https://shows.acast.com/663884554e48ad001264210a/68bd42201af371182a4af644

📺 Watch the video podcast on YouTube:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqbeXt0SVbA

🔗 Connect With Us:

🎥 TikTok: @copperconnectionpodcast

📺 YouTube: @TheCopperConnectionpodca-sm8zx

🛠️ Store: https://thecopperconnectionpodcast.store/

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The Copper Connection Podcast – Season 2, Episode 6

In this episode, we break down the mechanical science principles that every Building Services Engineering apprentice needs to master. From the invisible forces that keep structures standing to the simple machines that give us mechanical advantage, we’ll uncover the physics that underpins lifts, pumps, fans, ducting, and everyday building systems.

Why do engineers use long spanners to undo tight bolts? How does a pulley make lifting heavy loads easier? What happens to air velocity when duct sizes change? By answering questions like these, we’ll show how mechanical science bridges theory and practice in BSE.

Through clear explanations and practical site examples — from pipework supports to lift motor sizing — this episode reveals how forces, motion, work, and power shape the built environment around us.

Define energy and its forms (kinetic, potential) and explain how energy conversion underpins systems like pumps, motors, and solar panels.

Describe forces and loads (gravity, self-weight, imposed and live loads) and understand their effects on building components.

Apply Newton’s Second Law (F = ma) to real-world examples such as lift cars, pumps, and moving machinery.

Explain work, power, and efficiency and relate them to plant sizing, motor ratings, and energy management in buildings.

Understand moments, equilibrium, and centres of gravity and their application to beams, supports, rooftop units, and hoisting heavy plant.

Identify different types of simple machines (levers, pulleys, screws, Archimedes’ screw) and explain how mechanical advantage is gained in practice.

Explore velocity in BSE systems, from airflow in ducts to water velocity in pipes, and understand why control of speed, flow, and direction is critical to safe, efficient operation.

Appreciate the direct link between mechanical science principles and safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in building services.

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👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqbeXt0SVbA

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📺 YouTube: @TheCopperConnectionpodca-sm8zx

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The Copper Connection Podcast – Season 2, Episode 5

In this episode, we unlock the science behind plumbing by exploring the essential properties of water, other liquids, and gases used in UK systems. Whether it’s why pipes burst in the winter, how central heating fluids expand, or how trapped air in radiators causes inefficiency, we break down the principles that every apprentice plumber needs to understand.

This episode moves beyond the “how” of plumbing into the “why,” showing how physics and chemistry govern safe and efficient installations. Through practical examples—like expansion tanks, pressure calculations, and gas safety—you’ll see how science underpins every part of the trade.

• Explain the key physical properties of water (density, expansion, freezing, boiling, and specific heat capacity) and relate them to plumbing design and safety.
• Describe how other liquids such as heating inhibitors, glycols, and wastewater differ from water in terms of viscosity, pH, and chemical impact on systems.
• Understand the behaviour of gases (natural gas, LPG, air) including compressibility, diffusion, density, and gas laws such as Boyle’s and Charles’ Law.
• Apply scientific principles to practical plumbing situations, such as pipe sizing, expansion control, and pressure management in domestic systems.
• Link scientific knowledge to UK regulations and standards, including Water Regulations 1999, Building Regulations (Parts G & L), and Gas Safety Regulations.
• Appreciate how scientific principles directly impact safety, efficiency, and compliance in plumbing.

Whether you’re preparing for exams or working on site, this episode gives you practical insight into why materials behave the way they do — and how those behaviours shape the systems that keep buildings safe and functional.

🎧 Listen to the audio podcast:

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👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqbeXt0SVbA

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📺 YouTube: @TheCopperConnectionpodca-sm8zx

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The Copper Connection Podcast – Season 2, Episode 4

On this episode of The Copper Connection Podcast, host Chris Bailey takes a closer look at the key properties that determine how materials perform in building services engineering. From tensile strength and conductivity to ductility, malleability, and thermal expansion, we’ll unpack what each property means in practice — and why it matters when designing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems.

You’ll learn how these material behaviours impact safety, reliability, and efficiency in real-world installations. Plus, we’ll explore simple examples and ask the big question: how do engineers match the right material to the right job?

Whether you’re studying construction science or working in the field, this episode gives you the tools to understand why materials behave the way they do — and how that shapes the systems that keep our buildings running.

• How to explain the difference between tensile, compressive, and impact strength.
• Why ductility and malleability make copper and steel ideal for cables and sheets.
• How conductivity affects both electrical safety and thermal efficiency.
• Why thermal expansion must be considered in long pipe and cable runs.
• How material properties guide engineers in selecting the right material for the right job.
• 
  

Whether you’re preparing for exams or working on site, this episode gives you practical insight into why materials behave the way they do — and how those behaviours shape the systems that keep buildings safe and functional.

🎧 Listen to the audio podcast:

👉 https://shows.acast.com/663884554e48ad001264210a/68bd42201af371182a4af644

📺 Watch the video podcast on YouTube:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqbeXt0SVbA

🎥 TikTok: @copperconnectionpodcast

📺 YouTube: @TheCopperConnectionpodca-sm8zx

🛠️ Store: https://thecopperconnectionpodcast.store/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.