Dyslexic Engineer Solves Plumbers’ Headache
An Oxfordshire-based engineer has developed an exciting new software application which saves time and simplifies a set of tasks which plumbers can often find challenging and time consuming.
Rich Cartwright, who studied Marine Engineering at Plymouth University, realised there was a ‘need’ for an effective tool for this type of work because he was being approached by countless plumbers asking him to carry out these tasks on their behalf.
The tasks being referred to are related to conducting room by room heat loss calculations as required to comply with the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) The Domestic Heating Design Guide EN 12831. These calculations are important for plumbers, heating engineers and surveyors yet they can be a real ‘headache’ to calculate and present to clients and this can be especially so for those who have ‘processing differences’ such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Rich has been able to utilise his vast practical work experience and his dyslexia related strengths of problem solving, creativity and ‘big picture’ thinking to undertake the research, design and development of this new plumber’s tool which he has simply called ‘Heat Engineer’ software.
Whilst the features of the software include:
Estimation on running costs and heating and hot water energy consumptions.
Comparison of different fuels against running cost.
Heat pump seasonal performance factor (SPF)
Bivalent system.
Current radiator outputs at different flow temperatures.
Ground Loop Design.
For those of us who are looking at this from the perspective of ease of use and how this may solve a ‘problem’, the benefits of this software include:
Visual layouts of room dimensions (showing overall shape).
Choice of font style (tailored to individual preference).
Option of changing background colour (aiding clarity).
Does the trigonometry /calculations for you.
Accurate room by room breakdown.
Produces ‘presentation ready’ reports for sharing with clients.
It would appear this innovative piece of software is actually one of the first industry focused, ‘dyslexia friendly’ work tools - and it is particularly relevant that it is related to engineering. The engineering profession is known to be a particularly attractive career path for those with dyslexia and other associated ‘processing differences’ – and many of these individuals will not be aware that their, often not literacy related, challenges are associated with them being amongst the 15 – 18% of the workforce who are ‘neurodiverse’.
There are countless ‘literate dyslexics’ working in every type of workplace yet many may not be in a position to confidently explore their dyslexia-related strengths. Many may be experiencing challenges which have the potential of affecting their wellbeing as well as their productivity - due to lack of awareness, appropriate support or useful ‘tools’.
Rich Cartwright says he has put a lot of ‘blood and sweat’ into developing this new tool and he passionately believes this will make a real difference to those who have struggled with undertaking heat loss calculations until now.
To find out more about the software please visit:
www.heat-engineer.com/about
Or to find out more about Dyslexia in the Workplace please visit:
www.right-resources.org.uk/dyslexia