2018 July

Energy management needs to be embedded into all sectors of British Business, but the sector that should be most clearly focused on efficiency seems to a degree to ignore the issue. Why is the FM industry often ignoring leading on energy management?

Private Frazer’s catchphrase in Dad’s Army reflects the mood at many Climate Change discussions. The decarbonising targets of an 80% reduction by 2050 are challenging, to put it mildly. However, it may be possible to reach our targets on emissions, although there is a mountain to climb.

“This month, industry experts offer their views on indoor air quality. It’s one of those topics that has been around for quite some time, but now it is combined with a greater emphasis on wellbeing and is rising up the agenda for our built environment.

Steve Martin, ECA Director of Technical, gives an overview of the key changes to the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations that were published this month and come into full effect on January 1 2019.

James Gunning explains how cable management systems can be used for multiple applications. Not only does this make for easier installation, it also saves time on specification and makes maintenance straightforward.

Benefit from a comprehensive solution offering cross-application control, low cost installation, integrated and safe remote operation and much more…

CentraLine are also pleased to announce the arrival of the latest version of their powerful supervisor ARENA NX v4.4.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the single biggest health issue for those living in cities. But which aspects of it should consulting engineers and contractors focus on? John Grenville offers two suggestions.

As concern grows over rising traffic air pollution levels, authorities are responding urgently to the pressing need for action to protect people, especially those in cities. But what can building services professionals do to help? Peter Dyment explains.

Parag Rastogi explores why there is a new focus on providing healthy workplaces, and how technology is helping to achieve them.

Ventilation is an essential part of modern properties, yet on many occasions this vital component isn’t considered until late in the construction process. Lee Caulfield looks at the importance of MVHR systems being considered as early as possible during a building’s design.

The way a school is designed can significantly impact pupils’ productivity and overall wellbeing. Andy Williams explains why specifiers should look to intelligent, efficient ventilation solutions that create an environment which allows pupils to thrive.

In ensuring effective ventilation to maintain good indoor air quality it’s essential the system is designed to avoid creating draughts. Stephan Lang explains how problems can be avoided

Carl Davison considers the role of building services in helping to address the challenge of air quality and its impact on human health.

On 21st June, national Clean Air Day, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has stated that the government’s Clean Air Strategy is a missed opportunity.

The Energy Management Exhibition 2018 has issued a call for speakers for the event which takes place on 21 – 22 November at London’s ExCel.

With the announcement of an extra runway for Heathrow, Gatwick Airport has committed to £3 billion of investment with a new five-year plan.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee concluded taking evidence for its enquiry ‘Off-site manufacture for construction’ in early June.

The Second Reading of the Aldous Bill has been moved from June to 26th October 2018, but support continues to grow.

BSRIA welcomed a group of 9- and 10-year-old students from schools in Reading to its test facilities as part of a campaign to encourage youngsters to consider careers in engineering, science, technology and mathematics.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged funding for the capital’s most polluted schools following research carried out by WSP.

The Commissioning Specialists Association hosted a highly successful Awards evening on 14th June.

Research by ECA, BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF shows a slowdown in growth in Q1 2018 Around 28% engineering services firms say turnover decreased during the first quarter of 2018, according to new findings from the quarterly sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey, sponsored by Scolmore. The survey covers a membership turnover of around £12 billion. This is the highest reported percentage fall in turnover since Q1 2016, when 33% of respondents reported a fall in turnover since the previous quarter.

On 5th June Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling MP announced that the government is giving the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow airport.

The 2018 Building Engineering Services Association Conference has started to take shape with high profile sessions already agreed on the technical implications for contractors of the Hackitt Review and how Brexit will affect the building engineering marketplace; along with a number of ‘meet the buyer’ sessions.

Julia Evans, BSRIA’s chief executive has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

In June the British Council for Offices (BCO) issued ‘definitive guidance’ on how to enable health and wellbeing across an office building’s lifecycle.

In May, government announced updates to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI). The key aims of the changes are to gather more detailed information on energy use by heat pumps; to manage up-front costs for consumers investing in renewables; and to manage government budgets for incentives more closely.

In buildings with a high and constant demand for heat and power, CHP offers a long-term solution to significant financial savings and low carbon heat. But to optimise the benefits, planned maintenance is key, as Mike Hefford explains.

With new Ecodesign requirements under ErP coming into force this September, specifiers are under pressure to ensure that heating system upgrades are compliant. Dan Martindale argues that replacing existing atmospheric water heaters with new ultralow NOx models may be the easiest and most cost-effective way of meeting the new regulations.

In uncertain economic times, refurbishment and retrofit offer excellent solutions for building owners and the construction industry. Les Littlewood highlights some cost-effective approaches.

Building design influences human behaviour. But business and working trends also have an impact on the requirements for buildings, and the office is no exception. MBS reports.

Multi-disciplinary consultancy, Calfordseaden is delivering an extensive scope of works to Royal Albert Wharf redevelopment.

The Bannatyne Health Club and Spa in Peterborough has been equipped with a Toshiba heat recovery air conditioning system as part of a major refurbishment.

As part of a wider expansion of secondary schools across the city of Southampton, Bitterne Park school was constructed by Kier Construction who appointed Hopkins Mechanical & Electrical Engineers. The school replaces an older building, accommodating around 1800 students in 90 teaching spaces. The building also features a theatre, assembly hall and drama studios.

The restoration of a Grade II listed 17th Century barn in Broxted, Essex demonstrates the strengths of Panasonic’s Aquarea air source heat pump by supplying hot water and heating to the property via underfloor heating. Energy specialists, Eco Installer, completed the installation of two 16kW Panasonic Aquarea T-Cap three-phase heat pumps.

Aberdeen Airport has been working on a master plan to enhance their passengers experience that started back in 2015 and is due to be fully completed by 2019.

Building occupants are under siege from a battery of potential health threats, according to BESA’s Indoor Air Quality group.

The 5th Edition of BSRIA’s Design Framework for Building Services is now available in digital format with hard copies available to be pre-ordered.

An award-winning BMS solution using Resource Data Management controls has reduced energy costs by 30% for Pets at Home in under 12 months. The solution designed and installed by energy management consultants Ignite Energy comprised of two elements, LED lighting and BMS is increasing Pets at Home’s ability to control and monitor stores automatically. A unique aspect of the project is the combination of lighting replacement, along with security system integration, and BMS for HVAC and other store systems.

The new Siemens PX programmable Compact Controller with island bus complements the Desigo family. It is available in two versions, with either 22 or 36 IO’s on board. It can be expanded with TX I/O modules to cover up to 16 IO datapoints. In combination with up to two TXI2.OPEN, the compact controller also offers various third party integration options. The controllers use the truly open BACnet protocol and are available in either IP or BACnet over LON options. The IP controllers include a built in web communication allowing remote connection.

Warm air heaters are subject to Lot 21 of the directive and radiant heaters Lot 20. Minimum efficiencies for warm air is now 72% and radiant heaters is now 74%. Crucially, these minimum criteria are applicable for both new installations and when replacing existing products. Our ErP compliant range includes the PREEVA EC (heating and ventilation unit).

Viega has supplied its cold applied Profipress and Sanpress Inox press connection systems to the latest refurbishment of the 17th Century Queen’s House in Greenwich.

Titon has launched a comprehensive new range of accessories for use with its MVHR units. These include Titon’s new aura-t touchscreen controller, anti-vibration mounting kits, First Fix Solutions and condensate drain – each developed as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to producing the most advanced ventilation systems on the market.

The Ceiling Collection (CC) is the latest group of diffusers to join the Air Diffusion product range. These diffusers have been designed to be as cost-effective as possible and to ensure that from installer to end user, the diffusers are simple to install and maintain and ensure a comfortable environment for the end-user.

Multi-occupancy buildings present a unique challenge to specifiers and contractors, due to the height and scale of the projects, and the limited installation times required for each element. With this in mind, Rehau has brought together all of its products which are suitable for a multi-occupancy projects in one guide, covering everything from plumbing and heating to energy centres.

Mitsubishi Electric has launched the UK’s first viable R32 solution for large-scale air conditioning with the new range of City Multi Hybrid VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) products.

Humidification equipment specialist HygroMatik, has launched StandardLine, its new steam humidifier solution.

Being left high and dry is something that is not normally an aspiration. However, there are some circumstances both within as well as around the home and garden that will require the successful removal of non-aggressive water, drain water or grey wastewater. When you have such a demand you will require a submersible drainage pump to successfully resolve the situation and remove the unwanted liquid.

FloControl is offering the Flowcon Energy Fit system. It is a wireless system which continuously measures energy usage and monitors coil performance, adjusting the pressure independent control valve (PICV) to optimise coil performance.

Carlo Gavazzi has introduced a DALI Gateway, the SB2DALIT8230. It supports adjustment of colour temperature in addition to light level.