2020 February

As anyone who has ever worked in the construction industry knows, every construction project has its own specific risks, and without accurate risk management, profitability suffers.

Penny Jones runs through the stages of installing an MVHR system to ensure good performance

Kevin Belben talks about some of the problems that can occur when using twin water tanks – and he explains how to avoid them.

Franz Heulle outlines the trends in pipe materials in today’s market and explains why the choice is so important.

Raymond Kelly addresses the importance of water system design for health and wellbeing, and highlights some of the legislation around this life-critical element.

With his tenure as BCIA President soon coming to a close, Jon Belfield is encouraged by the developments he has seen in the past two years and highlights some of the key strategies that will continue to ensure building controls play a pivotal role in the journey to net-zero and better performing buildings.

Construction and information management specialist Stuart Bell shares his views on the industry’s use of the latest tools such as digital twins.

Changes in working patterns and the need to optimise energy use are creating new challenges for building managers. Alastair Reynolds considers the impact of the IoT.

Matt Brooks reviews a new publication which offers good practice guidance on building controls from specification to implementation and updates.

In January, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance arguing that poor air quality in dwellings is an ‘imminent risk’ to people’s health.

The government has launched a review into the introduction of changes to ‘off-payroll’ working rules which are to start in April 2020. There is no indication of a delay, rather the aim is to ensure ‘smooth implementation’ of the reforms.

Government has introduced the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) which will coming into force from 1st April 2020.

The Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) has published a paper today demonstrating how regulation could put heating on the path to reach net-zero by 2050.

Smart buildings research specialist Memoori’s latest market report shows continued massive global investment in smart buildings during 2019.

The Wates Group, one of the UK’s leading privately-owned construction, development and property services companies, has today committed to eliminating waste and carbon from its operations by 2025.

Toyota has revealed plans to build a prototype “city” of the future on a 175-acre site at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Announced at CES 2020, the global consumer technology show in Las Vegas, the Woven City will be a fully connected ecosystem, powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

As part of the EU Commission’s ongoing revision to the Eco-Design Directive, pump manufacturers across Europe want to implement the extended product approach (EPA) for water pumps. This is in contrast to the EU, which appears to want to stay with the ‘narrow’ approach for water pumps adopted in 2009.

Property developer Rockwell has today begun construction on a mixed-use scheme at 82 West India Dock Road which will include London’s largest and tallest Premier Inn hotel, alongside new homes, adjacent to Westferry DLR station. The £151m project will rejuvenate the formerly derelict Westferry site.

The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) is again promoting its training course on the importance of CE Marking for pumps. The Association says that non-compliant pumping equipment remains a major problem in the UK market, where CE marking is compulsory.

Maximising the actual holding capacity of any cistern or tank has to be beneficial both in space saving and overall cost. Bellmouth Overflow and Raised Float Valve Housing fittings are important add on features available to the tank designer to assist in achieving this goal..

The partnership commenced at the start of January 2020 with AUK Distribution strengthening the recent collaboration between Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK and Italian Group GI Holdings (GIH), established in 2019 to provide a range of applied products to the UK market.

The Grundfos FireSafe domestic range delivers a compact, consumer and installer friendly response to the growing demand for domestic fire suppression systems as well as meeting the legislative demands that new homes in Wales must meet.

Rinnai is introducing the Zen and Zen Plus home hot water and heating system which combines established manufacture durability with new technologies to offer great energy efficiencies, user control and, importantly, a high level of comfort.

Toshiba has developed an online tool that automatically checks R-32 refrigerant-based air conditioning designs for compliance with the safety requirements of European Standard EN 378.

Actuator specialist Belimo achieved its 100 millionth actuator, reaching a new milestone for the company.

Indoor climate and smoke/fire control specialist Swegon has launched a new range of smoke control dampers. The Actionair SmokeCommand range has been introduced in response to growing demand for improvements in fire and smoke safety strategies throughout UK buildings.

Distributor and manufacturer Brymec has moved into a purpose-built warehouse close to Gatwick Airport.

The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) has launched a workforce identification and credentials management service called CHAS People.

Supplier of mobile temperature control and energy services, Aggreko is raising awareness of how temporary cooling systems and chillers can help in times of business uncertainty such as Brexit.

Albion Valves has recently gained the ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System accreditation.

Elco Heating Solutions has updated its Commercial Gas Range brochure for 2020. The newly extended 64-page version now provides consultants, building services engineers and contractors with more information than ever before on the company’s extensive range of condensing boilers and CHP units.

Heatrae Sadia has published a guide to help industry professionals comply with Heath Technical Memorandum (HTM) 04-01. Titled ‘Taking the pain out of hot water in healthcare’ the document is aimed at NHS facilities managers, care home professionals, and management.

Ideal Industries, the global specialist in electrical accessories, tools and testing equipment, has developed a partnership with Warrington & Vale Royal College as part of a planned outreach programme with the further education sector across the UK.

Potterton Commercial is now offering five years comprehensive warranty with free commissioning across its extensive range of stainless steel and aluminium gas boilers.

Rehau has launched a range of new plumbing stations; pre-fabricated and pressure-tested single components for making sanitary connections that are millimetre accurate.

God’s House Tower, a late 13th century gatehouse into the old town of Southampton, has had its heating systems modernized with the installation of a diverse selection of Dunham-Bush heat emitters, including fan convectors, hydro-course trench heating and radiant panels, to meet the varying installation requirements of this ancient monument.

Press fitting is growing in popularity with installers and is fast becoming the method of choice over traditional brazing. 

100 Bishopsgate is a striking new 40-storey office tower in the heart of London’s financial centre. Six Trigon XXL Evo boilers from Elco Heating Solutions have been installed in this at 900,000 sq feet building.

Energy Metering Management has installed 24 Micronics U1000 heat meters at Princes Dock in Liverpool.

Cambridge-based Arm Holdings, one of the world’s leading semiconductor design specialists, has used technologies from Prolojik in its new headquarters building.

Coolair Equipment has been awarded a £900,000 contract by Imtech Engineering Services Central on behalf of Wates Construction to help provide the best possible working conditions at a Birmingham property named Platform 21.

Waterloo Air Products’ grilles, air valves and diffusers have been used extensively throughout the renovated Studley Castle, successfully creating the perfect environment at Warner Leisure’s new landmark hotel.