BIM
Promoting the adoption of BIM by specialist contractors — David Frise.

Stimulating BIM take-up by specialist contractors

The Cabinet Office has endorsed practical guidance on the use of building information modelling (BIM) developed jointly by the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group and the National Specialist Contractor’s Council, in collaboration with the University of Northumbria’s BIM Academy. The guide is published as ‘First steps to BIM competence: a guide for specialist contractors’. It can be downloaded free from the links below.

Green Deal
A head start on improving the energy efficiency of Britain’s building stock?

Green Deal assessments build up momentum

With the Green Deal scheme just over two months old, the Department of Energy & Climate Change reported a total of 9268 assessments, a huge increase on the 1803 assessments in the first month. Energy & Climate Change Minister Greg Barker commented, ‘It is clearly very early days, but the latest figures on the Green Deal show that this market is gathering real momentum.

Building a future on HVAC in energy management

The role of HVAC in energy management – today and in the years ahead

There are huge environmental and economic benefits to be gained from a focus on high performing buildings — both new build and upgrading the existing stock — argue Trane’s John Burton and Jose Laloggia.

Hamworthy Heating, boiler, BIM
An enabler, not a solution — Stuart Turner.

The realities of BIM

Realising the benefits of building information modelling (BIM) requires not just BIM itself but also a spirit of collaboration and co-operation — as well as suitably detailed BIM libraries of products. Stuart Turner of Hamworthy Heating shares his views and experiences.

BREEAM comes to the southern hemisphere

On a recent building-controls training assignment in the Republic of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, Mike Malina found out how the building energy management system plays a key role in the effective operation of the iconic headquarters of the Mauritius Commercial Bank.

Employers are giving young people a chance

It is often said that in times of financial difficulty employers aren’t interested in taking on new staff. At SummitSkills we’ve been running a project which blows this theory out of the water.

Space Airconditioning carries out major R22 replacement project

A major replacement of R22 air-conditioning equipment in a landmark 9-storey building in central London has been completed by Space Airconditioning re-using existing refrigerant pipework. The installation at 330 Holborn Gate is probably the largest installation in the UK of Daikin’s R22-replacement VRVQ systems. The new installation comprises 35 heat-recovery condensing units with a total capacity of 1100 kW and 301 indoor units of various types.

CHP plays central role in heating refurbishment

A CHP unit is part of the refurbishment of the heating system serving Oakham School’s swimming pool and sports hall. The equipment comprises Potterton Commercial condensing boilers, an Andrews MAXXflo condensing water heater and a Baxi-SenerTec UK Dachs mini-CHP unit. The sports centre includes a 25 m indoor pool. The equipment was installed in an indoor plantroom in the sports hall.

LEDs are sole lighting source for new store

LED lighting plays a key role in minimising energy consumption in Morrisons’ pilot low-carbon superstore at Stanground near Peterborough. The project followed over a year of research and development, including the creation of a replica shopping aisle in which to carry out trials. The new 4160 m2 store is said to be the first full-LED scheme of its size in Europe. LED lighting is used within the store and also for the car park and petrol station.

A1 Flues supplies fan dilution system for Twickenham Stadium

This large fan-dilution flue measuring 2 x 1.2 m is part of the upgrading of the heating system at Twickenham Stadium, the largest dedicated rugby-union venue in the world. The stadium can seat 82 000 spectators and is being prepared for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Beyond measurement towards management

Ian Ellis, president of the Building Controls Industry Association, encourages building owners and managers to consider the data from their BEMS as an asset — and to use it to save energy and reduce operating costs.

Lighting control that is fit for purpose

Many lighting-control systems are not designed for the particular purpose or are not kept up to date with changing demands. John Aston of the Society of Light & Lighting looks into the problem.

Energy monitoring moves to the Cloud

The more detailed the information your have about a building’s energy consumption, the better equipped you are to manage it — which is where energy-monitoring software comes into the equation. Alan Hickman of Carlo Gavazzi takes up the story.

Fuelling the future

Jeff House of Baxi Commercial Division considers the momentum being gained by biomass solid fuels in the drive to apply renewable energy solutions.

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Welcome to Modern Building Services Online, the web edition of Modern Building Services (MBS) journal and the UK's most popular Building Services engineering site. Modern Building Services covers the entire Building Services Engineering industry. This site contains archived content from the journal, plus web-specific content.
May 2013: DIGITAL EDITION

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