2018 April

Trend Control Systems’ range of IQ4 controllers now comes with full BACnet Building Controller (B-BC) compliance. This development is part of the company’s determination to reinforce its position as a provider of non-proprietary open protocol solutions that are fully interoperable with other manufacturers’ products, whilst continuing to provide all of the control functionality that Trend customers and Partners have come to expect.

David Frise has been appointed chief executive of the Building Engineering Specialists Association with immediate effect and he says his key goal is to raise the profile of engineers in the sector because they have a 'vital social and economic role to play'.

The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) is warning of issues over incorrect and potentially harmful handling of refrigerants for air conditioning. FETA has advised that there have been some instances of R410A (classified as A1, nonflammable) being completely removed from some air conditioning systems which are then simply recharged with R32 (classed as A2L, low flammability).

BESA has been appointed as a Registered End Point Assessment Organisation (RoEPAO) which allows it to assess new training standards in England. This follows the Association’s appointment in 2017 as an officially-registered New Standard apprentice delivery body able to operate across the UK.

OFTEC has restated its calls for an overhaul of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) following a recent report from the National Audit Office (NAO) which confirms the scheme ‘has not achieved value for money’.

Experts are pointing out that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are not a good indication of energy efficiency for buildings. The growing calls for other ways to indicate building energy use come as Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are introduced this month.

Around 80% of engineering services firms say turnover increased or was steady during the final quarter of 2017, according to new findings from the sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey, sponsored by Scolmore.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has approved the Arbn Consult (Arbnco) reporting software for use in registering exemptions for the MEES legislation.

The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has raised concerns that the UK’s increasing reliance on digital infrastructure puts it at risk of hacker attacks.

Or a chill wind for construction? Karen Fletcher considers the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

Are construction clients finally reaching the end of their collective tether when it comes to building performance? Karen Fletcher outlines the issues that are coming to a head.

Modular construction has gained considerable momentum over the past five years in the UK due to its positive impact on cost, programme, quality and safety. Offsite construction consultant Darren Richards discusses the latest developments.

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) says a ‘perfect storm’ is brewing that will radically alter the shape of training delivery and competence assessment across the UK building services sector.

Built in 1494 during the reign of Henry VII, the historic Square Tower in Portsmouth has undergone many changes of use during its 524-year life. Following a major refurbishment, including a new heating system, the tower, owned by Portsmouth Council, has become a popular venue for weddings and corporate gatherings.

Northern Ireland has established itself as a major location for the film industry, .To keep up with the increasing demand, a major investment was recently made in a state-of-the-art 120,000 sq. ft. studio space that has been built on a former landfill site in Belfast.

Parkstone Yacht Club in Poole was established in 1895 and is situated on the North shore of the second largest natural harbour in the world. In the summer of 2016 work started on Parkstone’s new state-of–the-art clubhouse in Pearce Avenue. The new construction will accommodate the club’s active 2,800 members including around 480 sailors, aged 4 – 18 most of which are locally based.

Southern Housing Group wanted to include solar thermal as part of an upgrade to Lisgar Terrace estate. Oventrop UK limited were employed by H&V Service Plan to deliver solar thermal domestic hot water systems to 7 newly created apartments on phase 2 of the development.

Madison restaurant at St Paul’s in London is the first venue in the UK to install a ground-breaking new heat pump-based air curtain, which provides high efficiency heating and cooling.

Staff and pupils at Dunsville Primary School in Doncaster are benefitting from highly efficient heating and hot water, thanks to four 120kW Thision L Evo gas condensing boilers from Elco. The new wall mounted boilers have been installed in-line on a floorstanding cascade system within the school’s basement plant room.

The UK moves to MEES this month, but Australia has been linking building performance to commercial tenancies for many years. Paul Angus and Ian Dixon of Aecom Australia tell us how the NABERS system works, and why it has been so successful.

Mitch Layng believes that MEES offers opportunities if handled correctly. Here he considers the different stakeholders in the property sector and outlines the possibilities that lie in the new legislation for each.

As the property market becomes increasingly competitive, there is a need to differentiate through better building performance. Andy Lewry, James Fisher and Matt Holden discuss how sustainability results in high performance buildings.

With MEES now in force, EPC ratings are paramount for building owners. Consultant Colin Lillicrap explains why a more detailed EPC analysis could help identify more cost-effective improvement measures – and may even result in a better rating.

For building services managers water offers two major challenges - using it efficiently and ensuring it is safe. David Meacock explains why the latest technologies can support better performance when it comes to stored water.

Alan Edwards of the CSCA explains why a relatively new Association is offering reassurance to FMs and building owners that their water treatment will be carried out to recognised and audited standards.

Against a backdrop of rising mains water supply costs and climate change causing stress to water resources, building services engineers are under pressure to reduce water consumption and associated costs. Mark Hadaway considers the alternatives to mains water.

Bespoke prefabricated heating equipment can deliver numerous benefits from increased efficiency and greater quality control to time, budget and labour savings. Chris Meir takes a look at the methods and benefits.

Andrew Yates explains the growing popularity of offsite construction of utility cupboards as the pressure to build quickly and to high standards grows.

David Draper offers his five top tips to help extract the maximum benefits when designing and installing modular wiring.

Stuart Turner explains why a modular approach to boilers for heat networks is a flexible and efficient solution.