New HEVAC president recalls 21 years of involvement
In between sessions restoring a classic car over the last 21 years, Mike Nankivell has played an active role in the work of HEVAC. Or was it the other way round? Now as president of HEVAC he shares his thoughts on issues past, present and future — and the need for more people to get involved.
Thinking about my role as president of HEVAC, which was described by Cedric Sloan, director general of FETA, as ‘the pinnacle’ of my involvement with the sector, it occurred to me that there were some interesting parallels between two quite diverse activities in which I have been involved for the last 21 years.
I have since childhood had an interest in classic cars and have owned and driven many fine examples. 21 years ago I embarked on a restoration project involving a fairly rare MGC GT. The first parallel of note is that, although manufactured in 1968, the car was first registered in 1970 — the year I entered the HVAC industry as a design draughtsman. The second parallel is that, coincidentally, I started the restoration project in the same year I first became involved with HEVAC.
Although the car appeared basically sound, there were aspects that I felt could be improved. I could easily have simply paid someone a fee to do the required work for me. However, I decided that I wanted to be more hands-on and do much of the work myself — so I began to make the preparations. To my dismay I soon discovered that, under the surface, a lot more attention was needed and what started as an interest in addressing relatively minor improvements turned into a time-consuming, yet rewarding, commitment. Some readers may perhaps recognise other parallels with HEVAC membership?
The fact that it took me 21 years to ‘complete’ the restoration of my MGC has had more to do with limited free time and funds than the amount of work or any reduced enthusiasm. That said, what started as little more than cosmetic improvements, developed into what is known as a full ‘nut-and-bolt rebuild’!
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I have to point out that technically the car is still not actually ‘complete’ but that in June 2012 it was restored to roadworthy condition for first time in 21 years.
As with all classic cars, even those that are in perfect or ‘concours d’elegance’ condition, which my MGC was never intended to be, constant attention and fettling is required to keep them in good shape. Perhaps another parallel with our industry?
So, in the same year that I started work on the MGC, I also attended my first-ever HEVAC meeting, then on behalf of Carrier. I was simply an observer at a round-table review of issues facing the HVAC industry, as perceived by many of the industry’s ‘movers and shakers’ who represented HEVAC membership of the time. Among the many issues raised were concerns about skills shortages and recruitment. The industry needed a clear guide to entering the various disciplines our industry had to offer.
That first meeting heralded what was to become a lasting interest in ‘being involved’ in HEVAC rather than simply paying the membership fee and leaving important industry issues for others to address. At the time I was training manager for Carrier and felt perhaps I could offer some help in this area of concern.
I joined the then HEVAC training and education committee and the marketing communications committee. In the years that followed I was able to participate in various initiatives, including a part DoE-funded strategy to enhance the competiveness of the UK HVAC industry, which resulted, amongst other things, in the development of a comprehensive ‘roadmap’ to training and development.
My main ‘involvement’ over the years however has been with the HEVAC air-conditioning group, where the work has had more to do with developing and improving industry best practices and standards. The group addresses matters concerning Building Regulations and their revisions, monitoring, advising and disseminating information relating to various EC Directives and Regulations. It also reviews and responds to countless UK Government consultations where future policy proposals had direct implications for our sector.
Referring again to interesting parallels, during the 21-year restoration of the MGC, apart from addressing bodywork issues, I have had to upgrade a perfectly good engine to enable it to operate with unleaded petrol, replace the carburettors to improve performance and reduce emissions and renew much of the running gear to bring it line with modern-day motoring standards. Recognise any parallels?
In fact it is easy to draw a great many similarities between classic cars and RAC equipment in the refinement of well established technology to make it fit for the 21st century.
As for being president of HEVAC — in many ways, I see this as an ambassadorial role, and I will be pleased to champion and support the admirable voluntary work of the various groups within HEVAC. Where this will differ from my past commitment to the Air Conditioning Group is that HEVAC encompasses many groups: The Air Curtain Group; Air Distribution Manufacturer’s Group; Air Handling Unit Group; Chilled Beam and Chilled Ceiling Group; Demand Controlled Ventilation Group; Fan Coil Unit Group; Fan Manufacturer’s Association; Filter Group; the Fire & Smoke Damper Committee; Humidity Group; Residential Ventilation Association and the Smoke Control Association. I will need to acquire a better understanding of the critical issues facing all these groups and offer whatever support I can in addressing them.
One thing is common to all groups within HEVAC — a reliance on the voluntary input of member company representatives. We owe a debt of thanks in particular to the managing directors, proprietors and CEOs of member companies who freely give their own time, or that of their representatives — time that it takes to fulfil committee obligations. Not least in my own case , without the support of Neil Afram (managing director of Space Air, himself a past president of HEVAC), I would not have been able to accept this role.
Some things don’t change, and there will always be a broad mix of issues facing our sector — those we can do something about, those we can only influence and those on which we can offer expert industry advice and monitor to ensure as a sector we comply and conform.
There will be matters we can resolve relatively swiftly, those that take longer and those that prove very hard to deal with — but which we ignore at our peril.
In the coming years our sector will experience many changes, particularly as a result of EC Regulation — examples being the Energy Related Products Directive (ErP), Revisions to the F Gas Regulation and the recast Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD).
HEVAC will always challenge unrealistic and unnecessarily punitive policy proposals. In such circumstances we will continue to work closely with other institutions and associations both here and in Continental Europe. But change is inevitable, and we will remain at the forefront of representing the interests of the sector as a whole and not just HEVAC member companies.
HEVAC involvement definitely has its rewards, particularly if you truly want to be at the sharp end of anything that has an impact on our industry, but it does take more than simply paying a membership fee and letting others do the work. One of my personal objectives as HEVAC president will be to encourage more member companies to get involved; hopefully there will still be time to put some miles on the MGC!
Mike Nankivell, M.Inst.R is president of HEVAC for 2012/14.
About the MGC
The MGC was only manufactured between 1967 and 1969, and fewer than 4500 GT versions were produced. The car shared many body panels of the better known MGB, but can be distinguished by the raised bonnet line including a tear-drop ‘hump’ necessary to accommodate the larger radiator and provide clearance for the front carburettor as the 6-cylinder 3-litre engine was considerably taller than the MGB unit.
Mike’s car features the factory optional alloy ‘cosmic’ wheels. The only body panels not replaced were the roof, bonnet and tailgate. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt and new wiring looms fitted. Still to do includes re-upholstering the leather seats, some brightwork and other smaller detailing.
