The Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA) 2023 Awards attracted a record number of submissions across the seven main categories, with Roger Carlin of Ashford Environmental Services receiving the Lifetime Contribution Award.
HRH The Prince of Wales recently visited technology hub Sustainable Ventures, which is based in London’s County Hall and is the largest of its type in Europe.
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has welcomed the introduction of a new suite of ECS cards for the building controls sector.
Anastasia Mylona, Technical Director at the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), explains why embodied carbon is increasingly important in building services design and outlines CIBSE’s calculation methodology which is rapidly being adopted internationally.
From 1st October 2023 a number of new regulations came into force under the Building Safety Act 2022, and they don’t only affect high-risk buildings. Alex Minett, Head of Global New Markets at CHAS highlights some of the key changes.
On the 20th of September, 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a slowdown to the pace of Net Zero initiatives in hte UK.
Upgrading school and college buildings to meet challenging Net Zero goals can go hand-in-hand with making these buildings better places to work and learn. Mike Egan, Business Development Manager, Corporate Solutions for Mitsubishi Electric LES looks at the options.
Variable speed drives (VSDs) are not generally designed to be exposed to the elements of nature and so for a drive operating outdoors we frequently see the highest rated drives specified. However, protection against ingress of dust and water alone is not enough to keep a drive running optimally in all weather, as ABB’s Oliver Woolley explains.
In HVAC applications, integrated pumps are promoted as an efficient and low cost alternative to VSD/ motor configurations, however there’s more to the debate than there might seem, according to Carl Turbitt, HVAC Drives – UK Sales Manager, ABB.
Detect hidden sources of heat and energy loss with Teledyne FLIR’s thermal imaging cameras to save energy and cut your heating and energy costs.
In October the Government launched its long-awaited Heat and Building Strategy. With heat for buildings accounting for 21% of the UKs annual national emissions, the strategy supports the intention to decarbonise heat, which is essential in order to meet our net zero goals, and it confirms that the Government’s preferred technology for this, at least for the foreseeable future, is the heat pump.
A year into the Government initiative to help SMEs UK-wide exploit data to achieve net zero, Simon West, COO and cofounder of Scottish proptech arbnco, reflects on the key lessons learnt from its project with British Gas
There is a compelling environmental case for switching from fossil fuel-based heating to heat pumps in commercial premises but Tim Mitchell, Sales Director of Klima-Therm, says there are many factors to consider in order to do this successfully.
Stewart McGillivray, Seasonal Commissioning Manager for Guardian Water Treatment, explains the steps maintenance teams need to take to ensure buildings work as they were intended.
Michael Anderton, General Manager UK&I of HVAC Building Solutions at Johnson Controls, discusses how commercial buildings are experiencing a revolution in terms of how they operate and step up to their sustainability responsibilities.
Specification of the correct thermal insulation for pipes and ducts is essential to ensure heating and cooling systems perform effectively. Shaun Byrne of SIG explains some of the issues that need to be considered - and why it is wise to seek expert advice.
Steve Munn, Managing Director at Hevasure, explores some of the common problems picked up by real-time monitoring technology and explains why early detection of problems and timely intervention can save huge amounts of money and hassle.
Given the global rise in energy costs, there has never been a better time to review and assess the efficiency of your pumping systems – whatever their size, complexity or indeed sphere of operation.
David Millward, Group Product Manager at Elta Fans, explains that sensor technology is crucial to delivering Part F Building Regulations and raising the standards of indoor air quality.
With many hospitals now addressing longer waiting lists, pressure on laboratory facilities has never been so intense, says Ian Thomas of TROX UK
Spotlight on Smart Mechanical Ventilation (SMV) - insights shared by Jonathon Hunter Hill of AirMaster SMV
Building controls have the potential to reduce energy use, support carbon reductions and reduce running costs, says Mark McLoughlin
Connectivity in smart buildings has huge business value. Mike Hook explains.
The combination of HCL and lighting control technology is creating ever more productive environments. Steve Marr explains.
Only one-in-five buildings have an BMS system to regulate and oversee their inner workings, and so most commercial buildings operate at a Class C energy efficiency level. Stuart Smith of Zehnder looks at how to improve performance.
‘Smart Buildings’ are no longer something that simply conjures images out of science fiction movies, says Mark Sutcliffe of Lorne Stewart.
Nick Robinson, Managing Partner at Beyond ESG, looks at how technological innovations are transforming our buildings, offering tangible commercial benefits that go beyond energy savings. Connected by IoT and supported by data science, the modern digitised building boasts unparalleled levels of control and monitoring.
Installing the correct thickness of insulation around services is essential to ensure expected performance and project energy targets are achieved. Marc Nickels of Kingspan looks at getting it right.
With the transitional period now over, Chris Caton, Product Director – Commercial, at Ideal Heating revisits Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, as a step towards Net Zero 2050.
Dave Lancaster, Senior Category Manager – Commercial at Uponor, explains the importance of ensuring building services pipework is specified correctly and of choosing high quality pipe systems designed to minimise pressure and heat loss.
Using modern methods of construction and prefabrication enabled a housing association to refurbish one of its high-rise residential tower blocks
Demand for packaged plant and modular construction is continuing to grow. Here, Roger Hoskins of Conex Bänninger discusses the opportunities for the HVAC industry and offers some tips for achieving a successful offsite project specification.
John Austin shares his experience of offsite methods and explains the benefits of packaged plant for building services design and installation.
Mark Dowson, Buro Happold shares why Newcastle University is known for its pioneering spirit
Toby Hunt from Guardian Water Treatment explains the potential problems posed by dormant water systems and how to safely bring a site out of mothballing.
While pollution levels in our air are a major cause for concern, Mitsubishi Electric Product Manager Hern Yau explains why we need to be cautious about assuming indoor air is always better.
A primary school in Leipzig, Germany trial TRILUX Opendo LED with CO2 sensor
TRILUX Lighting is proud to announce its recent success in the Build Back Better Awards Autumn edition.
Knightsbridge has introduced the SUR5LED dual-mount LED luminaire that can be surface-mounted or suspended. It’s an easily installed, retrofittable alternative to twin 5ft fluorescent fittings with a commercial grade output of 4790lm.
Alex Hill, Managing Director at international building services design consultancy, Whitecode Consulting, looks at new government regulation to reduce overheating and the best solutions to prevent overheating in our homes, hospitals offices and schools.
The European Union wants to lead the world in the transition to low global warming potential (GWP) substances, but it cannot ignore other factors – not least safety, according to Graeme Fox of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).
Condensation forms when the humidity level in the indoor air reaches saturation point and that air comes into contact with a cold surface, turning into liquid water. This can lead to damage, mould and respiratory problems. So what be done? Paul Williams of Domus explains.
Keith Barker, Director of CSA Member Tectonic Techniques and Chair of the CSA Marketing Committee, offers his considered appraisal.
In previous articles, the CSA has discussed commissioning in some depth, covering aspects such as what commissioning is, why it is carried out, when is it done and who does it.
Agnieszka Bachleda-Baca considers how IoT can support sustainable building management.
This month’s round table discussion, sponsored by Trend Control Systems, examines the net zero carbon challenge. Karen Fletcher reports
This month’s MBS round table, sponsored by Swegon, considered the rise of the smart building and smart kit.
Our expert panel considers the ‘Branson’ challenge and highlights the developments, opportunities and challenges facing the air conditioning and refrigeration sector. Sponsored by Daikin Applied (UK)
With new ways of working continuing to shape office design, Toby Buckley, Managing Director of REL Building Services, explains the impact on M&E solutions.
Changing realities for students and learning
Karl Walker of Beckhoff explains how changing attitudes towards climate change can help encourage young people to take more responsibility for managing the energy efficiency of their own schools and colleges
Matt Whiting, discusses why a holistic approach to specifying water controls in healthcare environments can help improve performance and compliance
Valeria Ferrando explains the difference between digital twins and BIM – and how twinning helps designers and operators understand their buildings better.
As the new TR19 Grease specification is issued by BESA, Gary Nicholls explains why some building managers may still find that there are challenges to achieving full compliance.
Sandy Damm takes a closer look at smoke detection and the best way to select and maintain your equipment.
Dario Giordani explains how the Construction Products Regulation keeps cables safe from fire, and why it concerns everyone in the industry.
The crucial role of specification writing has been so severely downgraded that it is undermining building designs, according to David Fitzpatrick*.
A new Heat Commission convened by the CBI and University of Birmingham - with leading industry figures - has called on the Government to develop a National Delivery Body (NDB) to lead the development and implementation of a national heat decarbonisation strategy.
New guidelines on pressure relief valves and safety valves have been published by SAFed. Les Littlewood outlines the key points and the correct usage.
Angela Reid outlines the numerous labelling schemes available for buildings, and notes the importance of understanding what each offers owners and managers.
Josh Emerson from Swegon looks at the up to date guidance and perceived risk from Rotary Heat Exchangers
Karen Fletcher speaks to a company at the front line of changes in the air conditioning sector and learns how it is staying ahead of the game with an eye firmly on the future.
The UK’s primary F Gas register Refcom played a key role in the first World Refrigeration Day (WRD) as co-host with the Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
