December PMI® data pointed to another solid increase in business activity across the UK construction sector, but the rate of expansion slipped to its lowest since September.
Having been forced to withdraw from staging its annual awards dinner and presentation ceremony last year, due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commissioning Specialists Association was delighted to finally stage the event on the evening of Thursday 11th November 2021.
Saint-Gobain has entered into binding agreements for the sale of three of its remaining four UK distribution brands specialized in plumbing, heating and sanitaryware products to Wolseley UK: Neville Lumb, DHS and Bassetts. Completion is expected in early 2022.
As COP26 ends, we've pulled together comment and thoughts about the event and issues raised from across the industry.
The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has today shared new figures revealing that while consultancies are making good progress towards unlocking a Net Zero future, client demand remains patchy, with only around a fifth (19%) of large consultancy and around a quarter (24%) of SME clients, asking for net zero compatible designs.
The Government released its long-delayed Net Zero Review and Heating and Hot Water Strategy last week. As the UK’s building stock is responsible for such a high proportion of the country’s Carbon Emissions, the Building Services sector in both domestic and commercial arenas will both be hugely impacted by the strategies and front and centre in the response.
SAV Systems is proud to announce that the AirMaster AM 1000 has been awarded Passivhaus Component certification in conjunction with their Danish partner, Airmaster A/S.
Belimo, the leading manufacturer of damper actuators, control valves and sensors for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology, brings the worlds of “energy control” and “certified energy measurement and billing” together.
The Altecnic SATK32107 Heat Interface Unit (HIU) records industry beating results during rigorous ‘UK Standard for Heat Interface Units’ test, coordinated by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).
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
Frank Bakker of SolarEdge looks at ways to better manage energy
Harriet Evans, MHI Sales Director at Beijer Ref UK & Ireland, discusses why the requirement to produce potable hot water from renewable technologies shouldn’t be ignored.
Viessmann has launched a range of electric heating products to the UK to grow its electrified heating offer.
Nicola Martin, Sales Manager at RadiWarm,® explains why electric pipeless radiators are ideal for many commercial and public buildings.
Incidents of scalding caused by hot water are on the rise, but there are easy ways to minimise this risk, including tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves. Here, Richard Bateman of RWC UK looks at the issues and the solutions, giving tips about correct installation and maintenance.
Preassembly is on the rise in the construction industry. Its growing popularity doesn’t come as a surprise given the benefits it has to offer including consistent quality, greater flexibility and customisation, and less waste onsite. Preassembly is making everything simple, offering specifiers, contractors, installers and architects a solution that is driving efficiency across a project’s supply chain.
Barrie Welsh of Hamworthy Heating looks at different pump options with the pros and cons of each.
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
Domus Ventilation has launched its next generation, HRXE Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units for a wider range of residential properties than ever before.
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.
There’s a significant but underserved segment of the market, characterized by small square footage and low complexity commercial buildings. Collectively, this segment represents up to 40% of commercial energy costs.
The tool now includes Mechanical & Control section (BMS) section to meet building management needs
Smart buildings have made great strides in the last decade in making building systems more efficient, while simultaneously making occupants safer, healthier, and more productive. Darren Bindert of Syscomm looks to the future.
Many manufacturing and engineering firms may have seen a drop in output due to lower demand recently. Consequently, with lower capacities, this brings with it the likelihood of some machinery going through periods of not being used.
A considered approach to installing containment of building services can make projects quicker, easier, safer, less costly and more environmentally aware.
As the construction industry is full steam ahead, it’s important that distributors are ready for the future.
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.
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.
When it comes to protecting human lives, fail-safe performance and quality of products are essential. Emergency lighting must work – at all times, and it must be reliable.
The new future-proof IoT VIVARES offers superb simplicity with compatibility to two technologies: a wireless option via VIVARES Zigbee and a wired version using DALI-2 technology. It adapts lighting to the most diverse requirements, integrating daylight and motion sensors further increases the energy savings that can be achieved, and cloud-based monitoring ensures greater reliability and security.
Humidity control specialist, Condair, is launching a new 8-hour rapid response service as an optional feature to its humidifier planned preventative maintenance contracts.
Hitachi’s newest 4-way cassette unit design panel, the Silent Iconic, has already picked up three international product design awards – the iF Design Award 2020 in the Product category, the Good Design Award 2020 and the Red Dot Best of the Best Product Design 2021 – and is now available in the UK.
If your system hasn't been used in months it's an important question.
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)
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
Built into the mountains of Stavanger, Norway, in what was formerly a NATO ammunition storage facility, is now one of the world’s most secure and energy efficient data centres.
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).
