The Building Safety Alliance, an independent industry led ‘not for profit’ organisation, is launched with the purpose of implementing the certification of competent individuals wishing to deliver the role of building safety manager (BSM) and a publicly accessible register of those certified by the scheme.

Braid Mechanical and Electrical, a member of the Joint Industry Board (JIB), has become the 750th organisation to register for ECS Check. 

As of Monday 16 August, the government has removed the requirement to self-isolate for fully vaccinated adults or under-18s in England, if NHS notified of contact with a positive COVID-19 case. The change should greatly reduce the number of workers and others self-isolating as a result of NHS Test and Trace ‘pinging’, although notified individuals are being advised by the government to undergo a free PCR test.

To mask or not to mask?

The government has been warned that it faces a major public backlash if it attempts to use an increase in domestic gas prices as a way of forcing homeowners to buy expensive low carbon heating appliances in own homes.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS – the national standards organisation for renewables – responds to the government’s 10-point plan for a “Green Industrial Revolution”, which aims to make the UK carbon neutral by 2050 

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).

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) “Air pollution from both outdoor and indoor sources represents the single largest environmental risk to health globally,” and causes seven million deaths a year, worldwide.

ABB’s Carl Turbitt explains how harmonic currents can impact HVAC systems – and what can be done about them.

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.

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. 

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. 

How can building owners develop safer, healthier and smarter building strategies, providing insight into just some of the solutions that can empower them to self-diagnose and identify potential shortcomings and to implement the most appropriate technologies to help mitigate risks both now and in the future? James Allardyce of Chubb examines the options. 

Commercial hot water and heating specialist Adveco, introduces the FPi32 range of monobloc air to water heat pumps designed for use with domestic hot water applications. 

Temperature controlled and limitless volumes of continuous flow hot water heating systems and units now available

Rinnai offer full product availability for all models 24/7 and next day delivery - including 48-58k units

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.

Andre Jutel of amBX asks ‘why is data such an important part of smart lighting?’. It’s a broad question, but one that people within the wider smart city and IoT industries might wonder about. 

Christopher Johnston, Director of Total Sustainability, Energy Focus, Inc. shares the impact lighting design has on health & wellbeing.

Paul Jones and Tom Greenrod talk about the benefits for a London university which has had a smartphone-accessible DALI control system installed.

If your system hasn't been used in months it's an important question. 

The Coronavirus outbreak has increased awareness of hygienic room climate issues, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in public buildings. If planned poorly or not serviced properly, air conditioning units can quickly turn into transmitters of disease-causing germs.

Focusing on project-completion trends in 2016 provides evidence for what drove sales of large commercial air-conditioning products such as VRF and chillers and explains why there was only marginal growth, as David Garwood of BSRIA explains. He then gives an outlook for the years ahead.

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.

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.

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.

Despite the UK's departure from the European Union, the British Pump Manufacturers’ Association (BPMA) will retain its membership of Europump, the European Association of Pump Manufacturers

Antony Corbett, Product Manager at Geberit, looks at the challenges facing building services engineers during the material selection process and why multi-layered piping is proving to be a popular choice for the supply of heating and potable water.

A former office building in York is benefiting from thermally efficient pipe technology for heating and hot water from Flexenergy.

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).