2020 July

A new way of working – and a new attitude towards integration – is required if we are really serious about delivering smart buildings, says Karl Walker

Dean Thornton and Will Brooks have taken up area sales manager roles at Lochinvar

ELCO has launched the new wall-hung THISION® L PLUS and floor standing TRIGON® L PLUS

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. 

The CSA Awards have been postponed to June 2021 - and the entry deadline has been extended, so make sure you get your nominations in. 

BACnet International, KNX Association, OCF, Thread Group and the Zigbee Alliance today announced they are working together to better align commercial buildings with users' connectivity needs and to improve the integration of smart building products. The organisations behind the leading technology standards in the field of building automation are collaborating on this new initiative: "IP Building and Lighting Standards" (IP-BLiS). Together they are promoting a secure multi-standard IP-based infrastructure as a backbone in building automation to replace the inefficient, still-widespread use of siloed solutions. For this purpose, the operation of leading technology standards is to be harmonised, the fragmentation in smart building connectivity reduced and a broad acceptance of coexistent solutions promoted.

Lighting for a major office development has been provided by Zumtobel

The Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA) awards have been moved to next year

Smart buildings are getting personal. Mike Hook looks at how. 

Government’s current reluctance to support renewable liquid fuels as part of the UK’s green heat agenda is based on flawed evidence, according to the initial outcomes of field trials.

Remeha Quinta Ace 65 boilers replace failed 29-year-old boiler units in school chapel

New investment to drive expansion plans for Trainor

Changing Streams aims to unlock funding to reduce plastic waste

A new fine dust sensor from Siemens.

When dealing with changes caused by the Pandemic, building managers need to look forwards as well as at immediate adaptations. Nick Sacke of Comms 365 looks to the future. 

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.

Michael Fraser has joined Ideal Commercial as Specification Manager for East and West Midlands.

Indoor climate solutions specialist Zehnder UK has increased its cooling portfolio with the launch of the ComfoPost range. 

J2 Innovations has partnered with global controls specialist, Coster Group to embed FIN Framework (FIN) into a new generation of plant and building control solutions.  

The Yorkshire Building Services specialist has joined an exclusive list of firms accredited to undertake work at NHS hospitals across the North of England.

New working practices will require the installation of complex data networks in existing buildings, says Brett Smith

Controls and Automation specialist Carlo Gavazzi has extended their product offering by launching a range of fire damper modules.

Gilberts balances rejuvenating a dilapidated Grade II* listed building with creating a carbon-zero new-build extension.

Carlow based Cental projects doubling of workforce to 140 

Energy Assets Group begins a phased return to operations across the country

Nicotra Gebhardt extends their PFP plug fan offering

On your bike - for a good cause!

Access the IIR International Conference Rankine 2020 – Advances in Cooling, Heating and Power Generation on demand this summer – view the sessions you want to when you want to.  You will be able to select from over 90 sessions to take part in live during 27^th - 31^st July and get on demand access to recordings for four whole months after the event.

The Joint Industry Board (JIB) is urging electrical contracting companies to evolve and broaden their skill sets. 

The KNX UK Association has named Neil Grant of the Harris Grant Partnership as KNX UK Champion for 2020. The Award is in particular recognition of his work in developing the KNX Code of Conduct as well as many years’ service as a KNX UK Board Member and his promotion of the value of KNX through the excellence of his projects around the world.

An update on the annual meetings of the European Pump Industry body, held online this year.

77 Coleman Street benefits from underfloor air conditioning system 

This latest win follows a run of awards for the company's products over the last decade. 

July 2020 marks the bicentenary of the birth of William Rankine. 

BPMA relaunches Careers website and CV database.

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

An exciting range of products are now available for the control and integration of lighting systems from Synapsys.

ATAG Commercial has launched a new range of high efficiency gas boilers

Viega’s Megapress and Profipress piping systems have been used on the extensive refurbishment of the Bertrand Russell Tower at the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus.

More and more contractors are recognising the benefits of ensuring they have qualified workers on their jobs and raising standards to achieve competence. Using ECS Check, the free-to-use digital system from the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS), businesses can verify that ECS cardholders are qualified to the required level for the job and prevent individuals slipping through the net using fraudulent or forged certificates.

Terry Sharp of the BCIA thinks the annoucements are positive

Mervyn Pilley of the Energy Systems and Technology Association (ESTA) is not mincing his words. 

Building services BIM design and validation is simplified with a new facility from Gilberts Blackpool.

"Projects need a clear definition as to ‘what good looks like’ if they are to help fulfil a truly green recovery"

BSRIA testing shows installation speeds up to 79%  faster. 

The ambitious approach is welcome, but the industry needs a more 'blended approach' to training, says BESA in response to chancellor. 

Bullitt Group introduces the Cat S42, a robust smartphone designed for reliability even in extreme situations.

SES Engineering Services has completed £22m+ of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works to two landmark developments in London.

The Government has moved to secure vital talent needed to build the UK's recovery from Covid-19, protecting employment for thousands of people working in the construction sector.

BCIA Launches Schoolz Out competition for young inventors.