Leading associations stress importance of controls and BEMSs
Contractors and controls specialists stressed the importance of building-management systems at the recent conference of the Building Controls Industry Association in association with B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association). BCIA president Ian Ellis said, ‘We are seeing the rise of intelligent kit — with controls built in and delivered to the building for installation by contractors. That’s why the BCIA has teamed up with the B&ES for this event.’
He further explained, ‘By working with B&ES, we can explain the importance of BEMS design and also understand the challenge of specialist contractors. Our aim today is therefor to learn from each other as well.’
B&ES president Sue Sharp saw the event as a step in the association becoming a key influencer across the range of building engineering services — ‘one that is capable of bringing together all the relevant disciplines in a spirit of co-operation, team working and mutual learning and support to the benefit not only of everyone involved in the process but also, ultimately and most importantly, to our clients’.
Ian Ellis explained that building-management systems are designed to achieve the integration of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting and renewables.
From the perspective of her experience in the service and facilities-management sector, Sue Sharp said, ‘I know from first hand how cheap installations cost more to service and maintain. Why is it that when project savings are sought, it is the energy stuff that always seems to disappear first? BEMS, heat recovery and run-around coils seem to suffer.’
