Following the launch of the Apprenticeship Levy early last month (April), the industry has expressed concern about a critical report from the all-party parliamentary Education Committee that dubbed it a ‘blunt instrument’ that would do little to tackle the skills gap without significant change. The committee said the levy would drive up numbers of apprentices, but not necessarily in the industry sectors and regions where they were most needed.
Offsite construction could revolutionise the construction industry and provide a solution to the UK housing shortage, but only if the sector develops the right skills, according to a report* from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The report shows that 42% of construction-industry companies with over 100 staff expect to use offsite methods in five years’ time. At present, however, offsite construction accounts for just 10% of industry output.
ASHRAE* president Tim Wentz has called on engineers to embrace the potential of technology to deliver more comfortable and effective buildings. Speaking at CIBSE’s Technical Symposium at Loughborough University last month (April), he emphasised the dramatic changes that are being driven by digital technologies.
CIAT’s 2017 international tour of more than 70 cities across three continents is in the UK during May, visiting six cities from 15 to 22 May and ending in London on 23 and 24 May. Atallah Musleh, sales director for Europe, says, ‘Over the past 18 months, CIAT has transformed its offerings with new products and services. The tour is a great opportunity to demonstrate our new capabilities and engage with our customers by bring our expertise and extensive range solutions directly to their doorstep.
Hamworthy Heating is taking its range of stainless-steel boilers and calorifiers, the ‘Stainless family’, to the road. Starting in June, the van will tour the country to show customers the benefits of stainless steel in the components of boilers and water heaters, as well as best-practice design for heating and hot-water systems.
Midway through a 10-year forward-looking vision of the electro-technical industry, how is that perspective shaping up in practice? Paul Reeve of the Electrical Contractors’ Association gives an insight.
Not every project can meet carbon-emission targets set by a local authority, but the money paid for those higher emissions can be effectively used to finance other carbon-reduction strategies in an area. Jane Richardson Hawkes of the National Energy Foundation discusses how it all works.
Andrews Water Heaters has updated and improved its long-established Size-it sizing tool for water heaters. It is now quicker, personalised and accessible online from any device to help specifiers select the most appropriate water heater from Andrews for a project
Given the importance of controls in achieving the requirements of Part L, Malcolm Anson, president of the Building Controls Industry Association, reflects on the role of the engineer and future training needs to tackle the building-performance challenge.
The integration of multiple controls systems should be driven by the needs of a building’s occupants and the potential business benefits — believes Mark Vincent of Prolojik.
As technology partner for Carnegie Hall in New York, Siemens installed the new systems for an infrastructure upgrade to Studio Towers, a central focus of which was the installation of the new 5600 m2 Resnick Education Wing on the hall’s upper floors and the refurbishment of backstage areas.
The updated control infrastructure in one of New Zealand’s premier attractions, SkyCity Auckland, uses equipment from Trend Control Systems to maximise efficiency and create the very best comfort conditions. It is the tallest building in New Zealand, and its 328 m SkyTower has dominated the skyline for 20 years.
New heating for the Grade I listed 18th century Town Hall in Liverpool is based on a bespoke solution developed by Smith’s EP. The solution is based on 20 Caspian Concealed fan convectors installed behind panels in the walls of a number of rooms in the building. Around four Caspian heaters were installed in three reception rooms, one ballroom, two dining rooms and a meeting room. Ducts are positioned so heat is effectively distributed.
Natural ventilation for the new £3.5 million boathouse for Gonville & Caius College at the University of Cambridge is delivered by bespoke terminals designed and engineered by Gilberts Blackpool. Designed by bb+c architects with services designed by Max Fordham LLP, the system has six Mistrale 75 penthouse roof terminals.
Light commercial boilers with outputs from 40 to 70 kW can be used for a variety of light-commercial applications. But with so many models now on the market, how do you know if you are getting the right one for the job? Steven Evans of Potterton Commercial gives his top tips on the feature comparisons that will ensure you get the right boiler.
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