There are growing expectations that this year’s Autumn Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer will see the Government release additional funds for capital projects as it seeks to counter post-Brexit turbulence and shape its longer-term strategy for the UK economy, according to Glenigan. Glenigan’s project data reveals a growing pipeline of public-sector projects that could be early beneficiaries of additional Government funds.
Nearly 70% of office workers are concerned that poor indoor air quality could be having a negative effect on their day-to-day productivity and well-being, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). In addition, a third of office workers are concerned that poor indoor air quality could be having a negative effect on their health.
Leicester University’s new Centre for Medicine has won two categories in the recent KNX UK awards. They are for best commercial project and best-public-sector project. The 12 800 m2 building is the UK’s largest non-residential project built to the Passivhaus standard and is designed to be up to 10 times more energy efficient than a normal building of the same size.
For an organisation to adopt Building Information Modelling successfully, positive co-operation from the people who use it is essential — argues David Davis of G&H Group.
Prof. Will Stewart, vice president of the Institution of Engineering & Technology, has expressed concern that this year’s A-level results show no increase in students studying subjects such as maths, physics and design and technology, which he describes as ‘core subjects for an engineering degree and career’. He adds, ‘If we don’t reverse this trend, thousands of young people are effectively closing the door on an exciting and creative career as engineers.’
Radical heating policy would show government means business. A radical new fiscal approach to incentivising the heating market would deliver ‘quick wins’ for both the Government and the industry, according to Tim Rook of the Building Engineering Services Association.
Rehau’s thermally activated building structure (TABS) system is at the heart of the newly opened £260 million expansion to Tate Modern in London. PE-Xa pipework has been embedded in the concrete slabs that make up each floor of the new building to circulate cooled water and provide comfort cooling throughout.
Fan coils, valve sets, diffusers, fire smoke dampers and control panels totalling £2.5 million have been supplied by Advanced Air to Mace for the Nova mixed-use development on a island site near Victoria Station in London. This architecturally daring urban campus covers 2.2 ha.
Thin-wall stainless-steel tube is being installed by J. Fletcher Engineers for the heating and cooling systems of two developments in Manchester. They are No. 1 Spinningfields and the XYZ building (pictured). Director Steve Fletcher explains, ‘Traditionally, carbon-steel pipework has been used on such projects. We’re using thin-wall stainless steel as it has many benefits.
How did a 12-month proof-of concept scheme lead to Land Securities achieve its 2020 energy-reduction targets four years earlier than expected? Chris Coath of NG Bailey explains.
If you have already installed a variable-speed drive, are you sure that it is working at its optimum for you? Carl Turbitt of ABB gives some tips for squeezing the most out of your assets.
Malcolm Anson of the Building Controls Industry Association offers a quick method for getting to grips with controls and using them more effectively for better energy efficiency.
Errors and inconsistencies in the commissioning of boilers cost installers time and end-users money. More careful consideration of flow-rates and the adoption of new automatic commissioning technologies can change this, as Jonathan Grist of Viessmann explains.
Selecting energy-efficient boiler plant is just the first step in efficiency. How it is controlled through its life is just as important. Kevin Stones of Hoval illustrates this principle with reference to heating systems served by cascade boiler installations.
Modern Building services has a group
on Linkedin - join us!
