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I N S TA L L AT I O N N E W S
ASK THE EXPERT
RDM’s approach to control
James Hall and Company is the regional distribution
Technology can
centre for SPAR operations in the north of England
and runs a chain of 90 fully-owned stores, with a
further 350-plus outlets operated by franchisees.
help bridge the
Early on, Frank Frayling, the company’s group
engineering manager, who is leading a drive to
improve the energy efficiency of stores, identified the
skills gap
absence of a comprehensive control system as a
major issue for the business. Plant and equipment
had been purchased and installed over time, with the
vast majority operated on a stand-alone basis.
As in many traditional convenience stores, control
By Bob Hughes, General Manager
and monitoring was at the level of individual systems,
with local managers required to monitor items of
of Wolseley’s Pipe Center Modular
plant onsite to ensure it was running properly.
“This is obviously not an ideal approach,” says
Engineering division
Frank. “Onsite staff can do the basics, but beyond that
it is inevitably limited in terms of what can be
achieved. It was clear that what we needed was a shop-wide monitoring system that would give us an overview of how all the plant was
performing - from a single point.”
T
here were some sharp intakes of breath recently
when SummitSkills published its report on the likely
After researching the market, he selected the Data Manager system, manufactured by UK electronics and software pioneer RDM. The
impact of current economic conditions on jobs in the
Data Manager is an advanced modular control system that links together all energy consuming plant and equipment in a store.
building services
It gives users an easily accessible window on how all store equipment is performing, highlighting potential problems and providing
sector.
opportunities for improving energy performance.
It suggested that between
Importantly, it enables users to purchase the precise functions needed for their application from a detailed palette of options, making it
67,000 and 154,000 jobs in
highly cost-effective. If store plant is modified or extended at a later date, additional functions can be added quickly and easily for minimum
the industry could be at
outlay.
risk due to the downturn.
A number of trial stores were equipped with the Data Manager, linked to RDM power trays and refrigeration compressor pack control,
The report, Potential
to evaluate the system. Together it handles refrigeration, lighting, and heating and ventilation plant - in fact all major energy consuming
impact of the recession on
equipment in the store except the chicken rotisseries.
the building services
Frank says: “All of the stores equipped with the RDM control have showed significant reductions in energy consumption. Average
engineering sector in 2009,
savings are in the region of 12% which translates straight to the bottom line in savings in energy bills.”
was based on interviews
One store, based at Winsford, has recorded a 27% savings on energy usage.
with BSE consultants on the
Initial trials began three years ago. Now fourteen of the company’s SPAR outlets have been equipped with RDM control systems, and
state of the economy and its
it is being rolled-out across the business.
likely impact on the industry’s workload.
“All stores undergoing refits will have the system, and we are specifying it for our petrol forecourt outlets,” Frank says. “It’s a no-brainer
Since its publication, there has been something of a
in terms of the energy savings, which are proven.
‘recontextualising’ of its findings – particularly in the light of
“On a higher level, it also opens up the possibility of monitoring and controlling the entire estate remotely.
surprise by fellow industry organisations, such as the HVCA,
“We believe there are significant benefits in this approach, and that we will be able to deliver even greater efficiencies. The RDM system
over the predicted scale of the losses. The latest take on the
makes this possible, and we are keen to explore this for the future.”
findings is that they tend to overestimate expected losses
due to the fact that they concentrate solely on the
consultants’ view and do not take account of the view on the
ground from contractors.
Whatever the precise numbers, it is inarguable that the
industry finds itself with a serious challenge on its hands.
Brighton gets a stylish solution
The loss of skilled manpower from the building services
trades is not welcome at any time, but comes at a time when
Brighton Marina has a new, energy efficient, white lighting solution at
the skills gap in the industry was in any case widening. When
the centre. The combination of the award winning Philips CosmoPolis
things improve, and the cycle turns, many of these people
lamps housed in stylish heritage lanterns has dramatically improved
will have left the industry for good and the skills shortage
the night time ambience within this popular waterfront location.
will get worse.
The Marina itself comprises a hotel, an array of retail units, a
Despite much hand-wringing in the past, and some solid
selection of restaurants and some great entertainment venues
work more recently by the sector’s training body, the gap
attracting visitors to admire its spectacular views over the waterfront
between the skills required and those available has
each year. X-Leisure, the UK’s fastest growing leisure brand, was keen
continued to widen. The UK’s trade skills squad flying to
to upgrade the existing lighting with a solution more in keeping with the
Calgary later this year for the world skills competition has a
style of the complex. Kirsty Harris, marketing & events manager for
plumber among the team. But the UK will apparently not be
Brighton Marina, X Leisure explains: “We wanted the outdoor lighting
represented in refrigeration, air conditioning or general
concept to enhance the visually appealing surroundings so that our
building services categories. That is a shame, and says
visitors and residents can enjoy its atmosphere and vitality even more.
something about the importance – or lack of it – that we as
At the same time we were keen to reduce energy consumption, whilst
a nation attach to equipping the next generation.
improving safety and reliability. The combination of the heritage style
Against this background, a lot of store has been put on
lanterns and CosmoPolis lamps has worked particularly well in
advances in technology. Some have suggested that such
bringing all these elements together.”
new technologies are hastening the de-skilling of the trades.
In this first phase of the project, 16 Philips Buckland Heritage twin
They yearn for a return to the slide rule, pencil-behind-the-
lanterns, housing 60 Watt CosmoPolis lamps, have now replaced the
ear and hot working. I have to say, as someone who has
old globe style street lights which used 70 Watt Son T lamps, achieving
worked man and boy through this revolution in approach,
approximately 31% energy saving. This installation clearly illustrates
today’s technology is infinitely better.
how the latest street lighting technology can work harmoniously with
The truth is that successful new approaches such as off-
classically designed street lanterns. Indeed, the CosmPolis lamp and
site fabrication and modular engineering effectively address
gear system is, in actual fact, the first white light which has been
the problem of skills shortages in the trade. They have taken
uniquely designed for the outdoor market having better efficacy, longer
root, in part, as a response to the ongoing problem of on-site
life and a more compact size as well as being approximately 30% more
manpower, not to mention the need to deliver a cost
efficient than traditional white light systems. In addition its white light
effective, quality solution, on time, every time.
gives people a better sense of safety due to the ability to see objects
Over the past few months, we have highlighted some of
and facial features more clearly. This also means a better chance of
the main drivers of change in our industry – the trend
spotting potential hazards on footpaths, driveways and cycle lanes for
towards off-site manufacture, the need for a genuinely
example.
sustainable approach, health and safety issues, the need to
Utilising the existing column spacings the Buckland Heritage lanterns have been designed with a special Philips T – Pot optic which
get costs down and quality up, and the skills crisis. In all of
directs the majority of light downwards in comparison to the former globe lanterns which lost 60% of the useful light upwards causing
these areas, we have made the case that a modular approach
unnecessary light pollution. As well as reducing the sky glow the new lanterns have an inbuilt mini cell ensuring that the light only comes
to pre-assembled, integrated multi-service units delivers
on at dusk and goes off at dawn eliminating wasteful electricity consumption. In addition, the stainless steel construction of the columns
major benefits, for the customer and the client.
means that they will withstand the harsh salt environment of the Marina as well as being more resistant to vandalism and wind loadings
I believe it is an approach whose time has come, and that
than alternative options such as aluminium.
it is here to stay.
Brighton Marina now has a cost effective, white lighting solution enhancing the vibrant atmosphere of the Marina, so close to the
exciting city of Brighton, ensuring it is an attractive and safe location to live, work and relax.
12 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2009
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk
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