Air systems procurement
> Says Rhead: “Saving 10 per cent of energy by
carefully selecting a chiller will usually save far more
energy than spending time saving 10 per cent on a fan.
Having said that, in the time available, I would expect
our practice to do both.”
This ‘more bang for your buck’ argument may be
persuasive. However, the specification of high-quality
ventilation equipment also depends upon the method
of procurement. And the building services industry
currently seems far more comfortable with competitive
tendering than with partnership-style relationships.
Tendering
Rhead, who has seen the good and bad of both types
of relationship, says: “With both, you need the right
contractors. It is easier for less ethically-minded
contractors to screw the client – even if the client gets
what he wants.
“A properly specified competitive tender should
give the client the same project if the consultant does
his job properly – but this is a big ‘if’. I have seen
few contractors whose input into a partnered project
justifies their increased profit from it.” The method of procurement need to engage more with consultants on developing
However, says Reilly: “Competitive tendering can
can have a big impact on the
their products and getting them on side.”
put pressure on the successfully appointed team
specification of a ventilation
Ant Wilson, director of sustainability at AECOM
system
to deliver on the project within a tight budget. We (formerly Faber Maunsell), goes further. He believes
that too many consultants are happy to go to minimum
acceptable standards because anything more can be
If consultants stress that fan
perceived as over-design.
“We shouldn’t be looking at it this way,” he
selection is based upon achieving
insists. “We should be aspiring for the best possible
improved energy performance and performance. Within budgetary constraints, we should
any changes could affect the ratings,
be pursuing excellence in all we do.”
then contractors and clients will
Supply chain
listen. – Jim Harrison According to one fan maker, consultants are pivotal
in setting up progressive supply chain arrangements
generally focus on working with the contracting team because they can ensure that the correct product
after appointment to form a good working relationship. selections and the correct supply chain partner
We find having specific procurement and coordination appointments are made.
workshops essential to ensure that the team stays Neil Yule, European sales director of Flakt Woods,
focused.” says: “The technical review of the products has to
Reilly believes that consultants can smooth the be the most important part of the selection process.
procurement process by engaging the tendering Consultants can work with client groups to help them
parties at the earliest possible stage in order to define structure the supply chain to pull together the best
and clarify the design philosophy. selection of products that are required for a typical
“Manufacturers are aware of our desire to reduce HVAC system.
energy consumption and they will always strive to “Once that is in place, it is much easier from
improve the quality of their product as it is the natural
Above, Jim Harrison of
a consultant’s point of view because he hasn’t
Hurleypalmerflatt; below,
engineering evolution.
Ant Wilson of AECOM
got to constantly recalibrate the design, since the
“We should be thoughtful in what we specify and suppliers at the beginning of the project will be there
about the budget we are working within. We should be throughout.”
aware of emerging technologies via CPD and to what He adds: “If you look at a typical specification at the
ends they can benefit our project and clients, and not moment, I think rather too much of the description
just specify the latest new trends.” is about how the fan will be these dimensions and
Harrison adds: “Consultants can help the that pitch angle, etc, rather than going into the
procurement process by emphasising the need to performance that comes from the product. Consultants
achieve the requirements of Part L, to meet energy should be much more prescriptive in terms of the real
performance targets, and provide the client with performance the product will provide – and, in some
greater feedback on cost in use. Manufacturers also cases, that should include full life-cycle costs.” l
52 CIBSE Journal June 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEjun09 pp50-52 Air.indd 52 28/5/09 15:00:31
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