BSEE_July09_COVER:BSEE_July08_COVER 19/6/09 12:22 Page 1
BSEE
BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER
JULY 2009
The authoritative voice of the industry
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Time for an inspection Making history future-proof The lights don’t need to be on
Find out more about the Here we look at an award-winning project at a David Lewis from Schneider Electric
inspection and energy cutting-edge office development in the Isle of looks at how flexible working practices
certification requirements of the Man which uses KNX technology to provide a have influenced the occupation of our
Energy Performance in Buildings flexible, adaptable and future proof solution. buildings and subsequently increased
Directive. See page 20 See page 23 demand for lighting. See page 28
BEST secure more
Remeha and Baxi create a leader
De Dietrich Remeha Group and Baxi Group have entered into detailed discussions to form a new group company that will have a leading
apprenticeships
position in the European heating market.
The complementary geographic profile of De Dietrich Remeha Group and Baxi Group will put the new company in a leading position in
all Western European countries, with strong positions in the rapidly growing markets of Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia, North America
Building Engineering Services Training (BEST) has been
and China. The combined business would have pro forma revenues of €1800 million, EBITDA of over €225m and 6400 employees.
selected as one of only two national M&E training providers
The transaction is intended to be structured as a share for share transaction in which Baxi Group’s shareholders (funds advised by BC
to share in £11m of Government funding to create new
Partners and by Electra Partners), will invest around €100 million in additional equity in the new group as minority partners with the
apprenticeship places. Announced on 14 May by Skills
Remeha Group B.V. holding the majority.
Secretary John Denham and Schools Secretary Ed Balls, the
De Dietrich Remeha Group and Baxi Group will now enter into discussions with their respective debt providers to enable this transaction
funding forms part of a new approach to help employers train
to take place, although at this early stage this is by no means guaranteed.
skilled workers of the future.
Martyn Coffey, CEO of Baxi Group, said: “There is a strong industrial logic to combining De Dietrich Remeha Group and Baxi Group,
Under the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme (AEP),
particularly in the context of today’s global economic uncertainties and difficult financing markets. The opportunity to exploit the increased
BEST is able to provide additional funding to support those
scale and complementary position of the combination is significant.
employers that might otherwise face affordability constraints,
“If this transaction completes, then together with the new funds invested by our shareholders, it will transform our capital structure and
through the first year of an apprentice placement.
will be very positive for the business, our employees and for our existing customers. I am particularly excited that this transaction would
The scheme will result in a further 200 apprenticeships
confirm our technological leadership in the emerging low carbon micro combined heat and power sector.”
delivered through BEST, specifically benefiting smaller
Further discussions are expected to take place over the next few weeks.
companies in the supply chain.
Funding has been allocated to those businesses that
already have a track record of offering high quality
apprenticeships, meeting the Governments stringent criteria
to ensure the additional apprenticeship places created are of
an excellent standard. BEST are one of 16 successful
DHF plays a key role
organisations, alongside household names such as Ford
Motor Company, BMW, Unilever and Jaguar Land Rover.
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has played a key role in rolling out a revised British standard designed to improve access to and
Dr Mark Brenner, CEO for BEST said: “This is a fantastic
within buildings for disabled people.
endorsement and recognition of the opportunities within our
The DHF, which represents the UK's leading door, shutter and garage door manufacturers and installers, and manufacturers of building
sector and its importance to the growing skills landscape. We
hardware and architectural ironmongery, was a member of the BSI committee responsible for developing BS 8300:2009.
are receiving a very positive response to this scheme from
UK law requires all public buildings to be accessible. Access to those with disabilities must be considered when designing new
employers and I would urge all employers to seriously
buildings, and when planning improvements to existing buildings. Building owners, architects, surveyors, and all those involved in the
consider the benefits of taking on an apprentice.
design and construction of buildings must consider disabled access to buildings.
“The use of apprenticeships as part of a developing
BS 8300: 2009 is applicable to a wide range of public buildings from car parks to concert halls and prisons to pubs. It addresses
workforce has been shown to create overall labour savings of
disabilities and considers the usage by disabled people who can be residents, visitors, spectators, customers, employees, participants in
10-15% on a typical M&E contract whilst providing the skills
sports events, performances and conferences.
for future growth and in preparation for the upturn in the
Tony Fitzpatrick, managing director of Doors & Hardware Ltd and chairman of the DHF Metal Doorset Forum, said: "The DHF was
current economy.
amongst a number of representatives from disability charities, building trade groups and other professional bodies, academia and local
“Under the ‘Skills Pay’ campaign BEST are able to
government who helped shape the new standard. We broadly welcome the new standard because it clarifies a number of inconsistencies
demonstrate real commercial returns on even short term
that existed between the earlier edition of the standard and Approved Document M. All these have now been ironed out, which is good
investment in training within the M&E sector. This additional
news for both door and hardware manufacturers and specifiers."
funding makes the argument even more compelling.
BS 8300:2009, which supersedes BS 8300:2001, explains how the built environment can be designed or modified to anticipate and
The move will help deliver on the Government’s recent
overcome restrictions that prevent disabled people making full use of premises and their surroundings. Changes to the standard include
commitment to fund an extra 35,000 apprenticeship places
more information on means of escape from a building and more references to the BS 9999 Code of Practice for fire safety in the design,
across the public and private sectors, backed by an additional
management and use of buildings.
£140 million of funding.”
Mike Low, director of BSI British Standards, said: "BS 8300:2009 should provide an invaluable tool for those involved in the design of
new buildings or in assessing the accessibility of existing buildings. It is one of several BSI standards addressing accessibility which has
either been published or is in development."
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a71 FOR THE LATEST IN RECRUITMENT SEE PAGES 36-39 a71
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