News
Rules on
Alarm raised over surprise drop
low-carbon
in inspection of aircon systems
buildings
n
Concerns have been raised Industry commentators have trading standards officers, who
hit by ‘poor
over figures showing a suggested that the fall-off in enforce the inspections.
enforcement
fall in the number of inspection inspection work contracts being The threat of fines of only £300
assessments of air conditioning placed reflects a lack of awareness for non-compliance, compared
regime’
systems, the Journal has learned. or even willingness to comply with with the £2,000 average cost of
The drop comes despite the inspection requirements. an inspection, was insufficient, he
Key aspects of the government’s the introduction of mandatory Darren Bryant of Efficient Air, added.
programme for making inspection of systems with output one of the companies reporting this CIBSE said it planned to launch a
buildings more sustainable are of 250kW or above from January this decline, said: ‘There are a number of campaign to raise awareness among
being undermined because of year in England and Wales. factors stopping companies taking trading standards officers of the
poor enforcement of the rules, This means that tens of action. need to better enforce compliance
a trade association leader has thousands of inspections have still ‘Some facilities management with the air conditioning inspection
warned. to be carried out nine months after companies are not able to convince requirements.
Graham Manly, the new the inspection requirement came their clients of the need to act in the Jacqueline Balian, managing
president of the Heating into effect. face of a lack of enforcement action director of CIBSE Services, said:
and Ventilating Contactors’ The figures from energy services by trading standards bodies. ‘While we can, and do, keep trying
Association (HVCA), said that companies that are involved in the ‘Furthermore, other companies to raise awareness among clients,
the regimes for awarding energy inspection regime show that fewer are unsure how they can find we are aware that many Low
performance certificates (EPCs) inspection contracts were placed in assessors who can provide Carbon Energy Assessors, facilities
for buildings and for inspecting the last few months. genuinely useful advice rather than managers and other advisers find
air conditioning units were not An estimated 50,000 systems those who have little or no practical it difficult to persuade some clients
rigorous enough. came under the inspection regime experience.’ to act unless there is clear and
Manly used his address to but less than 1,000, or two per Bryant told a CIBSE seminar at imminent danger of legal action
the HVCA president’s lunch to cent, have complied with the rules, the annual Energy Event that not resulting in a meaningful fine and
call for more robust inspection according to the data. enough action had been taken by damage to reputation.’
regimes for these areas, and to
highlight a lack of compliance by Wilkinson
clients with the regulations.
The HVCA and CIBSE have E
yre
previously raised questions
about the competency of some
schemes that train and accredit
air conditioning inspectors.
E
yre
CIBSE has also highlighted
similar concerns about the
Wilkinson
training and accreditation of
energy assessors, who conduct
inspections of buildings and
award certificates.
‘The resulting certification
of people not fully competent,
and the pressure to accept
the lowest charges for energy
assessments, means that often
we are producing valueless
EPCs, especially for homeowners,
and will lead to superficial air
conditioning inspections,’ Manly
said.
Swimming pool complex buoyed by RIBA accolade
He also criticised client A new landmark swimming pool multi-disciplinary engineering highly sustainable and incorporate
companies for failing to comply complex in Worthing that was consultancy AECOM has won advanced technologies for
with the rules: ‘Non-compliance designed and engineered by a RIBA-organised competition. construction, energy management
is fast becoming a culture, partly Wilkinson Eyre Architects and The proposed building will be and recycling.
through a lack of enforcement –
partly through the paltry scale of
the penalties, and partly through
Sector to get low-carbon health check
the absence of perceived benefit.’
Manly added: ‘Although The government has announced a the opportunities for it to become adviser, due to be appointed
enforcement is only a part of major review of the UK construction a world leader, particularly in next month. Nick Raynsford MP,
the solution to these problems, industry to ensure it is ‘fit for sustainable technologies. chairman of the Strategic Forum for
without it we stand no chance purpose’ in a low-carbon economy. A new Innovation and Growth Construction, said the new strategy
at all of making the regulations Business Secretary Peter Team for construction will conduct would put construction ‘right at the
stick.’ Mandelson said the review would the review, and will be led by the front of the shop window’.
assess the sector’s strengths and government’s new chief construction See News Analysis, page 18
10 CIBSE Journal October 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
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