Letters
Pressurisation is the answer for fire the requirements of Part L by 50 per cent. A in a few years’ time when the energy
escape routes to save lives typical air-conditioned office Target Emission performance is nothing like as is claimed.
I’d like to back John Hopkinson’s proposal Rate is likely to be around 40 to 42 kg CO2/ Duncan Campbell
that all building escape routes be kept clear sq m. Based on the stated Building Emission
and, ideally, pressurised to keep smoke out Rate this would give a saving of around 12 to 15 Sustainable energy is a local
(‘Burning questions’, Journal, December per cent, which is not even close to the stated distribution issue too
2009, page 26). Pressurisation is the only 50 per cent figure and only halfway to what I was disappointed that the debate on sustainable
method of smoke control where the objective would be required for Part L 2010 compliance. energy in December’s Journal (‘Greening the
of the design is to keep fire smoke out of escape Why doesn’t the article state the building’s grid’, page 20) did not cover the advantages of
routes. Natural or power ventilation locally-based distribution networks.
of escape routes still mean smoke In particular, the opportunities
entering them. Wall vents or smoke for local communities to form
shafts have the added disadvantage social enterprises and reinvest the
of being very prone to external wind- earnings from renewable energy
induced positive pressures, effectively schemes into their communities.
rendering them useless as a reliable Surely this is the type of enterprise
smoke-control system. that could be supported now,
Pressurisation, which can be instead of continued investment in
retrofitted, has become the smoke rationalisation and centralisation of
control system of choice for high- our existing electricity distribution
rise buildings in countries outside system, which, due to the majority of
the UK, where, sadly, there has long energy involved being wasted, must
been a strong lobby against this surely be in question itself?
method. This group has worked Paul McIntosh
tirelessly to maintain the use of
much less reliable natural ventilation Make fuller use of our
systems – the ‘open slats’ mentioned green solutions
in the article. There are many The government’s target of three
buildings now that have their escape million greener, more affordable new
routes protected by pressurisation, homes by 2020 is commendable but
and BS9999 now insists on there are millions of people who need
pressurisation of fire fighting stairs a solution now.
in buildings over 30 metres high, As an industry, we already have
and of serving basements more than comprehensive technical solutions
10 metres deep. to eradicate the situation where
We are awaiting an update people have to choose between
of Approved Document B of heating, eating and paying rent. It’s
the Building Regulations that critical that we continue to promote
would make BS9999 the referral next-generation, cost-effective and
standard for compliance. However, energy-efficient products to those in
this update is not due until 2016. Here is Target Emission Rate and Building Emission public – and private – housing, who can specify
a task for one of our trade organisations – Rate so that we can all see and understand the for change and a change for the better.
HEVAC, for example, or even CIBSE. actual calculated benefits of the energy strategy Neil Evans, general manager, Thermo-Floor
Jim Wild, CEng, FImechE employed?
It would also be useful to know the
Cut the building performance calculated carbon intensity of cooling CIBSE Journal welcomes article proposals from
greenwash in the Journal supplied by the trigeneration system.
any reader, wherever you are – whether it be
letters, longer opinion pieces, news stories,
The article about AECOM’s work at the KPMG Calculations I have completed have shown
people or events listings, humorous items, or any
headquarters is downright misleading (‘A that, for small systems, cooling generated ideas for possible articles.
measure and a half’, December Journal, page by this method is as carbon intensive as
Please send all letters and any other items for
32). The strapline states that the design ‘will cooling from cooling towers, which can
possible publication to: bcervi@cibsejournal.
exceed Part L (2006) requirements by more make it more environmentally friendly to
com, or write to Bob Cervi, Editor, CIBSE Journal,
than 50 per cent’. The key facts panel states switch off the CHP when there is waste
Cambridge Publishers Ltd, 275 Newmarket Road,
Cambridge, CB5 8JE, UK. We reserve the right to
the HVAC and lighting as being ‘<50 per cent heat being generated. Is the building client
edit all letters. Please indicate how you wish your
of the carbon emissions of the Part L notional aware of how the building is actually going
letter to be attributed, and whether you wish to
building’. This in no way means that it exceeds to perform or will they be very disappointed
have your contact details included.
20 CIBSE Journal February 2010 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEfeb10 pp20 letters.indd 20 29/1/10 14:29:03
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