Opinion Spreading the S-word
Sustainability in building services engineering is not just about technology and knowledge, it is also crucially about passion and leadership, says young engineer Michael Gardner
F
rom my perspective as a recent graduate in building services engineering, sustainability is top of the profession’s agenda. But, going back to basics, we need to ask the broad question: what tools does the modern BS engineer need to help society create a sustainable world? To answer this, we could begin with the physical tools. And, indeed, everything these days is driven from our computers. We have computer-aided design (CAD) to help us produce drawings at a faster rate and to a higher standard. We have thermal modelling to help us do all our calculations and simulations. We have the internet, so that manufacturers’ information is available at the touch of a button. And, with email, we’re able to communicate with colleagues very quickly and also share information. But apart from the physical tools, what else does a
BS engineer need? Excuse the management clichés, but we do need brainstorming: blue-sky thinking, thinking outside the box, ways of approaching a problem. An engineer needs imagination in order to be creative and original. Doing what we’ve done a hundred times before is not the way to go. We also need to be capable of judging new technologies – which means not going by what the manufacturer says but appraising the technologies ourselves. We need design knowledge, and the engineering fundamentals to appraise these options presented to us by the technology and the software. We also, of course, need market awareness: when
to use things like alternative technologies and fuels for sustainability, their reliability and any problems associated with the cost. Knowing the payback on using applications is vital, too, both for persuading the client to accept them, and potentially for funding more sustainability measures. We also need membership of professional bodies
to keep on top of this knowledge and take advantage of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, technical guides and standards, journals, design aids and engineering forums. And, of course, we need the practical knowledge – the real-world skills that we obtain on site doing the job.
24 CIBSE Journal November 2010 But, crucially, we also need to work with other
parties; to know their needs. Which leads me on to the next tool: teamwork. This means applying networking skills to be able to liaise with fellow engineers and specialists. We also need to communicate with the other people in the design team – not least the architects – so that they are aware of the sustainability needs. And we need leadership. As building services engineers, we are at the forefront of sustainability in the construction industry. But we must also pass this sustainability awareness on to the building users, to the landlords, to the people actually acquiring and/ or using the building. We also need to visualise the building’s performance for users so that they know what makes for energy efficiency – using information tools as simple as posters and as high-tech as building management system display screens (which appear to be very popular in schools today). Finally, the building services engineer needs personal commitment. They need a passion for sustainability and a desire to create a sustainable world. They need pride in a job well done, and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and to increasing sustainability awareness. And they need to pass this on to others – clients, architects, and so on – so that they’re doing the same. A building services engineer requires many skills to help create a sustainable world. But a passion for sustainability is crucial among them – as is a means and ability to spread that passion, and a determination to see the project through with pride. ●
Michael Gardner, who graduated with a First in Building Services Engineering from Coventry University and now works for Pick Everard, is winner of the CIBSE/ASHRAE Graduate of the Year Award 2010, which was presented last month. This article is based on his presentation to the award judges.
www.cibseashrae.org
Building services engineers need
a passion for a more sustainable world – and the ability to spread that passion
www.cibsejournal.com
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