New legislation means UK businesses risk being left out in the cold


Businesses in the UK are at risk from being left out in the cold with £300 fines when existing EU legislation regarding air conditioning standards takes effect on 4 January 2011.


Wales-based Beacons Business Interiors (Bbi) is warning that the cost to UK business could be up to millions of pounds if businesses do not properly prepare for the legislation change, which will see Air Conditioning Inspection Reports become mandatory for all businesses across the UK. Forming part of the European Commission’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the legislation states that all air conditioning systems with a 12kW rated output are subject to inspection by an accredited air conditioning assessor every five years. January 4th is the deadline by which a first inspection should have been completed. Failure to comply with this new legislation carries a fine of £300 per business, which is imposed for every year of non-compliance.


Paul Carey, director at Bbi, says: “With the deadline for first inspections looming, Welsh businesses need to engage with this legislation to avoid costly fines and proactively tackle energy waste, while contributing to the climate control commitments of the Kyoto Protocol. “All businesses should be made aware of the impending deadline, which will affect companies across the spectrum – not just large corporations. Buildings with a rated output of 12kW could be as small as an office of just 10 people.” By undergoing these regular inspections, businesses will not only protect themselves from fines but will also identify energy inefficient air conditioning units which could potentially save them money through reduced energy bills and shrink their carbon footprint, once rectified. As a result, this will help the UK reach its Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction in carbon emissions and the Welsh Assembly Government reach its target of a three per cent annual reduction in carbon dioxide from 2011 onwards.


According to a


government guide,


buildings account for almost half of


Paul Carey


the energy consumption and carbon emissions in the UK, and the use of air conditioning in such buildings can amount to a third of overall energy costs1


.


Mr Carey continues: “Older, oversized and poorly maintained air conditioning systems can be costly to run and use up much more energy that necessary. By abiding with this legislative change, Welsh businesses will be able to correct these inefficiencies, allowing them to benefit from the obvious financial savings as well as reducing their own carbon footprints. It’s a win-win situation.”


Bbi has been accredited to assess air- conditioning units. For more information contact Paul Carey at Bbi on 01874 623089 or visit www.bbi-uk.com


1 HM Government - A guide for businesses: Reducing the energy usage and carbon emissions from your air conditioning systems. 2007 Winning ways


More than fifty new Diploma holders were presented with their certificates at this year’s Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) Education Awards Lunch sponsored by HÄFELE. The Diploma is the culmination of three years of study for the successful students and represents one of the most respected qualifications in the building industry. The ceremony also saw the three highest-placed students collect their prizes, plus the award of the Pinnacle Award to Cheryl Flinders from GEZE UK Ltd who achieved the best aggregate score over the three years of the education programme


Despite the straightened times in the construction industry, this year’s GAI Education Awards Lunch was sold out, a reflection of how highly regarded the event is as a recognition of the students’ hard work and an excellent networking opportunity. It was held at the Royal Garden Hotel in London on 4 November with the certificates and prizes being presented by ex-England and Leicester rugby star Austin Healey,


Fifty-five diplomas were awarded on the day with an impressive standard being achieved by the students in their exams. As part of the final year, students must sit a Business Studies Exam plus, crucially, a Scheduling paper where they must produce an ironmongery schedule for a


4 news


specific project. “The standards on the Scheduling paper were especially impressive this year,” says Keith Maer, the GAI’s Education Manager. “The top scores are usually between 85% and 88% – a remarkable compliment to the examination team for consistently putting a challenging paper before students. This year the top papers were true to form except one outstanding performer – a staggering almost 95%.” The Prize winners were: • Pinnacle Award:


Cheryl Flinders, GEZE UK Ltd Level Three • Gold Medal:


Cheryl Flinders, GEZE UK Ltd • Silver Medal: David Rogers, HÄFELE UK Ltd • Bronze Medal:


Luis Fernandes Joao, Royde and Tucker Ltd Level Two: • 1st: Pradeep Thalapilly, HÄFELE Kuwait Level One: • 1st: Simon Oliver, Price and Oliver Ltd


The Pinnacle Award, sponsored generously by ASSA ABLOY was won by Cheryl Flinders, of GEZE UK Ltd.. This was particularly noteworthy since she works for a manufacturer and, as such, has no day-


L to R: Austin Healey, Cheryl Flinders (GEZE UK), Andrew Hall (President GAI) and David Wigglesworth (MD of Union Architectural Hardware and Adam’s Rite Europe)


to-day experience of scheduling as an AI. The Pinnacle Award, sponsored by ASSA ABLOY is part of the GAI’s ongoing commitment to excellence in education and training in the architectural ironmongery trade. It is won by the student who gains the best aggregate score over three years of the education programme and, as such, is a just reward for the best all-round achiever in the industry. The prize is a substantial travel voucher.


The GAI represents the majority of architectural ironmongers in the UK as well as the leading manufacturers of architectural ironmongery and is dedicated to raising standards and encouraging best practice in all aspects of the sector. Tel: 020 7790 3431


Email: gary.amer@gai.org.uk Building & Facilities Management – December 2010/January 2011


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