22 South West Building & Construction


Jan-Feb 2011 ENVIRONMENT Incorporating


Barsol Products & Services Design Consultants for alternative energy systems


Sales - Installation - Service


Urgent action is needed


Article by Chris Verney of Barum Solarheat


RENEWABLE energy and the effects of climate change are two of the most important issues facing the world today. I believe industrial activities are clearly affecting the world’s climate in a negative way. There is, indeed, a cost to pay


alternative energy sources to develop viable, practical renewable energy solutions


For enquiries please contact Chris Verney


Tel/Fax: 01271 343377 Email:


barumsolarheat@btconnect.com www.barsol.co.uk


Promoting and increasing awareness of


for advanced industrialisation and a high standard of living. The world’s natural resources are being gobbled up and we have managed to pollute our atmosphere with CO2 and other gases. We have produced millions of tons of waste that have gone to landfill sites and there is the problem of nuclear waste disposal.


But, before we all sink into


despair, there is a brighter side to the picture. Many companies involved in the renewable energy industry are going ‘flat out’ to keep up with demand.


However, some so-called green products are not, in my opinion, green at all.


I feel the use of air to air or airsource heatpumps can have a negative effect when unwanted hot or cold air is dispersed in the outside atmosphere further heating up our summers or further cooling our winters. We


must collect these


unwanted components in heat and cold stores for use later. One company slogan which springs to mind is: ‘Use the problem to provide the solution’. A typical example of this is the direct conversion of solar heat to drive an evaporative-type cooling system with no need for connection to an electrical supply.


Despite the general delay in the UK of putting theory into practice, we must all make the effort to implement such systems immediately in order to rescue our ailing planet.


Essential effort


Article from Complete Building Control


COMPLETE BUILDING CONTROL


An alternative approved service to meet your building control requirements to that provided by Local Authorities.


The service includes advice in the design stage,detailed examination of construction plans inspection of building work to ensure compliance with the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2010. We also give guidance and assistance on


SAP's, SBEM's, EPC's. Sound and air pressure testing, Ventilation and fire safety . A service tailored to suit clients individual requirements.


Our fees are negotiable and competitive.


A service undertaken by qualified and experienced Surveyors. Offices in the South West


Barnstaple (01271) 814395 Exeter (01395) 206250


Taunton (01823) 400102 Plymouth (07850) 710029


FREEPHONE 0800 022 3096


info@completebuildingcontrol.co.uk www.completebuildingcontrol.co.uk


For a Surveyor near you


ENVIRONMENTAL issues are high on the agenda for the current Government which believes that ‘climate change is one of the gravest threats we face, and that urgent action is required’.


Substantial efficiency and


cost-effective reductions in carbon emissions from buildings are considered an essential part of their effort, and the Building Regulations are being used as a frontline vehicle to address these issues.


The building regulations have a wide ranging scope setting standards for new and existing homes and non-domestic buildings in areas such as: *Energy use (Part L) *Water efficiency (Part G) *Building on or near contaminated land (Part C) *Noise pollution (Part E) *Ventilation (Part F) *Drainage (Part H) *Control over combustion appliances and fuel storage (Part J).


Recent changes introduced in 2010 include:


*25 per cent improvement on annual CO2 emission rates for new dwellings and between 16 and 40 per cent improvement for commercial buildings (depending on use)


*CO2 emission rate calculations are now required to be submitted prior to works commencing on site *All new homes are to be capable having a water usage not exceeding 125 litres per person per day.


*Mechanical extract


ventilation systems in new dwellings are now required to be tested and commissioned. Future developments include enabling all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016 and considering a similar approach for new non-domestic buildings from 2019.


If you require any assistance or information regarding the above or any other building regulation issues, please do not hesitate to contact Complete Building Control Ltd at www.completebuildingcontrol. co.uk, where all our regional contact details can be found, or by freephone 0800 022 3096.


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