• • • NEWS • • •
he Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has launched a series of new ECS cards for the Building Controls industry. Following the launch of the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) apprenticeship standard, an occupational qualification structure was developed by the Building Controls industry following feedback from the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA), employers, training providers and other industry representatives to align the future industry skills need. This structure has now been in place for a number of years and has recently been reviewed and updated by industry employers and other stakeholders to ensure this is fit for purpose while maintaining the standard set for engineers by way of the BEMS apprenticeship.
New ECS cards launched for Building Controls sector T
Andy Reakes, director of growth and development for ECS, said: “The ECS is delighted to be working with the BCIA to upskill the industry in a sector that is set to grow rapidly over the next few years.
“Building Controls will have a significant role to play in developing energy efficient buildings in the future and we are committed to ensuring there is a professional and competent workforce in place to deliver them.”
The suite of ECS cards for Building Controls includes Building Controls Installer (Electrical), for technical staff that need to support the installation of building control systems in areas of set up, programming and end user training of the installed system.
This updated occupational framework sets out the routes for new entrants as well as encouraging good career progression which will be incredibly important for all those concerned about workforce competence and with the Building Safety Regulator looming to enforce industry-led competence standards through all levels of the supply chain.”
Choice of cabling under new building safety regime is critical, says AEI Cables
Scolmore Group awarded CIBSE-approved CPD Course provider certification
colmore Group has been awarded a certification of CPD course provision by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), meaning the company is now a CIBSE CPD approved training provider.
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As a result, Scolmore Group now features on CIBSE’s CPD Directory and the first courses to be made available cover a range of topics within circuit protection.
These will include AFDDs and RCDs as well as content covering protected escape routes. These are all hot topics in the industry at the moment and ones that Scolmore Group anticipate will be eagerly welcomed. Further courses will be added in the coming months and details will be supplied.
Candidates can access the course content either by attending in person or via digital platforms – the aim is to make the courses as easy and flexible to access as possible.
Katie Plumstead, group marketing manager at Scolmore Group,
said: “We are delighted to have achieved our status as an approved CIBSE CPD course provider. This provides us with an ideal platform to reach a growing number of contractors, designers and specifiers within the industry and share the extensive knowledge and expertise of the growing team at Scolmore Group to help them further their professional careers.
“CPD is a long-term commitment to undertake the improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills. It is about learning and putting into practice new competencies year after year and investing in your future and we are proud to have a role to play in this.”
6 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • OCTOBER 2023
electricalengieneeringmagazine.co.uk
he correct choice of cabling under the new building safety regime is critical in protecting lives and property, said AEI Cables. The company is highlighting the crucial part played by electrical safety systems including cabling in the development of higher risk buildings under the new Building Safety Act 2022 which is now in force. For the construction industry and electrical safety systems, it means an overhaul in existing regulations with clear guidelines on the construction and management of higher risk buildings. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We cannot stress enough that the changes under this legislation cover the whole supply chain including electrical safety systems and cabling.
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“Ensuring the correct selection of cabling has been made will be a fundamental part of safety in the systems installed into high-risk buildings. We are happy to provide guidance on these issues as the wrong choice could compromise whole systems. “This is an opportunity for the
electrical safety industry to work together wherever relevant through the supply chains. If these systems fail because the cable is not able to function properly then the consequences are apparent.” The systems powered by electrical cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. The new Building Safety Act 2022 has been developed as a new framework for the design, construction and occupation of higher risk buildings. These buildings are defined as being a minimum of 18 metres or seven storeys in height and comprise of at least two domestic premises. Mr Dover said: “AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control.” The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
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