EDITOR’S COMMENT & CONTENTS Putting safety first in commercial buildings


T


he Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 changed the way building safety is viewed across the UK, exposing serious failings across design, product testing, fire


safety regulation and accountability. It led to the introduction of the Building Safety Act,


creating the Building Safety Regulator and a new regulatory regime for higher-risk buildings. More recently, the publication of the Grenfell


Tower Inquiry report and the Government’s ongoing implementation of its recommendations have reinforced the need for a culture of continuous safety management. This means building managers are placing much more importance in competent design, robust fire safety measures, ongoing maintenance, and the use of compliant products to ensure buildings remain safe throughout their operational life. Our focus on building safety this month looks at this critical issue from several different angles...


14 21


• On pg 16 Sertus argues for addressing hidden fire safety costs by resolving concerns in planning stages; • On pg 18 Pod Management highlights the challenge of implementing new fire safety regulations which came into force in April this year; • On pg19 BESA warns about irresponsible online sales of air conditioning equipment as the country grapples with unprecedented heat waves; • On pg 20 Keyfix argues in favour of a joined-up


approach in how we design, build and approve high- rise residential buildings;


• And finally, on pg 21 Alsico draws attention to arc- rated PPE for engineers maintaining electrical systems in commercial buildings. Other features this month include Boilers & Hot


Water; Air Conditioning & Air Quality; Maintenance & Refurbishment; and Drainage & Piped Services. Heather Ramsden, Editor


25 From the Editor


Editor: Heather Ramsden hramsden@datateam.co.uk Tel: 07974 903 726


Publication Manager: Sophie Clarke sclarke@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 699168


Circulation and Subcription enquiries: Curwood CMS Ltd datateam@c-cms.com Tel: 01580 883844 Subcription charges:


UK and Europe (£97), Overseas (£130)


The Editor and Publisher do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors in the transmission of the subject matter in this publication. In all matters, the Editor’s decision is final. This issue includes editorial and imagery provided and paid for by suppliers.


ISSN 1042-310


Published by Datateam Business Media Limited 15a London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY Tel: 01622 687031


Printed in Great Britain by Precision Colour Printing


Colour reproduction: Design & Media Solutions. © Datateam Business Media Ltd


4 News & Appointments Industry news, appointments and quotes


6 Industry Events IV Produkt showcases R290 heat pump technology to UK journalists


7 Affordable Housing & Urban Development Digitalisation and the future of low- carbon housing: A practical guide


8 Boilers & Hot Water Smart valve cuts heating bills by up to 30 per cent


9 Boilers & Hot Water Reducing the risk of Legionella


10 Air Conditioning & Air Quality F-Gas phase down delay brings breathing space, but not a reprieve


14 Air Conditioning & Air Quality


Fixing air quality without an AHU: a decentralised approach


16 Building Safety The hidden costs developers can’t ignore


18 Building Safety New residential fire regulations now in force: key actions for building owners


19 Building Safety Heatwaves spark online AC selling alarm


21 Building Safety Why standardisation an systems approach are the keys to progress


22 Maintenance & Refurbishment High-pressure water blasting project enhances chiller efficiency


24 Reducing Carbon Footprint for Social Housing Driving decarbonisation across social housing


25 Water Treatment, Drainage & Piped Services Heating health check: why testing should always come first


26 Water Treatment, Drainage & Piped Services Whole-system accountability: the question no-one asks until it’s too late


28 Water Treatment, Drainage & Piped Services A practical guide to temperature monitoring for Legionella control


30 Water Treatment, Drainage & Piped Services On-site, on demand: a smarter approach to water disinfection


32 In Focus


Introducing The VB Range Of Steel Glass-Lined Cylinders For Commercial Hot Water Projects


VBI, VBT & VBB for preheat, indirect water heating & buffer storage


01252 551 540 enquiries@adveco.co Adveco.co - HEAT PUMPS - SOLAR THERMAL - ELECTRIC BOILERS - LIVE METERING - CYLINDERS -PACKAGED SYSTEMS - PLANT ROOMS - GAS WATER HEATERS -


Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.ukAdveco qp BSEE Aug26.indd 1 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2026 3 1/7/26 09:19


THIS MONTH


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38