BSEE-DEC21-PG05 News.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2021 15:45 Page 5
NEWS
Ventilation contractors urged to play part in air quality revolution
A
David Millward, group product manager at Elta Group
ventilation specialist is urging contractors to play their part in ongoing improvements to indoor
air quality (IAQ) by ensuring ventilation systems are future- proofed.
One of the main challenges for those in the industry is the ever- changing regulatory landscape, particularly as air quality continues to dominate the news agenda. With consultation documents for Parts L and F of the Building Regulations hinting at stricter guidelines on IAQ, building to meet compliance in the present will not ensure systems are suitable in the near-future. David Millward, group product manager at Elta Group, commented: “It’s never easy to specify and install with one eye on the future, but the rapidly changing air quality landscape means contractors must aim to do just that. It isn’t just regulatory compliance either, as any changes to occupancy levels, purpose of a building, or internal layout can affect the level of airflow required.
“This is something that is especially relevant at the moment as hybrid working models become more
commonplace in offices, with a quarter of UK businesses intending to use some form of homeworking going forward. There needs to be the capacity to adapt ventilation to these changes, and that’s where contractors have a massive role to play.”
One of the most effective ways to do this is to install demand-controlled ventilation (DCV), which facilitates the adjustment (whether that’s automatic or manual) of ventilation rates according to what is required. DCV is a flexible approach that can help to increase the lifespan of a system, because if regulations tighten and there is a requirement to deliver even greater ventilation rates, this is achievable provided the system was originally installed with additional capacity.
Mr Millward continued: “I think this is where there needs to be a change of mindset – from what is compliant and suitable now, to what will continue to be compliant and suitable moving forwards. This is why there is inclusion in Part F of the Building Regulations that systems should have the means to increase their performance by 50%, to encourage future-proofing of ventilation.”
BSEE
HVAC emissions remain low priority for energyintensive industries
he carbon emissions of HVAC systems in energy-intensive manufacturing industries are seen as a top priority by only 21% of UK senior management, despite accounting for up to 40% of a site’s energy consumption.
T
Recent research among facilities managers from across the life sciences, pharmaceutical and high-tech manufacturing sectors has revealed that for 79% of companies, the primary HVAC concern for senior management is a system’s ability to deliver thermal comfort, low running costs or uninterrupted operation.
Worryingly, in the wake of a series of Net Zero pledges affirmed by both governments and manufacturers alike at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, 81% of those surveyed would class their site as efficient despite less than a third (31%) admitting to continuously monitoring a facility’s carbon emissions.
Paul Walsh, general manager EMEA at building analytics specialists CIM, which commissioned the research, commented: “Life science, pharmaceutical and hi-tec manufacturing are all notoriously energy- intensive sectors, with HVAC accounting for up to 40% of site’s overall utility consumption. However, due to the nature of the sector and its ultra-tight cleanroom controls, once the temperature, humidity and differential pressures have been validated, alterations are rarely made. “Worryingly, this ‘set and forget’ mentality can easily pervade into all areas of a manufacturing facility, with settings having the potential to deviate significantly from the intended parameters over time.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
All of this leaves HVAC costs – and their associated carbon emissions – at best unregulated and, at worst, increasing to unnecessary levels.
He continues: “Despite a collective willingness at board level for manufacturers to take proactive action around sustainability, it remains a concern to see the carbon emissions of energy-intensive HVAC systems – which in reality, represent the real low-hanging fruit – deprioritised to the extent they currently are.
“The solution lies in better use of Building Management System (BMS) data, especially in non-validated areas of a plant. Identifying and rectifying inefficiencies here can play a tangible role in wider industrial decarbonisation strategies.”
Website:
www.jam.uk.com E-mail: sales@
j@jam.uk.com Tel
Te : 01268 777222 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2021 5 LEAK DETECTION SYSTEMS LEAK DETECTION SYSTEMS
“DON’T LET A LEAK BECOME A FLOOD”
DON LET BECOME
“DON’T LE ON’ BECOMECOME A FL OD”OODLOOD”
ET A LEAKEAKLEA FLO
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 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42
