INDUSTRY COMMENT I
BCIA President Graeme Rees reflects on an eventful year and highlights the ways in which the organisation continues to raise its profile and collaborate with partners for the benefit of the Building Controls sector and the wider industry
A year of progress
t seems barely a week ago that I was typing this column for December 2022 but there we go – another year gone by in the blink of an eye. As I have outlined in
recent columns, the BCIA has stepped up its efforts this year to contribute to the UK’s green agenda through an increased understanding of Building Controls and how we aim to make this happen. Although we market the organisation as a single voice representing the UK’s BEMS sector, in order to achieve our objectives, enable technology transfer and best practice, collaboration with industry partners remains vital. I have previously mentioned the likes of GemServ (who contributed to our feature in last month’s issue) and FETA, but we also have healthy relationships with the likes of Lighting Industry Association, CIBSE and the Electrotechnical Joint Industry Board (JIB), among others. One example of this collaboration is the ongoing relationship with the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS). Many of you will be aware of the changes which are taking place to all card schemes which carry the CSCS logo as a result of the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC)
2025 vision. This requires all CSCS card holders (including BCIA members who hold an ECS card) to provide evidence of their skills and qualifications to meet the requirements for obtaining new or replacement cards. Although ECS has had formalised
requirements in place for Building Controls occupations for several years, there are many who have operated through other schemes or have not held the correct card for their role.
This has had a huge effect on BCIA members who may have been unable to renew their existing cards. The good work the BCIA team has done with members in creating a range of new role and competency profiles facilitated by ECS has enabled the launch of an extended suite of new Building Controls cards which better meet the needs of our industry. The BCIA has appointed Group Horizon to develop an Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) which recognises an individual’s existing industry experience and provides a robust platform for assessment for those in the industry with a wealth of experience but who are not able to evidence a recognised qualification. Group Horizon has worked closely with ECS to ensure the EWA is approved and can commence delivery early in 2024.
Completion of the assessment process for the EWA will lead to an industry recognised certification that meets the requirements for an ECS Building Controls Engineer gold card application.
Enforcing our presence
As an organisation the BCIA has continued to enforce its presence as a relevant association serving its members and the industry. In recent months the BCIA Young Engineers Network has been in attendance at the CIBSE Careers Fair, as we continue to promote the Building Controls sector as a rewarding career path for the next generation of school and college leavers. As well as exhibiting at Smart Buildings Show 2023 at ExCeL London, we hosted two seminar sessions. I had the privilege of hosting a panel discussion titled “Building Controls – powering a zero carbon built environment”, which generated some interesting conversations centred around the integration of industries, Government stability, clarity over green policies and the benefits of building controls.
Meanwhile, the BCIA Young Engineers Network held its first ever seminar with BCIA Technical Consultant and Trainer Andy Camsell delivering a
talk on “Understanding Smart Communication using BACnet”. We will also be at CIBSE’s Build2Perform on 5th-6th December. Events like these enable us to increase our engagement with the wider industry and raise awareness of our members and the contribution they can make in creating a more sustainable built environment.
Young and thriving
I have already touched on the work of our Young Engineers Network above and I am delighted to see how it has gone from strength to strength since its launch last year. The Network had a strong presence at the Smart Buildings Show with its own stand in addition to the seminar session and six of its members in attendance and looking to build its membership. The Network has created subgroups for the northern and southern regions and now boasts a brilliant committee whose passion for the industry will be a great asset in attracting new talent to this flourishing sector.
It has been an exciting and eventful year and I look forward to more positive activity on all fronts in 2024.
1500 PICV
Pegler ProFlow NEW
The new 1500 PICV is a great addition to the PICV
family, with a range flexibility of DN15 to DN50. Complete with direct
fast flush cap for access to removing the cartridge. Direct flow measuring utilises the built-in venturi technology.
stable flow and measuring
can be installed directly onto bends
accurate setting optimal flow, according to requirements visible settings
dynamic balancing valve with great efficiency
measuring with high accuracy
direct measuring fixed
venturi orifice accuracy between 2% - 6%
customer service +44 (0) 800 156 0010
www.aalberts-ips.co.uk
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk Aalberts hp BSEE
Oct23.indd 1 8/9/23 09:51 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2023 9
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
