BSEE-FEB22-PG08.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2022 09:53 Page 8


BSEE


Offices must improve or become redundant


ffice buildings that fail to demonstrate how they support the health and well-being of users will swiftly become redundant, according to a group of building services engineers. A webinar hosted by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) heard that the pace of change in workplaces over the next decade would be “astounding”. Frances Brown, senior associate at the engineering practice Hoare Lea, told the webinar that people now had far greater choice over when, where and how they work, which was fundamentally changing the way offices were used. “Employers now need to treat staff as customers…and health and well-being is a big selling point,” she said. “We are moving towards a service model for workspaces and people will want to get what they are paying for, including the right indoor environment, rather than just a physical space.”


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She said future workspaces would have to use digital systems to provide users with up-to-the- minute information about indoor conditions so they could decide “where to work and what is best for the planet” on a day-to-day basis. She said, eventually, the decision could be made by algorithm and workspaces that don’t meet the aspirations of users would become redundant.


“The current rate of learning for our industry is phenomenal. We are now able to study performance data in much greater detail both to help reduce carbon emissions and improve the user experience,” said Brown. “So, you have to ask, will we still be building new offices from steel, glass and concrete in the future?”


Safe havens


BESA’s head of technical Graeme Fox, who chaired the webinar, said it was increasingly important that buildings found a way to demonstrate they were ‘safe havens’ from conditions that could be harmful to health including poor indoor air quality (IAQ). He said QR codes could now be more widely used to provide visitors with real time information about the indoor conditions allowing them to make a decision about whether to enter a building or not. “It is really important that we don’t make office spaces worse just to save energy,” Hoare Lea’s Brown added. “We need to keep measuring and monitoring, especially around IAQ. CO2 monitoring can help you design your control systems so you only install what you need and don’t over-ventilate. It is all about doing enough; not doing too much these days.


NEWS & APPOINTMENTS Appointments


New president of British Plastics Federation’s Pipes Group


Steve Richmond, head of marketing and technical at Rehau Building Solutions, has been appointed President of the British Plastics Federation’s (BPF) Pipes Group. Mr Richmond had previously been the group’s vice president for three years. In this role, he was responsible for chairing the organisation’s strategy group and its response to ongoing industry topics such as Brexit, supply chain strain and COVID-19.


The BPF Pipes Group is the leading trade federation of the UK plastic piping systems industry and a member of the European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA). It is dedicated to promoting the development, acceptance and usage of manufactured plastic piping systems across the utilities, civil, building services and construction industries. “I am thrilled to have been appointed the president of the British Plastic Federation’s Pipes Group at such a crucial time for multiple sectors,” comments Mr Richmond. “The use of plastic piping systems has skyrocketed in the past 50 years in all applications, and the BPF’s work as a prominent industry voice providing technical expertise and informing and influencing standards is more vital than ever before.


“It is my hope that as president and supported by our new vice president, Rachel Smith of Aliaxis we can help the group play a key role in developing the high-quality products and solutions for future challenges.”


ELCO bolsters sales force with two new appointments


SME builders face huge costs to prove biodiversity gain


rtificial intelligence should be harnessed to work out biodiversity net gain for sites of 50 homes or less, urges the National Federation of Builders, NFB.


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The call follows the Government's consultation released on restoring ecological loss during housing construction and delivering a 10% boost on biodiversity post- development.


NFB head of housing and planning Rico Wojtulewicz said: "On small sites of up to 50 homes, we need an


automated calculation process which takes into account local species and accepts onsite solutions, such as building in biodiversity to the fabric of buildings, site design and even gardens, where a management plan is attached."


The trade body has said this would reduce costs, prevent delays, and enable environmental assessments to be done coherently.


The Government wants developers to use Defra's biodiversity metric to produce a plan on biodiversity net gain to submit to councils when applying for planning permission. The NFB has said this could add tens of thousands of pounds to smaller development costs. It has collaborated with environmental consultants Joe's Blooms to use an automated system for small sites.


Mr Wojtulewicz said the current proposals for creating onsite habitats such as trees and ponds should also include design features that add to biodiversity. "If you can't do the 10% or above onsite, you have to do it offsite, which is why we need a broader scope of what onsite means, including building fabric, site design and even garden management plans."


He quoted onsite features like bat boxes, green roofs, raised hedging and light spectrums as examples of features which should be counted as adding to biodiversity. Joe Bloom's founder Oliver Lewis said making it easier for SMEs to comply with net gain would ensure the success of the new policy.


Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said an automated system would help SME builders calculate more accurately how much they needed to borrow from development lenders. The consultation closes on the 5th April with the new regulations expected to be incorporated in national planning policy framework before the end of 2023. Housing minister Christopher Pincher said: "This is all part of our plan to level up the country and transform our communities into places people want to live and work."


In response to increased demand for sustainable commercial heating systems, ELCO Heating Solutions has reinforced its sales and support teams with the appointment of Silviu Catana as specification manager for heat pumps and Peter Collins as areas sales manager for Scotland.


Mr Catana will be responsible for supporting consultants and contractors in the effective design and installation of commercial heat pump systems.


Silviu Catana Peter Collins


Working closely with the area sales team, he will ensure ELCO’s equipment is correctly specified to deliver the highest standards of sustainable heating and hot water. His role will also focus on developing relationships with new and existing consultants, offering technical advice through targeted CPD content. Mr Collins will be responsible for helping ELCO grow its market share throughout Scotland, driving sales of commercial heating, hot water, district heating and renewable products, including the company’s latest range of heat pumps. Both individuals arrive at ELCO with a wealth of experience in the heating and plumbing industry. Commenting on joining the ELCO team, Mr Catana said: “I’m looking forward to supporting consultants as much as possible, whether it is through providing schematics, CPDs or general design advice.” Mr Collins also added: “I’m looking forward to making contact with consultants and contractors in Scotland, and demonstrating how we can offer the complete package for commercial projects.”


New BRA vice president


The British Refrigeration Association (BRA) has announced Neil Roberts, senior technical sales manager at refrigerant supplier Climalife, as its new vice president. This follows the appointment of Mark Hughes as BRA president in July.


Mr Roberts joined Climalife in April after 12 years at Chemours, and previously spent five years at DuPont (UK) as business manager fire extinguishants EMEA.


Mr Roberts said: “After so many years working in the industry I’m really pleased to be able give something back. I can assure all the members that I will strive to play my part in taking the BRA forward as the industry has to change to move towards low emissions solutions.”


Mark Hughes, BRA president, said: “I would like to warmly welcome Neil to the role of vice president. His proven industry experience will be invaluable to the BRA in steering our initiatives and reaching our targets in 2022 and beyond.”


8 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2022


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