BUILDING CONTROLS


s we start a new year, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on a very successful year. 2018 was my first year as President of the BCIA which provided a tremendous platform to discuss areas close to my heart; such as training, changes in the supply chain and sharing best practices in order to drive both the Association and industry forward.


Jon Belfield, President of the Building Controls Industry Associaon (BCIA) looks back over 2018 and explores what we can expect from the dynamic building controls industry in 2019…


smarter due to an influx of new technology, we must not to lose sight of doing the basics properly. This ties in with a question I am frequently asked which is, ‘how can integrated controls and sensors be commissioned properly?’ As I see it, what is missing at the moment is ownership - if this was formalised as part of the commissioning process this would make a significant difference over the long term.


Ronald Reagan famously said, “There is no limit to what people can do or where they can go if they don’t mind who gets the credit.” In my view, this rather nicely sums up the BCIA as it is the coming together of people giving their time and knowledge freely, to create a sustainable framework to provide the intelligent buildings we need with skilled people to deliver them. I believe that the opportunities for our industry are continuing to open up as there are many agendas that are driving the demand for building automation. But don’t just take my word for it, this is underlined by the latest figures from the BCIA’s Market Information Services (MIS). Recent findings showed that Q3 2018 set a new annual quarter record for the value of the total controls and BEMS market in the UK at £680.4 million.


Success and growth


It is always good to see strong evidence showing success and growth in our market but the work to maintain and raise our professional standards must continue to maintain this positive trajectory. To achieve this, I believe going back to basics is an important step. As buildings become even


It is this ownership and coordination of the integration and commissioning of controls that is, and will make the difference, in delivering the buildings of the future that will be measured on performance and not just compliance. There is a lot of criteria to consider when addressing changes in the supply chain. Building control disciplines are not integrated holistically and without an over-arching role of ‘master systems integrator’, systems are unlikely to be interconnected as required and it will be difficult to achieve optimum control or energy efficiency in a building.


The design process is also pivotal for efficient integration. Decisions need to be taken from the outset about individually selected plant items and systems that can add value to building performance. Not only that, but questions need to be asked on how easy they will be to maintain and support following handover too. This goes hand in hand with training and professional discipline. We need to ensure that everyone in the supply chain has the understanding and expertise to extract the full potential from today’s buildings. It is not just a necessity for those entering the exciting world of building controls, it is integral to those


BSEE


Getting back to basics A


Collaborave approach


To build on what has already been achieved, a collaborative and open approach is essential. Let us share information and ideas across the supply chain to further expand our knowledge base and solve problems well. By working closer together, we can deliver smarter and better connected buildings that will continue this success through 2019 and beyond.


www.bcia.co.uk


changing industries or wanting to upskill in an existing role.


By having quality engineers at all levels to ensure that systems are designed with all best practice features included, this helps us to achieve the best building performance through openness and transparency. We have an excellent opportunity to grow this talent pool to meet the growing demand for building automation over the years to come.


Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2019 9


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