BSEE
Fabdec goes green with new solar panel installation
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tainless steel heat transfer product manufacturer Fabdec has furthered its commitment to sustainability with the installation of 908 photovoltaic solar panels.
Since installation the system has delivered energy savings and at full capacity allows Fabdec to stop drawing power from the National Grid. Covering the total energy requirements of the Ellesmere-based organisation’s 60,000 square foot manufacturing plant.
This development marks another step in Fabdec’s ongoing commitment to sustainability following the installation of its UK-first pillowplate laser welder in April. An innovative system that significantly reduces the consumables required and the waste generated during the manufacturing process.
In 2018 the company also invested in LED lighting across its facilities, reducing CO² emissions by 120 tonnes per year, and saving 74 per cent on energy costs.
Chris Powell, managing director at Fabdec, said: “Lowering the environmental impact of our business is a key part of our plans for the future. We believe that the decarbonisation of the HVAC sector must begin at the manufacturing stage, and this installation marks another step in our commitment to this. We’ve found that embracing innovative new technology has been key to our strong environmental track record and has led to other benefits across the organisation including increased efficiency and staff wellbeing. “We are looking forward to investing further in sustainable technology and continuing to minimise the impact that our business has on the environment”.
CEMEX and RSPB celebrate 10 years of biodiversity partnership
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uilding materials supplier CEMEX, and nature conservation charity the RSPB, have celebrated 10 years of their biodiversity partnership, which has seen the restoration of over 1000 hectares of priority habitat. CEMEX decided to
collaborate with the RSPB in 2009 because of the organisation’s huge conservation knowledge, experience and expertise, and scale and willingness to work in a trusted partnership, to lead the industry in terms of biodiversity and conservation efforts. This relationship prioritised the conservation of rare and endangered species on CEMEX land. Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) are now in place at high priority CEMEX sites, with new projects being started at other quarries.
These BAPs incorporate varied actions that improve ecosystem services and create space for rewilding, presenting opportunities for working alongside NGOs to develop species rich habitats.
Alongside the 1000
hectares of restored habitat, other achievements of the partnership so far have included work at four central England sites to create habitat and a sustainable food source for the turtle dove, which is the country’s fastest-declining bird species; and efforts to protect the rare red-billed chough at its Raynes quarry. Andy Spencer, VP of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability & ERM for CEMEX Europe said: “We are very proud of our partnership with the RSPB, and what has been achieved over the last 10 years. Conservation is one of the key parts of our ongoing sustainability strategy and this partnership is critical for us to delivery ongoing net gain in biodiversity across our extraction sites so when we complete our work, we are giving more back to society and the environment than was there to start with. “In the future, the partnership needs to continue to deliver high quality, high priority habitats to help combat the decline in biodiversity that we’ve
seen in the UK. We are excited to see what we can achieve together over the next 10 years!”
Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, commented: “Working in partnership with CEMEX we have shown how land can be transformed from being an active quarry into a vibrant home for wildlife and we hope that our experience inspires others to play their part in restoring nature.
“In addition to providing urgently needed new habitat for threatened species the former quarry sites are also providing communities with accessible green spaces and connecting people to nature. Together we are delivering practical examples of how the way we manage our land can see nature return. Going forward we will continue to demonstrate how business and conservation can work together to make a positive difference and ensure the variety of our wonderful species can be sustained in a way which also benefits people.”
4 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2020
igel Evans, Conservative Candidate for Ribble Valley, has visited Baxi Heating in Club Street, Bamber Bridge, Preston to see the hydrogen boiler that the heating manufacturer is developing. The prototype boiler, that has been developed in conjunction with Baxi Heating’s parent company, BDR Thermea Group, works using 100% pure hydrogen, which does not produce any carbon emissions. That means no carbon dioxide is emitted through the flue into the atmosphere, and there is no danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Engineers in Baxi Heating’s Research and Development laboratory demonstrated the boiler to Mr Evans and explained how hydrogen-ready boilers are being developed that will run firstly on a 20% mix of hydrogen into the normal natural gas fuel, making a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, ready for a time when the gas network could run on 100% pure hydrogen. Evans stated: “I am excited and proud of the research and development that is taking place in my constituency to develop the next generation of green boiler that will heat our homes and protect the environment. If I
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NEWS
Nigel Evans visits Baxi Heating to see their first pure hydrogen boiler
am returned to Parliament, I will be inviting Ministers to visit the site. The Government needs to get behind this technology that will keep people warm and comfortable in their homes and protect our environment, both in the UK and across the world.
Spirotech system conditioning CPDs gain CIBSE approval
consultants and design engineers, have received a further boost with two CPD presentations gaining CIBSE approval. The presentations, ‘Deaeration and Dirt Separation Techniques’ and ‘Understanding Pressurisation Design, Installation and Implementation’ highlight the importance of removing air and dirt from a heating system to maximise its performance and save energy.
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As well as emphasising that maintaining high quality water in the system is paramount, the programmes outline key product types that can effectively combat air and dirt in retro-fit and new installations, for both commercial and domestic applications.
Rob Jacques, national key accounts and technical sales manager for Spirotech UK, said: “We want to ensure that Spirotech leaves no stone unturned in educating the market on the importance of treating both dirt and air within a heating system, whilst
pirotech training courses on HVAC system protection and water conditioning, popular with
offering our expertise on the best methods and product types to achieve this. “The CPDs do this and more, with the content containing key insights for specifiers, M&E consultants, contractors, facilities managers and heating engineers. “A lot of time and energy has gone into making these CPDs as impactful as they can be. Now they have full CIBSE approval, we look forward to taking them to businesses across the country to present.” With detailed technical analysis provided throughout and 3-D animation, challenges covered within the CPDs include: balancing issues, leaking AAVs, kettling, poor circulation, noise, maintenance costs, corrosion, blockages, reducing heat transfer and pump inefficiency.
Jacques added: “A big issue for the industry currently is managing your carbon footprint. Ensuring there is good quality system water, free of air and debris, will go a long way towards maintaining the intended efficiency of the heating system, thereby supporting designers, installers and building owners to achieve their carbon reduction targets.”
Rentokil Initial tops league table of UK’s most popular employers
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he UK-based pest control and hygiene firm came top of a ranking of Britain’s best employers, based on tens of thousands of reviews written by the people who know them best - their staff.
Rentokil came top for its job security and
advancement, with staff praising how it promotes from within, the good work- life balance and the company’s positive culture. In reviews, staff described having high job satisfaction and doing fulfilling work. Rentokil’s success pushed 2018’s winner, the global
tech giant Apple, down into second place.
The list of the top 25 private sector employers features some of the UK’s best known high street brands and financial institutions, alongside global tech companies. British firms dominate the table, and account for four of the top five on the list, and six of the top 10.
Andy Ransom, CEO of Rentokil Initial plc, commented “Being Indeed’s top-rated workplace for the private sector is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of our colleagues. We focus on getting it right for our people
and in turn they provide a great service to our customers. We'd be the last to claim that we always get it right but we're committed to the long term investment in our people and their progression and development.
“Our approach is to ensure that we have a culture in place where everyone can develop their career through training and be recognised for doing so. In particular, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment for all employees by striving to be an organisation that values everyone’s talents and abilities.”
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