IN FOCUS


Gilberts’ Contribution towards Zero Waste Goal


E


ven the ventilation is playing a part towards achieving net zero at Pembrokeshire County Council’s


new Eco Park Waste Recycling facility. The Milford Haven Eco Park is fundamental to the Council’s plan to achieve net zero carbon and zero waste. Contractor Andrew Scott Ltd implemented numerous measures to deliver a sustainable development, across the three phases of recycling transfer facility with covered waste bay, vehicle maintenance bay with staff welfare building and residual waste recycling with covered waste bay. Measures included 100% retention of


excavated topsoil for soft landscaping, surface water drainage (SUDS), PV solar array to the main facility to provide a self-sufficient energy source, and natural ventilation of the recycling transfer facility and covered waste bay and vehicle maintenance bay. To achieve a compliant flow of air through the covered areas, Andrew Scott turned to Gilberts Blackpool, who designed and manufactured the ventilation louvres for the enclosing facades. Using its weather resistant WGF75 system, Gilberts has ensured 50% nett free ventilation through the cladding via a series of louvre banks ranging in height from 0.5m to 1.5m and length from 1.5m to 8.8m. Gavin Evans, Senior Project Manager for Andrew Scott, explained, “Whilst we tried to use local suppliers as far as possible for the project to optimise environmentally sustainable development, we didn’t have that option for the louvres. Gilberts’ environmental policy, plus the quality of its products and technical support, were influential in our decision for the louvre supply.” Gilberts is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of louvre systems for ventilation, noise attenuation


and screening, developed over the years to provide a comprehensive package to keep pace with the evolution of building design and structural interfaces, initially and as/if the building structure is altered. Gilberts produces standard and high performance, factory- and site- assembled variants. Founded over half a century ago, and still family-owned, Gilberts is the UK’s leading independent air


movement engineer. It is unique in its ability to design, manufacture and test all products- including bespoke fabrications- in-house, to the extent it even designs and manufactures its own tools at its 140,000 sq ft head office and production facility.


gilbertsblackpool.com E •


SP is raising the bar in home safety with its Espire Dual CO and Heat Alarms – developed specifically for spaces where the risks of both fire and carbon monoxide are present. Ideal for kitchens, utility rooms, and garages, this multi-sensor unit simplifies protection with advanced,


dual-threat detection in one compact device. The Espire CO and Heat Alarms incorporate independent sensors for carbon monoxide and heat


detection, allowing each threat to be monitored and managed separately. Certified to BS EN 50291-1 and BS 5446-2, the alarms are third-party approved and backed by a five-year warranty. The Espire dual CO and Heat Alarms are to be installed in accordance with BS EN 50292.


Installers can choose from two power options to suit varying project requirements: •


Powered by mains with a sealed tamper-proof 10-year lithium battery. Powered by a sealed tamper-proof 10-year lithium battery.


Both models feature ESP’s signature lock-in base, hush function, auto sensor self-test, and 24-hour alarm memory. Installers can also benefit from optional RF-Link modules alarms for enhanced coverage. Supplied in ESP’s recyclable, eco-friendly packaging and built to last, the Espire CO and Heat Alarms


delivers on reliability, versatility, and sustainability – making it the ideal solution for today’s homes. More information can be found on the Espire website – www.espireuk.com – and the Scolmore Group app.


www.espireuk.com


RINNAI EXPLORES WATER NEUTRALITY: A GROWING CONCERN FOR HVAC & CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS


W


ater neutrality’ aims to ensure that when new building developments are planned and completed that there is no dramatic increase in water consumption in the surrounding area. It is planned in to achieve this aim by reducing water use, reusing water, and


offsetting water demand. To learn more about water neutrality take part in our popular free water neutrality CPD *places are


limited so book today https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/training Chris Goggin looks at water neutrality and the ways in which its influence will be felt across the


construction and HVAC industries. Water neutrality will become a better recognized term as localised construction projects could


become cancelled due to issues relating to local water supplies. Property construction as well as the HVAC industry is now open to a new field of criteria that could


affect a new project's viability. This new challenge is ‘Water Neutrality’ and specifically relates to the construction of developments that do not increase the amount of water being extracted from local water supplies. An increasing population and more instances of climate change induced UK drought has created


the conditions for water neutrality to become a concern for local district councils planning new construction projects. As demand for water and housing intensifies real concern is now being expressed regarding localized water supplies. West Sussex County Council has enforced a set of measures on property developers that protect local biodiversity and natural water supplies. The West Sussex County Council’s website provides information for individuals interested in constructing property. That information reads as: “Development proposals within the zone area that would lead to an increase in water demand will


need to demonstrate and robustly evidence ‘water neutrality’. •


• •


You will be required to supply a water neutrality statement with your planning application which:


confirms that there would be no increase in water consumption, for example, through a combination of water efficiency, water recycling and offsetting measures


includes a water budget showing details of the baseline and proposed water consumption, any mitigation measures proposed and mechanisms to secure them in advance of occupation or use”


A water neutral development may also have to add measures to buildings such as roof-based


rainwater collection and smart meters that inform occupants of ideal water consumption levels. A concerted effort to repel water neutrality has begun to oppose the idea that property developers should adhere to water neutrality guidelines. A consortium referred to as Houses for Homes and consisting of agents, developers, builders and the Builders Federation inside the North Sussex Supply Zone are collaborating to ensure that local developers and builders are not financially punished. Houses for Homes believe the responsibility for local water resources rests with regional water


companies – in this case: Southern Water. Houses for Homes argue that Southern Water should be responsible for demonstrating to West Sussex County Council that local water supplies are not


impinged upon – not local contractors and tradesmen. A representative of an international


water technology company commented on the lack of clarity regarding the commercial as well as ecological responsibility water neutrality encourages. “It is clear that government policy has


yet to establish a clear and workable mechanism to allow water neutral developments to proceed. The need for new housing and a climate resilient water supply are both important and a clear policy is needed to balance these two key priorities. It seems likely that this is on the agenda for the future. For now, committing to deliver a water neutral development could still strengthen the case for development, particularly in areas where water availability is constrained or likely to be in the future.”


Water neutrality is yet to be enshrined in UK policy and is therefore subject to separate


interpretations from involved parties leading to a clear lack of understanding involving best practise. Technical yet-to-be established legality issues aside, the subject of water neutrality is attracting attention for more basic reasons. It is predicted that by 2050 the UK will have a 4 billion litre a day shortfall in water supplies, with the South-East to be the area most open to drought due to population growth and intensity. By 2050 it is also estimated that the east of England will have a daily water shortage of up to 800 million litres. The east of England is also classified as “severely water stressed” according to the website of


Water Resource East (WRE), a non-profit organization consisting of water companies and the public. WRE believe that unless action is taken, agriculture, biodiversity and the local population could suffer from water shortages in the future. To prevent this WRE has requested £15 billion investment to ensure the East of England maintains safe, clean and substantial volumes of water for people and the local ecosystem. The industry needs to be aware of any obstacles that become apparent in the construction and HVAC


sectors. Raising awareness of issues that impact contractors, specifiers and installers is a key aim of Rinnai UK. Free water neutrality CPD *places are limited so book today register your interest at https://www. rinnai-uk.co.uk/training and we will contact you with the next available sessions.


https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/training 28 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JULY 2025 Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


Espire Reliable Dual CO and Heat Alarms from ESP


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