BSEE-JUN21-P06 News & Quotes_Layout 1 17/05/2021 11:35 Page 6
BSEE
BCIA releases new Technical Guide: Control Sensor Selection and Installation
The new Guide, entitled “Good Practice Guide – Control Sensor Selection and Installation”, sets out to describe good selection of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sensors used in Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS).
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A BEMS is only as good as the sensor used to measure the controlled variable (temperature, humidity, pressure etc.) and transmit it as a measured value to the controller. It is crucial that the sensor should provide an accurate measurement of the controlled variable at the reference point in the control loop. Failure to meet the
he Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has released a new Technical Guide to add to its portfolio of online Guides available to download.
desired conditions satisfactorily can lead to poor control, energy wastage and occupant complaints. Terry Sharp, President of the BCIA, said: “Good sensor selection and installation is key to better control. Often there are conflicts of interest in the location of sensors – architects want them out of sight, control engineers ask they be located central to the controlled space. This document will show best practice and help resolve such issues.”
The BCIA’s Technical Guides are designed to help members and those in the building controls and BEMS industry work more effectively. All Technical Guides can be downloaded from the “Resources” section of the BCIA website.
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NEWS & QUOTES Quote, unquote
Following the recent news identifying the power supply of renewable energy breaking records over both the Easter and Early May Bank Holidays in the UK, David Hall, VP Power Systems at Schneider Electric comments. “Renewable energy is fast becoming the default source of UK power, as evidenced by record breaking Bank Holidays in April and May. The UK’s ambition is clear, with targets to reach 30GW of energy generation from offshore wind farms by 2030 and 75GW by 2050. The continued growth is helping to lock in a ‘renewables first’ mindset that would have sounded unachievable even just five years ago.
Gilberts helps secure a working environment for 21st century policing
The Blackpool ventilation manufacturer has supplied more than 300 air movement and control units for the refurbishment of Skelmersdale Police Station. The project follows Gilberts’ provision of similar for one of the Constabulary’s main Operating Centres two years ago. The Skelmersdale refurbishment is being undertaken by Conlon Construction supported by Pick Everard and James Mercer Group Mechanical Engineers. In addition to upgrading the façade, the interior is being remodelled and upgraded to create efficient, collaborative spaces appropriate for current and future policing requirements. As part of its works, James Mercer has installed Gilberts’ GSFE circular swirl diffusers and GECA eggcrate grilles at all levels throughout the building, to provide dedicated supply and extract airflow. The general air movement units are complimented by Gilberts’ Firegard FG2 and FG3 high
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ilberts is supporting Conlon Construction enabling Lancashire Constabulary to deliver facilities and services that are fit for purpose in line with changing laws.
velocity ductwork smoke and fire dampers and DUC fire dampers rated to deliver up to four hours’ protection against penetration of smoke and fire, managed by some 80 control modules.
Gilberts’ GSFA circular swirl diffusers will rapidly deliver fresh air into all conditioned spaces. The omni-directional swirl effect discharge is projected horizontally for rapid entrainment and intermixing. Gilberts’ GECA eggcrate grilles extract the used air with 90 per centfree ventilation area. Gilberts’ Firegard curtain dampers feature bespoke angled locking ramps to ensure full blade closure to prevent the spread of flames through ductwork, providing a solid barrier to fire and smoke for up to four hours. Ductgard engineered smoke and fire dampers adjoin the fire barrier wall, and fully close automatically.
In addition to manufacture, Gilberts has unrivalled technical support capability, including Computation Fluid Dynamics modelling software and a full in-house test laboratory at its 95000 sq ft head office, backed up by a heritage spanning 60 years.
Workers need more protection from poverty in retirement
Unite the union was able to access Department of Work and Pensions figures through a freedom of information request which showed that only 797,000 employees out of a total industry workforce of 2.2 million were paying into any kind of pension. These figures do not include the tens of thousands of self-employed workers used by construction firms, whose pension participation is believed to be even lower.
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Unite national officer for construction Jerry Swain said this would result in a “destitute generation of future pensioners”.
However, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) said many should already have pension rights locked into their working conditions and urged employers to take advantage of a working agreement that has had contractual pension provisions at the heart of its wider benefits package for more than a decade. The Association, which represents building services employers, explained that the National Wage Agreement enshrines the right of all operatives, including apprentices, to participate in an employers’ contributory pension scheme. As part of a worker’s terms and conditions, employers contribute a minimum of 5% of basic earnings into a qualifying scheme.
The Agreement is negotiated between BESA, on behalf of employers, and Unite, representing the workforce and both parties were congratulated for their “forward thinking approach” when the pension element was added in 2010.
he revelation that just 36% of workers in the construction industry are saving into a pension scheme means thousands face poverty in old age.
It was set up as part of the terms of negotiated wage settlements before ‘auto-enrolment’ legislation made contributory pensions a legal requirement for employers. “The National Agreement has always been, and remains, ahead of the curve as far as pensions are concerned,” said BESA’s head of employment affairs Paula Samuels. “Through these contractual pension arrangements, employers continue to demonstrate a long-term commitment to making sure operatives are catered for beyond the lifetime of the employment relationship.”
This could also help to overcome the major difficulty for many workers trying to plan for the future caused by construction’s widespread use of short-term contracts and umbrella companies that create insecurity and confuse employment status.
BESA added that providing a benefits package was an important part of a wider investment by employers in creating a high-quality workforce where skilled operatives were properly rewarded for their loyalty and commitment to professional working practices.
“Employers who take advantage of the full range of in- service benefits via the BESA subsidiary Welplan, such as sick pay, death benefit, and disability benefit, show they value their workers and want to provide for them and their families should the worst happen.
“This also gives the employer a competitive advantage because they can offer better terms to skilled workers, who are in higher demand than ever as the industry bounces back from the pandemic,” added Samuels. “
www.welplan.co.uk 6 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2021 ‘ ‘
“The upgrade of our national energy grid is a matter of urgency to keep pace with this demand for renewable energy sources. Our electrical infrastructure is not future-proofed to cope with the variable flow of power coming from alternative and decentralised energy sources such as offshore wind farms and roof solar panels, or the increasing number of microgrids. “Mounting pressure from consumers, investors and governments is driving the shift away from the age of fire, to the age of digital energy. With the increasing pace of digital innovation and growing interest from investors, the UK can lead the world by setting the standards for a new “green grid” that provides reliable, resilient power while helping to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis.”
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Following the news that the construction sector recorded the fastest rise in overall new orders since September 2014, Mike Hedges, director at Beard Construction, said:
“Client confidence in the market is growing and this increased optimism was reflected with the surge in new orders in April. Throughout the pandemic there has been understandable hesitancy from clients as they wait to see the direction we head in, however with light appearing at the end of the tunnel, clients are now ready to hit the green button.
“Positivity in the sector resulted in the fastest rise in overall new orders since September 2014. However, a key challenge for the industry is material shortages and delays in supply. These current delays are best navigated and planned for in new projects on a collaborative basis, leading to a very positive outlook for the construction sector overall. Client confidence appears to have returned, and as we head into the summer months, sunnier skies appear ahead.”
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Hannah Vickers, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) reacts to the Queen’s Speech:
“Levelling up is a powerful and much used political slogan, but in order for it to have substance, we need policies that bring together sustained investment in people and places over many years. This latest Queen’s Speech is a useful start towards that, and we look forward to seeing more details in the coming weeks and months.
“Investments in infrastructure is are, of course, a key part of this, and the bill enabling the second leg of HS2 is welcome. However, if we are to truly unleash regional potential and boost our economic recovery, it has to also be about investments in our people. This is why the focus on lifetime skills and retraining is welcome, especially in the context of a changing construction sector which has the potential to create opportunity across the country as we navigate a path to recovery. “Furthermore, it is welcome to see the Government pressing ahead with planning reform, although this needs to be about much more than simply meeting housing targets and pouring concrete. We need to ensure that, no matter the final detail, any new planning framework facilitates the major investments in the range of social and economic infrastructure our communities need, whilst helping us realise society’s Net Zero ambitions, if we are to truly Build Back Better post-pandemic across the UK.
“Finally, I’m looking forward to exploring the detail of the procurement bill, recognising that simplifying the current system makes sense, but only if this embeds a shift away from lowest cost towards best value for society.”
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