NEWS & APPOINTMENTS


Most false alarms are down to faulty apparatus


According to a Home Office report, false alarms made up 98% of automatic fire alarm confirmed incidents in 2020/21; 90% of this figure is due to faulty apparatus. The research from the Home Office, which was collated


from Fire and Rescue services across the country from the last financial year, shows that just 2% of the incidents from automatic fire alarms were a result of an actual fire. Most of the false alarms could easily be avoided with proper maintenance and by ensuring the correct type of life safety product is installed for the environment in the first place. Commenting on this the report, Mr Shinsuke Kubo, commercial director for Hochiki Europe, Middle East, Africa and India said: “False alarms are a major problem across multiple industries, they have a significant impact on production and ultimately the economy. “Building owners who choose to work with installers and manufacturers who understand that no two environments are the same will reap the benefits because the products recommended will be both fit for purpose and properly maintained.” The London Fire Brigade advice that if you are responsible for managing a property, it is important to make sure the fire alarm system installed is carefully considered for the type of premises and of course the occupancy. But technology alone cannot eliminate false alarms. Other key factors must be considered


to increase overall alarm reliability. These are design, commissioning, and maintenance. If these are overlooked, then the reliability of a device will drop. It’s also important to remember that over time, the use of a building may change or be adapted, any changes must be reflected in the design and maintenance of the fire detection apparatus installed. “Multi-sensors could be the answer”, continues Mr Kubo. “For complex life safety installation


projects which have multiple usage scenarios, or are adapted over time, using intelligent devices can really help reduce false alarms. Modern devices which detect heat, smoke and in some cases, CO, can learn from their environments from the moment of installation.”


Warm banks welcomed but need adequate ventilation


Elta Fans is urging building owners, managers and facilities staff to ensure so-called warm banks have sufficient ventilation to avoid a health and safety crisis.


Facilities such as libraries, community


centres, churches and shopping centres are already open, or are in plans to open, to the public this winter as warm banks. Councils from cities and towns such as


Cardiff and Southend are already taking the lead on these make-shift services, offering grants to voluntary organisations and setting up warm bank application processes. However, while the notion is welcomed, Elta Fans is warning that warm banks must be adequately risk assessed. This is especially when it comes to the air quality, as the UK enters cold and flu season and the risk of contracting COVID is still high. David Millward, group product manager at Elta Group, said: “We completely understand that many people will have very difficult choices this winter. It’s pleasing to see that communities and businesses are


pulling together in these times to set up places where people can be comfortable and


avoid adding to their financial stress. “We do urge all those who are applying or setting up warm banks though to undertake some due diligence and evaluate whether the building is suitable from an air quality perspective. Cold season is upon us, and germs, bacteria and viruses can easily be suspended in the air and spread quickly, especially in places where there is warm, stale air that is not being moved on. With the NHS already predicted to be at breaking point, it’s important that warm banks do not needlessly add to the strain on the health service.” Assessing the indoor air quality of a building is a simple process that is not prohibitively expensive, says Elta Fans. The company advises monitors which can measure for harmful contaminants in the air such as CO2 as well as PM1 and PM2.5.


Acceleration to heat pumps expected


At an event launching a new heat pump in London, Samsung Electronics Air Conditioner Europe president predicted an acceleration in the switch from fossil fuel heating systems to more energy efficient heat pumps. Commenting at the


launch of the EHS Mono HT Quiet, Mr Wim Vangeenberghe said: “With the Future Homes Standard requiring new build homes in the UK to be future proofed with low carbon heating by 2025, change is afoot and we’re likely to see an acceleration in the switch from fossil fuel heating systems to more energy efficient heat pumps. “High temperature heat pumps are


presenting an interesting alternative for homeowners looking to move away from traditional heating solutions, such as gas boilers, without compromising on performance. With the launch, we’re proud to offer the UK market an innovative low carbon heating solution that can help them take that important step forward.”


With so many homes in the UK using radiators which require hot water temperatures of 65°C or more to heat rooms effectively, there’s been a perception that heat pumps (which normally operate at temperatures between 40°C – 60°C) won’t suffice. However, with the new product, which is said to be able to consistently provide hot water of up to 70°C for domestic heating purposes, older residential spaces that have been heated by gas boilers now have a viable way to transition to heat pumps.


Joseph Raftery, heating product manager at Samsung Climate Solutions added: “This is a huge step forward in the greener heating journey, helping to take the UK closer towards Net Zero ambitions with appropriate government and industry support. Not only can it match boiler leaving water temperatures and is our quietest unit yet, we’ve also stress tested our new heat pump to reliably provide 100% heating performance even in extremely cold weather as low as -25°C so this is technology you can rely on.”


4 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2022 Appointments


J S Wright appoints new managing director


Peter Grierson has joined Birmingham-based mechanical and electrical building services provider J S Wright as its new managing director. Previously national sales director for Wolseley Pipe and Climate, he will take control of the day- to-day running of J S Wright and its sister company Wright Maintenance following Phil Leech’s move to chairman.


Based at the Aston headquarters of the employee ownership trust-controlled company, which also has a London office, Peter has more than 30 years of experience in the sale of building products to the construction industry. As Managing Director of J S Wright, Peter will work closely with a highly experienced team including contracts director Matt Coy and design & estimating director David Cook, and with the full support of the J S Wright Board. Mr Grierson said: “I look forward to working with my new colleagues in continuing the company’s success built up over 132 years. Having enjoyed a long association as a supplier, I have always regarded J S Wright as a business that conducts itself with integrity, is heavily focused on its people, and ensures that exceptionally high-quality standards remain paramount. “My outlook from early in my career has been to deliver to the customer exactly what has been promised and build lasting relationships on the strength of the trust which that brings. It involves having people around you with a shared vision, mission and purpose and ensuring that in all discussions and negotiations everyone feels they have been heard and achieved some gain.”


Aggreko brings European business closer with senior appointment


Aggreko, has announced its new One Europe strategy with a view to better supporting companies decarbonise through the energy transition, as well as addressing more immediate concerns to reduce fuel usage and costs. At the helm of the restructure is newly appointed Nicolas Protais, managing director Europe, previously managing director of Continental Europe of nine years.


Over the coming months, Aggreko will be continuing to help grow demand for low-carbon power and energy solutions which are already helping companies to lower fuel usage, environmental impact and reduce energy costs. New technologies such as Aggreko’s Stage V generators, hybrids and load on demand solutions have already proved successful in the UK and will continue to be invested in across Europe. Mr Protais said: “I am excited to be leading this transformation in my new role as managing director for Europe, to build a low-carbon business over the coming decade. We have already come such a long way in the past few years, and our continued investment into innovations like Stage V generators, hybrids and commitment to a 100% switch to HVO are central to this. “In order to create a ‘One Europe’ structure, I will leverage my international experience to ensure the merger of these successful two business units combine to be more than the sum of their parts. For me, partnership, communication, and collaboration are key to success, and these are qualities that are built into Aggreko.”


New chief executive at Ziehl-Abegg


The Ziehl-Abegg SE supervisory board has appointed Dr Marc Wucherer as its new chief executive who will take up his new position in December. The Doctor of Engineering with a degree in Business Administration started his career at Siemens AG. Holding a series of management roles, he was responsible for various business units both in Germany and abroad, and was President of the Industry segment in North-East Asia. Dr Wucherer has been on the board of


directors at Bosch Rexroth AG since 2017, with global responsibility for sales and marketing and, later on, for the factory automation segment as well. “With Dr Wucherer as the chief executive and today’s board members Olaf Kanig (CFO), Dr. Sascha Klett (CTO) and Joachim Ley (COO), the Ziehl-Abegg group will have a strong, new and outstanding executive team,” said Dennis Ziehl, chairman of the Ziehl- Abegg SE Supervisory Board.


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


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