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Cashflow problems an ongoing issue for sector contractors


ashflow problems continue to stymie small businesses. In a recent Amicus Commercial Finance study, more than seven out of 10 small business owners believed poor cash flow posed the biggest risk to their company. Nine months down the line, the situation is no better, despite moves by the Government to stop the practice. On April 6 this year, Small Business Minister


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Margot James, wrote: “Late and unfair payment terms are a significant threat to small business survival, tightening cashflow and impairing their ability to self‐invest and grow. According to BACS, the UK’s small‐and‐ medium sized firms are currently owed £26 billion in overdue payments. “From today large companies and Limited Liability Partnerships will be required to start reporting on their payment practices and performance for their next financial year. This means twice per year, large businesses will publish information such as the average time taken to pay their supplier invoices.”


CONTENTS BSEE


From THIS MONTHthe Editor


4 INDUSTRY NEWS Latest news from around the industry, plus this month’s Ask the Expert column with ABB.


It’s a step in the right direction. But now, the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group – which represents SMEs in the construction engineering sector – warns that current cashflow problems in construction are unsustainable. SEC Group is pressing the Government to


introduce legislation to: uMandate the use of project bank accounts across the whole of public sector construction; uRing‐fence cash retentions, and uMandate 30‐day payments. At a time when British businesses are


facing uncertainty, they need to know that they will be paid on time, every time. We can but hope.


7 INDUSTRY COMMENT All change – the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.


9 INDUSTRY COMMENT CSR is moving up the business agenda.


10 THE BUILDING SERVICES


FORUM Introducing the key sponsors and exhibitors along with the full seminar programme.


12 COVER STORY Radiant vs underfloor in the great sports hall heating debate.


13 BUILDING CONTROLS This month’s BCIA column, with President, Malcolm Anson.


Debbie Eales deales@datateam.co.uk TALKING POINT


With electric vehicles set to dominate UK roads, our energy infrastructure is under increasing strain. Chris Evans, Deputy Managing Director of engineering consultancy Rolton Group, looks at the challenges ahead for residential development.


Gearing up for the electric vehicle revolution


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here are over 108,000 full electric or hybrid EVs on our roads*, with more than a 20‐fold increase over the past


three years alone and the trend shows no sign of abating. The latest government announcement is set


to outlaw the sale of all solely diesel or petrol cars by 2040, begging the question – is our infrastructure ready to support the rising demand for power? Forward‐thinking developers and planners


are starting to work towards energy solutions that marry meeting the UK’s housing shortage with the growth in EV charging. The Greater London Authority, for example, now requires that all new housing developments include 20% active EV charge points, with an additional 20% passive capacity to allow for future connections. Progressive housebuilders (and, indeed,


commercial developers) have an opportunity to differentiate themselves by installing charging points at new developments. This could boost house prices and sales, raise their brand profile and help meet sustainability targets. However, we’re already seeing our ageing


National Grid come under strain as EV charging affects peaks in demand. With more homeowners charging EVs after


work, the National Grid has warned that people may have to choose between boiling a kettle or charging their car. Whilst the grid has capacity to provide the additional power required for EVs in the short term, increased EV uptake could create significant local challenges, including greater likelihood of brownouts.


VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk Off‐grid energy generation, such as energy


from waste generation solutions, PV or wind turbines, would facilitate EV charging, secure future energy supply for a development, and go towards meeting sustainability targets. Developers, policy makers and the energy industry must plan now for the evolving needs of homeowners, taking a more holistic approach to meet our transport, infrastructure and housing requirements of the future.


*The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders


uRolton Group is a multi‐disciplinary engineering consultant whose energy team advised the Energy and Climate Change Committee on post‐Brexit energy policy, as part of the Leaving the EU: implications for UK energy policy inquiry. A report by Rolton Group on the impact of electric vehicles on the built environment will be launched this month. It will explore the challenges and commercial opportunities that will emerge for UK businesses as a result of the EV revolution.


BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OCTOBER 2017 3


14 LIGHTING uDesigning for smarter lighting control.


uUpgrading your lighting scheme. uLuxLive preview.


18 COMBINED HEAT &


POWER (CHP) uGoing retro with CHP – the key considerations.


uHow CHP can help solve the 'energy trilemma'.


uPutting CHP aftercare front of mind.


28 BESA CONFERENCE BESA conference to focus on business challenges.


30 ENERGY MANAGEMENT The road to heat recovery starts with compressors.


31 ADVECO A balanced comparison between CHP and Solar PV.


32 FIRE & SAFETY The case for metal cable clips.


36 INSTALLATION NEWS Latest building services case studies.


38 WHAT’S NEW 43 RECRUITMENT


44 WEB LOCATOR & CLASSIFIED


21 INDUSTRY COMMENT Greener buildings and food waste.


22 BUILDING EFFICIENCY Smart commercial buildings and wellbeing for workers.


24 PUMPS uThe time for ground source heat pumps has arrived.


uDispelling those heat pump myths with the HPA.


uA question of cost or carbon.


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