BSEE-OCT21-PG06 News & Quote.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2021 12:01 Page 6
BSEE
Global study supports healthy buildings as a critical public health strategy
buildings with enhanced ventilation can improve the cognitive function and health of occupants, suggesting that ventilation and filtration are the preeminent healthy building strategies. The study, COGfx Study 3: Global Buildings, was led by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as part of the
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renowned COGfx Study series, which examines the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on how people think and feel. This latest study supports the prior studies’ lab and US findings and further supports that IAQ is not only good for people around the world, it is good for the bottom line – through increased productivity, fewer sick days and better cognitive function. “As the population moves toward returning to offices, schools and recreational activities, the health, safety and intelligence of indoor environments have come into greater focus,” said Didier Genois, vice president & general manager, HVAC Europe, Carrier. “The COGfx Study Series continues to demonstrate that the proper ventilation and filtration of indoor environments play an important role across the globe in fostering a proactive health strategy. At Carrier, we are focused on delivering innovative solutions and services that positively impact the health, productivity and cognitive performance of occupants of all buildings.”
ew research conducted on a global scale has found that healthy
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NEWS & QUOTES Quote, unquote
Responding to the UK government’s decision to continue recognising CE marking for a further 12 months The Door & Hardware Federation general manager Michael Skelding commented: “The ideal solution would have been for the UK and EU to agree to recognise each other’s testing. “After all, the test standards are identical, and the laboratories all work to the same rules. However, since this has proved impossible to negotiate, an extension to the time allowed is an acceptable second-best solution. We shall see whether a 12-month delay proves to be sufficient. There are certain products for which the shortage of UK test capacity is particularly acute and even cases where facilities are currently non-existent; these may well not be ready in time for the new date.”
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The COGfx Study 3: Global Buildings examined the impact of IAQ on the cognitive function of office workers across six countries – the United Kingdom, China, India, Mexico, Thailand, and the United States. The research found that cognitive function declines as the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)and carbon Dioxide (CO2)increase.
Importantly, mechanical ventilation, such as an HVAC system with efficient filtration, can help to protect building occupants from the negative cognitive effects of PM2.5 and CO2. In addition to acute impacts on cognitive function, reducing exposure to PM2.5 is associated with many other health benefits including reductions in cardiovascular disease, asthma attacks, and premature death. While the research focused on office employees in commercial buildings, the takeaways are applicable for all indoor environments. Carrier offers numerous products and services that optimise indoor air quality, including a
suite of advanced solutions through Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program that serves key verticals including, healthcare, hospitality, education, retail and marine.
This latest research builds on previous COGfx studies that demonstrated better thinking and better health can be found inside healthier buildings. The first study found cognitive function test scores doubled when study participants were in simulated green building environments with enhanced ventilation as opposed to conventional building environments. The COGfx Study 2 examined real- world building environments in the US and showed that employees in green- certified buildings showed 26% higher cognitive function test scores and 30% fewer sick building symptoms versus buildings that were not green- certified.
The COGfx Study 3 can be found at
www.theCOGfxStudy.com
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The Energy and Utilities Alliance has raised concerns about quotas for heat pump sales rumoured to be in the Government’s long-awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy. Chief executive Mike Foster commented as follows…
“Anecdotally, we hear of Chinese heat pump manufacturers approaching UK firms with a view to selling cheap appliances for UK firms to badge and meet the Whitehall-imposed production quota.
“Our members, who are facing a financial penalty if they don’t supply the market with enough heat pumps, may end up bringing these cheap imports into the UK or paying a fine if they don’t.
“We will see innovative and successful British industry penalised. The pain will be felt in places like Preston, Hull, Derbyshire and Worcester. “The route to Net Zero and low carbon homes is not Soviet-style production planning that attempts to force products into a market regardless of consumer demand. We risk the heat pump version of the old Lada factories producing lines and lines of poor-quality cars that nobody wants. “Our members want to help the Government and will be meeting to agree more practical ways to sell a full range of low carbon technologies, based on a solid understanding of industry.
ESi expands for future growth H eating controls
manufacturer ESi Controls is taking major strides following its recent
acquisition by the Swedish-based Addtech Group.
ESi Controls is a UK company based in Buckingham, designing and delivering energy efficient electronic controls for heating and smart building applications.
The company has tripled the size of its headquarters and warehouse in Buckingham to allow for recent and future growth and to allow it to
substantially increase its stockholding to avoid issues experienced by many companies in the UK in recent months, caused by shipping delays. Managing director Tristan James said: “We have seen significant growth year on year for several years now and we were creaking at the edges in our original base. Luckily a number of units became available next to our current home and we have been able to acquire these to house the growth we are seeing, as ESi becomes recognised as a major player in the UK heating sector.”
ESi has recently launched its latest 6 Series WiFi Programmable Room Thermostat, offering the latest in heating control for homes and commercial premises here in the UK. “The arrival of the 6 Series has only added to the demand for our products and the need for additional warehouse space to accommodate our stock,” continued Mr James. “These are exciting times at ESi and this growth in our premises and in our sales team are exciting steps in the company’s consolidation and positioning in the UK heating sector.”
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In response to The Government’s announcement of a record £650bn investment in infrastructure projects over the next decade, BESA’s director of training and skills Helen Yeulet commented: “The government’s infrastructure plans are extremely exciting but will place even greater strain on the industry’s workforce unless accompanied by a colossal push to bring new blood into the sector and upskill existing workers.” “The current turmoil in labour markets should be something of a wake-up call for many employers. There are a lot of workers who feel undervalued and treated like commodities. Investing in their professional development and rewarding them properly is the best way to demonstrate that their skills are valued.
“Building engineering will play a crucial role in rebuilding the economy and driving us towards a lower carbon future, so it is very important that we don’t undervalue our own product. Ironically, this difficult period could be a great opportunity to leave our ‘low-cost cut price’ culture behind and show clients why the whole industry deserves to be better funded and rewarded.”
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’ 6 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OCTOBER 2021 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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