INDUSTRY COMMENT
Building controls and the green vision
At a time when sustainable building and green technology has never been more important, BCIA President Graeme Rees outlines how the organisation aims to assist in delivering the UK’s green agenda by promoting the UK building controls industry and increasing the understanding of the benefits of building controls and BEMS.
T Creating healthy buildings
As the unified voice of the UK Building Controls industry the BCIA aims to be the leading association for the sector working to ensure adoption of controls solutions within the built environment - an environment that is sustainable and technologically advanced to create a better community experience which is cost-effective throughout construction, maintenance and management lifecycles. There are perhaps the obvious and expected benefits of Building Controls such as reducing
energy costs and consumption – critical when energy costs and the security of supply are less stable. There are also less obvious market drivers that Building Controls can respond to, with developers and end-users increasingly sensitive to environmental impact and the sustainability credentials of their building stock. The need to be improving the health and wellbeing for users of the building as well as assisting their efficiency relies on technology overseeing multiple systems covering space and facilities management, wayfinding and efficient room booking systems. Managers of large estates are also looking for ways to improve the management and efficiency of their facilities, and of course increase the financial return from buildings – these include not only commercial real estate in the private sector but also the public estates of the NHS Trusts, education and local government portfolios.
A thriving industry
The pace of technological change has seen rapid progress in things like cybersecurity, big data and smart systems as well as improved connectivity using cloud technology and 5G to provide remote management and insights. This has resulted in a wealth of trends and opportunities that have pushed the Building Controls sector into an increasingly upward trajectory. It’s a thriving industry, worth an estimated £835m in the UK 2022, according to the BCIA’s Market Information Service. With more than 150 members the BCIA is strategically placed to support the industry and has firmly established its reputation as the leading trade body for the sector. Going forward, among the BCIA’s overarching commitments is the continuing mission to
promote training and education, standards, product and system quality, innovation and technology transfer. We have also refreshed our aim to be a central representative body that will engage with government and put to them the insight and experienced based views of the UK Building Controls industry. This will help us work effectively to represent the value and contribution the sector can make in helping to achieve the Government’s long-term objectives for the built environment. This we will do at all levels of the legislative and regulatory process, ensuring the voice of the controls industry is heard and better understood.
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Sep23.indd 1 08/06/2023 14:04 21/8/23 09:41 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2023 7
here has been an increased focus on sustainability over the past decade with the launch of the Government’s 10-point plan in 2020, the Net Zero Strategy in 2021 and more recently the Heating & Building Strategy. Added to this, the world has battled the Covid pandemic with significant economic and social change now embedded in our every day. We are now in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, with soaring energy prices sparked by the war in Ukraine, rising inflation and public sector strikes seemingly an everyday occurrence. Current policy continues to be focused on decarbonisation, particularly of industry and construction. Government is also supporting renewable energy and is committed to realising a viable hydrogen economy. Future policy and legislation changes include the Future Buildings Standard; the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM); further updates to Building Regulations and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - all policies expected to be implemented from 2024 onwards. The changes to policy and legislation are, in essence, to drive up quality and safety standards. Building Controls is a solution in the Government’s toolbox that delivers on policy, supports the legislative process and
delivers quantifiable benefits to the environment, the economy and to developers and users of commercial and industrial facilities. For the Building Controls industry this means ongoing change and adaptation, but with an opportunity to lead change from the front and be recognised as a critical component in achieving the changes.
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