Sustainability
only two connections to be made, which ensures a simple and quick installation for plumbers, while the valve itself takes up much less space in comparison to its chain valve counterpart.
Detecting leaks as they happen
In addition to installing leak-reducing solutions, new technologies can detect leaks as they occur, and prevent them causing damage to homes and disruption for residents. One such solution, the MultiSafe Leak Detector. Upon detecting a leak, the system shuts off an inbuilt isolation valve, cutting off water to the affected area, while alerting the building owner that a leak has occurred. Additionally, the system has a self-learning
element, which means it is able to adjust the flow of water to different areas of a building, based on how much the system predicts is required by each unit. This optimises the water usage, and in turn the sustainability, of the building overall.
Keeping track of flow rates with flow regulating valves
In addition to leaks, one of the major causes of water losses in multi-occupancy buildings is poor flow control. This can lead to more water than necessary coming out of an outlet such as a tap or shower.
This is much more of an issue in multi-occupancy buildings, where there is a much greater volume of
outlets across multiple dwellings, with more people making use of them too. To overcome this issue and prioritise sustainability, a balance must be achieved between water pressure and water usage. To make this possible, the Floreg Isolating Valve and Strainer can be used to maintain flow rates at the desired level, between 4 and 15 litres per minute, ultimately reducing water usage and energy consumption.
Not folding under pressure by staging PRVs
Tying into flow regulation, the staging of pressure reducing valves (PRVs) can create more sustainable water usage practices too. Multi-occupancy buildings fall under the category of commercial buildings, which receive water at a pressure as high as 15 bar. So, while a high pressure will ensure water reaches every corner of the building, 15 bar is far too high to be safely discharged from an outlet, making PRVs essential. However, most PRVs have an operating ratio in which they can perform safely. For example, a valve with a ratio of 3:1 would be able to take in a water pressure of 12 bar and output no less than 4 bar safely. This means that multiple PRVs are required to reach a safe outlet pressure, both for the end users and for the PRVs themselves, which is why staging PRVs is important. Typically, one PRV would be installed on each
floor of the building, and then a second PRV would be directly connected to each apartment. In addition to protecting outlets, end users, and the valves themselves, staging PRVs stabilises the flow rate of the water, which allows the PRV directly connected to the apartment or hotel room to make more efficient use of the water it receives. The previously mentioned Tenant Valve has an
inbuilt PRV, which can act as the valve that connects to each apartment, however, the water must have passed through an initial PRV before it reaches this stage. With more people calling multi-occupancy buildings home, conserving water and energy as much as possible becomes an increasingly pressing concern. These systems are key to supporting our combined sustainability efforts to preserve water and energy at every point of use.
A unified approach to Net Zero
The latest podcast from Mitsubishi Electric focuses on the future of sustainable buildings and highlights the benefits of the new UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
T
his ground-breaking initiative represents far more than just a set of guidelines for the construction industry, focusing as it does on
the evolving landscape of sustainable building in the UK.
“By establishing a clear and measurable
Standard, the initiative aims to eradicate greenwashing and foster genuine sustainability efforts across the industry,” explains Dan Smith, host of the podcast and Sustainability and Construction Manager for Mitsubishi Electric. Mitsubishi Electric is a Gold Sponsor of the UK
Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard and believes that the quest for sustainability in the building
industry has now reached a pivotal juncture with the emergence of this ground-breaking initiative. The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is aligned with other standards helping to signify a united front in the industry and setting out a clear course for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions. In the podcast, Dan speaks with the Chair of
the Governance Board of the Standard, David Patridge who provides profound insights into the development of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, its goals, and future implications. The conversation sheds light on the evolving
landscape of sustainable building in the UK and shows how the Standard points to a collective commitment to a sustainable future. “Our conversation with David highlighted the critical role of collaboration, transparency, and
“The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is aligned with other standards helping to signify a united front in the industry and setting out a clear course for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.”
innovation in this journey,” added Dan Smith. “As we move forward, the rule book for defining a Net Zero Carbon building which the Standard will define promises not only to guide the industry but also to transform the very foundations of sustainable building in the UK, shaping a greener and more responsible future for all.”
DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW January 2024 23
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