Proving competency

The Building Safety Bill proposes new competence requirements for all those working on design and construction. Hywel Davies explains the draft regulations, and asks how clients and the new Building Safety Regulator will know who is competent

What will buildings look like in 2050?

Ahead of Glasgow’s COP26, we asked six leading engineers what a typical building will look like in 2050, and the challenges designers and industry will face in getting to net zero in key sectors

Designing efficient hybrid heat pump systems

Considering the optimal operational design conditions of both technologies is essential to maximise the efficiency of a hybrid heat pump system. Baxi Heating’s Ryan Kirkwood offers advice on how to avoid conflict

Rethinking the fan coil

The Artus hybrid air conditioning unit is only 200mm deep, yet it achieves energy savings of 83% over conventional fan coil units thanks to patented designs for the heat exchanger and fan assembly. Andy Pearson speaks to inventor Roger Olsen about his quest to cool buildings more efficiently

Making building performance visible

Making building performance visible is the aim of a new tool that tracks the impact of design changes on energy intensity and cost. Roderic Bunn and John Field describe the tool and its advantages for use on Soft Landings projects

Young Engineers Awards finalists revealed

Eight young engineers – vying to become the CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year 2021 – will take to the virtual stage at the Young Engineers Awards this month, when the Apprentice of the Year will also be crowned

Saving energy at a stroke in leisure centre swimming pools

Improved insulation in wet leisure centres not only cuts heat loss through walls and windows, but also allows swimming pools to operate at a higher relative humidity, resulting in energy savings as ventilation rates are reduced. Dee Associates’ Mike Hancock explains

Arc detection devices: fault-finding mission

Arc fault detection devices have been recommended in wiring regulations since 2019. Based on his own experiments, Hoare Lea’s Kenelm Hoare MCIBSE looks at the realities of arc risk and discusses how effective the devices are in preventing electrical fires

The art of illumination in museums and galleries

LEDs and the internet of things have transformed specification in the lighting industry, and this has been reflected in the updated Lighting Guide 8 – Lighting for museums and art galleries. Guide author Mark Sutton Vane summarises the key changes