As more and more organisations signup to Building Services Engineers Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, seven signatories explain the movement’s significance
Category: General
Rising to the challenge: CIBSE Building Performance Awards shortlist revealed
Shortlist shows focus on designing and operating high-performing buildings that will help governments meet stringent carbon-reduction targets
Air of authority: interview with Professor Catherine Noakes
Professor Catherine Noakes’ knowledge of ventilation and infection transmission has made her one of the government’s key scientific advisers on Covid-19. In recognition of her work, she was made an OBE last month. Alex Smith talks to her about the challenge of winter and the impact of infection control going mainstream
Leading light: ensuring effective use of UV technology in buildings
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation has been used for many years to mitigate the spread of measles and tuberculosis. It can effectively inactivate the Covid-19 virus too, but a lack of guidelines makes modelling the equipment a complex task. Liza Young reports
Winter protection: version 4 of CIBSE’s Covid-19 Ventilation Guide
The cold season brings new challenges for building managers trying to minimise the Covid-19 risk while maintaining occupant comfort. Chris Iddon introduces the latest CIBSE guidance on optimum HVAC strategies for Covid-secure buildings
Emergency call: temporary Covid-19 hospitals
Arup’s modular emergency healthcare solution, CareBox, can be deployed rapidly wherever it’s needed. Phil Lattimore finds out how it works, and looks at how other designs have responded to increasing knowledge of how Covid-19 is transmitted
Instant response: HVAC deep learning
With artificial intelligence, heating and air conditioning can react in real time to occupant activity, says Paige Tien, who explains how deep learning and occupant detection can help align heating, cooling and ventilation systems to individuals’ needs
Oxford’s balancing act: city smart grid with ground source heat pumps
Oxford is building an intelligent local grid that will allow buildings’ heat pumps to be connected to a smart grid that is able to charge hundreds of electric vehicles, thanks to a large-scale battery technology. Andy Pearson reports
Knowledge transfer: Q&A with CIBSE Knowledge Management Committee chair
The Covid-19 crisis means this year’s Build2Perform is virtual, but Ted Pilbeam, chair of CIBSE’s Knowledge Management Committee, sees opportunities for online learning, which will influence how CIBSE disseminates information in the future
Power and the glory: Young Engineers Awards winners
Two female electrical engineers were the big winners at the Young Engineer Awards, with Aecom’s Jennifer Cox named CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year and Megan Whitbread winning the inaugural Apprentice of the Year Award. Alex Smith watched the winning presentations