With contractors increasingly turning to offsite construction, we speak to some of the pioneers delivering prefabricated M&E. In the first of a regular series, Alex Smith visits SES Engineering Services’ factory, in York, to find out how its factory focus is helping to change the culture of construction
Category: General
Fit for purpose – how best to keep cool in exercise spaces
Current design guidance for fitness spaces is not always optimised for comfort, according to Max Fordham’s Henry Pelly, who says people exercising keep cool more effectively when air movement is maximised
Room service – cooling guests at the Strand Palace Hotel using Hybrid VRF
The Strand Palace Hotel in London is having air conditioning installed in 785 guest rooms – but, with occupancy rates of 87%, the owners are keen to keep disruption to a minimum. Alex Smith looks at the Hybrid VRF system specified by Elementa Consulting
Alight here for Crossrail – lighting design on the Elizabeth Line
The use of LED lighting in Crossrail’s subterranean infrastructure will result in reduced energy consumption. Andy Pearson spoke to one manufacturer to find out how its designers met Transport for London’s exacting specification requirements
How lower carbon factors in SAP will change heating design
A new draft version of SAP has more than halved the CO2 emissions factors for electricity. Alex Smith looks at how changes to the energy use calculation could accelerate a move from gas to electric heating in homes
Making history – Heritage Group symposium
The first Heritage Group symposium explored ways to bridge the gap between academia and practice. Liza Young reports
What’s cooking – measuring PM2.5
To ensure indoor air quality measurements in homes are accurate and repeatable, we need standards that clearly define sensor types, calibration methods, sampling frequency, averaging periods and measurement locations, says the University of Nottingham’s Benjamin Jones
Take despair out of disrepair – guidance on dilapidations
Guidance on dilapidations from building services engineers is a specialist area, argues TFT’s Marc Hill – so what should be considered before a lease starts, and how can tenants prepare for lease end?
Model patient – tackling overheating at NHS Scotland
Using realistic input data and local climate projections enabled Health Facilities Scotland to find solutions to tackle overheating in its buildings. Liza Young finds out how they did it
Vital signs of success – North West Ambulance Service’s energy performance contract with Imtech
An energy-performance contract between North West Ambulance Service and Imtech is exceeding expectations. Tony Cookson, energy manager at Imtech, explains how