In our digital age, building services professionals are using futuristic processes and kit to improve design and efficiencies. We look at five innovative technologies set to gain traction in 2018
Category: General
Intelligent load control using circuit breakers
A power-management function built into a circuit breaker can help building operators avoid penalty charges for exceeding the peak consumption agreed in energy contracts, says ABB’s Atif Saleri
Tracking performance – remote monitoring and management in schools
Educational facilities can benefit from big data, say Spie’s George Adams and Liam Rock, who explain how remote monitoring and management at several schools reduced their carbon emissions by 18%
Mission control – CIBSE Employer of the Year InTandem Systems
Industry relies on specialist controls firms to make complex buildings perform as intended. The exemplary work done by InTandem Systems to nurture engineers in the sector led to it being named CIBSE Employer of the Year. Alex Smith reports
Made to measure – accurate billing for heat networks
To comply with regulations and offer tenants more transparency about their energy consumption, Legal & General has adopted an automated billing system at its multi-let building. Liza Young finds out more
Headline performance – Build2Perform Live coverage
Build2Perform Live attracted more than 175 leading industry speakers at Olympia London. Alex Smith and Liza Young tapped into the vast array of expertise on offer
Time to shine – BIM in lighting design
Much of the tedium can be taken out of the lighting design process by using BIM, says CIBSE’s Carl Collins – giving lighters time and opportunity to create more inspiring designs
Uncovering the secret of Parliament’s lost building services
The Palace of Westminster’s vast hidden infrastructure will play a vital role in its refurbishment. Liza Young speaks to Henrik Schoenefeldt, the man tasked with uncovering the tunnels and voids
Understanding why biomass boilers fail
Successful design of biomass boilers requires a systems approach, says David Palmer, who considers how factors such as oversizing, lack of thermal stores and poor flue-system design can cause boilers to underperform
The challenge of creating a BIM model for an imperfect Victorian home
The BRE’s Dan Rossiter summarises the difficulties of creating a digital record of a 19th century home