Uninsulated pipework contribute to needless energy waste. Alex Smith reports on proposals for new standards and more inspections
Category: Technical
Being responsive: rethinking swimming pool circulation
Emerging research challenges the long-held practice of fixed turnover periods in swimming pools, suggesting a shift to responsive circulation could deliver massive energy and cost savings without compromising water quality. By Tim Dwyer
Beyond compliance: CIBSE Building Safety conference highlights
Dame Judith Hackitt and other expert speakers explored the operational reality of delivering whole life building safety at a recent CIBSE conference. Alex Smith reports
Rethinking resilience: protection against extreme climate events
Meeting current building standards won’t guarantee protection against extreme climate events. To safeguard occupants during heatwaves and power outages, industry must prioritise thermal resilience, says a critical review. Yingyue Li reports
The UK’s data centre boom: can skills and infrastructure keep pace?
Through its work with government, clients and industry partners, ECA is helping to shape the conversations around skills, infrastructure and workforce development that will underpin growth in the data centre sector
Future-proof fire safety
New Technical Notes from the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology help link traditional construction regulations with modern designs. David Metcalfe, Director CWCT provides an overview
Measurable progress: what awards data reveals about design in 2026
Data from the 2026 Building Performance Awards underlines the rapid rate of electrification, with all-electric projects making up 71% of entries compared with 47% last year. Julie Godefroy looks at this and other trends in her annual analysis
External shading: what works in the real world?
A Loughborough University study evaluating how shading systems reduce indoor temperatures is providing evidence to support wider adoption of passive cooling measures, says the university’s Niloo Todeh Kharman MCIBSE
TM59: stress testing homes for overheating
The latest CIBSE TM59 challenges the industry to design climate-resilient homes without relying on energy-intensive cooling. Alex Smith talks to lead author Susie Diamond about the update
Disruptive influence? Influence of heat pump placement on noise exposure in schools
Without careful placement, air source heat pumps in schools can push noise levels past acceptable limits. University of Salford PhD researcher Katie Salter breaks down the acoustic findings from a study at a Manchester school