New accreditation and certification schemes have been launched recently, to improve competency and compliance in the smoke control sector. Alex Smith talks to Allan Hurdle about the industry’s response to the Hackitt report
Category: Technical
New normals: Consultants predict how Covid-19 will change HVAC design
What is the impact of Covid-19 on the design of HVAC systems for future buildings? We asked four building services engineers how system specification might change as a result of recent guidance
Maintaining thermal comfort in a changing climate
In a warming climate, what can be done to maintain thermal comfort and productivity levels in buildings without resorting to excessive cooling? Phil Lattimore reports from a CIBSE Health and Wellbeing Group video debate
arbn well – the smart approach to operating healthy buildings
arbn well is a CIBSE award-winning data analytics platform that could help building managers make their buildings Covid-19 secure. Phil Lattimore looks at how it tracks indoor environmental quality
CIBSE’s guidance on ventilation during Covid-19
Guidance published by CIBSE last month has advice for ventilation and air conditioning systems in the UK amid the ongoing pandemic. Alex Smith summarises guidance aimed at mechanical systems and shares advice from Cushman & Wakefield on operating chillers
The challenge of maintaining Covid-secure buildings
To protect staff from the risk of being infected by Covid-19 as they return to workplaces, buildings managers will have to adopt rigorous maintenance regimes to ensure the virus can’t take hold. Alex Smith finds out why facilities managers will be key to creating Covid-secure buildings
Bridging the gap: gas-fired absorption heat pumps in America
In the US, an abundance of cheap gas and a high carbon intensity for grid electricity compared with Europe is driving a move towards gas-fired heat pumps in small buildings. Tim Dwyer looks at three papers on the technology that were presented at the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Orlando
Intelligence networks: smart grids in Islington and Oxford
Smart energy projects are being piloted in the UK to find out how buildings and infrastructure can be connected intelligently to provide low carbon heat and electricity. Andy Pearson reports on two pilots: GreenSCIES in Islington and Energy Superhub Oxford
Maintaining buildings in lockdown
Buildings left empty by the lockdown must be maintained properly to avoid risks such as legionella, corrosion and mould. Liza Young reports
Making a noise about acoustic design
A new guide addressing issues of noise, ventilation and overheating for homes has been launched by the Association of Noise Consultants. Working group chair Dr Anthony Chilton explains how vital it is to consider the acoustic strategy at the design stage