A CIBSE award-winning research project led by Loughborough University made a major contribution to reopening large-scale events during the pandemic – and now the collaborative team behind ‘Airbods’ is bringing its learning to the wider built environment. Phil Lattimore finds out more
Category: Technical
It’s a breeze being cool in class
Overheated indoor spaces in tropical regions pose challenges for building occupants, particularly in areas with limited access to air conditioning. A study by Dr Charles Munonye evaluates the thermal comfort of Nigerian schoolchildren in two building types to see if cooling is needed in primary schools
Part L vs Part F – Battle of the regulations
With indoor air quality being of increasing concern, there are innovative solutions that can be deployed to reduce the amount of pollutants entering buildings without increasing energy consumption.
Reflecting change: key updates to LG7 – Lighting for offices
A new revision to SLL’s Lighting Guide 7 for offices encompasses the upward trends of hybrid working and the circular economy. Author Simon Robinson shines a light on the biggest changes
Calculated risk: intelligent use of low-voltage electrical design software
Using calculations from electrical distribution software simplifies designs, but should not be taken at face value, says Simon Rae, of Diales Technical. He recommends verifying outputs to minimise the risk of equipment damage, electric shocks and fire
Assuring the technical performance of heat networks
To improve the efficiency and resilience of heat networks, a technical assurance scheme is being developed by government and industry to support a new regulatory framework overseen by Ofgem. Phil Jones FCIBSE, Gareth Jones, Freddie Valletta MCIBSE and Lucy Sherburn reveal how compliance will work
Heat in a box: the local route to green hydrogen
Producing hydrogen using local renewables and innovative storage could see carbon-neutral hydrogen soon being used to heat buildings, according to Baxi and H2GO, who are behind a government trial of the concept. Alex Smith reports
Making a splash: recovering heat from mini data centres for leisure centres
A project that uses waste heat from a mini data centre to warm a public swimming pool in Devon hit the headlines last month. Molly Tooher-Rudd talks to the company behind the technology and hears about its ambitious plans to deploy ‘digital boilers’ in every sector
Ventilating the new normal: balancing IAQ with energy efficiency
An investigation by John Smyth into sustainable ventilation in commercial building environments for the ‘new normal’ at Arup’s Cork office led to the implementation of new measures to create a better indoor environment
Taking the waters: recovering heat from the Roman Baths
Heat from Bath’s hot springs is being used to warm surrounding buildings including the new Clore Learning Centre. Andy Pearson finds out how Buro Happold extracting heat from the mineral-rich waters of the Roman Baths