CIBSE award-winning low energy design consultancy Warm has its roots in Passivhaus, and even put into practice its low-energy expertise by refurbishing its offices to the EnerPHit standard. Andy Pearson reports
Category: Technical
Battery technology in UPS systems – VRLA v Li-ion
Although lead-acid batteries are long-established, with a majority market share, lithium-ion is starting to pick up pace. Alex Emms, of Kohler Uninterruptible Power, compares the two technologies
CIBSE seminar: Tackling overheating
Changes to Building Regulations offer a chance to reduce overheating risks, according to speakers at a CIBSE seminar last month
How digital can streamline concept design
To streamline the concept design stage for building services, four teams took part in a challenge to automate common project workflows. CIBSE’s digital engineering lead Carl Collins explains
Opening remarks: guidance on ventilation openings
Designing adequately sized windows for natural ventilation while ensuring occupants’ safety is a challenge. Benjamin Jones, Patrick Sharpe and Chris Iddon offer guidance ahead of CIBSE’s Applications Manual 10 update
Role models: The benefits and limitations of modelling
The CIBSE HVAC Systems and Building Simulation groups explored advanced building systems modelling during a discussion at Hoare Lea. Aecom’s Mary-Ann Clarke reports from the event
Case study: Cambridge Central Mosque
Cambridge’s elegant new mosque has comfort and sustainability at its heart thanks to the involvement of the environmental engineer at the project’s inception. Andy Pearson looks at how Skelly & Couch’s creative design worked with the grand scale of the prayer hall to provide natural ventilation and daylighting for more than 1,000 worshippers
Plymouth’s 5th-generation heating network
When Plymouth City Council looked at heating and cooling buildings more efficiently, it found the area’s geology offered a source of energy that enabled it to use the latest heat network technology. Andy Pearson reports
The scale of the problem – water quality issues in heat networks
A recent study found 15% of heat networks had suffered failures as a result of issues around water quality. Jon Greaves, of Hydro-X Water Treatment, offers guidance for different stages of the system life-cycle
Opening the loop – CP3 guide
Open-loop groundwater source heat pumps are poorly understood and little used in the UK. A new code of practice, CP3, aims to raise standards, say Phil Jones and Bean Beanland