Your BESA Issue 22

YOUR

Issue 22

Net zero will drive demand for new skills Support our industry by taking the ‘Future Skills’ pledge www.theBESA.com

Also in this issue BESA: The community for evidencing technical excellence P04 Policy and clients to drive Net Zero P12 BESA welcomes regulation changes P15 2022: A fresh start for skills P24

@BESAGroup

BESA Group

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BESA chief executive David Frise

Welcome

YOUR BESA - ISSUE 22 In this issue:

David Frise

BESA MEMBERSHIP

P04

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

P07

NEt-ZERO

P12

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

P14

TRAINING AND SKILLS

P16

National retrofit

P28

besa academy training directory

P32

The glass is fuller 2021 was a tough year, but we got through it – will 2022 be better?

In my introduction to the December 2020 edition of Your BESA, I took a ‘glass half full’ position despite the country being back in lockdown at the time.

‘We are most definitely not back to square one. Yes, there is business uncertainty, but we have learned a lot from the first lockdown; many firms have adapted well and can build on those lessons to get through the next few months.’

While things definitely got harder as the months went on, the industry did adapt. Workloads grew and firms juggled to get projects delivered despite a supply chain crunch that was even more intense than feared.

Shortages of labour and materials remain a big problem and inflation will remain high right throughout 2022. However, the economic indicators are promising.

Many stock market observers are predicting that the FTSE will burst through the 8,000 mark this year and GDP is forecast to rise by

4.7% in 2022 following an (approximately) 7% surge last year.

Construction is also predicted to grow by around 7% this year, despite its obvious problems.

BESA’s most recent quarterly Building Engineering Business Survey showed that SMEs were still on track to recover strongly from the pandemic but were worried about finding the right people and materials to cope with rising demand for their services. Well over half of respondents said their turnover was up compared with 2020.

However, 39% said staff shortages was their ‘number one’ business concern and about a third said applicants for vacancies often did not have the right skills or qualifications, which is why we continue to grow our BESA Academy (see page 16 and 17) and focus on helping employers get access to more skilled individuals.

So, the ‘glass half full’ position should hold for 2022, although this issue of Your BESA gives plenty of reasons for being a bit more bullish: For example, our feature on pages 14 and 15 shows how the industry has won the argument about building ventilation and proved it plays a vital role in human health and well-being.

We anticipate soaring demand for mechanical ventilation this year, and BESA is pushing ahead with a new guide to help members and clients choose the right solutions. We have also launched a public awareness campaign to help improve people’s understanding of indoor air quality and what they can do about it.

The push for net zero is going to be another major business driver and we look ahead to the big technical and legislative changes coming this year on pages 12 and 13 as well as the need for a national programme of building retrofits on pages 28 and 29.

There will be more bumps in the road, of course, but it is all to play for in 2022 and your BESA community is here to help you meet the challenges and seize the opportunities. n Your BESA Magazine is produced and managed

by Open Box Media and Communications Ltd. • Tel: +44 (0)121 200 7820 • www.ob-mc.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information given, the publisher - the BESA Group; or Open Box Media and Communications Ltd - the production managers; cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from the information supplied.

The inclusion of adverts and information herein does not in any way imply or include endorsement or the approval of, or from, the BESA Group.

Open Box Media & Communications are proud to be corporate sponsors of Heart Research UK (Midlands)

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The community for evidencing technical excellence BESA members are at the heart of everything we do… we are the united voice, the seat at the table with government you will never gain access to, the extra employee out in the field or in the office, the reassurance and helping hand to confirm you are doing things right.

We are a longstanding community for contractors within the building engineering services from the smallest enterprises to the largest organisations. Running a business can be a lonely business and we want to be the one that listens to your issues on the phone, in your office or even over a beer in the pub and quickly come up with a solution which will benefit you and your industry.

Our promise to you as members is to help you:

• Win work • Be supported • Get paid • Demonstrate competence and compliance We know your needs and wants from us are different and that’s why we don’t offer a one size fits all service. You don’t know what you don’t know so let us do the thinking and information gathering whilst you run your business.

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BESA Group Companies:

How do we help you win more work?

BESA is THE badge of quality – the elite club you want your business to be a member of.

Many tenders with large contractors, Government and local authorities now specify they want BESA members to complete the work.

Why? Because they know you can evidence technical excellence and demonstrate competency and compliance, the best of the best in building engineering services.

BESA was the first trade body to adopt Build UK’s Common Assessment Standard, enabling you to streamline your pre-qualification process and compliments the BESA CAS. The more accreditations you have, the more tenders you could qualify for.

You have free access to construction project data, analysis and forecasts giving you the industry insight you need to get ahead of your competitors.

How do we support you?

At the core of our membership we have a number of in-house departments which include experts leading in technical, health and safety, legal, commercial and contractual, employment affairs and HR.

They offer bespoke support and guidance free of charge to you as our members. No issue is too great or small, and they almost become that extra employee or extension of your business where you might not necessarily have the expertise in place.

We also have a vast range of bolt on member benefits that you can tailor to your business needs which range from discounted business insurance, free company credit check, free jobs board to discounted technical standards, FM software and employee benefits.

How do we help you get paid?

Working rules, wages, terms and conditions for Operatives in the industry are contained in the National Agreement, operated jointly between the trade union, Unite (on behalf of Operatives) and BESA (on behalf of Employers).

You can use our in-house legal experts for contractual advice and use our free company credit check facility.

How do we help you demonstrate competency and compliance?

Gaining the BESA CAS accreditation and being part of the BESA community allows you to

demonstrate your excellence with an independent and recognised standard. We only allow the best of the best into membership.

We also have a number of certification schemes – SKILLcard, REFCOM F-Gas and REFCOM Elite, BESCA Vent Hygiene Elite and BESCA Competent Person Scheme, all ensuring their members have the skills, qualifications and technical know how to do the job competently and compliantly.

Our online Academy also ensures your workforce are fully trained and qualified.

We have a vast range of technical standards and publications, written by the industry for the industry. These are free or heavily discounted and can ensure you are completing your works to the highest of standards. www.thebesa.com/join-us/ n

Some of your BESA stories You all have different reasons as to why you are part of the BESA community…let’s hear what a few of you had to say about us!

We first joined when BESA were still the HVCA back in 2004. We needed to have our quality recognised and joining the association was the best move we could make. The audit process gave us great confidence that members were rigorously assessed on their procedures and site installations. Our BESA membership gives us enhanced credibility with our public sector clients and enables us to open doors which would not be available if we were not members.

We’ve often used the free legal services for quick advice on contract offers. One particular issue a few years ago was with a prominent public sector client, who was withholding a substantial amount of money on a scheme – once BESA was involved and fought our case the sums outstanding were

settled promptly! We always use BESA members for subcontract works and have insisted on membership to join our supply chain.

Our BESA membership enables us as a small company to be part of a larger organisation and have the support of services which we would not normally have access to. The clients also have confidence that we are are regularly inspected and can contact BESA if there any issues.

While it might be a tough process to obtain membership, it is definitely worth the time and effort!

Nick Barnes, Director, Allied Mechanical Engineering www.amegroup.co.uk

Read more stories overleaf

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We became a member of HVCA in 1993 because we were an active plastic ductwork fabricator/installer, and the UK standard was HVCA’s DW151.

Becoming a member gave us a badge of quality, a differentiator in the market.

When DW151 was updated in 2000, our CEO at the time chaired the technical panel which wrote DW154 – at the time this put Roperhurst at the forefront of quality and technical excellence.

We have continued our technical input to BESA, contributing to publications such as DW144 and TR40, and the forthcoming DW154 revision. Our people have also chaired the ductwork (now ventilation) group and the Wales member group and sat on both Council and the Executive Board.

We utilise the BESA Legal team, who play a critical role in the minefield that is construction contracts. They know the pitfalls and provide essential support in both pre-contract discussions and also when it comes to getting paid the right amount and on time.

We believe that BESA membership is essential for the argument for value over price. Through specification and knowledge, BESA ensures that the right member specialists are involved in the right projects at the right time, essential if industry is to avoid another Grenfell.

Back in the early months of the pandemic when life and business seemed a little bleak, BESA’s webinars became a focal point of our day.

BESA publishes the technical standard core to our business offering (DW154). Membership of BESA means we are audited by BESCA for quality performance against that standard – nonmember competitors are not able to give the same assurance – which is a differentiator.

They made us feel like we weren’t alone and gave us a sense of a virtual community. It was a platform to ask questions, hear other people’s views and hints and tips on how we could manage together through something that was unknown to us all.

For those who want to be part of the Association, don’t just join to get the BESA Badge of Quality, join to make a real difference. BESA membership is important to all companies promoting quality and performance over lowest price. We want all existing and prospective BESA members to enhance the Association, not diminish it.

Martin Whiteley, Managing Director, Roperhurst www.roperhurst.com

Any audit success shows the hard work that standards and dedication to achieve them means to a business and industry, which needs to be constantly maintained. Our teams in Hopkins are totally committed to ensuring our company lead from the front on all these things and I thank all of them and BESA for the ability to work together in our community and in such difficult times.

Phil Lambden, Managing Director, J & B Hopkins Ltd www.jbhopkins.co.uk

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BESA Group Companies:

At that point B-DACS were not members so making it a priority once we started to trade again in May 2020, we set about accreditation. This was a challenge in these times, as no accessors could travel so making a video and showcasing your own work doesn’t come easy to us in the West of Scotland, but we managed it successfully and after a few zoom calls with the auditor we were delighted to achieve our accreditation.

Although we haven’t managed to utilise a lot of the services on offer as 2021 was so busy, we know what is available and having a platform of services is a great comfort. We do use the website which has a wealth of knowledge and we always have the local team to call on when required.

Diane Drummond, Director, B-DACS Air Conditioning Services www.bdacs.com

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Take pride At the BESA President’s Lunch late last year, a leading international business figure urged us all to show off a lot more about what we do.

Former CBI President Paul Drechsler said that raising the profile of the sector and gaining wider recognition for our role in delivering the country’s net zero ambitions would help us address our skills shortages.

“It is not well understood how you can influence the [climate change] agenda,” he told the gathering of BESA members and guests. “You are in competition for talent with a lot of other major sectors, so you need to stand up and speak proudly about what you are doing.”

Drechsler was also formerly chairman and chief executive of Wates Group so understands our industry and believes that being a lot more ‘up front’ about our work could help to tackle the lack of diversity in our workforce.

climate change role, it is important that people understand what we do.

Motivated In my speech to the lunch, I pointed out that many young people were clearly motivated and excited

by COP26. Many of the school children who took to the streets to protest about the lack of political action are potential engineers.

When choosing a career, many will be looking at the industries they think could make the most difference to their futures – and we need to be on that list.

Drechsler also said talented people would go “where they feel most welcome” and said we needed to “test” our diversity. In other words, are we opening our doors wide enough to everyone in our society? Are we as gender, ethnic, age, and disability diverse as we should be?

BESA President Neil Brackenridge

carbon emissions will continue throughout their lives? After all, it is the younger generations who have the most to lose if we don’t decarbonise quickly enough.

Part of cracking this problem is improving collaboration with the I would also challenge all of us as education sector. For too long, we employers to consider whether we In his speech, he also described have seen young people coming are really putting young engineers the COP26 climate conference in out of the education process front and centre in our businesses.

Glasgow as “firing the starting gun without the skills we need. BESA Do we listen to their ideas, and do for the toughest marathon ever has a big role to play in this we involve them in the big decisions run” and supported our call for a through our Academy, and we about building projects whose national programme of building are working with employers and refurbishments that will be educators to update essential if we are to reach apprenticeships “We know we have a pivotal role net zero. and other forms of technical training, to play in the net zero agenda, We know we have a so they are able pivotal role to play in the but the wider public is less aware. to underpin our net zero agenda, but the workforce of the If we are going to attract the wider public is less aware future (see pages 16 – and as a result we do not range of talent we need to and 17). appeal to a wide enough continue growing our climate demographic. If we are I can’t think of going to attract the wide anything more change role, it is important that range of talent we need important right now. people understand what we do.” to continue growing our Can you? n

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cas auditing

Evidence technical excellence with BESA’s Competence Assessment Standard (CAS) All members must pass the BESA Competence Assessment Standard (CAS) which provides independent assessment of our members’ technical competence and commercial capability.

This nationally recognised standard gives clients’ peace of mind that contractors delivering their projects are technically competent, have a skilled workforce and deliver highquality services.

Through a simple but rigorous process, BESA validates all members by scrutinising business management capability, workforce competence and technical compliance.

What is involved?

If you are a new member, you will be assessed in year 1 and year 2.

Following that, assessment is done every three years to monitor and re-verify competence or more frequently if required. Even if your audit isn’t due for a while, we recommend you prepare yourself well in advance, familiarise yourself with the process and all the helpful documentation and videos available here.

The BESA CAS Audit is a rigorous but simple two-step process.

STEP ONE

• Quality Management • H&S Management • Environmental Management • People Management Great news if you can demonstrate your company already meets the Build UK’s Common Assessment Standard (CAS) through either CHAS Elite, Constructionline Gold/ Platinum or Achilles Building Confidence, as you will deem to satisfy for the BESA BMR, leaving only the technical part of the audit to complete!

Use our handy interactive guide on ‘How to Complete the BESA BMR’ here.

STEP TWO A technical audit.

To verify your technical competence and compliance in your work area either on-site or via video.

Site Visit If your technical audit is to be completed on-site, your BESCA auditor will arrange a suitable time to visit a recent project with you to assess the completed works. They will let you know in advance what to expect and what sort of evidence or documents to have available, such as plans, manuals, hand-over documents etc.

BESCA audit portal, which will then be reviewed by your BESCA auditor.

Watch BESCA’s short video on How to Record Video Evidence of Technical Activities here and download their Golden Rules for Recording Technical Activities document here.

The final part of a remote assessment audit will be an online meeting with your BESCA auditor. They use a number of different online meeting and screen sharing platforms so simply tell them which one is your preference.

Time to celebrate!

Once you’ve passed both stages you will receive your BESA CAS Compliance Certificate and BESA Membership Certificate! Time to celebrate and use your ‘BESA Badge of Quality’ with pride.

Its important to remember that your BESA Membership Team are always on hand to help you through every step of the audit process. You can contact them on 0345 646 1044 or email membership@thebesa.com. n COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT STANDARD COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE This is to certify that

Have been subject to inspection and assessment of their business management capability, workforce competence and technical compliance by UKAS Certification Body, BESCA. The company have demonstrated their full compliance with the requirements of the

Competence Assessment Standard MEMBERSHIP NUMBER ASSESSMENT DATE SCOPE

An online Business Management Review of your key documents.

This includes: • Financial Management • Professional Integrity

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BESA Group Companies:

Remote Assessment If you are selected to have a remote assessment, you will record a video walk-and-talk through of installed work and upload to the online

The BESA Competence Assessment Standard provides independent assessment of BESA members’ technical competence and commercial capability.

This certificate is valid until subject to continued membership of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).

Rachel Davidson BESCA Director of Certification This certificate remains the property of BESCA

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to our newest Affiliates...

Armstrong Fluid Technology

Albion Valves (UK) Ltd

Armstrong Fluid Technology are a leading global player in HVAC.

Albion has been supplying valves and fittings to the building services and industrial markets for the past 40 years.

They design and manufacture innovative fluid flow equipment and high-efficiency energy solutions for a broad range and scale of applications (including district energy, data centres, fire systems, gas transmissions, high-rise and mixed commercial buildings).

albionvalvesuk.com

Albion was created with the sole purpose of providing quality products at an affordable price.

With a growing reputation for quality and reliability, Albion is now an established brand providing the industry with a trusted alternative to premiumpriced products.

armstrongfluidtechnology.com

3ds.com

Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations.

autodesk.co.uk

Autodesk Construction Cloud combines advanced technology and predictive insights to connect people and data across the entire building lifecycle.

With Autodesk Construction Cloud’s unified solutions, teams are empowered to connect workflows across every stage of design to construction to reduce risk, maximise efficiency and increase profits.

Fujitsu General Air Conditioning (UK) Ltd Fujitsu General Air Conditioning (UK) Limited has been trading in the UK since 1986 and has UK headquarters based in Elstree, Borehamwood.

Offering a comprehensive range of Split, Multi Split, VRF, Ventilation and applied products, Fujitsu General Air Conditioning (UK) Limited are a total solution provider to the heating ventilation and air conditioning sectors.

Recognised throughout the industry for their customer service and product reliability. fujitsu-general.com/uk

Congratulations to our newest members...

East Air Conditioning A family run company covering Scotland and the north of England since 2003, with an established client base allowing them to work on projects ranging from large commercial projects to small domestic jobs. eastaircon.co.uk

OTN Industrial Cleaning Services Ltd Providing a bespoke grease extract system cleaning service to commercial clients within Belfast and Northern Ireland. otnindustrialcleaning.com

Coming Clean Deep Clean Services Ltd Coming Clean Deep Clean Services has been cleaning kitchens and ventilation ducting to exceptional standards since 2004. Friendly office and professionally trained staff have become experienced specialists in this sector and can offer exceptional cleaning services. comingcleandeepcleans.co.uk

Switch2 Energy Ltd

A. Alexander & Son

Switch2 is the UK’s most experienced and capable provider of end-to-end solutions for heat networks. Making a success of heat networks owned by local authorities, housing associations and private developers, Switch2 help to optimise energy efficiency, manage renewable energy, and focus onwell performing schemes, whilst minimising costs to the resident.

Delivering electrical and mechanical services throughout the UK from their Head Office in Glasgow.

switch2.co.uk

tsbcontractors.co.uk

alexgroup.co.uk

TSB Contractors Ltd Total interior solutions.

We would like to congratulate our new members on passing their audit and becoming BESA CAS Accredited – demonstrating their business’s commitment to high standards of technical and commercial competency.

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BESA Group Companies:

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BESA salutes former President Edgar Poppleton family firm E. Poppleton & Son that continues to thrive today as one of the country’s leading ductwork fabricators and contractors.

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) was saddened to hear of the death of its former President Edgar Poppleton.

As well as serving as President of what was then the HVCA in 1986/7, Edgar received the Association’s distinguished service award in 1999 and worked voluntarily on behalf of the membership and the wider industry for more than 50 years.

Born in Colwyn Bay in 1934, he was the grandson of the founder of the

BESA are saddened to hear of the sudden death of Angela Hills, Marketing Director at Gratte Brothers.

Described as a widely respected industry “stalwart” by friends and colleagues, she had been involved with the Association’s employment committees since November 2004 and proved a hugely valuable contributor to improving industrial relations and employment practices over the subsequent 17 years.

Colleagues on the BESA Employment Policy Committee (EPC) have paid tribute to her commitment to better relations between employers, trade unions and workers. She provided vital

At the age of 17, Edgar approached his father Arthur about employment at the firm but was advised to: “Go out into the world and learn something, if you fail, do not come back here looking for a job but if you succeed, come back here and I will consider you.”

Apprentice This spurred Edgar to train as an indentured engineering student apprentice with G. N. Haden & Sons in Manchester. He also attended Newton Heath Technical College and secured an Ordinary National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering.

This was followed by a diploma from the National College for Heating, Ventilating, Refrigeration and Fan Engineering part of what is now London South Bank University.

Edgar went on to succeed his father as managing director and introduced several technical innovations that, not only improved the efficiency and performance of the firm but also helped to raise the bar for the quality of work carried out by the whole ventilation industry.

His dedication to supporting the industry through its trade association created an admirable company ethos. His successors as Poppleton managing directors also served as BESA Presidents – Gareth Vaughan (2008/9) and Tim Hopkinson (2017/19).

“BESA and the ventilation industry have both lost a true champion and distinguished innovator,” said current BESA President Neil Brackenridge. “Edgar was respected, but also widely popular. He gave tirelessly and selflessly of his time to help improve our industry and his fellow engineers. n

support to the Association’s negotiators, helping to secure improved pay and conditions for both operative and staff employees throughout the building engineering sector.

Current chair and former BESA President Tim Hopkinson said he was “shocked and saddened by this devastating news”.

“Angela’s commitment and contribution provided invaluable support for employers, and her incredible knowledge of the industry and employment were crucial to our efforts to build industrial relations right across our sector. Her family has lost a remarkable lady and I’m sure that colleagues will join me in extending our sincere condolences to them.’’

BESA chief executive officer David Frise said Angela was a fine example of the generosity of spirit that underpins the Association’s ‘community’. n

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NET ZERO

Policy and clients to drive net zero this year Government policy and growing demand from building clients will see a significant shift in the push for net zero in 2022.

Last November’s COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, which led to the latest international agreement on reducing emissions, also prompted an outpouring of policy and promises from the UK government including the Sixth Carbon Budget, a strategy for the roll out of hydrogen and the overarching Net-Zero Roadmap.

The Environment Bill also finally received Royal Assent last November after a torturous two-year process. It is designed to support the delivery of the UK’s 25-Year plan for the environment and to clarify how energy and environmental policy will work in the post-Brexit era.

It should also lead to legally binding air quality targets, which will help put BESA’s work on driving building ventilation improvements in a wider national health and well-being context.

The Prime Minister has already stated he intends to step up progress on cutting fossil-fuelled electricity generation this year. With coal-fired electricity generation already on the way

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BESA Group Companies:

out, his strategy is mainly aimed at getting rid of gas by 2035 and, as it currently accounts for around 40% of the UK’s electricity generation, this will require a substantial uptick in the use of renewables along with nuclear, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Clearly, huge changes like this have major implications for Skills and Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi plans to ‘green’ the national curriculum by 2023, which in turn should lead to new training programmes to help teachers improve their knowledge of environmental science and engineering.

Enthuse BESA members have long called for greater focus on ‘green’ topics in education to help prepare future generations for the world of work. The Association also sees this as an important way to enthuse school children about subjects that can translate into appropriate qualifications for careers in engineering and the built environment.

More generally, the government has also promised to create two million new ‘green’ jobs by 2030, but there is very little detail about what qualifies as ‘green’ and how that huge number will be delivered. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said there needs to be a clearer definition produced this year so MPs can deliver a robust skills strategy.

The government is also expected to draft more detailed plans for decarbonising school buildings including improvements to energy efficiency, the use of renewables and low-carbon heating, as well as improving biodiversity.

And for the wider public sector, the Cabinet Office has produced a ‘Net Zero Estate Playbook’, which contains advice for procurers about how they can substantially lower their carbon footprint in line with its policy to deliver a 78% reduction in emissions from government buildings by 2035.

The public sector accounts for 9% of the country’s total building-related carbon emissions and, as the largest built environment client,

Net Zero Estate Playbook A guide to decarbonising government property

Version 1.0 November 2021

any measures taken by the government can also have a profound knock-on effect throughout the wider economy.

Its guidance for improving the performance of schools, hospitals, prisons, offices, and other public buildings, including listed and historic structures, provides advice on how to update energy and emissions audits, monitor in use performance and how to secure the necessary funding for building upgrades.

The Playbook takes a technology neutral approach because it notes that different buildings need different solutions. Therefore, it provides advice on a wide range of building engineering options including heat pumps, solar, low carbon heating, energy efficiency, LED lighting etc.

It also urges developers to carry out detailed assessments to ensure they use the right solution for the building in question, including whether they can be connected to heat networks and the potential for alternative energy sources like renewables, hydrogen, and biofuels.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay said decarbonising public buildings was “absolutely crucial if we’re going to meet our environmental targets”.

Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon

Figure 5: The Net Zero Roadmap

Step 1:

Establish governance

Step 2:

Baseline and scope

Step 3a:

Refine and explore

Step 3b:

Develop the plan

Actions • Develop NZ governance structure.

• Assign roles and accountabilities.

• Agree processes and procedures.

Actions • Understand the estate.

• Establish the baseline.

• Sort and set the NZ scope properties.

Actions • Set a NZ target.

• Refine the NZ target.

• Long-list the NZ options.

• Integrate with Strategic Asset Maintenance Plan.

• Model and assess.

Actions • Plan the steps to reduce construction impacts.

• Assess how to reduce operational energy through decarbonisation and renewable energy.

Actions “Property professionals should use • Use assessment methods for assurance.

Step 3c: the Playbook to turn best practice • Understand project feasibility and install Refine and sub-meters. into standard practice.

It will put the • Approval and sign-off. sign-off public estate in a stronger position to deliver a 78% reduction in emissions Actions by 2035, and be fully net zero by • Build a Green Book business case with a Step 4:added 2050,” Barclay, who is the qualified practitioner.

ApproveOffice • Sign-off and approveoverseeing the business case.

Cabinet Minister Apply for NZ funding. andnet fundzero• strategy. the

The Playbook also outlines how Actions project teams can meet the • Refine the requirements.

Step 5: • Select the procurement vehicle use.

Future Standard fortonew Go toBuildings • Conduct procurement. developments, which will come into market • Evaluate and award contract.

Actions “Hopefully, the new Playbook with its • Deploy delivery governance.

Step 6: • Monitor and track NZ costs and benefits detailed plan for upgrading Deliver and and through and after delivery. track retrofitting the UK’s largest property estate will provide welcome impetus for < Back to Contents a truly nationwide programme of building upgrades that put energy efficiency, low carbon heating and cooling, and improved building fabric at its heart.”

effect from 2025. The guidance will be updated at regular intervals as information and knowledge improves, the Minister added.

Essential requirements • Initial reporting structure.

• Assurance needs met.

• Assigned RACI. • Autonomy and authority limits regarding decisions.

• Service commissions arrangements in place.

PURPOSE

‘The clarity of purpose set out in this new Playbook is extremely helpful,” said BESA’s Head of Technical Essential requirements Graeme Fox. “Setting down some • Maintenance of a property and site register acrosstechnical an estate. of the detail needed to • Initial baseline energy model. deliver the government’s net zero • Defined NZ Scope. ambitions is the best way to focus effort in the right direction and drive Essential requirementsaction.” practical • Confirmation of NZ target alignment with UK Government NZ commitments.

• Technical consultation against long-list of options.

• Agreement and selection of assessment method.

• Updated energy model against long-list options.

“Hopefully, the new Playbook with its detailed plan for upgrading and retrofitting the UK’s largest property estate will provide welcome Essential requirements impetus for construction a truly methods. nationwide • Incorporation of modern • Potential decarbonisation plan integration with programme of building upgrades asset management strategies.

• Detailed energy, emissions and cost thatmodelling put ofenergy efficiency, low impacts. carbon heating and cooling, and improved building fabric at its Essential requirements heart,” said Fox. • Ensure projects and equipment meet Government Buying Standards.

• Feasibility studies where interventions are ‘non-standard’.

• Approval and sign-off by SRO.

He added that a “technology agnostic approach” was sensible to discourage people from ‘championing’ particular solutions Essential requirements • Compliance with Green Book guidance when many, including most of with qualified oversight.

• Detailed modelling with ‘do nothing’ approach the technologies the building modelled against. engineering sector is already using, • Reporting and compliance plan for fund applications. still have their place.

Essential requirements • Compliance with Green Book appraisal and evaluation guidance.

• Initiation and running of procurement exercise.

• Evaluation and award.

• Signing of contracts and plan governance.

“The difficult bit is working out which solution is the right one for the task in hand so updating assessments and audits is the crucial first step.

Flexibility is key and engineers need Essential requirements to be given the freedom to engineer,” • Deployment of delivery governance team. said manager Fox. assigned with good • Contract knowledge of active contracts.

• Active tracking of associated costs, energy and GHG emissions.

“For example, there is more than one type of heat pump, which means it is a technology that can 18 be widely applied, but equally it is not always the right choice. The contents of the Playbook suggest that the Cabinet Office, at least, is starting to understand some of the nuances of built environment engineering.” n

Graeme Fox, BESA Head of Technical

13

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

BESA launches consumer Indoor Air Quality campaign The Association has invested in a wide reaching 18-month campaign to encourage the general public to think more deeply about indoor air quality and ventilation.

It is working with experienced PR and lobbying professionals to explain what causes poor IAQ and how people can protect themselves, primarily through better ventilation and filtration, but also by taking measures to minimise the sources of contamination in their homes, schools and workplaces.

The campaign kicked off in December with a press release and background briefing for mainstream national media. It was at the time when the surge in Omicron cases had once again thrust the issue of ventilation into the public eye.

“Just because we cannot see poor IAQ, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. A 15-minute exposure to some fine particles can mean that they will travel to every part of your body and remain there for up to three months.”

Graeme Fox, BESA Head of Technical

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BESA Group Companies:

It also followed the intervention of the government’s Chief Medical Advisor Professor Sir Chris Whitty who called on business leaders to make investment in building ventilation one of their top priorities to help the country recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and prepare for future health emergencies.

The poll questions emphasised that IAQ had an impact on respiratory illnesses, as well as damp and mould. It set out to gauge people’s understanding of how using cleaning products and external pollutants like emission from transport could affect the health and well-being of their families.

“We have realised the extraordinary importance of improving the ventilation of workplaces, not just for Covid but also for many other respiratory infections,” he said. “If we invest in that now, we’ll both help the aftermath of Covid, but also cut down on things like flu outbreaks.”

Graeme Fox, Head of Technical at BESA, said: “If there is one positive outcome from the pandemic, it is the increased awareness on the importance of indoor air quality. But Covid-19 is only the tip of the iceberg, with poor indoor air quality a far bigger problem, one that we are learning more about every day.”

He put investment in ventilation as the second most important step businesses could take behind helping their staff get fully vaccinated.

BESA commissioned an Opinium poll that surveyed more than 2,000 people about their general understanding of IAQ and ventilation plus their plans for Christmas. The poll also focused on how activities like cooking, lighting a scented candle, or firing up a wood burning stove, could all play a role in creating poor IAQ.

Celebrations Rather than putting a dampener on everyone’s celebrations, the exercise was intended to encourage people to consider air quality issues when gathering in groups indoors and think about potential sources of airborne contaminants and how they could protect themselves.

In a press release sent to a wide range of consumer publications, newspapers, and broadcasters, he explained how poor IAQ is harmful to health and wellbeing, including increasing the risk of asthma, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

“Just because we cannot see poor IAQ, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. A 15-minute exposure to some fine particles can mean that they will travel to every part of your body and remain there for up to three months,” said Fox, who urged people to consider regularly changing the filters on kitchen extractor fans, checking how well their bathroom fans were working, or installing other air filters or mechanical ventilation throughout their homes. n The next stage of the campaign is currently being developed so look out for more hard hitting IAQ messages aimed at consumers coming soon.

BESA welcomes regulation changes The government’s changes to Parts F and L come into force next June and attempt to balance the need for carbon reductions with improved ventilation in both residential and commercial buildings.

vents in all replacement windows and a new method for ensuring ventilation is not compromised when energy efficiency improvements are carried out in existing buildings.

New homes will have to cut their carbon emissions by 30% and non-domestic buildings by 27% to meet the requirements of the revised Part L.

“This is a good start on the road to tackling poor indoor air quality,” said Graeme Fox. “Monitoring CO2 levels is a simple, low-cost way to measure ventilation effectiveness, but eventually we will need more comprehensive monitoring of airborne contaminants, including PM2.5 and NO2, to help building managers properly get to grips with the air quality challenge.

This is regarded as a first step towards making all buildings ‘net zero ready’ from 2025 when the Future Buildings Standard comes into effect.

All new residential buildings, including care and children’s homes, and student accommodation, must also be designed to reduce overheating under changes to Part F and with the introduction of Part O. Higher standards of ventilation will be introduced to improve IAQ and reduce the spread of airborne viruses in new non-residential buildings, including additional standards for recirculating ventilation systems in new offices, along with the compulsory installation of CO2 monitors.

The government is also proposing to introduce a requirement for trickle

year, this guidance has already been widely praised for helping to protect people from exposure to hazardous substances in workplaces.

The Association’s Health & Well-being in Buildings group is also working on its third piece of guidance in 12 months and hopes to produce its ‘Buildings as Safe Havens – a solutions guide’ in March.

Building Engineering Services Association Guide to Good Practice for:

Comprehensive

“It is very good to see, however, that the government has been clear about the importance of not sacrificing ventilation in a bid to cut carbon. There is no point having highly energy efficient buildings that are harmful to occupant health – a mistake that has been made in the past,” he added.

The government has also referenced the Guide to Good Practice for Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) produced

by BESA in partnership with the Institute of LEV Engineers (ILEVE) in the revised Part F. Published last

It is very good to see that the government has been clear about the importance of not sacrificing ventilation in a bid to cut carbon. There is no point having highly energy efficient buildings that are harmful to occupant health.”

Indoor Air Quality for Health and Well-being H&W002

July 2021

www.thebesa.com

A beginner's guide to indoor air quality ...and why it is a national health crisis

Guide

les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk

This publication is once again being produced with the help of affiliate member Mitsubishi Electric and follows last year’s ‘A Beginner’s Guide to IAQ’ and ‘IAQ for health and wellbeing – a guide to good practice’ both of which are available for free download from the BESA website. www.thebesa.com/IAQ n

15

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Net zero will drive demand for new skills The loss of a whole swathe of experienced workers since the start of the pandemic is worrying, but also an opportunity to take another look at what skills we need.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has reported that around 223,000 trade specialists left the construction industry since the start of the pandemic with more than half of them aged between 45 and 55.

Losing this amount of experience threatened the industry’s ability to deliver the Government’s plans for ‘building back better’, it said.

“This aging workforce demographic has been a concern for some

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BESA Group Companies:

time but was expected to impact in 10-15 years’ time as people came up for retirement,” said CPA economics director Noble Francis (pictured right).

“Like many other things, the pandemic seems to have accelerated this and plunged construction into a deepening skills crisis.”

“People may still come back, but it looks like many have opted to take early retirement or work in other industries.”

However, several observers believe this is an opportunity for the building engineering sector to take a fresh look at the kind of skills it needs and

how to attract a more diverse demographic.

“Net zero should change the conversation for our profession,” said former BESA President Andy Sneyd. “It requires different skills and a new outlook, which will only come if we reach out to people from all backgrounds.

SOCIETY “Our industry is not doing well on gender diversity – and how are we doing on BAME? Not great.

We don’t properly reflect the

society that we serve and that will become even more apparent as we work towards net zero,” said Sneyd who is managing director of Exyte Hargreaves.

He was speaking at a meeting of the CIBSE Patrons where it was agreed that, rather than looking to directly replace those who had left and those coming up to retirement, this was an opportunity to broaden recruitment.

The group, which comprises organisations that support the work of the professional institution including BESA. agreed that the net zero challenge would be driven by people from financial, IT/digital, creative, energy systems, Artificial Intelligence, and many other backgrounds.

“Yes, building services engineers will still play a vital role, but we will only remain central to this issue if we collaborate and recruit more widely – and beyond our traditional networks,” said Patrons’ chair Scott Mason of the consultancy MESH Energy.

“We do need a radical rethink if we are to broaden the appeal of this industry and of Patrons in particular.

We are in a strong position to lead his change on behalf of the sector because we represent the whole supply chain.”

Josh Emerson from BESA affiliate member Swegon added that the industry had access to technology and design processes appropriate to net zero but questioned whether it had the right skills balance.

“We should be right at the heart of the discussion because we are working with cutting edge products and smart systems that bring the dream of net zero much closer. But we will need to look well beyond our traditional boundaries to find people with the creative skills and imagination to apply them, so they can achieve their full potential,” said Emerson.

Sneyd said the ‘golden triangle’ of net zero was “policy, finance and delivery” and that BESA could help the government reshape policy, while their members were well placed to work on delivery of built environment solutions.

“Now we must get deeper into the finance side, which means we need to be sitting around the table with a much wider range of business people. Net zero is being driven by agile start-ups, lots of SMEs and a broad demographic with much better gender and ethnic diversities than our industry.

“This is an opportunity to re-set our image as a much more ‘go ahead’ sector, which will make us more attractive to people who would not necessarily have considered engineering as a career,” he added.

BESA chief executive officer David Frise welcomed the discussion and urged employers to use the net zero platform as an opportunity to rethink their recruitment strategies.

“Health, well-being, and productivity are uppermost in the thoughts of people designing indoor spaces – and

while that instantly means ‘ventilation and indoor air quality’ to us; it has different connotations for people from other backgrounds,” he said.

Holistic “They want holistic solutions that embrace natural light, comforting acoustics etc. and they also recognise the need to simultaneously drive down carbon emissions. There has been a surge in young people looking to get involved in this area as a result, but we must accept that only a small proportion immediately think ‘building services engineer’ when considering how they can best contribute,” said Frise.

This discussion comes just weeks after a leading international business figure said the building engineering sector would need to compete harder for talent to address its skills challenges.

Former CBI President Paul Drechsler told the annual BESA President’s Lunch that the industry’s leaders needed to be more vocal about their achievements and promote the role of building services in supporting human health and well-being.

“It is not well understood how you can influence the [climate change] agenda,” he told guests at the London event. “You are in competition for talent with a lot of other major sectors, so you need to stand up and speak proudly about what you are doing.”

Drechsler, who is a former chairman and chief executive of Wates Group, added that the industry needed to improve its diversity. “Talented people will go where they feel welcome…so test your diversity.” n The BESA Academy is continuing to expand the range of courses and materials it offers to the sector to help engineers update existing skills and learn new ones.

For more information go to: www.thebesa.com/academy

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BESA Bitesize Updates

New CSCS Smart Check app for SKILLcards

New SKILLcard coming soon SKILLcard will soon be introducing a new Related Discipline SKILLcard aimed at those working in the specialised HVACR disciplines, but do not carry out mainstream mechanical work.

Keep an eye out on the SKILLcard website for more information.

The CSCS Smart Check app will be rolled out in April 2022 allowing all 2.1 million cards in the construction industry displaying the CSCS logo to be electronically verified using a single app.

SKILLcard has been one of the 38 schemes involved with developing the app which will radically improve the construction industry’s card checking procedures and site safety while also helping tackle fraud in the sector.

Organisations and their on-site card checkers will have a quick, easy and secure way of ensuring everyone on site has the right qualifications and training for the job they do, with the free app available for Apple iOS and Android devices.

Find out more now.

BESA shortlisted for four awards

DOWNLOAD THE 2022 BESA BOOK Download the free National Conference 2021 Supplement

FAREWELL ARTHUR We are saddened to hear of the death of Arthur Charles Preou, who founded the long-standing Association member AC Preou & Sons based in Romford, Essex more than 60 years ago.

Arthur joined the industry as a plumbing apprentice aged 17 and started his own business just a few years later.

Arthur was extremely proud that the family business he started reached its 60th anniversary last year and he remained heavily involved and interested in the industry and the activities of BESA. His daughter Julia said her father was “an extraordinary man and father whose humble beginnings should encourage others to turn to our industry”. She added that he found the BESA webinars in the early days of the pandemic particularly helpful and reassuring.

Read more about Arthur’s life

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BESA Group Companies:

A roundup of every session at last years online conference

BESA has been shortlisted in the Digital Transformation, Training Initiative, Event of the Year, and Sustainability Initiative categories at the 2022 Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards.

Read more in BESA news

Publications coming up in 2022 The following BESA publications are being reviewed and developed in 2022. If you are interested in contributing, please contact mark.oakes@thebesa.com • DW145 – Specification for Fire Damper installation • DW154 – Specification for Plastics ductwork • TR11 - Guide to the use of Plastic Pipework • TR20 - Installation and Testing of Pipework (ten documents) • Offsite Construction guide • TR70 – Guide to Good Practice - External Corrosion Protection and Insulation of Building Services Pipework • TR6 – Guide to Good Practice – Site Pressure Testing of Pipework

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Consistently hitting deadlines for our clients has kept us a valued part of supply chains for more than 35 years.

Ensuring projects stay on track even with tight deadlines never compromises our quality as we know system safety is paramount.

That’s why IEP is a market leader in DW154 plastic ductwork fabrication and supply.

• A BESA-audited leading edge production facility, fabricating plastic ductwork to DW154 using PVC, PVC/GRP, PPs and FBPP/GRP • A nationwide distribution service and extensive stocks of vent pipe and fittings, sheet and rod

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

First line of defence Former soldier and superbike racer Matt Flower tells us why end users, insurers and fire authorities need their own ventilation hygiene database.

Ventilation hygiene companies are underselling themselves, according to Matt Flower founder of East Sussex-based MyDuctwork Ltd. “We are the first line of defence for fire safety, but that message has not got through to end users,” he says.

“Lots of people are talking about fire risk following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, but they are not making the connection with our work – and we urgently need to change that.”

On leaving the army, Matt found himself taking up a series of jobs that didn’t really work for him until he was invited to take on ventilation hygiene work. This led to him setting up his own business seven years ago based in Eastbourne which provides services such as kitchen extract cleaning, fire damper testing and landlord air hygiene surveys.

“There was definitely a gap in the market for firms who did this work properly because there are plenty out there who don’t,” he says. “Lots of end users know they need their ductwork cleaned, but they don’t want to pay for a proper service – they are

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BESA Group Companies:

prepared to take a risk and just pay for a certificate.

“We are always happy to explain the risks, but we primarily work for large restaurant groups, private clubs, and hotels who recognise that ventilation hygiene saves lives, prevents business losses and reduces insurance premiums.”

DATABASE Matt is a firm believer in the role of BESCA’s Ventilation Hygiene Elite (VHE), and thinks end users, insurance companies, and fire safety and environmental health officers also need access to a similar database of TR19® compliant ductwork cleans.

“The reason there are still so many cowboy firms around is that we operate in an unpoliced industry,” he says. “They will always have a market because there are lots of end users who do not see the need to have their ductwork properly cleaned and that won’t change until this aspect of fire safety is properly regulated.”

His company goes beyond the TR19® requirements by providing more than the specified pre and post clean photographs of the ductwork so that the client has a complete view of every accessible section from canopy to discharge.

MyDuctwork Ltd will also provide photographic evidence of why a section is inaccessible along

with a recommendation for putting it right.

If this kind of information was available to the relevant authorities, it would be possible to carry out more comprehensive risk assessments and oversight of building fire safety without them having to physically access the ventilation system of each building, according to Matt.

While he is clearly passionate about improving fire safety through ventilation hygiene, Matt also remains a keen superbike racer having represented the Army team because of his time in the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and more recently racing a Ducati in several competitions.

MyDuctwork Ltd also sponsors the highly promising junior rider Chloe Gleeson (Facebook – Chloe Gleeson #25 / Instagram – chloe.g_25) so Matt can continue to combine his passions for cleanliness and speed! www.myductwork.co.uk n Junior rider Chloe Gleeson is sponsored by Matt Flower and MyDuctwork Ltd

The next generation is here New PACi NX R32 Series for light commercial applications

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This advanced technology utilises hydroxyl radicals (OH), which inhibit the growth of certain pollutants such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, moulds, odours, and certain hazardous substances.

The NX Series have an improved capacity range from 2.5 kW to 14 kW and provide outstanding SEER/SCOP* efficiency values and energy labels up to A+++.

Ideal for refurbishment

Smart connectivity

The new series has been developed for a 3-wire connection which supplies power from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit and transmits the control signals, thus avoiding an additional power supply and making it a simple solution for retrofit.

CONEX, the new wired remote controller series is fully integrated with IoT solutions developed by Panasonic. Detailed operation, maintenance setting and service operation are all possible with smartphone or tablet.

nanoe™ X technology verified against SARS-CoV2 www.ampair.co.uk

Virus SARS-CoV-2: 99,9 % inhibited. Test conducted

by TEXCELL (France), using a gauze saturated with SARS-CoV-2 virus solution exposed to a generator of nanoe™ X in a 45L box for 2 hours. Performance of nanoe™ X might differ in real life environment. * In PACi NX Elite range

21

REGIONAL AWARDS 2022

BESA Awards 2022

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of upcoming talent within the building services industry. The regional awards take place throughout the UK and winners from each region will be automatically entered into our National Awards taking place in 2022.

WHY ENTER? We recognise the dedication and skills of the next generation, and the employers who nurture them.

This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate your team, your apprentices, and your training initiatives.

BY ENTERING THESE AWARDS, YOU WILL...

• Increase the credibility of your company and apprentices • Show the continued support of your apprenticeships • Inspire your employees and gain recognition for your apprentices and team

• Strengthen your public profile with the sector • Receive free promotion from BESA via our website, e-news and Your BESA magazine.

NOMINATE AN APPRENTICE NOW We have a range of categories to celebrate our sector, a quick and easy online entry form and it’s FREE to enter. The award nominations are open to BESA members only.

Submit your nomination at: www.thebesa.com/besa-awards-2022

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BESA Group Companies:

• London, Midlands and South Awards Wednesday 6 April 2022 County Hall (submission deadline: 25th February) • North East Dinner and Awards dates Friday 6 May 2022 Crowne Plaza Newcastle (submission deadline: 4th March) • BESA Cymru/Wales Dinner and Awards Saturday 14 May 2022 The Vale Resort, Hensol (submission deadline: 25th March) • Yorkshire Dinner and Awards Saturday 21 May 2022 Hilton Leeds City Hotel (submission deadline: 25th March) • North West Dinner and Awards Saturday 18 June 2022 Radisson Blu Manchester Airport (submission deadline: 22nd April) • BESA Scotland Awards Date TBC Scottish Parliament

NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022

Mitsubishi Electric demonstrates commitment to future talent Excited is an understatement of how we are feeling at the thought of ‘in person’ events being back on BESA’s social calendar! But rest assured, there will be no wine and cheese or garden ‘office meetings’ as we navigate our way through 2022 being the ‘new normal’ year.

However, we will bring our members, affiliates, apprentices and industry experts back together again for a jam packed BESA bonanza of events.

And what a way to kick start the year off … as we proudly announce that BESA Affiliate Mitsubishi Electric (as part of their continued collaboration with us), will once again be our headline sponsor for the BESA National Conference and Awards. The one-day event will take place on 20 October at the Novotel Hammersmith Hotel, London followed by a glitzy gala evening dinner, where the best of building services will be celebrated and recognised at a national level.

“We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the BESA National Conference once again,” said Rachel Lekman, marketing manager at Mitsubishi Electric. “We have built up a very productive partnership with BESA in recent years and have already collaborated on a number of important projects with particular emphasis on indoor air quality, sustainability and skills.”

Mitsubishi Electric also wanted to show their commitment and development of apprentices at a local level too, which is why they have also

agreed to sponsor our prestigious five Regional Awards throughout the UK. “This kind of regional collaboration will be increasingly important as the sector continues to recover from the pandemic and builds towards net zero. We have complementary strengths that can help tackle the industry’s skills gap and deliver cutting edge solutions to support contractors’ work in critical areas like building back our local communities and the health and well-being of building occupants,” she added.

Mitsubishi Electric, which celebrated its centenary last year with the launch of several high-profile sustainability initiatives, also sponsored last year’s online BESA National Conference.

It has also supported several training courses with the BESA Academy including the Health and Safety Environment course and test, a sixmodule programme which formed a key part of the industry’s response to the challenge of keeping its workforce safe during the pandemic.

Jenny House

It was also one of the first adopters of the Academy’s Skills Advisory Service, which is a free resource designed to help employers and potential apprentices navigate the increasingly complex recruitment and training process. The service helps people find the right qualifications, training providers and sources of funding.

“Mitsubishi Electric is a pioneer for how BESA can collaborate for the greater good of the industry,” said Jenny House, BESA Affiliate Member Manager. “This sponsorship is the latest in Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment to BESA, which involves a particularly close working relationship with the Association’s Health & Well-being in Buildings group. They supported the production of the group’s ‘Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Air Quality’ last year and is currently working on another piece of related guidance: ‘Delivering Safe Havens – a practical guide’ which I’m pleased to announce will be launched at the London, Midlands and South Regional Awards in April!” les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk n

“I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONALLY THANK MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC FOR THEIR CONTINUED support and commitment to the industry. the knowledge and insight they provide is vital for us to create ground-breaking guidance and training.”

Jenny House, BESA Affiliate Member Manager

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday 20 October 2022 / Novotel London West

23

2022 – a fresh start for skills The push for net zero, the government’s ‘build back better’ agenda and the surge in demand for better indoor environments prompted by the pandemic mean our sector’s expertise will be in growing demand this year, but shortages of skilled staff could lead to many firms missing out.

Do you and your staff have the right skills to meet this demand and to plan for the future?

There are several reasons why any forward-thinking business would want to invest in their staff. Many employers say their people are their best asset – but what do they mean? And why does investing in skills make good business sense?

and empowerment has a direct benefit: It can improve business performance and profit.

Attract new talent By investing in your employees and by helping them develop new skills is crucial because it can help you attract new talent. As the reputation of your organisation spreads, you’ll be more likely to attract top-tier talent in your niche, which can in turn, help the work your company produces improve still further.

Reduce employee turnover According to the Work Institute’s 2021 Retention Report, the most common reason for turnover was career dissatisfaction. If people feel they are not being given opportunities to grow and achieve they will look to move on. High employee turnover is costly and forces you to spend precious time and money hiring replacements.

Improve productivity Organisations that maintain a high-development culture are more likely to have engaged employees.

As employees feel happier at work, they become more productive. What they produce for your company is higher quality as a result. And as your organisation yields better quality products and services, your reputation will improve, and your company will be more likely to thrive.

The push for net zero and the speed with which new low carbon solutions are being adopted is already having a profound impact on the shape of skills across our sector – read all about this topic on pages 16 and 17 where we consider what type of skills employers will need to keep pace.

Improve your bottom line

BESA Academy is also calling on employers to take on at least one apprentice this year through our ‘Future Skills’ pledge.

Making it easier for employees to do their work and fostering an environment of creativity, collaboration

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Is your organisation prepared for the green revolution?

BESA Group Companies:

This is a new initiative designed to help employers show their commitment to bringing new people into the sector as well as growing the skills of existing workers through apprenticeships. The pledge does not require the pledger to commit to taking on an apprentice immediately but will help the Association and its college partners identify and prepare the training resources needed to meet demand.

Once the pledge has been made, BESA will contact the employer to get a better understanding of their requirements and provide advice about possible training providers, funding, and access to suitable candidates.

BESA Academy is the learning solution for building services engineers. We offer a range of online regulatory courses, free online accredited CPD, apprenticeships, and face-to-face training courses delivered by BESA approved training centres.

We are regularly developing new courses to support our industry, to be prepared for the green revolution and to ensure our engineers remain competent and compliant in their role.

If you are a BESA member, you, your staff, and your partners can access exclusive discounts through BESA Academy.

Find out more today at www.thebesa.com/academy Make 2022 the year you invest in your business and your employees. n

Delivering Optimised Indoor Air Quality

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Daikin Applied (UK) Ltd designs and manufactures a range of Air Handling Units that are fully HTM and SHTM 03-01 compliant. From standard modular units to more complex

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building.

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25

REFCOM

Fridge and freezer bans will increase use of flammable gas New restrictions on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment using global warming refrigerant gas came into force at the start of this year.

These changes are part of the ongoing phase down requirements under the F-Gas Regulations, which the UK is continuing to enforce following its departure from the EU and they have potentially far-reaching implications for the industry.

They place strict limits on the level of global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant allowed in new equipment and will require greater use of alternatives to HFCs. This could have serious safety ramifications as many of these alternatives have a degree of flammability.

The UK’s main F-Gas register REFCOM has issued a technical bulletin (TB046v2) to alert its members to these market bans. It highlights a significant step down for hermetically sealed commercial refrigerators and freezers which must, as of January 1 this year, not contain HFCs with GWP of 150 and above. That is a major step down from the previous limit of 2,500, which only came into force at the start of 2020.

26

BESA Group Companies:

Multipack centralised systems with a rating of 40kW and above are also subject to the same restriction. These are defined as systems with two or more compressors operated in parallel, connected to one or more common condensers and to a number of cooling devices such as display cases, freezers or chilled storerooms.

Flammability This could create serious problems for users of many types of commercial freezer and cold storage cabinet who also have strict rules about flammability such as airports, railway stations, military premises, etc.

REFCOM explains in its technical bulletin that the authorities define ‘commercial use’ as “used for the storage, display or dispensing of products, for sale to end users, in retail and food services”.

In practice, this includes every fridge, freezer, bottle display cooler, ice cream machine, ice machine, and so on in every food outlet or

store, including storage rooms and distribution centres where they sell directly to the consumer.

RECOM has flagged up the potential practical issues with the relevant government department DEFRA and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

While these new bans only cover equipment that will be newly placed on the market and will not be retrospectively applied to existing systems, REFCOM did point out that this was further evidence of the need for refrigeration and air conditioning engineers to make sure their training and qualifications were keeping pace with changes in the marketplace.

In particular, they should take advantage of the new flammables courses available via the BESA Academy.

For more information go to: www.refcom.org.uk n

“hermetically sealed commercial refrigerators and freezers must, as of January 1 this year, not contain HFCs with GWP of 150 and above. That is a major step down from the previous limit of 2,500, which only came into force at the start of 2020.”

SFG20

Discover SFG20’s unique maintenance schedules, essential for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Specialists SFG20 provides clear, unambiguous maintenance instructions that enables all parties to have a clear and common understanding of maintenance requirements and services provided. With SFG20 conformity documents, clients can be assured that maintenance has been performed to leading industry best practise, providing confidence of assets’ continued performance.

REFCOM has partnered with its sister company, SFG20 - both subsidiaries of BESA - to bring you a product solution, specific for air-conditioning and refrigeration specialists, with an exclusive discount for REFCOM members.

Using a simple step-by-step colour-coded system, it is easy to see how critical a task is, when it should be done and what labour resource should be applied. SFG20 is dynamically updated, which makes it simple to stay up-to-date with ever-changing legislation.

Designed specifically for AirConditioning and Refrigeration specialists, SFG20 offers you over 80 Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration task schedules covering areas such as: Introductory procedures, AHU, Belts, Boilers/Heat Generators, Chillers, Cold Rooms and Food Storage, Compressors – Refrigeration, Condensers, Control Panels, Ducting, Fans, Filters, Humidifiers, Storage Tanks, Ventilation and Whirlpools and much more…

Start benefiting from the SFG20 suite of Air-Conditioning Maintenance Task Schedules today.

Contact us to find out more: SFG20.Info@thebesa.com n

BESA have over 100 years’ of industry experience in this sector.

This is a first for SFG20, creating tailored, smaller sets for specialist service providers. SFG20, the definitive standard for planned maintenance, is a unique solution that saves you time, energy and money through the optimum maintenance of your assets to sustain performance operation. With it, you can realise the lifespan of assets and control costs by never under or over maintaining assets again.

27

NATIONAL RETROFIT

Massive retrofit needed to meet carbon and health goals Improving the performance of existing buildings must be central to the country’s ambitions to achieve net zero carbon emissions but will be equally important in the shorter term to improve safety and health.

The dramatic surge in energy prices has once again turned the spotlight onto the energy efficiency of our existing building stock. The UK is considered to have the ‘leakiest’ homes in Europe, which contributes to higher bills and makes it more difficult to cut carbon emissions.

this year and is something that was discussed in depth during November’s BESA National Conference.

Architect and TV personality George Clarke called for a “global retrofit revolution” in his opening keynote presentation. He said it would be vital to cut carbon emissions and make our buildings more resilient to the impact of climate change.

He urged the government abolish VAT on building restorations and renovations to speed up the decarbonisation of existing buildings – pointing out that 80% of the buildings we will be using in 2050 have already been built.

He described current government measures to address the carbon impact of housing as “a drop in the ocean” and said the fact that 10% of all UK households were suffering from fuel poverty was a “national scandal”.

WASTED

On top of that, the Grenfell Tower inquiry highlighted the problem with combustible cladding that has led to an ongoing scandal that Housing Minister Michael Gove is desperately trying to unpick.

The issue of refurbishment and renovation is, therefore, expected to be top of the political agenda

28

BESA Group Companies:

“We wasted six years when the government dropped its Zero Carbon Homes plan and the Green Home Grants scheme only lasted six months…we need to think much, much bigger…and show everyone why improving their homes is to their benefit and how it can help them save money.”

Clarke said there was a big future for “factory-built housing”, which

could be prefabricated off-site to the highest standards and rigorously checked in a clean and safe environment. He also urged the industry to carry out more R&D to support other similar innovations.

A similar message emerged from a BESA webinar just before Christmas when a group of engineers discussed the fast evolving role of the office.

Frances Brown, senior associate at the engineering practice Hoare Lea, said the pace of change in workplaces over the next decade would be “astounding”.

“Employers now need to treat staff as customers…and health and well-being is a big selling point,” she said. “We are moving towards a service model for workspaces and people will want to get what they are paying for, including the right indoor environment, rather than just a physical space.”

She said future workspaces would have to use digital systems to provide users with up-to-the-minute information about indoor conditions so they could decide “where to work and what is best for the planet” on a day-to-day basis. She said, eventually, the decision could be made by algorithm and workspaces that don’t meet the aspirations of users would become redundant.

“The current rate of learning for our industry is phenomenal. We are now able to study performance data in much greater detail both to help reduce carbon emissions and improve the user experience,” said Brown. “So, you have to ask, will we still be building new offices from steel, glass and concrete in the future?”

BESA’s Head of Technical Graeme Fox, who chaired the webinar, said it was increasingly important that buildings found a way to demonstrate they were ‘safe havens’ from conditions that could be harmful to health including poor indoor air quality (IAQ). He said QR codes could now be more widely used to provide visitors with real time information about the indoor conditions allowing them to make a decision about whether to enter a building or not.

The role of office lighting in protecting people’s well-being was also highlighted by the President of the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) Ruth Kelly Waskett.

“Daylight is one of the biggest components of a healthy office

because it gives us a connection to the outdoors and has a direct impact on our sleep patterns,” she said. “Circadian rhythms are disrupted by artificial light and there are some very scary statistics about cancer in shift workers.

“We must design workspaces that give people access to natural light and make greater use of smart lighting to improve working conditions,” she told the webinar.

Digital Kelly Waskett, who is also a senior associate at Hoare Lea, pointed to the increasing use of wearable light sensors as an example of the type of digital tool that is already helping people to monitor their own working conditions.

“We wasted six years when the government dropped its Zero Carbon Homes plan and the Green Home Grants scheme only lasted six months…we need to think much, much bigger…and show everyone why improving their homes is to their benefit and how it can help them save money.”

George Clarke, architect and TV personality

“It is really important that we don’t make office spaces worse just to save energy,” Brown added. “We need to keep measuring and monitoring, especially around IAQ. CO2 monitoring can help you design your control systems, so you only install what you need and don’t over-ventilate.

It is all about doing enough; not doing too much these days.

“That’s where the data comes in and helps us to get that balance right. Modular is a good approach, but we also have ways of making central systems work better for office buildings. The system no longer needs to be either on or off,” she added.

BESA affiliate member Mitsubishi Electric has also produced a White Paper on ‘The Future Office’, which flags up the product choices and design challenges facing building engineers as they wrestle with less predictable occupancy levels while simultaneously trying to drive down carbon emissions.

How commercial buildings adapt to changing occupancy levels and the way homes are retrofitted to meet energy consumption challenges will go a long way towards determining whether the UK meets its ambitious targets for achieving net zero in the years ahead. n

29

DEVOLVED NATIONS

Out and about with Iain McCaskey It’s great to be back on the road again and I want to get out and meet as many of you in the Devolved Nations as possible. Whether it’s for a quick ten minute chat to see generally how business is, or if you have any major issues or concerns then I’m your man! You provide the tea, and I will bring the biscuits!

As always, I’m only a phone call or Teams meeting away so get in touch to either set up a face to face chat, please see my whereabouts for the first half of the year below or give me a call on 07860 794 734 or email iain.mccaskey@thebesa.com n

SCOTLAND Nation Meeting: 23 March • 14 – 25 February • 7 – 11 March • 21 March – 2 April • 11 – 14 April • 25 – 29 April • 9 -12 May • 16 – 20 May • 30 May – 1 June

WALES Nation Meeting: 16 March • 14 – 18 March • 19 – 20 April • 13 – 27 May • 27 June - 1 July

NORTHERN IRELAND Nation Meeting: 1 March • 28 February – 4 March • 4 – 8 April • 3 – 5 May • 6 - 10 June

BESA SCOTLAND GOLF DAY – 29 April 2022 We will be hosting various social events across all nations this year with Scotland teeing off as the first hosts with their BESA Scotland Annual Golf Day. We’ve had over ten companies sign up so far so don’t miss out on what will be a great opportunity to network with fellow members and industry peers. The 18-hole 3 ball competition takes place at MacDonald Cardrona Hotel, Peebles on Friday 29 April at 8.30am. A team of three costs £210+VAT (price includes arrival refreshments, golf, packed lunch, three course dinner and prizes). Accommodation can be reserved at a discounted rate, contact the hotel directly on 0344 879 9000 quoting VENR290422.

30

BESA Group Companies:

Book your TEAM TODAY! For more information, contact Martina Stocker: martina.stocker@thebesa.com

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31

BESA ACADEMY TRAINING DIRECTORY

BESA Academy The learning solution for building services engineers.

We provide a specialist range of training courses, assessments, apprenticeships and CPD enabling you and your engineers to develop your careers.

All our courses are flexible, can be completed at your own pace and accessed from your PC or laptop whilst at work, home or on the go.

Website: thebesa.com/academy Email: academy@thebesa.com Telephone: 0800 917 8419

Start your learning journey with us today by registering with besa.academy.

BESA Heat Pump Installer Course In partnership with Worcester Bosch and the Home Builders Federation, we have developed a Heat Pump Installer course for plumbing, heating and F-Gas engineers looking to upskill.

Learn how to correctly specify, install and maintain domestic heat pumps.

Visit thebesa.com/academy to find out more.

BESA Health and Safety Environment Online Test In partnership with Mitsubishi Electric, we have developed an online Health and Safety Environment test.

The test meets the H&S requirements for all Craft and Operative SKILLcards and is designed for those within the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration occupations.

The test is 100% online and takes less than two hours to complete.

Save time and money spent on resits by booking the course and test.

Book now

BESA F-Gas Renewal Course Developed in partnership with Mitsubishi Electric.

The course is aimed at refrigeration engineers who are either approaching the end of their five-year certification period for Cat 1 and Cat 2 F-Gas or want to ensure they are up to date with the latest mandatory F-Gas requirements.

Renew your F-Gas qualification in less than 6 hours, with immediate assessment results and a downloadable certificate if passed.

Renew now

Site Operating Procedures – A free online module featuring the latest COVID CLC guidance, keeping you to be up to date with the latest operating procedures onsite. Register now

32

Free online accredited CPD

BESA F-Gas Awareness course This short online course will provide you with fundamental awareness of some of the F-Gas terms and regulatory requirements which must be adhered to, by those working in the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry.

Do you work with refrigeration or air-conditioning engineers or technicians?

Do you have conversations with engineers or customers about F-Gas related jobs?

Are you responsible for ensuring your engineers qualifications are up to date and would benefit from greater awareness of the regulations they must abide by and the basic principles and terms used?

Understanding Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery for Commercial Applications Join this course with Ian Palmer, Head of UK Specification at Airflow to learn about the following; • Why do we need ventilation?

• Why is ventilation with MVHR an ideal solution?

• How does MVHR work?

• Key drivers for MVHR • Legislation • Types of heat exchangers • Energy saving via different MVHR technologies • Typical MVHR applications Register now

This course will give you the confidence to communicate with customers and your staff alike, ensuring a professional and efficient service.

Book now

History of Legionella and Legionella Within Hot and Cold Water Systems Join Altecnic for an insight to the history of Legionella, Legionnaires Disease and managing the risk within water systems.

Working with Flammable Refrigerants

On this course you will understand how the systems we use today can be managed to reduce or remove the risk of Legionellosis and associated bacteria.

Register now

As the environmental legislation drives the sector towards lower global warming potential refrigerants our technicians are increasingly having to deal with and handle flammable refrigerants.

Interested in working with BESA Academy?

This course will upskill qualified f-gas engineers to ensure they are aware of the specific requirements which must be applied when handling these refrigerants.

If you have course content you would like to provide or you’d be interested in developing a course together, then get in touch!

Book now

Email academy@thebesa.com

33

BESA ACADEMY TRAINING DIRECTORY

Free online accredited CPD

HVAC System Air Filtration for Clean Healthy Indoor Air Quality Air filtration is the best proven technology for the removal of hazardous airborne particles.

Traffic air pollution particles in cities and Covid19 droplet aerosol virus particles inside buildings are of concern.

This course gives practical measures that can be used as a strategy to deliver clean safe air inside buildings. HVAC system maintenance with use of PPE should be made in adherence to current safety guidance.

Enhanced air filter efficiency and reduced running costs can be made using Low Energy Air Filters.

Register now

New Boilers on Old Systems – Hydraulic Separation

Monitor, React and Prevent Corrosion Register for this CIBSE approved course, facilitated

by Gordon Pringle of HASL on Monitor, React and Prevent Corrosion. Gordon is joined by Paul Ashby of Geberit and Rob Vissers of Resus.

On this course you will learn:

• Why do systems corrode?

• Think again regards to Precision Carbon Steel adoption

This 2-part CIBSE accredited course looks at system design in commercial heating applications.

Learn about the difference between sealed and open vented heating systems and how to assess and choose the best method of separating the primary and secondary circuits.

• Part 1: Establish the existing system

• Part 2: Primary circuit design and connecting to the secondary circuit Register now

• Why poor pressurisation is often the cause of corrosion problems

• The no-brainer benefits of an early warning system.

Register now

SCA Guide to Common Escape Routes

Air and Dirt Separation Join Flamco for this CIBSE accredited course on Air and Dirt Separation.

On this course you will learn:

• Theory use and application of air and dirt separation equipment

• The principles of operation • Theory behind air release • Common symptoms of sealed system equipment containing too much air and dissolved air.

Register now

34

Compensation for Thermal Expansion

This course shows why a guide was required for fire engineers based on fire data by improving the understanding of smoke control systems for the benefit of building residents.

This course highlights the need for flexibility analysis in pipe work systems. It shows how expansion and building movement solutions for specific problems in systems can be compensated and covers flexibility solutions for specific problems.

The types of products and their location when fitted into an apartment block and where and how these products link with various controls utilised in a building in support of fire fighters.

It also clarifies the various BS/ EN standards that a smoke control system must follow for competence and compliance.

Register now

Register now

Euroclass A2 Vertical Façade Membranes In this course we look at UK Building standards for A2 vertical wall systems for membranes in high-rise buildings and high-risk buildings, Euro class A2 façade breather membranes in vertical rear-ventilated façades and applicable building types.

Also, what to look for and which certifications are essential, Euro class A2, B and E rated façade membranes and Euro class A2 membranes in re-cladding remediation of high-rise building façades.

Reducing Risk When Specifying Building and Industrial Services Pipework Join TATA for this course on reducing risk when specifying building and industrial services pipework.

You’ll learn how to correctly specify project pipework, review application and installation case studies to identify best practice and discover more about new innovations such as BIM and the use of VR, which will have a positive impact on the industry.

Register now

Thermostatic Mixing Valves Scalding is still a real problem when it comes to hot water systems, and we must ensure the water is safe to use. By using simple but affective thermostatic mixing valves the risk can be removed.

This free CIBSE accredited course describes the different types of mixing valves available and also explains how to manage the risk of bacterial growth.

Register now

Register now

Variable Volume Pressure Systems Metal Air Bricks for Building Applications into External Walls In this CPD we gain an insight into the use of a metal air brick supply, exhaust and why a metal air brick was required for smoke control to Class A2 S1 do.

We identify why building ADB should change and show the various test standards that a firebrick must achieve.

It also includes practical layouts for a consultant and installer to consider when fitting an air brick.

Register now

Firestopping of Service Penetrations Learn all about the design process for the selection of fire stopping of service penetrations, how to apply the nine golden rules, understand the importance of early engagement, as well as the terms and definitions used and the key questions to ask to ensure a compliant installation of fire stopping.

Register now

This CIBSE accredited course will outline the design considerations for variable volume systems. In this short course you will learn:

• Correct application of

commissioning products

• Application and positioning

of differential pressure control valves

• Correct selection and operation of thermostatic radiator valves

• Use of pressure independent control valves

• How to improve system commission ability

• How to introduce energy

Interested in more courses?

Browse our full range of courses now at thebesa.com/academy

savings by correct commissioning

• How to maximise cost savings Register now

35

LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL

When is a contract a “construction contract”?

supply only which was an excluded operation. The adjudicator decided that there was a design element and it was a construction contract under section 104(2)(a) and not a supply only contract.

Three years later, Cubex sought to enforce the decision worth c£408,000. Balfour Beatty defended this on the basis that it was not a construction contract and the adjudicator did not have jurisdiction.

the decision

A contract is a “construction contract” if it comes within the meaning in section 104(1) of Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 as amended by Part 8 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (the Construction Act).

The provisions in the Construction Act relating to statutory adjudication, payment and suspension only apply to construction contracts. In a recent enforcement case, the court considered whether a contract for the design and supply of doors was a construction contract – Cubex (UK) Limited v Balfour Beatty Group Limited (2021).

Construction Act The relevant provisions of the Construction Act are: • In section 104(1), a construction contract includes an agreement with a person for the carrying out of construction operations.

36

BESA Group Companies:

• Section 104(2) includes an agreement to carry out architectural, design and surveying work in relation to construction operations.

• A wide and detailed meaning of construction operations is at section 105(1). Section 105 also identifies specific excluded operations which includes supply only contracts at section 105(2)(d).

• Section 104(5) means that where an agreement relates to construction operations and other matters, the Construction Act will only apply to those parts of the contract that relate to construction operations. These are called hybrid contracts.

THE FACTS Balfour Beaty was engaged to design and fit out Woolwich Station. It contracted with Cubex Ltd to design and supply doors. In 2018, Cubex started an adjudication and Balfour Beatty challenged the jurisdiction of the adjudicator on the basis that the contract was not a construction contract because it related to

Unsurprisingly the judge disagreed with the adjudicator and held that although section 104(2)(a) refers to design, it is limited to design “in relation to construction operations” i.e. that carried out by professional consultants. In any event, it did not relate to construction operations because the supply of doors is an excluded activity. Consequently, the adjudicator’s decision was not enforced.

tips It can be difficult to identify a construction contract and to distinguish between construction operations and other operations and there is much case law about this.

Our tips are: 1. If there is doubt as to whether a contract is a construction contract in whole or part (i.e. if it may be a hybrid contract) you can include clauses in the contract allowing for contractual adjudication and a Construction Act compliant payment mechanism.

2. If a dispute arises, the parties should first confirm that the contract is a construction contract and thus entitles them to go to adjudication under the Construction Act. This may avoid wasted time and costs. n Emily Williamson, Associate, Hill Dickinson LLP

Building Safety Bill: its path to becoming law Last summer, the Government introduced the Building Safety Bill, which alongside the Fire Safety Act, encompasses the recommendations from the Hackitt Review and makes them law. The bill seeks to ensure a robust building safety regime to deliver high standards in homes and buildings across the country.

a change in culture itself. As the bill moves to the House of Lords, BESA will work with Peers from all sides of politics to highlight the impact of payment practices on small business sub-contractors and encourage Government action – whether within the framework of the bill or separately.

skills, comes a heightened focus on the remedying of defects. BESA has suggested that one way to strengthen the regulatory regime would be a formal system to certify and validate work during the construction process (between Gateway 2 and Gateway 3).

Cladding remediation was the driving force behind many proposed amendments to the Building Safety Bill. After the Fire Safety Act became law last year, many MPs saw this bill as a way to force the Government to ensure flat owners weren’t responsible for their cladding remediation costs.

Facing a challenging time with the backbench more broadly following revelations of Covid rule breaking in Downing Street, the Government was keen to avoid more negative headlines. To quell further rebellions and unnecessary distractions for the Government, in mid-January Housing Secretary Michael Gove announced reforms which will see developers pay, not leaseholders.

Gove has commenced discussions with developers and more detail is expected shortly.

This has opened the door to a discussion about retentions and fair payment practices in the construction industry. Labour MP, Debbie Abrahams, has used the Building Safety Bill to push the Government to review and reform payment practices. The Government acknowledges this is a long-standing issue and says it is working with industry but believes the construction industry should lead

What happens now? With the bill having progressed through the House of Commons, it will go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny; this process will take many months and will likely include further amendments. When the bill has passed the House of Lords, it goes back to the House of Commons to consider any final amendments before the bill can receive Royal Assent and then become law. n

With its genesis in the Hackitt Review and the tragedy that was the Grenfell Fire, the bill has been the subject of media headlines and coverage given. BESA welcomed the bill and supports its ambitions to raise standards; however, BESA has shared its industry perspective with leading MPs and has made the case that some aspects of the bill can be improved and strengthened.

When speaking with MPs and their offices, BESA has continued to make the argument that building safety isn’t just a simple case of following the rules but is about driving a change in practice and culture in the industry. The ‘Golden Thread’ of responsibility that runs through a building’s life is a welcome focus on responsibility and liability. We had a productive conversation with the Chair of the Parliamentary Housing Committee, Clive Betts MP, on competence and compliance throughout the lifecycle of a building and agreed that there should be a greater push for accountability and safety at all stages.

With an increased attention on competency and a spotlight on

37

LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL

How to secure the right professional indemnity (PI) cover in a hard market The upward trend in professional indemnity (PI) insurance premiums seems set to continue in 2022, as the hard market continues – but help and support is available for BESA members seeking to secure efficient, cost-effective PI cover.

What is a hard market?

In simple terms a hard market is one in which supply of insurance cover, in this case PI cover, does not meet demand, which in turn drives premiums higher.

The shortage of supply is linked to a number of issues – including Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, but also to a historical under-pricing of PI insurance which has prompted some insurers to adjust pricing or exit the market completely.1

What does a hard market mean for building engineering firms?

A continued shortage of supply in the PI market inevitably leads to higher premiums, as we have seen over the last few years, and that trend seems set to continue in 2022.2 Bt a hard market does not just affect premiums. It also makes insurers more cautious about taking on PI risks, which may make appropriate cover harder to secure.3

Help is at hand As a BESA member, you can access expert advice, insurance health checks and competitively priced, quality business insurance cover.

Just contact BESA Business Insurance Services, which is operated by Marsh Commercial – part of Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and innovative risk management solutions.

To discuss your PI requirements, get help finding the cover you need, or just to find out more about the support available, contact us for a no-obligation discussion.

Email besa@marshcommercial.co.uk or call us on 0333 2413533. n This is a marketing communication. For regulatory status please see www.marshcommercial.co.uk/info/regulation/ https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/insight/soaring-professional-indemnity-insurancepricing-and-low-trust-creates-perfect-storm/1437700.article

1

2 https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-features/2021/12/20/645843. htm#:~:text=Market%20Conditions%20The%20current%20path%20shows%20hard%20 market,losses%20for%20many%20lines%2C%20which%20drove%20rates%20up 3 https://www.psafinancial.com/2013/01/hard-market-vs-soft-market-the-insuranceindustrys-cycle-and-why-were-currently-in-a-hard-market/

38

BESA Group Companies:

5

tips to help you secure the right PI cover

While rising PI premiums are likely to affect most building engineering services companies, the good news is there are a number of steps BESA members can take to improve their experience in the insurance market: 1. Start early: Insurers will need more time than ever to provide PI quotes, and they’re likely to ask more questions, so be prepared and start your renewal process early.

2. Avoid nasty surprises: Arrange a mid-year review with your broker.

This could help to identify new risks that could affect your premium and give you plenty of time to consider those new risks before seeking a renewal quote.

3. Highlight your accreditations and proof of competencies: Make sure you draw attention to your BESA, REFCOM, VHE and any other accreditations. This helps reassure insurers you are a risk worth underwriting.

4. Get an insurance health check: Reviewing your cover could help identify savings, ensure your business is fully protected, and that you’re not paying for cover you don’t need. As a BESA member, you can easily arrange a free, no obligation insurance health check at any time.

5. Review your risk management processes: Make sure you have rigorous risk management policies, processes, and procedures such as health and safety, risk assessment method statements (RAMS), personal protective equipment (PPE) recording, usage of operation and maintenance manuals.

Optimise maintenance plans and ensure compliance with SFG20 What if we told you that, with one click, you could have your required preventative maintenance instructions for each of your assets?

A solid, effective programme that would allow you to increase equipment uptime, availability, and reliability, and ensure your buildings comply with legislation, regulation, and evolving maintenance best practices.

Sound too good to be true?

SFG20 now offer an API solution that streamlines the FM sector. It provides a common platform to allow CAFM and third-party FM software providers the opportunity to integrate SFG20 directly into their systems.

Using an approved SFG20 API partner saves time and effort while reducing the risk of potential errors in data when manually integrating information into your operating software solution.

Our API solution provides the latest updates to your operating system, ensuring you stay compliant and using the latest industry best practise from SFG20.

API partner network

your buildings are properly maintained and compliant with legislation.

• Optimising maintenance plans and resource allocation;

SFG20 is a web-based, system of maintenance procedures, with a growing library of over 1200 maintenance schedules, covering more than 70 equipment types - with specialist tasks for specific building types - dynamically updated in response to changing legislation.

• Meeting safety and legal regulations;

Whatever the sector, from healthcare to education, transport to custodial, there is an SFG20 task schedule to cover the maintenance of the services within that building or infrastructure.

SFG20 maintenance schedules include: • Task criticality - colour-coded ratings distinguish work you have a legal obligation to carry out vs. which tasks are optional

SFG20 currently integrate with a wide range of well-known software providers, including Asckey, BPD Zenith (IBM Maximo Product Solution), Concerto, Edocuments, Eye Comply, Invida, Omni, Quantarc, Service Works Global and Tabs FM. We are excited to announce that Infraspeak are the latest partner to join our network.

• How often a task needs to be performed, to avoid over or under maintaining assets

By using SFG20, you can rest assured that your maintenance operations follow industry best practice and, most importantly, that

There are plenty of advantages of integrating maintenance management software and compliance tools, namely:

• Skill set requirements to complete the task e.g. mechanical, gas safety, electrical etc.

advantages of integrating SFG20 with a CAFM system

• Protecting operational teams from potential risks; • Giving customers more visibility over maintenance services through improved reporting; • Boosting company reputation; • Effective maintenance cost planning - giving a structured plan of maintenance activities that optimise resources and utilisation;

why SFG20 specifically?

Integrating SFG20’s valuable information into your CAFM system creates clear PPM instruction sets in accordance with industry-leading standards, allowing you to improve resource allocation and perform flawless, compliant, and cost-effective maintenance services that will keep your customers happy and loyal.

find out more Contact us to find out how SFG20 can bring flexibility, connectivity and intelligence to your maintenance operations. Join hundreds of BESA members who already use SFG20 and enjoy an exclusive 30% discount off full price content.

SFG20.Info@thebesa.com n

39

BESA WEBINARS

BESA Webinars 2022

The must-see webinar for the building services sector All webinars take place on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at 12:00 – 1:00pm GMT

COMING UP...

10 February 2022 BESA: New energy efficiency and ventilation standards for non-domestic buildings in England 22 February 2022 How the Internet of Things is reducing fire risk in buildings 8 March 2022 BESA Pipe Plus App 31 March 2022 Should domestic fire safety systems face greater scrutiny?

14 April 2022 Ventilation for health and its balance with sustainability

40

BESA Group Companies:

First Winter-Spring webinar series announced!

Alternative approaches to meeting Net-Zero With the UK committed to decarbonising its economy by 2050 and achieving some extremely ambitious low carbon targets on the road to net zero, our guest speakers will be looking at how the building services sector can play its part and take advantage of the huge opportunities ahead.

They will consider a range of alternative technologies and methods that are already bringing this vision closer to reality, including wider use of smart systems, digital tools, and modern methods of construction – as well as the need for new skills and increased competence and compliance.

24 February: Hydrogen: the future fuel to achieve net zero?

24 March: Heat recovery towards Net Zero: Every little helps at Tesco 26 May: Queens Quay heat network: a pioneering technology 16 June: Ground source air conditioning with heat recovery; a case study Other series to be announced soon.

Register for free now: www.thebesa.com/besa-webinars All webinars can be viewed on-demand: www.thebesa.com/besa-webinars/webinars-on-demand

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