Delivering rapid change in office environments

Paul Allen, Head of Power Distribution at CMD, explains the need for flexibility regarding the specification of power distribution systems in the commercial property sector, as it continues to adjust to new working cultures and practices.

Workplaces continually evolve, but the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and rapid technological innovation are accelerating the process. The question is how can specifiers predict the right power distribution strategy for smart buildings, as innovative technologies continue to drive change?

Out with the old…

As most building services consultants will have found, there is high demand for technology that can assist with reconfiguration and upgrade projects, as more and more occupiers adopt hot desking and hybrid home/office working models. As a result, there has also been a significant trend for flexible power distribution layouts to be installed in co-working environments and serviced offices.

It is important that a power distribution system reduces the potential for waste.

The key to futureproofing a building services upgrade is to combine an understanding of the current needs of the occupier with insight into evolving trends. Wi-Fi, virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), Bluetooth and radio frequency identification system (RFID) enabled tech all present the potential for sudden and exponential change.

For buildings already using a powertrack or power hub power distribution system, adjusting to new working practices is easier because they are designed to enable adaptations during the lifespan of the installation. Additional tap-offs and/or a reconfiguration of the tap-off scheme allows a revised layout of floor boxes and grommets, sockets and workstations to be carried out quickly and easily.

Energy saver

Developers, landlords, owners and occupiers are increasingly accountable for the environmental performance of commercial buildings. Therefore, it’s important that a power distribution system reduces the potential for waste, so using one with a proven extended service life, and which can be reconfigured or scaled-up as required, is an ideal response.

Automated or manual switching is another solution for more sustainable power distribution networks. Bespoke solutions can be configured that enable an ‘all off’ power down out of office hours. It is likely that this type of energy saving solution will become more commonplace as occupiers continue to implement carbon reduction plans.

Staying the course

Environmental performance must be balanced with resilience, however. For commercial office occupiers in sectors that rely on mission critical computerised systems, such as the banking and broadcast industries, the ability to switch from the main distribution to the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) may also need to be incorporated in the power distribution system design.

This can be done using either a powertrack or power hub distribution system, with colour coded tap-offs to ensure each feed is easily identifiable. With continued volatility in the energy sector, there is potential to see an increasingly strong focus on resilience over the next few years, so dual feed installations may become more commonplace.

How low can you go?

Unlike contemporary buildings, where floor voids have usually been designed with sufficient capacity for the level of services required, heritage or older buildings often have shallow or uneven floor voids. This sometimes means that they are unsuitable for a powertrack system because the tap-offs are made to the top of the track and require sufficient clearance for maintenance or reconfiguration.

The conventional response would be to opt for a hardwired electrical network or to raise the floor to increase the void space, but this could compromise headroom. A power hub system provides a convenient alternative to a conventional powertrack and overcomes the issue of shallow or inconsistent floor voids, while offering the same ease of installation, maintenance and reconfiguration benefits.

Problem solver

Power hub systems have tap-offs located to the side of each unit, rather than above, and combine compact hub units with flexible metal conduits, which connect the hubs together to create the electrical distribution network. Metal flexible conduits provide cables with mechanical protection, allowing compliance with Wiring Regulation 543.7, and power hubs can be specified in four-way and six-way units.

Tap-offs use BS EN 61535 compliant connectors in a metal housing to ensure a secure and safe connection. A choice of tap-off units allows electrical supply to be routed to the required locations, while minimising the number of hub units required, thereby keeping costs and installation time down and optimising void space. Additional hub units or tap-offs to existing units can be added to the installation at any time, allowing commercial environments to adapt.

Readiness for change

The impact of the pandemic, technological innovation and the emergence of jobs that never previously existed are all accelerating change. Building services need to be ready to adapt, so building the flexibility to reconfigure existing power distribution networks without time-consuming, expensive and wasteful strip-out is vital.