Your BESA Issue 23

Issue 23

YOUR

may 2022

Raising awareness crucial to tackling skills gap New safety regime already changing the industry

Also in this issue • BESA tackles ‘most overlooked’ safety issue • Refrigerant guide published ‘at crucial time’ • UK government incentivises heat pump installations

www.theBESA.com

@BESAGroup

BESA Group

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BESA chief executive David Frise

Welcome

YOUR BESA - ISSUE 23 In this issue:

David Frise

national conference and awards

P04

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

P09

technical guidance

P13

building safety

P14

industry awareness

P18

training and skills

P24

besa academy training directory

P28

Putting energy on a war footing I think it would be fair to say that the government’s much trumpeted Energy Security Strategy ended up being a bit of a damp squib, but it is hard to see what else it could have been.

We have never really had an energy ‘strategy’ as such, as governments have struggled to fully pin down the myriad challenges. So, to try and produce something in response to a war that has turned energy markets on their heads was really asking a lot.

Building new nuclear and wind capacity will not address the immediate cost of living crisis – nor will it help us uncouple from global energy markets thrown into disarray

by Putin’s attack on Ukraine. European Commission vice-president Margarethe Vestager suggested taking more cold showers. OK, that might work, but is not exactly what you would call a ‘strategy’ either.

This is all about supply and demand – and the new strategy only addressed the first. Yet, a focus on cutting demand is much cheaper and more immediate too. This is something BESA has been campaigning for and which has been gaining traction – and arguably doesn’t need a new strategy to deliver.

We already have plenty on our plate with the Heat and Buildings Strategy,

the Future Homes Standard, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. All point towards the need to improve energy efficiency in buildings both to reduce current running costs and prepare for a future that relies far more on low temperature, low carbon heat sources like heat pumps.

Simplified Chancellor Rishi Sunak did put energy reduction at the heart of his Spring Statement. He cut VAT on energy efficiency measures and heat pump installations from 5% to zero and considerably simplified the rules about which types of heat pump qualify.

He showed that it is possible to use the tax system to incentivise building improvements, which the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says can play a vital part in tackling soaring inflation.

“The energy-centric nature of inflationary pressures highlights the need to double-down on investment in green energy,” said lead economist Alpesh Paleja. “Making homes and commercial buildings more energy efficient would help reduce demand and consumer bills.”

Our industry has understood this for years and now consumers are getting it too. The war, inflation and post-pandemic supply problems

have all conspired to make energy expensive. Suddenly everyone cares about how much they are paying for their fossil fuels and worried about where they are coming from.

That changes everything. The biggest barrier to a comprehensive energy efficiency plan was the low cost of energy – people didn’t care enough.

Now they do and that is already feeding through into surging demand for companies and individuals with energy saving expertise. It also further ramps up pressure on training and to make sure people working with renewable and low carbon systems are competent.

So amid the bad news, there is good news for BESA members whose expertise now has a greater value, which is a theme we cover in depth in the pages of your latest magazine.

Happy reading. 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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national conference 2022

KEYNOTE PANEL SESSIONS

BESA launches the national Conference 2022 This year’s BESA National Conference will take place on Thursday 20 October at the Novotel London West.

It will have an over-arching theme of ‘Bringing buildings to life’ and will feature a wide range of speakers considering how the industry can

make buildings “fit for people, fit for purpose, and fit for life”.

The one-day event marks a return to an ‘in person’ format after two-years of virtual conferences and will bring together representatives from across the building engineering supply chain to consider the big topics of the day including how to attract the right range of skills to deliver our ambitions on building safety, sustainability, and health.

There will be six keynote panel sessions to generate animated and informed debate:

1

The Human Building Why a building is like a human body and what that means for its services

2

The Healthy Building Keeping people happy, healthy, and productive

3

The Safe Building Fighting fires, viruses, and other threats

4

The Skilful Building How do we create a more diverse, skilled workforce?

5

The Future Building What will our industry look like in 10, 20 years’ time?

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The TikTok Building Using modern techniques to appeal to a new generation

4

BESA Group Companies:

“One of the biggest challenges is how we can demonstrate compliance by considering buildings and their engineering services as a ‘system’. The challenge for industry is to show how the integrated systems perform together, and we intend to illustrate what we mean with a series of interactive, practical sessions.”

David Frise, BESA chief executive The conference will also address one of the most pressing questions of the modern industry: Who needs to be competent?

Should it be everyone from procurement onwards, and do they need to be thinking about fire safety from the start?

The conference will also feature two theatres for a series of detailed sessions looking at everything from diversity in recruitment and retention to modern methods of measuring and monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ), to the impact of the current economic situation on running a building engineering business and pricing projects.

The subject of technical and professional competence and the need to comply with rapidly changing building safety legislation will be a theme running throughout the day, as will the need to improve our methods for capturing and sharing operating data in line with the ‘Golden Thread’, which is an underpinning requirement for the sector.

It will also consider the definition of competence, particularly as the Building Safety Act will call for definitions to be regularly refreshed as part of its new competence framework.

“One of the biggest challenges in the post-Grenfell environment is how we can demonstrate compliance by considering buildings and their engineering services in a holistic way as a ‘system’,” said BESA chief executive David Frise.

“There are numerous examples where components come together as a single entity and the challenge for industry is to show how the integrated systems perform together.

“We have spent countless conference sessions talking about this and what we mean by technical and professional competence, but this year, we intend to illustrate what we mean with a series of interactive, practical sessions.

“This level of collaboration is hard to replicate in a ‘virtual’ setting, so we are delighted to be welcoming speakers and delegates back ‘in real life’. You need to be in the room to have that chance conversation that could change everything.”

The BESA National Awards will also take place at the same venue that evening. This celebratory dinner event is dedicated to celebrating and rewarding the sector’s apprentices as well as recognising companies and individuals who have made a positive impact on the UK built environment through their dedication, contribution, and hard work.

For more details of this year’s conference and awards go to: www.theBESA.com/conference n BRONZE SPONSOR

sponsorship opportunities We have a lot of sponsorship opportunities for the 2022 BESA National Conference and Awards. If you would like to find out more, get in touch: charlie.pierpoint@theBESA.com.

PARTNERS

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national AWARDS

‘Comedian, Zoe Lyons’ by Steve Ullathorne.

CC-BY-SA3.0

BESA National Awards 2022 Thursday 20 October Novotel London West The National Awards is the cumulation of the regional and devolved nations awards celebrating our apprentices and members. There are also additional national categories which recognise companies and individuals who have impacted the built environment through their dedication, contribution and hard work. what categories can i enter?

why enter?

This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your company, team and colleagues and be rewarded with the recognition that is deserved.

By entering you are welcoming the opportunity to be named an outstanding expert in your sector. how will entering benefit MY COMPANY and its people?

• Strengthen your public profile within the sector

• Net Zero Initiative of the Year

• Inspire your employees and gain recognition of their achievements

• Big budget project of the year over £500,000 (member only) • Product Innovation of the Year • The Manly Trust Management Training Bursary (member only) • Women in Building Services Award

sponsorS

• Showcase your work on a professional platform

• Specialist Groups Award for Excellence (member only)

• Small budget project of the year under £500,000 (member only)

Comedian Zoe Lyons will host the 2022 BESA Awards

• Have your entry assessed by our panel of expert judges in a face-to-face judging day

partners

• Benefit from valuable PR activity • Attend the in-person awards evening and accept an award In front of industry peers • Entry is free and simple – so it’s a win win situation! n

• Diversity and Inclusion Award • Competence and Compliance Award

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BESA Group Companies:

To enter, please visit: www.thebesa.com/national-conference-and-awards

2022 BESA Awards We are proud to celebrate the achievements of upcoming talent within the building services industry.

The BESA 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.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winners of the london, midlands and south awards

(pictured l-R with besa president neil brackenridge)

ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Alan Prosser | Enerveo INDOOR AIR QUALITY AWARD (Sponsored by Nuaire)

Nathan Wood | Farmwood M&E Ltd APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR George Lowrey | T Clarke Climate Solutions REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT PUMP APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric)

George Lowrey | T Clarke Climate Solutions CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR Nick Taylor | Vent Tech Ltd CHAIR’S AWARD Nick Taylor | Vent-Tech Ltd CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Trimble MEP)

Lorne Stewart Group

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.

HEATING AND VENTILATION L2 & L3 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR James Runham | Metropolitan Services

• North East Dinner and Awards Friday 6 May 2022 Crowne Plaza Newcastle • BESA Cymru/Wales Dinner and Awards Saturday 14 May 2022 The Vale Resort, Hensol • North West Dinner and Awards Saturday 18 June 2022 Radisson Blu Manchester Airport • BESA Scotland Awards Thursday 23 June 2022 Scottish Parliament

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

7

Tell us what you need...?

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8

BESA Group Companies:

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Leading from the front The number of women working in engineering professions has increased significantly in the last decade.

Women now make up 16.5% of the UK’s engineering workforce compared to just 10.5% in 2010 and the number of women working in engineering roles rose to 936,000 from 562,000, according to research carried out by EngineeringUK. While this is a marked improvement, it still means we have some way to go before engineering firms can say they are getting access to the widest possible range of skills. So, how do we accelerate this trend?

Dr Hilary Leevers, chief executive of EngineeringUK, said employers and organisations like BESA were working “more effectively” to address the lack of diversity across our sectors. “I am optimistic that by learning and working together, we can quicken the pace of change and achieve the diverse and insightful workforce needed for the UK to thrive,” she said.

Next month, BESA will once again be supporting International Women in Engineering Day. This year’s theme is ‘Inventors and Innovators’. We will be showcasing how women are increasingly driving the uptake of modern working practices and setting technical standards that will shape the future of building engineering services.

We will be featuring a series of guest blogs from women engineers who are enjoying fulfilling and rewarding careers and who are inspirational role models for future generations.

BESA has shown that one important

way to increase female involvement in engineering professions is by having more women in leadership roles. The Association’s commercial, finance, marketing, training, and legal directors are all female. Its director of certification, which plays a crucial role in the development of professional and technical standards for the building services sector, is also a woman.

We can claim, therefore, to be leading from the front.

“Thousands of words have been written about the barriers to gender equality, but it is only through concrete action that real change can happen,” said Kirsty Cogan, BESA’s managing director of commercial services.

“For engineering, which is suffering from a growing skills shortage, to be, in effect, recruiting from just half of the available workforce seems crazy,” she added. “There are amazing career opportunities for women and girls in our industry, but gender stereotypes still hold sway and, as a result, our businesses are missing out.”

While the roles inside a trade body cannot be described as ‘pure’ engineering, BESA’s gender balance does allow it to influence the diversity discussion across our sector and help to guide members’ recruitment policies.

Legal and commercial director Debbie Petford pointed out that most of the barriers that might

BESA President Neil Brackenridge

have prevented or discouraged women from entering engineering professions were coming down.

“The adoption of modern methods of working and the emergence of Big Data and digital design techniques, along with the rapid advancement of building services technology, mean the sector desperately needs more talented young people with new skills and from a much wider background.

“And it is these same advances that are also making it easier for women to gain access to technical and leadership roles – we need to build on that,” she said.

Many of the articles in this edition of Your BESA help to emphasise that our industry offers great opportunities to contribute to the important issues of today like climate change and building safety (see pages 14-15) and that wider awareness of the way women are leading our sector will help narrow our skills gap and create a workforce that better reflects the society we serve. n

9

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Fife ventilation specialist hits milestone Family-owned Pro-Duct Group is celebrating its 25th anniversary and can look back on a series of innovations and prestigious projects, including work at Edinburgh Airport, Faslane naval base, V & A Museum Dundee, as well as many others across a range of sectors.

Set up by Brian Dempster Snr in 1996, the company has manufactured and installed H & V ductwork systems for clients in the commercial, hospitality, retail, education, leisure, healthcare, and energy markets – including highly specialised work for the nuclear industry.

It has grown from a modest £30,000 annual turnover company based in a former dairy workshop in Kingskettle, to a £5.2 million business operating out of a state of the art 20,000 sq. ft. production facility in Cardenden that uses the latest automated manufacturing technology.

It employs more than 60 staff and now has five operating companies: Pro-Duct Fife Ltd, Pro-Duct Installations, Pro-Duct Sheet Metal Ltd, Pro-Duct Fabrications Ltd and Pro-Duct Maintenance Services Ltd. Brian started out with some second-hand machinery and grew the business organically. Two years ago, he handed over the running of the group to his son, Brian Dempster (Jnr), who sees potential for further growth based on the model created by his father.

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BESA Group Companies:

When asked about some of the projects Pro-Duct is most Brian Dempster, MD, proud of, Brian Pro-Duct Group (Jnr) picks out its contribution to the construction and development of the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory in Leamington Spa, the UK’s first testing mega lab, and Valneva in Scotland, which is a vaccine manufacturing facility.

Critical “These have to be up there because they were very important projects that meant we were directly involved in the battle against COVID-19,” he says. “Those projects demand the very highest standards of indoor air quality (IAQ) because a closely controlled environment is critical to their work and not many ductwork companies in Scotland could deliver to those specifications.”

The role of building ventilation systems more widely has been highlighted as a key part of the UK’s response to the pandemic and this has translated into higher

demand for the skills of specialist firms like Pro-Duct, which gives the company further optimism for the future.

As well as using up-to-date automated production techniques, the company is renowned for its quick turnaround service and attention to customers’ requirements to suit the fast track nature of the industry.

“We are very proud of what the company has achieved to date,” says Brian (Jnr). “However, we are not sitting back, and have clear plans for the future continuing to ensure the company continues to go from strength to strength.

“Our membership of BESA has also been a big help as it allows us to keep up to date with all the latest developments across the UK market. It is a good way to prove our credentials to clients and stay on top of regulatory and compliance issues which are extremely important in this line of business.” www.pro-duct.co.uk n

“Our membership of BESA has been a big help as it’s a good way to prove our credentials to clients and stay on top of regulatory and compliance issues which are extremely important in this line of business.”

Brian Dempster, MD, Pro-Duct Group

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to our newest Affiliates Majenta Solutions Ltd Industries are being disrupted, whether that’s through advancing and emerging technology, updates to legislation and regulations, or you simply want to gain a competitive advantage through adopting digital strategies. Majenta Solutions partner with you, enabling you to embrace and overcome industry challenges. www.majentasolutions.com

Omni Telemetry Ltd Omni provide their customers with the tools they need to reduce their carbon footprint and save energy.

Their building analytics system helps their customers improve the operational performance of their buildings while reducing energy consumption and making them more ecologically friendly. www.omnisystems.co.uk

Ventductools Ventductools is a leading supplier of duct cleaning equipment and currently have 22 distributors throughout Europe and Asia.

Turntide Technologies

Their unique patented dual button connection makes the equipment very intuitive to use and offers a world leading rotary cleaning system.

Turntide Technologies make intelligent, sustainable motor systems. They apply its technology for sustainable operations across buildings, agriculture, and transportation segments.

www.ventductcleaningtools.co.uk

www.turntide.com

Congratulations to our newest members RAMS Extraction Cleaning Ltd

Azruablu Scotland Ltd Azurablu is one of the fastest growing trusted independent facilities management and commercial contract cleaning companies.

Specialist cleaners of commercial kitchen extract systems.

Internal Facilities Ltd Whether you require air conditioning for a small meeting room, office, a hotel or larger commercial buildings our project engineers are highly experienced in the design, commissioning and installation of air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilation systems.

Taylor Grace Air Conditioning Ltd

www.internalenvironments.co.uk

www.taylorgraceac.co.uk

Taylor Grace Air Conditioning Ltd offer a selection of services within the HVAC and mechanical services field. From feasibility and design, project management to service and maintenance.

Offering the complete professional for commercial kitchen extract systems.

From initial assessment to deep cleaning. www.sandrcleaning.co.uk

Pureair Ventilation Ltd

www.azurablu.com

HVAC Contractor in Londonderry.

Biovent Services Limited

www.pureairventilation.com

Based in the heart of the Midlands, Biovent Systems is well situated to service any commercial, public or industrial kitchen setting within the UK.

B-DACS Ltd Saracen Compliance Services Ltd

Extraction and canopy cleaners.

B-DACS install, maintain and repair air conditioning and ventilation systems, tailoring services to meet your needs and serves customers in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Scotland.

Your trusted partner, delivering building compliance services throughout the public, private and FM sectors.

Biovent Services will guide you through the process from site survey to installation, training and a bespoke servicing schedule tailored to your kitchen’s needs.

www.pnjcleaning.co.uk

www.bdacs.com

www.saracencompliance.co.uk

www.bioventsystems.com

PNJ Cleaners Ltd

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.

11

ENSURE YOUR CONTRACTORS ARE F-GAS REGISTERED

JOIN THE UK’S MARKET LEADING F GAS CERTIFICATION SCHEME REFCOM is the UK’s leading F-Gas Register with over 7,000 members who: • are verified to robust standards

• demonstrate competence and compliance of engineers and business practices

OVER 6,000 COMPANIES ALREADY TRUST REFCOM TO PROVIDE THEIR • are up to date with the latest F-Gas regulations and legislative changes givingAND you peace of mind of a MANY job done properly F GAS CERTIFICATION THERE ARE REASONS WHY...

WANT EXTRA PEACE OF MIND?

Refcom holds the largest market share for F gas certification, so you’re joining a trusted scheme

Refcom was integral to the development of the F gas regulations, so we really are leading the way

Get access to the latest industry news, technical guidance and expert advice, giving you added value for your mile to ensure best practice in refrigerant management by certification or membership REFCOM Elite member. fee We work closely

Go the extra specifying a Over 300 REFCOM Elite members also commit to enhanced standards: with Defra and the

WHY • are independently audited REFCOM?

• are licensed waste carriers We’re a•globally handle refrigerants safely Refcom also operates recognised brand.

Refcom a voluntary Joining us allows you to use auditable procedures for • operate the Elite, proper control best practice scheme that sets our logo and you’ll receive a can account for all refrigerant used and recovered you apart from your van sticker to display this competitors badge of quality

Environment Agency, so you can be sure our guidance is the most up to date available

of refrigerants and

• use appropriate, purpose-designed refrigerant recovery equipment • perform refrigerant transactions with minimum emissions and is environmentally aware

Application and renewal is quick and easy: no paper forms,Find no fuss simply complete your onlineF-Gas Register at an -approved member onapplication the REFCOM

www.refcom.org.uk/refcom-register Technical support and updates: our expert technical support and regular bulletins update our customers with all the news they need to know to stay technically compliant

Learn more about F-Gas

Industry leaders: Refcom was integral in shaping F gas regulations – we don’t just offer certification, we help shape the industry

Discover and expand your knowledge of F-Gas terminology and regulatory requirements, enabling you to communicate with contractors and clients with DUE TO THE HIGH STANDARDSconfidence.

MET THROUGH AUDIT, MEMBERSHIP OF REFCOM ELITE IS INCLUDED AS A BENEFIT OF BESA MEMBERSHIP, SUBJECT TO MEETING ADDITIONAL SCHEME CRITERIA Take the F-Gas Awareness course from BESA Academy at www.thebesa.com/academy

To reply or renew online, visit: WWW.REFCOM.ORG.UK Refcom is a BESA Group company

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BESA Group Companies:

Or contact our team on: REFCOM.INFO@THEBESA.COM

01768 860 409

technical guidance

BESA and BSRIA refrigerant guide published ‘at crucial time’ “The timing of this guide is crucial,” said Fox. “There is so much change going on in the industry and there is a danger that people will be bamboozled by all the current and proposed legislative changes. If people are confused, they can end up simply ignoring their obligations with extremely unfortunate consequences.

BESA has joined forces with fellow membership body BSRIA to produce a comprehensive free guide for the use of refrigerant gases in building services.

The new publication has been written

by BESA’s head of technical Graeme Fox and is available now for free download from the BSRIA Bookshop.

It has been prepared to help consultants, specifiers, facilities and project managers, installers and end users deal with a period of considerable change for the industry as legislation and tightening environmental and performance targets combine to increase restrictions on how refrigerants are used and what gases will be allowed in the future.

The increased use of heat pumps and greater focus on climate change mitigation, including the need to address overheating in buildings, means industry professionals are faced with greater design and installation challenges and opportunities to adopt new practices, which are covered in the guide.

‘Refrigerants in Building Services’ (TG 21/2022) includes information and advice on: • Current environmental and health and safety legislation affecting refrigerants • Forthcoming changes to legislation • Energy efficiency issues • Commonly used refrigerants

Graeme Fox, BESA head of technical

“We were, therefore, very keen to work with BSRIA on a document that would be both informative, practical and relevant to building engineering systems designers.”

• Applications including DX coils, chillers, split systems, VRF/VRV systems and heat pumps The two bodies were keen to work together to promote best practice across the sector and to fully explain the implications of stringent cuts to the use of HFCs and other bans as part of proposals to strengthen the European F-Gas regulation.

The UK continues to ‘mirror’ the regulation, despite its departure from the EU, and the latest proposals from the European Commission include an acceleration of the current phase down process in 2024. This could be followed by a ban on the use of HFCs with global warming potential (GWP) of 150 and above in many split systems and heat pumps from 2027.

The new guide reinforces the importance of people being properly trained and holding up-to-date technical and health and safety qualifications to work with both traditional and alternative refrigerants.

This is particularly important because many HFC replacement refrigerants are mildly flammable.

It also reminds end users that they should only employ F-Gas registered firms to remain legally compliant and to achieve their environmental goals. n

BESA manages the UK’s primary F-Gas register REFCOM and offers F-Gas Awareness and Working with Flammable Refrigerants training via its online Academy.

Download your free copy of BSRIA’s Refrigerants in Building Services (TG 21/2022) now

13

building safety

New safety regime already changing the industry Rows over who pays to put right historic safety failures and the rising cost of insurance show that the new Building Safety and Fire Safety Acts are already having a big impact on our industry.

Michael Gove’s ongoing battle with housebuilders is just one aspect of the fallout from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, but the government’s determination to reform construction safety culture is already bringing about wider changes.

The Building Safety Bill (BSB) is due to be enacted later this year and will affect all work that needs to be notified under Building Regulations. There is a widely held misunderstanding that that the new

14

BESA Group Companies:

laws are only for high-risk buildings.

In fact, they cover everything apart from DIY work.

The secondary legislation needed to turn the over-arching proposals into specific legal measures are already in draft form. So, this is clearly not going away and will have to be delivered alongside the hugely ambitious net zero programme.

Challenging times ahead!

Fire risk appraisal strategies have been updated and are underpinned by the Fire Safety Act and the government’s own Construction Playbook sets out both the philosophy and the practicality of delivering higher quality projects.

The legislation is very focused on naming individuals who can be held

legally accountable for actions and omissions in planning, procurement, and operation of buildings. Each building will have an ‘accountable person’, who must also be able to “plan, monitor and manage” work.

As well as having to know what they are doing, they will have the ultimate motivation to ensure everyone working on their project is competent and can prove their competence.

evidence Under the legislation, the client has responsibility for appointing competent firms, but contractors must also be honest about their ability to carry out the work they are being appointed to do. That might sound obvious, but it formalises the process of firms being able to provide

evidence that they were competent to complete a piece of work should there be a subsequent legal action.

The new Building Safety Regulator, already appointed and supported by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), will be carrying out in-depth reviews of 12,500 ‘high risk’ buildings over the next five years to look for failings retrospectively. Those retrospective powers can also be used to look into problems on projects already complete and currently underway – hence the need for high standards of work now and not at some indeterminate date in the future.

Industry bodies, like BESA, are aware of the impact on responsibilities under the new regime, which is why we have been signposting this seismic change for some time. Our members are well briefed, and we will continue providing legislative updates and advice alongside the technical guidance and standards needed to be compliant.

We will be providing a stream of guidance and working with others, particularly CIBSE, BSRIA and our other Actuate UK partners, to deliver targeted advice that can help members position themselves at the forefront of this culture change.

One critical issue we have been looking at closely is when a change is made to the design during a project.

For example, if the product supplier makes a change to a specification that would instantly make them ‘a designer’ for the purposes of the legislation. This makes them subject to a different level of liability.

Similarly, if the contractor changes the product, they are deemed to have made a material change to the

“Industry bodies, like BESA, are aware of the impact on responsibilities under the new regime, which is why we have been signposting this seismic change for some time.” specification and must, therefore, be able to defend that position if there is a problem in the future.

This is deliberately included in the legislation to address the historic problems caused by project teams blithely making changes to save money and/or cut corners without any regard for future safety consequences.

Information will play a crucial role in all of this because it will be a legal requirement to have easy access to any project details far into the future.

Dame Judith Hackitt put the so-called ‘golden thread’ at the heart of her proposals to government.

The acid test will be whether those who need information about a building – particularly emergency services – can access that information quickly and easily. This will not be about creating ever more complex software solutions.

The government also plans to extend the defects liability period from six to 30 years. This has been welcomed by consumer groups as it would have prevented the scandal of homeowners having to pay for remedial fire safety work that was not their fault.

Compromise However, it is already pushing up the cost of public indemnity (PI) insurance and led to some

insurers threatening to abandon construction completely because of the increased level of risk.

However, BESA believes it should be possible to find a compromise that would still deliver the government’s aims on safety and compliance while allowing insurance providers to keep premiums at a reasonable level.

You can read more about PI Insurance on page 32.

The new competence framework being created to underpin the new legislation will be key. This will require each profession linked to construction to clearly define what is meant by competence and refresh that definition regularly to keep pace with changing professional standards.

This will create a vital new role for CPD (continuous professional development) and the way our industry provides evidence of competence and compliance criteria, such as the Competence Assessment Standard that underpins BESA membership.

It will increase scrutiny of the professional credentials of firms bidding for work and make it easier for clients to judge a contractor’s competence to carry out the work.

This should help to reassure insurers that work is being carried out to the required standard.

The Planning Gateways now being introduced will also give insurance firms the opportunity to review risks before the project is allowed to move onto the next stage. This will be key to minimising risk and, ultimately, delivering the outcome everyone wants: Safer and better buildings. n

15

REDUCE YOUR carbon footprint

don’t get caught out!

How to reduce your carbon footprint and be more environmentally friendly – it’s in your hands…

BE MORE AWARE As companies strive towards being energy efficient, carbon neutral and generally more environmentally friendly, it is interesting to note that many of these organisations are unaware that they may be causing unintentional damage to the ozone layer.

Many people don’t realise that it is their responsibility as a user of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning or Refrigeration (HVAC/R) equipment or systems, that they must comply with F-Gas (Fluorinated Gases) regulations.

F-Gas is the environmental regulation covering the use of refrigerants within a HVAC/R system. By owning such systems, it is the company’s responsibility to guarantee that regular

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BESA Group Companies:

maintenance at appropriate periods throughout the year take place, therefore ensuring that the systems don’t potentially leak any refrigerant gases with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP,) into the atmosphere.

SO, HOW BIG IS THE ISSUE? Air conditioning is all around us and most of us don’t even realise that it is there. It keeps our offices cool in the heat, our medicines at a regulated temperature and our hospital climates bearable – and that is just scratching the service. It is in all sorts of industries from Aerospace, to medical, from educational to hospitality – we walk past it but rarely see it.

Many of the estimated five billion refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems in use globally, use refrigerants with significant GWP, where a single kilogram can cause

as much atmospheric damage as 3900kg of carbon dioxide. In the UK alone, of the 4,000 tons of refrigerant gas sold annually (source: A-Gas), ten per cent can be lost through undetected leaks and it’s estimated that, worldwide, emissions from refrigerant leakage accounted for 7.8% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 (source: London South Bank University).

These losses also reduce the efficiency of refrigeration systems, leading to indirect emissions through increased fuel consumption and higher maintenance costs. This is bad for our heath, our wealth and our planet, but is avoidable.

Sometimes there may be a suspected leak in a commercial system but shutting down for repair won’t be countenanced. More often, it’s likely that sheer ignorance of the issue is responsible for refrigerant leaking unchecked into the atmosphere and that’s dangerous.

But checks are in place; regulations introduced this year in the UK ban

the use refrigerants with a high GWP in commercial refrigeration systems, and there’s a legal obligation to have units with specific amounts of refrigerant serviced on a regular basis.

It’s annually for 5 TCO2, bi-annually for 50 TCO2 or every three months for 500 TCO2.

DID YOU KNOW? While F Gases only make up 3% of the UK’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the high GWP of some gases (e.g. R404A with a GWP of 3922) rates them more harmful than the same quantity of CO2 emissions.

Internationally recognized best practice, and common regulatory frameworks, require at least an annual service and maintenance check on systems, including a leak and pressure check - equally, if a leak is found, it MUST be fixed and the system re-tested within 28 days to check the repair worked.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? If there’s anything we know today, the impossible can happen, so we need to be vigilant to prevent the avoidable and mitigate risk; in short we need to comply with regulations on refrigerant use and leak detection testing in commercial premises.

From our own research, conducted during 2021, we know that there are companies out there who are unaware of their environmental responsibilities regarding leaking refrigerant and unaware that they are liable if they have not complied with legislation. As in all things legal, ignorance is no defence..

WHAT CAN YOU DO? HVAC/R contractors can help users of these systems to understand what type of system they have, so that they know the compliance rules around that system type.

1

Be aware that systems will need either six monthly or annual checks and plan maintenance with a contractor accordingly

2

Log leak tests and maintenance visits – It is a legal requirement to have these logs available – make sure each maintenance visit is logged

3

Ensure the contractor is asked about which refrigerant gas they are using. Some gases have a high GWP (global warming potential), which will affect any carbon offsetting companies may be trying to achieve

4

Check the contractors’ credentials; do they have their F-Gas certification? If they don’t, they are not allowed to work on HVAC/R systems.

5

Arrange for leaks to be fixed immediately. As a owner and user of these systems – if there is a known a leak and it’s not fixed, it will be a contravention of the F-Gas regulations.

6

Consider a risk analysis on the premises. If HVAC/R systems are in a high risk application why not use fixed leak detection?

As a society we are quite rightly becoming more aware of our environmental responsibilities.

By ensuring that systems have regular Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules in place, should a system be leaking, companies can be safe in the knowledge that they are doing the right thing by getting it fixed. n For more information, visit www.aspenpumps.com

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industry awareness

Raising awareness crucial to tackling skills gap

Beckett University a full 17 years after starting work.

real life More changes to the student loans system have created a major opportunity for BESA and its members to promote apprenticeships and career opportunities in building services.

The number of women coming into engineering professions is rising (see page 9) but improving the overall diversity of our workforce remains a critical challenge in the face of serious skills shortages.

Many young people are motivated by the climate crisis and want to make a difference to their world, but they often fail to make the link to a career in building services even though the built environment is responsible for more than 40% of total carbon emissions.

Our buildings can be ‘safe havens’ from air pollution (see page 24)

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BESA Group Companies:

which means our work can also play a significant part in improving the health and well-being of people and should be another ‘selling point’ in the wake of the pandemic.

BESA President Neil Brackenridge started out as an engineering apprentice straight from school and believes ‘learning on the job’ is the key to a successful and rewarding career and to avoiding big student debts.

He points out that, as well as learning his trade ‘on the tools’, he was able to add to his qualifications along the way starting out at Salford College of Technology before gaining an advanced professional diploma in project management at Leeds

“The news that the government has just changed the rules about student debts (again!) prompted me to reflect on my own experience,” he says. “I was able to enjoy a ‘blended’ learning model that meant I could work on ‘real life’ projects while also continuing my education – without running up big debts. Quite the opposite, in fact, because I was being paid while I trained.”

Young people starting at university later this year face carrying the burden of their tuition fee debts (which now average more than £50,000) for 40 years. Yet, you can still get a degree or other higher-level qualification, without having to pay tuition fees and earning while you learn, by becoming an apprentice – and BESA is looking to connect more young people to employers in our sector.

“Making training more flexible and more widely accessible is the primary objective of all our development work. This revamped apprenticeship is an excellent example of what we can achieve by working collaboratively with education providers, employers and fellow industry bodies.”

Helen Yeulet, BESA director of training and skills One example of how apprenticeships are being enhanced and adapted to suit the modern workplace is the new Level 3 Building Services Engineer (BSE) Technician Apprenticeship (2022) which has been totally revised to better reflect the needs of employers and to give apprentices a more streamlined route to higher level qualifications.

This apprenticeship was formerly for ‘design technicians’ but employers felt this was too narrow. It now creates a direct route through to Level 4 BSE Senior Technician apprenticeships for installers as well as design engineers along with the potential to progress to professional qualifications at Level 6 – so showing a clear career path for any new entrant or existing worker looking to improve their skills and prospects.

It was part of a review organised

by BESA and the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC) that also sought to address the industry workforce’s lack of diversity, so the new standard has a broader basis to appeal to women, girls and the BAME population which are currently under-represented across the sector. This is reflected in the new qualification requirements which now place less emphasis on technical subjects.

“This is a major step forward for building engineering apprenticeships and the reception from employers has already been very positive,” said

BESA’s director of training and skills Helen Yeulet.

“Making training more flexible and more widely accessible is the primary objective of all our development work. This revamped Level 3 apprenticeship is an excellent example of what we can achieve by working collaboratively with education providers, employers and fellow industry bodies.”

Research carried out by the BESA Academy has found that: • 83% of apprentices believe their career prospects have improved as a result of securing a place on an apprenticeship scheme.

• 70% of employers say their productivity and, therefore, business prospects are improved by taking on apprentices.

• Every £1 of taxpayers’ money invested in apprenticeships at levels 2 and 3 pays back between £26 and £28 in long-term economic benefits.

As a result, BESA Academy is urging employers to commit to taking on at least one apprentice this year so they can help more people learn about the opportunities in our industry.

The BESA ‘Future Skills’ pledge does not require the employer to commit to taking on an apprentice immediately but will help the Association gain a clearer picture of

Helen Yeulet, BESA director of training and skills

what companies are looking for in a new starter and provide advice about possible training providers, funding, and access to suitable candidates.

BESA is also working with its partner trade bodies in Actuate UK and the Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) to better understand the drivers for training across the sector and to develop a strategy that will speed up the creation of a skilled workforce.

ESC, which is an independent, notfor-profit organisation, was set up to bridge the gap between industry, government, academia, and research.

It has embarked on an in-depth study to help deliver the ‘culture change’ that will be essential to speed up efforts to upskill workers so they can meet new technology challenges.

The project is being funded by the Engineering Services Training Trust Ltd (ESTTL) and the outcomes will be shared with the whole building engineering services sector to improve employers’ awareness of why investment in training is so important.

“The built environment is a pivotal part of the net zero challenge, and our sector holds the keys to many of the engineering solutions that consumers and businesses will need to support in the coming years. It is crucial that we have access to a suitably skilled workforce with a full range of competencies,” said Yeulet. www.theBESA.com/academy n

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Don’t miss SFG20’s essential The definitive standard for new guide ‘Optimisation of Maintenance Regimes’ planned building maintenance Completely unique, SFG20 is the essential

The dynamic web-based service contains over 400

maintenance tactics should be When selecting and blending SFG20 has recently launched tool for facilities managers, buildingapplied, basedindustry maintenancemaintenance task schedules covering 60 on the impact strategies it isover key to an essential guide - for owners, contractors and consultants, equipment and allows users to: and risks that asset failure chapters understand the objectives for assets those that own, manage or could cause in an organisation. and systems e.g. the health and enabling you to stay compliant saving maintain buildings – that Reduce costs through optimum maintenance of wellbeing of users, ensuring asset time, energy money. identifies theand areas for The four approaches to assets, with colouravailability, coding toand distinguish reducingbetween energy use consideration when looking maintenance discussed in this and carbon emissions. statutory, mandatory, function critical and to optimise maintenance to guide are: discretionary maintenance To create atasks balanced maintenance suit buildings and the sectors strategy, it is important to blend • Reflective Maintenance in which they operate.

Stay compliant as legislative and technical In this guide, we consider the role that different maintenance approaches have in driving cost-effectiveness. We also discuss the role of risk, asset availability in maintenance design, and consider the key drivers for optimisation.

There is no one single solution to maintenance. Instead, a blend of

different maintenance approaches bulletins are automatically updated online which based on the risks associated • Planned Preventative each asset type and its availability.

Maintenance (PPM) Customise maintenance schedules Well-maintained assetswhether operate for a tenderand realise • Condition Basedit is specifying requirements efficiently, continuously Maintenance (CBM) design life expectancies. process, creating their service models or producingn

custom schedules for individual buildings.

• Predictive Maintenance

Read more details on each of the four approaches opposite.

interested in finding out more?

Download the whitepaper now at: http://bit.ly/SFG20WP

visit www.sfg20.co.uk or call 01768 860 405

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BESA Group Companies:

SFG20 is published by BESA Publications, a BESA Group Company

sfg20

1

interested in finding OUT MORE?

Reactive Maintenance Reactive maintenance means that equipment is run until it fails and is then repaired or replaced. A fully reactive approach is unlikely to be appropriate for the majority of businesses as it doesn’t take account of legal requirements and makes budgeting and resource planning very difficult.

2 Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) PPM is a structure of maintenance activities designed to provide pre-emptive intervention before an asset fails based on time and usage.

PPM gives greater certainty of budget and facilitates resource planning.

3 Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) CBM is driven by access to data on the performance of assets in a building. It is based on detection of indicators such as vibration, noise levels, temperature changes, etc. CBM is becoming more mainstream, thanks to a drop in the price of monitoring equipment and is often overlaid on top of a PPM strategy for high value or critical assets.

Join SFG20 at the Facilities Show 2022, where we’ll be presenting the full contents of this guide on 18 May 2022 at 13:30 in the FM Theatre.

Stop by our stand and say hi!

We’ll be answering FAQs, sharing our industry expertise and conducting live product demonstrations.

4 Predictive Maintenance Predictive Maintenance is a more advanced form of CBM. To apply this approach it is often a precursor that CBM be applied to capture and record asset performance against utilisation over a period of operation. The resulting data can then be used to predict the next maintenance intervention requirement.

Although in its infancy, the creation of a ‘digital twin’ using Predictive Maintenance data could bring significant benefits to FM.

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boiler upgrade scheme

UK government incentivises Heat Pump installations When the government unveiled its Heat and Buildings Strategy last year, it was clear that a significant uplift in the installation of heat pumps was going to be key to helping to UK decarbonise people’s homes and businesses and help the UK reach Net Zero by 2050.

To help achieve this decarbonisation goal, the government has announced that gas boilers will be banned in new build homes from 2025 and the sale of new gas boilers will be banned from 2035.

However, for consumers, it is more expensive to install a new heat pump than a new gas boiler. Recognising this, and to try and address the disparity and remove barriers to change, the government announced a £450 million, three-year Boiler Upgrade Scheme to incentivise property owners choosing a cleaner,

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BESA Group Companies:

greener low carbon heating system, such as a heat pump. The scheme will provide grants of £5,000 to help overcome the upfront purchase and installation costs of an air source heat pump, and £6,000 for a ground source heat pump.

There has been some criticism that the £450 million the government has announced will only support the switch in 90,000 properties; however, the government is hoping innovation in technologies and investment in UK manufacturing will reduce the upfront costs of heat pumps over time.

BESA worked closely with HMRC officials earlier this year to address this barrier, so it included fixed air source heat pump/air conditioning unit systems. Officials confirmed this change in March and the government has updated its guidance to this effect.

Building on this, as part of the Spring Statement in March this year, the government announced that it would zero rate the installation of all energy saving materials, further reducing the upfront costs for home and business owners. At the same time, the government rectified that the reduced VAT did not include air source heat pump systems that also had a cooling function.

With heat pumps enjoying more attention and now attracting government support, we hope that this will create real and lasting business opportunities for our members.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will open for applications on 23 May. Ofgem, who is the administrator of the scheme, has published guidance on its website for installers, including how to create accounts so they can make applications for grants and vouchers under the scheme.

If you or your engineers are interested in upskilling in order to correctly specify, install and maintain domestic heat pumps, BESA Academy offer an online Heat Pump Installer course. n

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TRAINING AND SKILLS

BESA tackles ‘most overlooked’ safety issue BESA has launched new guidance to help owners and managers turn their buildings into ‘safe havens’ that protect occupants from threats to health linked to airborne contaminants and viruses.

‘Buildings as Safe Havens – a practical guide’ is the third in a trilogy of free guides providing a comprehensive approach to measuring, monitoring, and improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and the second produced with the support of Mitsubishi Electric.

It offers practical steps that facilities managers and building owners can take to measure IAQ and includes targeted questions they can put to ventilation experts to establish the right strategy for their building.

The foreword is provided by one of the UK’s most respected experts on infection resilience in buildings Professor Cath Noakes OBE. She states that poor ventilation is the most overlooked building safety issue

Professor Cath Noakes OBE

and can be directly linked to high levels of COVID-19 transmission.

the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE)

“COVID-19 has been shown to be transmitted through the air.

Even if only 10% of all COVID-19 related deaths in the UK could be directly attributed to the failure to adequately ventilate indoor spaces, that would be more than 15,000 since the start of the pandemic – a shocking statistic that should make everyone sit up and take notice,” she writes in her foreword.

Renowned air quality and child health campaigner, Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah, also addressed the launch event in London giving an impassioned plea for the industry to redouble its efforts to improve ventilation of indoor spaces. Her daughter Ella was the first person in the world to have air pollution listed on her death certificate and Rosamund, who is Honorary President of the BESA Health & Well-being in Buildings (HWB) group, has been campaigning hard for the government to impose stricter air quality levels based on World Health Organisation recommendations.

Resilient “The pandemic has demonstrated that far too many of our buildings are under-ventilated, despite regulatory requirements that have been in place for several years. This guide will be an invaluable tool in raising awareness of the importance of good IAQ and making our buildings more infection resilient,” says Noakes, who is Professor of Environmental Engineering for Buildings at the University of Leeds and a member of

The new guide directly addresses this crisis by providing a step-bystep strategy for monitoring and maintaining good IAQ in offices, schools, and public buildings and provides advice and strategies for dealing with ventilation problems.

It outlines the questions building managers should ask their ventilation and air quality specialists so they can properly address their IAQ problems, and provides recommendations for conducting a building review, planning for improvements, and selecting the right technology.

The contents of the guide were steered by a technical committee led

by Nathan Wood, chair of the HWB group, and the Association’s head of technical Graeme Fox. It contains a building review spreadsheet to help building managers identify areas that require improvement.

All three guides addressing indoor air quality (IAQ) can be downloaded for free at: www.theBESA.com/iaq n

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training and skills

SKILLcards can now be verified by the CSCS Smart Check App The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has developed a ‘Smart Check’ app to help construction site operators verify the identities and qualifications of more than two million skills card holders.

“It is a great example of what our industry can achieve by working together. All 38 card schemes now have a common platform that links directly to our databases to help clients ensure anyone trying to get onto their site has kept up to date with the latest requirements for health, safety and technical qualifications.”

The new app can be downloaded for free onto any Apple iOS or Android device. It was developed in collaboration with 38 CSCS partner card operators, including the Engineering Services SKILLcard, which is used by more than 60,000 building services professionals.

The app works with all cards that display the CSCS logo and gives on-site card checkers access to a quick and secure way of ensuring everyone on site has the appropriate qualifications and training. This will help to raise technical and professional standards and reduce criminal activity.

It is designed to streamline and improve the construction industry’s current card checking procedures and deal another blow to fraudsters who try to ‘game’ the system by selling counterfeit CSCS cards and falsifying qualifications.

CSCS cards play a crucial role in improving competence and compliance on construction sites by ensuring every worker has completed up to date health and safety training and has the correct qualifications and training for the job they are employed to do. The system is also regarded as a key element of the government’s 2025 Construction Industry Strategy and most clients now insist on every worker holding a valid card.

proof SKILLcard celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and is operated

by BESA. It is carried by more than 60,000 heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration professionals as proof of their qualifications and competencies.

It was the first CSCS partner card to adopt chip enabled ‘smart’ technology in 2015. This made the process of updating the holder’s qualifications much simpler and considerably eased the verification process for site managers.

“This app is the crucial next stage in developing a fully ‘smart’ system that will further enhance our efforts to improve professional standards, keep people safe on site and fight fraud,” said BESA’s director of certification Rachel Davidson.

All card schemes that carry the CSCS logo can be read by the Smart Check app, which scans QR codes to validate both physical and virtual cards and reads contactless chips.

CSCS and Build UK have created a useful guide to be used on site called “How to be a Smart Site!”

‘How to’ videos are also available on YouTube: How to use CSCS Smart Check with Contacless How to use CSCS Smart Check with a qr code How to use CSCS Smart Check w/ manual check

For more information visit: skillcard.org.uk/smart-skillcards n

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ACADEMY

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BESA Group Companies:

BESA protects online testing BESA has carried out a thorough review of the security procedures behind its online training schemes in response to the jailing of two construction test fraudsters.

The scale of the fraud prompted BESA’s online training Academy to carry out a swift review of its test verification procedures to reassure employers and test candidates.

The two men were jailed for 28 months each after pleading guilty to charges that they falsified CITB health, safety and environment tests used to assess whether a worker is qualified to carry a skills card, which is needed to work on UK construction sites.

BESA uses a system called Proctortrack to regulate and monitor its online testing. This has controls in place that, for example, prevent the use of any other application while undertaking a test or exam, including the use of a remote mouse.

CITB investigators said they had uncovered a large-scale criminal operation that was helping mainly foreign nationals get through the safety tests to qualify for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, which are used by site managers to verify the training and qualifications of all site workers.

In some cases, the exams were undertaken by the administrators on behalf of the candidates, or they were able to feed them the answers during their tests. Prosecutors said the case had put members of the public and other construction workers at risk by allowing unqualified people onto sites.

Many of these workers may also have been trafficked by criminal gangs.

Suspicious

“The Proctortrack system recognizes over 430 applications and background processes and the list is constantly being updated,” said the Association’s director of training and skills Helen Yeulet. “Any student using an app outside of that list, or any unauthorised window that is found to be open during an exam will be instantly detected and reported as an online aid.”

The system can also monitor any background audio which would flag up if a student was being given help or was communicating with someone else during an exam.

Proctortrack uses a ‘zoomed video frame’ which allows it to capture the full view from the student’s webcam so anyone to the side of the student will be seen. It also reviews student behaviour and facial expressions to flag up any suspicious activity.

BESA Academy has a list of ‘violations’ picked up by this process including students looking away from the screen for more than three seconds or at devices other than their laptop. It has also experienced the use of ‘imposters’ and other people being present while the individual is taking their test.

Accessing course materials on a separate screen is another violation picked up by the Proctortrack system as well as the use of emails to read course information.

“The vast majority of people undertaking our tests do so honestly, but we are always vigilant to make sure we catch those who try to cut corners,” said Yeulet. “We have been reassured by our review of the Proctortrack system that everything humanly and technologically possible is being done to protect the integrity of our schemes.

“It is particularly important that health and safety testing is underpinned by a robust verification process to keep workers and the public safe – and any violations will automatically lead to the student failing the test.” www.theBESA.com/academy n

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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 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 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.

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

This course is the only online F-Gas Renewal course on the market and 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.

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

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

Visit thebesa.com/academy now to find out more.

Renew now

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 into the history of Legionella, Legionnaires Disease and managing the risk in water systems.

Working with Flammable Refrigerants

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

Register now

As 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 if you are interested in developing a course with us, then get in touch!

Book now

Email academy@thebesa.com

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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 COVID-19 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

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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

Water Systems for Modern Buildings 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

This CIBSE accredited course outlines the design considerations for water services systems and covers the following:

• Energy efficient, hygienic and instantaneous domestic hot water generation plant sizing and selection

• Legionella control in domestic hot and cold water systems

• Pseudomonas control and management in cold water systems

• The application and positioning of thermal balancing valves

• Water systems stagnation reduction Register now

Variable Volume Pressure Systems 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 savings by correct commissioning

• How to maximise cost savings

Register now

Firestopping of Service Penetrations

Register now

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.

Interested in more courses?

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

31

LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL

PI Premiums: the case for making a quality presentation It’s been an extremely challenging time for businesses of all sizes and from many industries over the past few years, not least those in construction.

With inflation at a 30-year high, the Bank of England has already said it won’t “hesitate to act” if it thinks the economy is overheating too much. Prices will go up across all markets and these costs are passed on, meaning inflation will remain high.1 An uncertain political situation, Brexit, the Grenfell disaster, a global pandemic, and recent global unrest have all played a part. Low-interest rates have resulted in low investment returns and some loss-making insurers have removed themselves from the market, and the remaining insurance providers have more risk-averse attitudes.

This is a hard market Those that have weathered the storm may have seen that this hard market means more restrictive cover, a much more detailed and robust underwriting procedure and, ultimately, higher premium costs.

PI is, of course, vital to BESA members. If mistakes occur, and you are found to have provided the wrong advice or delivered a flawed design that leads to a financial loss, you could be held accountable. Almost all contracts will require you to have PI insurance and maintain it for a certain length of time, and you must have PI in place as a BESA/REFCOM member.

So, how can you improve your experience in a hard market?

The right broker Finding the right broker and then working closely with them is the first goal. You need someone who understands your business, collaborates closely, taking the time to review details and ensure all current and anticipated risks are included.

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BESA Group Companies:

A high quality presentation By working closely with your broker, you can create a timely, quality presentation — one that includes all the relevant, current and correct information and the appropriate level of narrative around any areas of potential complexity. The more quality detail that is provided to an underwriter, the more likely they will be able to release favourable terms: • Provide five years of financial history, the five largest contracts worked on within that period, and a complete split of locations worked.

• Include CVs belonging to directors and technical staff.

• Show a copy of your standard terms and conditions and how frequently you use your own compared to third party terms. If your standard contracts contain any liability limits or consequential loss exclusions, confirm these details.

It’s essential to work with a specialist insurer who understands your business and its risks. You may find cheaper premiums by shopping around on the open market, but the policy may not include the specific cover you need to protect your business.

Working with a specialist broker, well in advance of your renewal should help you get the most costeffective and comprehensive cover on the market to help your business survive and thrive during the turbulent times ahead. n This is a marketing communication.

BESA is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Marsh Ltd and BESA Business Insurance Services is a trading name of Marsh Ltd. Marsh Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for General Insurance Distribution and Credit Broking (Firm Reference No. 307511). Copyright © 2022 Marsh Ltd. Registered in England and Wales Number: 1507274, Registered office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London EC3R 5BU. All rights reserved.

1

www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-inflation-jumps-30-year-high-70march-2022-04-13/

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33

BESA Bitesize Updates Wishing David Stevens all the best for the future After five years, David Stevens has stepped down as Board member and Vice Chair of the BESCA Schemes Board.

Amazing Ukraine appeal from Enviro Fire Water & Air Ltd Paul Devenny, who runs Enviro Fire Water & Air Ltd, a BESA and REFCOM member, in Warrenpoint, County Down, led a community appeal for Ukraine aid and then drove 3,000-miles to drop off medical and other supplies in Kielce, Poland.

David said ‘‘It has been a fantastic role supporting a well-respected certification body, which is part of the BESA Group. BESCA helps businesses and individuals meet industry standards, ensuring compliance and promoting best practice in the building engineering services industry’.

Director of Certification, Rachel Davidson said, “It has been a pleasure working with David on developing BESCA’s certification services over the years. To say his presence and input will be missed is an understatement. I have personally valued David’s professionalism and commercial experience in guiding the schemes through some testing times. On behalf of our entire team, we wish David all the best in his future roles.”

BESA partners with elemental UK for InstallerSHOW 2022 BESA is delighted to announce that it is partnering with elemental UK to bring its industry knowledge and a host of informative in-person sessions to InstallerSHOW in June.

The BESA theatre will be home to a selection of sessions, aimed at building engineers and those seeking to further their professional knowledge, enhance their skills and ensure they remain fully qualified and competent in an environment of fast-moving changes and directives.

Donations of medical supplies, baby food and hygiene products filled every nook of Paul’s office as deliveries from local businesses and individuals poured in.

Mr Devenny, along with employee Brian Wilkinson, set off from Warrenpoint at 5.30am on a Friday morning in March with two fully-loaded company vans and arrived in Kielce, Poland at 10.30pm the following night.

Paul was interviewed by Sky News and told them that the journey had been “absolutely incredible”.

“It’s a massive achievement for our whole community to have done what they’ve done. We should all be proud. We should all realise what can be achieved when we all come together.”

Publications coming up in 2022

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BESA praises upgraded senior technician apprenticeship

The following BESA publications are being reviewed and developed this year. If you are interested in contributing, please contact mark.oakes@thebesa.com

BESA believes a newly updated and better financed Level 4 apprenticeship for senior technicians will play an influential role in raising professional standards across the building services sector.

• DW145 – Specification for Fire Damper installation

This first generation of senior technician apprentices are “living proof’ of the success of apprenticeships in opening up challenging and rewarding careers – and preparing many for leadership roles”.

• TR11 - Guide to the use of Plastic Pipework

BESA Group Companies:

• DW154 – Specification for Plastics ductwork • TR6 – Guide to Good Practice: Site Pressure Testing of Pipework • TR20 - Installation and Testing of Pipework

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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

www.thebesa.com/besa-webinars COMING UP...

Tuesday 17 May 2022

Tendering and Myths Around CAS

Tuesday 24 May 2022

Top 30 M&E Contractors Report

Thursday 26th May 2022

Queens Quay Heat Network: A Pioneering Technology

Thursday 16 June 2022

Ground Source Air Conditioning with Heat Recovery - a case study

Are you interested in sponsoring a webinar?

Would you like to be a thought leader and help drive the webinar content, whilst gaining brand recognition and engaging with your target audience?

Get in touch with us to discuss: charlie.pierpoint@thebesa.com

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