Your BESA Issue 29 by Open Box Media & Communications

Issue

The magazine of the Building Engineering Services Association

Society needs buildings to work better, BESA Conference told

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Also in this issue:

BESA launches guide to mould and damp Why the building safety act could change everything BESA group calls for ‘new industry’ to tackle poor ventilation

December 2023

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David Frise

BESA Chief Executive

Issue 29 Contents 04 BESA Annual Conference and Industry Awards Society needs buildings to work better, BESA Conference told 13 President’s Perspective BESA President Claire Curran 15 Building Services Risers Offsite group guide tackles riser challenges 16 Mould and Damp BESA launches guide to mould and damp

How to defeat the defects and retentions culture

he ‘helter skelter’ nature of most construction projects means we have come to accept that mistakes and defects are inevitable. The industry’s whole financial model is built around this assumption with financial penalty clauses driving projects forward and payment retentions used to manage clients’ risk; however, it doesn’t have to be like this. The emergence of powerful data gathering tools means we can create a new and far better model that incentivises firms to invest in skills and competence and adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to defects and poor-quality work. This, in turn, would lead to a gradual reduction in the need for retentions and, as well as delivering a better business outcome for clients, would protect the fragile cash flow in supply chains and reduce insolvencies. We are working on a scheme as part of our collaboration within the umbrella body ActuateUK that can address the disease rather than the symptoms by confronting accepted thinking. It has been presented to the Construction Leadership Council as part of the industry’s response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s challenge to bring about “profound culture change” (see our coverage of the Building Safety Act on page 20).

It takes previously successful data gathering schemes used to address health & safety concerns and late payment as its inspiration with a similar focus on using anonymous data to tackle the root causes of the defects ‘culture’. Both these earlier schemes

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18 World Ventil8 Day BESA group calls for ‘new industry’ to tackle poor ventilation 20 Building Safety Act Why the Building Safety Act could change everything 22 SKILLcard Collaborations drive major rollout

produced tangible results and had a profound impact on the prevailing culture at the time.

Eliminate The CLC is now inviting clients and contractors to take part in a pilot project by sharing their project data, which is non-attributed and will help to build up a picture of why defects come about and how to eliminate (or at least minimise) them. The project is being run by Cranfield University and the Get it Right Initiative (GIRI) - providing two layers of anonymity to the project data, which clients and contractors can submit via a simple form that takes a few minutes to complete. Business improvement experts have already expressed support for a plan that would allow firms to focus on better quality outcomes, but to be successful it requires open sharing of project information. Unfortunately, the construction industry currently has a somewhat ‘toxic’ relationship with data because of the industry’s deep rooted litigious nature. Keeping the information anonymous will be critical so companies can feel confident about sharing their data in a secure environment. The initial stage is strictly a proof of concept, a test that the data can be collected and collated from projects. But getting this right could unlock benefits for all parties – not least the gradual removal of retentions. Dame Judith and others continually point out that the industry cannot expect the Building Safety Regulator

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23 SFG20 How to hand over a building 24 BESA bitesize updates • BESA Book 2024 out now • Looking for skills and training advice • The BESA Podcast Advertising & production Contact: Open Box Media & Communications T: +44 (0)121 200 7820 Advertising enquiries, email: E: wendy@ob-mc.co.uk E: mandy@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.

to drive change. The industry must take a proactive approach that also includes developing and adapting their business approaches to suit the new climate around construction or risk being left behind. The skills gap and pressure on the sector’s capacity are clearly major issues that increase client risk, but we believe this approach can address these issues too because it will provide a greater incentive to invest in competence and delivery rather than speed. Therefore, a strategy for tackling defects at root – eliminating or at least substantially reducing them - can be the underpinning mechanism to help contractors develop business models more suited to this new era of construction. n

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

BESA annual conference and industry awards

Society needs buildings to work better, BESA Conference told

uildings should be made to work better for social and economic reasons - not just to meet safety and climate change goals, according to BESA President, Claire Curran. Speaking at the opening of the Association’s annual conference in London, she said the government’s “flip flopping” on net zero and infrastructure policy should not be used as an excuse to delay investment that would “make buildings work better”. “It makes no difference that the government has got cold feet over its net zero timetable and the cost of vital infrastructure,” she told over 300 conference delegates. “We still have a built environment that is desperate for an upgrade. “We need look no further than the ‘crumbly concrete’ scandal in schools and hospitals for proof that our existing building stock is not being properly maintained. Vital investment in refurbishment and retrofit has fallen so far behind the curve that many of our built assets are no longer fit for purpose.”

She told the event, which was sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric, that improving the built environment should be a priority as it was critical to “the hopes and aspirations of this and future generations. The buildings we live and

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

work in are crucial to our well-being and quality of life – and there is nothing more fundamental than that.”.

Landlords

Curran also criticised the two thirds of residential landlords who told a recent survey that they would rather sell their properties than pay for energy efficiency improvements to meet EPC regulations originally due to come into force in 2025. “And then the government scrapped the deadline anyway,” she said. “What sort of signal does that send? The whole point is that we are supposed to be

The built environment is critical to the hopes and aspirations of this and future generations. The buildings we live and work in are crucial to our well-being and quality of life – and there is nothing more fundamental than that.

Claire Curran, BESA President

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improving buildings – not letting them continue to degrade.” She added that if the government was serious about wanting to help families who are struggling with rising costs, then it should support a major programme of building refurbishment and retrofit to reduce their energy bills. “Whether you think net zero is achievable or not, making buildings better is surely a basic social responsibility,” said Curran. Dr Jo Jolly, head of project futures at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), called for delivery teams to be more “courageous and honest” to achieve sustainability goals and avoid the continual “race to the bottom” on quality and cost.

and deferred to leadership rather than taking brave decisions. “Can we speak up? Can we be courageous? Can we be honest?” she asked. In her keynote presentation, she told the BESA conference that too many members of project teams felt afraid to call out poor working practices due to the “toxic culture” that affected many projects. “We are facing a shit show with the climate emergency, and we need to tackle it with fearlessness,” she said. “These are the last best years we have left to make a difference before time runs out. “We need to transform our infrastructure for the benefit of people. We have a systemic problem so need a systemic solution.” Dr Jolly pointed out that construction productivity had “stagnated for

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decades” and just one in every 200 projects came in on time and to budget. She added that climate change was rarely written into project briefs, but people could still choose to “do the right thing”. “Projects go wrong because people feel they can’t speak up when they know something isn’t right. Of course, there are cost issues, but we need to ask if we are doing the best we can…in line with the UN’s sustainable development goals.” She said the concept of ‘psychological safety’ underpinned decision-making in construction and meant people were risk averse

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Dr Jolly also urged the industry to make better use of digital technologies, gathering and using data to underpin more informed decision making and improve project delivery. However, BESA chief executive officer, David Frise, pointed out that many parts of the sector had a “toxic relationship with data” and were reluctant to share their information for fear of it being used against them in legal actions. “It is so important to improve trust,” said Dr Jolly. “One way of doing that is store the data securely and control access so that people don’t necessarily know whose data it is.” >>

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

BESA annual conference and industry awards

Competence

The use of digital information to provide evidence of competent work will also be vital to the successful implementation of the new Building Safety Act, the conference held at the Novotel London West heard. There was considerable debate around the new competence requirements that came into force this month. However, Neil Hope-Collins from the Office of the Building Safety Regulator pointed out that “if you were competent before the Act you are still competent now”. He said that it was the principal contractor who had the ultimate responsibility for making sure buildings were planned, managed, and delivered in accordance with the Building Regulations. “If they don’t give you the time and the resources [to get things right] that’s on them…if you told them. You can push back.” He added that competence requirements were not just about which “card or a piece of paper” somebody holds, but “the skills, knowledge, and competence for doing the job”. Hope-Collins explained that the Act placed greater emphasis on having more complete design information earlier in the process and that this would make it easier to secure a completion certificate at the end.

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“Evidence needs to be collected through the delivery process at the design gateways, including a list of the evidence we need to see at completion. Changes are also assessed at different stages…with the right of information so the Regulator can be satisfied that the building will meet requirements by the time it reaches completion,” Hope-Collins said. However, he warned there could be problems with developers trying to start work before they get approval. He urged the industry to “understand and own their risk” and not expect the Regulator to tell them what to do. “We expect you to bring us your homework for marking…not ask us to do it for you. It’s your job, your building so you should understand it and be able to come to us with your argument and your rationale.”

The Golden Thread of information is crucial, but Hope-Collins said it was up to the project team to work out what they needed to help them deliver a compliant building. “What do you need to be sure that this building will meet the functional requirements?” Creating a more diverse, skilled workforce was another theme for the conference with BESA’s Future Leaders group of young engineers taking a leading role. They also acted as ‘roving reporters’, gathering information for the post-conference feedback hosted by David Frise. “Much of today’s programme is aimed at the emerging generation who will underpin our industry,” said Curran. “They are the ones who will benefit the most if we get things right and deliver a built environment fit for their future; but by the same token they have the most to lose if we fail.” Curran chaired a session where the Future Leaders outlined what employers could do to make themselves more attractive to the emerging generation, and what younger people had to offer including fresh ideas, instinctive understanding of digital technologies and connectivity.

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BESA’s Future Leaders group advised companies to re-think some of their recruitment messaging to make it more directly appealing to a wider cross-section of the population, and to make sustainability a priority as the younger generation were increasingly engaging with the need to address climate change. Valued

While better pay was described as “desirable” a number of the young engineers said “feeling valued” and trusted to take on more responsibility was more important. They advised companies to re-think some of their recruitment messaging to make it more directly appealing to a wider crosssection of the population, and to make sustainability a priority as the younger generation were increasingly engaging with the need to address climate change. The group discussed the implications of the speed of change in the marketplace; 40% of current core skills are expected to be obsolete in under a decade as digitisation and modern methods of construction take a firmer grip. The poor image of the sector also needs to be addressed, according to the Future Leaders, who pointed out that many people don’t even know it exists. Women need to be more directly encouraged to see a building services career as a possibility, they said.

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Curran added that employers needed to adapt to a very fluid recruitment environment. In the 1980s, the average time someone stayed with an employer was 15 years – today it is just over two, she said. The conference also featured the launch of a new industry guide to mould and condensation in buildings – a collaboration between BESA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Group and Mitsubishi Electric. (Read more about that on page 16).

Clean Air

Leading air quality campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah told the launch session that a proposed new Clean Air Act – dubbed ‘Ella’s Law’ in memory of her daughter who was the first person in the world to have air pollution stated as her cause of death – would give the UK “the best clean air laws in the world and improve the health of the nation”. >>

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

A petition in support of the proposed law has already attracted 10,000 signatures and the aim is to raise that to 100,000 to force a debate in Parliament. Despite the government’s recent decision to water down some of its policies, net zero will continue to be a preoccupation for clients, according to Martin Fahey, head of sustainability at Mitsubishi Electric. He said building services contractors would increasingly find themselves being asked for their expertise. “We want motivated clients investing in more sustainable buildings and local authorities setting the targets, but ultimately it’s the contractor who will do the delivery,” he said. “Contractors will be asked for the answers because they will be seen to have the knowledge and the solutions.” He advised the sector to “measure everything you possibly can” using modern digital tools because currently “net zero is a destination without a map” and the industry needs to build up greater understanding of where the emissions are coming from to make the most effective changes. The conference concluded with a keynote presentation from Lord Markham, the Minister in charge of delivering the government’s programme to rebuild the NHS estate by 2030. He urged companies of all sizes and

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BESA annual conference and industry awards

specialisms to work with his department (DHSC) to introduce greater levels of product and design standardisation that would improve efficiency and speed up project delivery.

Drop Dead

Lord Markham said the 2030 deadline was a “drop dead date” because several hospitals would have to close as they were no longer fit for purpose. The improved facilities could cut their operating costs by up to 10% and patient recovery times would be speeded up by 20%, he added. “You should never let a good crisis go to waste,” said Lord Markham. “We have no choice. These hospitals must be built, and they will be even if the government changes. “This is such a big opportunity because we can see so many places where we can make things better and easier to manage which will have such a positive impact on productivity across the NHS.”

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He said it normally took 11 years to build a new hospital so there was a strong focus on cutting “red tape”, pointing out that it took just three weeks to build the Nightingale hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. His team will be introducing new design standards focused on reducing the wide range of variations on offer (including 27,000 different types of door being cut to just nine) early in the new year along with a prototype centre to help with standardisation.

Lord Markham said the new approach would also focus heavily on maintenance as the RAAC concrete scandal had demonstrated the risks if this area is not properly resourced. Delivery will depend on engaging contractors of all sizes, Lord Markham added, because of the sheer scale of the programme, which he said should give contractors confidence to invest in taking part because of the guaranteed long-term workflow. >>

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We have no choice. These hospitals must be built, and they will be even if the government changes. This is such a big opportunity because we can see so many places where we can make things better and easier to manage which will have such a positive impact on productivity across the NHS.

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Lord Markham, Minister in charge of delivering the government’s programme to rebuild the NHS estate by 2030

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Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

Attendance and Marketing

A truly diverse mix of members, non-members, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, partners, and BESA staff attended the event, which also raised £1,930 for the Lighthouse Club mental health charity by adding a small donation to every ticket sold. The advisory board who shaped the programme was more inclusive and diverse this year and, therefore, more representative of our industry and wider society. This had a direct impact on the improved attendance as the board members also acted as ‘champions’ for the event and actively promoted it to colleagues and industry contacts. The conference had a much-improved online presence through new web pages which attracted more than

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The BESA Industry Awards saw significant growth, which was down to several factors including a change of format that turned the regional awards events into ‘heats’ with shortlisted firms and individuals automatically going forward to the national ‘final’ at the London dinner. 16,000 views. There was also a significant step up in social media activity with nearly 70,000 impressions and a reach of more than 28,000. The events team made better use of digital innovations this year with more QR codes/landing pages created for the programme.

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The BESA Industry Awards also saw significant growth. The attendance of just over 500 guests was 20% up on the previous year – and this has prompted the Association to look for a larger venue next year. The growth was down to several factors including a change of format

BESA annual conference and industry awards

INDUSTRY AWARDS 2023

that turned the regional awards events into ‘heats’ with shortlisted firms and individuals automatically going forward to the national ‘final’ at the London dinner. Last year was also seen as a success and this was reflected in improved reputation and wider interest in taking part. It was also made clear that the BESA Awards are not just for members

but are designed to celebrate the whole industry supply chain so the full range of innovation in our sector can be represented.

categories were awarded before dinner and splitting the awards in this way helped to maintain the audience’s attention throughout the evening.

Guests enjoyed the different format of the evening. The apprenticeship

Details of all the BESA Awards winners can be found here. n

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Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

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President’s perspective

Leadership

BESA has always embraced its leadership role – and will continue to do so in my time as your President. However, if I had to pick out just two areas where we must make real progress quickly, it would have to be the Building Safety Act (see page 20) and the use of digital information.

The biggest risk you can take is taking no risks

s an industry, we need to take more action and do less talking about the challenges and risks we all face. The market is tough, but as the many activities covered in this issue of Your BESA prove, there are lots of great opportunities too. BESA’s challenge is to make sure the guidance and support we give to you, our members, helps you manage risk so you can not just keep up with the pace of change, but thrive. That requires us to do more than pay lip service to the changes happening around us.

BESA Rotherwick House, 3 Thomas More Street, St Katharine’s & Wapping London E1W 1YZ T: +44 (0)345 646 1044 E: enquiries@theBESA.com www.theBESA.com

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A lot of people talk a good game – not least about getting to grips with the new culture of building safety, the push for healthier and more sustainable indoor environments, the rapid growth in digital processes, and the need to pay suppliers fairly and on time. But there is also plenty of evidence that not everyone is truly embracing these changes. What we do, rather than what we say, is the true measure of success – and as a trade association we must be measured by our actions. That is why we are carrying out a major strategic review and have canvassed the views and concerns of the sector so we can tailor our support directly for those areas of most need – not least around improving competence and compliance. We have recently updated our Competence Assessment Standard which underpins membership, launched a whole raft of new SKILLcards for key professions and produced guidance for a wide range of specialist building engineering sectors backed up by online and in-person training programmes.

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We must improve the way we use digital tools and systems to help us meet higher standards of safety and speed up progress towards net zero emissions, including embracing artificial intelligence (AI), because you can’t make buildings safer if you keep working in the same broken way. Time is running out for those companies who still think this will quietly go away. It won’t. They need to act. We all know there is no construction, installation, or maintenance without safety or a habitable planet. We must be aware of the potential negatives of AI but grasp the positives. Harnessing it to some of the digital improvements we have already made like 4D modelling, APIs and data mining will make us more efficient and productive. Without these improvements, our sector will struggle to be profitable in the face of tightening profit margins. It is competitive out there; there’s no more margin and there’s only a small pool of skilled people on offer, so we must operate effectively and efficiently. However, digitisation alone will not solve all the industry’s problems. Investment in the right people is equally important so businesses can work with new technologies and realise their full potential. The digital takeover means we need completely new skills…but this also creates an amazing opportunity to reach out to a whole new generation and state our case for being their career of choice, so they can contribute to and enjoy a better, greener future. n

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

thebesa.com/iaq-awareness-course

building services risers

BESA’s guide covers types, sizes, positions, and co-ordination of riser turnouts on to floor plates, all of which need to be established no later than the end of RIBA Stage 3 as the building form and fabric will be largely set and hard to change after this point. It also emphasises the important part risers play in achieving regulatory compliance and life-safety issues like fire stopping.

Coherent

“A well-planned riser strategy is vital for the efficient distribution of services and to ensure systems can be accessed easily for future maintenance and safety work,” said BESA Offsite Group chair, Mark Snell. “A sensible and coherent riser strategy also helps to avoid the problems we often encounter with complex crossovers between services and congested ceiling voids.” He pointed out that the role of risers should never be underestimated. “Risers are essential components because they provide a vertical pathway for the efficient distribution of utilities, ensuring safety, facilitating maintenance, and allowing for adaptability to changing needs and technologies,” said Snell, who is MMC and digital director at Dalkia Engineering.

Offsite group guide tackles riser challenges

he BESA Offsite Group has produced new guidance to address the technical challenges faced by engineers when designing building services risers. BESA Technical Bulletin TB56/1.2 is the second in a series planned by the group and provides a snapshot of guidelines, principles, and rules of thumb to be considered as early as possible in the design process for the spatial fit of services inside risers. The group’s first document, released in March, covered service voids and horizontal distribution/modules.

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“Poor provision of risers and inadequate riser sizes will almost certainly lead to serious problems with spatial fit, compliance, and access which can create legacy and health and safety issues,” he added.

This new free to download riser guide emphasises the importance of allowing adequate spatial fit for building services and provides specific advice for engineers whether they are using traditional approaches or modern methods of construction (MMC)/design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA). It explains the importance of planning the layout and spatial provision within risers as early as possible in the design process. It also shows how well-designed risers allow for more flexibility in building design by enabling architects and engineers to plan the layout of utilities more efficiently, accommodating the specific needs of the building and its occupants.

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The BESA guide covers the main distribution strategies used for riser design. It emphasises the importance of early and detailed collaboration with the architect, structural engineering team, and fire engineers to ensure the riser strategy is compatible with the wider vision for the building. “Risers also provide a pathway for future expansion or system upgrades. As technology advances or building requirements change, having well planned and co-ordinated risers becomes increasingly important,” said Snell. He added that this second free guide was “an important milestone” for the Offsite Group and expressed his gratitude for the hard work of the members in putting the guidance together. n

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

mould AND DAMP

BESA launches guide to mould and damp

ESA and affiliate member Mitsubishi Electric have jointly produced new guidance: ‘Mould and Damp Prevention in new and existing Homes’ to help the ventilation industry address the alarming rise in the number of homes suffering from severe condensation that threatens the health of thousands – particularly in the social housing sector. Content for the new publication was provided by BESA’s Indoor Air Quality group and it features a foreword from TV personality and architect George Clarke. The guide details a range of practical measures designed to tackle this increasingly damaging problem. The guide has been designed to educate landlords, tenants, and homeowners about how they can tackle the problems of damp and mould at source, with straightforward steps and advice to help improve the indoor environment. It also covers four steps to creating mould-free homes, including: 1. Tackle sources of dampness around the building 2. Improve ventilation

Mould and damp prevention in new and existing homes A Practical Guide

3. Improve heating 4. Make a home that supports people’s health and well-being. A recent survey of over 2,000 UK homeowners by builders’ merchant Jewson found that more than half had experienced serious problems with indoor air quality (IAQ) and poor ventilation leading to condensation, mould, and damp.

Guide

55% of respondents to the poll said they had experienced IAQ and condensation issues in their homes in the past year – and 44% reported health-related side effects including allergies, respiratory infections, poor sleep, low mood, and difficulty concentrating.

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Foreword

by George Clarke Architect, Writer, TV Presenter and Ecodan Ambassador

Damaged

The true scale of the UK’s domestic ventilation problems were revealed by the poll, with 52% of the respondents reporting condensation problems, 26% saying they had mould in at least one room, and a further 23% saying they had damaged walls that could impact air quality and humidity levels.

A home should be a place where we feel safe, happy and healthy. But that’s not the case for some families whose flats and houses are riddled with damp and mould.

Two

“There’s been increased awareness of the dangers of mould, condensation and other issues relating to poor IAQ in the last 12 months because of shocking news stories that show why ventilation is such an important part of our homes,” said Jewson’s innovation manager, Matthew Handley. However, Clarke said landlords had access to a range of “tools and solutions” to improve the situation. “Damp and mouldy homes are a cost to all of us,” Clarke wrote in his foreword to the new publication.

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17 “The NHS spends an estimated £1.4 billion annually on treating illnesses associated with cold or damp housing… and the World Health Organisation says that mould is so dangerous it does not set minimum ‘safe’ levels.” Clarke went on to point out that “good heating and ventilation are essential to healthy homes, but they must be affordable and useable for householders”. He explained how high energy prices were adding to the problem because people were reducing their use of heating, increasing the risk of damp and mould. “The good news is that we already have the tools to make the improvements that could save lives and make these homes better places to live,” he added. “This guide from BESA and Mitsubishi Electric highlights how landlords can tackle the problems of damp and mould at source with straightforward steps to improve the indoor environment.” BESA also urged local authorities, housing associations and other housing providers to make ventilation upgrades a key part of retrofit and refurbishment programmes.

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A survey of over 2,000 homeowners found that more than half had experienced serious problems with IAQ and poor ventilation leading to condensation, mould, and damp. With up to £80 million of government funding being made available to social housing tenants to make their homes more energy efficient, the Association said this was an opportunity to take an ‘all round approach’ to tackling poor quality housing.

Targeted

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is being targeted at some of the lowest income households and around 9,500 social housing tenants are expected to benefit from improvements to wall, loft, and underfloor insulation and the installation of low carbon heating. Local and combined authorities, registered providers of social housing and charities that own social housing will be able to bid for the additional funding to install energy efficiency upgrades in November.

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“The public health crisis in buildings is just as important an issue as climate change – and our politicians, business leaders and building owners need to treat it as such,” said IAQ Group chair Nathan Wood.

“Those of us who run ventilation businesses also have a responsibility. We are in a privileged position. Demand for our expertise and solutions is growing and with that will come financial benefits, but that is not how we will measure our success or how history will judge us. “The only meaningful measure of our success will be clear evidence that our work is making indoor conditions healthier and safer for future generations – and I, for one, am happy to be judged against that benchmark,” said Wood. n For more about the BESA Indoor Air Quality group, click here.

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

world ventil8 day

BESA group calls for ‘new industry’ to tackle poor ventilation

ir quality experts have called for the creation of a new profession to address problems caused by poor ventilation in buildings including serious health conditions linked to damp and mould.

Better Live Better’ with organisers showing how investment in ventilation systems could help to tackle the rising number of premature deaths linked to IAQ, mould and damp in homes, and other sources of indoor pollutants including smoking and traffic emissions.

BESA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Group hosted a roundtable debate on World Ventil8 Day (WV8D), which takes place on November 8th every year and is backed by international engineering bodies, environmentalists, academics, and health bodies.

The IAQ Group also urged the UK government to support a proposed new Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, which is also referred to as ‘Ella’s Law’ in memory of Ella Kissi-Debrah – the first person in the world to have air pollution recorded as her cause of death.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that exposure to poor IAQ is directly linked to 3.8 million premature deaths worldwide every year.

The draft Bill was approved by the House of Lords and has now moved to the Commons where it is being sponsored by Caroline Lucas MP.

The meeting agreed that the lack of specific ventilation qualifications, standards and training made it harder for the industry to properly address the growing public health crisis caused by poor air quality in buildings. Group vice chair Adam Taylor pointed out that there were currently no competence requirements for people working in ventilation installation and maintenance. “We are carrying out a lot more risk assessments and air quality monitoring, which has highlighted a massive problem caused by the huge number of systems which were badly installed and the complete lack of maintenance in many buildings. “We need to create a new profession of specialists focused specifically on ventilation with formal qualifications, agreed standards, and best practice,” said Taylor who is CEO of ARM Environments.

Awareness

He also called for a public awareness campaign to focus attention on deteriorating IAQ. WV8D events were held worldwide including in Australia, China, the USA, Germany and the UK and there were more than 6,000 reports on social media. This year’s theme was ‘Breathe

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We are carrying out a lot more risk assessments and air quality monitoring, which has highlighted a massive problem caused by the huge number of systems which were badly installed and the complete lack of maintenance in many buildings.

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Adam Taylor, BESA Indoor Air Quality Group vice chair

More than 12,000 people have signed a petition in support of the new law and campaigners are pushing to raise that figure to 100,000 to trigger a debate in Parliament. Ella’s mother Rosamund Adoo-KissiDebrah CBE said the Bill would give the UK “the best air quality law in the world and improve the health of the nation”. She said it would be crucial to addressing the fact that there are 7.7 million people on NHS waiting lists. “Ella’s Law would tackle air pollution and greenhouse gases together to improve public health, the environment and the climate,” added Kissi-Debrah, who is Honorary President of the IAQ Group and received the CBE for her services to public health from the King on WV8 Day.

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“We desperately need this legislation,” said BESA technical director Graeme Fox. “There needs to be a clear policy framework to force action on this issue because too many people are being fobbed off when they raise the issue with building managers. “The public is much better informed about air quality these days and the pandemic raised wider awareness, but there is still no compulsion if someone is determined to avoid their responsibilities.” Ian Palmer from Airflow Developments told the meeting that mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) could be a vehicle to tackle the problem. There is growing demand for this type of equipment in homes, but the technology was often undermined

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by poor quality installation and lack of maintenance, he explained. However, housebuilders are starting to wake up to the issue, according to Palmer, with many looking to use good air quality as a future selling point. “We now have an opportunity to promote best practice and the industry has several technical solutions,” said Palmer. “Rising respiratory problems, including soaring numbers of asthma sufferers, are starting to concentrate minds and make people more willing to spend money on better residential ventilation.” BESA also launched a new guide: ‘Mould and Damp Prevention in new and existing Homes’ on WV8 Day (see page 16). n The WV8D website includes a range of free resources including ‘top facts’ about the role of ventilation, and different methods that can be adapted depending on the age, design, location, and purpose of the building. It also explains how building operators can manage the complex trade-off between ventilation, energy consumption, climate change, urban pollution, noise, comfort, and security. www.worldventil8day.com

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

building safety act

Why the Building Safety Act could change everything

he Building Safety Act is the most important piece of legislation for our industry in a generation, writes Rachel Davidson, BESA’s newly appointed Director of Specialist Knowledge. The Act is significant, not just because of the long overdue improvements it will make to the enforcement of safety standards, but its potential to profoundly change almost every aspect of the way building engineering firms go about their business. New rules came into force in October (see box below) but many are resisting because they see the new safety regime primarily as an imposition. However, the process of reform is not just about setting new rules – there are carrots as well as sticks. There will be new business opportunities too – particularly for specialist firms with well-trained, competent workforces. This is our chance to comprehensively re-set the whole environment around the delivery of building engineering projects. Dame Judith Hackitt continues to repeat her call for a “fundamental cultural shift”. The author of the 2018 Building a Safer Future report that shone the spotlight on disfunction in the construction industry says the message is quite simple: “If you cannot demonstrate that you have designed something that meets the standards, you will not be able to put people in that building,” she told a recent industry conference, but she also talked about “links and compatibilities with the other agendas, whether they be quality, sustainability, and/or resilience”.

Purposes

“All of those things take us down the path of doing better and ensuring that we meet multiple outcomes and purposes, all at the same time,” she

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said. “It is not about one or the other; we must do them all. That is a fundamental cultural shift, and of course, the regulators will help to hold that in place.” BESA President Claire Curran echoed that message when she urged delegates at the Association’s recent Annual Conference (see pages 04-10) to “make buildings better…not just to meet climate change and safety goals” but also for a wide range of social and economic reasons. She said that improving the built environment should be a priority as it was critical to “the hopes and aspirations of this and future generations”. BESA is keen to reinforce the message that those firms who invest in their workforces and have a robust competence culture will thrive in this new environment. The Act is heavily focused on identifying those with responsibility for projects and the ongoing operation of buildings, and those people have a very clear motivation for making sure they only work with verifiably competent people and organisations. So, as well as being a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to reform a critical industry, this is also an unmissable opportunity to embed best practice into everything we do and enjoy the benefits that follow. Better processes will enhance the delivery of improvements in the specialist areas covered by building engineering firms including indoor air quality, low carbon heating systems, building services maintenance, etc. n

key points

The Act applies to ALL buildings – not just higher risk ones (HRBs) although these have additional requirements.

There are competence requirements for organisations as well as individuals: organisations/companies must be able to demonstrate capability, competence and capacity to meet regulatory requirements.

4 5

While there is a legal obligation on clients to ensure all works covered by the Building Regulations are properly planned, managed, and monitored, contractors are required by the regulator to refuse to start work until “they are satisfied the client is aware of its own duties”. The ‘Dutyholder’ regime includes new responsibilities for contractors carrying out work on new build and refurbishment projects, including the ‘principal’ contractor who is “in control of the work” and a contractor who carries out work. From April, the building control process will be more tightly enforced with clear implications for how building services contractors notify and present work covered by the Building Regulations.

Planning Gateways are now in force and require more detailed design information from all parties before projects can proceed. There is a particular focus on Gateway Two where detailed contractor information will be required for planning approval.

A ‘golden thread’ of information must be created and updated throughout the life of an HRB providing a digital record of safety information and changes.

A new mandatory reporting process is in place for contractors to ‘call out’ any fire and structural issues they come across that could undermine the safety of the building. There is now a legal obligation not to ignore an ‘occurrence’ even if it is not in the contractor’s specific area of work.

A further voluntary scheme is currently being set up.

CHANGES TO EXISTING LEGISLATION Building Regulations Approved Document B for fire safety is being updated and extended. The Building Act now has enhanced compensation liabilities for any work that breaches the Building Regulations. Building Liability Orders have been extended to cover all parties linked to defective work including parent companies etc. The Defective Premises Act has been amended so that it now covers refurbishment work and the liability period has also been extended. The Fire Safety Order now requires more fire protection information be passed to occupants. For more information: visit the BESA Building Safety Act hub and look at our ‘roadmap’ to compliance. Read the HSE’s new regime overview which covers Gateways 2 and 3 – from planning to completion. www.thebesa.com/building-safety-act

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Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

skillcard

Collaborations drive major SKILLcard rollout

housands of fire sprinkler, local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and commissioning professionals are now able to provide evidence of their technical competence and qualifications through new cards provided by Engineering Services SKILLcard. SKILLcard, which is managed by BESA, worked closely with the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA), the Institute of LEV Engineers (ILEVE) and the Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA) to provide updated qualifications that will also help operatives prove their safety credentials in the face of increased scrutiny of all building work. The new cards are part of the wider pan-industry Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) alliance used to provide evidence of professional competence and health & safety qualifications across a whole range of built environment professions. All cards carrying the CSCS logo must now only certify occupations with nationally recognised, construction-related qualifications such as NVQs or approved equivalents.

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The new fire sprinkler cards include Blue Skilled Worker cards for commercial engineers for which the applicant must hold the new ‘Inspection and Commissioning of Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems’ qualification; and Fire Sprinkler Design/Project Engineer (Domestic and Residential), which is a Black Manager card that can only be carried by someone who has completed the new ‘Domestic and Residential Fire Sprinkler Design SCQF’ qualification.

Proficiency

For LEV engineers, there are new Blue Skilled Worker TExT Assessor and LEV Design Technician cards, for which the applicants must have P601 and P602 proficiency qualifications, together with relevant experience and have obtained the ILEVE Licentiate card. An advanced Gold Craft card for LEV TExT assessors and commissioning engineers is another new addition for which the applicant must hold the BOHS CoC Control certificate and have obtained an ILEVE Associate card. Commissioning specialists also have access to a whole raft of new cards

including Blue Technician and Engineer cards requiring CSA Grade 3 or Grade 4 qualifications; a CSA Senior Commissioning Engineer Gold card for Grade 5 qualified advanced craft and supervisors; and Black Manager card for all Commissioning Manager grades. SKILLcard said it was delighted to be able to provide the new cards thanks to the positive collaboration between BESA and the other three industry bodies. Head of certification Duncan Sibbald added that it was important for professional accreditations to be continually reviewed and, if necessary, updated to keep pace with the fast-changing building safety environment. “Clients are more concerned than ever to have third-party verified evidence of an individual’s competence and ability to comply with safety legislation. These new cards will provide them with peace of mind and thousands of skilled engineers with the proof of competence they need to carry out their vital life safety work,” he said. n Engineering Services SKILLcard has been operating for 22 years and now provides over 50,000 building services engineers with the evidence of competence they need to access sites. The scheme plays an important role in the government’s 2025 Construction Industry Strategy by helping clients check whether workers have the right qualifications for the job in hand as well as suitable health and safety training. For more information about engineering services SKILLcards and how to apply go to: www.skillcard.org.uk

SFG20

How to hand over a building

he dictionary definition of ‘handover’ is when possession or control of a person or physical object is given by one person or group of people to another. Another definition talks about the process of ‘entrusting’ an asset to the safekeeping of another. This has important connotations when it comes to buildings. We not only entrust the asset itself, but also its functions and the people who inhabit or work in the building. Maintenance, therefore, plays a subtle and crucial role in a wider social and economic context. The person or organisation taking control of the building must have a clear understanding of what that implies and their responsibilities, including how the internal environment affects the health, well-being, and productivity of occupants. The team behind the industry’s maintenance standard SFG20 have, therefore, created specific guidance for the process of a commercial building handover and the subsequent maintenance regime required. It stresses the importance

“

By following SFG20’s new guidance, commercial building managers can ensure a smooth handover leads to efficient ongoing maintenance, which will ultimately save time, money, and stress – and ensure the best possible ‘user experience’ for occupants. of having a comprehensive understanding of the assets, a clear plan for maintenance that complies with all legal requirements, a focus on preventative maintenance, investment in employee training, and regular reviews of the maintenance budget. By following SFG20’s new guidance, commercial building managers can ensure a smooth handover leads to efficient ongoing maintenance, which will ultimately save time, money, and stress – and ensure the best possible ‘user experience’ for occupants.

Complex

However, understanding your assets involves not just the physical structure but the often-complex combination of systems that make up the building services, including HVAC equipment and its controls, electrical and IT networks, and plumbing to name just a few. SFG20 guidance explains how to create an up-to-date register of the components including vital information such as age, current condition, maintenance history and any other useful information like warranties or service agreements. The register is the heart of the maintenance strategy because it allows the facilities manager to establish a set of priorities and work out the best approach for each element to avoid over or under-maintaining anything. This can involve separating assets into those that need regular inspections, those that require preventative maintenance, and others that are on a path towards replacement.

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”

However, before the responsible person starts to focus on practicalities, they must establish the legal situation. In other words, what is required to keep the building safe and compliant with all relevant legislation. SFG20’s software solutions not only help users achieve compliance, but also in the most cost-effective way by targeting unnecessary costs and focusing resources where they are most needed. They also support the accepted best practice of splitting planned preventative maintenance and reactive maintenance budgets on an approximately 70:30 basis. This involves regularly checking vital components and replacing parts when necessary as well as cleaning and lubricating components, inspecting safety devices, calibrating instruments, and generally testing how well equipment is working in line with its target operating parameters. This in turn reduces the risk of unplanned and potentially expensive downtime by catching any potential issues before they become serious. However, to be successful employees need to be properly trained so they know what they are looking for and can implement the necessary improvements. The SFG20 guidance explains why training in-house staff to perform certain maintenance tasks can prove to be a sound investment as it reduces sole reliance on external contractors and often improves employee engagement and job satisfaction, which can result in higher retention levels. n

www.sfg20.co.uk/e-guides/ building-handover

Your BESA Issue 29 | December 2023

BESA Bitesize Updates BESA Book 2024 out now

Our 2024 annual directory is now available. The BESA Book offers valuable guidance on the technical, environmental and legislative issues of the day, along with a searchable listing of BESA members. By using a BESA certified contractor you can be sure that your building engineering services meet the required standards, giving you peace of mind. Download the BESA Book now

The BESA Podcast

Episode 1 of our new Net Zero Series: Mission Zero with Chris Skidmore OBE is now available In the first episode of our new Net Zero Series in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric, we are joined by Chris Skidmore OBE, Chair of Independent Government Review on Net Zero. His ‘Mission Zero’ review, which was published in Januar y, made 129 recommendations for delivering a prosperous UK ‘green economy’. These included speeding up decisions around low carbon heating, the role of energy efficiency in buildings, and accelerating the process for connecting renewable power generation to the countr y’s electricity grid.

Looking for skills and training advice?

Join our skills and training focused webinar on 24 January to find out more about how the Skills Advisory Service can support you and your business with common issues such as accessing skill cards and grandfather rights. You will also have the opportunity to ask any other skills and training related questions. Date: 24 January 2024 Time: 12 – 1pm Register your free place now

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Chris is joined by David Frise Chief Executive, BESA, Martin Fahey – Head of Sustainability, Mitsubishi Electric and Chris Newman – Zero Carbon Design Manager, Mitsubishi Electric. Listen and Subscribe now

Understanding Contract Law in Building Engineering Services Contracts

In the world of building engineering services, contracts are the lifeblood of every project and partnership. Understanding contract law is not just an option; it is a necessity for businesses seeking to protect their interests, reduce risks and exposure, and navigate the complex legal landscape of the construction industry.

Take our short online course to enhance your knowledge and use it to negotiate favourable terms for your business.

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Join our community Raise your visibility

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And don’t forget as a BESA Affiliate, you can also share your expertise and provide training for our members in building engineering services through the BESA Academy!

Some of our Affiliate members… When investing in the growth of ARM Environments, promoting our services was a critical part of our expansion plan. Signing up as a BESA Affiliate has been a great decision for the business. Adam Taylor, CEO of ARM Environments

Increase your chances of being chosen, visit: info.thebesa.com/become-a-besa-affiliate