Boosting performance with pre-insulated ductwork

Ductwork is a core component of most building services systems, but it can be cumbersome and time consuming to both fit and then lag, particularly in light of the energy performance of the systems coming under greater scrutiny. Pre-insulated phenolic ductwork systems can help to address these challenges by supporting faster installation and greater on-site adaptability. They also deliver air-leakage rates that can be a fraction of those of conventional ductwork, potentially reducing system operational energy demand and cost. John O’Gorman, National Sales and Specification Manager, Kingspan Technical Insulation Ireland, explains.

Faster fit-outs

Galvanised steel ductwork has been the standard solution for building services applications for decades. While durable, it is also heavy. This means sections need to be fitted in short lengths and supported with a lot of hangers/supports. In addition, once the ductwork is installed, it then needs to be lagged with insulation as a separate activity.

This adds a lot of time to the install process and means the ducting must be fitted with a sufficient gap from the wall or ceiling.

In contrast, pre-insulated ductwork systems are formed from rigid phenolic insulation panels faced with aluminium foil on both sides. These panels can be used to fabricate ductwork in sections up to 2.95m long. With no need to install insulation in a second fix, the runs can be fitted flush with floors, walls and ceilings, saving up to 200mm in a single dimension. Pre-insulated phenolic ductwork can be as much as 75% lighter than a comparable sheet metal system with mineral fibre lagging. In addition to reducing structural support requirements, this lightweight design means it is possible to join several sections of ductwork together at floor level (up to 15 meters in length) and lift and fit them in a single operation. The pre-insulated panels can also be easily modified onsite, making it much easier for site teams to manage unexpected changes to the design.

Energy savings

Pre-insulated phenolic ductwork can also offer clear operational advantages. The low thermal conductivity of its rigid phenolic insulation core makes it the most thermally-efficient, and hence the thinnest, insulation product commonly used for pre-insulated HVAC ductwork.

Above: The lightweight phenolic ductwork system can be rapidly installed and is capable of achieving low levels of air-leakage, reducing long-term energy demands and cost.

The fabricated ductwork sections can also be highly airtight and are capable of meeting air-leakage Class C and D, both at low and medium pressures (ref. BS EN 1507: 2006; BS EN 13403: 2003 and BESA DW/144). This can allow the desired airflow rates to be met with smaller, more efficient fans, potentially significantly lowering long-term energy demand.

Future-proofed

Building services specifiers face a range of challenges, from labour shortages to ambitious energy targets. Preinsulated ductwork offers a premium performing solution which can be quickly and easily installed and can adapt to changing building plans.

Contact: Kingspan Insulation.

T: 042 975 4219 E: hvactechnical@ kingspaninsulation.co.uk www.kingspantechnicalinsulation.ie

Listen, understand, deliver … Mitsubishi Electric – customer support par excellence!

Nonetheless, best-in-class customer support is now an essential requirement for all businesses. Having an excellent product portfolio is one thing but, without the same level of customer support, a company can lose existing customers and even fail to attract new ones.

This is particularly so given the scope and applications base of the Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental Systems (LES) product portfolio. The rapid pace of technology development, coupled with a continuous stream of new products, means that customers are constantly faced with new innovations and related support systems.

Dedicated Customer Support Division Hence the dedicated Customer Support Division at Mitsubishi Electric. Operations Manager, Marta McCarthy, has worked for Mitsubishi Electric for almost 10 years and she and her highly-qualified team ensure that customers receive the highest levels of attention and support at all times.

By definition, the team is dynamic and multidisciplinary, comprising experience and expertise across

E-Shop spare parts

E-Shop is an online B2B ordering system that is available to credit account customers across all Mitsubishi Electric product lines. It is an easy, efficient and effective way of ordering spare parts.

The process operates similar to all online shopping websites. Simply check the data label on the Mitsubishi Electric product before entering the model number and the service reference to select the correct spare part. Once selected, place the relevant spare part(s) in the “basket” and they will be shipped straight away.

everything from technical and engineering roles through to order processing, logistics, project scheduling, stock issues, transport and even regulatory compliance issues.

But even that alone is not sufficient. How this service support is delivered is the most critical issue. Marta McCarthy explains: “The most important qualities of good customer service comprise an ability to listen to, and understand, the customer’s query or problem, and to then deliver a solution in a positive, efficient and timely manner.

“It’s a case of a ‘people first’ approach where our team members genuinely engage with the customer so that we respond to their unique situation rather than impose a standard solution which may not be appropriate.

“At Mitsubishi Electric we still follow a professional structured approach but apply it in a manner that respects the customer’s viewpoint, values his/her time, shows patience, genuinely listens, and shows empathy with the difficulty/ challenge being experienced.

“Above all else, we strive to develop relationships with our customers so that we are seen as problem-solvers who, when appropriate, can also engage in some fun and social interaction.”

Visit www.les.mitsubishielectric.ie

As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing and pressing issue of climate change, it has become increasingly apparent that the role of the engineer is of utmost importance. Consulting engineers, in particular, are at the forefront of design and construction of infrastructure that can withstand and adapt to the impact of climate change, as well as the development of sustainable technologies that can help reduce emissions and mitigate further damage to the environment.

However, like many other industries, the consulting engineering sector is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, with women being significantly under-represented in this highly-skilled profession. Attracting more young talent is essential if we are to respond to the climate emergency. Against this backdrop, the gender gap is both a cause for concern and an opportunity, especially as we need all the talent and diversity we can get to address the challenges of climate change.

EFCA Conference

Now, as the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA) prepares for its forthcoming conference on “Delivering Climate resilience: How the European green deal, digitalisation and harmonised standards present opportunities for engineering consultancies” and General Assembly in Rome (31 May to 1 June 2023), it is an opportune time to reflect on women in engineering.

Here, Inés Ferguson President-elect of EFCA, places a special focus on Ireland and the EU, and considers what can be done to bridge the gender gap and promote greater diversity and inclusivity in the field.

Persistent gender gap

Sarah Ingle, the former SecretaryGeneral of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI), emphasises the importance of women in engineering and the positive impact they can have on sustainability and society: “As the first woman in Ireland to graduate with a degree in Production Engineering from Technological University Dublin (formerly DIT), I strongly advocate engineering as a great career opportunity for women to help address sustainability concerns for our planet and make a real difference to society. Women bring special traits, skills and ways of working to projects, and a diverse team of engineers and other professionals will always produce the most successful outcome.”

However, recent data suggests that women remain significantly underrepresented in the engineering workforce, both in Ireland and internationally. In Ireland, only 12% of engineers are female, while the figures for the United States, Australia and India are 13%, 14% and 14% respectively. That said, there is some good news. Eurostat data from 2022 suggests that the representation of women in engineering and science jobs is on the rise across all EU countries. Data shows that at thirdlevel education, 23% of engineering graduates in Ireland are female. For the ACEI this shows the long distance to travel by the profession to attract and retain female talent in engineering.

The disparity not only limits opportunities for women but also has broader societal impacts. It can discourage future generations of girls from pursuing careers in engineering, as they may not see women represented in the field. There is a lack of female leadership, especially in management positions. For example, in the heavy construction sector, which includes civil engineering, only 1% of CEOs are female.

EFCA community ‘bridges the gap’ EFCA and its community is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the industry. At national level in Ireland, the ACEI’s new strategy “Bridging the Gap” identifies diversity in the consulting engineering profession as a key strategic objective. As a result, the ACEI will be delivering a series of existing and new initiatives over the coming five years to move the dial in diversity. These will include, inter alia, increasing female participation across all committees within the Association, executing a “see it to be it” social media campaign featuring leading women in the sector, and collaborative initiatives with other bodies in the profession, for example, in ensuring that girls-only secondary schools provide STEMD subjects.

To support these national efforts, EFCA believes that the European Year of Skills 2023 presents a unique opportunity to promote engineering as a viable career option, especially for women, from an early age. By dismantling the barriers that limit diversity and inclusivity in the engineering industry, we can better equip it to tackle future challenges and create a brighter future for all.

As part of the “EU Pact for Skills”, EFCA has made a commitment to address these challenges through various initiatives, including workshops, capacity-building training, and the Future Leaders’ Competition. These efforts aim to promote STEMD education, inspire and engage young people in engineering, and equip engineers with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly-evolving digital landscape.

Change of EFCA Presidency

At EFCA’s imminent conference and General Assembly in Rome, Inés Ferguson, Director of Business Development at TYPSA and the current EFCA President-Elect, will take over the presidency from Benoit Clocheret, the outgoing EFCA president. This is a significant milestone as Inés will become the first-ever female president of EFCA. Ferguson is a strong advocate for diversity in engineering and will use her term as president to further this goal. She says: “Diversity raises the performance of the consulting engineering industry. In particular, female talent brings greater flexibility, collaboration and communication. This drives new solutions, integrates teams and promotes partnerships to inspire a positive change.”

By attracting and retaining talented individuals, promoting innovation and creativity, and motivating the upcoming generation of young engineers and construction professionals, the industry can establish a better future where everyone has an equal chance to excel in their chosen field.

EFCA believes that by promoting diversity and inclusivity in the field, and by encouraging young people, especially women, to enter the field of engineering, we can design a future, climate-resilient, built environment and make a significant impact.