With energy savings, low emissions and being ecologically aware at the forefront of everyone’s minds nowadays, there has been much discussion surrounding combined heat and power (CHP) installations and, specifically, the new microturbine units, which are now available. The new Part L of the Building Regulations also require CHP to be considered in new developments.

There have been energy efficiency initiatives since the industrial revolution, and certainly since Oliver Lyle wrote his book ‘Efficient Use of Fuel’ in 1944. There have also been initiatives from the previous Department of Energy going back to the 1970’s with the Boiler efficiency grant scheme and the Energy Survey grant scheme. An analysis of the latter scheme indicated that there was very little take up of the conclusions and recommendation of the Survey Reports to realise the savings predicted.

The Buro Happold-engineered Oval Lingotto speed skating venue was certainly put through its paces at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin.

Six of Keston Boilers’ highly energy-efficient modulating C110 condensing models have been installed to complement the new Biomass unit at Whitchurch Hospital.

Raychem electric self-regulating heat-tracing systems are being employed for temperature maintenance to hot water services and for frost protection to cold water feeds at the new Emirates Stadium, being built by Sir Robert McAlpine for Arsenal, in Islington, north London.

This year will see the establishment of the first Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Training Awards Ceremony. The success of the BCIA technical training programme, which has been running for only three years, has led to 800 module certificates being awarded. “The demand has been outstanding,” said Doug Robins, BCIA President, “and has far exceeded our expectations, which clearly demonstrates the high regard in which building controls engineering is held within the building services industry. To date the training programme has awarded 126 Technical Certificates and 54 Advanced Technical Certificates and each student has earned their qualification by successfully passing an examination at each module stage.”

The April 2006 deadline for the implementation of the revised Part L of the Building Regulations is now here and despite the delay in its enforcement from January 2006 the commercial boiler market will continue to rapidly change says Ken Percival Director and General Manager of Potterton Commercial, who has been proactively involved in responding to the Government’s draft documents and consultation process over the last 12 months. Here Ken uncovers what the revised regulations mean for the industry

Cofathec UK has acquired Halesowen-based Energy Services Ltd (ESL) as part of its strategic expansion in the Energy Management market. The acquisition will boost Cofathec’s turnover by £5 million and will bring an additional 17 members of staff.

Trox (UK) has supplied 44 special multi-service chilled beams (MSCBs) to the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN), a department of University College London, in a contract worth over £100,000.

Fläkt Woods has won a contract in Saudi Arabia to supply ventilation fans on a road and passenger bridge in Mina, which is used by pilgrims to throw stones where Muslims believe the devil appeared to Abraham.

A spectacular new medical school building has been designed to pay as much attention to how well it works on the inside as to how good it looks on the outside. The futuristic glass structure is home to the Queen Mary University of London’s Institute of Cell and Molecular Science and uses an innovative approach to internal space to facilitate collaborative research.

The new international terminal at Madrid’s Barajas airport which covers some six square kilometres, and dwarfs Heathrow’s terminal 5 in every respect, is now open for business.

Ecoflam supplied 600 burners to space heater manufacturers Biemmdue to warm a variety of temporary buildings for athletes, organisers, spectators and media at the Winter Olympics.

Ninety percent of current Fire Certificates are not worth the paper they are written on, states Gent by Honeywell, because the automatic fire detection system does not comply with the current British Standard. To help correct this situation, the company offers a CPD seminar which examines why such systems are non compliant. It admits that this seminar, entitled ‘Playing with Fire’, is a potentially contentious presentation, as it thoroughly examines the process of providing a system from design, installation and commissioning and questions why the end result often does not reflect the requirements of either the standard or the original design. Therefore, it is a good starting point for anyone planning to install fire detection systems and wishing to avoid the many pitfalls.

With its distinctive architecture, Chelsea Bridge provides a recognisable landmark for residents and tourists alike. To ensure that one of the district’s key assets is shown to its full potential, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea were keen to adopt the latest lighting technology. Thus a tailored Philips lighting solution using LEDline2 in combination with Decoflood was installed to enhance the architectural detailing.

When energy labelling was first introduced for European domestic appliances in 1995, it got a fairly low-key reception. However, from these inauspicious beginnings, the initiative has gained significant momentum and is now instantly recognised with more and more people actively using it, as both a standalone and as part of the mix, to make product relevant purchasing decisions.

At the beginning of February the DTI launched a new consultation that aims to provide the Government with a framework to guide future progress in the construction industry. It was launched on 2 February by the Rt. Hon Alun Michael, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions. This new consultation in the form of a draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction Report 2006 aims to seek the views of key construction stakeholders. The terms of reference will be a review of the direction that they think the industry should take with the aim to develop and maintain a more sustainable future.

The 2012 Olympics represent a golden opportunity for Britain to shine, not just in the sporting world, but architecturally. The massive programme of building work that is expected to take place will provide us with some of the finest sporting facilities in the world, and will stimulate the regeneration of many areas. But whilst the construction industry is rubbing its hands and looking forward to a decade of buoyancy, there are a number of lessons to be learnt from recent projects, most notably the disastrous delay in the opening of the new Wembley Stadium.

The latest generation of sports stadia will not only be forums for great sporting performance, but can also showcase how environmental performance can be integrated into building design and operation.

Seeley International has become the only evaporative air-cooling manufacturer in the world to pass the stringent VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure) Standard and achieve VDI Standard 6022 compliance. Endorsement has been attained for part three of the standard relating to ‘Hygienic standards for ventilation and air-conditioning systems in production facilities and business enterprises’.

The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) has welcomed the agreement reached at conciliation on the proposal for a Regulation on F-gases, considering the outcome to be a step forward in the fight against climate change. This agreement is a strong signal in support of a containment regime to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases (F-gases) across Europe.

The HVCA Service and Facilities Group and the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) have signed a formal agreement entitled Partners in FM Excellence.