Centuries ago, the ancient Egyptians used evaporative cooling to reduce the temperature inside their buildings. Water saturated cloth sacks were placed in openings in the structure of the building. As warm air entered, it passed through the sacks and was cooled. Evaporative coolers have been used in warmer climates such as the USA, Australia and the Middle East for many years. As the effects of global warming are felt in cooler climates such as Europe and the United Kingdom the use of evaporative coolers is becoming more widespread.

A correctly specified and installed cable management system ensures that a structured cabling system performs at its best – so cable management should be considered from the start of a project, says Steve Davis of Mita.

Now Part L of the Building Regulations is in place, BSEE asked a panel of industry experts what it thinks the key issues are for construction – and whether the industry is really ready to face the challenge of Part L.

There is still confusion and continuing debate over the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the European edict designed to bring about increased investment in energy efficiency measures in buildings. The timescale of implementation, methods of energy use calculation, type of certification required, how the rules will be enforced … none of these factors seem to be set in stone yet, at least in the UK.

Regular maintenance of the boiler house is vital for ensuring a modern steam system is running smoothly. Rick Plummer, UK Engineering Manager of Spirax Sarco offers tips on how best to maintain the boiler house to ensure it is running to its full capability.

It has been a pretty good year for world sport. Highlights include the recent impressive displays of sporting prowess demonstrated at the Commonwealth Games, Wimbledon and the World Cup; news that London has won the 2012 Olympics, and the (admittedly belated) completion of Wembley Stadium.

In an in-depth article focusing on the elements of risk to the operation of standby power systems, published in Building Services & Environmental Engineer in September 2004, Harath Engineering (now part of Chloride) made predictions that business continuity issues would result from the National Grid reducing resilience of electricity supplies in summer months. It warned Hi-Tec business operations of risks to mission critical operations and the increased need to ensure the absolute integrity of a back-up power supply to maximise power availability. On 27 July 2006 these predictions proved accurate. After a period when daytime temperatures were consistently significantly above 30°C, Central London had an extensive and extended power interruption and many businesses were shocked to find they had deficiencies in their power protection systems. The seriousness of this type of event is typified by the experience of a major datacentre which recently had a failure in back-up to its mission critical power system, leaving its customers’ websites out of action for 12 hours.

Last month we outlined the role of the Technology and Construction Court (the TCC) and in particular summarised the recently issued annual report which includes details of the TCC's organisation, reform measures and its work. Following on from that summary, and in view of the increasing number of engineers now instructed to act as experts, outlined below is a brief guide to expert statements for use in a TCC case.

As product differentiation is reduced in the face of growing commoditisation, so the concept of added value has grown as a way of distinguishing a vendor’s offering in their chosen marketplace. Simon Mitchell of Pickerings Lifts looks at what contributes to the provision of superior lift maintenance and service lift quality.

High performance, service and reassurance are just as important as the price tag, says Heatrae Sadia

Electrical Contractor Goodmarriott & Hursthouse has used Hager’s Klik LDS as a fast fit lighting installation solution for Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium, which has now reached practical completion.

St Clements Services Ltd, have replaced their old air conditioning with a heating / cooling City Multi Y Series, using the unique Mitsubishi Electric Replace Multi Technology.

Rockwool insulation has played a key role in an award-winning design and build project which is gaining nationwide media interest. The Grade ll listed Lymm Water Tower in Cheshire has recently added the prestigious RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award for 2006 to a growing list of accolades and has been featured in several national broadsheet newspapers.

A new research centre based at the University of Bath is developing novel innovative materials and products to improve the sustainability of the UK building industry. The BRE Centre in Innovative Construction Materials is a research and development partnership comprising the University’s Faculty of Engineering & Design and BRE.

March 2006 saw the colourful opening of Cocone Kamifukuoka, a multi-use complex in Fujimino City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Located north of Tokyo and situated directly in front of Kamifukuoka train station, Cocone Kamifukuoka offers a variety of services such as rental housing, shopping and medical facilities. Operated by the Urban Renaissance Agency, the complex’s convenience and friendly atmosphere is already proving quite popular with locals. A new, dynamic façade illumination has added to the area’s appeal.

Guests at the stunning new, design led Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel will not only enjoy stylish, contemporary décor; they will also benefit from the unrivalled comfort associated with state of the art Daikin water-cooled VRV-WII air conditioning.

The definitive guide to Approved Document M of the Building Regulations for the door and hardware industry has just been published by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).

At a Working Group meeting held earlier this year sponsored by DfES with the support of Skills Minister Phil Hope MP, a number of action items were agreed in order to raise the awareness of the increasing problem of fast track training courses for plumbers which do not lead to the achievement of recognised industry qualifications.

SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering, has produced a free interactive DVD to support Scottish companies in developing their businesses through skills.

The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) has implemented a series of energy saving initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint at its head offices in London. This comes as part of the ECA's involvement in the '100 Days of Carbon Clean Up,' launched by the Chartered Institute of Building Services (CIBSE) in June this year.

Colt International has won the contract for what is believed to be the UK’s first smoke control system for a car park. It has been designed specifically to enable occupants to escape from a car park and to assist fire-fighting crews, rather than simply as a smoke clearance system that is commonly applied to car parks.

Ideal Stelrad Group Limited (Ideal Stelrad) has announced the acquisition of Keston Boilers Limited for an undisclosed sum.

Building Engineering Services Training (BEST), the training subsidiary of the HVCA, has announced its three year plan to cement its position as the preferred supplier of training to the building engineering services sector. BEST’s improvement plan has been formulated as a result of listening to the requirements of the industry and responding to national targets set out by the Learning Skills Council (LSC).

Peter Dayton, Scheme Director of Logic Certification, warns against ignoring health and safety laws, after Gillian Beckingham, the Barrow in Furness architect, is fined £15,000 for her role in Britain’s worst ever outbreak of Legionnaires disease. Barrow Council also faces £125,000 of fines for similar charges.

Mott MacDonald has been appointed as the lead consultant for the development of Dubai Sports City's mixed use canal hubs, one of the main components within the world's first purpose built sports city.

HVCA president Mike McCloskey has summed up the Association’s key goals as “a better construction industry, a better built environment, a better deal for members, and a better outcome for the client”.

News feeds allow you to see when websites have added new content. You can get the latest headlines and video in one place, as soon as its published, without having to visit the websites you have taken the feed from.