INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRY NEWS
PRIVA CALLS FOR A JOINED UP APPROACH TO PRESERVATION
Priva , sustainable climate management specialist , has called for a joined-up approach to the preservation of historical buildings in the UK . The company claims that futureproofing heritage buildings will offer benefits for both the UK public and the environment .
The company cites the 2017 Heritage and Society report from Historic England , which reviews the importance of heritage buildings to the UK . The report states that 93 % of the public says local heritage impacts positively on their quality of life , and that the well-being value of visiting heritage sites has been calculated as equivalent to £ 1,646 per person per year .
Priva , whose technology is already in use at sites such as St Paul ’ s Cathedral , Westminster Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel , believes protecting listed buildings should be the ultimate priority for those charged with building conservation .
“ If older buildings are what people value , we must protect these spaces ,” commented Gavin Holvey , UK and Ireland sales manager at Priva . “ We work closely with building managers and conservationists to do just that ; our building controls help to keep the internal climate at the right levels . Using such technologies improves building efficiency and reduces emissions , through greater control of heating , ventilating and air-conditioning services .”
The recent report also states that 80 % of the UK public thinks local heritage makes an area a better place to live , while another 73 % agrees that the UK government has a moral obligation to protect heritage . These statistics are the basis for Priva ’ s drive to promote joined-up working between building managers , contractors and conservationists in building conservation .
FOCUS ON WELLBEING TO ADDRESS SKILLS SHORTAGE , SAYS BCIA
The Building Controls Industry Association ( BCIA ) has called upon the sector to embrace wellbeing in their business culture to address the ongoing skills shortage .
Research has shown that wellbeing is vital in attracting and retaining individuals in their professional capacity . However , it is not yet a major focus on all business agendas , claims the BCIA , and understanding the impact of wellbeing will go a long way in not only attracting fresh new talent , but also in retaining industry stalwarts .
The BCIA reports that in 2016 , sick days in the UK cost over £ 137 million to businesses . With most individuals spending over 90 % of their time indoors , the organisation claims that is imperative that our working environment brings out the best in employees , rather than making them ill , unproductive or unhappy . If wellbeing is embedded into the business culture , the building controls industry will reap huge benefits ; this in turn leads to a sustainable future which will see the sector flourish .
The association urges that , in this technologically advanced age when buildings are expected to be intelligent , this now needs to evolve to include smart working environments which can be adapted to the needs of individuals .
Malcolm Anson , president of the BCIA said , “ As I see it , wellbeing is something that needs to be taken into account across the whole built environment . By being proactive and considering individuals ’ needs , we can help address the country ’ s ongoing skills shortage .”
KENTEC PROTECTS BARCLAYS BANK IN JOHANNESBURG
Kentec , fire panel manufacturer and specialist in extinguishant technology , is protecting a major Barclays Bank installation in Johannesburg , South Africa with a new life safety system . The system is based around the company ’ s control panel technology .
The new system is an L1 system configuration , featuring a new network of four Kentec Syncro AS analogue addressable fire control panels , while the open protocol system offers Apollo analogue Series 65 devices and call points . The safety system was supplied and installed by SFP Security & Fire ( Pty ) Ltd .
Kentec has built upon existing extinguishant protection in certain areas , such as server and data rooms , MV and LV rooms and generator and diesel tank rooms . Protection of these areas has been extended with five Sigma XT + Extinguishing Control Panels , in addition to the current network of fifteen Sigma XT Panels . Four Kentec Syncro AS analogue addressable fire control panels monitor the extinguishing control panels through multiple three channel interface units , which form part of the addressable building detection loops .
Designed to comply with the requirements of EN12094-1 , EN54-2 and EN54- 4 , Kentec ’ s Sigma XT Extinguishing Control Panel range features three detection zones as standard . This allows any zone or combination of zones to be configured to release the extinguishant gas and offers the configuration first stage sounder and detection , with an instant manual release facility . Compatible with Intrinsically Safe barriers , the Kentec Sigma XT has been designed to be used in hazardous areas .
Kentec ’ s control panel technology is protecting a major Barclays Bank installation in Johannesburg , South Africa .
FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR AEI CABLES
North East cable supplier AEI Cables has supplied more than 1,800 miles of cable for the HMS Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier ( QEC ), the biggest warship ever to be built in Britain . The vessel recently sailed into the harbour at Portsmouth for the first time , and drew thousands of spectators .
The company , based at Birtley , was responsible for the design , manufacture and delivery of a state-of-the-art range of naval power instrumentation and communications wires and cables . The challenge for the company involved the supply of more than three million metres of cable and wiring for the power , lighting and data communications circuits to the vessels .
At 65,000-tonnes , and at a cost of £ 3.1 billion , the QEC is the largest vessel to ever enter service with the Royal Navy , with a second carrier The Prince of Wales still under construction . According to AEI Cables , the power generated on board each day is enough to power 300,000 kettles .
“ With vessels of this importance , the complexity of the wiring and cabling means there is no margin for error ,” commented Stuart Dover , commercial manager for AEI Cables . “ This speaks volumes for our technical skills , our research and development expertise and design . All our team were proud to contribute and watch the QEC sail into Portsmouth .”
This project specified cables to Defence Standard 02-526 ( NES526 ) and 02-527 ( NES527 ) in various core and screen configurations , as well as cables to Defence Standard 61-12 Part 25 and Part 27 , and wires to Defence Standard 61-12 Part 18 .
The editor and publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors nor do they accept responsibility for any errors in the transmission of the subject matter in this publication . In all matters the editor ’ s decision is final . Editorial contributions to ECN are welcomed , and the editor reserves the right to alter or abridge text prior to the publication .
Published monthly by All Things Media Ltd ., Suite 14 , 6-8 Revenge Road , Lordswood , Kent ME5 8UD Tel : 01634 673163 Fax : 01634 673173
Overseas Subscription Rates : Europe £ 60.00 ; Rest of World £ 70.00
Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved
Printed by Pensord , Tram Road , Pontilanfraith , Blackwood , NP12 2YA
EDITOR KAYLEIGH HUTCHINS E : kayleigh @ allthingsmedialtd . com
NEWS EDITOR CLAIRE FLETCHER E : claire . fletcher @ allthingsmedialtd . com
GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER KELLY BYNE T : 01634 673163 E : kelly @ allthingsmedialtd . com
STUDIO MANAGER BEN BRISTOW T : 01634 673163 E : ben @ allthingsmedialtd . com
DESIGNER JON APPLETON E : jon @ allthingsmedialtd . com
Average net circulation Ist January 2016 to 30th June 2016 :
10,016
BUSINESS SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR CAROL GYLBY T : 01634 673163 E : carol @ allthingsmedialtd . com
MANAGING DIRECTOR DAVID KITCHENER T : 01634 673163 E : david @ allthingsmedialtd . com
ACCOUNTS T : 01634 673163 E : susan @ allthingsmedialtd . com
ECN charity of choice