Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES FEBRUARY 2021 27 FEATURE PIPED SERVICES Engineers can ensure the piping systems for their data centre design serve their best purpose by taking a holistic approach to installation. Increasingly, especially within a spate of new data centre projects taking place across Europe this year, we expect to see contractors considering both cooling and fire prevention as part of the same supplier. Our position as a full-solution provider means we can offer a complete suite of products to data centres using Victaulic’s grooved mechanical piping system. When considering the system, it’s important to know which solutions are designed to be mission critical- ready. Traditional pipe joining technologies, like welding and flanging are challenging to adapt in an operating data centre and require longer system downtime “THE UK CONSTRUCTIONWORKFORCE IS AN AGING ONE” for maintenance. Solutions based on grooved mechanical couplings offer a more reliable, durable, and adaptable piping system that can be assembled simply and quickly. Distribution and logistics Another trend set to gain momentum in 2021 is the distribution and logistics centres. In a world tending towards e-commerce and online retail – pushed further by lockdown conditions – warehouses are both increasing in size and put greater importance on their contents. Fire prevention takes on special importance within the logistics sector and needs to play an important role in these right from the planning stages. The particular conditions in warehouses and logistics centres increase the risk that fires will spread rapidly: narrow alleys, high bay systems, a concentrated volume of goods within a tight space, and flammable packagingmaterials are all conducive to fire development. It’s great to see amarket which generally takes a traditional approach to fire protection, now seeking innovative technologies that address age old piping challenges. For example, it’s not uncommon to see some of the forward-thinking companies adopt innovative products that simplify and accelerate system installation, and we’re definitely seeing this in the distribution and logistics market. Labour Last but certainly not least is the lack of skilled labour. Particularly rife within the UK market, but certainly not a foreign concept on the continent too, we’re seeing workforce shortages due to a number of contributing factors and circumstances. For example, the UK construction workforce is an aging one, with over 20% of our tradespeople being over fifty and 15% being in their sixties. Although there are endless opportunities in various roles, many young people are simply not choosing a career in construction. According to YouGov Omnibus research, only 3% of young people aged between 18-24 have searched for a job in the construction industry. As a result, much of our product development is being driven by the need to simplify installation processes through Installation- Ready TM technology. 2021 and beyond The sector has been through an unprecedented period, and we need to provide exceptional support for our customers to ensure they can support their operations and carry out projects successfully in their own developing industries. It’s also important that businesses remain acutely aware of their responsibilities towards staff especially as digital technology, new product innovations and flexible working takes hold. We look forward to seeing how both our industry and the wider construction arena continues to innovate and adapt for the challenges and opportunities ahead.