Modern Building Services

INDUSTRY NEWS 8 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES FEBRUARY 2021 J SWright appoints new Mechanical Project Manager Leading mechanical and electrical building services specialist J SWright has appointed a newMechanical Project Manager to its project management team. Based at the Birminghamheadquarters of the 131-year-old company, Gerry McNally has no less than 40 years of experience across the retail, commercial, education, leisure, healthcare, hotel and public sectors of the industry. Gerry is currently working on an £8million project to fit out 276 new apartments within the second phase of the £220million London Square mixed-use development in Bermondsey, including the installation of its heating, ventilation, sanitaryware, fire protection and drainage systems. BCS Group (Business Critical Solutions) , has launched a new operating unit as part of its ongoing expansion strategy which follows the recent development of its German business arm. Rees Westley has been appointed to head up the new venture. He joins from AECOM, where he was a senior Utilities and Energy Consultant and brings with him over 15 years senior level experience. He will be responsible for providing further support to BCS’ existing critical infrastructure clients, whilst targeting new clients in a range of other sectors including property, education and the public sector. New Managing Director appointed at Saint-GobainWeber Paul Lake joinedWeber during one of the most disruptive years for construction. Given the impact of coronavirus, the UK’s exit from the EU and a raft of regulatory changes to tackle issues such as fire safety and sustainability, the construction industry will continue to feel the winds of change for the foreseeable future. However, Paul is feeling optimistic about what lies ahead for building products. Paul has worked within the Saint-Gobain Group for almost 20 years. He started at Saint-Gobain Ecophon, an acoustic system solutions manufacturer, where he held a number of senior roles including National Sales Director andmore latterly Managing Director responsible for Saint-Gobain’s ceilings businesses in the UK, Ireland, Benelux and South Africa. Before his move toWeber, Paul also held the role of Sales Director at British Gypsum. Despite turbulent times, Albion’s growth creates another new role Albion Valves (UK) Ltd, one of the UK’s leading valve suppliers, has appointed Steven Bedford as Warehouse Manager - a brand-new role within the company - due to increasing workloads and continued business growth. Steven will manage a team of twelve warehouse personnel, whilst ensuring the smooth operation of all warehousing functions. Steven joins Albion after an extensive career in the army, having spent 24 years serving in the British Army in the ‘Royal Engineers’. The skills and experience that was obtained during this time will complement the knowledge held by Albion’s existing management team, and will stand him in good stead when managing the warehouse team and a busy warehouse. PEOPLE Letter to the Editor Hello Juliet I comment yet once more!! I do not in any way advocate that my understanding of certain issues is the final certainty in any way what so ever. I do believe Covid infection is subject building engineering services engineers are being exercised over. Another challenging and informative article this month – MYTH BUSTING. The whole issue of bacterial and virus “carry over” in central air handling plant is fundamentally valid. The article shows that it is not “critical” if plant is correctly selected, operated andmaintained. The small amount of infection transmission between supply outdoor and roomexhaust air is shown to be low and well controlled with the right design / install / maintain approach. The likely ratio source contaminant “carry over” in fresh outdoor from space exhaust air is small indeed. This aspect would apply to both central all air and primary ventilation air plants. What the “carry over” risk in all air systems with a proportion of recirculated space exhaust air viamotorised dampers remains an issue to be determined bymanufacturing test standards. The recirculation of space exhaust air into fresh outdoor supply air is an issue of design. The recirculation air path can give a direct and significant mixing of the two air streams. An intriguing statistic would be what proportion of systems in operation are designed on an “all air” supply principle. In terms of operating these such as to minimise cross contamination by closing recirculation dampers without original seasonal design peak load of recirculation or energy recovery from exhaust air, plants are likely to fall short on thermal performance. Would it be reasonable to presume, without the benefit of collective data that could show otherwise, a large proportion of comfort cooling and air condition systems designed, operated and maintained are of primary air format serving room terminal units – fan coil, active and passive chilled beams as examples? This format intends a large proportion of air to recirculate within the occupied space. Terminal units providing significant space cooling and heating capacity. Is it likely this proportion of recirculated air could carry and spread contamination across the occupied spaces? The recent health guidelines are clear that if one has to work in an office space face covering must be worn. Direct fresh air ventilation is also recommended in the opening of windows or similar. A large proportion of modern offices do not allow for opening windows on the basis of environmental control and peak energy optimisation. If this is a correct scenario the additional fresh air ventilation is not available. Can it be stated that building services engineers are now entering upon a planning in a new and changing perspective? It is understood that installations have been tested where in space independent recirculation units room air passes through high level UV-C filtration shielded from the occupants. UV-C carries a risk to those in its vicinity as it is a very high level of radiation exceeding that of the sun rays. Not being specialist in this area of filtering / decontamination the subject of its application would suggest there is much investigating and determination to be undertaken. ASHRAE has published a recent article on the effects of increased ventilation rates have on virus cross contamination in occupied spaces. It suggests a palpable improvement but does not completely eliminate the source or spread. As it has been clearly defined that the current pandemic has change the pattern of office / home working. With suggestions of an ongoing change in office occupancy and use of office space. Is the building engineering services sector such that interaction and propagation of ideas are greatly assisted by informal interaction between those involved? Close space working aids this principle. It appears the industry has some basic assessments and developments in the future design, install and maintenance provisions in what is very much a service industry in support of business and living standards. It is certain discussion will continue in efforts to develop a meaningful and economic solutions to what are unique and uncertain conditions. Regards Steve Bird C Eng CIBSE ASHRAE