Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES JUNE 2021 5 INDUSTRY NEWS BCIA releases new Technical Guide: Selection of Control Valves The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has released a newTechnical Guide to add to its portfolio of online Guides available to download. The new guide, entitled “Selection of Control Valves”, is intended to provide a better understanding of the complex topic of control valves in HVAC systems, how they work and some basics on how to size and select the right valve. Feedback from customers and installers showed this subject to be needing a simple introduction guide. When today’s control system engineering focus is all too often directed to the electronics side of the control scheme, it is easy to neglect the importance of proper valve selection and application. The topic of hydraulics in HVAC systems has changed considerably in recent times as affordable technology has enabled variable flow circuits and pressure independent control (PIC) valves. The BCIA’s Technical Guides are designed to help members and those in the building controls and BEMS industry work more effectively. All Technical Guides, covering a wide range of controls and BMS topics, can be downloaded from the “Resources” section of the BCIA website. https://bcia.co.uk/ HS2 Code of Practice is good news for JIB members High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd) has released its Employee and Industrial Relations (EIR) Code of Practice (the Code), which brings significant advantages to Joint Industry Board (JIB) member companies looking to work on one of themost demanding and exciting transport projects in Europe. HS2, Europe’s largest infrastructure project is expected to create 30,000 jobs and promises to create 2,000 apprenticeships while supporting the UK’s skills agenda. The Code has been developed in order to establish an Employee and Industrial Relations framework under which HS2, Tier Contractors and their supply chains will promote good employment practices and employee and industrial relations. HS2 is oneofmanyhigh-profileprojects that have required contractors tomeet the terms and conditions set under the JIBcollectiveagreement as aminimumas well as employdirectly andpromoteapprenticeships and training. JIBmember companies are therefore ideallyplaced towinHS2-related contracts bybeingable to fast-track complianceby the fact they areamember of the JIB. SCS Railways was part of the team which authored the Code in support of HS2. Formed by Skanska Construction UK, Costain and Strabag, SCS Railways has won contracts on the Northolt Tunnels and Euston Tunnels and Approaches. www.jib.org.uk All change for Heat Network Association As part of their commitment to promoting the interests of equipment manufacturers involved with all aspects of a heat network, the Manufacturers’ of Equipment for Heat Networks Association, MEHNA, launch a new digital face with their newwebsite which will act as the central platform for communicating and achieving their key aims. MEHNA have also recently recruited a new director, Steve McConnell, who joins the association fromboiler and water heater manufacturer, Lochinvar Limited where he was engaged inmany aspects of heating related activities. Steve has spent the whole of his working life in the plumbing and heating industry, starting as an apprentice plumber in 1984. Steve replaces the esteemed Ross Anderson who has decided to take his well-earned retirement. Value Toolkit: Unlocking a new future for our industry Hannah Vickers, Chief Executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) responds to the beta-launch of Construction Innovation Hub’s Value Toolkit: “The Value Toolkit should be welcomed by the entire construction sector as it unlocks a new future for our industry. Where once decisions defaulted to discussions around cheapness, we will soon be able to have detailed and evidence-based negotiations based on social, environmental or productivity outcomes. In turn, this unlocks new approaches to client/ consultant relationships which will be more financially sustainable and not just based on the hours billed. “With political aspirations to Build Back Better post-pandemic, and for a carbon free economy over the longer term, the Value Toolkit will be the process that turns political rhetoric into reality and is integral to the built environment sector’s role in delivering a better society for all. “ACE is delighted to have been a supportive partner of the Construction Innovation Hub on this programme and looks forward to continuing its support as the project moves from beta to rollout over the next six months.” Rishi Sunak visits leading renewables training provider MP for Richmond (Yorks), Rishi Sunak, visited renewables training provider, GTEC - a company leading the way when it comes to creating the ‘green’ installers needed to meet carbon reduction targets. At the end of last year, GTEC won a bid to provide heavily discounted training and certification to individuals and companies looking to upskill into heat-based renewables, backed by The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through Midlands Energy Hub (MEH). Named the Renewable Heat Installer Training & Support Scheme (RHITSS), the scheme offers vouchers which provide up to 70% off the cost of becoming a renewables installer. There are currently 1,000 training places and 150 businesses signed-up to RHITSS - spaces that were filled within 10 days of the schemes launch. While at the centre, Rishi met with candidates to find out how training was helping them. He also chatted to other industry representatives - Awarding Organisation LCL Awards, NAPIT an installer certification body, and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), all of which GTEC have worked with to make the RHITSS scheme a success. Rishi’s visit coincidedwith confirmation fromMidlands Energy Hub and BEIS that the RHITSS scheme has had its deadline extended to 30th September 2021. The extension was granted in recognition of the difficulties that some candidates have had in securing a place due to Covid restrictions (previously it was May 14th.) www.gtec.co.uk New research reveals potential impact of IR35 on the construction industry New research into the long-term implications of IR35 shows that more than half of managers in the construction industry are concerned about how the legislation will affect its workforce. The research, from Search Consultancy, highlights that 56% of managers believe the changes to tax legislation will leave them with a significant skills shortage as end clients veer on the side of caution when recruiting contractors. From 6th April 2021, responsibility will now fall on the end client to determine whether contractors are self-employed or employed for tax purposes. Confusion surrounding the legislation means end clients are taking a conservative approach to hiring contractors, significantly reducing the talent pool available to them. With 83%of managers within construction believing the industry already suffers froma skills shortage, IR35 could worsen an already difficult situation. www.search.co.uk/ir35.