Your BESA ISSUE 5

A Issue 5 BUILDING ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATION YOUR National Clean Air Day 2017 BESA’s triple boost for training Also in this issue Introducing our new regional managers P9 Election results are in! P14 BESCA’s new CPD e-learning course P22 BESA joins Samaritans’ Talk To Us campaign P29 www.theBESA.com @BESAGroup BESA Group

BESA Group 2 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

BESA chief executive Paul Mclaughlin Welcome YOUR BESA - ISSUE 05 In this issue: MEMBERSHIP P4 MEMBER SPotlIGHt P5 PRESIDENt’S PERSPECtIVE P7 tHE BESA AWARDS P11 tRAINING P12 Paul McLaughlin ElECtIoNS P14 Brave new lEGAl & CoMMERCIAl P15 Brexit world tECHNICAl NEWS P17 P27 REPRESENtAtIoN It just seems to be one surprise lives will still be there no matter who more incentives for low carbon heat and after another in the world of is in power and after we leave the EU. electricity generation; and a major push politics these days. this column Almost 80% of UK environmental laws towards zero energy buildings from 2019. was going to be all about originated in Brussels, and the Brexit The lack of a specific mention of action the triggering of Article 50, White Paper, which prepared the way on air quality in the White Paper is a but then the Prime Minister for the Repeal Bill, made it clear that any concern and Brexit must not be used dropped another bombshell legislation already adopted into UK law as an excuse to sweep that crucial issue under the carpet. A rather clumsy would remain in place. This means that by calling a General Election. staples of the building engineering sector attempt to avoid its legal obligations by like the Building Regulations; building delaying publication of a new clean air One thing business people don’t want energy performance labels – EPCs plan until after the election was another from politicians is uncertainty, but we and DECS – along with the proposed worrying sign. The government really seem to have had very little else since minimum energy efficiency standards must get to grips with this issue and it last summer. However, the General for rental properties; the F Gas Regulation can call on industry to help. Election and the start of the formal and so on will continue to set the tone withdrawal process from the EU is an for our sector’s work. BESA members are more than willing to opportunity to draw a line under all play their part and are already making a the upheaval and move on. We may, in fact, have to go further than huge contribution in the area of indoor existing laws. The government has already air quality (IAQ), which should be part of There is a strong sense of pragmatism restated its commitment to carbon any comprehensive clean air strategy. We at work in our sector now – with BESA reduction targets beyond 2032 in its 5th are supporting National Clean Air Day members, in particular, having plenty Carbon Budget. The UK Climate Change on June 15 (see page 25) and continue on their plates to keep them occupied Act remains in force and aims to deliver to make progress, in collaboration with while the political wheels grind away in a 57% reduction in greenhouse gas our industry partners, on developing IAQ the background. emissions by 2030. best practice guidance. There is an equally strong feeling These are ambitious goals and the This, like many other areas of our work, that once the dust has settled much measures we have adopted from the will be ‘business as usual’ no matter of the legislation already embedded EU probably don’t go far enough so we how many surprises our politicians successfully into our day-to-day working will need new energy efficiency targets; throw at us. 3

MEMBERSHIP What a waste By Kevin Kingaby, key accounts manager – specifiers local authorities and private construction clients are wasting billions of pounds every year due to poor standards of workmanship and a failure to insist their supply chains Assessment Scheme (CAS) in order to join or remain in employ suitably qualified contractors to carry membership. This provides clients with a ready-made method out building and infrastructure work. for establishing the quality of a potential sub-contractor under the banner of the BESA Guarantee. Only 27% of councils in England exclusively use the With a robust quality assessment scheme already in place, government approved PAS 91 standard pre-qualification continually repeating PQQ exercises is unnecessary and questionnaire (PQQ) to assess contractors and only often leads to the wrong contractor being appointed for a 11% insist that their Tier One contractors use standard project leaving the end client vulnerable to problems of poor questionnaires to appoint their supply chain. workmanship and ‘broken’ specifications. The Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group, who A designated specifier team at BESA is focused on promoting researched this area, says most public sector clients use an the expertise of members to local authorities; consulting inefficient procurement process, which forces contractors to engineers; architects and end users. needlessly fill in questionnaires and duplicate PQQ exercises. SEC Group estimates this costs the industry more than £1bn A key priority for the Association is to encourage all Tier 1 BESA every year – money that provides no benefit to the industry members to appoint BESA sub-contractors, ensuring high or its clients and just serves to reduce profitability. quality workmanship is carried out from start to finish. The irony is that insisting on their own, non-standard All BESA members should promote that they are part of the PQQs does not appear to protect clients from poor quality Association bringing the BESA Badge of Quality and BESA workmanship. A report last year by the Chartered Quality Guarantee to all their clients. BESA membership also helps Institute Construction Specialist Interest Group found that members stand out from their competition by reinforcing the improving quality within the industry could save between £7bn high levels of health and safety and quality assurance required and £12bn a year by improving the standard of workmanship. by BESCA to remain a BESA member. Appointing suitably qualified contractors is the key to Please visit the specifier area via your member log-in of the BESA achieving this level of savings, but few private or public website www.theBESA.com/tenders to share your experiences sector clients use a standard method of establishing a of the specification process and take advantage of the service contractor’s expertise. Many also find it hard to monitor if available to help you secure more specified work. their project is on track to deliver their original specification. If clients are not aware of the BESA Guarantee, BESA operates a unique quality assurance process that let us know and we will get in touch or visit requires all their members to undergo a Competence www.theBESA.com/why-use-a-besa-member BESA Group 4 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Fife Council focuses on contractor competence the scale and variety of projects carried out by Active Fife County Council gives it a valuable insight “Being an active BESA member allows us, as a main into the major issues confronting the building contractor, to ensure that only competent sub-contractors engineering industry – and it has been sharing can tender for our commercial mechanical work packages, its know-how with other BESA members since which is an essential requirement, and is stipulated in our it joined the Association in 2012. pre-qualification questionnaire,” adds Mr Fletcher. Networking with other parts of the supply chain and Fife Council has a sizeable capital spending requirement and playing a part in reshaping the industry are other benefits wide range of projects continually on the go. Its in-house of Association membership, he believes. Direct Labour Organisation (Building Services), which is based in Glenrothes, carries out around £120m worth of property “BESA membership gives us an opportunity to take part work a year of which about 45% is sub-contracted. in industry forums and share project models with each It was the first local authority to join the Association and will other. For example, our system for inspecting and assessing only use BESA members where sub-contractors are required. domestic properties has been adopted by other councils, which improves continuity across the industry.” Building Services maintains Fife’s 30,000 Council houses and 1,500 public buildings. Projects range from minor repairs There is also plenty of experience to call upon within to the construction of large school extensions and, most the organisation to inform this work with core internal recently, a new build community centre. Fife was the first staff including architects, consulting engineers, and council in Scotland to build new social housing for 30 years. energy managers. Fife’s DLO directly employs 870 staff – 150 of whom are Fife also has a property services division, which procures engaged in mechanical services and another 170 are electrical the design elements before the DLO carries out much of engineers. It also has over 100 apprentices on its roster. the implementation. Very large projects, like Cardenden “Being the only local authority member of BESA in Scotland Primary School, are then delivered in partnership with gives us a great sense of pride about the benchmark we other contractors. have set for others,” says heating replacement team manager The organisation also likes to ‘grow its own’ skills and is Robert Fletcher. “Being a BESA member is proof to our running a large apprenticeship programme – another area clients that we are committed to providing a high quality where it is collaborating with BESA as training evolves to service with the full support of a major industry body – and meet requirements for new and more diverse skills. we would encourage other local authorities to become members for the same reason. www.fifedirect.org.uk 5

BESA Group 6 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Hands across the water the world seems to be particularly fractured and nervous at the moment, which makes it more important than ever for BESA to work closely with like-minded organisations from other countries. Our longest and closest international with the hugely influential friendship is with the Mechanical US-based technical body ASHRAE Contractors Association of America – and we took the opportunity BESA President Malcolm thomson (MCAA) – and I was the latest in a long to discuss areas of mutual line of BESA Presidents to represent benefit with the Society’s current you when I attended the most recent president Tim Wentz. MCAA Convention in San Diego. For example, as a result of us attending Of course, bonding and networking the MCAA Convention the Association Events began with a meeting of the is a major component of this type of has developed a strong relationship International Alliance of Mechanical international gathering and that is with Milwaukee Tools. They are now a Contractors Associations (IAMCA) when I experienced the ‘glamour’ I had BESA Affiliate and have supported our where, along with our US friends, we always imagined. The grand opening Training Awards by donating £10,000 met representatives from Australia of the convention was hosted on worth of tools for apprentices so far. and Canada. BESA chief executive board the floating museum of the USS Paul also met with Trimble, who have Paul McLaughlin is secretary of Midway, which saw active service in committed to become a BESA Affiliate IAMCA, which is a great honour and both Vietnam and the Gulf wars, and and plan to do 3D scanning of the new opportunity for your Association. provided the backdrop for a spectacular BESA offices at Rotherwick House. He also gave a presentation about firework display. our highly successful service and Our presence at such gatherings maintenance tool SFG20, which was We enjoyed a number of motivational helps to promote your Association very well received, and has opened up speakers including a former speaker of and its worldwide standing; and offers commercial opportunities, particularly the US House of representatives; a US unique opportunities to learn from in Canada, but also in parts of the US marine and no less than two astronauts! how others approach common issues and Australia. as well as developing areas of mutual, I admit to having been a little sceptical commercial benefit. The following day I gave a speech myself in the past, but now having seen at the MCAA Directors lunch where the relationship in action I feel more In these uncertain times, I would also I touched on subjects as diverse strongly than ever that such alliances are argue such face-to-face meetings are as our UK state of trade surveys, vital and deliver tangible benefits. more vital than ever. apprenticeship training, late payment, and the future of the industry – I even ventured into controversial territory by giving the BESA view on “The following day I gave a speech at the MCAA Brexit and Donald Trump! This led to a Directors lunch where I touched on diverse subjects. healthy exchange of views and further I even ventured into controversial territory by giving opportunities to share experiences and the BESA view on Brexit and Donald Trump!“ solutions to common problems. Malcolm thomson, BESA President A major bonus of the visit was the opportunity to renew our relationship 7

A BUILDING ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATION BESA Group 8 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

MEMBERSHIP Our new Head of Wales is Who you Cat Griffith-Williams. Cat joins from the communications agency gonna call? Grayling, where she was responsible for its overall strategy in Wales and charged with enhancing the agency’s offer to existing and new clients. She oversaw public affairs, strategic partnerships By Wayne Terry, membership director Cat Griffith-Williams and stakeholder relations; helping organisations such as BT, the European Commission and the BESA is in the process of refreshing its Landscape Institute in Wales maximise their communications potential. membership package and is looking to offer a focused ‘personalised’ service to Cat was previously deputy director and head each member that will be specifically of external affairs at the Campaign for the tailored to their particular business. Protection of Rural Wales and has given evidence Each member’s business needs will be to the Welsh National Assembly. She contributed to legislation and has produced briefing papers analysed, which will then allow us to and advice to the membership on responding to anticipate and support your needs. planning applications. For example, could our expert team of lawyers based at BESA HQ help you? Or are you the kind of organisation that might benefit from the new Janet Shelley MBE has joined as the range of HR services about to be launched by our regional association manager for Employment Affairs team? BESA also boasts a suite SW London, Wessex and South Midlands. of technical knowledge and key staff experts – so Janet is already a high profile member of our we can direct you to those which are most likely to industry and was the founder of Women Builders, be able to support your business. a pioneering training and building company Every member is different and our already varied that also aimed to encourage more females into industry is changing all the time – so the services Janet Shelley MBE construction and building services. She was we offer need to be carefully crafted to help you awarded an MBE for services to construction. adapt to changes like the growing adoption of She previously worked for SummitSkills, digital design and asset management. where she ran skills projects and supported the We are putting the role of regional association development of standards, qualifications and managers at the heart of this change. As well as apprenticeships. providing a direct link to all the services on offer to you, they are also reshaping regional meetings to better reflect the particular issues and needs of Louise Calam is the new manager for local members. Hertfordshire, Eastern Counties and However, we understand that the biggest business East Midlands. driver is, ultimately, winning more work and we now have specialists liaising with specifiers to help Louise joins us from the National Federation of drive more work to BESA members. Demolition Contractors where she was marketing executive, working closely with All of the Association’s services can be accessed via the membership team to actively promote your BESA regional association manager – so put Louise Calam members and the federation. them on speed dial for all your business needs that you are unable to service from within, even if it’s Before that she was involved in the healthcare just advice that you need. sector and is looking forward to using her strong communication skills to build relationships with You also have three new managers to call, so a members and help them solve problems and warm welcome to… access new services to support business growth. 9

BESA Group 10 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

A www.theBESA.com/besa-awards The BeSA AwArdS Celebrating talent in our sector • Main image: Winners from the North West Region Training Awards • Left: Winners from the North East Region Training Awards • Right: Winners from the Yorkshire Region Training Awards Awarding talent, awarding the next generation - celebrating excellence As an association we are always looking for ways to Apprentice award categories include: support the up-and-coming talent within our industry. With apprenticeships ever increasingly forming the next • Service and Maintenance Engineer generation of building services engineers, bridging the • Refrigeration & Air Conditioning skills gap and making up the future of our sector we have • Heating & Ventilation launched the BESA Awards to celebrate not just current • Electrical talent in our sector, but the future. • Plumbing • Building Services Engineer Regional events are taking place across the UK awarding apprentices from BESA Member organisations and BESA Employer award categories celebrate: Training apprentices, these regional events all feed into the first ever national BESA Awards taking place later this year. • Training Initiatives • Engagement with Trailblazers WHy ENtER? • Recruitment Initiatives • Engagement with Training • Inspire your employees and gain recognition for • Staff Driven Improvements your apprentices or team • Showcase talent in not just your region, but nationally Further details for our National Event will be revealed soon, • Demonstrate your continued support for apprentices in the meantime visit the awards section of our website, • Strengthen your public profile within the sector www.theBESA.com/besa-awards, for all the latest • Receive free promotion on our website, e-news and magazine information on our regional celebrations and ceremonies. 11

TRAINING triple boost for training Shortages BESA’s director of training Tony Howard believes the funds It is all happening in the world of training. gathered by the Levy – expected to be £2.5bn by 2020 – the Apprenticeship levy launched in April; the should be targeted towards key industry sectors where there Chancellor announced £500m for new vocational is not just a skills shortage, but where that shortage is likely to have the most impact on the economy. ‘t levels’ as part of his Budget in March; and BESA moved quickly to plug any potential gaps “This includes many engineering professions where shortages left by the closure of SummitSkills. and quality issues are hampering delivery of key building and infrastructure projects,” he said. The start of the new Apprenticeship Levy promises to However he also urged the government to make improvements revolutionise funding for training at all levels. BESA has to the system including bringing back the funding to new been working on a series of new apprenticeships under the Approved Training Providers allowing employers to get government’s ‘Trailblazer’ banner for many months, but the properly involved in delivering Trailblazers and to allow levy official start of the Levy means the pace is now picking up. payers to pass on more than the 10% of their funds they are currently allowed to share with their supply chains. The Association is developing Trailblazers across a wide range of technical sectors and at a variety of levels “Many major contractors have said they would happily including: installation; service & maintenance; ductwork; invest in their supply chains by helping sub-contractors ventilation hygiene; refrigeration, air conditioning and grow their skills base,” said Mr Howard. “So, we would urge heat pumps; and has also started work on developing the government not to curb their enthusiasm and be more apprenticeships at higher and degree level. generous with the amount they can pass on.” BESA Group 12 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills says there are now 209,500 ‘skilled’ vacancies across UK industry. This represents a 43% increase since 2013 in spite of 70% of employers say their apprenticeship starts rising to 509,400 in 2015-16. productivity, and therefore Other government figures show that just 67% of apprenticeships were completed in 2015-16 so it is business growth, is improved essential that the Institute for Apprenticeships, which by taking on apprentices. will oversee the new apprenticeship programme, makes sure courses are properly tailored to the needs of both trainees and employers. BESA believes apprenticeships deliver real business The Chancellor also announced £300m to support benefits to members. Research carried out by the training 1,000 new PhD places and fellowships in STEM (science, department shows that 70% of employers say their technology, engineering and maths) subjects. He added productivity, and therefore business growth, is improved that the number of hours of training for technical students by taking on apprentices. aged 16 to 19 would be increased by more than 50%, including a high-quality, three-month work placement. It also estimates that every £1 of taxpayers’ money invested in apprenticeships at levels 2 and 3 pays back between £26 and The sector skills body SummitSkills closed down at the end £28 in long-term economic benefits. of March, but BESA had already put contingency plans in place and moved quickly to reassure members that there However, it is vital that BESA members continue to engage would be no drop off in training provision for the sector. with the process of developing the apprenticeships so the Association can ensure training is tailored to their needs and SummitSkills played a central role in setting standards and continues to be suited to the changing skills picture across creating benchmarks for training as well as developing the industry. strategies in partnership with BESA and others for building engineering disciplines. However, due to factors beyond its The Chancellor Philip Hammond gave a further boost to control, SummitSkills closed this year. vocational training by unveiling £500m to develop new ‘T Levels’ in 15 vocational categories including engineering As well as its Trailblazer projects, BESA and its Building and construction as part of his Spring Budget. Services Engineering Skills Partnership are working alongside the newly launched Plumbing and Heating Skills Promising to take an “agile and bold” approach, he said Partnership, which was set up in the wake of the closure of backing vocational training was crucial to tackling the SummitSkills, to support the particular needs of its heating UK’s poor productivity, which in turn would support the and plumbing members. development of a more prosperous and inclusive society. BESA training is going on tour and will be hosting as Tony Howard welcomed the move and said it would help part of the next round of regional meetings, a free to underpin the Trailblazer apprenticeships in England; while Apprenticeship levy and Funding Clinic. the team also driving forward training standards in Scotland, Wales and will be on hand to help answer any questions and Northern Ireland. ensure you have access to the correct funding you are entitled to. For dates and venues see page 30. ‘T Levels’, which will be developed between now and 2022, are designed to give technical subjects equal status alongside ‘A’ levels so that students pursuing a vocational route are not disadvantaged in the eyes of potential employers or BESA Training is proud to announce they dissuaded from taking a non-academic path by their parents. are now on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) and are recruiting apprentices throughout the UK. Get in touch for help with recruiting the right apprentices for you and your business. Email [email protected] or visit: www.theBESA.com/training 13

ELECTIONS BESA Elections – the results are in In December 2016 the 16th Edition of the BESA BESA BOARD Constitution was agreed and implemented. Bob Lane Roperhurst Ltd these changes were the result of a full review Nick James Arnold James (St Albans) Ltd of our existing suite of documents in order to Jim Marner Interserve Engineering Services bring them in line with the Association’s new vision, mission and strategy. BESA TRUSTEES Independent Air Quality Alan Gregory Consultancy Services Ltd As part of these changes, the new Constitution includes an improved governance structure giving the Association more Trevor Brunt Briggs and Forrester (Special Projects) Ltd power to make decisions that will directly help members. Martin Burton Arnold James (St Albans) Ltd The restructure means that in addition to the BESA Council, a new BESA Board who are able to shape the strategic The BESA Elections gave members the opportunity to put direction of the Association has also been formed. themselves forward to become part of the new BESA Board, a member of Council or a Trustee of the Association. The Board is made up of four BESA Officers (BESA President, President Elect, Immediate Past President and the Vice Before the new constitution was approved, an election like President), BESA Chief Executive, the BESA Finance Director this was constrained to a vote in person giving only members and three member representatives. available at the time of the meeting the opportunity to have their say. The 2017 BESA Elections saw the first electronic voting Elections process in the Association’s history and the opportunity for our members to vote for their preferred candidates without taking The new positions were ratified at a council meeting which time out of their day to attend a specific meeting. took place on 6 April 2017 and we are proud to present your new BESA Member representatives: If you would like to become more involved with the BESA be it at a regional level, or even by BESA COUNCIL becoming a member of one of our specialist Adrian Sims Vent-Tech Ltd groups or committees, contact your regional Richard Norman Indepth Hygiene Services association manager to discuss which option would be best for you. Kevin Knapp CEL-F Solar Systems Ltd BESA Group 14 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL the Future of Industrial Strategy the Government opened a consultation We believe that the objective of the strategy should as part of their industrial strategy be underpinned by “growth that delivers economic and social value in a way that is low-carbon and proposals to address the long-term resource efficient” (that is “growth with sustainable challenges faced by the UK economy. development”). We also believe that more emphasis on exploiting renewable and stored energy, energy efficiency, resource productivity and a ‘circular The industrial strategy draft sets the agenda for economy’ will further support the strategic aims. delivering on the government’s construction and infrastructure plans and their aims to improve The digital and energy arenas are a particular area of living standards and economic growth by opportunity for the UK economy and we believe it is increasing productivity and driving growth vital to link innovation, R&D, skills, digital approaches across the whole country. and low carbon measures to transform UK transport and infrastructure. The BESA teamed up with the ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) to respond to the Although the snap general election has caused consultation and to ensure that the engineering a delay in the industrial strategy planning we will services sector is fairly represented in the industrial continue to represent our members and their strategy plans, while outlining how our sector can businesses. To read our full response, and more about contribute to a successful future for UK industry, the other issues we are lobbying on as an Association commerce and society. visit www.theBESA.com/representation Some of the points they will be required to report on are: Payment performance • Their payment terms and any changes to reporting – the facts standard payment terms • Their business process for resolution of disputes related to payment • Their average time taken to pay invoices from the In April 2017, the government introduced a date of receipt duty for large businesses to report on their • The percentage of invoices they pay in 30 days, payment practices, policies and performance 31 to 60 days and beyond 60 days under the Small Business, Enterprise and • For the full list visit www.theBESA.com/media/1774/ Employment Act. reporting-payment-performance_besa-and-eca.pdf The duty will be mandatory and will apply to large UK Failure to publish a report will be seen as a criminal offence, companies and large LLPs which qualify for two or more for which both the business and its directors, or members of the following: of an LLP will be fined. • An annual turnover more than £36 million BESA has been consistently lobbying for the introduction • Balance sheet total more than £18 million of digital transparency on payment performance and this milestone of progress, forms part of the BESA’s and • More than 250 employees government’s overall campaign to help tackle late payment of SMEs by large businesses. The duty is part of the government’s efforts to support small and medium sized businesses. Large companies and LLPs For further information regarding digital payment visit will be required to publish information about their payment www.theBESA.com/blog/farmer-report-makes- practices and performance twice per financial year. the-case-for-digital-payment/ 15

LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL New BESA legal hub legal, contractual and payment issues. The online hub will provide you with the knowledge needed to get you started but it is vital to remember that our team are only a phone call away to discuss any matters in detail. BESA members have access to expert Some of the areas covered within the legal web hub are: support from our experienced and • Compliance – including The Bribery Act, Freedom of knowledgeable legal & commercial team. Information Act and reporting payment performance Any business of any size that has been faced with a legal • Contract Management – including a pre-contract checklist, issue knows how expensive legal support can be. To avoiding contractual pitfalls and practical completion help add real value to our membership, our legal and commercial team are here to help, by offering expert • Plus Mediation, Debts and Disputes, Business Protection advice without the premium price tag. and Payment The team can assist you with bespoke advice, guidance If you would like further information visit and practical support on a broad range of commercial, www.theBESA.com/legal or call 020 7313 4900. BESA collaborating on sub-contracting SUB-CoNtRACtING The Government created a task group to steer the development of its online tender portal, Contracts Finder. 80% of all employers are SMEs within building BESA is collaborating with data scientists, artificial intelligence specialists and block chain providers to services and the implementation of the public create a strategy to automate and simplify the legal contracts regulations requires supply chain payment process for sub-contracting. The strategy recognises that within 30 days. Rob Driscoll, BESA director of legal lawyers represent additional cost which adds little or no and commercial is a member of the task group and value to the quality of the built-asset. This results in the reported that out of the 35 large government suppliers building engineering services process being drawn out, not one of them had been using the Contract Finders adding extra time and costs. portal. However, the Contracts Finder team were pleased to announce that they have hit a significant BESA is investigating if technology can remove some milestone - the number of email tender alerts being of the layers of the legal delivery process in order to issued to the industry has hit 100,000 a week for the increase; productivity, speed, visibility/transparency, first time since it launched. commercial stability, access to big data, business improvement, and reduce cost and risk. To receive updates and save time searching for tenders, register at www.gov.uk/contracts-finder CoNtRACtS FINDER Since the new Contracts Finder platform was launched The BESA is working closely with the in Autumn 2016, almost 1.4 million emails have been government and councils to ensure issued alerting industry of relevant public sector tender more tenders specify BESA members. opportunities. Nearly 30,000 people from around Login to the members’ area and visit 14-15,000 companies have now registered on Contracts www.theBESA.com/tenders/ Finder. Registration means that the company can save tenders-available for the latest relevant tender searches and receive automatic updates tenders available. every day as new tenders are published. BESA Group 16 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

TECHNICAL NEWS Expand your knowledge with BESA publications the BESA offers a range of building and Recently a number of our most popular publications have engineering services related knowledge been updated and the revised editions are now available, through a series of specialist publications, including RAC80: Design Specification for DX packaged air conditioning equipment in buildings. technical bulletins and events, covering technical specifications, contract legislation, RAC80 has been revised to include the availability of health and safety guidance, commercial equipment and technology, building design and energy performance standards, training resources, efficiency improvements, new internal heat guidance and employment guides. which now includes LED lighting, changes to jointing techniques, pipes and gas types and a summary of changes and obligations placed on contractors from The BESA is committed to providing our members and the wider industry with the most comprehensive source of the recent F gas review. informed, up-to-date and relevant building and engineering Responding to the surge in demand for detailed services-related technical literature. We have a number of information about the specific challenges of designing technical bulletins available to our members free of charge, systems for the growing number of existing and planned including information on thermal storage, direct or indirect high structures, BESA is being supported by CIBSE and leak checking methods, space heaters and solid fuel boilers the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) in its aim to and competence requirements for the RACHP sector. capture all available knowledge on this subject. BESA publications are written by industry experts in There are more than 200 new high rise buildings planned response to industry demand or changing legislation. With for London alone; so the need for a unified set of technical new publications being introduced such as DHC01, District advice and guidance for architects, engineers, contractors Heating and Cooling early design building connection and FMs is clear. Once complete, the information will be guidance for use by developers and contractors where a DH/ made available to members. DC will or maybe required. We are also updating industry favourites including the good practice guide TR19 for To keep up with the latest technical information and access internal cleanliness of ventilation systems. our best practice guides visit: www.besapublications.com. 17

BESA Group 18 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

TECHNICAL NEWS the BESA has adopted the UK’s first test standard for Heat HIU testing Interface Units (HIUs). the standard’s objective is to report on the characteristics of each test unit against a range of static underway and dynamic heating and domestic hot water demands for UK network operating conditions. HIUs are currently progressing through The test reports and VWART calculations – testing at the Research Institute of a measure of an HIUs average impact on network Sweden, SP with preliminary results return temperatures during normal operation – from the testing further demonstrating are to be published via the BESA website. the need for such a UK standard. HIU selection is critical in delivering both Interest in the test standard is high from both intended network performance and manufacturers and network developers alike, end-user comfort. HIUs are often therefore two additional test rigs are soon to be designed to perform best in certain commissioned in the UK – further details will be operating scenarios and therefore announced once available. optimal selection keeps consumer costs The test standard is available for download via down and efficiency high. The published the BESA website: www.theBESA.com/ukhiu test results will offer specifiers the information required to suitably match The test reports for the first HIU will be published HIUs to their network to ensure installed soon via the BESA website. For any queries regarding performance meets the design intent. HIU testing, email [email protected] 19

BESA Group 20 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

TECHNICAL NEWS BESA hosts ground breaking tall buildings event By Tim Rook, BESA technical director the direction of construction in this country is up. We are building faster, denser and higher – yet most tall buildings are conceived as ‘bespoke’ projects with no standard approach to their design, construction and operation. BESA is, therefore, working on a set of standards in conjunction with experts from across the supply chain. Most high rise structures are mixed use – residential; retail; area and the local community and how today’s tall buildings commercial office; leisure etc. and are expected to change are more like vertical cities with a wide variety of occupants both during a long life and potentially during the design and rapid changes of use. process. This creates a unique set of challenges for the technical trades given the task of designing, installing, One of the most significant findings was the potential time commissioning and operating the services. and cost savings that early engagement of contractors can bring. They are able to supply expertise in logistical and With over 200 new high rise buildings planned for London design that is unique. All of the Forum’s findings are now alone, it is clear that a unified set of guidelines for the supply being fed into the work of the BESA Tall Buildings Group and chain is urgently needed, which is why BESA launched its will form part of the best practice guidance, which will be online ‘wiki’ late last year to gather expert knowledge and in the form of a number of Technical Bulletins and will also shape future guidance – and why it also hosted an interactive provide content for the Tall Buildings Wiki. Currently this is forum comprising architects, consultants, contractors, only available for BESA members but it will eventually be builders and legal specialists at its London HQ in March. rolled out to the wider industry to ensure all aspects of tall building design, construction and maintenance are covered. Members of the Forum looked at how tall building supply For further information email [email protected]. chains currently operate and where this is creating weaknesses in delivery and long-term operation. The For more information visit: members considered the implications for the surrounding www.theBESA.com/focus-areas/tall-buildings 21

TECHNICAL NEWS BESCA is delivering Building Regulation updates online via their new e-learning course, aimed at those operating within the mechanical sector. Russell Mott, head of technical services for BESCA describes the course as a vital resource, “Our course offers engineers the perfect resource to update themselves on the core changes to the Building Regulations. It is vital that installers maintain their CPD and our course offers an efficient and practical way to do so.” The course which includes a final examination is available now and costs £95+ VAT. Added Benedits On successful completion of the e-learning course applicants are Introducing BESCA’s new also eligible to join the BESCA Competent Person Scheme which provides significant cost savings. building regulations CPD The Competent Person Scheme qualifies members to notify e-learning course ‘controlled works’ meaning they can self-certify completed works to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations without having to contact the Local Authority. The scheme generates a Building Regulation compliance certificate for the client and BESCA is the certification arm of the BESA is supported with an insurance backed guarantee for light group. Acting as an independent UKAS commercial and domestic works. accredited body, it strives to help businesses Contact the BESCA Helpdesk on 01768 860457 or email meet industry standards, promoting technical [email protected] for further information or to register your excellence in the building services sector. interest/reserve your place today. Vibration injuries on the rise BESA has urged members to heed the warnings issued by UK courts following a series of prosecutions for hand arm vibration (HAV) injuries. There was a 42% rise in the number of breaches of so that workers can continue in their jobs without risk HAV regulations last year and several employers were of disability. successfully prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) including British Airways and a large local authority. Fortunately for BESA members, they already have access to the services they need to ensure they meet the HAV Syndrome (HAVS) is a serious condition that can requirements of HAVS legislation via the Association’s leave workers permanently disabled if they are not compliance subsidiary Building Engineering Services properly trained, supervised and warned about working Competence Assessment (BESCA). for extended periods with power tools. A number of employers have been fined more than £250,000 for failing BESA members are subjected to a stringent examination to meet their obligations. of their health & safety risk assessments by BESCA as part of the CAS process for becoming and remaining members. Symptoms of hand arm vibration can include tingling, This can be used to provide the evidence required pins and needles, numbness and pain in the hands. It when tendering for work with clients seeking to protect can affect sleep and can also cause long-term difficulty themselves from potential HSE prosecutions. However, in gripping and holding. It is thought that more than two members should consult BESCA to make sure they million UK workers are at risk. continue to comply. The Regulations focus on the elimination or control For more information about the CAS process visit of vibration exposure to prevent symptoms developing www.thebesa.com/competence-assessment-scheme BESA Group 22 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

outsmarting the fraudsters: the benefits of smart card technology With an increasing number of incidents being confidence that they have the right person for the job and eliminating the risk of fake cards within the industry. reported highlighting the use of fraudulent skills certification cards within our industry, Through using a card reader or device such as a CSCS chief executive Graham Wren identifies smartphone or tablet, identity and qualifications can the task of checking cards and the slow be checked instantly, making it easier for construction uptake of smart card technology at the grass sites to make sure they have the right workers for the job. Go Smart apps and software for card readers can be roots levels of the industry as barriers to downloaded free of charge from the SKILLcard website. tackling fraud within the industry. The benefits of smart technology are increasing all Wren believes technology will eradicate the problem of the time, with the addition of new apps and software fraud, “A card bought on the black market will quickly making SKILLcard even more indispensable, providing show up as fake when it is read electronically. But too supply chain visibility for large companies and offering many sites will still use a paper-based checking system, small companies a free training management solution. which provides an opportunity for the fraudsters.” With the recent card audits enforced by Build UK and However, he believes the industry now recognises that the Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the technology can be an enabler of a fully-qualified workforce rising adoption of smart card technology, what might and is committed to its adoption, with bodies including the future hold next for the industry? Over the past BESA and Build UK advocating smart technology and year the introduction of virtual cards has been pitched offering cost-effective solutions to contractors. as the next step. We are pleased to announce that our own virtual card scheme is in development and soon SKILLcard, a BESA group company, introduced smart chip to become reality, available to organisations from technology across all new cards in October 2015. The Autumn 2017. unique technology built into every smart SKILLcard allows cardholders to instantly prove they have the skills and To outsmart fraudsters on your sites visit: qualifications to carry out work, giving contractors the www.SKILLcard.org.uk 23

BESA Group 24 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

TECHNICAL NEWS Change of focus needed to get The CM survey did show that the ‘professional end’ of the industry was embracing BIM more enthusiastically with 61% BIM on track saying they had at least ‘some confidence’ and 22% saying they were ‘confident to fully confident’ in BIM’s effectiveness. This is an improvement on last year and, of those who are using BIM, six out of 10 respondents said it had saved them By David Frise, head of sustainability time and cost in the construction stage. A year after the government’s much It is important that BESA members recognise the positive heralded deadline for Building Information role BIM can play in improving the efficiency of the project process, but we need to change the way we work. Sorting Modelling (BIM) to be used on all publicly this out is still a work in progress and sits in the ‘too difficult’ funded projects most public sector clients box for many companies when they are working at full have still not adopted it. capacity, but this means they are missing out on the financial and process efficiencies on offer. Just 38% of centrally funded government work in the last To help members adapt to the BIM environment, BESA’s year had BIM as a requirement despite the government’s technical department continues to work in collaboration mandate, according to the Construction Manager annual with other sector bodies to develop best practice and a BIM survey. One in four public sector clients admitted they common platform for managing the data required by BIM did not ask for BIM and more than six out of 10 of all clients models. In collaboration with Northumbria University, BESA said they had not made it a requirement. has developed xBIM for its service and maintenance tool The survey also revealed that just one in 10 private sector SFG20. This will enable building design information held in clients demand Level 2 BIM on all projects. Half don’t ask for it Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format to be imported at all and, as a result, many smaller contractors have not made directly from BIM models into SFG20. This means that the necessary first steps towards adopting it. ongoing maintenance costs can be based on the SFG20 standard from design stage, rather than later in the process BIM is getting a bad press, but it’s not actually BIM that’s the or, worse still, after project handover. problem it is the way we are doing it. We are trying to adapt a digital process to an analogue world. We knew that was the problem when we embarked on Level 2, but we are still doing exactly the same things and expecting a different result. This To find out more about xBIM and means the government’s ‘BIM Big Bang’ is taking longer to SFG20 visit www.sfg20.co.uk produce the results we hoped for. 25

TECHNICAL NEWS REFCoM issues new industry guidance on F gas REFCoM, a BESA group the gases. Both sets of guidance build on REFCOM’s company and the UK’s reputation of delivering the latest industry advice and leading F gas registration information, keeping the scheme’s members up to date. scheme, is continuing its drive to improve REFCOM has also introduced an extended search facility industry standards by issuing new guidance on its website, allowing suppliers to search either by on the supply of F gases. company name or certificate number to ensure any certificates presented to them are valid. Designed at the request of the air conditioning and refrigeration industry, the two guides aim to: To find out more about how to apply or renew your company F gas certification visit • Help suppliers identify if a customer is authorised to www.refcom.org.uk purchase F gases To find out more about BESA Training’s F gas • Advise wholesalers of the requirement to check details certification courses including how to book of who will be installing the gases. your place at the nearest BESA Approved Training Centre visit: www.theBESA.com/ One of the documents includes a quick reference flowchart, training/training-assessments/ helping suppliers determine if they can genuinely supply refrigeration-assessments/. BESA Group 26 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

REPRESENTATION BESA backing National Clean Air Day 2017 the Association is organising a high profile The Standard will outline ways in which the industry can Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) event as part of the respond to the growing need for internal clean air zones in the nationwide activities taking place on June 15, face of rising levels of toxic emissions outdoors. It will outline the fact that IAQ measures are relatively cheap and easy to deliver which is National Clean Air Day 2017. being primarily linked to service and maintenance best practice. The main focus of Clean Air Day is urban pollution caused The UK is currently considering updating its Clean Air by emissions from transport and industry, but BESA has legislation, which dates back more than 60 years and BESA been accepted as an event partner to promote IAQ and is part of a campaign to ensure any new Act of Parliament the importance of buildings providing ‘safe havens’ for their includes provision for IAQ. Cleaning up emissions from occupants from the worst excesses of toxic outdoor pollution. transport and industrial processes will require decades of investment before realising any real improvement while IAQ To illustrate the point, BESA’s Indoor Air Quality group will be measures can be put in place right away. demonstrating technology and techniques for measuring IAQ and comparing it with current levels of outdoor pollution. The government was forced to publish its ideas for a new Clean This will demonstrate the important role played by ventilation Air Plan ahead of the General Election, but there were very systems and why specific IAQ measures must be included in few concrete proposals and no regulatory framework for the planned service & maintenance programmes. network of clean air zones it wants local authorities to set up. Our ‘live’ measuring and monitoring exercise will form part of This strengthens the case for more action on IAQ. Continual the nationwide clean air campaign being co-ordinated by the delay and prevarication outside could be mitigated by National Clean Air Day organisers in conjunction with the decisive action inside. Building engineers already Mayor of London’s office and other high profile have multiple solutions to create internal bodies. We will be part of the nationwide cleanair zones where building media campaign on the day and will occupants can be protected as soon be providing live social media as they close the door. updates about our IAQ exercise. The BESA Standard will draw During the event, the IAQ on all the existing guidance Group will also unveil and expert knowledge its plans for publishing available with a view to the industry’s first IAQ providing a set of best Standard, which will be practice guidelines published in stages in to BESA members, the coming months. The Group will host a who are also invited workshop during the to contribute to the day and invite input drafting process from experts and starting on June 15. like-minded bodies Please go to: from across our sector www.theBESA.com/IAQ to kick-start the for more information. drafting process. 27

REPRESENTATION Government gets tough on gender pay gap BESA members with more than 250 employees are now subject to strict rules governing gender pay equality. Employers must now accurately report the gap between Members should ensure they are collating the correct what they pay men and women under new legislation information and are representing it accurately for the report introduced in April as part of the Equality Act (2010). This due next year. represents a significant step towards harmonising pay to reduce discrimination, unfairness and inequality and is Guidance is available to members including a template estimated to affect around 11 million workers in the UK. to help them produce their report, which will need to be published on their own and the government’s websites, Women earn, on average, 18% less than men in the UK, as well as fact sheets, key points to consider and a according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Up to the age of comprehensive guide to help organisations understand 30, the gap is not that significant, but it grows dramatically the regulations. thereafter often because women leave work to become mothers and, if they return at all, have missed out on pay BESA’s employment affairs team is standing by to help rises and promotions. with this and any other employment issue. They can be contacted by email at: [email protected] Employers were informed that they must take their first ‘gender pay snapshot’ on April 5 this year and will be Pay equality is just one aspect of the campaign to required to publish their first report by April 4, 2018. This is improve gender diversity in our industry and BESA clearly challenging for employers as many will never have continues to champion this cause on a number of fronts. analysed their pay data in this way. So they are urged to study the legislation and get to grips with it quickly. The Association is supporting The information required includes: International Women in Engineering Day (www.inwed.org.uk) for the second year • Gender pay gap (mean and median averages) in a row on June 23rd and is continuing • Gender bonus gap (mean and median averages) its collaboration with the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). • Proportion of men and women receiving bonuses Visit: www.theBESA.com/diversity • Proportion of men and women in each quartile of the for more information. organisation’s pay structure BESA Group 28 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

A BUILDING ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATION BESA joins Samaritans’ talk to Us campaign If you have employees who are struggling with “This predominately male, issues in their lives, it makes sense to give them and so-called ‘macho’ industry, as much support as you can provide. can make it hard for people to open up about their feelings, which means depression can spiral out of control. If we achieve nothing else, let’s at least aim to get a dialogue going and A recent ONS survey showed that building workers are at encourage engineers to be better listeners,” said Mr McLaughlin. higher risk of suicide than people in other industries. Getting them to seek help before they hit a crisis gives them a better Samaritans uses its shared listening tips – S.H.U.S.H* (see below) chance of recovery – and having someone to listen to them to help people become better listeners. Taking time out of your is central to that. day to have a chat over a cup of tea and listen to a colleague, employee, friend or family member. You aren’t expected to To promote the importance of good mental health and solve their problems but you can point them in the right emotional wellbeing within the building services sector, direction of one of the many support organisations Mates in Mind was launched in 2016 with the British Safety like Samaritans. Council and the Health in Construction Leadership group. BESA and Samaritans are among the partners. “Everyone can feel overwhelmed at times in their life,” added Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland. “People at risk of suicide may Samaritans’ annual campaign Talk to Us takes place in July to have employers, or they may seek help at job centres, or go to raise awareness of the importance of listening and seeking their GP. They may come into contact with national and local help. Samaritans’ 201 branches in the UK and Ireland will be government agencies, perhaps on a daily basis. joining in to raise awareness of the help the charity’s 20,000 volunteers provide, any time from any phone, and via email, “We are asking key people and organisations from across text, or face to face at branches. society to take action and make sure their service, their organisation, their community is doing all it can to promote BESA is pleased to be taking part in Talk to Us and will be good mental health and prevent the tragedy of suicide.” opening its doors to local communities across the UK. If you or your company would like to take part in Talk to Us, In a recent survey of BESA and ECA (Electrical Contractors please visit www.theBESA.com/mental-health for resources Association) members, 80% of companies said that mental and guidance from our charity partners Samaritans but also health will have an increasingly serious impact on their Heads Together, Time to Change, CALM and Mates in Mind. business over the next five to ten years. Nearly a third (31%) have admitted that they find the issue “hard to manage” so it is important for employers and employees to have access to resources to promote emotional wellbeing. BESA has created a mental health hub for employers and employees to connect with support organisations. The aim *S.H.U.S.H of the hub is to help members put mental health strategies in place and deliver training packages. Show you care Have patience • 123 116 free from any phone, anytime “Our industry has a problem with mental health and it is vital • Via email [email protected] that employers and work colleagues create a culture where Use open questions • www.samaritans.org (search to find people feel it is OK to talk about depression and stress,” said Say it back your nearest branch for face to face) BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin. Have courage 29

EVENTS CALENDAR 2017 BESA SPECIAlISt GRoUPS AND CoMMIttEES BESA REGIoNAl MEEtINGS 2017 RACHP Midlands Tuesday 6 June 21 September (Room 1, Lincoln House) Holiday Inn, Rugby, Northampton Gloucester/Bristol Wednesday 7 June Ventilation Group Future Inns, Bristol 5 October (Room 1, Lincoln House) london & SE Tuesday 13 June Holiday Inn, London Stratford Service and Facilities Group 15 June / 19 October (Room 1, Lincoln House) Northern Ireland Wednesday 14 June South Eastern Regional Colleges (Lisburn Campus) Plumbing, Pipework and Plant meeting 22 June, Lincoln House North Thursday 15 June Junction 25 Conference Centre, technical Committee Brighouse 13 July / 9 November (Room 1, Lincoln House) Scotland Wednesday 21 June Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Blantyre Wales Wednesday 21 June ExHIBItIoNS AND CoNFERENCES Cardiff and the Vale College, City Centre Campus, Cardiff Facilities Show Stand R860 / 20-22 June, Excel, London INDUStRy EVENtS Healthcare Estates Management Conference: Building & Maintaining National Clean Air Day the Future of our Health 15 June, London 25 July, AJ Bell, Manchester International Women In Engineering Day 23 June, UK wide & - UK Construction Week 10-12 October, NEC, Birmingham & - Healthcare Estates 10 & 11 October, Manchester Central University and Healthcare Estates Innovation 14 & 15 November, University of Birmingham & - CIBSE 21 & 22 November, Olympia, London To book or for more information on any of our events, please visit www.theBESA.com/events BESA Group 30 Companies: PUBLICATIONS TRAINING

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