Case studies

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has called for the new Government to do a 'sector deal' with the built-environment industry that reflects the important role buildings play in human health, wellbeing and productivity.

The call was made when the election campaign was in full swing. Theresa May invited industries to put their case forward for special treatment, before she called the election.

'A productive and sustainable built environment delivers significant social, economic and environmental benefits,' said BESA's legal and commercial director Rob Driscoll.

'It is important to note that the building engineering sector does not just address the cost of construction, which accounts for just 10% of the total value of a built asset, but plays a major part in managing operating performance, which is responsible for 80% of total lifetime costs,' he added.

He remarked that Government officials had indicated they were prepared to lighten regulatory burdens and create special arrangements for sectors able to present a clear argument for how this would help them improve performance and drive productivity.

The automotive and aerospace industries have secured special treatment in the past, and the crucial role of building engineering services in supporting business growth through improving the built environment, protecting the health and well-being of occupants while also influencing their productivity, and supporting the development of 'smart' cities deserves similar recognition, according to the association.

BESA also called for the new administration to quickly produce a 'transparent plan' for public sector demand and infrastructure investment and to take action on the payment abuse that disrupts supply chains.

BESA has also made a direct request for a digital payment platform to be set up for public-sector projects in order to speed up supply chain payment and provide vital financial stability for contractors. It has also been advising Government departments to focus on making energy, heat and carbon efficiency a sustainable delivery priority within the next parliament.

'Achievable energy efficiency goals, backed by Government, will have to be met if the UK is to reduce carbon emissions in the lowest cost way,' said Mr Driscoll.

http://www.modbs.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/17008/BESA_calls_for__special_sector_deal.html 

With less than 1 year to go before the governments new energy bill comes into effect, it is advised that action is taken now to prevent revenue being lost when the new energy bill comes in.

In April 2018, the new energy efficiency regulations will mean that landlords of non-domestic rented properties, which includes public sector landlords, will not be able to grant a tenancy to new or existing tenants if their property has an EPC rating below E.

From 1st April 2023, landlords must not continue letting a non-domestic property if the property has and EPC rating of F or G.

The key to the successful commissioning of a project is a commissioning plan. Tony Anderson, a member of the Commissioning Specialists' Association's training committee and assessment panel shares his experience of how this simple tool provides clarity to commissioning projects.

Those who have never used a commissioning plan (shame on you!) and those that are unfamiliar with a project-specific commissioning plan can initially find it difficult to gauge how beneficial having a commissioning plan in place would be to the testing and commissioning of any project.

On the other hand, if you have had experience working on projects with a detailed commissioning plan in place you will undoubtedly know and understand the importance of having one.
So what is a commissioning plan?

According to BSRIA's BG8/2009 'Model commissioning plan' in its simplest form a commissioning plan should address the following points.

• Provide general information about the project.
• Identify the commissioning team members during each stage of the commissioning process.
• Define the roles and responsibilities for each member of the commissioning team.
• Create a schedule of commissioning activities for each stage of the commissioning process.
• Establish documentation requirements associated with the commissioning process.
• Establish communication and reporting procedures for the commissioning process.

Reflecting on projects I have worked on across the UK and overseas, the most successful have benefited from having an accurate and updated commissioning plan.

The commissioning phase of any project is normally the most difficult by its very nature. Systems only near completion towards the end of construction phase, and the commissioning phase of a project is generally shoe-horned into a few weeks/months preceding project practical completion or handover.

Guidance on preparing a commissioning plan — BSRIA guide BG8/2009.

Testing and commissioning at the latter part of a project is a necessity to allow systems to be tested with advanced/final building envelope completed. This is also when construction teams are eager to get everyone out of zones/floors to close out areas and zones, and this is when I have found that the commissioning plan can make a massive difference. The installation-team managers at this stage know what the main systems are (as opposed to floor area only) and what is required from them to allow completion of each building service.

Construction teams will know what commissioning activities are taking place. A small example is they understand why 'commissioning tiles' are not installed for duration of commissioning. A reminder of the cost of replacing ceiling tiles or downtime of removing commissioning access tiles usually helps.
The commissioning teams know what systems are to be commissioned, method statements are approved, they know who to report progress to and how to finalise system paperwork to allow systems to be fully witnessed.

Managers are aware of the process of what systems are being commissioned, where commissioning documentation is being kept and when systems will be available for witnessing.

In my experience, the common thread on projects that didn't have a plan in place was that minor building-completion issues lead quickly into major delays to completing the commissioning process. How much of this was down to not having a commissioning plan in place is difficult to assess. However, the outcome was the same on each project that did not have one.

Time and time again commissioning activities were overlooked. A common issue which on the face of it appear could appear trivial — the fitting out entire floors of floor tiles and false ceilings to give the area 'the finished look'. Fitting the tiles out will help make the area 'look' finished, but without commissioned MEP services the area in truth is far from complete. On large-scale complex systems, commissioning teams having to re-access hundreds of tiles, sometimes two or three times, caused major disruption to the commissioning and witnessing of systems.

Construction team members didn't realise what was expected from them at each stage of the project. The common issue was they had little or no understanding of what a commissioning activity involved — both from a system boundary and duration point of view.

Issues also came from the specialist commissioning teams that were not fully aware of the entire reporting process when completing a system. An example is a dry-riser witness test not being scheduled or not all witnessing parties invited — leading to the entire system having to be retested in front of the full client witnessing team, including the Building Control Officer.

However, creating a commissioning plan will not ensure that the testing and commissioning will run hassle free — and such a belief is a popular misconception. The document itself isn't a one-stop shop that lists every possible outcome or prevents any issues arising during the testing and commissioning of projects. However, it is a platform that allows discussions to be performed at a very early stage and brings together the entire site team from construction to commissioning, through to integrated systems testing. Each person is aware and has a reference point to responsibilities that are clearly set out for construction and commissioning team members at each stage of a project.

Almost all of the major obstacles I have faced from all sides of the fence with regards to commissioning MEP services in any building relate back to not having clear, concise communication between all parties on site.

It sounds simple, and it is. Gathering everyone involved in the commissioning process and continually discussing the process, requirements and responsibilities adds clarity at the commissioning stage of the project.

http://www.modbs.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/16994/Planning_for_successful_commissioning.html 

N is for Nerves

So you have applied for a job with SER, you have been successful in being offered an interview, and suddenly you feel all nervous and anxious.

You are going to have to face an interview, and you haven’t done that in a long time.

You know that this job is a very good fit for you, but you have to overcome your nerves in order to get the job.

Here is a link to a document that will offer you some tips about interviews and they should help put your mind at ease.

You are capable of doing this job. Believe in yourself and you never know where you can get.

Your Career, Your Future,
Your Choice.

2017...

... The year that:
• Donald Trump became the 45th president of the USA
• Article 50 was triggered to commence the process of the UK leaving the European Union
• SER moved offices to facilitate growth
• Theresa May called a snap general election
• The Scottish government received new powers
• SER takes strides in changing peoples views of recruitment services
• SER expands and see new sectors added to the range of specialisms

There is no denying that 2017 (so far) has seen some monumental changes across the globe, but also here at SER - with the recruitment of new staff, moving offices and also expanding in to new sectors, we recognise how big this year has been for us.

We are expanding the range of services that we offer to include a managed service and video interviewing; all aimed at improving the service that clients receive.

Gary Bentley, Managing Director at SER Limited, says "We are proud of what we have achieved so far and we are looking forward to seeing more growth in the future. We have made lots of investments in people and premises and over time we will see the results of this.

Recruitment is all about relationships and people, we are focussed on improving the service that our customers receive, which is why we are reviewing our processes and providing refresher training to each of our consultants. We would encourage you to let us know what you would like from your recruiters"

Our target for the next 6 months:
• We want to understand our customers on a greater level.
• We want to ensure you receive the right level of communication from us.
• We want you to feel valued.
• We want to continue changing peoples views of recruitment.

"Changing Peoples Views of Recruitment Services"

In preparation for the general election, which took place on June 8th 2017, BESA and ECA launched engineering services manifesto.

They have developed the 5 point industry manifesto, which adds to a recent submission by the ECA and BESA on the government's industrial strategy consultation calls for the following:

• Connecting the output of construction and operation of the UK's built environment, and making it a strategic priority, to enable the sustainable delivery of economic, social and environmental benefits. Engineering services is uniquely positioned as a cornerstone of both sectors and has a central role in delivering these benefits throughout the lifetime of built assets, and, as a key enabler, should be selected by government for a 'sector deal'.

• Ensuring that SME apprenticeship training is fully funded for the entire parliament. At present, there is significant concern that firms that are not required to pay the new apprenticeship levy may not be able to access the support they need to develop engineering and other technical skills.

• Ensuring government is a smart client and smaller businesses have stability of cash-flow and payment. A key request is for a digital payment platform in the public sector, linked to digital procurement processes. This would give greater transparency and speed to supply chain payment and lower supplier risk.

• Making energy, heat and carbon efficiency a real sustainable delivery priority within the next parliament. Achievable energy efficiency goals, backed by government, need to be fulfilled if we are to meet our emissions reductions targets in the lowest cost way, as well as offering a way for businesses to improve their productivity.

• Improve productivity through action to enhance employee engagement. Government should introduce additional requirements in the procurement process to help mitigate against false self-employment and other tax avoidance schemes, and facilitate improved employer-worker collaboration, resulting in enhanced productivity.

ECA CEO Steve Bratt and BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin commented:
"The next government has a great opportunity to deliver an investment and regulatory climate in which industry thrives and where buildings and infrastructure support UK growth and productivity.

"Our five-point manifesto would support business, by delivering highly skilled apprenticeships, giving SMEs the opportunity to grow, and ultimately, improving UK productivity."

More information can be found here: https://www.thebesa.com/news/besa-and-eca-launch-engineering-services-manifesto/ 

Announcement from the Fire Industry Association (FIA)

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) have announced that they will be offering four new qualifications for the fire detection and alarm sector, available to book from early July after the official launch at FIREX in June.

The four new qualifications are designed to reflect the four main job roles of the sector:
• Designer
• Installer
• Maintainer
• Commissioner

The FIA have worked in combination with employers, recruiters, member organisations, and learners to identify these four main areas of study, which directly relate to specific jobs roles, and develop the qualifications around the precise needs of each specific job role.

There have been years of research to develop the new qualifications, and they have been designed to give those working in the industry, those wishing to join the industry a professional in-depth knowledge of their specialist field. These qualifications include a Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), equivalent to an A-Level or NVQ Level 3.

The new qualifications are also the equivalent to a Level 4 on the European Qualifications Framework - one level higher than that specified in the newly released Standard, EN 16763 - the services standard that specifies the minimum level of education for those working in the fire and security services sectors.

4 New Qualifications Revealed

'Our members and learners have very much guided us in the process of designing these new qualifications. Through surveys and feedback, we've kept an open dialogue with the industry to create qualifications that will be hugely beneficial to both learners and employers,' said Ian Gurling, Training Manager for the FIA.

'It became important early on to us to design new qualifications that cover a wide range of theory, but in a way that is relevant to each individual job role within the fire detection and alarms sector.'
Each qualification begins with a Foundation unit, which gives learners a thorough understanding of the relevant standards, and best practice for the industry.

One the learner has passed this, they can then progress through the other units before choosing their final unit from a choice of four, which will qualify them in their chosen area of Design, Install, Maintain, or Commissioning.

'In order to create these qualifications, we had to set up an Awarding Organisation, to formally recognise the qualifications, and register the new qualifications with Ofqual,' said Ian Gurling, AO Manager for the FIA. 'The new Awarding Organisation, I'm proud to reveal, is called the FIA AO - the Fire Industry Association Awarding Organisation.'

The qualifications in design, installing, maintaining, and commissioning fire alarms will be available nationwide at a range of centres in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and are approved by the relevant government bodies for official qualifications in each country.

The FIA will be officially launching the qualifications at their stand at FIREX International (20th-22nd June at ExCel London), where visitors can pick up a brochure, ask questions, or listen to one of the FIA's seminars to find out more about the new qualifications.

- See more at: http://www.fia.uk.com/news/fia-reveals-new-qualifications-for-the-fire-detection-and-alarm-sector-.html