Water quality: Locked-down buildings’ ticking time bomb

Water-quality tests reveal deteriorating water conditions in commercial buildings under lockdown. Guardian Water Treatment’s Tom O’ Sullivan says action is needed in underused facilities to avoid HVAC breakdowns and the risk of legionella

Best practice HVAC controls: ASHRAE Guideline 36

Building controls systems are complex and can be a major obstacle to good performance if they are not specified and commissioned properly. Building Intelligence Group’s Paul Ehrlich says new tools and standards are helping to digitise the design process and streamline verification

Leading light: ensuring effective use of UV technology in buildings

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation has been used for many years to mitigate the spread of measles and tuberculosis. It can effectively inactivate the Covid-19 virus too, but a lack of guidelines makes modelling the equipment a complex task. Liza Young reports

Instant response: HVAC deep learning

With artificial intelligence, heating and air conditioning can react in real time to occupant activity, says Paige Tien, who explains how deep learning and occupant detection can help align heating, cooling and ventilation systems to individuals’ needs

Distance and dilution: Hoare Lea’s Covid-secure headquarters

Before Hoare Lea started offering advice to clients about making their offices Covid-secure it looked at how its own air handling units could be modified to make its King’s Cross headquarters safe and comfortable. Hoare Lea’s Steve Wisby explains