The design of a pipework system can have a significant effect on the user experience and even safety of building occupants. Scott James, director at Viega, discusses the factors that building service engineers and consultants need to consider
Category: Technical
Playing to the gallery – V&A Dundee’s low carbon strategy
With its bold geometric design in danger of upstaging the exhibits inside, V&A Dundee has been making waves far beyond the museum world. Phil Lattimore looks at how the showstopping design influenced Arup’s low carbon strategy and choice of the renewable energy source
The next phase: heat pumps and PCM
An InnovateUK research project is looking to combine phase change materials with a smart heat pump system to cut energy use, reduce overheating and control humidity in homes. PCM Products’ Sam Gledhill explains how the system works
Taking charge: gas sensors in battery rooms
A build-up of hydrogen in battery stores or charging rooms will create an extremely flammable atmosphere, so detection systems should be competently installed and commissioned, says Medem’s Chris Dearden
Customised BPE on a different level – developing building performance evaluation in India
Tim Dwyer digests research, led by Rajat Gupta, that investigates the opportunity to develop – and nurture adoption of – building performance evaluation that is of practical use in the booming ‘green’ building marketplace of India
Refrigerant choice
Despite the F-Gas phasedown that is taking place over the next 12 years, there is still a wide range of refrigerants available. Martin Passingham, product manager for DX at Daikin UK looks at the current landscape and the factors that inform the selection of refrigerants
The pressing issue of pipe selection
Developments in multilayer pipe means that it is now increasingly used for applications such as heating systems and drinking water pipework. Here, Scott James, Director at Viega discusses the growth in popularity of multilayer pipe and what engineers need to consider when selecting a system.
Pipework commissioning considerations to prevent corrosion and contamination
The quality of the pipework testing and commissioning process is vital to protect the system and prevent costly and time-consuming remedial work after the fit out is complete. Viega director Scott James looks at the issues to consider and explains why the choice of connection method is so important
Technical note: the government ban on combustible materials in high-rise residential buildings
Amendment to Building Regulations will come into force on 21 December 2018 and affect buildings over 18m high. Hywel Davies looks at the detail
The living lab: making data count
Hoare Lea’s Living Lab is exploring how data can be used to optimise buildings for both energy use and the comfort of occupants. Alex Smith takes a glimpse into a smarter future