CIBSE and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have signed a partnership agreement to mark the 40th anniversary of their relationship.
The organisations met in London to implement a range of initiatives, including: working together strategically on projects in each other’s regions; creating a staff-exchange programme; encouraging collaboration between regions, groups and chapters; and mutually promoting the publication of new codes and standards.
CIBSE and ASHRAE have worked closely together for four decades, but this is the first time they have committed to a joint approach to promoting their mutual global interests, and agreed to a range of activities and goals to promote a more sustainable world.
As well as a commitment to improve knowledge sharing – including jointly presenting work to industry, members and legislators – the organisations have agreed to work at a grass-roots level. This includes encouraging cooperation between ASHRAE chapters and CIBSE regions, coordinating the programmes of similar groups – such as Women in Building Services Engineering (WiBSE) and Women in ASHRAE (WIA) – aligning activity for young engineers, and working together on topics such as Legionella, resilience and cyber security.
John Field, CIBSE President (pictured, right), said: ‘This is an unprecedented opportunity to spread the benefits of our work together, through every level of our organisations.’
Tim Wentz, ASHRAE president (pictured, left), added: ‘Collaboration and sharing of knowledge are key to advancing the built environment industry.’