The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uses a fracture mechanics model, PIPIN (PIPeline INtegrity model), to predict the likelihood of failure if a buried pipeline is struck by machinery (known as third party activity or TPA). The existing model uses a FORM/SORM (First/Second Order Reliability Method) to solve the equations, but the model fails to produce results for some scenarios. HSE asked the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to rewrite PIPIN replacing the FORM/SORM methodology with a Monte Carlo solution method, with the aim of reproducing the results from the existing model as closely as possible. This report details the fracture mechanics within PIPIN, the Monte Carlo method and the process used to derive failure frequencies by specified hole sizes. Results are given for two sets of tests and these are compared against the existing model. In general, good agreement is seen between PIPIN and the new Monte Carlo version of PIPIN, with just 15 pipelines (approximately 2.5% of the dataset) showing significant changes. The effect on the land-use planning (LUP) distances of the revised failure rates has also been assessed. It was found that two pipelines saw a change to the inner zone, 39 to the middle zone and 21 to the outer zone. Assistance in the use of Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our FAQs page. Source link

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24 August 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal BSRIA has released a new topic guide about ‘indoor air quality’ (IAQ). It is available to download free from the organisation’s website.   The guide is aimed at those looking for introductory information about indoor air quality including definition, history and prevalence. There is also information on types of contaminants and their exposure limits, and readers are provided with a useful site map.   Commentary is provided by BSRIA’s asset performance team leader, Blanca Beato-Arribas, who said: “People spend approximately 80 per cent of their time indoors. There is enough evidence that links poor air quality with permanent damages to health or even death. Therefore, we should be aware of the quality of the air that we breathe both at home and at work, and ensuring good indoor air quality at work should be a priority for employers.”   She added: “This guide provides a brief insight into the most common contaminants, both from indoor sources and external sources, and what the exposure limits to these contaminants are. It also provides a summary of the current legislation and a guide map of what contaminants to investigate.”   TG12/2016 ‘At a Glance’ – Indoor Air Quality is now free to download from the BSRIA website for members and non-members. Source link

QRL launches campaign for radiator energy labelling Published:  23 August, 2016 British manufacturer QRL Radiator Group has launched a campaign for the introduction of an energy labelling system for radiators – similar to the one used for boilers, renewables, hot water cylinders and other household essentials. Launched on 23 August, QRL’s Don’t Omit Emitters campaign calls for the industry to join in petitioning the government to include radiators in mandatory efficiency ratings. Radiators are not currently covered by the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive and its colour-coded energy labelling system, with efficiency bandings rated A+++ to G. This means there is no requirement for manufacturers to produce an energy label for radiators, or for installers to include radiators when producing the package label indicating whole-system efficiency. “At a time when everyone connected with the heating industry – from government right through to manufacturers and installers – is putting efficiency at the top of the agenda, it’s ludicrous that there is no energy labelling system in place for radiators,” said David Kerr, chief executive officer at QRL Radiator Group. “Of course it’s important that we focus on insulation and the heat source, but if emitters aren’t included as the third piece of the efficiency puzzle then we risk undermining the performance of the system as a whole. “We already have labels in place for boilers, heat pumps, micro CHP and hot water cylinders, so the introduction of a proper efficiency ratings system for radiators is well overdue. Our Don’t Omit Emitters campaign is aiming to make this right. While the future remit of the ErP is unclear following the result of the EU referendum, it’s likely that product energy labelling will continue in some form in the UK. At QRL, we’re urging the government not to overlook radiators any longer – and we’re asking anyone who supports more affordable and efficient heating for all to sign our petition calling for change.” In its Don’t Omit Emitters manifesto, the company argues that proper energy labelling would make it easier for people to identify high-efficiency emitters – ones that will improve heating system performance, cut costs and reduce emissions. Mike Wright, product development manager at QRL Radiator Group, continues: “Inefficient emitters are costing homes and businesses thousands, while having a massive impact on our collective carbon footprint. The introduction of clear, recognisable and universal energy labels is the most effective way for the trade (and their customers) to confidently pit one product’s performance against another’s. To make this happen, it’s up to manufacturers to lead the way – but for the government to really sit up and take notice, we need the whole industry to rally together, sign the Don’t Omit Emitters petition and make itself heard.” For more information about the Don’t Omit Emitters campaign – and to sign the online petition – visit qrl-radiators.com/petition.  Source link

Sustainable food news – by GreenWise staff 2nd November 2015 Bidvest Foodservice and a ‘green alliance’ made up of food industry giants, Unilever, Premier Foods, Delifrance UK, Vegware, and Jacobs Douwe Egberts have today launched plate2planet, a ‘one-stop-shop’ digital platform that aims to address the growing demand in the food sector for useful and practical information about sustainability. “Our customers, and those of our plate2planet partners, care deeply about sustainability and operators across the industry are taking measures to tackle the challenges,” said Shirley Duncalf, head of Sustainability at Bidvest Foodservice. The platform will share green knowledge, including ‘how to’ guides, case studies, handy tools, supply chain stories, guidance on regulations and best practice examples for those working in the industry. Duncalf said plate2planet’s collective wealth of knowledge was “unparalleled” in the industry. “Our aim, in sharing these resources in a single space, is to support the entire industry to make small but effective changes which can ultimately have a huge impact on a global scale, and on profit margins. Our message is that by working together we can truly enact positive change,” she said. A recent survey by the Sustainable Restaurant Association revealed that 83 per cent of consumers said sustainability directly affects their dining choices. Bidvest said making sustainable business choices is a challenge for caterers to navigate, who face ever-evolving changes to sustainability policy and regulation as well as to consumer demands. “Caterers are looking to drive successful green initiatives that truly add value to their own community, customers and their bottom line but many of them tell us they do not have the resources to research trends, find new suppliers or dissect complicated reports and Government documents,” Duncalf said. Commenting on the launch, Sarah Robb, channel marketing manager at Premier Foods, said: “We are thrilled to be involved in this initiative. At Premier Foodservice we believe we have a crucial role in helping to build a sustainable future for the industry and we’re continually looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint and minimise our impact; whether that’s through the sourcing of local ingredients, reducing emissions or buying responsibly to ensure the upmost quality and authenticity of our products. We believe this is an excellent platform for the foodservice industry to share best practice and work collaboratively in driving the sustainability agenda forward.” Peter Bolger, national account controller for Bidvest at Unilever Food Solutions, added: “The launch of the new digital platform platetoplanet.co.uk is perfectly in line with Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan, which is our blueprint for sustainable business. “We are excited and pleased to be associated to this initiative and to join hands with Bidvest to create a space where people can share and learn about news and opportunities around sustainability.” Also partnering on the site is Planet First, the sustainability consultancy that provides The Planet Mark a certification for organisations that want to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to sustainability. Bidvest is the first food service company to sign up to The Planet Mark and is keen to see its suppliers adopt the ‘kitemark’.  Steve Malkin, ceo Planet First and founder of The Planet Mark, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering on Plate2Planet. 90% of BidvestFoodservices’ customers claim sustainability is important to their business and at Planet First and The Planet Mark we believe every organisation can be sustainable and can contribute to a planet where everyone can thrive. Like this story? Please subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter at the top of the page for more content like this. Related content: Related links: Source link

In all developed systems of law the evidence of expert witnesses can be crucial to the outcome of a dispute. Nowhere is this more so than in the UK, where expert evidence has been used in court cases since at least the 15th century. Nowadays it may be required in civil, family and criminal proceedings, as well as in arbitrations, before specialist tribunals, and for public or parliamentary inquiries. Within the construction and engineering industries claims are commonplace, and expert witnesses play an important role in settling disputes and enabling projects to move forwards. The construction and engineering industries represent two significant sources of expert witness work, with claims centring on standards of workmanship, materials selection, costs, time delays, contract infringement, etc. The role of expert witness is a natural yet challenging extension to any consultant’s practice… so long as the necessary personal skills and knowledge of relevant legal processes are in place. If you are unsure about what’s required, contact the UK Register of Expert Witnesses for access to all the essential support and guidance for getting started as an expert witness or keeping up with the changes. Let’s take a look at what’s involved in tackling this specialist role. Experts and expert witnesses An expert is anyone with knowledge or experience of a particular field or discipline beyond that to be expected of a layman. An expert witness is an expert who makes this knowledge and experience available to a court to help it understand the issues of a case and thereby reach a sound and just decision. There is, currently, no precondition imposed by English law on the qualities required of an expert witness. It is for the courts, on a case by case basis, to make a judgment of the individual’s qualities and to weigh the expert’s evidence in accordance with this judgment. What is expert evidence? The fundamental characteristic of expert evidence is that it is opinion evidence. Good quality expert evidence must provide as much detail as is necessary to allow the judge to determine that the expert’s opinions are well founded. It follows, then, that it will often include: factual evidence obtained by the witness which requires expertise in its interpretation and presentation factual evidence which, while it may not require expertise for its comprehension, is inextricably linked to evidence that does explanations of technical terms or topics, as well as opinions based on facts adduced in the case. Duties of an expert witness The overriding duty of an expert witness is to the court – to be truthful as to fact, thorough in technical reasoning, honest as to opinion and complete in the coverage of relevant matters. This applies to written reports as much as to evidence given in court. At the same time, the expert assumes a responsibility to the client to exercise due care with regard to the investigations carried out and to provide opinion evidence that is soundly based. To fulfil these duties adequately, it is vital that the expert should also have: kept up to date with current thinking and developments in his or her field familiarity with the provisions of the various court rules1. Qualities required of an expert witness Expert evidence should be – and should be seen to be – independent, objective and unbiased. In particular, an expert witness must not be biased towards the party responsible for paying the bills. An expert’s evidence should be the same regardless of who is paying for it. Clearly, too, an expert witness should have: a sound knowledge of the subject matter in dispute, and, usually, practical experience of it the powers of analytical reasoning required to fulfil the assignment the ability to communicate findings and opinions clearly and concisely the flexibility of mind to modify opinions in the light of fresh evidence or counter-arguments the ability to ‘think on one’s feet’, especially important on those rare occasions one is faced with cross-examination, and a demeanour that is likely to inspire confidence, particularly in court appearances. Lastly, an expert should be wary of expressing any opinion on whether allegations of negligence on the part of anyone, professional or otherwise, who may be involved in a dispute have been proved. The opinions given should relate solely to the facts of the case: it is for others to apportion blame. Fees The fees experts charge are, in large part, market driven. However, fees charged in cases that are paid for from public funds are subject to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) caps (see Table 1)2. This means they are around half those charged habitually in civil cases. The UK Register of Expert Witnesses3 conducts a biannual survey on expert fees (next survey due summer 2017) amongst its members. Its current average hourly report writing rates for non-legal aid work (2015 data) in construction and engineering are shown in Table 1. Table 1 Hourly report writing fees (£) Professional group Report writing in civil claims (£/hour)a Suggested MoJ maximum rates for publicly funded cases (£/hour) Non-London London Engineering 142 (n = 51) 72 54.40 Surveying & Valuation 188 (n = 20) 85/40b 115/40b Architecture & Building 150 (n = 23) 79.20 72 aValues for n relate only to the 2015 fee survey conducted by the UK Register of Expert Witnesses3 (www.jspubs.com). MoJ figures have no value for n published. Indeed there is no clear indication as to how these figures were defined in the first place! bFirst value is for housing disrepair claims, second is for non-housing disrepair claims2. Conclusion Expert witness work can be a rewarding adjunct, both intellectually and financially, to an existing professional workload. However, anyone considering entering the fray should take care to understand the nature of the role and the expert’s duties and ethical considerations therein. For free access to lots of expert witness support and guidance, visit www.ukrew.org.uk and subscribe to the UK Register of Expert Witnesses’ free e-wire service. There are more than 100 issues to browse through, as well as monthly updates. About