An interlinked fire and carbon monoxide alarm system played a vital role in saving the life of a tenant living in a social housing property in Scotland. Neighbours were alerted to the fire in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, when home safety specialist Aico’s multi-sensor alarm was activated and began to sound.
Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury
Baxi has launched a complete end-to-end range of products and services, including new AquaHeat heat interface units (HIUs), to provide a single point of contact for customers involved in heat network projects. From carrying out initial feasibility and design studies to supplying prefabricated centralised energy centres and HIUs to driving efficient
The Leeds PIPES heat network has gained international recognition as a international exemplar for city-wide heating systems, following a visit from the Canada-based Boltzmann Institute. The delegation attended as part of a pan-European “study tour”, to gain crucial insights to aid in the expansion of Canada’s low carbon energy infrastructure.
Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK has added a new ‘soft-black’ version to its AIRSTAGE wall mount range that can be connected to split and multi-split systems. Operating on lower GWP R32 refrigerant and available in capacities from 2 to 4.2kW, the new unit (model ASEH**KMCG-B) has a compact chassis depth
A primary school and bowls pavilion in a South Wales village have switched to clean, renewable heating, but in an innovative way that cannot be replicated anywhere else in Wales. Ffynnon Taf Primary School and the Pavilion at Taff’s Well Bowling Club in Taff’s Well, Wales, have had a bold
As the Paris Olympics 2024 is about to get underway, millions of fans will travel to the French capital city to attend one of the world’s largest sporting events. Thanks to the latest technology from Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), they will enjoy a more comfortable experience at some of the smartest and
A new research and development centre is taking shape in Hull, as a major manufacturer continues to invest in its long-term future in the city. Ideal Heating’s UK Technology Centre will support the development of low carbon technologies, including heat pumps, and drive further innovation in the way homes can
Carrier HVAC Service recently welcomed building owners and operators to its second HVAC asset management-focused event in London to learn how to maximise HVAC system performance and create healthier, more efficient indoor environments. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
Carrier has officially opened a new training academy at its Bracknell service and rentals depot. The new state-of-the-art facility reinforces Carrier’s dedication to training and inspiring the next generation of engineers and technicians while helping to address the skills gap in the HVAC sector. Carrier is part of Carrier Global
An interlinked fire and carbon monoxide alarm system played a vital role in saving the life of a tenant living in a social housing property in Scotland. Neighbours were alerted to the fire in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, when home safety specialist Aico’s multi-sensor alarm was activated and began to sound. While the resident was initially unable to respond, neighbours who heard the alarms through the wall were able to wake them so they could get to safety. The fire started in the main bedroom of the property, which is owned by Melville Housing Association, whilst the occupant slept downstairs. The flames moved quickly through to the upstairs hallway and activated alarms which were interlinked and located throughout the property. Due to the AudioLINK+ function on the Aico alarms, the landlord was able to review the data following the incident, which showed a peak temperature within the home of 102C, with carbon monoxide levels of 450ppm (parts per million) – nine times the safe limit. David Todd, Property Manager for Melville Housing Association, said: “After speaking with the fire service, neighbours and the tenants of the property, it’s clear that the smoke and heat detection is very likely to have saved the occupant’s life. “The fire started in the upstairs of the property with all alarms sounding due to being interlinked. “The occupant, who has complex needs, was unable to recognise the dangers, however neighbours alerted him by banging on the door and signalling through the window. “Thankfully, the occupant was ushered away to safety and is now fine. “The neighbours were alerted due to the noise from the alarms themselves. “With us being able to take readings off the smoke alarms, which showed temperatures of over 100C and carbon monoxide being nine times the safe limit, it left us in no doubt that the alarms were working, did their job, and played a significant part in keeping everyone safe. “The law on fire alarms means all Scottish homes need to have interlinked alarms, which this incident has proved is very important.” Neal Hooper, Managing Director at Aico, said: “Lives were saved, which is the most important thing. This really brings home the importance of life safety and of having things in your home which give you peace of mind every time you go to bed. “If the alarms had not alerted the neighbours and, ultimately, the tenants, a tragedy would surely have occurred. Instead, everyone was evacuated from the property and did not come to any lasting harm. “Fire and carbon monoxide alarms are critical life safety devices and this example, along with many others, is testament to the hard work and dedication we give to our products to ensure they perform as expected when they are needed. “Too often people will wait until there is increased legislation and regulation before they are forced into taking life safety seriously. We do need better and clear legislation, but at the same time there are relatively inexpensive options which can be fitted to give you peace of mind.” All Aico alarms are manufactured in-house, and each alarm is individually tested multiple times before it leaves the factory. “This incident illustrates the importance of everyone having working, compliant smoke alarm and CO systems in their home. “People often think nothing like this will happen to them, but it can, and it’s important to stress to regularly test all of their alarms to make sure they’re working and to check their expiry date,” Neal added. Melville Housing Association has been working with Aico for a number of years and about 95 per cent of alarms in its properties have been supplied by the manufacturer. “Aico facilitates a number of roundtable events with housing associations which are very well received and where we are able to share important knowledge about fire safety including smoke alarms and fire doors,” David added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury technology packages for the construction, hospitality, and residential sectors. The business offers a comprehensive one-stop shop for all technological needs, including audio-visual (AV) systems, home entertainment, lighting, audio solutions, white goods, climate solutions, and smart home technology. Oliver said: “I was drawn to HiiLIFE by the company’s vibrant culture; the team is dedicated to working extremely hard, but also reward our efforts generously. The opportunity to continue working with Samsung HVAC equipment was another key factor, and it’s great to work in a new environment where we provide clients with one-stop solutions for all their technology needs. “I’m enjoying the team approach we have at HiiLIFE, where everyone works together to drive sales. Our culture is to encourage and support employees in achieving their goals and creating a clear growth trajectory for the benefit of both the individual and the business.” Oliver joined HiiLIFE from M&E contracting business, Chillflame Ltd. He joined Chillflame in 2014 and progressed from engineer to managing director within five years. Oliver increased Chillflame’s annual turnover by 350% and secured several large-scale clients such as Public Health England, Porton Down. Under Oliver’s management, Chillflame also won Contractor of the Year: HVAC & Specialist at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards in 2022. Oliver continued: “After thriving under the responsibility of leading a business and dealing with multi-million-pound contracts for the past four years, I’m looking forward to bringing that knowledge to HiiLIFE. I hope that my keen eye for detail and experience managing accounts, projects, and employees will land me in good stead for my new role.” As sales director, Oliver’s focus will be expanding HiiLIFE’s market presence and driving sales growth. His primary aim is to foster strong, enduring business relationships while consistently achieving sales milestones. Tom Brittain, Managing Director of HiiLIFE, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Oliver to the HiiLIFE family. His extensive experience and proven track record in growing businesses make him the perfect addition to our team. We are confident that his leadership in the sales division will help us achieve our ambitious growth goals and further establish HiiLIFE as a leader in luxury home technology.” For more information about HiiLIFE and its bespoke packages, please visit www.hii-life.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Baxi has launched a complete end-to-end range of products and services, including new AquaHeat heat interface units (HIUs), to provide a single point of contact for customers involved in heat network projects. From carrying out initial feasibility and design studies to supplying prefabricated centralised energy centres and HIUs to driving efficient system maintenance and system optimisation, Baxi offers total customer support at every stage. Heat networks are an important part of the drive to decarbonise heat and hot water services in residential and commercial buildings. The government has a target to supply 20% of heat in buildings from heat networks by 2050, up from 2-3% today. Through the Heat Network Transformation Programme, which includes initiatives such as Heat Network Zoning and tighter industry regulations, it is ensuring that high-performance, low-carbon heat networks can contribute towards reaching net zero. With heat networks set to be implemented across a growing number of UK new build and renovation projects, Baxi is offering a raft of services to support customers with correct implementation. Perfect for use in new build or retrofit multiple occupancy buildings, campus heating systems and district heat networks, Baxi’s comprehensive heat network solutions and services will support residential, public sector and commercial property developers and building owners in delivering low carbon buildings. At the heart of Baxi’s heat network proposition is Baxi Packaged Solutions. Established prefabrication specialists, the business excels in designing and manufacturing pre-packaged plant rooms for centralised energy centres, as well as prefabricated utility cupboards for use in individual dwellings within the property. These typically use heating and hot water solutions from Baxi’s respected brands including Remeha and Heatrae Sadia as well as heat pumps from the wider BDR Thermea Group manufacturing facilities in Europe. As part of its heat network range, which includes thermal substations, Baxi is also launching AquaHeat, a new heat interface unit (HIU) for use in multiple occupancy projects such as apartments. The twin-plate HIUs are available in two outputs and can deliver indirect space heating and Domestic Hot Water (DHW) for new build and older homes. An indirect heat-only model is also available for use in commercial premises. Baxi’s heat network service is further enhanced by the UK launch of Mercurius Connected – a digital innovation developed and already available in Europe – that will be able to remotely monitor, troubleshoot and optimise the HIUs. Baxi is also drawing on expertise and experience from its parent company BDR Thermea, which acquired heat network specialist, Fortes Energy Systems, the market leader in manufacturing and supplying HIUs and thermal substations in northern Europe, last year. Baxi’s Integrated Thermal Solutions unit – headed up by Sales Director and heat networks advocate Stephen Hart – provides customers with feasibility studies and system design before installation, in addition to training, remote and onsite commissioning and ongoing service support. Stephen Hart said: “It is clear that heat networks will be one of the key routes to decarbonisation. Listening to our customers, it is equally evident that having a single point of contact will help them with the challenge of decarbonising heat and delivering low-carbon buildings. By offering an end-to-end heat network solutions service backed with expert advice – from design to after-sales support – we can make the process simple, straightforward and successful for our customers.” For more information on Baxi’s AquaHeat, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Leeds PIPES heat network has gained international recognition as a international exemplar for city-wide heating systems, following a visit from the Canada-based Boltzmann Institute. The delegation attended as part of a pan-European “study tour”, to gain crucial insights to aid in the expansion of Canada’s low carbon energy infrastructure. Leeds PIPES, one of the UK’s fastest growing, major heat networks provides homes, businesses and public buildings with affordable, reliable, low carbon heat and hot water through the use of recovered heat from a nearby Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility. Being delivered by Vital Energi, in partnership with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate, the scheme was responsible for a near 6,000 tonnes of carbon reduction in 2023 alone, and has delivered over 430 green jobs across the Leeds city region. Its current customers include some of the city’s most notable organisations, including Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Beckett University and St James’s University Hospital. Connecting over 2,300 homes and 28 key buildings across the city centre, the city-wide heating network has attracted national recognition, having recently won the ‘Energy Project of the Year – Residential’ category at the prestigious Energy Awards in London. The project is also making significant local impact through inspiring the next generation of heating and electric engineers, as well as aspiring design and construction professionals. 40 students from the Urban Energy Systems course at the University of Leeds also had the opportunity to tour the network in action and gain unique insights from senior staff at the organisation. Representatives from The Boltzmann Institute visited energy facilities across eight countries in Europe in advance of their ambitious plans for district energy expansion across Canada, helping the country reach its goals for net zero emissions by 2050. Richard Gilbert, Director at the Boltzmann Institute said: “We had an incredibly worthwhile visit with Vital Energi to learn more about Leeds PIPES as part of our Europe-wide study tour, gaining invaluable insight to input into our wider plans for district energy expansion in Canada. We were particularly impressed by our tour of the Recycling and Energy recovery facility, which really demonstrated the brilliant innovation happening both in the city of Leeds, and in our sector.” Mike Cooke, Managing Director from Vital Energi said: “We have seen great progress for the Leeds PIPES network since the project began in 2018. We are proud of our collaboration with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate and the impact it has on the international effort to achieving Net Zero. The recognition for the scheme is a real reflection of the team’s dedication to innovation in the green transition, and to providing flexible, resilient and future-proofed energy schemes for our clients. We are incredibly proud to see the real impact that Leeds PIPES is having on so many people within the city, and we will continue our work to support as many local businesses, and local lives, as we can.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK has added a new ‘soft-black’ version to its AIRSTAGE wall mount range that can be connected to split and multi-split systems. Operating on lower GWP R32 refrigerant and available in capacities from 2 to 4.2kW, the new unit (model ASEH**KMCG-B) has a compact chassis depth of just 220mm, thanks to the design of its high-density multipath heat exchanger. Built-in Wi-Fi capability makes it controllable via the AIRSTAGE Mobile app, with service and maintenance improved due to refrigerant cycle data being displayed on a compatible wired controller. Cooling is available between -10°C and 50°C, with heating from -15°C. The large louvre design enables the unit to achieve a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of up to 8.4 in heating mode and a Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) of 4.6 for cooling. The large cross-flow fan aids efficiency and ensures effective airflow, which is achieved with quiet operating levels as low as 20dB(A) in cooling. A 20m pipe length and 10m elevation is possible on all models, which are pre-charged for 15m of pipework. This removes the potential additional installation cost of refrigerant charges on site. The unit contains an ion deodorising filter and an apple catechin filter, which breaks down odours and uses static electricity to capture fine dust particles. Martyn Ives, Commercial Director at Fujitsu, said: “The soft-black unit certainly attracted a lot of attention on the stand at InstallerSHOW. The matt texture of the fascia means that it doesn’t reflect ceiling lights as the mirror-style units do and it fits in with what customers are demanding in terms of interior design.” To discover more about the Fujitsu product range, visit https://www.fujitsu-general.com/uk/ or email sales@fgac.fujitsu-general.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A primary school and bowls pavilion in a South Wales village have switched to clean, renewable heating, but in an innovative way that cannot be replicated anywhere else in Wales. Ffynnon Taf Primary School and the Pavilion at Taff’s Well Bowling Club in Taff’s Well, Wales, have had a bold new heating system installed by Kensa, the UK-based Ground Source Heat Pump specialists, that uses naturally occurring heat from the only thermal spring in Wales – the historic Taff’s Well Spring. This unique water source heat pump system harnesses natural heat from the warm spring water, which emerges from deep beneath the earth at around 21o C, to provide the two council-owned properties with low-carbon heating and hot water. Using the innovative clean heating method instead of gas is expected to cut the school and pavilion’s carbon emissions linked to heating by close to 80%. It also demonstrated a way of using Kensa’s ground source heat pumps without drilling vertical boreholes to access heat energy stored in the ground. The bold idea of using the Taff’s Well thermal spring to heat buildings was initially proposed by the Friends of Taff’s Well community group, who were looking at other ways the historic spring could benefit the local community. This project follows other retrofit renewable heating installations completed in non-domestic buildings by Kensa. Using ground source heat pump technology the UK’s leading manufacturer and solutions provider has futureproofed heating and lowered carbon emissions caused by heat in multiple UK schools and council properties. The unique installation also highlights the versatility of Kensa’s ground source heat pump systems and forms part of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council’s ambitious plans to decarbonise by 2030. How the system works: On Tuesday, 16th July, Kensa’s Dr Stuart Gadsden visited the site, along with representatives from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, to demonstrate to pupils from the Ffynon Taf Primary School’s Eco Committee how their new low-carbon heating and hot water system works. Dr Stuart Gadsden, Kensa Contracting Commercial Director, said: “This is an incredibly unique system and really demonstrates how versatile Kensa’s ground source heat pumps are. It was great to show the pupils how their exciting new heating system works and how it will reduce their carbon footprint. “Kensa has a proven track record of delivering the high efficiencies of ground source heat pump technology for numerous UK schools and local authorities, providing them with a futureproofed low-carbon heating system. “Using the historic Taff’s Well thermal spring as a renewable heat source is a brilliant example of how bold ideas can lead to something that benefits future generations. It’s something the whole community can be proud of, and we were pleased to play our part in making it happen.” Ffynnon Taf Primary School Headteacher, Kathryn Price, said: “We are very excited about how Taff’s Well Thermal Spring has been utilised for the whole school community. Our Eco Committee thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the heat pump system and how this helps to reduce the school’s carbon footprint. We will continue to celebrate the success of the thermal spring installation in our community for many years to come.” Jon Arroyo, Energy and Carbon Reduction Manager at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “We have an ambition to decarbonise the Council by 2030 and we understand there is no one solution to decarbonise our heating systems, so it is important that we look at what heat resources are around or under us. As a Council we see our role in exploring alternative solutions to help steer our businesses and residents in their journey towards a net zero future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the Paris Olympics 2024 is about to get underway, millions of fans will travel to the French capital city to attend one of the world’s largest sporting events. Thanks to the latest technology from Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), they will enjoy a more comfortable experience at some of the smartest and most energy-efficient stadiums on the continent. By integrating advanced building automation systems, HVAC and fire suppression technologies across eight venues, the company not only is helping the International Olympic Committee prioritise safety and operational efficiency but also is contributing to the Committee’s ambitious goal of reducing the event’s carbon footprint by 50% compared to previous Games. Achieving this goal required making the building infrastructure behind the games’ venues more energy efficient and sustainable. For example, two of the latest innovations of Johnson Controls’ York 3.3 MW industrial chillers are in operation at the new cooling production plant, the La Chapelle plant, located in the Adidas Arena sports and cultural complex. As the twelfth power plant in the city of Paris’ cooling network, it meets the cooling needs of the Adidas Arena and the surrounding area. This equipment provides sustainable and energy-efficient cooling at one of the flagship sites of the Olympic Games. “With temperatures rising year on year and heatwaves becoming the norm, the need for sustainable cooling technology is critical to ensure optimal conditions in venues while minimising the impact on the planet,” said Marc Vandiepenbeeck, CFO and EMEALA President for Johnson Controls. “Chillers are one of the most energy-consuming pieces of equipment in a building and represent an important opportunity to cut energy use and cost, while minimising carbon footprint and delivering a healthier indoor environment.” A further example is a renowned tennis stadium where the Johnson Controls Metasys building automation system links the most vital building equipment including HVAC, lighting control and energy management. The system controls and monitors performance and provides real-time data so facility managers can identify potential issues, make adjustments and ensure the stadium is running as efficiently and sustainably as possible. “We are proud to work with these prestigious venues and help our customers achieve their desired outcomes in energy efficiency, carbon reduction emissions, safety, security and building management. Our expertise in smart stadiums and large venues has made Johnson Controls the partner of choice for stadiums across the world and we continue to innovate in this space to further elevate the fan experience,” continued Vandiepenbeeck. Johnson Controls drives fan engagement, operational efficiency and sustainability with innovative building technology at sports and entertainment venues across the globe. The company provides smart buildings solutions to Intaleq in Doha,Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, O2 Arena in London, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Chase Centre in San Francisco, Borussia Dortmund at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, and more. It offers its full range of technologies for this sector including its OpenBlue digital platform, building automation system, HVAC, fire detection and suppression Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new research and development centre is taking shape in Hull, as a major manufacturer continues to invest in its long-term future in the city. Ideal Heating’s UK Technology Centre will support the development of low carbon technologies, including heat pumps, and drive further innovation in the way homes can be heated sustainably. After a competitive tender process, Ideal Heating appointed Henry Boot Construction as lead contractor on the project. The project is backed by more than £2m of seed capital funding from Humber Freeport, having been identified as a significant project which will help the region decarbonise its industries and transition to a net zero economy. The steelwork for the UK Technology Centre is now in place, with work on the new facility moving forward at pace. Craig Finn, Director at Henry Boot Construction said: “We are delighted to be delivering this significant technology centre in Hull. “Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of our business, so it’s a pleasure to be working with a company that shares these values, alongside playing our part in contributing to a greener future for the UK. “Like us, Ideal Heating is always looking to integrate new technologies and be at the forefront of the sector — in particular, trying to deliver more innovative low-carbon solutions — so this partnership was the perfect fit.” Ideal Heating Chief Operations Officer, Jason Speedy, further emphasised the importance of innovative technologies: “The UK Technology Centre represents a significant investment in more ways than one. “We’re part-way through a £60m development programme at our National Avenue headquarters in Hull, largely focused on heat pump production, distribution and innovation. The R&D facility forms a key part of that programme. “But, more than that, the UK Technology Centre signals a new chapter in our 100-plus years of history in Hull. It will enable us to continue the evolution of the products which will heat homes for decades to come.” The UK Technology Centre will provide a purpose-designed new home for Ideal Heating’s expert R&D team, which has an increasing range of engineering roles related to design, development, electronics, simulation and product testing. The 38,000 sq ft facility will house a heat pump testing area, workshop spaces and a training room, as well as new laboratory facilities. In addition to increasing Ideal Heating’s R&D capacities, the Technology Centre will boast excellent sustainability credentials, with roof-mounted solar panels and air source heat pumps. LED lighting and controls will also help to reduce energy consumption within the building and high-performance building fabrics will reduce heat loss. The facility is set to be operational in early 2025 and will house a range of simulators, test rigs and environmental chambers, all of which will advance the efficiency and performance of Ideal Heating’s product portfolio. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Carrier HVAC Service recently welcomed building owners and operators to its second HVAC asset management-focused event in London to learn how to maximise HVAC system performance and create healthier, more efficient indoor environments. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. Held at The Gherkin in central London, guests from various sectors, including real estate management, hospitality, healthcare, education, banking, energy, transport, and local authorities, explored how market trends are driving Carrier’s proactive performance upgrades, modernisation strategies, and predictive maintenance to enhance equipment efficiency and lifespan. “With HVAC systems, traditional maintenance alone is no longer sufficient,” said Ralph Davies, Head of Sales, Carrier Service. “Around 80% of the buildings we have today will still be in use in 2050. In order to optimise HVAC performance, enhance energy efficiency, and drive decarbonisation efforts, organisations need to shift to a total asset management approach.” Attendees also had the opportunity to hear about a number of recent projects where Carrier’s life cycle asset management provides substantial improvements in energy efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and cost savings to its customers. “Our second Life Cycle Asset Management event at the Gherkin was another insightful afternoon,” continued Davies. “It reinforced how connected services, such as Carrier’s BluEdge® service solution integrated with the Abound™ cloud-based connected services platform, can provide real-time data and analytics to enhance system performance. This in turn helps maximise equipment uptime, reduce operational costs, enhance efficiency, and contribute to decarbonisation goals.” The asset management-focused series, which launched in January 2024, aims to equip professionals with the knowledge to unlock their HVAC system’s full potential through Carrier’s life cycle asset management capabilities. As urbanisation accelerates, with 80% of the global population projected to live in cities by 2050, decarbonisation and improving indoor air quality are more crucial than ever. Carrier is committed to addressing these challenges and will host other events in this series in cities across the UK later this year and into 2025. To find out more about Carrier’s life cycle asset management solutions, visit: www.carrier.com/commercial/en/uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Carrier has officially opened a new training academy at its Bracknell service and rentals depot. The new state-of-the-art facility reinforces Carrier’s dedication to training and inspiring the next generation of engineers and technicians while helping to address the skills gap in the HVAC sector. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. The training academy offers trainee engineers and technicians hands-on experience with Carrier’s commercial product portfolio, including heat pumps, chillers, and air handling units. To enhance their learning and understanding of total life cycle asset management, trainees can also gain skills in service repairs and upgrades, such as VFD (Variable Frequency Drives), refrigerant, compressor overhauls and controls, as well as modernisation and preventative and predictive maintenance. Opening the academy is an important step towards Carrier’s Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) goal to support its customers’ shift towards sustainable solutions and avoid more than 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions from their carbon footprint by 2030. “The grand opening of our new training academy marks a significant milestone for Carrier and stands as a testament to our commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of leading the way in intelligent climate and energy solutions,” said Andrew Paddock, Managing Director Carrier Commercial HVAC UK and Nordics. “We recognise that a future without new talent and continual skill enhancement makes it difficult to fully embrace the electrification of heating systems and to meet net zero targets.” During the grand opening, guests were able to tour the new facilities and see learning come to life with equipment demonstrations. Attendees also celebrated the achievements of its graduating apprentices who have progressed through Carrier’s Apprenticeship programme. Shortly after, guests then heard more about how Carrier is actively growing its apprenticeship programme with the recent appointment of a dedicated apprenticeship programme leader, Adele Watson, along with plans to recruit 20 new apprentices in the coming months. “With the skills gap growing and the industry at risk of losing a wealth of knowledge when our experienced technicians retire, it is crucial that we invest in training new talent,” said Adele Watson, Apprenticeship Programme Lead UK. “Our apprenticeship programme, supported by our new training academy, is designed to help young people master skills for the future so we can achieve sustainability and decarbonisation goals.” Over the coming months, Carrier will develop a training programme focused on educating its engineers about the adoption of new refrigerants, including R290, and invite customers and contract partners to experience exclusive training days at the new facility, further enhancing their awareness and understanding of Carrier’s HVAC solutions. Additionally, the training academy will also be utilised for Carrier’s CIBSE-approved CPD training courses to support HVAC professional’s ongoing professional growth. For more information, visit www.carrier.com/commercial/en/uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
