Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, has won a £2m consultancy programme management contract to deliver Bradford Council’s Smart Street Lighting project, which will involve the replacement of 59,000 lights and 17,000 lampposts across the city over a period of four years. The new, energy-efficient, LED lights will be controlled
Mitie Security has launched new fever-screening solutions, using thermal imaging to identify individuals potentially suffering from COVID-19 The solutions are designed to support both businesses on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic such as hospitals, and those preparing to return to business post lockdown, such as retailers, venues and buildings
Leading engineering services sector bodies BESA and ECA have jointly developed two new guides to help contractors to manage coronavirus-related issues on site. The new guides will be freely available to the wider industry during the current emergency. They provide sector-relevant guidance for engineering and building services contractors working across
Electricity is a necessary part of the modern world, making electricians vital for as long as there is a need for this utility. Most people take this component of their lives for granted, not imagining a life without it. And with the level of dependence on technology and being connected,
The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) has reassured the industry that electrical apprenticeships and training are in safe hands following the introduction of a range of emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as offering ongoing help and guidance to all apprentices, SECTT is working closely with the
Setting up a dust collector in your factory comprises the desire to keep workers, equipment, and the working areas safe from dust. This installation, however, often undergoes a grudge purchase scenario. The initial thought may be to choose the cheapest dust collector. But, you need to keep in mind that
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be allowed to play their important role in helping essential services deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the UK’s F Gas register REFCOM. It refuted rumours that air conditioning and ventilation could help to spread the virus adding that these were
BLE Lighting & Power Ltd helped to make history by providing Emergency Lighting Power Solutions for the brand new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre located at the Royal United Hospitals site in Bath. Originally opened as Bath General Infirmary in 1738 as a free hospital for the poor, the historic
When attending a leisure centre or gym, a customer expects to sweat a little depending on the class they’re attending! It’s especially important then for such venues to have a suitable air conditioning unit and HVAC system in place, in order to prevent overheating or too-cold conditions. In this article,
Heat recovery systems, sometimes called Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems, are an alternative to traditional central heating units that rely on a water boiler and radiators. They use a system of ventilation ducts to draw stale and moist air out of a home or office and replace it
Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, has won a £2m consultancy programme management contract to deliver Bradford Council’s Smart Street Lighting project, which will involve the replacement of 59,000 lights and 17,000 lampposts across the city over a period of four years. The new, energy-efficient, LED lights will be controlled by a CMS (Central Management System) which will allow remote control of illumination levels (switch on/off times only) which will deliver significant environmental and safety benefits. The CMS also provides the backbone for the inclusion of additional Internet of things (IoT) solutions. The project will reduce the Council’s street lighting power consumption by 65% and its carbon emissions by over 6000 tonnes per year, helping the Council to meet its climate change strategy targets and saving taxpayers an estimated £189m over 50 years. The ability to support a wide range of emerging IoT technologies will potentially assist the Council in making further cost savings in other areas in the future. In the spirit of true partnership, Costain will work with the Council to ensure additional IoT capabilities can be easily enabled to measure things like road temperatures, air pollution, road gully condition or river levels to even more effectively target maintenance and capital programmes. This latest consultancy contract win builds on Costain’s three year relationship with Bradford, which has culminated in current status as strategic delivery partner and the development of a high level plan to give an overall picture of £500m worth of capital delivery programmes within the city. The planensures effective integration and governance of the programmes associated with the Transforming Cities Fund, which seeks to improve productivity and prosperity through sustainable transport development, as well as other road, rail and multi-modal programmes. Costain brings significant experience in working with the Department for Transport and Highways England, a broader understanding of the UK infrastructure landscape and decades of delivery heritage, into the partnership. Sue Kershaw, Transportation managing director, Costain, said: “In these unprecedented times, where Covid-19 has brought much of the economy to a standstill, local authorities are under huge pressure to continue delivery of critical programmes of work for their communities. Our relationship with Bradford Council, which focuses on partnership and outcomes, has allowed us to reach back into our organisation to deliver additional capacity, capability, resilience and flexibility in a range of areas to support our client and keep the transport infrastructure services working.” Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Bradford’s Smart Street Lighting programme represents a major investment in one of the biggest assets of the Council – our 59,000 street lighting columns. The ability to ensure effective delivery of the contract was paramount in Bradford’s approach to seeking a delivery partner with the skills, knowledge and ability to drive both the financial savings and the associated positive contribution to our CO2 emissions which are key outputs over the next five years. The appointment of Costain to the strategic delivery partner role has given Bradford the confidence that we have the right people helping us achieve these outcomes based on our experience of their involvement in our programmes of transport investment in the district.“ This work supporting Bradford Council also demonstrates Costain’s commitment to helping clients accelerate the transition to a net zero carbon economy, made as part of its Climate Change Action plan launched in February 2020, and is another step in fulfilling its ambition to lead UK infrastructure into a zero carbon future by 2035 at the latest, supporting the UK Government in meeting their 2050 target.
Mitie Security has launched new fever-screening solutions, using thermal imaging to identify individuals potentially suffering from COVID-19 The solutions are designed to support both businesses on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic such as hospitals, and those preparing to return to business post lockdown, such as retailers, venues and buildings with a significant number of employees Mitie Security is helping businesses mitigate against the spread of Coronavirus with the launch of a new suite of fever-screening solutions. The solutions, which have been developed by adapting existing thermal imaging technology, quickly and easily identify individuals with a fever that may be symptomatic of COVID-19. This fever-screening technology is able to detect human temperatures to within an accuracy of 0.3ºC, raising the alarm to monitoring teams should it identify an individual with a fever. However, it is important to note that some people believe that this kind of fever monitoring tech can pose privacy risks depending on who has access to the data collected from these devices. However, these more focused programs are a far cry from dragnet surveillance cameras constantly surveilling the public like the mass surveillance in China. These solutions have been designed to support the wide range of industries on the frontline of the nation’s fight against coronavirus, as well as those looking to prepare for when current restrictions are eased. Applications for the technology include: Healthcare: Identifying potential COVID-19 sufferers as they enter hospital which will allow healthcare professionals to take precautions, such as limiting contact with other patients and ensuring all staff they encounter are wearing appropriate PPE. Public spaces: Scanning people’s body temperature on entry to public spaces, such as railway stations, airports and large venues. This will allow individuals potentially suffering from COVID-19 to be isolated and reduce the further spread of the virus in crowded places. Retail: Thermal imaging technology will support the safety of staff and customers in supermarkets or other shops in identifying individuals with fevers and potentially diverting them away from the stores. Business Headquarters: For businesses preparing for the return of large number of employees to their Head Offices. These fever-screening solutions will detect any employees or visitors who are potentially infected with COVID-19, preventing it from spreading further within the office. To enable use in different situations, the technology has been developed in several formats from hand-held units to mounted cameras. For example, locating the thermal cameras at site entrances allows a larger number of people to be checked at one time, such as in public areas or when a large number of employees are entering a building at the same time, for instance, during shift changes at manufacturing site, or employees arriving for work at a large office block. The portable hand-held solution meanwhile can be used to check individuals, enabling the detection of anyone showing an elevated body temperature. Mitie’s specialist Fire and Security Systems’ Team has also developed a process guide to be used alongside the fever-screening solutions, including best practice guidelines and procedures to manage individuals with a high body temperature, depending on the scenario. For instance, potential COVID-19 sufferers could be diverted to a safe area for further checks to be performed by an employee wearing appropriate PPE, before determining if access to the site will be granted or denied. The fever-screening solutions, alongside these guidelines, will allow businesses to protect their employees and customers, by minimising the risk of spreading COVID-19 infections. Jason Towse, Managing Director of Business Services, Mitie, said: “Ensuring the safety of our clients’ employees and customers has always been our priority, and this is even more important during the Coronavirus pandemic. As many businesses start planning a return to work after lockdown, we must ensure that we all play our part in limiting the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible. “As the UK’s leading technology-led security provider, we are evolving to meet this new threat. By harnessing thermal technology we can support businesses in keeping people safe – be that those at the coal face of the pandemic or others looking to find safe ways to return to daily life as and when restrictions begin to ease.”
Leading engineering services sector bodies BESA and ECA have jointly developed two new guides to help contractors to manage coronavirus-related issues on site. The new guides will be freely available to the wider industry during the current emergency. They provide sector-relevant guidance for engineering and building services contractors working across construction and FM in two specific areas: ‘Specific Environments’ (where there may be higher risk of COVID-19 transmission); and ‘close proximity working’ (less than 2m). The new guides: – align with the hierarchy of preventative measures shown in the Construction Leadership Council Site Operating Procedures, based on guidance from Public Health England; – do not recommend the deployment of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for general site activities, most notably where social distancing is possible; and – recommend that any decision to deploy RPE in site-specific situations should be based on risk assessment. The guides have been drawn up with the support of a COVID-19 Expert Panel made up of BESA and ECA safety practitioners. The panel is also helping ECA and the BESA to provide informed, practical comments on site health and safety issues to the government and industry bodies who are generating overarching guidance in this area. BESA Health & Safety Advisor Rebecca Crosland said: “It is imperative that there is further guidance out there to help keep the industry safe. “The health, wellbeing and safety of everyone on site must be a priority during the COVID-19 health crisis. Businesses must exercise their duty of care under legislation to ensure all workers are protected and ensure that any critical information related to their health and safety is communicated clearly and then implemented.” Paul Reeve, ECA’s CSR Director and a member of the CLC’s working group on site safety measures said: “The CLC SOP is an overarching industry document, but it refers to the need for sector guidance. These two guides are the start of joint ECA and BESA activity to produce more detailed, sector-relevant information that’s desperately needed by many engineering services contractors. “They aim to help with the practical management of coronavirus-related issues on site, which may include the challenges associated with doing essential work in closer proximity than 2 metres.” The BESA and ECA welcome comments on the new guides from across the industry
Electricity is a necessary part of the modern world, making electricians vital for as long as there is a need for this utility. Most people take this component of their lives for granted, not imagining a life without it. And with the level of dependence on technology and being connected, we would truly be lost without it. In saying that, we must have high-quality trade professionals responsible for the installation and repair of the electrical systems and wires in our homes and businesses such as the computer network, HVAC, security, and, of course, lighting systems. Categories of Electricians In the modern world, the note is that there are four main specialty categories under which electricians fall. When choosing the best electrician near me, I take these categories into consideration. Those that work within the single-family homes and apartment complexes deem residential. Public facilities not fitted with high-voltage lines such as industrial, office spaces, rental building, all fall under commercial electricians who are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and renovation of the various electrical systems. The industrial electrician works to install and maintain a variety of different components and machines as well as high-voltage electrical systems. Low-voltage systems like video, data, voice, networks, and systems are taken care of by electricians specializing in this field. Their primary responsibility is the repair, installation, and maintenance of fiber optic cables and phone lines. In some instances, the low voltage and residential will be one category with the commercial and industrial combined into one. Some classes separate electricians based on their level of training and experience as well. Trainee electricians who work under a more qualified, experienced professional during a specific period deem to be an apprentice. After working as an apprentice, there is a need to obtain licensing from a state-approved authority, which will then bring the status of journeyman electrician. After taking a state-approved exam which will provide a license and deem a high level of competence in the field, a master electrician offers years of experience on top of that. Every state is different and will have its expectations and requirements for each level of the electrician. In situations where you need an emergency electrician, it is important that they are qualified. So make sure they are part of a registered board for the state. Facts About Electricians Not many of us realize how reliant we are on our electricity or specifically the electricians who take care of the power for us. In each moment of our daily lives with every activity, we have an extensive requirement and use for electricity. Let’s check out some facts about the critical tradesman who are responsible for our utility. In many instances, the only way to differentiate between multiple types of wiring is through color-coding. Without color vision, someone working with electrical wires could make what would be a fatal mistake. In saying that, it’s not widely known that those who work as electricians must have appropriate color vision. Follow this link for facts on things electricians wish we knew: https://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/10-things-your-electrician-wants-you-to-know/. Many of these tradesmen use a lot of diagnostic tools in an effort to diagnose and evaluate potential defects and issues where the cause is not so readily available. These professionals need to have a solid understanding of math and the ability to read blueprints and technical schematics. The electrician trade is only growing with anticipated increases in years to come as the job is critical for home construction and properties as a whole, not to mention the ever-evolving dependence on digital technology. The reliance on electricity and electrical appliances has no signs of decreasing, meaning there will always be a need for those knowledgeable in the maintenance, upkeep, and repair of these systems. The demand will be critical as technology continues to advance. We’ve become a society so oblivious to the extent of our ‘luxury’ that we take it all as if it will always be here without question. It would be a very curious prospect if we all woke up and all the modern conveniences were temporarily inoperable for even a day specifically electricity. No one would know how to function. That’s a sad and scary reality. Our great grandparents, even our grandparents would have had a party in that situation with food and friends. In today’s world, we wouldn’t know what to do. Hopefully, we never have to do without our electrician friends who keep this utility humming and our technology running for those who would simply crumble under similar circumstances.
The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) has reassured the industry that electrical apprenticeships and training are in safe hands following the introduction of a range of emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as offering ongoing help and guidance to all apprentices, SECTT is working closely with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), SELECT and colleges across Scotland to support the collective efforts of employers and colleges throughout the current crisis. To ensure clarity across the board, SECTT – the body charged with managing electrical installation apprenticeships in Scotland – has already communicated nationally and regionally with all colleges, employers and apprentices via email, phone, social media and the OneFile platform. It will also hold an online meeting with all colleges in the week beginning 20 April, to devise a delivery model and take into consideration the needs of employers, apprentice and trainees, so no-one is disadvantaged. Anne Galbraith, CEO of SECTT, said: “We know these are unprecedented times, but we are doing all we can to help apprentices continue with their studies through alternate channels, while maintaining the high standards required. “The Electrical Installation Modern Apprenticeship is a vocational qualification and has safety implications, so we must ensure competency throughout the course, especially in the ‘Key Safety Critical’ areas. “Therefore, SECTT will be looking to complete the coursework as near to normal as possible, but this will depend on when we return to free movement.” Apprentices and trainees are being encouraged to keep in contact with their college lecturers with any coursework they can complete online, and by completing their ePortfolios through OneFile which their training officers will be marking. The objective is to reduce the overall workload when returning to normality to ensure apprenticeships remain on track. Ms Galbraith added: “Apprentices’ health and wellbeing is, of course, the most important aspect to consider and I appreciate sometimes it can be difficult to focus and concentrate on anything at present. However, learning might provide the distraction needed to ensure a healthy mindset. “We want to assure all employers that the SECTT team is still here and happy to answer their questions, we will work with them to allow them and their apprentices to get back to work and back on track as best we can.” SECTT was established in 1990 by SELECT and Unite the Union to manage the SJIB Training Schemes and today runs the only industry approved training scheme for electrical installation apprenticeships in Scotland. Ms Galbraith concluded: “When we do get back to normal, I can assure all apprentices that SECTT and the colleges will continue with the professional level of care to ensure we catch up with least disruption. “We will get through this, so in the meantime, look after yourself and your families, stick to the government guidelines and stay safe.”
Setting up a dust collector in your factory comprises the desire to keep workers, equipment, and the working areas safe from dust. This installation, however, often undergoes a grudge purchase scenario. The initial thought may be to choose the cheapest dust collector. But, you need to keep in mind that a dust collector’s key purpose is to keep the working environment safe, so corners should not be cut. According to Baghouse America, a leader in the environmental industry for developing, licensing, and deploying air filtration systems, the cost of the unit and accessories should not interfere with the safety dust collectors are intended to produce. That said, the following tips will help make your dust collector the safest out there, ensuring the job is done effectively. Even the best dust collector systems need to be well maintained so that they will last longer and serve their purpose better, Read on to know more on how to maintain your dust collector system and to make sure that everyone is safe around it. Equip With Deflagration Protection Does your dust collector handle combustible dust? If so, consider equipping it with proper deflagration protection. There are several different forms of passive deflagration/explosion protection out there. However, explosion vents tend to be the most common and cost-efficient method. Typically, an explosion vent opens once a specific amount of pressure builds up within the collector, allowing the flame front and excess pressure to exit to a secure area. Explosion vents are built to prevent your dust collector from blowing up during a deflagration, thereby diminishing the hazard. Also, they help minimize damage to the dust collector itself. The Protection for the Ductwork The National Association for Fire Protection (NFPA) overlooks ductwork protection and the dust collector’s upstream safety procedures. The ducting must be equipped with a valve comprising flow-activated isolation that preserves the downstream workspaces and operations from that of the spreading of pressure and flames via the inlet duct as deflagration occurs in the dust collector. After that, the pressure wave will close the valve through the deflagration of the dust collector, preventing the spread of smoke and flames to parts upstream of the valve. Note that the valve is closed and should be opened manually. Once enabled, the valve parts could be compromised and a comprehensive inspection is needed before it is returned back to regular service. Do Not Use the Hoppers to Collect Dust This is a common mistake people make, especially those new in manufacturing. You shouldn’t use hoppers to store dust. Keep in mind that the hopper’s key purpose is to funnel processed dust toward the storage bins. As it so happens, the dust that’s about to fill up the hopper will most likely create some potential deflagration or fire risks. Another important factor to note is that the dust in the hopper may further decrease the dust collector’s performance via blocking the system and pulse-cleaning from performing the task it was designed to. Self-dumping hoppers are an easy dust disposal system while still protecting against dust leaks among the hoppers and the collector. Prevent fire Some applications are able to generate a spark and can cause fires. This must be taken care of quickly and effectively. The market offers plenty of technologies and features to choose from. For example, there are flame-retardant filter media and spark arrestors in the form of drop-out boxes, cyclone devices mounted at the collectors’ inlets, perforated screens, etc. Even fire sprinkler installations require some implementations. You can also install cartridges vertically mounted to help limit fire and deflagration by reducing the heavier loads of dust on the attached filters. Inversely, particularly with mounted systems arranged horizontally, the dust may get trapped at the filters. In situations like these, the filter life may be shortened, thereby allowing for the dirty surface to spark/ignite and raise the working pressure drop of the filter elements. Create a Maintenance Program Industrial dust collectors have enabled businesses to efficiently capture airborne particles that help provide a clean and healthy work environment. To make sure an industrial dust collector is working as it should be, periodic inspections in conjunction with a maintenance program will come in handy in terms of keeping the dust collector functioning properly, at a higher level. Scheduled inspections on an annual, semi-annual, monthly, weekly or even daily level will keep your industrial dust collector working effectively and keep the maintenance expenses down. Remember, failing to regularly check and maintain your dust collector will hurt its performance. Continued neglect may lead to your dust collector not following EPA outlet emissions standards. Incorporate Safety Accessories Image source Major concerns like what type of dust collector you should use and how to maintain it must take precedence, but when you’ve actually addressed such concerns, there are several other ways to make your dust collector safer. Safety accessories can be an excellent way to do this. Turns out they are not simply a great idea— in some situations, safety accessories are an absolute must to ensure the workers’ safety.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be allowed to play their important role in helping essential services deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the UK’s F Gas register REFCOM. It refuted rumours that air conditioning and ventilation could help to spread the virus adding that these were completely unfounded and not backed up by any scientific evidence. Speaking on a webinar hosted by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Head of REFCOM Graeme Fox, said cooling and ventilation systems were not the problem, but rather they were part of the solution. For example, by switching air handling units to full fresh air mode and temporarily disabling recirculation with heat recovery, facilities managers could ensure contaminated air was not recirculated in occupied spaces. “Health is more important than energy efficiency right now,” said Mr Fox. “It is also important to keep up air change rates – even in partially occupied buildings – to minimise the risk of moisture, which could contain the virus, settling on internal surfaces.” Public Health England stated that transmission of the virus is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and sneezing, and through contact with contaminated surfaces. It has not recommended any special cleaning measures for ventilation and cooling systems. Mr Fox said scaremongering was unhelpful to those trying to understand the threat. Crucial “The truth is that HVAC systems perform a crucial role in keeping essential services like hospitals, supermarkets, care homes and schools operating – this is going to be more important than ever over the coming weeks and months,” he said. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is also urging the industry to keep up its vital work for the NHS, food suppliers and other essential services. During another BESA webinar last week, an official from BEIS confirmed that building maintenance should continue as normal, subject to compliance with Public Health England guidance, the government’s social distancing policy and the site operating guidance published by the Construction Leadership Council. “Building maintenance is helping to save lives,” he said. “People who fix crucial safety issues in buildings…must be able to keep working. They are carrying out important work”. REFCOM’s position is also supported by guidance from REHVA, the European Federation of HVAC associations, which said humidification, air conditioning and duct cleaning had no practical effect on the transmission of the coronavirus. It said Covid-19, unlike some other viruses, is largely resistant to environmental changes and is susceptible only to high relative humidities above 80% and temperatures above 30degC. It is recommending that heating and cooling systems are operated normally to ensure buildings can continue to support critical activities and maintain the health and wellbeing of occupants. www.refcom.org.uk ENGINEERS ON THE FRONTLINE Josh Emerson from Swegon shared pictures with BESA of two of the firm’s service technicians attending a critical breakdown at an NHS hospital. “I know there has been plenty of negative political and social media messaging with regards to the construction industry,” said Mr Emerson. “I am sharing a few pictures that show building services in a positive light. The industry is on the frontline, facing Covid-19, and going to great lengths to keep our hospitals operational to support the NHS.” PIC Caption: Two service engineers from Swegon attending a critical breakdown at an NHS hospital.
BLE Lighting & Power Ltd helped to make history by providing Emergency Lighting Power Solutions for the brand new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre located at the Royal United Hospitals site in Bath. Originally opened as Bath General Infirmary in 1738 as a free hospital for the poor, the historic building was closed and services gradually moved over to the new facility which, became fully operational in early September 2019. Former patron of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases; HRH The Duchess of Cornwall officially opened the centre on 22 October 2019. She was given a guided tour of the £20m building and introduced to local entrepreneurs Andrew and Christina Brownsword, whose £1m Match Funding Challenge enabled the hospital charity to raise £2m towards the overall cost of the new Centre. Over the years the hospital developed a reputation as a national leader of rheumatology therapies and chronic pain services. They now continue their service with the benefit of a purpose-built facility allowing them to utilise modern amenities including a large hydrotherapy pool, group rooms, a specialist gym, rehabilitation equipment, and a biologics treatment space. The 3-story building utilises a wireless DALI lighting system throughout and BLE’s inverters were requested, in the initial project plan, to provide power to the emergency lighting in the event of a failure, allowing patients, visitors and staff to exit safely should they need to. The key challenge was ensuring BLE’s inverters worked effectively with a non-BLE Lighting system. Other lighting companies may refuse to supply emergency lighting power without also having supplied the emergency lighting fixtures. This is where BLE stands out; its emergency lighting solutions are always offered with the customers specific requirements at the core. BLE took a front facing role working with the consultant to make sure the inverters would cooperate with the pre-identified lighting and DALI system. Although the product had been requested within the initial project, BLE’s partners were unsure of the specifics regarding what power was required and needed assistance. Contained power was not an option because too much lighting power was required. BLE therefore recommended two of its 400W inverters and one 200W inverter which fit the purpose completely. Additionally, the company remained on hand to provide assistance regarding the requirements for emergency lighting legislation and what the facility needed to do to in order to be compliant and ensure the safety of its occupants and the smooth opening and operation of the new facility.
When attending a leisure centre or gym, a customer expects to sweat a little depending on the class they’re attending! It’s especially important then for such venues to have a suitable air conditioning unit and HVAC system in place, in order to prevent overheating or too-cold conditions. In this article, we’re exploring the importance of maintaining a comfortable temperature within a sports centre, as well as what temperatures are considered to be the optimum target to achieve this. Responsibility and duty Technically, there are no regulations regarding specific temperatures within a gym or leisure centre, according to Health and Safety Executive. But normal health and safety legislation covers the vast majority of other safety requirements at the gym. In terms of temperature, although there are no fixed regulations specifically for gyms and leisure centres, we can use minimum workplace temperature requirements as an estimate of what constitutes a comfortable temperature during activity. As stated by the Approved Code of Practice, 16°C is considered to be the base level for a comfortable temperature within a workplace. Work requiring “rigorous physical effort” is placed a little lower, at 13°C. Again, this isn’t a legal requirement, but it gives an idea of what an optimum temperature is for comfortably engaging in physical activity. Sport England published a handy guide for exercise spaces and fitness centres, outlining the ideal temperature for clients: Fitness Gym – 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 64°F) in the summer, with “comfort cooling” as needed. Studios – 18°C (64°F), with a slight summer rise acceptable. High temperatures at the gym When a gym is too hot, working out becomes a torturous experience. Plus, it’s a risky activity; dehydration and heat stroke are notable risks of working out in an overheated gym. But even just sweating too much can be a problem. We Be Fit notes that while over-sweating can cause gym-goers to notice an extra pound of weight loss at the end of their workout, the weight lost is fluids from sweating and will be negated with a drink. The article suggests that working out in an overheated gym for a long period can result in a 50% less effective workout! All that sweating for nothing. Low temperatures at the gym It’s less common to encounter a very cold gym, but when it does happen, it can be just as difficult to work out in as a too-warm space. My Inner Go looked at the pros and cons of working out in a cold environment and found that chilly temperatures brought with it a higher risk of injury. This is because muscles tend to seize up in the cold (which is why warming up before physical activity is so important). The website offered a great analogy for cold muscles: consider them like Play-Doh! When Play-Doh gets cold, it goes stiff and doesn’t stretch, it just snaps. But warm Play-Doh is stretchy and flexible. Regulating temperature It’s important for sports centres to keep their different rooms and classes in mind when regulating the temperature. Investing in an efficient, responsive air conditioning system will help regulate a comfortable temperature within the building, with units in Daikin’s air conditioning range offering low energy consumption models to fit your carbon emission targets. A comfortable environment is critical to a successful workout. Keeping a good temperature through a facility will ensure customers stay happy and are more likely to keep coming back. If the gym starts to get a reputation for being freezing cold or too stuffy, gym goers will quickly turn to other establishments. Sources:
Heat recovery systems, sometimes called Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems, are an alternative to traditional central heating units that rely on a water boiler and radiators. They use a system of ventilation ducts to draw stale and moist air out of a home or office and replace it with fresh, dry air. While doing this they recover the heat from the stale air using a heat exchanger and uses the excess heat that would normally be lost to warm the fresh air drawn from the outside. These systems have become incredibly popular with home builders and renovators as they are an environmentally friendly and economically sound way to heat a space without relying on expensive and polluting fuels like natural gas. How Do Heat Recovery Systems Work? Heat recovery systems have a central ventilation unit that is usually located in the attic or roof space of a home or office, or in the plant room of a larger space such as a factory or hotel. The heat recovery system has separate ducts for expelling stale and moist air out of the building and drawing in fresh air from the outside. The heat from the air is recovered from the old air before it is expelled and transferred to the fresh, incoming air by using a heat exchanger built into the ventilation unit. The incoming and outgoing flows of air never mix, only the heat from one is transferred to the other, preventing particulates, dust and scents contaminating the fresh air from outside. This can be a very economical and environmentally conscious way to heat homes and offices. What are the Benefits of a Heat Recovery System? Heat recovery systems are great at saving money, and the planet, by using less energy and running off mains electricity rather than natural gas. They can retain up to 95% of the heat in a home, while also providing fresh, clean, filtered air. This can reduce the need for extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, as the air in your home is constantly circulated and refreshed by the heat recovery system. The fresh air is not only heated, but also filtered. This means it is free of many of the harmful particulates that can affect asthma sufferers and people with respiratory problems. Are They Complicated to Install? The installation and operation of heat recovery systems is actually very simple and quick to perform, and often less intrusive and disruptive than installing a traditional home heating system. Though a 21st century technology, there are many companies that have a lot of experience in designing and installing heat recovery systems for homes and offices. At BPCventilation.com there is a comprehensive consultancy service that can help any homebuilder, owner, or renovator tailor a heat recovery system to suit their space and can install it for them. More and more homes and businesses are having heat recovery systems installed to replace aging water boilers that are expensive to run and maintain. Heat recovery systems are a much more economical way to warm a space, and the money saved helps the systems pay for themselves very quickly.
