Certification, certification, certification. It’s the buzz word in the industry, and one which will affect almost all building services professionals. It is also one of the themes of the CIBSE / ASHRAE Conference 2008 taking place later this month in the north-east.

At a time when economic indicators for construction are becoming less positive, building certificates will represent a good deal of potential business and more importantly will open the door for major refurbishment projects. This conference will help you decide on your company’s strategy for dealing with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Ted King, principal mechanical and electrical engineer at the Department for Communities and Local Government, will take the stage for an update on building certification and legislation, explaining the latest developments.

Hywel Davies, technical director at CIBSE, is presenting one of the afternoon parallel sessions, talking about the skills gap on EPBD and how CIBSE training can help your staff to cross it.

What is a building?

The definition of a “building” under the Energy Performance in Buildings Regulations is subject to some interpretation. This will have an impact on the number and types of premises caught by the regulations. You can find out the latest thoughts on these definitions at the conference.

Teaser : Is this a building?
Q: A large retail warehouse building is divided internally into a DIY store and a furniture store. They have totally separate heating systems, toilets, access and fire safety systems. Are they one building, or two?

A: Although they are one building in structural and envelope terms, the two units are either originally designed or subsequently altered to be used separately. Under the EPB Regulations, this makes them two buildings.

Future-proofing your business

What we can learn from other countries and cities:

  • Hear about the latest legislation coming out of the White House
  • Lessons learned from Chicago’s commitment to sustainable buildings
  • Is London delivering in comparison?

Case studies

  • Reducing office carbon footprints in Australia
  • New designs and technologies being employed at the Olympics
  • Striving for sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership

The Fringe: a built environment conference

Free fringe conference at Northumbria University
A free fringe conference focusing on the built environment is taking place from 9am to 1pm on Monday 28 April at Northumbria University

  • Use this opportunity to network with key industry players before the start of the main conference
  • Topics include Building a Resilient Energy Economy and Integrated Project 3D Model Solutions
  • To book your place, please email ri.conf@unn.ac.uk

Tackling the skills shortage

The skills shortage is affecting companies across the sector, with most having difficulty recruiting trained and qualified staff.

Attend the conference and meet the engineers of the future – potential employees who can help your company beat the skills gap.

  • Discounted rates for student and young engineers will attract a high number to the conference
  • A Young Engineers Network breakfast briefing is taking place on the 30 April
  • A panel session will tackle the key questions, such as what attracts young people in the first place and what will retain them

Source

Building Sustainable Design