Future proof

Alan North, A S North, ECA president

“Energy is now a fundamental sustainability issue and, while there are numerous players, we are definitely one of them,” said the new ECA president Alan North, kicking off the conference theme of Energy, technology, business, the future. “We should position ourselves in both the business and domestic sectors and expect some revolutionary, not just evolutionary, changes.”

North outlined how intelligent building technologies can play their part, not just in improving environmental performance, but in a social context too – for remote control of heating, lighting and security systems.

“The ECA is working to raise the awareness and provide compelling business cases for investing in this new technology and the need for strategic thinking by ECA members, alongside their clients and manufacturing and wholesaling colleagues. I challenge my Association and its members to rise to the many current and future challenges and embrace the opportunities that will take our Association and businesses forward.”

David Pollock, director, ECA

“Tackling CO2 emissions and the threat of global warming will continue to be crucial,” said ECA director David Pollock. “The Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and Part L should allow competent contractors to benefit from higher value installation work and the demand for building assessments.”

Pollock warned that contractors will have to get used to being asked about their own environmental know-how. “The ECA is well placed to help m&e contractors achieve the ISO 14001 standard,” claimed Pollock. “This will be essential for companies to gain access to new and more profitable markets.”

The growth of the certification industry creates challenges for trade associations, admits Pollock. “Trade bodies will need to both control certification schemes and to engage closely with certification bodies or create their own in order to maintain their influence. The ECA is committed to an active programme here,” said Pollock.

Pollock told contractors that co-operation with other trade associations is crucial if the building services sector is to match client demands. “I hope very much that the ECA’s, HVCA’s and Select’s Strategic Industrial Relations Forum will yield a common m&e agreement,” he said. “We will not be able to afford the luxury of closed minds when it comes to the m&e sector. We must co-operate to create a converged service with facilities serving the interests of both multidiscipline and single discipline firms.”

Neil Pennell, director of project engineering, Land Securities

The presentation from Neil Pennell, director of project engineering at property developer Land Securities, should have left contractors in no doubt that there are opportunities to be grasped as developers seek buildings with improved energy and environmental performance. “Land Securities aims to minimise the use of energy, waste and materials,” explained Pennell. Reduce, reuse and recycle is the mantra as Land Securities positions itself as a developer at the forefront of the environmental agenda.

Part L is just the minimum level that should be achieved, explained Pennell. “Expect revisions in 2011 and 2015 that will see 25% step changes each time. There is a lot to do in the next few years.”

Land Securities adopts a strategy of energy efficiency, high performance facades, life cycle cost analysis, renewable energy and low-to-zero carbon solutions. “Opportunities are there for ECA members,” said Pennell. “They should update their environmental policies and consider environmental management systems and look at more efficient lighting design and installation and energy metering strategies. New skills are required to embrace renewable and low-to-zero carbon technologies and there will be significant market growth for on-site electricity generation.”

Bob Harris, R T Harris, chair, ECA Education and Training Committee

Bob Harris, chair of the ECA’s education and training committee pointed out that new technologies, often driven by environmental goals, are increasing the complexity of installation work. This is leading clients to look to accreditation schemes to prove that operatives are up to the job. “Some firms are now using training and accreditation as proof of credibility, as a way of improving their competitiveness and to garner the skills necessary to win more complex and value-added contracts,” said Harris.

Operatives may lack the skills required to work with new technologies and Harris asked: “Should we continue to use old-fashioned training methods, however well tested and is the content appropriate to the technologies we encounter?” Harris called for a review of the apprenticeship system to guarantee it is fit for purpose. “We should have no preconceptions as to what should be taught; everything should be up for grabs – the focus, the content, the timescale,” he said.

Management training should also be under the spotlight. “I would argue that industry has neglected management training and there have been few serious industry-specific qualifications developed to meet our needs. This is something that must be rectified,” said Harris.

Smarter environmental control through intelligent technology

Mike Williams, managing director of intelligent systems consultant CDC, put forward a case for the end of "technology silos". "Systems integration is about saving money," he said. "You can get more for the same or less."

Williams proposed standard ICT enabling technologies - Ethernet, Cat 5, 6, copper and fibre - linked to a standard TCP/IP internet common protocol for controls, but warned contractors that the digital backbone needs to be installed early at the same time as the drains. "There is a great opportunity for electrical contractors to buy into this and not let the IT world take it over," said Williams.

Kevin Jones, consultancy solutions manager at Schneider Electric, put forward the exact same modular plug and play intelligent building solution as the answer to rising energy costs and Part L of the Building Regulations. "Processes and practices need to evolve to meet these needs," said Jones. "We must widen our skills base to cope with integrated solutions - the environment and new legislation demand it."

James Haigh, general manager at ABB Low Voltage Products, told the audience how huge energy savings can be made by simple controls. "People need to be educated to the benefits. Smart controls offer the ability to control and limit energy use," said Haigh.

Action points for the future

Breakout workshop sessions debated the issues raised by the speakers and devised action points for the future. Among the key points raised were:

ü the m&e industry should influence the client more, showing them what’s available in terms of technology and helping them to understand the balance between capital expenditure and operating costs

ü the industry needs to reposition itself above the subcontractor role to be seen as leaders who make the building come to life

ü massive skills development is needed in terms of communication, management, logistics and installation and commissioning

ü retraining and personal development is needed alongside a re-examination of university curriculums and apprenticeships

ü the issue of who will fund the training needs to be addressed – is it time for a training fund with statutory backing?