Unfortunately, the writer of the star letter in the May issue of BSj, Nigel Read-Bone, passed away recently. He called for greater emphasis on the value of early consultation with professional services engineers.

It was the result of Nigel’s strong belief that now is the time to reintroduce the element of true consultancy to building services engineering. Nigel’s aim was that building services engineers would inform on the complete range of options and choices, and bring an understanding of building services to the table – before the table and chairs are installed where the boiler should be!

CIBSE should not let this new business idea die with Nigel’s passing. One of our committees should be charged with taking the term ‘consultancy’ forward and building on Nigel’s idea. The client and design engineer need to have a better understanding of where they are going, and how they are going to get there. Especially when the benefits are a fair and reasonable chance of job satisfaction, reasonable profit and lasting success.

CIBSE needs to be forward thinking now more than ever.

Eur Ing Keith T Read-Bone CEng, FIMechE, FCIBSE, FinstR, FIED, MICM

Source

Building Sustainable Design