Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) - Experts & Thought Leaders

Some of the hottest industry issues, including Government targets to install 600,000 heat pumps a year, will be discussed as a major trade body visits TG Lynes. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is holding a meeting for members of its Heating & Plumbing Services (HPS) subgroup on March 27, 2024. The event will be hosted by TG Lynes at the Enfield base of the pioneering heating, plumbing, and air movement materials supplier. Members will have a chance to tour the facility as well as enjoying a chance to network. Net zero ambitions Mark Oakes, Head of Specialist Groups at BESA, said: “We’re really looking forward to our HPS meeting at TG Lynes. They are a pioneering supplier of heating and plumbing parts so is a very relevant venue for our members. The HPS group hasn’t met for a little, while so I’m sure it will be well attended and will be a valuable session. We look forward to delving behind the scenes at TG Lynes and seeing how the business operates on a day-to-day basis." He adds, “We’ll also be talking through some key issues in the industry, including changes to The Building Safety Act, concerns around the boiler tax, the watering down of the Government’s net zero ambitions and the drive towards heat pumps.” Management of engineering systems BESA also offers a range of standards and certificates for professionals to work towards BESA is the pioneering trade body and membership organization for heating and ventilation contractors and helps businesses of all shapes and sizes across the UK, from SMEs to global organizations.  The group provides support services and training across the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings. BESA also offers a range of standards and certificates for professionals to work towards. BESA and the HPS group Andrew Ingram, Managing Director at TG Lynes, said: “We’re delighted to be playing host to BESA and the HPS group. We’re proud to have been at the heart of the heating and plumbing industry for more than 110 years. Over that time we have established ourselves as pioneers in our field and experts at delivering for our customers. We look forward to showing the members around our home.” Around 20 people are expected to attend. TG Lynes stocks industry-renowned brands and supplies thousands of products including valves, steel and copper tubes and fittings, press systems, composite and plastic plumbing, drainage solutions and support systems and tooling. An extensive plant hire service is also available.

Indoor air quality and ventilation manufacturing specialist Nuaire is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s World Ventil8 Day, being held on 8th November. World Ventil8 Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of ventilation as a crucial part of enabling the health and well-being of people. This is just the second year for World Ventil8 Day, with its inaugural year in 2022 generating substantial media coverage, reaching 25 million people across social media, and attracting high-profile engagement from pioneering politicians and the UK’s Chief Scientist, Sir Patrick Vallance. Effects of poor indoor air quality World Ventil8 Day was initiated by a group of researchers and professional bodies who are passionate about the importance of ventilation; including The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)–of whom Nuaire is a member–which is driving this important awareness-building day. Although the research that has been undertaken has provided evidence of links to increased risk Commenting on the decision to be a sponsor of this year’s World Ventil8 Day - Jessica Cook, Nuaire Strategic Marketing Director, said: “Nuaire has long been a champion of initiatives to improve indoor air quality. While we spend the majority of our time inside, the effects of poor indoor air quality on health are not fully understood, although the research that has been undertaken has provided evidence of links to increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illness, cognitive impairment and cancer." Air quality and ventilation Jessica Cook added: "Removing the source of pollutants from our indoor environments is not straightforward as sources vary hugely. What we do know though, is that good ventilation can disperse and expel indoor pollutants. World Ventil8 Day promotes this message, highlighting good ventilation practices. We are proud to be sponsoring this campaign and aim to build on the success of last year’s first-ever World Ventil8 Day.” As a sponsor, Nuaire will be actively engaged in promoting World Ventil8 Day across different media channels, including participating in a ‘talking heads’ series addressing the challenges currently faced in relation to air quality and ventilation.

A new survey of over 2,000 UK homeowners has found that more than half have experienced serious problems with indoor air quality (IAQ) and poor ventilation pioneering to condensation, mold, and damp. 55% of respondents to a poll carried out by builder’s merchant Jewson said they had experienced IAQ and condensation issues in their homes in the past year– and 44% reported health-related side effects including allergies, respiratory infections, poor sleep, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. UK’s domestic ventilation The true scale of the UK’s domestic ventilation problems was revealed with 52% of the 2,000 homeowners reporting condensation problems, and 26% saying they had mold in at least one room. Addressing the issue, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and Mitsubishi Electric have launched the ‘Mold and Damp Prevention in New and Existing Homes’ Guide during BESA’s sixth Annual Conference. Straightforward steps New guide designed to educate landlords, tenants, and homeowners about how they can tackle The new guide has been designed to educate landlords, tenants, and homeowners about how they can tackle the problems of damp and mold at the source, with straightforward steps and advice to help improve the indoor environment. In a forward from George Clarke, Architect, Writer, TV presenter and Ecodan Ambassador, he explains that damp and mold can stop tenants and homeowners from feeling safe, happy, and healthy in their homes–causing physical symptoms from itchy skin to deadly lung disease, and even mental health impacts like depression and anxiety. Affordable for householders “Damp and moldy homes are a cost to all of us,” he wrote. “The NHS spends an estimated £1.4 billion annually on treating illnesses associated with cold or damp housing…and the World Health Organization says that mold is so dangerous it does not set minimum ‘safe’ levels.” Clarke went on to point out that “good heating and ventilation are essential to healthy homes, but they must be affordable and useable for householders.” Guide from BESA and Mitsubishi Electric The good news is that already have the tools to make the improvements that could save lives The good news is that already have the tools to make the improvements that could save lives and make these homes better places to live. This guide from BESA and Mitsubishi Electric highlights how can tackle the problems of dampness and mold at the source with straightforward steps to improve the indoor environment. BESA is urging local authorities, housing associations, and other housing providers to make ventilation upgrades a key part of retrofit and refurbishment programs. With up to £80 million of government funding being made available to social housing tenants to make their homes more energy efficient, the association said this was an opportunity to take an ‘all-round approach’ to tackling poor quality housing. IAQ and condensation issues “There must be more joined-up thinking to ensure addressing IAQ and condensation issues is factored in when insulation and other energy efficiency measures are upgraded,” said BESA technical director Graeme Fox. “We can, and we must, tackle mold and damp alongside the push for net zero carbon.” In the guide, Mitsubishi Electric and BESA outline the challenges of spotting mold in homes, where mold comes from and how homes become damp. It also covers four steps to creating mold-free homes, including: Tackle sources of dampness around the building Improve ventilation Improve heating Make a home that people can live in Author's quote “We already have the tools and techniques to make improvements that could save people’s lives and make their homes a better place to live,” explained Oliver Collins, Channel Marketing Manager at Mitsubishi Electric. “We’re proud to launch this guide alongside BESA today, highlighting how challenges with damp and mold can be tackled and offering practical steps to do just that.”