The deadline for entries to this year’s Building Services Awards is drawing ever closer. You only have until 11 March to let us know about your biggest, best, most innovative and integrated. So drop everything and flick to the entry form in this issue of EMC.

Categories include M&E Contractor of the Year, Health and Safety Initiative, Major Project of the Year and Apprentice of the Year.

A new web-based information and communication exchange has been launched by BSRIA. It is designed to provide more effective communication and collaboration between building services companies and research and academia.

The Building Services Technical Exchange will develop the system originally created by FETA to meet the needs of the HEVACR sector. The new site (www.bstechex. co.uk) also provides a means of exchanging files over the Internet; plus a wealth of information is provided for SMEs seeking advice on sources of funding in the UK and Europe.

Schneider Electric has launched T-BIS, its Transparent Building Integrated Systems division, to capture a larger share of the intelligent building controls (IBC) market.

The dedicated division, headed by Harvey Dunham, Schneider Electric’s director of building systems and solutions, is aiming to triple the company’s current £10 million sales per annum in the sector within its first four years of trading. This would corner around one-third of the UK IBC market, which is currently worth between £90-100 million.

How to improve business performance, qualify the workforce and improve the image and recruitment record of the industry were the big themes covered at a conference jointly hosted by SummitSkills and ConstructionSkills.

Among the findings that will inform the work of the two Sector Skills Councils over the coming months were the need for investment in teamwork and leadership skills, calls to make CSCS/ECS cards compulsory on government contracts and demands for funding for adult apprenticeships.

January's introduction of Part P is still being met with confusion, frustration and hostility. Mark Hadley thinks that Part P does not have to mean the upheaval many feared.

Yorkshire skiers and sledgers unable to reach the Alps this winter can enjoy their sports indoors thanks to ABB equipment.

Siemens drives are saving energy and money at Glenfiddich whisky distillery.

The £305 million development to rationalise the healthcare facilities at Whiston, St Helens and Newton will benefit from the principles of collaborative working promoted by Avanti.

aden Young’s Midlands and Southern Region has won the contract to design, install and commission the £27 million m&e services package in Addenbrooke Hospital's new Elective Care Centre in Cambridge. The firm is in a joint venture with Alfred McAlpine on the £75 million design and build project. This is the first PFI project with a New NHS Foundation Trust to reach financial close.

Are you aware of the changes being made to the rules governing the local taxation of small firms? John Davies outlines the facts.

So 1 January has come and gone. Hands up those who have registered with one of the competent person schemes for self-certification of electrical work to the new Building Regulations? While you would expect readers of this magazine to have jumped through the necessary hoops, our news story (page 9) shows that many in the industry have not.

The piece also highlights the public’s lack of awareness of the new rules surrounding electrical work in the home. More worryingly, it also shows their defiance of it and a willingness to carry on regardless with DIY work.

I noted with disappointment the letter from the anonymous critic of the principle of a training fund (‘Funding farce’, EMC, Dec 2004/Jan 2005).

While I trust that the actual ratio of contributions against training subsidies will be provided by the ECITB, clearly I would not support, but would seek with fellow thinkers to hold to account, any organisation that distributed only 5% of receipts as alleged by that writer.

The instigators of Part P of the Building Regulations want the UK to be a safer place regarding domestic electrical installations for our clients and homeowners. This is very laudable, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and clearly this is another such road.

The hell it leads to is that of a badly formed law that does not recognise custom and practice in the UK and therefore will create unnecessary cost. With the current endemic shortage of skilled workers in the electrical sector, this is the road to hell.

Demand is such that the Joint Industry Board (JIB) has awarded the 2000th ECS fire and security card.

The ECA is holding the 2005 Working with Employees Towards Zero Accidents conference in Staffordshire on 27 April. The event, part of the ECA’s ZAP initiative, will update delegates on what the HSE and clients require; inform on key legislative developments; explain how the ZAP initiative is working; and announce the industry’s 2004 accident statistics.

It will focus on how companies can work with operatives to ensure health and safety through presentations by top speakers from organisations including the HSE and JTL.

The Ridings Housing Association has won the ECA-sponsored National Home Improvement Council 2004 award for Housing Associations modernisation projects. Presented at the NHIC Annual Awards ceremony in London, the winning project was the The Granges in Chapeltown, Leeds. This comprised four Victorian homes converted 30 years ago into small flats; the project returned the properties to larger four/five bedroom and three high-spec, two-bedroom homes. Judges commented: “Its success must have positive implications for many housing associations around the country who own similar properties with identical problems.”

The commercial sector is seeing an increased use of framework agreements and PFIs, which ECA members say is affecting tendering opportunities.

The ECA’s top apprentice electricians were praised for their hard work, determination and outstanding achievements at the Association’s 2004 Apprentice Awards ceremony. The winner of the ECA gold medal was Nicholas Bloore (second from left) of NG Bailey & Co (Southampton), he received a cheque for £750.

The WEEE Directive, Part L of the Building Regulations, waste disposal and implementing ISO 14001 are all pressing issues for the contractor. With this in mind, the ECA has launched a new area on its web site that will tackle these and other environmental issues.

Andrew Brister talks to John Johnson about life after Farebrother and his plans for his new company, UK Estimating Support.

With Perform 21, lowest price is out and best value is in. Roger Knowles outlines the latest in local authority procurement routes.

US giant Honeywell International awaits shareholder decision on cash bid.

Growth in construction output is to fall over the next three years, according to new figures from the Construction Products Association. The organisation’s Construction Industry Forecast sees growth in the industry to slump from 5·1% in 2003 to just 0·8% in 2005.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has published a new guide of interest to electrical contractors. The CIBSE Guide K: Electricity in Buildings will offer information on areas including legislation; power supplies; switchgear and distribution; building wiring; ups; earthing and inspection and testing.

It costs £22 to CIBSE members or £86 to non-members. To buy copies call 020 8772 3618 or see www.cibse.org/ publications.

ABB is encouraging customers to tell it what they think of its low voltage products and associated services and support.

The Energy Networks Association is to help the countries affected by the Boxing Day disaster.

Trade associations are coming out in support of the HVCA campaign against the decision by the Council of Registered Gas Installers (Corgi) to introduce the mandatory registration of gas installations.

From 1 January 2005 anyone carrying out electrical work on domestic premises is expected to comply with Part P (Electrical Safety) of the Building Regulations. The IEE Electrician’s guide to the Building Regulations provides guidance to meet Part P and all other associated Building Regulations including fire safety, ventilation and conservation of energy. The guide costs £17 (ISBN 0 86341 463 X) and is available from February.

John Bird has joined the board of Midlands-based Hulse (Electrical Contractors) as contracts director. His first role will be to form a second contracts team to effectively double its capacity.

Industry training provider JTL is holding a national conference in February. The event will aim to build on the Government’s skills strategy and ensure that employers have access to the right training support and skills for businesses.

A survey of British homeowners has found that the majority are not aware of Part P. Even more startling is their admission that the new law will not stop them from undertaking electrical work.

There are important factors to consider when installing heating in educational buildings. Are your systems meeting the grade?

Lee Allen looks at the issues surrounding the use of ups equipment in a converged voice and data environment.

ottingham-based contractor Goodmarriott and Hursthouse has won the contract to install electrical services at the new Emirates Stadium for Arsenal Football Club. During construction the firm expects to employ around 100 operatives and managers on the North London site. On-site preparation of the project began in August 2004, completion is scheduled for July 2006.

The market for outdoor wiring accessories is growing fast, covering residential, commercial and industrial applications. Paul Haddlesey suggests there is value in thinking ‘outside the building’ as well as ‘outside the box’.

With the next general election looming, the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group sets its priorities for the industry to the political parties.

The Government is aiming to increase the number of people entering vocational training, but are enough employers taking on apprentices? Denis Hird examines the issues in advance of JTL’s national conference.

Location and logistics were principle issues on Europe’s largest facade retention project. Alison Luke visits Waverley Gate to see how Edinburgh’s former general post office has been transformed into new office space.

Simon Bartley reports on how the electrotechnical industry is playing its part in supporting the efforts of the Armed Forces at home and abroad.