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BSRIA backs ‘AI’ Juliet Woodcock reports on the latest offering from the UK’s foremost research and testing organization covering building services Until quite recently the concept of artificial intelligence or AI remained the stuff of science fiction films; yet now computing power has multiplied to the point where driverless cars are being tested on our roads and there is an App to control virtually everything in modern homes. All of which increases demand on the organizations we rely on to guide our industry. . As always, the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) is continuing to keep its clients and followers well informed about the latest information and research surrounding the construction industry, having launched a White Paper on ‘Future Building Trends – Impacts - Solutions’ in December, and then ‘At a Glance’ – Smart Technology’ in the middle of January. For the paper, the specific questions asked were, ‘what do you think are the biggest, most relevant changes in buildings now and over the next 10 years; what will be the impact on our industry; and what products and services will be required in the future?’ Although the participants were from mainly North American organizations, the paper examined how buildings can improve productivity and wellbeing – touching on all aspects of building design, construction, use, and maintenance. Perhaps most interestingly, though, was the last question, regarding which Julia Evans, Chief Executive at BSRIA, explains: “With increasingly complex buildings and the use of more technology to run them more efficiently, the whole service and maintenance of buildings could change and a new type of company evolve. The whole life cycle cost approach will become more popular. Building controls suppliers must have professional knowledge and competency in energy management, being able to predict building energy expense and remove risk. “Smart technology, in the form of self-learning and self-diagnosing products is emerging as well as software based analytics, all of which are setting the industry on the path towards increasing artificial intelligence and new business opportunities. Clearly, there is a lot changing in this industry and “the players” need to be aware of this and decide how they will respond. They need to evolve, move up the value chain, embrace new technologies, develop the necessary processes, and build the necessary skills.” Leading us very neatly onto BISRA’s launch of its Smart Technology guide, an ‘at a glance publication’ introducing readers to key industry topics and suggesting further reading. The guide is aimed at those looking for introductory information about smart technology including trends, smart products, the Internet of Things (IoT) and recent developments. There is also guidance on the standard open protocols for intelligent buildings. The new guide was written by Jeremy Towler, BSRIA’s Senior Manager – Energy and Smart Technologies, as well as a leading expert on ‘smart’. He said of the guide: “With so many new products incorporating sophisticated hard and software appearing in the market and with the majority of people now toting a smartphone, it is not surprising that IoT is forecast to grow at a phenomenal pace. It promises to deliver a plethora of new applications and benefits. This topic guide lays out some of the most important developments in smart technology and is designed to help the reader navigate this rapidly evolving area.” BSRIA is a non-profit distributing, memberbased association, providing specialist services in construction and building services. Both the paper and guide can be downloaded free of charge from its website. The White Paper can be downloaded here: www.bsria.co.uk/file-depot/28d5ff78062f486c9 The Smart Technology Guide can be downloaded here: www.bsria.co.uk/informationmembership/information-centre/bsria-topicguides/ BSRIA has launched a guide to smart technology Julia Evans - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Article > “...With so many new products incorporating sophisticated hard and software appearing in the market and with the majority of people now toting a smartphone, it is not surprising that IoT is forecast to grow at a phenomenal pace...” Jeremy Towler 24
Article > Precast Concrete Modular Building System CASE STUDY Swansea Bay New Student Accommodation Client: Swansea University Regeneration Partner: St Modwen (Part of a multi partner public/private funding initiative) Main Contractor: Galliford Try Precast Modular Building Installation Contractor: FP McCann Value: £50 million with hidden tie rods. Joints are finished with a high-strength non-shrink grout, fully conforming with Building Regulations. Walls and ceilings are to a quality fair face finish allowing for a simple gypsum wash prior to final decoration. 541 individual bathroom pods are also being installed as part of the build. The precast modular building system offers excellent acoustic and thermal mass properties as well as fire resistant qualities associated with precast concrete. Project Overview St Modwen, the regeneration specialist behind the new £450 million Swansea University Bay campus, is delivering an additional £50m of student accommodation and student facilities at the site which opened its doors in September. The accommodation agreement will see 545 additional student apartments for occupation during the first quarter of 2016. Main building contractor Galliford Try was appointed to the contract in 2014 and work commenced on land formerly a BP distribution hub in autumn last year. Project Details FP McCann (Bell and Webster) successfully tendered for the supply and install contract on student accommodation buildings 15 & 16 and commenced deliveries of the precast concrete modular building system late last year. Based on a process where walls, floor and ceiling slabs are linked together to form a unique cross wall construction, the precast panels are factory formed to suit design requirements. In total some 2400 individual precast units are being installed consisting of walls, floors, stairs and landings. Gable walls and party walls are 160mm thick with each room floor slab 175mm thick. Window and door openings have been accommodated and each bedroom has four conduits cast into the walls for electrics and communications networks. All horizontal and vertical sections are designed for ease of build, linking together To date, over 33,000 precast concrete rooms have been manufactured by FP McCann and erected on a variety of projects with one of the most prestigious being the 788 room University of East London campus at Royal Albert Docks. 30 student accommodation projects have been completed nationwide providing nearly 19,000 rooms. On-going contracts include Southampton University and the student accommodation on part of the huge £1billion North West Cambridge development. The new Swansea campus is a major highlight of St. Modwen’s ongoing 3,500 acre regeneration programme across South Wales. The on-going development of the university will create a world-class educational establishment that will benefit students, staff and the local community for generations to come. MMC February 2016 25
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