Building for the future after 30 years of progress

After its 30^th anniversary year the BCIA is aiming to build upon the progress it has made and continue to lobby, liaise and influence, ensuring the UK remains a world leader for the BEMS sector. As founder member Roger Woodward explained in an interview for this website, there have been some big changes since 1991 and the BCIA has been successful in establishing itself as the voice of the industry, with no fewer than 120 members and three Working Groups which have continued to flourish.

It is through the Working Groups that some of the key work of the BCIA gets done. Real issues and challenges of the trade are addressed, as well as the latest trends and drivers of the industry.

The technical nature of building controls is a highly specialised area which is why the Technical Working Group plays a major role in supporting the membership by providing a forum for open discussion – enabling manufacturers and systems installers to work together for the benefit of the whole industry. The Group is actively involved with other groups and associations, such as CIBSE, to provide best practice advice and facilitate a greater understanding of efficient building operation.

The Group has also developed a number of Technical Guides, which are designed to help members and those working in the building controls and BEMS industry work more effectively. The Technical Guide on Selection of Control Valves, for example, helps to provide a better understanding of the complex topic of control valves in HVAC systems, how they work and some basics on how to size and select the right valve. Feedback from customers and installers showed this subject to be needing a simple introduction guide. When today’s control system engineering focus is all too often directed to the electronics side of the control scheme, it is easy to neglect the importance of proper valve selection and application. The topic of hydraulics in HVAC systems has changed considerably in recent times as affordable technology has enabled variable flow circuits and pressure independent control (PIC) valves.

Terry Sharp, President of the BCIA, said: “This Technical Guide is a perfect example of how the BCIA listens to industry feedback and takes action on matters to ensure engineers have all the help, guidance and knowledge needed for them to carry out their work to the highest professional standards.”

All Technical Guides, covering a wide range of controls and BMS topics, can be downloaded from the “Resources” section of the BCIA website.