MAY 2008

ACE ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2008

BCM are currently being considered for an ACE Engineering Excellence Award for work we have undertaken with Manchester City Council on their Building Schools for the Future Programme.

BCM are recognised in the North West for our leading role with energy efficiency in buildings and we are extremely proud to be considered nationally for the ACE Engineering Excellence Award.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPC)

The Government’s requirement to provide Energy Performance Certificates for all commercial buildings is now being implemented.

BCM will be amongst the first companies with accredited energy assessors capable of issuing Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) for the most complex buildings (known as Level 3, 4 or 5).

We are currently providing quotations to both existing and new clients for producing Energy Performance Certificates.  To request a quotation, please contact info@bcmconsulting.co.uk and we will forward a form for completion with the information we require in order to provide a no obligation, fixed price quotation.

Our engineers are qualified Low Carbon Consultants and energy assessors.

BCM recognises the importance of working alongside our clients, taking the time to discuss and fully understand their requirements and to guide them through the whole process culminating in the production and registering of the certificates.

We already help many of our clients to comply with the new Part L requirements.  The production of EPC’s is a direct development of our established expertise with all energy efficiency matters via our Dynamic Thermal Modelling capabilities.

MARCH 2008

BCM - latest Successes in Health and Education

BCM are continuing to develop and we have detailed some of our major successes in the last few months in the Health and Education sectors.

At the next update we will release more details about two other exciting projects currently in hand (a VIP airport / hangar facility and a major City Centre office development).

Health Projects

Financial Close has been achieved on the next phase of the Doncaster LIFT projects which we are undertaking with Morgan Ashurst.  Projects are now on site at:-

Edlington

Askern

Hatfield

Moorends

The 8500m2 PFI scheme at Whitegates Drive in Blackpool with Eric Wright Construction is now under way.  This project has been designed by BCM to achieve high energy efficiency ratings and low carbon emissions.  The design has been fundamentally influenced by BCM undertaking Dynamic Thermal Models at the outset of the design.

The scheme will benefit from a CHP plant and absorption chiller.

Education Projects

Further schemes with our Manchester City Council Framework team members (Ellis Williams Architects, Wright Mottershaw and Bramall Construction Ltd) continue.  The latest scheme, for Brookburn Primary School, is due to start on site around Easter 2008.  This scheme has been designed to meet Manchester City Council’s Planning Requirement (Guide to Development 2 – G2D2) which requires the design to have carbon emissions 20% better than Part L and 25% on site renewable energy.  For this scheme, solar thermal has been selected as the most appropriate solution.

As a direct result of the carbon analyses undertaken on Brookburn, Manchester City Council have appointed BCM directly to undertake dynamic thermal modelling to provide objective data to influence the Framework 2 BSF academies.  This will assist in developing the fabric and sustainable servicing solutions for the high value projects.

BCM have been appointed to take over the responsibility for the services on both Phase A and Phase B of the redevelopment of Wyke 6th Form College.  BCM have taken over from a major national consultancy as a direct result of our capability and expertise with Dynamic Thermal Modelling techniques.  As a result we have been able to recommend improvements to the scheme which have resulted in lowering the CO2 emissions and giving greater confidence in the temperatures which are likely to be encountered in the new buildings.  This improved energy efficiency has a direct effect on the capital cost of the project by reducing the number of bore holes required by the ground source heat pump installation.

JUNE 2007

BCM awarded prestigious Business Homes contract

We are proud to announce our recent appointment by Business Homes Ltd to undertake both the Strategic Design and Standard Detailed Design of differing sized Business Homes units countrywide, ranging from 2,500 sq.ft to 6,000 sq.ft.

The Strategic Design will be based on the option appraisals using our Dynamic Thermal Modelling capability for each of the units.

LIFT Projects Reach Financial Close

BCM have over recent years been working in conjunction with Bluestone on numerous LIFT projects in both Doncaster and Barnsley.

The latest projects in the Barnsley LIFT (new healthcare centres at Cudworth and Grimethorpe) have reached Financial Close and are starting on site.

Low Carbon Consultants

Our status as Low Carbon Consultants is resulting in greater benefits for our clients.

Our ability to advise them on options for Part L compliance, at a very early stage of the design, is resulting in very cost effective design solutions. 

The Low Carbon Consultants Scheme is managed by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers and supported by the Carbon Trust. Registered Low Carbon Consultants are construction professionals that have demonstrated extra skills and abilities to be able to deliver more energy efficient buildings. 

We are now being appointed by Design and Build Contractors to undertake Dynamic Thermal Models at their bidding stage as they recognise that this provides them with a competitive advantage.

APRIL 2007

Energy Banding

The government published the new regulations for energy banding of buildings on 29 March 2007.  These include a timetable (with very short lead in times)  for introducing energy bandings to a range of buildings. For example new commercial offices will have to be banded (just as for your domestic fridge or freezer) if they are completed after  April 2008.

Nearly all new buildings which are currently in design will be affected and the energy banding will potentially have a significant effect on the value of the building.   This legislation is a follow on to the implementation of Part L and is likely to have a more immediate impact due to the potential for affecting the market value of the buildings.  Contact BCM for more details - we can advise you how to maximize your investment info@bcmconsulting.co.uk

BREEAM

As part  of our aim to provide the best possible strategic advice to the construction industry, BCM are pleased to announce that we have agreed a strategic alliance with sustainable development consultants, 3 Planets. 

Through a combination of 3 Planets' Sustainable Development expertise and BCM's Energy Efficiency and Part L Dynamic Thermal Modelling capabilities, BCM are able to provide an unrivalled strategic design service from the outset of any project. 

For further details of how BCM can help you with any aspect of your project, or for BREEAM assessments, please contact us.

OCTOBER 2006

** BCM can Self Certify Part L Compliance**

BCM are now one of the first consultancies in the country to have their engineers pass the requirement of the low carbon consultancy register.  We are now fully authorised to be able to self-certify Part L compliance.  This is a real benefit to our clients and provides added security to the design process. 

It is also recognition of the personal commitment and achievement of our engineers, Andy Ringland and Rich Hart.  Their interest and enthusiasm will help BCM to deliver designs of the optimum quality required by our clients and ensure compliance with the demanding aspects of Part L of the Building Regulations.

SEPTEMBER 2006

Rich is on the Run!

Rich Hart is running the New York Marathon in November to help raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  If you would like to help by donating to this worthy cause then follow the link for further information www.justgiving.com/richhart-newyorkmarathon

100 Days of Carbon Clean Up

The 100 days of carbon saving is drawing to a close and we are proud to announce that we have averaged a 16% saving over the same period last year.

It has certainly educated us and we shall continue with our energy saving measures which have become an automatic part of our daily routine.

See below for details.

JUNE 2006

Part L Implementation - Update

Our Clients are finding real benefit from the Dynamic Thermal Models.  Whilst they often start out apprehensive about the implications, they find that the modelling exercise is providing them with opportunities to maximise their own commercial opportunities.

The best way to see how powerful models are is to visit our offices where we can demonstrate real outputs on live projects and you can see how these relate to your needs.

Contact us now to arrange a demonstration info@bcmconsulting.co.uk

100 Days of Carbon Clean Up

BCM are proud to announce our participation in the CIBSE 'Carbon Off' 100 Days of Carbon Saving. 

The aims :-

• save as much carbon as possible in the working environment
• reduce pollution
• save money
• reduce global warming
  
  

Why not join us?  You can become a carbon champion by visiting www.100days.co.uk.  Or find out what we're doing by emailing us at info@bcmconsulting.co.uk.

Part L

Part L of the Building Regulations came into effect on 6 April 2006.  For more details click here.

BCM can undertake the mandatory SBEM or Dynamic Thermal Models for your project.  Please contact info@bcmconsulting.co.uk.

Part F

Part F (ventilation requirements) of the Building Regulations also came into force on 6 April 2006.  These new Regulations offer alternative ventilation proposals which can potentially save money for your project.  Contact info@bcmconsulting.co.uk for more details.

BCM Part L Seminar

BCM's seminar on the implications of the new Part L of the Building Regulations was held on 10 February 2006 and attended by over 50 colleagues from the construction industry.  The seminar proved to be very successful and there have been several requests to present the talk to a number of individual organisations.

If you would like BCM to provide the presentation to your organisation please contact info@bcmconsulting.co.uk.

BCM Pass Examinations
Our refurbishment project for the examination board, AQA, has been completed and handed over ahead of programme. Working with project managers GTMS and architects Act3, the team has sucessfully completed the refurbishment of their Manchester offices ahead of schedule and within budget.

BCM have also been appointed for two major new projects with Artisan for mixed commercial and residential schemes including the Express Networks III scheme... Click here for more...

Get the most from building services design with efficient facilities management. Click here for more...