events | BUILD2PERFORM Making sense of complexity Build2Perform Live tackled the issues that will change the way we design and deliver buildings for the next 30 years as the industry strives for zero carbon. Alex Smith reports C IBSEs Groups and Societies took centre stage at Build2Perform Live in November. The twoday conference and exhibition featured more than 30 sessions hosted by CIBSE groups and divisions, including one on pollution in urban areas by the new task group on air quality. The variety and depth of knowledge on display indicated the current complexity of the construction industry, as firms and organisations consider how they will meet the governments challenge of building safe, zero carbon buildings by 2030. The destination is set, but how we get there is still unclear. Exhibitors at the event Rewarding excellence Build2Perform, at Olympia in west London, hosted two awards ceremonies. SNC-Lavalin Atkins was recognised as the overall Digital Engineering Champion in the Society of Digital Engineering awards, for its consistent application of high-quality digital design. BuroHappold Engineering claimed three awards, including best consultancy and best digital engineer for Michal Dengusiak. The inaugural Building Simulation Group Prize was presented to Chapman BDSP. Judges were impressed by the engineers model for the Shenzhen World Exhibition Conference Centre in China and the way it presented results graphically to overcome language barriers. For details, see page 12. Build2Perform also included a well attended exhibition and two CPD theatres, featuring 17 presentations on subjects that varied from the circular economy and heat interface units to faade illumination and pressurisation in smoke control. Updates on regulatory changes and the impact they have on building services design are always an important feature of CIBSE conferences. This year, delegates learned that the government is committed to including overheating in the upcoming consultation on Approved Document L, the building regulation governing energy efficiency. The document will be published in the spring, according to Peter Rankin, Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government principal building services engineer, who said another document laying out possible future pathways for Approved Document L and F (Ventilation) would also be published. Heating debates Decarbonisation of the grid and lower carbon factors for electricity mean the industry is looking hard at gas alternatives, so the future of heat was widely discussed. Heat pumps are now a viable option, but Paul Ashford and Huw Blackwell, from the Anthesis Group, warned that designers need to consider the impact of new refrigerants in the specification of heat pumps. Clients, they said, need to be made aware of the risks of creating stranded assets when purchasing this equipment. There is currently no single, clear alternative approach, with refrigeration equipment manufacturers in a state of flux 20 January 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Jan19 pp20-23 B2P conference new.indd 20 21/12/2018 14:58