COMMERCIAL HEATING | NEWS Networks launch green gas grid project UK network operators are aiming to deliver the worlds rst zero-carbon gas grid capable of supporting a national rollout of hydrogenready boilers. The Gas Goes Green initiative, led by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) and launched last month, is a collaboration between Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, and National Grid and will form part of the governments strategy for decarbonising heating in buildings. Former Cadent CEO Chris Train is heading up the project and has been dubbed the UKs rst Green Gas Champion. The project will also look at ways of speeding up the use of biomethane as well as hydrogen in the grid. The initiative said the network would offer a cost-effective foundation for decarbonising heat because 23 million properties and 85% of Britains homes are connected to the gas grid. It would also be a cheaper solution for consumers than other potential methods of decarbonising heat, the companies argue. Systems must be maintained to minimise legionella risk in empty buildings Building closures could lead to legionella outbreak Commercial buildings at risk during lockdown if not maintained APHC chief executive John Thompson. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) said that owners, landlords and tenants should still be maintaining their buildings during the crisis for security purposes; to achieve statutory compliance; and to protect the fabric and critical systems as well as satisfying any insurance implications. CIBSE FM Group chair Geoff Prudence said tasks should be prioritised using the building operational risk management methodology in CIBSE Guide M. BESA said its SFG30 takes users through a step-by-step process for maintaining critical services during a low-occupancy period ready for full reactivation when businesses return. This includes key elements such as keeping water systems safe and healthy in line with the Health & Safety Executives L8 rules for legionella control, the association said. See page 18 for more on maintaining buildings during a lockdown. Heating manufacturer Danfoss is offering bespoke end-to-end solutions for district energy networks (DEN) that can be custom-designed to meet specic project requirements. The rm says a complete package can be provided to optimise heat transfer and system control from the energy source at one end of the network through to end-user level, with solutions incorporating Danfoss VLT Drive variable speed drives for efcient pump control, building connections featuring Danfoss Sondex heat exchangers, an extensive range of control components, and ultrasonic energy meters for accurate billing of energy consumption and system diagnostics. Industry groups have warned of a possible surge in legionella cases after Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. With many commercial buildings standing empty because of workers being furloughed or redeployed from home, there is a risk that plumbing and heating systems will become breeding grounds for legionella bacteria that could then be released once reopened, they say. The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) said it was important to raise awareness of the risk because the lockdown meant many systems were not being maintained. It pointed out that legionella bacteria multiplies in stagnant water, poorly designed plumbing systems and in water with temperatures between 20C and 45C. Landlords and employers have a legal duty to assess and control the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria, said Greenstar HIUs now BESA registered HHIC updates Covid-19 advice Danfoss offers heat network solution Bosch Commercial and Industrial has announced that its Greenstar heat interface unit (HIU) range is now BESA registered, having achieved the UK test standard for both its E Plus and KE Plus products . The BESA HIU test regime was originally developed to assess UK heat network operating parameters as part of a government research project into heat network efciency. It calculates the annual volume weighted return temperature (VWART) from the HIU and provides evidence of compliance with other performance and reliability metrics such as speed of temperature stabilisation. The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has issued updated advice to frontline heating engineers who are still operating during the Covid-19 pandemic. The recommendations, based on the latest updated government updates, cover tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance in peoples homes. Such work can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms and that Public Health England (PHE) guidelines including maintaining a two-metre distance from any household occupants are followed. The HHIC has also advised that no work should be carried out in any household that is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household such as emergency plumbing or repairs where the tradesperson is willing to do so. In such cases, PHE can provide advice to tradespeople and households. For more on the latest HHIC updates, visit www.hhic.org.uk 30 May 2020 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE May 2020 pp30-31 Supp News.indd 30 24/04/2020 15:55