CONFERENCE | BUILD2PERFORM Achieving net-zero carbon was one of the key themes at the CIBSE Build2Perform online conference, alongside building safety, Brexit and minimising the risk of Covid-19. Alex Smith, Liza Young and Phil Lattimore hear how engineers are responding to a changing landscape MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE C IBSEs Build2Perform conference was virtual last year, but this did not stop industry speakers addressing some of the biggest issues likely to affect building services in 2021. These include Brexit, Covid-19, the Building Safety Bill, and the drive towards net-zero carbon. As CIBSE Journal went to press, the UK and EU had not concluded a trade deal, but even with a deal the changes to trade and movement of people will have long-lasting consequences for industry. Peter Raynham, professor of the lit environment at UCL and chair of the British Standards committee on light and lighting, discussed how the UK would no longer be able to influence European standards when it left the European technical standards organisations, such as CEN. Until the UK writes its own laws, he said, it will follow EU regulations and directives. It will remain a full member of the European technical standards organisations CEN and CENELEC until the end of 2021, but there could be divergence between the UK and Europe after this. He added the UK would no longer be able to block European standards, even though UK firms would have to comply with them if they trade in Europe. The UK has a significant presence on standard committees, making up around 30% of the leadership. Raynham said there is a big question over whether this will continue. Why would the EU want to pay people to generate documents that theyre not going to use themselves, he asked. Building-safety reforms A session on building-safety reform outlined some of the major changes in regulations and responsibilities that the governments new Building Safety Bill will bring to the sector. These include the establishment of a Building Safety Regulator (BSR), the creation of a new regulatory regime and building control system, and the introduction of new competence arrangements. The bill also demands a major change in industry culture and working practices, and a commitment from industry to embrace new standards. Gillian Kiy, regulatory interventions lead, Building Safety Programme, at the MHCLG, said the new regime would put residents first. Its about establishing a culture where individuals are encouraged to report occurrences to promote safety, she said. Dr Scott Steedman, BSI director of standards, discussed the institutions work developing a competency framework in response to the Hackitt report and draft legislation. BSI is developing competencies and standards against which firms can benchmark themselves, he said, adding: There has to be a culture of understanding the impact of your work on the work of others. In the session on Covid-19, Chris Iddon, CIBSE Natural Ventilation Group chair, looked at how buildings could be protected from the virus over winter. He reminded the audience that smaller droplets or aerosols containing the virus can remain airborne To progress towards the net-zero target, over 27 million buildings must be refurbished like Bracken House in London 18 January 2021 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Jan21 pp18-19 Build2Perform.indd 18 18/12/2020 15:32