POLICY | HYWEL DAVIES All change New legislation governing the construction sector is passing through parliament and will have far-reaching implications for daily building activity. Hywel Davies explores the forthcoming changes I DR HYWEL DAVIES is technical director at CIBSE www.cibse.org t is a time of great change in construction. The huge challenge of adapting our built environment to reduce carbon emissions in response to climate change drives more stringent energy performance standards. The barbarous assault on the sovereign state of Ukraine has seemingly unlocked decisions around the world that could, and should, have been made years ago. The industry faces significant skills shortages and is turning to modern methods of construction in response. At the same time, it is seeking to embrace digitalisation of the sector and adopt digital information management during the design, construction and operation of assets. There is also significant legislative reform for many readers of this Journal. Some are preparing for the introduction of statutory licensing under state engineering boards in Australia. Others are preparing for the introduction in Ireland of a statutory register for construction, which will require all building works to be undertaken by registered organisations or sole traders. It will be an offence to carry out work unless registered. The Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 20211 will put the Construction Industry Register, operated by the Construction Industry Federation, on a statutory footing in Ireland, with the aim of embedding compliance in the sector. Statutory registration is COMPLETE E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N T S O L U T I O N S F O R A N Y VA LV E R E Q U I R E M E N T For more than a century we have designed market leading solutions. Our variable flow valves, with outstanding hysteresis performance, can help reduce energy consumption by up to 27% based on a 10% improvement in the controlled flow rate. So, why not take comfort in our efficiencies. Find out more at Cranefs.com/solutions 21400_CRANE_FS_COMPLETE_AD_133X186.indd 1 14/02/2022 13:30 12 May 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE May 22 pp12-13 Hywel / SCA Advertorial.indd 12 22/04/2022 12:41