ABS consulting News

November 2007

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), with support from The Carbon Trust, has developed a register of professionals who are trained to advise on compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations and how to achieve energy efficiency in design and operation.  Those who attend the training and pass the examination become Members of the Low Carbon Consultants Register.  Archie Spence is a registered Low Carbon Consultant and a CIBSE trainer for aspiring members of the Register.  For more information please contact Archie Spence.

August 2006

ConCom in action
To see how 'Continuous Commissioning' can work for your organisation, please read about it in action, at Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust – click here for more information.

May 2006

ABS Training in the news
ABS Managing Director, Jim Ure's article on 'Sustainable Facilities Management' (SFM) appears in the May issue of Practical FM magazine.  For more information on the topics covered, click here.  Visit our training section to learn more.

October 2005

ABS at M&E Event Jim Ure, managing director of ABS Consulting, will be speaking at the M&E Event to be held on November 23/24 at Earls Court.  Jim will explain the principles of continuous commissioning (ConCom) and how it can improve building performance, reduce operating cost and enhance user satisfaction.

ABS in Singapore
ABS provide training in Singapore in a joint venture with FM Connect.  Chick here fore details.  For more information contact  Jim Ure

Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust (HHNT) use Overall Liking Score (OLS)
The 5000 staff at HHNT were invited to complete the OLS questionnaire as part of a Continuous Commissioning (ConCom) programme. The aim of  ConCom is to reduce energy consumption and, where necessary, improve the working environment. The OLS results have enabled the Trust to set priorities based on occupant feedback. Contact Jim Ure for further information.

May 2005

Kings College London, Maughan Library - voted tops!
The results of the Overall Liking Score (OLS) for the Maughan Library produced the best score ever recorded using the OLS occupant feedback process. Contact Jim Ure for further information.

ABS speak out
ABS’s people have been in demand - to speak at a variety of events in early 2005 - including: 

*Launch of the Publication "Making the Most of Our Built Environment" - Sustainability Forum Breakfast Event - Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment, London, 26th May 2005

*National Energy Management Conference (NEMEX) - Opening talk for the Session: "Adapting your business and Buildings for Climate Change:- Dealing with the Challenges Ahead" 
"Setting the Scene: Carbon will be the Currency of the C21st" - Birmingham, 25th May 2005

*CIBSE Conference, 11th May 2005 - Building Energy Efficiency Into Refurbishments and Upgrades.  ABS presented a paper entitled: Energy Efficiency in Refurbishment - making the case.

*"The Integration of Sustainable Construction in the North East - Progressing Cultural Change" - Keynote Address "Linking strategy to delivery : Be the change!" - Durham County Council, April 6th 2005

*Launch of the Guide "CO2 for CEOs" - Sustainability Forum Breakfast Event - Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment, London, 31st March 2005

ABS ‘judges’ are in demand!

RICS Building Awards – Jim Ure was pleased to accept the RICS’s invitation to join the judging panel as sustainability judge for 4th successive year.

Civic Trust Awards - Dave Hampton continues to serve on the Civic Trust Awards National Panel.

Chartered Institute of Building ‘CMYA’ - Dave Hampton has been invited to serve as adjudicator on the CIOB Construction Manager of the Year Awards for a second year.

March 2005 

Non Solus (‘Not alone’) from Elsevier coat of arms

ABS participated in a lively and effective Energy and Environment Awareness Day for the employees of Elsevier (publishers) in Oxford.  ABS helped secure exhibitors and a supply of free energy efficient light bulbs for those visiting the stand.  The stand was located at the entrance/exit to the canteen - to capture as many people as possible! 

ABS staff spoke with people across the company about their views. The people at Elsevier are particularly receptive to the vision of a major publisher with leading green credentials.  Elsevier already purchase their electricity from a 'green tariff' and their Oxford HQ has an 'Excellent' rating under the BREEAM scheme for greener buildings. 

January 2005

ABS attends Summit
Dave Hampton represented the Construction Industry Council (CIC) at the Manchester ODPM Sustainable Communities Summit, in Jan/Feb 2005. In June 2005 he steps down from the role of Chair of the CIC Sustainable Development Committee - having come to the end of his 3 year term. 

Office space available
We have 1250 square feet of ground floor office space to let at our London office.  The space has new lighting and comfort cooling,  is  recently refurbished and has access to a courtyard.  This is an opportunity to occupy high quality energy efficient office space at an attractive rent. Contact Jim Ure or John Davy for more information.

November 2004

Carbon Trust
ABS consulting have been selected by The Carbon Trust for inclusion on their "Strategic and Planning Consultants" panel, after a demanding bidding process under EU rules. ABS has long worked with Carbon Trust on a diverse range of energy studies, environmental 'Design Advice' and bespoke carbon reduction projects. This latest appointment is recognition of the wider contribution ABS can make - at a strategic level - to accelerating the emergence of the Low Carbon Economy in the UK

Carbon Emissions
ABS has voluntarily and prominently posted a carbon certificate in its London office foyer - showing the calculated Carbon Dioxide KPI for this office. This is in anticipation of the EU Energy Performance Directive, which will soon require display of this information (by certain building types) and also a statement of the importance ABS attach to this issue. After all, it has been said that "Carbon will be the currency of the 21st Century".

ABS in the news
A letter by ABS Director Dave Hampton "A vibrant global ecology is what underpins the economic and social pillars of development" appeared in the Financial Times on 1st November 2004. Several organisations have asked permission to reprint the letter and it attracted warm support.  Your comments - and alternative arguments - would be welcomed by ABS - to stimulate debate. drhampton@absconsulting.uk.com

October 2004

ABS Director Dave Hampton awarded an IMechE Award - for work on sustainability
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers "Donald Julius Groen" prize 2003 (Construction and Building Services Division) was awarded to Dave Hampton - Director ABS consulting, for his "exceptional skill and determination in raising and communicating the practical issues needed for engineers to design and operate buildings in a more sustainable manner". CIBSE President Graham Manley presented the award during the Making Buildings Work seminar; 13 October 2004. http://www.imeche.org.uk/construction/recent.asp

September 2004 

Get The Edge
Dave Hampton was recently invited to join the The Edge – the Ginger Group for the Construction Industry (see www.at-the-edge.org.uk).  ABS was involved in two ‘Edge’ events, both held on 13 September 2004, on the theme of “"This Year, next year, sometime, never.... When will we get low-carbon buildings?" 

June 2004

New Headquarters for Edexcel - The fitting out works for Edexcel, the examination body, for their new  headquarters at High Holborn is now reaching a critical phase with the basement and ground floor conference centre and 9th floor server room handed over in April.  ABS have provided input for the building services, communications cabling, facilities management and audio visual and video conferencing requirements.

Amicus Audio Visual - Upon successful completion of Training Facilities in a grade 2 listed building at Esher, ABS have continued to support Amicus in the development and operation of their national estate.  Part of the ABS commission at the Esher facility is the design of the audio visual and video conferencing systems.  ABS have also been working with Amicus to provide similar facilities in Covent Garden, Glasgow and Belfast.

Project News: Pearson have engaged ABS consulting and Coflex to assist their New York real estate adviser and Cushman Wakefield to select the new headquarters building for London Qualifications Ltd (previously known as Edexcel).  After considering five premises the team recommended 190 High Holborn, London, a Land Securities recently refurbished building.

ABS consulting will be assisting Coflex and LQL to fit out and move into the new premises continuing an increasing number of repeat commissions with Edexcel.

The NEW CIC Guide - aimed at clients and their advisors - is entitled "Constructing for Sustainability" and is available from CIC.  The speeches and proceedings of the launch event - (organised by the Construction Industry Environmental Forum - CIEF) - are available to download here.  Copies of the guide can be obtained from the CIC:  020 7637 8692.