AES Control Systems News Update

Manufacturers and Installers Launch the BCIA

The Building Controls Group and Controls System Specialists Group have joined forces to launch the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA). As their new President, Doug Robins, explains, "The two organisations have been operating as separate entities for over a decade, but they have always had a common interest. During the last few years stronger and stronger links have been forged, starting with informal joint working groups and more recently with the successful development and launch of the Building Controls Industry Training Scheme. This last exercise proved the need for us to work as one unit and subsequently serious talks were initiated to bring a single building controls association into being."

Doug Robins was previously the Chairman of the Controls Systems Specialists Group (CSSG) and on a majority vote has been elected to President of the BCIA. Sharing responsibility is Terry Sharp, previously Chairman of the Building Controls Group (BCG) and now Vice President of the BCIA.

A management structure has been devised to supervise working groups that will tackle four major aspects of the building controls industry: contracting, marketing, skills development, and technology. "The purpose of these working groups is to address real issues that we feel are important to our members, as well as consultants, contractors and end-users," said Terry Sharp, Vice President of the BCIA. "For example, retentions have been a controversial subject for decades. To help our members the Contracts Working Group has produced a 'Model Terms and Conditions of Offer' document that gives guidance and provides useful standard contract phrasing.

"The Technical Working Group is studying the implications of soon to be released European Standards. One of their members is a CEN convener and he has been working on a new standard that should clarify requirements at the tendering stage thereby helping to eliminate hidden extras. This group is keen to speak with institutions and associations within the construction industry to first ensure that they are aware of this upcoming standard and secondly, if necessary, help them to understand how it may change current tendering practices."

Move to FETA

The launch of the Association has also led to a move to the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA). Both the BCG and the CSSG formed part of the Energy Systems Trade Association (ESTA), but the changes that have occurred with the merger has underlined the need to align itself with other organisations with a construction and building services interest.

"ESTA has been the home of the Building Controls Group for 13 years and the Control System Specialists Group for 12 years and played an important part in ensuring the success of both Groups," stated Doug Robins. "Our members value the role that energy has had in influencing consultants, contractors and end-users in specifying building controls, but believe that the BCIA will be better served by association with the Construction and especially the building services sector.

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