Elevating building wellbeing: our pioneering role in BS40102

At EFT Consult, we’re proud to be at the forefront of shaping the future of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) through our pioneering involvement in the development of the British Standard BS40102 (Part One). This ground-breaking standard, crafted in collaboration with industry experts and spearheaded by our Managing Director, Dave Kieft, marks a significant milestone in advancing global building wellbeing.

Our journey with BS40102 began with a shared vision to revolutionise the way we design, construct, and operate buildings. Dave Kieft, one of the pivotal driving forces behind this standard, eloquently articulates its transformative potential: “If the building engineering community starts working to the standard, it will make a huge difference to the life expectancy and quality of life of millions of building occupants all over the world.”

Engineers and healthcare specialists have welcomed the British Standard 40102 (Part One), heralding a new era in the construction landscape. This pioneering standard, born from the visionary 2015 Wellbeing of Future Generations Act in Wales, stands poised to save countless lives and elevate the quality of life for millions worldwide.

Highlighted at the prestigious COP28 climate conference in Dubai, BS40102 is swiftly gaining traction, particularly in the Middle East, where it addresses acute air quality challenges.

The imperative of this standard in combating the escalating toll of respiratory illnesses and chronic conditions linked to subpar IEQ cannot be stressed enough. With over 90% of our time spent indoors, the impact on public health is undeniable. By addressing root causes rather than merely treating symptoms, BS40102 emerges as a beacon of hope for mitigating health burdens and alleviating strain on healthcare systems.

Moreover, the benefits extend beyond health outcomes. Enhanced cognitive function, heightened productivity, and reduced operational costs underscore the holistic advantages of embracing this standard. By aligning with BS40102, organisations not only prioritise the wellbeing of occupants but also unlock significant efficiencies and cost savings.

Our pivotal role in shaping BS40102 exemplifies our commitment to driving positive change in the built environment. What began as a collaborative effort to refine Welsh legislation has now burgeoned into a global movement reshaping industry standards.

With our unwavering commitment to excellence, we’ve played a pivotal role in shaping BS40102 to address the pressing challenges of our time. From showcasing its significance at prestigious international forums to advocating for its adoption in diverse regions, our efforts underscore a steadfast dedication to driving positive change.

As Dave aptly notes, “There are massive implications for the NHS if engineers, facilities managers, and others improve the design and maintenance of indoor spaces – including improving the ventilation.”

Our involvement in BS40102 reflects our commitment to not only enhancing occupant wellbeing but also alleviating strain on healthcare systems and fostering sustainable communities.

However, challenges persist, notably the dichotomy between upfront capital investment and long-term operational savings. Yet, by reframing the discourse around IEQ as a cornerstone of wellbeing, organisations can transcend short-term cost considerations and prioritise sustainable practices.

Central to this endeavour is the robust collection and analysis of data. BESA has underscored the critical role of high-quality data in identifying and remedying IEQ deficiencies effectively. As political and regulatory landscapes evolve, access to accurate data will be indispensable in driving informed decision-making and shaping future policies.

Looking ahead, our focus remains steadfast on championing the principles of BS40102 and advancing the dialogue around building wellbeing. Together with industry partners and stakeholders, we’re committed to driving awareness, promoting adoption, and unlocking the transformative potential of this standard.

At Raven Delta Group, we believe that by leading with innovation and collaboration, we can create healthier, more sustainable spaces for current and future generations. Join us as we continue to pave the way towards a brighter, more resilient built environment.

To read more of Dave’s thoughts on BS40102, read his recent article in the Elemental Digital publication, by clicking here.

We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Respiratory Innovation Wales, a world- leading advocate for respiratory healthcare and wellbeing, devoted to crafting buildings that foster healthy living.

There is a growing awareness of how indoor air quality and environmental conditions profoundly affect our health and wellbeing. The World Health Organisation has identified air pollution as the most significant environmental risk to health, contributing to approximately one in nine deaths annually. Both companies share a commitment to innovation for better health and wellbeing and agree that a standards-based approach is pivotal.

In recent years, regulatory and commercial pressures have prompted designers, constructors, construction companies, building owners/landlords, tenants, and maintenance teams to prioritise energy cost reduction, sometimes overlooking the control of indoor energy sources and the improvement of ventilation. This oversight can potentially compromise occupant mental and physical health and wellbeing. Additionally, environmental conditions can be adversely affected by incorrect commissioning and system operation, resulting in subpar performance.

With escalating concerns over the cost and impact of ill-health, as well as strains on public services, it is imperative to enhance the quality of building stock to meet the wellbeing requirements of current and future generations. In doing so, tangible benefits can be realised, including:

Cost savings: Localised or personalised control and automation of systems not only enhance wellbeing but can also improve energy efficiency, thereby reducing operational expenses and carbon emissions.

Enhanced occupant performance: Heightened cognitive function, productivity, and even improved mood, leading to reduced fatigue, tiredness, and stress.

Increased employee, tenant, and customer retention and loyalty: Improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ) establishes an environment where occupants feel valued and at ease, drawing new staff, customers, and tenants to buildings as the “location of choice.”

We will adopt a standards-based approach, coupled with new sensors designed by us, here at EFT, calibrated and tested to measure all parameters of the standard. When connected to our state-of-the-art reporting platform, tenants, building owners, and managers will have a clear visualisation and understanding of the building’s performance.

This vital data will help ensure all parameters are within optimal operating levels and highlight areas requiring immediate attention to ensure compliance and enhance health and wellbeing. Working in tandem, EFT and RIW will leverage the insights gained from the development of BS40102-1, the first national standard of its kind, which has garnered global interest. Together, we will assemble experts in medicine, health and wellness, technology, and engineering to create buildings that provide genuinely safe and healthy environments.

To find out more, contact us here.

We are delighted to be celebrating the launch of a new ground-breaking British Standard BS40102-1, which has received recognition and support from many quarters, notably including the Welsh Government’s Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething.

Here at EFT Consult, we are proud to have played an instrumental role in the development of the standard which provides expert technical guidance and recommendations to monitor and report the IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) and well-being performance of an occupied building and the associated building services.

BS40102-1 is the first national standard of its kind and has the potential to be adopted globally and is firmly aligned with the principles of the 2015 Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, itself a world first.

Developed to help address concerns that regulatory and commercial pressures may have led building designers and developers to focus on reducing operational energy costs, at the expense of occupant safety and comfort, it covers a range of parameters and provides a structured evaluation and rating system to help enhance indoor air quality, create healthier buildings, and improve the well-being of building occupants.

The World Health Organisation has identified air pollution as the biggest environmental risk to health, and a factor in around one in nine deaths annually. EFT recognised the need to create an industry specification for IEQ and human centric well-being in 2015 and after extensive research signed a contract with the British Standards Institute (BSI) in 2019 to develop PAS  3003 (Publicly Available Specification) documentation.

The emergence of the covid 19 pandemic mid-way through the process highlighted the role that poor IEQ can play in the spread of disease and underlined the value and importance of this work that EFT were doing and led to BSI fast-track PAS 3003 and elevating it into a full British Standard.

To conform to BS40102-1, organisations will as a minimum need to assess and improve thermal comfort, and indoor air quality factors which can be harmful to humans, such as humidity, CO2, CO, NO2, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulates and moulds.

With support from the Welsh Government, we have developed a unique new sensor; designed, calibrated, and tested to measure all the parameters of BS40102-1. When connected to the new best in class W-360 reporting platform, also developed by us here at EFT, these sensors will enable building owners and managers to clearly visualise and report on the building’s performance.

This data will help ensure all parameters are within optimal levels and highlight areas that need immediate attention to ensure compliance and to improve health and well-being.

In the longer term, the new standard, sensor, and the reporting platform will continue to evolve. We are developing plans to manufacture the new sensor in Wales, and to provide a knowledge based, turn-key solution to help their customers to understand and improve the environment of the buildings they occupy, and in doing so, improve their health and well-being.

The Welsh Government’s Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

“I am delighted to see a Welsh business playing a leading role in developing a world-first standard for improving indoor air quality. Adopted by one of the world’s most prestigious regulatory bodies, the standard will provide industry with the tools that will make a real difference to people’s health and well-being, both at home and abroad.

“Swansea-based EFT’s progress is a real ‘made in Wales’ success story. Developments like this, which have been inspired by our world first Well-being of Future Generations Act, will play an important role in realising our vision for a stronger, fairer, and greener Welsh economy.”

Dave Kieft, Chairperson at EFT Consult, said:

“The launch of BS40102-1 marks a major milestone in the assessment and improvement of indoor environmental quality in the UK. We are proud to have played a key role in the development and delivery of this new standard, and we are confident that it will make a significant contribution to the health, well-being, and productivity of building occupants across the world.

“Here at EFT Consult, we put social and environmental concerns at the forefront of everything we do. All our solutions are practical, innovative, and measurable, and while they aim to keep costs down and enhance productivity for our clients, we constantly strive to achieve those aims in a way that is also good for the well-being of people and the environment. We believe this is vital for all organisations, for them to achieve sustainable growth.

“The Welsh Government have been instrumental in the development of all that we have achieved to date. The ability of their team to assist at every level has been impressive and I passionately believe that we would have struggled to achieve what we have, had we been based anywhere else other than being in Wales.

We, here at EFT Consult, are enormously proud to have played an instrumental role in the development and launch of a ground-breaking new British Standard (BS), BS40102-1.

The new BS, which was launched on Friday April 29, 2023, addresses the evaluation of a building’s indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and includes a new best-practice approach to indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting and acoustic quality in buildings.

BS40102-1 is the first standard of its kind in the UK and is intended to be a nationwide benchmark for the evaluation and improvement of indoor environmental quality. The standard covers a range of crucial parameters, including indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and acoustic quality. It provides guidance to help organisations assess and improve the indoor environmental quality of buildings with the aim of enhancing the mental and physical health and well-being of occupants.

This pioneering document addresses key issues that affect the health and well-being of individuals by providing standards to measure, monitor and evaluate the quality of indoor environments, which aligns with the principles Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Our team at EFT Consult, part of the wider Raven Delta Group of companies, originally started working on the concept back in 2015, when we identified the need for a consolidated approach to industry specification of IEQ. As the lead sponsor and in association with the British Standards Institute (BSI), we signed a contract with BSI in 2019 and drafting began of PAS 3003 in early 2020. The other sponsors of PAS 3003 were Atkins, Canary Wharf Group, Pilot Group, Schiedel Metaloterm, Rotronic, Plasmaclean, and our Raven Delta Group sister-companies RDM Electrical & Mechanical Services and DRS FM Services.

Following early success during the drafting process and with the emergence of the Covid pandemic, BSI recognised its importance, and the document was subsequently fast-tracked and elevated into a full British Standard – BS 40102-1.

The BSI is the UK’s national standards body and is responsible for developing and publishing technical standards for a wide range of industries and sectors. The incorporation of EFT’s PAS 3003 into the new British Standard underscores the importance of the work that EFT, its partners, and BSI have done together to develop a comprehensive and effective approach to the assessment of indoor environmental quality.

To conform to the standard, organisations will as a minimum need to assess and improve thermal comfort, assess and improve indoor air quality relating to factors which can be harmful to humans, such as humidity, CO2, CO, NO2, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulates and moulds, ensure that changes to how airtight a building is improve its energy efficiency but not at the expense of occupant safety and comfort, and design, install, commission, and maintain ventilation systems effectively.

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving IEQ, we have worked with a leading software partner to develop the W-360 Sensor and monitoring and reporting platform, specifically designed to measure building IEQ levels.

The W-360 Sensor has been calibrated and tested across all the parameters of BS40102-1, enabling building owners and managers to visualise the areas that need immediate attention for occupant and building health. Our engineering team can then use this data to help ensure all these parameters remain within optimal levels.

Chris Jenkins, our Director, said:

“The launch of BS40102-1 marks a major milestone in the assessment and improvement of indoor environmental quality in the UK. We are proud to have played a key role in the development and delivery of this new standard, and we believe that it will make a significant contribution to the health, well-being, and productivity of building occupants across the country.”

“Here at EFT Consult, we put social and environmental concerns at the forefront of everything we do. All our solutions are practical, innovative and measurable, and while they aim to keep costs down and enhance productivity for our clients, we constantly strive to achieve those aims in a way that is also good for the well-being of people and the environment. We believe this is vital for all organisations, in order for them to achieve sustainable growth.”

For more information contact EFT – enquiries@eftconsult.co.uk

We are delighted to be working with the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) on its Leading the Charge initiative – highlighting the people and organisations in the electrotechnical sector engaged in driving us towards net zero.

Leading the Charge is a digital series that explores progress in the electrical industry and examines the electrotechnical sector’s pivotal role in realising the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Through a series of videos and articles, it focuses on some of the industry’s trailblazers – the individuals and businesses working in the vanguard of society’s transition to renewable energy and creating a cleaner, greener future.

The initiative covers several areas including renewables, energy storage, retrofitting, automation, electrical safety, policy and training. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practice, with the goals of raising awareness and helping inspire the next generation.

Formed in 1901, ECA is the UK’s largest trade association representing electrical, electrotechnical and other engineering contractors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at regional, national and European level. ECA member-companies are rigorously assessed before membership is approved.

As long-standing members of ECA, we were invited to make a film for the Leading the Charge initiative about the cutting-edge project we are currently involved with in partnership with Swansea University and Active Building Centre (ABC).

The project has seen us, here at EFT Consult, working in tandem with our sister-company, RDM Electrical & Mechanical Services, to provide design and installation of a highly innovative project to install a comprehensive raft of integrated energy-saving, sustainable technologies at Swansea University’s Bay Campus.

The project – the first of its kind in the UK – encompasses a commercial rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) scheme, a carport solar PV scheme, a battery energy storage system (BESS) and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

A bespoke control system (Schneider Microgrid Controller) then controls the distribution of PV generated power between the BESS, EV chargers, and the adjacent School of Management building. Cleverly, the controller uses a cutting-edge web-based user interface that communicates real-time energy use, savings and CO2 emissions data. The system’s algorithms also enable optimisation of the site’s energy demands, managing the flow of energy between its various constituent parts.

The project has been funded by Active Building Centre (ABC) in partnership with Swansea University and the SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre. It aims to demonstrate how a large site can control its impact on the grid by storing energy generated from renewable sources, drawing down from the grid only when power is cheapest or least carbon-intensive and releasing energy to power the buildings and the university’s EV fleet during peak grid times.

The scheme’s objective is to enhance the sustainability of the University’s buildings by reducing the site’s dependence on expensive and unsustainable fossil fuel energy sources. It is hoped that the project can be used as a standard-bearer for similar use of renewable technologies across the UK.

To find out more about the scheme, view our latest Leading the Charge video below.

Whiteford Point Lighthouse shone for the first time in decades over the weekend – in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – thanks to a great team effort from a number of volunteers including EFT Consult’s own Managing Director, Dave Kieft, and RD Group Electrician, James Mainwaring.

The famous North Gower landmark was decommissioned in the 1920s, the decade of the Queen’s birth, and apart from a brief period in the 1980s, the lighthouse has remained unlit ever since. It was built in 1865 to a design by architect John Bowen, a Llanelli man, and remains the only wave-swept cast iron tower of its size in Britain.

A Facebook post by Llanelli businessman, Paul Brookfield, regarding the idea of lighting up the old Whitford Lighthouse as a beacon for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee sowed the seed for the project. EFT Consult Managing Director, Dave Kieft, who has a long history with the lighthouse – it being his favourite spot on the Gower, then stepped into action and stated we will do it, though at the time not knowing exactly how.

Having spoken to a number of suppliers we agreed to partner with one in particular, who provided two test rig proposals for two high output LED floodlights which work on batteries and are charged by solar panels and timers during daylight hours. The lights were to be positioned with one facing Penclawdd and one facing Llanelli.

The next challenge was to gain safe access to the site. Dave, who lives near Penclawdd, realised that RD Group Electrician, James Mainwaring, has a long family history within the area – stretching back many generations – with some relatives still working on the estuary. This work has given them an intricate knowledge of the treacherous coastline the lighthouse was built to protect ships from. As such, he was the obvious person to speak to in relation to advice regarding the tides and gaining access to the lighthouse.

James called on his relatives, Brian and Ben Selwyn of Selwyn’s Seafoods, who harvest cockles in the estuary, to help. During the project set-up, they were able to ensure the climbers and engineers needed to install the lighting were safe in their passage to and from this very dangerous position.

Two Gower-based climbing experts, Fred Pinot and Andrew Butler, were responsible for helping to safely install the lights. Due to the difficulty in getting to the lighthouse to install and test the equipment ahead of the celebrations, it was touch and go as to whether the illumination would work in the way it was hoped.

However, following three visits by the team, the rig was installed and tested, and fingers were crossed for the lights coming on successfully at 9:45pm on the evening of Thursday 2 June, with a lot of people watching!

Thankfully, and due to plenty of prior planning and programming, it all worked, and the installed lights illuminated the lighthouse for three consecutive nights over the Jubilee weekend.

It is hoped that the success of the project will help Dave gather momentum in his proposal for a potential preservation/conservation project to ensure the lighthouse – which is in a very poor condition – can be saved for future generations to see and wonder at.

Dave Kieft, Managing Director, Raven Delta Group, said:

“This project to re-light Whiteford Point Lighthouse is a fantastic example of what volunteers can achieve when they come together with a vision. Despite the difficulties involved with getting to the lighthouse safely, and the limited time that could be spent there due to the tides, this small team of locals created something that has put a smile on a lot of people’s faces.

“Also, thanks to social media, the news of this project has even reached the other side of the globe. This is a great symbol of how these dedicated local people, who donated their skills, knowledge and time free of charge, have created a shining beacon which has been seen far from the South Wales shore.”

To view a film by Michael Twist Photography of Whiteford Point Lighthouse illuminated for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, click here

The ECA Industry Awards recognise the key achievements of the highest talent in electrotechnical and engineering services and provide a great opportunity for contractors and wider industry associates to showcase some exceptional work.

Judged by a panel of leading industry figures, the winners and highly commended runners up of the ECA Industry Awards are businesses who have achieved the highest standards in the electrotechnical and engineering services industry.

On the night, EFT Consult/Raven Delta Group was awarded highly commended status in the best corporate social responsibility award – an award category open to ECA Registered Members of any size.

The award recognises the increasing importance of social and environmental responsibility within the electrotechnical and engineering services industry and rewards exceptional work that has significantly improved environmental performance and/or delivered significant, positive social outcomes.

The highly commended status recognises EFT Consult’s significant achievement in the inception, development and funding of a brand-new British Standard (BS) – in collaboration with a leading team of globally respected industry experts drawn together by EFT from sectors including government, academia, industry and related professional bodies.

The new BS focuses on the measurement and subsequent improvement of the health and well-being environment for all building occupants; thus, providing positive health and social benefits.

It includes a multi-layered evaluation system which generates an IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) performance level and helps users to identify areas for improvement. The assessment combines measured results and occupant-based feedback, covering topics such as indoor air quality, light quality, thermal comfort and sound quality/pollution.

EFT Consult is a company dedicated to building performance, so its clients can meet commercial goals, promote wellbeing whilst simultaneously protecting the environment. Embracing the principles of the circular economy, its team specialises in building services consultancy, delivering intelligent and hands-on electrical, mechanical and environmental engineering for new buildings and existing stock.

Chris Jenkins, director at EFT Consult, said:

“We are delighted to have been highly commended in the corporate social responsibility award at this year’s ECA Industry. This commendation is yet another validation of the hard work the EFT Consult team, and our partners, put into PAS 3003 – the work which has led to the development of the new British Standard.

“Here at EFT Consult, we put social and environmental concerns at the forefront of everything we do.  All our solutions are practical, innovative and measurable, and while they aim to keep costs down and enhance productivity for our clients, we constantly strive to achieve those aims in a way that is also good for the wellbeing of people and good for the environment. We believe this is just as vital for all organisations, in order for them to achieve sustainable growth”

 

Photograph above: ECA Awards Dinner, Hilton London Bankside 22.10.21 ©Steve Pope, Fotowales

Here at EFT Consult, we are delighted with the news that we have been nominated in the category of Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative in the ECA 2021 Awards.

The ECA Industry Awards recognise the accomplishments of ECA registered members and other representatives from across the electrotechnical and engineering services industries.

These leading awards are an industry benchmark and a true recognition of excellence.

We have been shortlisted for our significant work on the code of practice: PAS 3003, which we drafted and sponsored along with our partners, and which is being incorporated into a full British Standard document. The aim of our work – and subsequently that of the new British Standard – has been to focus on the measurement and ultimate improvement of the health and well-being for all building occupants; thus, providing positive social benefits.

Our interest and involvement in this field came about due to the insight that, in recent years, regulatory and commercial pressures have led designers, constructors, building owners, landlords, tenants and maintenance teams to focus purely on minimising energy costs.

This one-dimensional approach has led to unintended consequences, such as inadequate ventilation, increased pollutants, poor quality lighting, all of which can compromise the building occupants’ mental or physical health and well-being.

We have, therefore, worked towards a harmonized standardisation of the health and well-being performance of non-domestic buildings. This includes a multi-layered evaluation system which generates an IEQ performance level and helps users to identify areas for improvement. The assessment combines measured results and occupant-based feedback.

We are understandably very proud that we have not only been recognised by the ECA 2021 Awards as a shortlisted nominee, but that our work will now go on to be used across the building sector as a code of practice with the full weight of a British Standard.

The ECA Awards shortlist is judged by a panel of leading industry figures, and winners of the ECA Industry Awards are businesses who have achieved the highest standards in our industry.

Chris Jenkins, director at EFT Consult, said:

“We are very much looking forward to attending the ECA 2021 Awards on Friday 22 October at the Hilton Bankside Hotel, London. It will be a great opportunity to meet the other nominees, who by their very presence will be some of the key, forward-thinking companies in the building, electrotechnical, and engineering services sectors.

“It will be very interesting to hear about the achievements, from other businesses, which have also put them in the nominee position. Of course, we also hope to be named as ultimate winner in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative category, so fingers crossed!”

We are delighted to announce our partnership with Metrikus, a specialist software company that has pioneered the digitisation of the built environment, to launch a new venture dedicated to monitoring and improving indoor environments.

W-360 has been launched us, here at EFT, in partnership with Metrikus to offer clients customisable dashboards from which they can easily view and manage indoor environmental conditions.

From offices in Swansea and London, W-360 will leverage the specialist skills and expertise of our team at EFT Consult, part of the wider RD Group, and Metrikus to offer a solution to organisations to measure, monitor and ultimately improve the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) within their buildings.

The Environmental sensors and software platform will monitor and report on the condition of air quality parameters (such as particulate matter, CO₂ and VOCs), lighting levels, thermal comfort (including temperature and humidity) and soundscape.  All of these factors have the potential to negatively affect human health and well-being.

The launch comes in the context of a growing momentum towards standards around the quality of indoor environments.  In April, the British Standards Institute (BSI) fast tracked the development of PAS 3003, sponsored and written by us here at EFT Consult and our partners, into a new standard designed for measuring, monitoring and reporting indoor environmental quality and wellbeing of occupants.  The move recognised the pioneering work we conducted over the past six years.

W-360 will help companies understand and implement the new standard. It will offer a range of services including an assessment of the existing quality of indoor environments, building design and installation services, and the installation and management of a range of sensors, linked to a dashboard that companies can easily view.

David Kieft, said: “We are very proud to unveil this exciting new venture at a time when concerns around indoor environments and decarbonisation are very much coming to the fore.  We have been heavily involved with developing standards in this area and we are delighted with the work BSI is now taking forward on this. We look forward to working through W-360, to drive this process forward and help many organisations along the way.”

 

Here at EFT Consult, we are delighted with the news that British Standards Institute (BSI) has recognised the importance of the pioneering work we have conducted over the past six years towards the creation of PAS 3003, a new standard designed to assess indoor environmental quality.

BSI is now fast-tracking the incorporation of PAS 3003 into a new British Standard, BS 40101, Building Performance Evaluation, which is due to be published this year.

To advance this new British Standard, BSI will continue to seek the guidance and expertise of members of the PAS steering group – primarily EFT Consult, DRS and RDM, along with our other collaborators and partners.

The new Standard, BS 40101, will address the many issues involved in improving indoor environmental quality – and, therefore, the health and wellbeing of the building’s occupants – in all buildings. It will closely follow the work EFT Consult and its partners have done in the development of PAS 3003, incorporating areas such as efficient and suitable lighting, heating, ventilation, and minimising the unwanted and harmful effects of air and noise pollution.

BS 40101 will create a set of standards for healthier buildings, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of occupants.

It will direct how design, installation, operation, maintenance, and ongoing monitoring, measuring and reporting can influence factors such as those outlined previously, and it will determine benchmarking parameters to develop a Wellbeing Performance Rating that could be applied to any building.

Chris Jenkins, director at EFT Consult, said:

“The advancement of the work we have done on PAS 3003 into the new BS 40101 is not only great news for eft consult and everyone who has been involved with the PAS’s development to date – for it vindicates and recognises our hard work – but it’s also good news for anyone who works in an office or regularly visits any building – and that’s just about everyone.

“Rather than simply being a recommended code of best-practice as is the case with a PAS, this new British Standard 40101 will mean that all of the important recommendations our combined work has highlighted will now be given the full weight of a British Standard.”

Dave Kieft, managing director at Raven Delta Group which includes EFT Consult, DRS and RDM, said:

“The news of the introduction of this new British Standard is a culmination of works we have been undertaking for over six years, following our identification of the issues regarding the environments we both work and live in, and what became the driver for us to deliver change.

“Three years ago, it became our mission to deliver that change and was the beginnings of PAS 3003 now to be fully incorporated into BS 40101.

“The identification of the importance of what we were delivering by BSI, and the wider recognition by the industries and clients we represent, goes to verify the level of competency and professionalism of both the EFT team and the entire steering group, and has led to the position we now find ourselves in, which will now provide deliverable and clear standards for our industries and clients to specify and follow.”

If you want to find out more about the work that has gone into the Publicly Available Specification (PAS 3003), and how it will feed into the new British Standard (BS 40101), contact us at info@eftconsult.co.uk