A focus on how standards evolve and their impact

Speaking at IHEEM’s 2022 Authorising Engineers conference, titled ‘Meeting the Standard’, at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 6 July, Brian Kirk, who chairs the Institute’s Decontamination Technical Platform, and Paul Harris, Chair of the IHEEM Electrical Technical Platform, took an in-depth look at the evolution of the wide range of standards applicable to different disciplines within healthcare engineering and estate management, and how they continue to develop. They also looked at how IHEEM AEs and others in the sector with relevant expertise and experience can contribute. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, reports. 

The one-day IHEEM 2022 AE conference took place in the spacious setting of the Diomed Room on the first floor of the Duchess’s Stand at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, which enjoys spectacular views over the racecourse and surrounding Surrey downland. The Institute partnered with Air Sentry and GPT Consult to stage the event. Delegates – many IHEEM-registered AEs – attended from all parts of the British Isles, with the topics covered in an engaging and lively conference programme ranging from the evolution of national and international standards, and what AEs can do to influence them, and the appointment of Authorised Persons (AP) in healthcare – and whether the process requires regulation/registration, to ‘The way forward in Scotland’, the importance of AEs being independent, and the current major drive toward Net Zero.

Welcoming delegates, IHEEM’s CEO, Pete Sellars, said he was pleased to see not only many experienced healthcare EFM personnel attending, but also tradespeople and apprentices. (GPT Consult supported tradespeople attending, and Troup, Bywaters + Anders paid the delegate fees for apprentices.) He then handed over to IHEEM Council member, Nigel Keery OBE, to introduce the day’s first speakers, Brian Kirk and Paul Harris. Nigel Keery explained that they would be discussing ‘How standards evolve, and how you can influence them’. Speaking first, Brian Kirk BSc, MSc, PhD, MRPharmS, FIHEEM, AE (D), Chair of IHEEM’s Decontamination Technical Platform, said: “The focus of our talk today is how standards evolve and – importantly – how IHEEM, and you as individual members, can influence them. Hopefully you will be interested in engaging in this process in the future.”