Mumbai : ISHRAE, Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers organized SYMPOSIA 2014 a seminar on High Rise Buildings today at Sofitel Hotel, BKC, Mumbai. SYMPOSIA 2014 covered all aspects of challenges in designing the structure, designing and planning the Building services (Plumbing, Fire detection and protection systems, HVAC, Electricals, Elevators, Building Automation, etc.), Fire Safety issues, Challenges during the construction stages, Facility management and host of other issues.

SYMPOSIA 2014 saw eminent speakers like –

Mr. Pankaj Dharkar – Head – Pankaj Dharkar & Associates, Presidential Member, ISHRAE & ASHRAE and President Elect, Fire & Security Association of India,

Mr. Anupam De – Architect

Mr. Satish G. Dandekar – Advisor, Voltas Ltd., International Operations Business Group

The seminar was concluded with an intense Panel Discussion on High Rise Buildings: Are they a boon or an evil in the Urban habitat moderated by Mr. K. Ramachandran, Director, ESKAYEM Consultants and National President Elect. ISHRAE. The panelists comprised of distinguished speakers like –

Mr. Kaustuv Ghosh – Head, High Rise Initiative, L&T

Mr. M. V. Deshmukh – Director, Fire Services Maharashtra

Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Rao – V.P. & Head MEP, Lodha Group

Architect Atul Shah – Access Architects

Mr. Mayur Shah – MD, Marathon Group

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. D. Nirmal Ram, President, ISHRAE, said, “The boom in Construction industry has led to a large number of high rise building projects in the outskirts of tier 1 and tier 2 cities. This makes the requirements of Specialised Allied Building services like Air-conditioning & Ventilation, Fire & Safety and Plumbing much more demanding, requiring a higher level of engineering and co-ordination between all services. With the rising global warming, energy efficiency and sustainability in Buildings has to be the mandate going forward. We have to be ready for the future now. Symposia 2014 is a perfect platform to deliberate on these challenges and educate the industry to follow best practices in delivering a future ready High Rise Building. We hope that all the attendees will go back with a rich knowledge bank on this important topic which stands tall in front of us.”

Mr. D. Nirmal Ram is also the Chairman of the National Steering Committee of ACREX India 2015. ACREX India 2015 is South Asia’s largest exhibition on Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Refrigeration & Building Services which will take place in Bangalore from February 26-28, 2015 organised by ISHRAE and produced by NuernbergMesse India. SYMPOSIA 2014 is a prelude to ACREX India and all the issues and trends on Energy Efficient High Rise Buildings, discussed here will be taken forward on a national level at ACREX India 2015.

SYMPOSIA 2014 has been jointly been organized by ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers Mumbai & Thane Chapter) in association with the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) Mumbai Chapter.

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar