Stewart McGillivray MICorr; MWMSoc (Snr) joins Guardian’s BG50i team

Experienced Building Services Consultant, Stewart McGillivray, has joined Guardian Water Treatment’s team, providing consultative support to BG50i, Guardian’s trailblazing approach to closed circuit HVAC system management with real-time, 24/7 condition monitoring at its core.

A member of the BSRIA steering group for BG50 – Water Treatment for Closed Heating & Cooling (the inspiration behind Guardian’s BG50i intelligent water monitoring & treatment package) and BG29 – Pre-commission Cleaning of Pipework, Stewart recommended the support of Guardian’s MD, Steven Booth, when the latest version of BG50 was being revisited and updated. BG50 2021 recommends the remote monitoring approach championed by Guardian as a key tool in the fight against corrosion.

“Steven and I share a common belief in ‘what’s right’ when it comes to the correct approach to water treatment in closed HVAC systems,” said Stewart. “He was an obvious choice when looking for expert input in BG50. Guardian is at the top of its game when it comes to water system management, and I am delighted to be supporting them. Early-adopters of real-time monitoring, using industry adapted technical solutions, they have led the charge in what is now becoming a more common-place practice.

“Information from platforms such as real time monitoring is changing the face of water treatment, allowing for a dynamic approach based on data, which means problems can be reacted to quickly and effectively. Long-term, continuous monitoring leads to a far superior understanding of system condition when compared with sampling and laboratory analysis and assists the FM team with their maintenance plans.

“For Facilities Managers (FMs) and maintenance teams, real-time monitoring can be used as a measure of their work, proving effectiveness, and supporting recommendations. It also contributes positively to ‘soft-landings’, ensuring the equipment responsible for occupancy comfort is working at its optimum; the front-facing end-user experience that FMs are so often judged on.”

Stewart started his career in the Royal Navy Marine Engineering environment, and on leaving service he worked his way through the building services industry; from HVAC Commissioning Engineer to Commissioning Management and now an independent Consultant. Stewart has supported many high-profile customers across the BSE and FM space. Through his company, Hydrocomm, Stewart provides water treatment and consultancy services specialising in validation and corrosion control of closed systems.

A Professional Member of the Institute of Corrosion (MICorr) and a Senior Member of the Water Management Society, the Closed Systems Control Association (CSCA) and BSRIA, Stewart is a well-respected engineer with a deep understanding of the steps required to ensure HVAC plant runs at its optimum.

“Real-time monitoring mimics the approach I witnessed in the early part of my career, constantly reviewing gauges and sensors to maintain the operational capability of a submarine. The same principles can now be applied to closed-system HVAC, using technology rather than people to keep a continuous eye on operations.

“Overall, a data driven methodology solves many of the issues I commonly encounter. Knee-jerk reactions, misdiagnosis of samples, misunderstanding of system operations and misdirected maintenance regimes are all commonplace where real-time monitoring is not employed, greatly increasing the risk of equipment failure.

“It is crucial that building owners understand the value of considered capital expenditure as a money saving exercise further down the line; HVAC systems are essential, costly assets. Tools such as real time monitoring will only serve to prolong their life and reduce operational expense as well as directing the maintenance strategy of the building – more than covering any initial outlay.”

A specialist in commissioning, Stewart will be focussing on where the BG50i approach can support this activity. He said:

“At the seasonal commissioning stage and while assisting the soft landings approach, real time monitoring can provide crucial information about hydraulic integrity, delivering clues that indicate whether commercial equipment is likely to fail and disrupt the building operations and occupant comfort. Without this technology, there is often no warning that there’s a problem until someone physically checks the plant.

“Overall, 24/7 remote monitoring offers support at every step of a water systems life; from pre-commissioning cleaning through to enhancing occupant comfort, an essential tool for critical service providers responsible for large, expensive and crucial capital plant.”

Steven Booth, MD for Guardian Water Treatment, concluded: “We are delighted to have Stewart on-board, his expertise is unrivalled in the industry and he, like Guardian, has seen the merits of real-time monitoring from the very beginning. We feel passionately about a data driven approach to water system management; its benefits are far reaching and felt by everyone involved in closed system HVAC management.

“Our BG50i Intelligent Water Monitoring and Treatment package leads to more efficient systems that breakdown less, cost less to run and better serve end-users. With a strengthened team pushing this forward, we hope that more buildings can benefit and move away from less accurate practices that lead to uncertainty and an increased risk of catastrophic failure.”

For more information about BG50i, visit: BG50i Intelligent Water Monitoring & Treatment