US government honours CIOB student for WC research

The US federal government has recognised a construction management student from University College Suffolk (UCS) for his pioneering research into energy efficient urinals, which have saved the US Air Force millions of dollars in installation and running costs.

Steven Perry, a mature student aged 47, is due to graduate this month with a First Class BSc Honours in Construction Management, a CIOB-accredited course. He studied part time whilst working full time as base energy manager at RAF Mildenhall, home to the Air Refuelling Wing of the US Air Force

Perry’s dissertation examined the environmental and financial impacts of replacing the base’s traditional urinal system with either a high-tech waterless urinal or a smart ‘optimiser’ system that only flushes when the urinal is in use.

To his surprise, he discovered that the waterless urinal was less environmentally friendly than expected and would cost the US government millions of dollars to implement.

Steven Perry (right) celebrates his awards

The research on urinals fed into a general submission to the US Department of Energy covering water and energy at the base, and won him the United States Federal Energy award, due to be presented in a ceremony Washington DC in November. 

In addition, Perry’s hard work, visible progression on the course and dissertation netted him a CIOB award for Best Professional Construction Student at UCS Bury St Edmunds.

He told CM: “It was a huge surprise to take home both these awards. The US Department of Energy was particularly impressed by the fact I was able to show that, despite the advice of some sustainability experts, the ‘biodegradable’ chemicals used in the waterless system threatened to damage our on-site sewage treatment plant, with significant related risk to the surrounding environment if the plant were to fail.

“Conversely, using urinals fitted with optimisers would reduce the amount of water used, as well as prove cheaper as the water could also be sourced cheaply from boreholes located on the site. If implemented across all our facilities I showed it would save millions of dollars.”

Perry has worked for the US government for more than 20 years, starting in communication project management then moving into civil engineering project management in 2006. The submission to the US Department of Energy was designed to encourage the client to think about every aspect of energy on the base, not just in facilities energy management.

Perry said: “I wanted to push the previous model, which focused on renewable energy, fitting more energy efficient lighting, BREEAM and LEED etc, to also include vehicle and aviation energy. For example, I showed that by reducing the pre-flight aircraft engine run times from 30 to 20 minutes the base could save on average $360 per airplane, per flight. Encouraging the business to use more simulators instead of physical training flights would also reduce fuel use and therefore emissions.”

Perry said that the major adjustments involved in completing a degree later in life made winning all the more satisfying. “When my employer offered to fund my studies I decided to do my best and to justify the money they had spent on me. I knew at my age I wouldn’t get this chance again. Hopefully, with all the money I have saved for them, I have made my study seem worthwhile.”

Perry’s course mentor at UCS, Barry Chambers, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Steve’s dedication and creativity has been recognised by both these awards. He was an exceptional student who had to balance commitments to work, family and his university research. He always sought to go the extra mile and this has paid off with both awards. I’m very proud of the high calibre of all of our Construction Management students and the fact that we had six first class degrees this year, the most we have ever had.”