22 October 2013, 00:00
Essen – Since its premiere in 2009, DCONex has enjoyed a growing numbers of exhibitors and visitors, and has established itself as an attractive information platform and central hub for the sector to meet. The only integrative, special trade fair dealing with hazardous substance management as well as remediation and renovation will now be held for the third time from January 15 to 17, 2014 – and for the first time, in conjunction with DEUBAUKOM in Essen, Germany.
The DCONex complements DEUBAUKOM as an important event heralding in the new year for the building industry with a wide range of interesting topics. These are indispensable when it comes to dealing with existing buildings in all of the lifecycle phases as well as revitalizing contaminated properties.
Exhibiting companies, participating sector associations and trade visitors to both exhibitions can all profit to the same extent.
DCONex is organized by AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH, and is technically sponsored by the Schadstoffsanierung e.V. Association (Berlin). Further, numerous sector associations and organizations will participate in DCONex as competence partners and will take part in the congress program.
DCONex topics are very current
Increasingly, building activities are shifting towards the renovation of existing structures. This trend is being reinforced as a result of the national energy saving and climate protection goals. In addition, land suitable for constructing new residential and commercial buildings is becoming increasingly scarcer. Derelict locations, contaminated facilities and buildings as well as areas to be redeveloped for alternative uses (rezoning) are therefore becoming increasingly more important.
When buildings that were constructed back in the 1950s through to the 1980s are renovated or modernized, then it must be assumed that a whole raft of hazardous substances will have to be dealt with. For example, asbestos, wood preservation agents, PCB in jointing compounds, tar-based products and many more.
The actual scope of the work is not decisive. Anybody coming into contact with parts of the building containing hazardous substances is at potential risk. The same is true for installation personnel and electricians who carry out repair or maintenance work, as well as janitors and caretakers.
Based on what she has seen in practice, Elisabeth Gulich, CEO of Gesamtverbandes Schadstoffsanierung e.V., knows that those involved often do not understand just what they are handling – and frequently handle these hazardous substances thoughtlessly, which can result in some serious health issues.
When hazardous substances are incorrectly transported through stairwells or disposed of in open containers, there is a risk that tenants and occupants not involved in the renovation, and even passersby, can be affected.
Even though it is frequently assumed that asbestos is no longer a problem because it was prohibited 20 years ago, it still remains a serious issue today, and this will continue for a long time to come. Unfortunately, the level of consciousness regarding the hazards of this material – which was once so widely acclaimed – has in some cases been lost. The same goes for understanding in which parts of buildings it still lurks.
The EFBWW (European Confederation of Building and Woodworkers) has been striving for years for an asbestos-free Europe. With an overwhelming majority, on March 14, 2013, the European Parliament accepted an initiative report for completely eradicating asbestos in Europe by 2028, and is demanding international and national plans to take action to achieve this objective.
At the same time, current decisions regarding civil claims are resulting in an immediate paradigmatic change of mindset with users, planners and assessors.
The Berlin regional court made a decision on January 16, 2013 in favor of renters' rights and has mandated that the rent can be reduced by 10% if a building still has vinyl-asbestos flooring. This decision has already meant that companies managing apartment buildings in Berlin are pushing to remove this type of flooring with the appropriate remediation programs. This impacts more than 100,000 apartments in the western part of the city. And this is by no means just a regional problem. The same flooring materials have also been used in all of the states in the previous western part of Germany.
Whether asbestos or other hazardous substances, in most cases the dust that is created during renovation and demolition work represents a considerable risk to the health. This is why, in practice, the complex analysis of environmental protection, work health & safety and protecting users always represents a special challenge for all of those involved.
This makes collaboration and intensive exchange of ideas at the expert level absolutely mandatory. With many competent contact persons present, the exhibition and congress represents the ideal backdrop for this type of networking. This goes for specialists as well as interested parties who wish to obtain a general overview.
Congress program with many highlights
The congress that will be held between January 15 and 16, 2014 addresses the requirements and demands of various target groups.
Renowned presenters and moderators will address and structure the various elements of the congress arranged according to topics. Participants can select and book those topics for which they are interested.
One complete topic block of the congress will be dedicated to current legislation and liability issues. Asbestos and its widely established use in adhesives and jointing compounds is another main topic. Mold and odor issues as well as remediation and renovation, also involving inhabited buildings, is also on the agenda.
In the topic block "remediation and renovation building projects – expected and unexpected hazardous substances" the focus will be on safe and reliable planning and implementation. An explanation will be given as to when action has to be taken by whom and in which project phases. Typical locations where hazardous substances can be found will be shown.
On January 17, 2014, remediation in planning and execution is a topic of an NRW specialist conference of LANUV – Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz Nordrhein-Westfalen (local state office for nature conservation, environment and consumer protection in North Rhine Westphalia). DCONex visitors can also visit this specialist conference.
Trade fair with an extensive portfolio
The trade fair portfolio covers all topics relating to hazardous substances and remediation – analysis, renovation, demolition, disposal, health and safety at work and prevention.
Exhibitors include renovation companies and engineering offices, manufacturers and suppliers of machinery, tools, equipment, chemicals as well as service providers in the areas of analysis and measuring technology. Training, specialist periodicals, IT technology and health and safety at work will also be represented at the event.
The trade fair also offers a forum for associations and organizations as well as exhibitors from the insurance sector and financial service suppliers.
The specialists in the construction sector are aware of the fact that the event organizer AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH is the organizer of the Interlift Augsburg, leading global trade fair for lifts and elevators. Further, for many years, the exhibition company AFAG was responsible for organizing and carrying out the DACH+WAND trade fair in Nuremberg.
DCONex addresses the widest range of target groups
Target groups of DCONex include assessors, engineers and architects, city planners and communal building specialists, building and facility managers, tradesmen and specialist renovation companies, demolition companies, disposal and recycling facilities, personnel responsible for environmental protection and safety, communal and private supply and disposal companies. Institutes as well as science and research organizations are also target groups.
Source: Messe Essen GmbH