Contents

1 - Audemars Piguet: expansion and improvements in Le Brassus
2 - Designing the first Minergie-ECO® production unit
3 - Minergie-ECO®: the requirements of the new label
4 - A wood-fired heating system
5 - Telecommunications: playing it safe
6 - Revitalisation and reforestation of the Brassus stream area
7 - A welcoming entrance to the village
8 - High and medium voltage: the end of overhead electrical lines

Telecommunications: playing it safe

Are the magnetic fields generated by cordless phones, computer networks, and other electrical equipment truly health hazards? Given the controversies aroused by the debate over the potential dangers of “electrosmog”, Audemars Piguet decided to play it safe when choosing the equipment for the Manufacture des Forges.
The first decision made by the designers, when purchasing the land, was to remove the mobile telephony mast from the top of the old sawmill and to not install a new on the production unit’s roof. Even if the Swiss standards impose particularly strict regulations on the masts’ power levels, the children at the two local schools and the people living in the nearby homes, as well as the Audemars Piguet employees would have all been exposed to a certain amount of radiation, albeit minimal.

Preliminary analysis
All aspects of the electrical and electromagnetic installations were subjected to prior studies conducted by the Effretikon (Swiss) engineers’ office. From the grounding procedures for all of the metal structures to the type of electrical conductor, all of the sources of controllable radiation were eliminated. The locations for the high energy consuming equipment were placed as close as possible to the electrical outlets in order to minimise the potential electrosmog created by the conductors.

Computer network
The installation of a WiFi network in the building was completely ruled out, despite the user-friendliness of this option. This system of wireless data transmission is the subject of many publications filled with warning notices issued by the Public Health administrations of several countries, including Germany and Switzerland. The pulsating waves emitted without any wires to communicate between the information source and the receivers, for computers or other wireless devices, although very low level, cannot be considered entirely safe over the long term for those who are exposed to them. The decision to go with a calibrated cable system which generates insignificant radiation, although more expensive and less convenient, was taken as a precautionary measure.

Telephone systems
The rapid evolution of telecom technologies made the choice of a telephone system rather difficult. Most of the cordless phones used by individuals as well as businesses operate according to the DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone) standards. This standard allows for maximum communication comfort and offers an incomparable array of additional functions. However, it has been criticized for its impact on the human body, which no reliable study has been able to disprove as yet. Between the base and the receiver, waves circulate continuously, even when the phone is not in use, and at a relatively high level of radiation. Only a few new models are equipped with a device to cut the wave emissions when the receiver is hung up on its base, which could satisfy individual users but does not solve the problem in a building containing hundreds of phones.

Going mobile
The bureau of engineers noted that many “mobile phones” will be used at any rate on the premises. To avoid multiplying the sources of pulsating wave emissions, it was decided that the company would use only GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard mobile phones. With one exception: “VOIP” (Voice Over Internet Protocol) equipment, or telephone access via the Internet, which does not generate electromagnetic fields but cannot satisfy all of the company’s needs.

Internal GSM
With the decision not to install an outdoor GSM mast, out of concern for the neighbours, the production unit needed to find a solution to avoid poor reception in the lower part of the village. Installation of masts inside the facility was deemed the most viable option to maintain the principal of playing it safe. Very low power masts were thus installed in each wing of the building, as far from the workstations as possible, minimising the exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Additional precautions
The safety of the microwaves generated by the GSM network still warrants caution. Three arrangements were therefore made to minimise the risks. Sources of considerable electromagnetic fields, the mobile phone chargers are grouped together at the exit air lock, far from the workstations. Each phone, chosen for minimal microwave emissions, is delivered to the employee with an earpiece attached to the phone via a cord. Finally, a pamphlet of written recommendations is given to each user with guidelines for minimising the health hazards linked to the phone’s use.