Solar panels are an effective way of improving the energy efficiency of a project. But this can be costly, with large up-front payments often limiting their use. Find
The Crown Commercial Service’s Leasing and Loan Finance Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) a range of financing options make securing solar panels for your project simple and achievable. Whether you are looking for a hire purchase, a finance lease, and operating lease or an asset secured loan, you can find the finance solution that will work for you.
Base Structures have recently completed the installation of a series of removable and adaptable temporary fabric screens to aid site access at a prominent city center construction site.
To aid protection from rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the client was looking for temporary screening to secure a 15-storey office building, guaranteeing their programme of work could continue uninterrupted and meet pre-arranged turnaround times.
To meet the requirements of the proposal, Base Structures installed forty-four screens across the length of the building with a total fabric area of 1,800m². Designed to withstand all relevant British Standard wind loadings and fire retardancy requirements, new attachment methods were devised with the client to circumvent existing columns not being appropriate. The results were cost effective, versatile, and offered much more flexibility when considering site conditions and access requirements.
The client, said: “The temporary weathering solution installed by Base Structures is a great design and fitted our needs perfectly. The installation team have maintained an extremely high standard of quality and safety and have delivered the install ahead of the anticipated programme.”
Any Traynor, Head of Installation on the project and
Director at Base Structures, added:
“These temporary fabric screens help solve a problem for a client at a vital time in their building programme, enabling them to work uninterrupted in areas where building exterior is yet to be completed. Tensile fabric is perfect for this job, as they can be installed quickly with minimal disruption, allowing contractors to get on with the job and fulfil tight turnaround times. These screens are also very easy to dismount, so when they’re no longer needed, we will also remove them”
Base Structures are committed to the upcycling and re-use of tensile fabric that has not yet reached its
end of life, and our zerolandfill policy means that screens like this can find another useful life elsewhere.
To speak to Base Structures about similar projects, or where expertise such as this can add value and time-efficiency to your building programme, get in touch on the details below:
T: 0117 911 5250
E: sales@basestructures.com
The Public Sector Sustainability Association (PSSA) provides a professional association and network for all those working in the Public Sector who have a common interest in sustainability.
For more information on joining, please visit www.pssa.info
Meet Jordan.
Jordan arrived at an elderly customer’s house and found the customer struggling to get into the family car due to a flat battery.
Jordan managed to open the door and pull the handle inside to gain access. He then popped the bonnet and jumpstarted the car from his van. He got the car running again and then went to unblock the drain.
Complete water in, waste out solutions. Find out more: www.metrorod.co.uk
fuelGenie has expanded its petrol station network significantly with the launch of fuelGenie+, which can be used at most Shell forecourts.
fuelGenie+ provides fleet users and small businesses with a convenient network of around 2,200 locations to top up their tank for less, including on the UK’s main transit routes and in towns and cities including over 900 Shell sites as well as at Tesco’s, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.
Among the other benefits fuelGenie+ includes more access to 24/7 petrol stations for drivers, higher forecourt canopies for larger vehicles or vans, and the opportunity for customers to collect Shell Go+ rewards when they fill up.
Additionally, Shell locations include free Wi-Fi, comfortable rest areas and Jamie Oliver
Deli by Shell.
Tony Burgess, Director, Merchant Network at fuelGenie, commented: “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Shell and launch of this new service. fuelGenie+ provides existing and new customers with a dramatic increase in convenience enabling drivers to minimise route deviation and thereby save time and money.
“fuelGenie+ provides the best of both worlds in one card; a convenient network backed by leading brands as well as the ability for customers to access some of the UK’s lowest fuel prices through supermarkets.”
Customers and drivers can also find the nearest participating fuelGenie+
petrol station by using the fuelGenie app or visiting the website petrol station finder at https://www.fuelgenie. co.uk/fuel-cards-uk-locations/ find-nearest-petrol-station/
Indeed, the new partnership with Shell also follows fuelGenie mobile app updates which provide even more card detail and invoice functionality to help SMEs and fleets, freeing up even more administrative time, and which is also now available to fuelGenie+ customers.
Aisha Anderson, Shell Head of Fleet Solutions UK, also commented: “With busy and demanding schedules to meet, having access to a comprehensive refueling network is essential for fleets – and helps them to optimise their time on the road.
“We are so pleased to offer fuelGenie+ customers access to most of our growing network of refueling stations and amenities along with the Shell Go+ loyalty programme –enabling them to earn rewards as they benefit from easier and more efficient journeys with seamless refueling.”
For more information about fuelGenie+ visit www.fuelgenie.co.uk, while for more information about Shell visit https://www.shell.com/.
The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has issued a ‘cease and desist’ notice to a Turkish manufacturer of plastic sacks claiming CHSA Accredited status.
“Our Accreditation Schemes are a stamp of quality,” explained CHSA chair, Lorcan Mekitarian. “We will always act to protect their integrity so buyers and users of cleaning and hygiene products can trust the mark. Our standards, your guarantee.”
“Our advice to buyers is to look first for the Accreditation Scheme logo to guarantee quality. If there is any uncertainty about the legitimacy of the manufacturer’s or distributor’s claim, check our website. It carries a full list of members. If they are not listed on our website, they are not Accredited by the CHSA.”
The Turkish manufacturer provided the UK distributer with a certificate incorporating the CHSA logo which gave the impression they were Accredited to produce sacks to the standard. The inspector put the sacks through the CHSA’s standard audit process and found them substandard. Also, what was written on the box was definitely not in the box.
Standards you can trust
Maintaining standards is at the heart of everything the CHSA does. In 1997 the CHSA launched its first Accreditation Scheme for manufacturers of Soft Tissue products.
Today it has six Accreditation Schemes. They are for manufacturers of paperbased and woven products, plastic-based products, cotton-based products, and cleaning chemicals, for general manufacturers and for distributors of cleaning
and hygiene products.
The integrity of the schemes matters. It’s why in 2021 the CHSA’s Independent Inspector conducted 143 audits, checking more than 3,800 individual products. He found exceptional levels of conformance.
Members of the Accreditation Scheme for paper-based and woven products achieved 92% label compliance, meaning the dimensions and count of every product and other required information is as indicated on the label. Of the 1,260 individual products audited 96% complied, excluding minor infringements.
The Inspector conducted 40 audits of plastic-based products. 1,820 individual items were tested, and 672 labels checked. Overall label compliance was 93% and 92% of all products tested met the requirements of the Scheme, guaranteeing they are fit for purpose.
Members of the Accreditation Scheme for manufacturers of cotton-based products achieved 97% compliance on the labels checked and 96% on the 720 products tested.
The 17 members of the Accreditation Scheme for Manufacturers of Cleaning and Hygiene Chemicals were reviewed by the inspector and their status confirmed.
Every distributor member of the CHSA was also audited against their commitment to buy products from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer and that product from other manufacturers conformed to the requirements of the relevant Accreditation Scheme. They are audited accordingly.
As well as the auditing process, the CHSA conducts rigorous due diligence on every
new applicant to the Association. This process involves confirming all marketing and product claims can be substantiated by hard evidence, for example EN test results. This is followed by an audit of the product range and quality assurance procedures. They are welcomed into the Association only if they successfully complete due diligence and pass the audit.
Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice. It requires them to “maintain a high standard in the conduct of its business”.
The combination of our Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme membership means every member:
· Trades ethically and sustainably;
· Provides quality, fit for purpose products; and
· Makes sure what’s on the box is what’s in the box.
Committed to the integrity of the Schemes, the CHSA’s governing Council will expel any Scheme member who, despite being offered the guidance required to correct issues, consistently fails to conform to the relevant Scheme Standard.
@CHSACleaning www.CHSA.co.uk
QA Graphics has created a new component to offer their clients using Schneider’s Struxureware/Ecostruxure software. This tool is an extension update of their existing Symbol Library v5 that will easily replace Struxureware/ Ecostruxure’s existing graphic library. This symbol library component will effortlessly integrate within the software, allowing Struxureware/ Ecostruxure users to implement QA Graphics’ extensive Symbol Library - free of charge for those who own a Symbol Library v5. The difference with QA Graphics’ component library is that the symbols are already set up with animations to be dragged and dropped in so points can be mapped within the graphic editor.
While the new symbol library component is for Schneider’s Struxureware/Ecostruxure software only, the Symbol Library v5 files can be delivered for any control system. QA Graphics has provided several of the leading control system manufacturers and private companies graphic libraries since their first edition in 2007. Becoming an expert design resource for the building controls industry, providing graphics for any type of building automation system (BAS).
This symbol library offers a competitive advantage in the BAS industry, delivering more appealing and realistic graphics than typically provided with BAS software. The Symbol Library v5 is powerful and includes over 450 total graphic files available, more detailed graphics, and higher resolution images. Giving users access to highend graphics and animations that more realistically represent the mechanical systems in place: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=XlpwU1dZrU8
Additional services clients choose when purchasing a Symbol Library v5 are 3D floor plans and branded template work. Call 515.965.3403
for pricing or to learn more, visit: https://www.qagraphics. com/bas-symbol-library-2/. OEM’s can contact us as well about creating a customized library for your software controls.
Rising energy costs, net zero targets and new minimum energy efficiency standards regulations are all putting energy management at the top of the agenda for commercial landlords and facility managers.
Infogrid’s recent research found nearly three-quarters of hybrid workers in the US (74%) and seven in ten (70%) in the UK said they felt concerned about the impact of the energy crisis on the costs of working from home. And the worries don’t stop at home, with over half of UK hybrid workers (55%) expressing concerns about the energy efficiency in their place of work, rising to nearly 3 in 4 (71%) in the US.
To get one step closer to net zero, we need to reduce waste while also driving greater efficiency across the built environment. Hybrid working has changed how we are using and interacting with our buildings forever. Occupancy varies throughout the week and requirements of buildings by employees have altered.
Privett Associate Director Workplace Innovation & Senior Research Associate
Nearly three-quarters of hybrid workers in the US (74%) and seven in ten (70%) in the UK are concerned about the impact of the energy crisis on the costs of working from home. And the worries don’t stop at home, with over half of UK hybrid workers (55%) expressing concerns about the energy efficiency in their place of work, rising to nearly 3 in 4 (71%) in the US.
This week, we published new research on hybrid worker attitudes about energy efficiency in the workplace, in a report entitled Energy Management and the Workplace of the Future: Why We Need An Efficiency Revolution. Based on a survey of more than 4,000 respondents in the US and UK, the study reveals that hybrid workers are not just worried about the impact of rising energy costs on their home lives, they are also highly aware and concerned about energy efficiency and the sustainability practices in their places of work.
Many people are choosing to use facilities outside their home (such as showers at the gym) and to spend longer in the workplace. 37% of US employees say they have increased the use of facilities away from home. 34% say they spend longer at work due to recent high temperatures and lack of air conditioning at home.
In the UK however, 27% of employees say it’s still cheaper for them to work from home, due to the significant rise in fuel prices impacting the cost of commuting. Although, as the UK enters the winter season, 23% plan to increase the amount of time in the workplace to help cut down on energy use and bills at home.
It’s clear that rising wholesale energy prices—increasing
tenfold over the last 18 months— are affecting households and businesses alike. In addition to the general “cost of living” crisis, experts are now talking of a “cost of doing business” crisis too.
Commenting on the findings, Ross Sheil, Senior Vice President at Infogrid, says: “If you want to tackle a problem, you must first understand what you’re dealing with. The findings in our new report show us that external factors, such as the energy crisis and its effect on people’s personal financial situations, have a very real impact on how employees use their workspaces. Energy prices skyrocketing mean that some of us will spend more time in the workplace to keep costs at home down, while others will work from home more often, because commuting costs are also on the rise. And with more than half of employees showing concern about the efficiency and sustainability of their work environments, it’s never been more important to have real-time insight into how spaces are being used, in order to tailor energy management accordingly.”
‘Energy Management and the Workplace of the Future: Why We Need An Efficiency Revolution’ reveals four key insights:
1. The majority of employees are worried about the impact of the energy crisis on the cost of working from home.
2. Most employees are also concerned about the energy efficiency of their workplace.
3. A significant proportion of employees don’t think that their company is doing enough to reduce its environmental impact.
4. Many employees think that the primary responsibility to cut greenhouse gas emissions lies with those that run and manage the building, with governments having a role to play as well.
We’ve come to a crossroads when it comes to how we manage energy. Energy costs are rising, and uncertainty for businesses and buildings is growing. It’s time for an efficiency revolution.
Click here to download the full report.
Hörmann UK have announced the launch of their new transparent, high speed spiral doors, the HS5040 TurboLux and Turbolux S. With a market leading opening speed of up to 4 M/s, the TurboLux range combines high speed operation with optimised transparency, strength, and durability, making the doors ideal for demanding applications where efficiency and visibility are key.
The TurboLux range offers a pleasingly symmetrical and compact design, with transparent door laths manufactured from a clear, high-grade polycarbonate which provides high impact and breakage resistance. Providing 90% transparency, the door has been designed to maximise light and visibility, helping to reduce accidents, ensure smooth and efficient transport processes, and provide brighter working environments to improve operator conditions.
With TurboLux doors providing impressive opening speeds of up to 4 M/s and closing speeds of 1 M/s, operator safety is paramount. Situated within the side panels of the door is a light grille which monitors the door closing zone up to a height of 2500mm whilst a gentle soft-stop function stops the door in the event of an obstacle being detected.
Standard door sizes of up to 5000mm x 5000mm are achievable and offer an optional wind load resistance of Class 4, speeds of up to 133 km/h, making the Turbolux door suitable for both external and internal installation. Narrow side panels of 250mm result in a door that offers installation flexibility as it can be fitted into confined spaces, and to aid fast and efficient installation key components are supplied pre-assembled.
Commenting on the introduction of the TurboLux range, Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK says “We are excited about the launch of the Hörmann TurboLux, our new high speed, transparent spiral door – a door that has been designed
using high-quality materials to ensure a long service life and the ability to stand up to the wear and tear of challenging working environments.
Together with industry leading opening speeds and maximum visibility, TurboLux offers the market the chance to further speed up workflow processes and reduce energy costs. Once again Hörmann are supplying the market with a real difference, and we think we have produced a clear winner.”
To find out more about Hörmann visit High-Speed Doors from Hörmann for economical material flow (hormann.co.uk) or call 01530 516868.
Build resilience, sustainability, and affordability into your power with groundbreaking hardware, software, and control systems from Powerstar. Our range of products includes transformers, voltage optimisation, and a unique solution for UPS using battery energy storage technology, all manufactured and supported in the UK.
Our solutions intelligently manage customers’ power flows to make power greener, cheaper, and more secure, come rain or shine.
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Frome Library in Somerset has transformed its heating system, thanks to the installation of a new air source heat pump from ELCO Heating Solutions. Delivering zero emissions, increased energy efficiencies and reduced operating costs, the new AEROTOP® L 88kW unit has replaced two ageing gas boilers as part of Somerset County Council’s drive to decarbonise its estate.
As a result of the switch from gas fired boilers to electric heat pumps, the project has delivered impressive energy savings thanks to a COP of up to 4.0 from the AEROTOP® unit. The result is an estimated 71% reduction in the energy required to heat the property.
M&E contractors for the system upgrade were Bristol-based F P Hurley, which delivered full design and installation services. Commenting on the new heating equipment from ELCO, Project Manager, Adam Robinson, said: “We had originally planned to install two smaller heat pumps, but after speaking to ELCO and getting the details of their AEROTOP® range, it was clear that this wasn’t necessary, and we could meet all requirements from a single unit. This made the project far simpler from an installation perspective, especially as the ELCO heat pump didn’t require any upgrades to the power feed.”
The new heat pump is also connected to an upgraded system, consisting of new double panel radiators with convectors (which
have replaced single panel models), as well as several new fan convectors. All emitters accommodate a low temperature heating circuit from the AEROTOP® unit, ensuring the heat pump continues to operate at maximum COPs up to 4.0.
Adam continued: “Having specified ELCO products on previous projects, we knew the quality would be great and the AEROTOP® is no exception. When it was commissioned and we started it up from cold, we were also impressed with how quiet it was, an important factor given its location outside the library and close proximity to neighbouring buildings.”
The AEROTOP® L heat pumps feature DC brushless fan motors to help meet heating and cooling demands with low noise emission and low power consumption. Both fans and fan guards are designed with CFD technology, ensuring silent
and highly efficient operation. Furthermore, all models feature ‘Silent’ and ‘Super Silent’ modes, while anti-vibration kits are supplied as standard to further reduce excess sound.
The new AEROTOP® L reversible heat pumps are available in outputs from 54kW to 88kW, with all models supplied with flow and return manifolds for arrangements of up to four heat pumps, while 16 units can be managed by a cascade controller. The AEROTOP® range also includes ‘M’ models, which can deliver outputs from 24kW to 48kW.
Futures for Somerset Ltd acted as client project managers for this project.
For more information on ELCO’s AEROTOP® heat pumps and full range of commercial heating solutions, visit www.elco.co.uk.
Sustainable initiatives include any activity aimed at reducing the consumption of resources, with a particular focus on carbon emissions. There are many benefits to implementing sustainable strategies, such as cost savings, employee engagement and motivation improvements, target achievement, and more. In this article, Garland UK Technical Manager Daniel Sandell discusses how you can reduce costs and improve energy efficiency at your estates.
Your roof can make a significant difference
Roofing projects provide a perfect opportunity to improve the sustainability of your whole building, helping to fulfil legislative requirements whilst providing added value to your building assets.
Facilities managers can see a significant reduction in the overall carbon emissions of a
building through reductions in embodied carbon, operational carbon and reductions in carbon at the end-oflife phase of your roof.
The most effective way of decreasing embodied carbon emissions is to choose a roofing system with a long lifespan that should outlast its guarantee. Compared with
shorter-life products, which of course, would need replacing much sooner, this greatly reduces the carbon required to produce the system. Typically, buildings are designed to last for about 60 years, so the closer you can get to achieving this, the better. Additionally, where possible, you should specify a roofing system that uses recycled materials and is recyclable to reduce the
system’s embodied carbon.
By conducting thorough condition reports of your existing roofing structure, it is easy to avoid unnecessarily removing the existing deck or insulation whilst conducting any refurbishment or repairs, minimising the number of new materials needed to restore your roof and thus reducing its carbon emissions. A moisture mapping survey, in particular, can help to identify very specific areas of water ingress so that these areas can be targeted exclusively for repair.
Roof encapsulation solutions should also be seriously considered when a complete roof replacement is necessary. This allows the existing roofing structure to remain in place whilst providing a new waterproofing system This, of course, eliminates the need for the existing roof to go to landfill, not only saving you the disposal costs but again further reducing the embodied carbon emissions as a result.
There are a number of opportunities where a roofing system can help to reduce the operational carbon of the whole building. Photovoltaic solar panels can be incorporated into your roofing system to provide renewable energy that can be used to reduce the energy consumption of the building.
Green roofs are another very effective way of reducing the operational carbon of your building by improving thermal efficiency, whilst actively capturing carbon dioxide through the vegetation it incorporates.
Finally, roofing projects allow for increased insulation to be applied, which again will improve the thermal efficiency
of the building, requiring less heating and cooling and thus improving the structure’s overall energy efficiency.
The End of Life phase of the Whole Carbon Life-Cycle should also be considered, as it can provide more opportunities to reduce carbon emissions. It is essential to partner with both a manufacturer and approved contractors that encourage mindful waste management, mitigating the need for landfill disposal wherever possible.
Specifying a roofing system that is 100% recyclable at the end of its usable life is possible. Metal roofs, such as Garland UK’s R-MER range, are a perfect example of this. Recycled metals produce as much as 90% less carbon when compared with metals processed from ore.
To be able to accurately assess the carbon footprint of your building, it is important to complete a carbon baseline report. From this, the improvements you make by installing PV panels and green roofs, for example, can identify the improvements made and the operational carbon savings documented.
Both BREEAM and LEED encourage the use of Life Cycle Costing to help to quantify these variables and assess the sustainability of your project, whilst providing you with accurate long-term costings and savings.
Again, to have the most accurate data for use in Carbon Accounting for your project, your manufacturer roofing partner must be able to provide you with data that
complies with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the world’s most widely-used greenhouse gas accounting standard. Data must be provided for Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned/controlled sources) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from their own use of electricity/ heating etc.).
Two general points should always be considered when choosing the right roofing solution for your sustainability objectives.
Firstly, quantifiable results should be provided by your manufacturing partner. We always advise our clients to research and ask questions about environmental claims being made about building materials, as, unfortunately, greenwashing can be prevalent in the industry. In some cases, the sustainable credentials are diluted, circumstantial, or irrelevant to your projects. Always check the Technical Data Sheets in detail to avoid falling for these misrepresentations.
Secondly, to ensure your roofing project supports your sustainability initiatives, do not look at the short-term cost; look at the long-term goals and benefits this will entail. This also often leads to real long-term cost savings. For example, with photovoltaic systems, you can see an ROI in as little as 4 years.
Garland UK’s Technical Managers have a wealth of experience providing roofing solutions that will cut the carbon emissions of your building, helping you to achieve your sustainability goals.
www.garlanduk.com
Gradient’s design expertise was crucial to the supply of a non-standard tapered insulation system that ensured a private dwelling’s roof exceeded regulation U-values.
The roof installation was a crucial element of a property under construction in Poole, Dorset. The five-bedroom detached home is imaginatively designed with Purbeck natural stone walls and an aluminium facia. For its 500m2 flat roof, the client required bespoke insulation that optimised water run-off whilst achieving regulation thermal performance. This led to engagement with Gradient, on account of the company’s expertise in specifying and designing a tapered roof insulation scheme to suit a client’s precise requirements, however complex the brief.
For the Poole new-build project, Gradient devised a fully-bonded tapered single-layer system comprising Powerdeck® F boards. Produced by Gradient’s sister company, Recticel Insulation, Powerdeck® F boards offer excellent thermal performance, whilst their high-compressive strength and dimensional stability ensure a supremely flat surface finish. This guarantees an optimal outcome for a range of watertight systems in new-build and refurbishment projects.
The single-layer aspect of the Poole tapered insulation scheme was essential to its time and cost-effective installation. Manufactured off-site under factory conditions and ready to install once delivered to site, the insulation within a single-layer bond is monitored by Gradient for its volume and minimum coating adhesion performance, leaving installers with the relatively straightforward task of installing it – in one block – to the roof, followed by the waterproofing. This not only guarantees the insulation will perform as-designed in concert with the singlelayer roofing membrane details, it significantly reduces application times and material waste.
The single-layer system designed for the Poole residential project needed to accommodate a range of complex details. These included centrepiece and perimeter guttering, a nonstandard detail that was designed to direct rainwater to the correct falls and ensure efficient run-off. Mansafe railing and PV panels were also incorporated within the single-layer scheme, which was designed to a 1:60 and 1:80 fall.
Contractors, All Roofing Ltd, installed Gradient’s tapered insulation scheme to the detached property’s roof. It was fully-bonded to a vapour control layer with the same procedure being carried out across three, first floor balconies. Prior to installation and proof of how Gradient’s
turnkey service supports clients throughout all phases of its tapered insulation delivery, the company’s surveying team visited the construction site in Poole to carry out a full survey of the roof. This contributed to their specification of a suitable tapered insulation system, thus ensuring a smooth installation process and enshrining the insulation’s long-term performance.
Scott Strathem, Director at All Roofing, said: “Gradient’s involvement meant this large and quite complex project ran very smoothly. And as we’ve come to expect, they were with us every step of the way throughout the programme. As well as their superb design detail, their preinstallation survey of the roof was particularly beneficial in giving us the peace of mind that it was fit for the single-layer system they’d provided. We’d always advise engaging with tapered insulation experts such as Gradient before embarking on a flat roofing project of any type.”
The main roof in respect of the Poole residential project was installed in less than four weeks. The client’s satisfaction with the rapid works programme was enhanced by the in-situ roof achieving a U-value of 0.16 W/m²K, thus exceeding regulations which applied at the time. Gradient’s expert provision of a tapered insulation solution that was tailormade to overcome the complexities of the scheme will reduce the need for further roof maintenance and uphold the building’s thermal energy performance. Such an outcome demonstrates why engaging with professionals pays dividends when it comes to insulating a property’s most vital feature.
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Adam Brindle, Managing Director of Grounds Care Group explores why more organisations are outsourcing snow and ice clearances and what to consider when taking this step.
With virtually every industry competing fiercely for skilled staff, outdoor FM is being particularly hard hit as experienced staff retire, access to overseas workers dries up and young people staying in education longer struggle to identify with careers in grounds care. For many businesses, these challenges have reached a tipping point: At one of our customers - a large further education college, the head groundsman - a veteran of forty years - had been struggling to recruit an understudy and to find staff living locally. As winter came around, these pressures had started to bite. Where previously the college’s estates team had been handling snow clearing and gritting inhouse, the shortage of staff willing and able to be on site early in the day was leaving the
campus and its hundreds of students dangerously exposed to the risks of trips and falls.
Without staff to throw at the challenge, the recruitment squeeze had exposed the inherent inefficiency of how they - and far too many organisations - take on winter conditions. Previously, inhouse staff had been arriving in the morning and reacting to the weather rather than proactively gritting according to forecasts. Moreover, working reactively presented a significant opportunity costpreventing other maintenance essential tasks from being carried out, complicating forward planning and tying up skilled staff with handling snow and ice clearance.
For the college, the combination of staffing pressures and the exposure
to potential liability led to the decision to partner with a winter maintenance specialist for the first time. This is becoming a more common trend as organisations seek to outsource this specialist area. The pandemic has also had an impact, and we have seen businesses struggling to get staff back into the office seeking to find ways to reduce the overhead of their buildings.
However, unlike many areas of grounds care, the high risk, high liability context of snow and ice clearance is unlike lawn mowing or hedge cutting. You can’t simply cut costs by doing it less often. Slips, trips and falls are responsible for over a third of all reported major workplace injuries and organisations have a duty of care to mitigate these risks to ensure the health and safety of both staff and visitors. Effective winter maintenance is critical to reduce the risks of accidents on premises and partnering with the right specialist can provide an opportunity to manage costs, while achieving far higher standards of safety.
Yet outsourcing is not without its own risks. A key challenge is understanding what to expect and what to specify when tendering for winter maintenance services - especially as the quality of offerings has become increasingly varied as some providers have transformed their services through technology while others have lagged behind. This is producing real differences in capabilities,
standards and value for money. Today’s best in class services have adopted a data-driven approach, triggering site visits based on advanced weather forecasting to ensure that proactive gritting is undertaken just when it’s needed and avoiding the expense of gritting unnecessarily.
One advantage of keeping snow and ice clearance inhouse is that it can be easier to keep track of your own teams’ activity. Yet this is where technology is also helping by enabling service providers to offer high levels of transparency and accountability through live reporting via customer portals and dashboards. We’ve all heard horror stories of contractors not turning up and leaving sites unable to open, but it can also be
problematic if they are doing the work but can’t demonstrate what they’ve done and when they’ve done it. Especially when accidents occur, accurate and accessible records are vital.
At Grounds Care Group, our own investments in technology - and in advanced weather forecasting solutions from the Met Office - ensure that we can efficiently keep our customers sites up and running. We can offer peace of mind through minute-by-minute live reporting and serve as our customers’ eyes and ears on site. I would argue that, in this day and age, there simply is no excuse not to expect this level of assurance when outsourcing winter maintenance. Even so, even very established providers are still charging a premium without delivering that level of service.
Naturally, these dynamics aren’t unique to our sector. Just as outsourcing isn’t a silver bullet solution to labour shortages, the old approach of throwing manpower at problems can simply entrench inefficient practices. In the wider economy, there’s been much discussion of how better training and technology investments can help to unlock greater productivity. Ultimately this is what matters in outdoor FM too – getting the right people working smarter, and sourcing expert support where inhouse resources are limited.
For further information on how to keep your business operational and compliant this winter call the Grounds Care Group on 0800 122 3376 or email info@gcgrp.co.uk
SALTO Systems, a global leader in smart electronic access control solutions in the hospitality and commercial industries, is launching a groundbreaking new platform aimed at the residential market.
SALTO Homelok is set to revolutionize residential living with its all-in-one solution that integrates smart access control technology, hardware, cloud software, digital keys, a smart living ecosystem, and global service support.
“Smart home living is becoming increasingly more popular,” says Iñigo Unanue – Global Residential Lead, at SALTO Systems. “Residents want seamless access, without managing multiple keys – and property managers want a solution that is easy to manage and provides seamless resident onboarding. All want physical security and protection for assets as well as a smarter living experience. Homelok, SALTO’s residential solution, delivers all this and more, providing convenient, secure, and technology-enabled living.”
SALTO Homelok will provide smart access control solutions across the residential market, from multi-family to singlefamily housing, vacation rentals, and home care/ assisted living establishments.
SALTO Systems’ electronic locking solution is modern and easy to install and maintain, without the cost and complexity of traditional access control solutions.
SALTO Systems brings a wealth of smart building expertise, groundbreaking
innovation, a unique combination of flexibility and control, and a marketleading portfolio to its residential solution, with a specific focus on the following five value propositions:
• Operational efficiency
Homelok uses digital access technology, rather than mechanical keys, and can be accessed from anywhere –allowing property management activities to be streamlined and carried out more efficiently.
• An elevated experience
Homelok delivers the smart
living experience by providing a convenient and digital experience for residents, enabling seamless keyless access and management capabilities for day-to-day living.
• Future-proof SVN access-driven technology in the cloud
Homelok utilizes cuttingedge, innovative, and reliable SALTO SVN data-on-card technology from a highvalue, versatile, and globallycompatible product range that will continue to evolve into the future to support any developing access control requirements.
Homelok delivers a core smart access solution within the Smart Building Ecosystem, by working with world-class Technology Partners and Property Management Systems (PMS) providers. It is an open platform that can be fully integrated to meet the growing demands for connected home living as well as enable greater control and visibility across property management systems.
“We are very excited to launch SALTO Homelok to the residential and multifamily market. The platform is set to revolutionize the way we live, access our home, and go about our everyday lives. And, while security has always been a concern, data protection, privacy and secure home access are vital – now, more than ever. Homelok is the
solution,” says Aznar Sethna, CSMO of SALTO Systems.
Guaranteed safety, privacy and security.
Homelok gives the reassurance of robust 24/7 security and unmatched data protection and privacy using a unique combination of cloud-based and smart standalone access technology to create a market-defining level of safeguarding.
Specifically Designed for Residential Living.
SALTO has developed advanced and aestheticallydesigned residential-specific electronic access control solutions that set a new standard in the industry – from building and perimeter access, common area organization, to unit door management –with one easy-to-use system for residential properties of all types and sizes.
All-in-One Solution for Residents and Property Managers.
From the numerous smart access electronic locking solutions (hardware products) to user-centered cloudbased software to an industryleading digital keyless experience, SALTO provides the ultimate all-in-one smart access experience for residents and property managers.
Enhance the smart living experience by adding your resident key to Apple Wallet.
Through SALTO’s Homelok platform, users are now able to add their resident keys to Apple Wallet, allowing residents to unlock SALTO smart locks with a simple tap of an iPhone or Apple Watch.
To find out more about SALTO Homelok, visit the website at saltosystems.com
Jangro, the largest network of independent janitorial and cleaning distributors in the UK and Ireland, announces its training software has 20,000+ users
As the trend for learning and professional development grows, many commercial cleaning companies are recognising the benefits of training their staff. Indeed, Jangro’s award-winning online training programme, the Jangro Learning Management Solution (LMS), has recently surpassed the 20,000 user-mark.
This achievement demonstrates Jangro’s commitment to learning and development. Developed eight years ago, the LMS is a fully interactive, award-winning e-learning platform that has grown phenomenally since it launched. Highly accessible, it is optimised for all devices and is offered free to Jangro customers and their staff.
It has also been accredited by the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service. CPD is an established, national accreditation operating across
industry sectors, helping to develop staff with the skills and knowledge required within their organisations. This accreditation offers customers additional assurance that the training content offered by Jangro’s LMS is appropriate, of first-class quality and integrity, enabling operatives to stay up to date.
Joanne Gilliard, CEO at Jangro comments, ‘We are so proud to have helped over 20,000 industry professionals develop their knowledge and skills through the LMS. At Jangro, we are passionate about training and are constantly refining and enhancing the software to make it even better, more accessible, and user-friendly.
‘Employee development is a huge component of any successful company and benefits everyone. It helps professional operatives achieve best practice every time, resulting in excellent,
efficient, and cost-effective cleaning services. It can also positively impact employees’ mental health, wellbeing, and confidence, which can lead to higher staff loyalty, greater retention, and reduced recruitment costs.’
The Jangro LMS offers courses with varying lengths, enabling users to train remotely at times that suit them, and to dip in and out of sessions as required. Modules include Colour Coding and Infection Control, Health and Safety, Washroom Hygiene, COSHH, Floor Care, Kitchen Hygiene, and many more. Jangro also offers a versatile system to ‘train on the go’ with their Task Cards – brief, highly visual documents containing step-bystep instructions for product usage and safety information.
For more information visit www.jangrolms.net or call 01204 795 955.
Cleaning in a care environment needs to balance achieving aesthetically pleasing results with ensuring health, hygiene and safety. We talk to Truvox International UK Sales Manager Simon Constantine, and Account Manager Mark Maslin to discover why one of the company’s products delivers consistently great results.
“The care sector is very important for us, and while we offer a wide range of solutions, the Multiwash™ PRO perfectly delivers its needs, for quick and efficient deep cleaning across a wide range of different flooring types,” says Simon Constantine.
“We generally find that care home managers and FMs haven’t seen anything like the Multiwash™ PRO before, and their reaction is consistently positive when they realise that our machines can do so much,” says Mark Maslin. “They are impressed by the range of features and particularly that it is effective on so many different surfaces from carpets on bedroom floors, to hard surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. What is more, it is clear to see that they can achieve exemplary results throughout premises without changing brushes and that the machine’s ease of use saves time and money.”
Visible cleaning creates reassurance for residents and visitors
“Throughout and since the pandemic, cleaning routines have become more of a front of house activity, so the fact that the Multiwash™ PRO looks so professional is another benefit,” says Simon Constantine. “We know that visible cleaning reassures residents and visitors.
“Some care facilities have dedicated cleaning operatives
but many rely on almost all personnel taking their turn in ensuring facilities are safe and hygienic. The ease of use of Multiwash™ PRO is therefore another hugely important factor in its suitability for and success in the care home sector. Using our machines requires minimal training and most people tell us that it is easier and considerably less messy than using a more traditional mop and bucket.
“Using a mop just spreads dirt around, while Multiwash™ PRO removes soil to the container which can then be easily emptied. Safety is always top of mind and majorly important in all premises, but particularly in the care sector. Using Multiwash™ PRO removes chemical residues and eradicates slip hazards.” Safety, and convincing product demonstrations
“Talking of safety, whenever I do a demonstration I ask what chemicals have previously been used,” says Mark Maslin. “I don’t use chemicals in demonstrations, just water. There is always so much chemical residue in carpets, that the Multiwash™ PRO effectively uses and then removes whatever is still there. Residue chemicals are what makes floors sticky and we often see a white film residue when emptying the tank. We can guarantee complete confidence in ensuring a proper deep clean, and no more sticky floors.
“There’s a perception that
Multiwash™ PRO is only suitable for hard floors, but it is also produces excellent results on carpets. Bedrooms and living rooms in care homes often have carpet with quite a deep pile, and using our machine not only produces visibly better results, but it also puts life back into the carpet.
“At a recent demonstration for a major care home chain, the manager wasn’t convinced and said he thought an extraction machine would do a better job. After he’d seen the Multiwash™ PRO in action, he said: ‘I eat my words. I want one of those in every single one of our homes’.”
“We are proud that the Multiwash™ PRO is so reliable, requiring little maintenance and delivering many years of consistent service,” says Simon Constantine. “That’s a clearly sustainable advantage, but so is the fact that we can help to reduce or even eradicate the use of harmful chemicals. Multiwash™ PRO is perfect for a care environment as it uses very little water and is renowned for effective cleaning using water alone.
Series 61 (S61) is the latest smoke control damper to come to market from Gilberts, Britain’s leading independent air movement specialist.
The single ‘door sized’ S61 compliments the company’s established, successful UKCA certified and CE marked Series 60 (S60) smoke evacuation damper.
The new S61 has been designed, tested and certified to EN1366-2, EN1366-10 and EN12101-8 in both open-toclosed and closed-to-open (with its associated grille attachment). It has attained ES classification for integrity and smoke in air leakage tests, exceeding current legislative requirements and guidance. As its counterpart Series 60, S61 is manufactured
from galvanised steel and will provide up to 120 minutes’ smoke and fire integrity.
Providing up to 1m2 geometric free area within a 800mm x 1920mm opening list size, S61 delivers a unit specifically to suit mechanically ventilated smoke shafts, with its enhanced air leakage reduction. Front access actuators and grille alignment brackets further simplify installation, operation and maintenance.
Says Ian Rogers, Gilberts’ Sales Director: “Series 60 goes from strength to strength: we believed it was the best of its kind when launched, and that has been reinforced with its attainment of certification for maintenance of opening confirmation. It remains the ‘go to’ option. Series 61 is engineered to offer specifiers an alternative with improved area and smoke leakage when exceptional capability is demanded, with an increase in size to suit mechanically ventilated shafts and enhanced leakage reduction.”
The development of S61 builds on Gilberts’ 60+ years’ heritage of bringing to market advanced technology that enhances the design, installation, energy efficiency and occupier comfort of non- domestic buildings.
All Gilberts’ products- standard lines and bespoke solutionsare designed, developed, manufactured and tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001:2015 quality standard in the company’s state of the art 95,000 ft2 facility in Blackpool.
Tel: 01253 766911
E: info@gilbertsblackpool.com
Nittan Elite Partner, Fire Technology Ireland (FTI), has recently commissioned and supplied an L1 addressable fire detection system using Nittan Evolution fire detection devices at the EXO, the tallest commercial building in Ireland, located in Dublin.
The EXO building contains 16 floors over three basements. More than 1,350 Nittan Evolution Analogue Addressable devices were installed as the primary detection system throughout the building, along with Advanced Electronics MxPro 5 Series fire alarm panels and network - one loop panel per floor for tenant space, two eight loop panels for landlord space and a four loop panel for the basement.
The use of Nittan EV-PYS combined smoke detector sounders reduced the overall visual impact on the floors and common areas. The units have a 360-degree viewing angle Omniview ring to allow for quick location and identification of any problem which may arise.
The use of Nittan Multiple Input Output units significantly reduced installation time and the need to “hide” equipment. To provide a fault tolerant network, Evolution new ZMU2 complete with SCI were used for leak detection system in basements and top floor plant room with its own network.
Where it was necessary to mount wall units for signalling, EV-AV2 combined sounder strobes were used. These units have a profile of 30mm and are white in colour. The high visibility 360-degree strobe is extremely bright and visible from all angles. The 90 decibel sounder provides a clear audible tone which can be changed if required. A white cover neatly conceals
the terminations and tone setting dip switches.
Evolution is Nittan’s premium fire system. Evolution uses ASIC technology in the sensors and sophisticated detection algorithms, combining extremely reliable fire detection together with a very high degree of protection against unwanted false alarms. Its advanced, highly flexible protocol allows for substantial amounts of information to be transmitted at high speed and is not affected by the number of devices on the loop.
David Browne from FTI commented: “The EXO is the largest commercial high rise building in Ireland, overshadowing the iconic Siptu building and Central Bank of Ireland which also have the same Nittan and
Advanced systems installed by FTI. The EXO is installed with a complete open protocol, aesthetically pleasing choice of detection devices using Sine Wave Frequency Shift Keying transmission technology which is recognised as one of the most reliable and powerful Analogue Addressable systems on the market. The flexibility of loop sizes on Nittan protocol allows the setting of each floor to be configurable, enabling it to provide custom specifications for individual tenants. The protocol exclusively accepts 254 devices per loop, giving ample room for a sufficient number of additional devices.”
For more information, please contact Nittan on 01483 769 555 or by email at sales@nittan. co.uk or go to www.nittan.co.uk.
One of the most historic and valued properties in the care of the National Trust for Scotland is now protected by cutting edge wireless fire technology supplied by Hyfire.
The House of the Binns, or simply The Binns, is a historic house in West Lothian that has been the seat of the Dalyell family since the 17th century. Despite being donated to the National Trust for Scotland in 1944, the family retains the right to live there and it was, until his death in 2017, the home of the well-known former Labour MP Sir Tam Dalyell. The 17th century house, which was added to in the 18th and 19th centuries, presents a significant challenge to fire installers, so a wireless system from Hyfire was the obvious choice when the system required replacement.
“When we were approached by the National Trust for Scotland to specify a new fire system for The Binns, the challenges were immediately apparent, and we rapidly concluded that a wireless solution was the simplest and most effective way forward,” said Stevie Huxley of Safe Simple Secure, the installers on the project. ““The building has significant ornate ceilings and historical interior features, so a wired system would require multiple trades and a principal contractor to manage the installation and ‘make good’ afterwards.
“We have worked with Hyfire for many years, during which time the performance and reliability of wireless fire devices has improved radically, and the new Taurus range is the equal, if not the superior, of its wired competitor in every aspect. For buildings like this, which require a light touch while still ensuring the protection of the historic fabric, wireless ticks
all the boxes.”
Hyfire offers the widest range of commercial standard wireless fire devices on the market, ranging from optical, multi-criteria and heat detectors to notification, alarm, interface and control units, all fully certified to EN54. All products offer the highest performance and quality in the industry, and are also fully compliant with BS5839 Part 1. Fire panels are wired via a loop to translators, from which wireless devices can be used on their own to build fully wireless systems of virtually any size, or mixed with Hyfire wired products to provide seamless hybrid solutions, offering total flexibility to specifiers and installers.
Robert Bruce, National Sales Manager- North at Hyfire, commented: “At one time, wireless devices were seen as a niche technology best suited to historic buildings and big box industrial sheds. While this is no longer the case, the advantages that it can bring to an ancient building like The Binns cannot be overstated. Not only were we able to deliver a fully-featured fire system that met all of the key requirements specified by the National Trust for Scotland, the system was also installed in a fraction of the time that a wired system would have taken, with none of the costs associated with installing cable loop.”
Developed in Trieste, Italy, the global centre for wireless fire design, Taurus features Pathfinder Technology, which allows the devices to communicate over 1km, point to point in open air, and further where expansion hops are used. Antenna technology has been optimised to allow communication across different frequencies and environments, which means that Taurus can do the job with less equipment and less batteries, thus saving on costs.
Hyfire was launched as Sterling Safety Systems in 2007, bringing to market some of the first commercial wireless detection and alarm devices fully certified to EN54. Since then, the Hyfire brand has become synonymous with quality, reliability and innovation in the commercial fire sector. Hyfire devices come with a fiveyear warranty, backed up by a dedicated partner programme to ensure the best survey, installation, commissioning, after sales service and exceptional technical support.
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