A sustainable procurement strategy reaches every corner of your supply chain, from sourcing and suppliers to materials and workers. Some examples of sustainable procurement include:
• purchasing electricity from renewable sources
• using energy e icient technologies such as LED lighting
• changing fleet vehicles to ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) or electric vehicles (EV)
• using low carbon construction materials
As sustainability continues to grow in significance on the global agenda, it’s imperative to align your procurement strategy with the evolving values of stakeholders, customers, and employees.
Learn how building sustainability into procurement can help you achieve net zero: crowncommercial.gov.uk/procurement-essentials-cnz
Clivet communicates the achievement of an important goal: the extension of Eurovent certification for Rooftop family up to 200 kW.
As a further confirmation of quality and efficiency, Eurovent certification, already available for nominal capacities up to 100 kW, is now extended to all the sizes up to 200 kW which were tested in the approved laboratories by the certification body (test rooms 7.1 and 7.2) in the new Clivet Innovation Centre.
In the new testing rooms, it is now possible to test, verify and optimise Rooftop systems up to 350 kW and 60.000 m3/h of air flow.
Check ongoing validity of certificate: https://www.eurovent-certification.com
Check out all Clivet’s Eurovent Cerrtifications here: https://www.clivet.com/en/eurovent
Contact us: enquiries@clivetgroup.co.uk
For more than 60 years, Taconova has been synonymous with constant simplification and innovation in the field of building technology, offering user-friendly and highly efficient solutions that save customers time, effort, and money.
Last summer, Taconova completed the acquisition of the business activities of Heatlink Technical Solutions Limited and Heatlink Client Services in the UK to form Taconova UK Limited. The acquisition signalled Taconova’s intention to make the UK a key strategic market, and now Managing Director of Taconova UK Limited Phil Harrison has reiterated that commitment following a very successful exhibition at ISH 2023 in Frankfurt.
“We have created an excellent basis for an even stronger presence in the UK,” said Phil Harrison commenting on the creation of Taconova UK Limited. “We specialise in intelligent building technology solutions that offer high energy efficiency with lower operating costs, and we stand for quality and durability.”
Phil Harrison continued, “We plan to serve all market segments, such as wholesale, OEM, and project business. Our proven turnkey solution, known in the market as ‘The Monitor Bundle’, delivers the ultimate integrated solution. It offers our high energy efficient HIU with an integrated smart meter solution that captures and monitors live energy efficiency 24/7. The larger organisational structure will
enable us to make even better and faster progress and offer our customers and partners new solutions – vitally important in an industry that requires constant revision of technology and services.”
Taconova UK Limited offers a comprehensive range of solutions, including hydronic balancing, underfloor heating systems, system technology, valves and accessories, and pump technology, and Taconova’s newest initiative, TN Comfort System which was launched at this year’s ISH exhibition.
“We have created an excellent basis for an even stronger local presence in the UK market,” said Taconova Managing Director Ralph Seewald. “From innovative surface heating manifolds and efficient circulator pumps to ready-to-connect HIU and domestic hot water stations, our range supports the economical use of valuable energy and minimises
maintenance work. We can offer new solutions quickly and provide our customers with the reassurance that they are making positive choices to reduce their environmental impact while simultaneously ensuring comfort and well-being for their own customers.”
Whether in residential properties, commercial and industrial buildings, or public facilities, Taconova’s resource-efficient quality products shine wherever high demands are placed on heating, cooling, room climate, and sanitary technology.
Taconova is committed to providing highly reliable, refined low-maintenance technology, and excellent value for money, what are the products of choice for many designers, planners, installers, and, ultimately, end-users.
For more information about Taconova, its products and services, please visit http://www.taconova.com.
Paul crawled underneath patients’ beds in an infectious ward to clear a blocked stack. Without this, the ventilators would have stopped, leaving patients without life-saving equipment. Complete water in, waste out solutions. Find out more: www.metrorod.co.uk
Most people would run away, we’re not most people.
Lyreco UK & Ireland, the European leader and third largest distributor of workplace products and services in the world, has launched Lyreco Interiors, a comprehensive office fit-out service designed to support those who want to create inspiring and functional workspaces of the future.
In response to a changing market, Lyreco Interiors caters towards the emerging trend of end-to-end office design. It provides a broad range of services beyond Lyreco’s traditional workplace furniture offering, including space audits and planning, interior design, furniture fit-outs, audiovisual installations, display screen equipment (DSE) assessments, sustainability advice, delivery and installation, to support clients from project conception to completion.
A dedicated team of 16 Lyreco Interiors champions are poised to offer a customercentric approach, which focuses on tailoring solutions to each client’s unique workspace requirements.
“We are thrilled to unveil Lyreco Interiors, a gamechanger in workspace transformation,” said Andrew Burnett, Product & Services Director at Lyreco UK & Ireland. “The excitement surrounding our launch during Clerkenwell Design Week shows that there’s a real hunger for this new collaborative approach.
“Our experience tells us that workspace plays a crucial role in shaping an organisation’s culture, making for a happier team and fuelling business growth. We help businesses reimagine their workspaces, aligning them with brand identity and supporting their
goals. Using our existing expertise to address industry-specific challenges, we create spaces that authentically represent organisations and deliver tangible results.”
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered the workplace, resulting in a growing need for flexible office spaces. At the beginning of 2023, 40 percent of working adults reported working from home.1 Generational differences too are influencing workspace designs, with 61 percent of Gen Zs and 55 percent of Millennials working hybrid, but when they are in the office, they value agile spaces that offer collaboration.2
Steve Weston, Head of Core Office at Lyreco UK & Ireland, explains: “Shifts in working habits are driving businesses to seek partners that can support them in adapting to new working arrangements and encouraging people back to the office. Our view is that work is not merely a location, it’s a lifestyle that has far reaching impacts on our relationships, our creativity and our health. Our mission is to design spaces that foster teamwork, inspiration and productivity, while improving well-being.”
In line with ‘Lyreco Goodness’, an initiative that focuses on the company’s positive social and environmental impact, Lyreco Interiors can integrate ecofriendly and ethical practices into its service. From furniture
recycling and sourcing quality used furniture to promoting sustainable materials and practices to help clients meet their environmental goals.
Lyreco’s priority is to offer customers a trustworthy place to make responsible purchases, aiming to have 90% of its turnover made up of sustainable products and services by 2026. To do this it has implemented a strict, externally assessed supplier and product assessment process to meet greenwashing compliance.
All furniture and workplace products are sourced via Lyreco’s trusted supply partners, including Ocee & Four Design, Bisley Furniture, Dams Furniture and Broadbase, a project management partner that specialises in interior and design projects.
To exhibit its latest innovations in workplace design, Lyreco is creating a new showroom in its Telford Head Office, which is being transformed into a living example for employees, guests, and customers to experience.
For more information about Lyreco Interiors and to book a free consultation, please click here.
Since 1995, Asckey Data Services Ltd. has been providing specialised software applications to a wide range of organisations within the private and public sector.
fmfirst® is a comprehensive facilities management software suite, designed to aid with the demands and responsibilities of modern estates and facilities management.
Applications can be used independently, integrated with each other or third-party systems, enabling you to build your own comprehensive facilities management including a full CAFM system. For further information, please contact us as below.
Pirta has successfully tested the performance of its revolutionary climate ‘cooling paint’ using a worldrenowned solar simulator.
The Yorkshire firm visited TS Space Systems’ purpose built site in Marlow, UK, to carry out a range of performance tests.
Pirta’s unique paint formula has since been validated by the University of Leeds with provisional results indicating exceptionally high emissivity, or ability to release heat, reducing surface temperature by up to 64°C (114.4°F).
The technology holds immense commercial potential as a passive cooling agent, supporting billion-dollar market segments — including construction, shipping, logistics, agriculture and energy industries — looking to slash emissions from energy-dependent cooling systems in order to mitigate the current climate crisis.
Pirta R&D Director Robert Atkin said the initial performance tests helped propel the firm to open-air testing overseas. “This was a fascinating way to
begin our testing journey,” he said. “Solar simulators are able to replicate intense UV rays experienced in the troposphere extending 11km above sea level. For our tests, we tuned-up the simulator to deliver a variety of light intensities experienced at terrestrial sea-level where our product will initially be applied. It proved to be a vital learning curve and influenced our next stage of field tests in
the UK and in India, delivered in collaboration with Leeds University and the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala.”
In recent months, Pirta’s lab tests have demonstrated a peak reflectance of 99.82% across visible and ultraviolet light spectrums. Its overall performance returned a Figure of Merit of 0.934, which was calculated using both reflectivity and emissivity scores.
Meanwhile, the paint formula’s SRI, recognised in the USA as an industry standard for measuring material thermal properties, was valued at 116.8. Most materials have an SRI between 1 and 100, with higher values indicating greater reflectance and emissivity and an improved ability to passively cool a structure.
Pirta has received support from UK Government backed authorities, investment arms and innovation accelerators including Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, Innovate UK Edge and the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).
For more information visit www.pirta.com email info@pirta. com or call +1-801-946-7838
The purchase of cleaning machinery is an investment for most businesses, with a business case required to justify the outlay. That’s why Kärcher Professional UK has announced its new Buy Back* initiative, whereby commercial customers can trade-in their old cleaning machines for a discount against the new equipment, saving money on the purchase and safe in the knowledge that Kärcher will responsibly recycle the outdated model.
Kärcher prides itself on its outstanding customer service package, which features live support, expert engineers, machine repairs and loan machines to name a few. The new Buy Back scheme will enhance this existing Kärcher service offering with a completely new opportunity for customers to benefit from.
The initiative includes not only older Kärcher models, but also legacy machinery from other manufacturers. The only stipulation is that the customer is purchasing the same category machine they are trading in, for example a scrubber dryer traded in for a scrubber dryer. Once the new machine has been delivered, the old one will be transported to Kärcher HQ to be reviewed and categorised before following one of two routes. Either removal to the Kärcher Used Equipment site for refurbishment, reselling or donation, or, if not in a state of economical
repair, it will be responsibly stripped of component parts, separated and then recycled through approved partners.
To take advantage of Kärcher Buy Back or find out more, customers should contact their Kärcher representative to register interest.
Paul Bensley, Sales Director at Kärcher UK said, “Utilising the latest cleaning equipment has a direct impact on the efficiency of cleaning processes and team productivity. While we are very aware that businesses may hesitate to buy brand-new equipment, we believe the results will make it worthwhile and hope our
Buy Back scheme will help make the purchase decision easier. As well as upgrading their cleaning arsenal, customers can enjoy easy and sustainable disposition of their old equipment, while realising some of the value of their legacy asset. We very much hope our Buy Back scheme will give companies the impetus to improve and enhance their cleaning machines.”
For more information, visit https://www.kaercher.com/ uk/professional/buy-backcontact-form.html for more details or call 01295 752099.
* Kärcher’s Buy Back scheme is running until 31st July
Sybron, a leading UK supplier of cleaning, hygiene and catering products to some of the largest names in hospitality, has launched SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue. Partnering with eco-friendly and bamboo specialist, UniGreen, Sybron has created this sustainable product with exceptional environmental properties, in response to growing customer demand.
SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue will appeal to Sybron’s environmentally committed customers, in particular premium hotels working towards reducing their carbon footprint. It is available in cases of 48, 3ply rolls with 200 sheets per roll.
SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue is made from 100% bamboo and the packaging is plastic-free. The many environmental benefits of bamboo are widely known: it is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable; it is the single fastest growing plant, fully grown within three to five years, versus 30-50 years for trees; it thrives in depleted soil and retains soil moisture, encouraging re-growth; it generates 38% more oxygen and removes more carbon dioxide from the air than trees; it prevents deforestation by eliminating the need to cut down trees.
“With the launch of SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue,
Sybron continues its ambition to work towards a greener future,” says Sybron’s sales and marketing director, George Mason. “SySoft customers will know they are helping to create a sustainable future for the planet by replacing wood pulp paper and plastic goods with products made from bamboo, the world’s fastest growing renewable plant source, and by supporting communities and creating jobs.”
UniGreen is working towards a greener future, by aiming to replace all wood pulp paper and plastic consumable goods with products made from bamboo.
“Sybron is working hard to provide customers with products that minimise environmental impact, making this a meaningful partnership,” says UniGreen’s Bakhtiar Hanan. “Bamboo products
are the path to a future where our forests can breathe freely and our oceans flourish once again. We believe strongly that our success will be measured by the legacy we leave behind – how we impact the life of humans, the planet and its amazing species.”
SySoft is Sybron’s second own brand to launch this year, following the launch in January of SyBio, a range of biotechnology-based products that combines probiotic, enzyme and plant-based ingredients to maximise performance with minimal environmental impact. Sybron’s dedicated teams work with customers to offer the best products specific to their business.
For more information go to www.sybron.co.uk.
Buyers of cleaning chemicals can navigate the spurious, misleading and unsubstantiated claims that are all too common in the cleaning industry thanks to a Glossary published by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA).
All members of the CHSA adhere to the requirements of the relevant Accreditation and have signed the Association’s rigorous Code of Practice. It means CHSA members:
• Trade ethically and sustainably;
• Provide supporting information for
claims made;
• Provide quality, fit for purpose products; and
• Make sure what’s on the box is what’s in the box.
Produced by experts within the CHSA membership, the Glossary defines a range of terms including ‘biodegradability’, ‘non-toxic’ ‘natural’ and ‘chemical-free’
and advises buyers to ask for evidence to support claims.
During the pandemic extraordinary claims about the power and efficacy of cleaning chemicals were prevalent. These claims are still made today and the confusion they create is now being added to with all sorts of environmental claims that often amount to nothing more than greenwashing.
Hard pressed buyers can now use the CHSA Glossary to differentiate the meaningful from the meaningless and make sure they buy the right product for the job in hand.
A brand-new, high-end recording studio in East London has been fitted with bespoke acoustic doors from specialist manufacturer Enfield Speciality Doors.
The doors will provide exceptional acoustic performance while delivering on fire safety, security, and style at Qube East, which counts some of the country’s biggest A-list musicians and producers as customers and members.
Located in Wood Wharf, adjacent to Canary Wharf, Qube East has 24 studios for recording, production, DJ, rehearsal, podcast and video recording plus a membersonly bar. The design and fit-out of the new shell build was a collaborative project between KVIST Interior Design, Sustainable Acoustics, contractor Trabur, Project Manager Graham Moreton of Stream Properties and the client, The Qube – all of whom had worked with Enfield Speciality Doors before or had been referred to them.
Enfield Speciality Doors was asked to supply 55 door assemblies for the project.
For corridor doors which lead to studios, a back-to-back door, or ‘room-within-a-room’ system was installed to enhance the sound protection qualities of the Quiet Mark-accredited doors, and to maintain acoustic separation between the shells. 35dB doors were fitted on the outside and 42dB doors on the inside to further minimise noise leakage between rooms.
All of the doors were manufactured with a 10mm card to conceal the lippings and primed ready for painting on site.
Dan Murphy, the Project Manager at Trabur, says: “The
doors were as key as every other aspect on the Qube East project and although the acoustic specification was very high, the doors Enfield Speciality Doors produced were brilliant – we were really happy with them. They were also pre-hung and primed, saving time onsite.”
Christine Skaar, of KVIST Interior Design, adds: “The Enfield Speciality Doors team was really responsive to work with, giving us advice at the specification stage, dropping off samples and providing first class tech support. It’s these things that make a difference.”
James Saunders, Managing Director of Enfield Speciality Doors, comments: “With this programme, we showed we’re in tune with the needs of the contractors and design agencies we work with, helping them deliver the vision for their client – whatever the specification. The result of that collaborative process is a very impressive project.
“Our range of acoustic doors can go as high as 48dB for a single door configuration or 54dB on a back-to-back configuration, which is unique to the market.”
For more information on specialist fire, security and acoustic doors, email sales@enfielddoors.co.uk, call 020 8805 6662, or visit www.enfielddoors.co.uk.
As the UK’s leading provider of specialist services to the construction and FM sectors, PTSG’s engineers enjoy views from some of the nation’s finest buildings as they go about their work in five independent divisions.
This ‘view from the top’ was a project in London’s Square Mile (11 Pilgrim Street) in which our Access & Safety engineers delivered a new system that will enable operatives to safely access the building’s façade in order to carry out essential maintenance work.
Ysgol Tir Morfa Community School in Rhyl, North Wales, is an additional learning needs school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 18. The school is split across three areas, with the newest part now being heated by two Ideal Heating 32kW ECOMOD monobloc air source commercial heat pumps.
In 2019, Denbighshire County Council voted to become a carbon neutral council by 2030. The council identified that in the financial year 2021/22, its own buildings accounted for 62% of direct corporate carbon emissions. As a result, it has been assessing all its properties
for opportunities to decrease carbon emissions, with a move away from fossil fuel based heating being a top priority.
As a relatively new build with underfloor heating already in place, Ysgol Tir Morfa was identified as a property that could easily transition to heat pumps. As installer Gareth O’Loughlin of GGS Heating
comments: “When it comes to putting in the air source heat pumps, it’s just a straight conversion; there’s no heating alterations. It’ll work at the temperatures designed with the system that we’ve got.”
Two Ideal Heating 32kW ECOMOD monobloc air source heat pumps have been installed immediately outside the boiler house running in cascade into a 500 litre buffer.
Heat pumps, which utilise the free energy in the air to heat water, have many benefits including an efficiency of up to 400% which is more than traditional boilers, and zero local carbon emissions.
The ECOMOD air source heat pumps come with a minimum A++ Energy related Products (ErP) efficiency rating and high co-efficient of performance (COP) rating of up to 4.85. R32 refrigerant ensures a low global warming potential (GWP).
Denbighshire County Council’ Property Section Energy Team is responsible for the work to reduce carbon emissions from council buildings, as well as increasing the amount of renewable energy installed in Denbighshire.
When the team looked indepth at heat pumps, they
understood that the unit cost of electricity is more expensive than gas, but knew they could offset this with renewable energy, to make it a lot more economical. As a result, two separate solar photovoltaic arrays (solar PV) have been installed at the school along with a 10.2kW solar PV battery to store any excess generation.
As part of the support offered to Denbighshire County Council for this installation, Ideal Heating is providing local company GGS Heating with training to enable them to successfully install heat pumps, thus upskilling the local supply chain.
Gareth O’Loughlin of GGS Heating has been pleasantly surprised by just how easy it has proven: “Installing the ECOMOD heat pumps has been generally no different to installing the system with gas boilers. They both work in generally the same way. It’s just how the heat is derived that’s the difference from the gas. I’d definitely recommend Ideal products and their commercial side of it especially. We’ve had nothing but help. We’ve always found them easy to work with and the technical teams helpful.”
Reduced carbon emissions and more
Denbighshire County Council is pleased with
the new heating system in operation at Ysgol Tir Morfa, which takes them one step further forward in their journey to become carbon neutral.
Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport at Denbighshire County Council is enthusiastic over the project: “It’s been absolutely brilliant. I hadn’t seen heat pumps before. Seeing them work here, knowing that this is going to give us heating for the school, and being able to store the electricity from the roof so it doesn’t go to the grid, it is ideal.”
www.idealheating.com
GOJO, THE INVENTORS OF PURELL™ strengthens its commitment to sustainability with SMART green goals.
Skin and surface hygiene specialist, GOJO IndustriesEurope is proud to launch ‘Journey to Green’. This manifesto sets out specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives aimed at saving the planet, by creating real sustainable value, underpinned by four core principles and their respective pledges: plastics and circularity, clean chemistry, resilience and climate responsibility, and flourishing team GOJO.
This pillar aims to integrate circularity principles into GOJO’s operations, with a focus on product design to solve the problem of singleuse plastic and achieve zero waste. The first pledge of this pillar has already been realised and is also a first for the hygiene market: from May 2023, all GOJO’s collapsible refill cartridges will be made of 100% recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (R-PET) – enabling the plastic material to be produced without exhausting natural resources and lowering carbon emissions. This principle also includes a gradual replacement of virgin plastic with recycled plastic in the packaging produced, aiming to achieve a 30% reduction in the use of virgin plastic and using 100% recyclable plastic on all GOJO’s cartridges and bottles by 2025.
GOJO will continue developing innovative and safe hygiene solutions to promote greater health and wellbeing. Specific objectives include ensuring that 100% of cosmetic formulas qualify as biodegradable according
to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) principle 301 by 2030. The company also plans to remove any sensitising fragrances and offer alternatives that avoid the use of biocidal and surfactant agents, which could potentially be of concern for the environment and safety, for 100% of its formulas by 2025.
This principle focuses on carbon-reduction with monitoring and reduction of emissions throughout the value chain. Having recently completed a carbon footprint assessment at the company’s French HQ and manufacturing plant, GOJO has set a target to become net zero by 2050 at the latest. It is committed to achieving this neutral balance sheet, through the Sciences Based Target Initiatives system. Its first steps to realise this goal include reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2025, solid waste by 20% by 2025, liquid waste by 20% by 2024, and water consumption for site operations by 20%.
By placing people, the engine of change, at the heart of its organisation and its decisions, GOJO is committed to developing the leadership potential of each individual to ensure enhanced collective performance. As well as supporting its employees in the
development of their careers and skills, it aims to achieve a score of 86/100 on the Gender Equality Index by 2024 and will be regularly monitoring staff satisfaction levels.
Chris Wakefield, V.P. European Marketing and Managing Director UK & Ireland, GOJO Industries-Europe Ltd. comments: ‘Sustainability is part of our legacy, as well as our commitment to the future. Our passion to supply products that are safe, effective, and good for both people and planet forms part of our DNA – and has been recognised by independent third parties, EcoVadis and Cradle to Cradle.
‘Our manifesto strengthens this commitment, by defining clear, achievable goals that will make a real difference. We are proud to be the first company in the hand hygiene sector to use 100% R-PET in our refills and excited that this is just the first step on our journey to green.’
For more information, call +44 (0)1908 588444, email CustomerExperienceUK@ GOJO.com, or visit www.GOJO.com.
Microban® International
Antiviral technologies have become more prevalent and have seen heightened interest and use in manufacturing sectors, particularly in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers in some parts of the world are benefiting from the additional peace of mind afforded by built-in antiviral technologies that can reduce viral loads on the surfaces of treated products. However, compliant antiviral claims vary according to the region where those products are marketed and sold. This can result in widespread misunderstandings, and even inaccurate or noncompliant information, being displayed
on goods. This article describes how antivirals may be used in different territories, and why there are regional differences between the regulations and acceptable claims sets for these products.
The use of biocides is regulated by national and regional legislation, to ensure that biocidal products are assessed to show that they can be used safely and effectively in their intended applications. If safe use cannot be demonstrated, it is likely that restrictions or prohibitions will result, not only for the active substances, but also for any biocidal products or treated articles
containing those actives. This obviously limits the selection of antimicrobial products available, since re-evaluations of existing chemistries can result in restrictions on the substances that can be incorporated into finished goods. The situation becomes even more complex when these regulations need to be applied to built-in antimicrobial additives that possess antiviral functionality. Each region has its own specific regulatory requirements – there is no one-size-fits-all approach for managing these additives internationally – making global product alignment challenging. Manufacturers must be careful to avoid making non-compliant
antiviral product claims, as this can have serious repercussions, including fines and product recalls. It is vital therefore that businesses have a thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape as it relates to their products.
The way in which antimicrobial substances are evaluated varies depending on the specific regulatory jurisdiction involved. The EU favours a hazard-based approach, with restrictions centered around the substances’ hazard potential, whereas the US applies a more risk-based approach, taking into consideration exposure potential as well as the overall ingredient hazard when assessing chemicals and biocides. Whatever the geographical location, manufacturers of products bearing antiviral claims must demonstrate effective control over specific target viruses – such as influenza, norovirus or SARS-CoV-2 –since broad statements of efficacy against viruses in general can be inaccurate and misleading. Some jurisdictions specify that products bearing antiviral claims require product registration in the region of sale, supported by third-party testing by an independent laboratory to validate any such claims. Often, this is accompanied by a parallel requirement to demonstrate efficacy against bacteria and fungi. If these cannot be shown to the satisfaction of the regulatory body, goods may be prohibited from sale, with the associated risk of enforcement action being taken against producers or importers that elect to market
these products without appropriate supporting data.
Antiviral or antimicrobial active substances and products fall under the jurisdiction of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) in Europe, and under the jurisdiction of either the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, depending on the substance and the specific claims being made. To be sold or distributed legally, antiviral substances must be compliant with the regulations in the country of sale. However, the global pandemic has resulted in regulatory enforcement branches reporting numerous labelling and advertising violations relating to the sale of products with unsupported or non-compliant antiviral claims. The consequence of this is likely to be stricter enforcement measures, to reduce the incidence of unproven and inaccurate labelling on products currently available in different territories around the world.
Are
Antimicrobial products typically incorporate both antibacterial and antifungal technologies. These work to inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria, mould and mildew, helping to prevent product degradation, malodours and unsightly staining. Antiviral technologies, on the other hand, work to inactivate virus particles, helping to reduce viral loads on treated surfaces. In the US, manufacturers can discuss the efficacy of antimicrobials in treated articles with respect to mould and bacteria, as well as how antimicrobial
additives help to preserve product life and generally improve aesthetics, but any claims relating to public health require appropriate product registrations. This includes the labelling and promotion of antiviral products and treated articles, since efficacy against viruses is considered a public health claim in the US; any treated product labelled as an antiviral must be registered either as a pesticide, a medical device or a drug. The challenge for manufacturers is that the registration processes required for this are lengthy and resource intensive. As a result, many businesses choose to avoid developing products of this type altogether.
The management of antiviral and antimicrobial technologies, as well as their associated claims, presents a challenge for manufacturers and importers. The approvals processes for new chemistries can involve significant effort from cross-functional groups across a business, and the best approach is to consider each product on a case-by-case basis. This is where companies like Microban International can help, using its in-depth knowledge of antimicrobial and antiviral additives to help manufacturers navigate the global regulatory framework. Looking to the future, the aim should be to support this regulation and registration process with increased consumer and partner education, improving communication while, at the same time, encouraging regulatory reform and standardisation across the industries and territories.
ALERT PRO Connected, the newest model in Alert Technology’s range of realtime airborne asbestos monitors and detectors, scooped this year ’s Safety Product Innovation award at the Safety & Health Excellence Ceremony as hosted by television personality, Tess Daly.
Alert Technology Ltd, asbestos safety innovators and developers of the world’s first and only range of realtime monitors and detectors launched their second-gen model in January 2023. The ALERT PRO Connected is an IoT device with patented technology designed to help prevent prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos, which remains the world’s leading cause of occupational cancer.
The ALERT PRO Connected distinguishes airborne asbestos from non-asbestos fibres with 99% confidence providing the world’s first and only real-time alarm. Equally important is the intelligent information ALERT captures and catalogues. Users have real-time access
to time-stamped particle and fibre counts, asbestos warnings and alarms, GPS tracking, and personalized sampling/project info.
Key safety information and alarms are available directly from the unit with more detail available to view on the online portal ‘ALERT Connect’.
The awards are run by The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) - the UK’s leading trade body within the safety industry - to recognize innovative new products and services that will contribute to improved occupational safety and health, ultimately reducing injury and accidents in the workplace.
Presenting to the BSIF’s independent judging panel on
Alert’s behalf was Global Sales Manager, Daniel Rushton. A former asbestos consultant with over a decade’s experience in the asbestos industry,
Dan successfully demonstrated the uniqueness of the ALERT PRO Connected and its many real-world health and safety benefits based on his in-depth technical product and practical asbestos knowledge.
The judges, all experts in health and safety, came from the British Safety Council, GMB Union, British Standards Institute and Health & Safety Matters. The awards ceremony was held at The Vox, Birmingham on 26th April, where Alert’s award was collected by Managing Director Loretta King on behalf of her father Alan Archer, founder and CEO of Alert, who has recently recovered from an asbestos-related illness himself.
Daniel said of ALERT, “Our technology provides not only real-time alarms it also supplies timestamped data enabling a granular review of asbestos risk not possible until now. Accessible in realtime anywhere in the world via our data platform, ALERT Connect, we clearly illustrate increasing and decreasing fibre and particulate levels as well as asbestos exposure events. This data is then available to review in easy-to-understand graphs and reports.”
Dan is keen to point out that whilst ALERT provides
a valuable NEW data set, it is not intended to replace traditional asbestos testing but that instead, ALERT fills a gap in existing practices. “We see the ALERT PRO range becoming the new best practice by offering an additional layer of safety data to use in conjunction with the legislative methods such as PCM, PLM, SEM & TEM which remain the evidentiary requirement.
The concentration of airborne fibres as captured by traditional air sampling remains necessary to comply with existing regulations. ALERT steps in to bolster this information by highlighting in real-time, shortterm, or sporadic fibre releases, captured every 10 seconds. These types of exposure events would go undetected by traditional methods if they failed to impact the overall concentration from the entire sampling period”, explains Dan.
Despite being a highly regulated substance, asbestos deaths and illnesses are not reducing, they are on the rise, a frightening statistic largely due to the increased risk from
in-situ asbestos deteriorating with age or being disturbed in the drive to retrofit and upgrade aged properties to improve carbon efficiency. The risk from repeated low-level asbestos exposure from old buildings is becoming increasingly apparent in the changing demographic of asbestos disease victims.
No longer just an “old man’s disease”, increasing numbers of less obvious professionals like teachers, doctors, nurses, and recently the ex-Labour MP Alice Mahon, highlight that this is not a problem that will be going away anytime soon and requires action. (Source: Mesothelioma UK ‘Mags Report’ & recent Parliamentary Debate on 19 April.)
Any building constructed prior to 1999 is likely to contain asbestos which includes 90% of UK hospitals and 86% of schools. As a result, the UK is seeing nurses and teachers 3-5 times more likely to develop asbestosrelated diseases than the public (Source: The #ResPublica ‘Airtight on Asbestos’ Report) as highlighted in recent press
coverage in The Times, Sky News and BBC News.
Loretta commented, “Alert Technology truly celebrates winning this award and thanks the BSIF for their recognition. ALERT is hugely personal to us, and we want to continue innovating and improving asbestos safety in the workplace. Environmental monitoring is commonplace for many other occupational hazards, we felt it vital to focus on the world’s biggest occupational carcinogen.
Our family is incredibly lucky that my father, Alan’s, asbestosrelated illnesses were treatable and that he did not develop mesothelioma - 100,000s of others around the world have not been as fortunate.”
For more about Alert Technology Ltd visit: https://www. alerttechnologyltd.com/ or follow the company on LinkedIn
For more on The BSIF’s support and guidance on occupational safety issues, or to become a member please visit: https://www.bsif.co.uk/
Good surface preparation is the key to a lasting floor.
Did you ever watch the Earl Scheib ads on television? “I’m Earl Scheib, I’ll paint any car for just $99.95!” There was a rumour that if you did some work yourself, like clean the car, remove the trim, hubcaps, and car logo letters, you got a better paint job. Flooring is the same, says Dave Bigham, global director of training at surface preparation expert National Flooring Equipment, if you want a finish that lasts, invest time in properly preparing your surface.
Whether your coating is a $50 gallon of household paint or a $200 can of industrial grade epoxy, good surface preparation is what makes a durable floor. Even tough floor coverings, like engineered hardwood, cove
base vinyl, and terrazzo, need a solid foundation to maximise their lifespan.
Before starting any work, get to know as much as possible about the site and the condition of the concrete. There are many things out of a contractor’s control but discovering them early on helps the entire project go more smoothly.
Though sometimes overlooked, what lies beneath the concrete influences the floor’s final success. Establishing this involves knowledge of the site’s history, which can be complemented by running industry standard tests that assess its condition. Developments on former
landfill sites, for instance, must test for methane emitted by decomposing waste. Methane can seep through the concrete and cause flooring to fail, so remediation such as a gas-resistant membrane might be necessary.
Contractors should also test the concrete for moisture using a calcium chloride or ASTM F1869-22 test, which many manufacturers of epoxy and urethane floor coatings consider the standard measure of concrete dryness. Moisture in the concrete causes many floor coverings to bubble, get damp, or fail, including laminate, carpet, and wood. Where necessary, contractors can install moisture barriers to protect flooring from future issues.
Where possible, it’s helpful to establish what’s been on the concrete’s surface in the past. For example, previous oil, chemical or organic material spills could have soaked deep into the pores and may be impossible to remove. Contractors who discover stains should immediately discuss them with the customer to manage their expectations, and ensure the customer opts for a coating able to tolerate the site’s level of contamination. If a polished concrete floor is planned, the stain will be visible, so the client should be made aware. Depending on the customer’s requirements, they may still be happy to proceed — after all, polishing concrete is a celebration of its inconsistencies.
Good housekeeping
After fully investigating the site, contractors can gather the required machinery and tooling. The desired finish dictates which equipment is appropriate, and a combination may be best — if necessary, contractors can augment their arsenals with rental equipment.
Polished concrete, for example, might require a walk-behind scraper to remove the old covering, a scarifier to profile the concrete and a grinder to polish it to a shine. Shot blasters, on the other hand, are ideal for quickly preparing a surface for a new covering in one step because they simultaneously clean and profile the concrete.
A clean surface is critical to the adhesion of the new covering, there should be no white dust on a hand run over the prepared surface. A scrubber machine can remove dust left after grinding
or scarifying, but the surface must be allowed to dry properly afterwards, rushing could cause a new floor to fail.
Finally, once work is complete, the contractor can help the customer understand how best to care for and clean the finished floor. Typically, this involves sharing the manufacturer’s guidelines and suggesting chemicals
and cleaning practices to avoid, helping prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
So, whether you’re revitalising a car or transforming a floor, the effort put into preparation paves the way for results that stand the test of time. A reputation for installing durable flooring will have you just as busy as Scheib was, without the TV ads.
A state-of-the-art cancer care facility being constructed in Guildford has reached a significant milestone last Thursday, 15th June 2023. Representatives from Developer Prime plc, VINCI Building, operator GenesisCare, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Assura plc gathered to mark the topping out of the centre, celebrating a major step forward in advancing healthcare in the region.
The centre will offer highly advanced oncology treatments and patients with cancer will have access to the latest treatment options, including highly targeted radiotherapy using a Magnetic Resonance Image Linear Accelerator (MR Linac), and Theranostics, an innovative and personalised treatment that combines diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy to seek and destroy advanced cancers without damaging healthy tissue.
In addition to offering advanced cancer treatments to private patients, GenesisCare and the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust will partner to offer some NHS patients access to technology not currently available on the NHS.
Richard Powell, Director of Construction Strategy at Prime, said: “We are thrilled to reach the topping out phase of the new GenesisCare cancer centre. Not only does the build signify a beacon of hope and progress in our ongoing battle against cancer, but this project has also been a testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team, committed to constructing a world-class facility that will make a meaningful
difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.
“The collaborative approach with our construction delivery partner has ensured that the volatility we have recently seen in the construction market has been managed effectively to avoid disrupting the delivery of this much needed facility.”
Justin Hely, UK General Manager at GenesisCare, said: “We are extremely proud to be extending our partnership with Royal Surrey County Hospital, a recognised centre of excellence for cancer. This collaboration brings added benefits to both organisations and the patients we treat in what will be an outstanding facility.”
Jason Griffiths, VINCI Building’s Regional Director, said: “VINCI Building are proud to be delivering and associated with this flagship cancer care centre at Royal Surrey County Hospital. The partnership between Prime, GenesisCare and VINCI has been instrumental in the project reaching this significant milestone, to plan.
“We look forward to handing over the completed facility later this year when the expected patient outcomes can start to be delivered.”
Alastair Barlow, Senior Development Manager at Assura, said: “This is a landmark development for us to be involved with and we are absolutely delighted to see it reach this vital milestone. The
new building is a prime example of what can be achieved when organisations work together to provide state of the art medical facilities. This project will be a major improvement to cancer care and treatment, both for NHS and private patients within the South East, and we are very excited to see the building continue to take shape.”
Louise Stead, Chief Executive of Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The partnership with GenesisCare via the establishment of the new centre is a further step forward in our ambition to provide patients with the best care possible. Alongside access to worldclass technology, the facility will enable our team to establish new dedicated training programmes that will expand the hospital’s expertise amongst a wider number of clinicians, helping to benefit more patients.”
The cancer centre’s construction remains on schedule, and with the topping out phase completed, the focus now shifts towards the interior construction, installation of advanced medical equipment and final preparations for the grand opening scheduled for early 2024.
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Many businesses are prioritizing office refurbishments over drainage maintenance, putting themselves at risk of operational downtime, which is identified as their top challenge.
A recent survey conducted by Metro Rod, in partnership with FMJ, revealed that operational downtime is a major concern for respondents, ranking closely behind material shortages. Staff skill shortages, energy prices, and rising costs are also pressing issues. Surprisingly, in the past year, a significant number of businesses focused on non-
drainage-related activities such as lighting upgrades, office improvements, and accessibility enhancements, while less than a quarter invested in drainage or asset mapping. Despite this, nearly one-third experienced drain blockages and incurred drain maintenance expenses. The survey also highlighted the benefits of having a drainage plan. Respondents recognised the advantages of planned maintenance, including minimal operational downtime, improved environmental impact, and the absence of foul smells. However, only 38% had a pre-
planned maintenance (PPM) plan, leaving many businesses unaware of the condition of their underground drainage system. Furthermore, a concerning number of businesses only engage with drainage maintenance companies during emergencies or when issues arise, which could lead to forced closures.
To avoid operational downtime and its negative consequences, businesses are encouraged to invest in PPM.
This proactive service plan includes routine drainage and pump maintenance scheduled at regular intervals throughout the year. By addressing problems like scale or grease build-up in pipework, PPM can help prevent overflows, blockages, emergency closures, and costly engineer call-outs.
PPM typically covers drain and pipework cleaning, high-pressure water jetting, gully and gutter clearance, urinal descaling, grease trap emptying, interceptor maintenance, shower trap and hand basin trap cleaning, sewage and fresh water pump servicing, and CCTV drain surveys for problem identification.
We recommend a visit from a drainage engineer every six to twelve months depending on
the facility usage and site condition.
As Metro Rod operates 24/7, PPM can be scheduled at a convenient time for the customer, reducing disruption to the working day. With engineers available nationwide from over 45 depots within a one-hour drive of 85% of UK commercial properties, Metro Rod’s engineers are never far away.
Businesses face numerous challenges, but operational downtime caused by drainage issues should not be one of them. By proactively investing in an asset map and drain maintenance, businesses can
minimise operational downtime and protect their bottom line.
For more information on Pre-Planned Maintenance or how to reduce the impact of operational downtime through drainage solutions, please visit www.metrorod.co.uk
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. The aim of the association is to bring together a wide group of people working across all areas of the Public Sector – to help educate, train, support and connect as we work towards a more sustainable future.
Becoming a Corporate Member of the Public Sector Sustainability Association highlights your organisations commitment to sustainability and offers a unique platform to reach our membership of committed and influencial sustainability professionals in Government, Local Authorities, NHS, Education and Housing Associations. The PSSA offers two levels of Corporate Membership (Gold and Silver), both providing a fantastic opportunity to gain recogniton and exposure with our Public Sector membership.
• Comprehensive listing in Suppliers Directory
• Unlimited opportunity to supply press releases, articles & news to feature on PSSA website
• One release for inclusion in monthly Newsletter
• Opportunity to promote your own events/webinars/training courses to PSSA members
• Logo on PSSA homepage as ‘Gold/Silver Member’ of the PSSA
• Introductory email sent to our members as the latest Gold/Silver Member of the PSSA
• Logo - ‘Gold/Silver Member of the PSSA’ to use on your own websites/materials
Additional Gold Member benefits -
• Potential to conduct research/surveys through the PSSA (Gold Member ONLY)
• 2 x Advertising Banners to appear on the PSSA Newsletter (Gold Member ONLY)
• 3 x Full Page Advertisements within either Energy Manager magazine or Building & Facilities Management magazine (Gold Member ONLY)
• Opportunity to present at regular PSSA Webinars (Gold Member ONLY)
The rate for Gold Member status is £1,495+VAT per annum. The rate for Silver Member status is £895+VAT per annum.
Interested in becoming a Corporate Member of the PSSA?
Get in touch today - call us on 01933 316931 or email us at corporate@pssa.info
www.pssa.info
Public Sector Sustainability Association