Building & Facilities Management - May 2022 by Abbey Publishing

MAY 2022 www.bfmmagazine.co.uk building & facilities management

CLEANING & HYGIENE | HVAC | SUSTAINABILITY

Changing models: smart buildings and smart finance

see pages 16-17

INSIDE:

CHSA Launches Roadmap to Sustainability

see page 6

Go beyond building automation Delivering on the true meaning of IIoT- from buildings to infrastructure The ILC 2050 BI industrial Niagara controller offers I/O modularity, integrated security and a flexible software-licensing model. This makes the controller ideal for the most demanding applications including buildings, infrastructure and data centres. The integrated Niagara Framework enables IIoT-based automation through standardisation of various data types. This makes it easy to connect with various sensors and actuators regardless of the manufacturer and communication protocol. For additional information call 01952 681700 or visit https://phoe.co/ILC2050-uk

On the cover: Changing models: smart buildings and smart finance

May 2022

BFM Team Business Development Director

James Scrivens

james@abbeypublishing.co.uk Production

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Contents News

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Success tastes sweet as UK sewer cleaning leader Lanes marks 30th anniversary

Sustainability

HVAC

BFM is published digitally 10 times a year b y Abbey Publishing Ltd. To receive a copy free of charge, contact our offices.

see page 16

New NHS premises benefits from high energy-efficient heat recovery from S&P UK

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s partnership with Siemens dramatically reduces carbon and costs

Cleaning & Hygiene

Is data-driven cleaning the future of facilities management?

Special Feature

When specifications don’t solve the problem

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All contents © Abbey Publishing Ltd 2017 ISSN: 1470-5281

Building & Facilities Management

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Success tastes sweet as UK sewer cleaning leader Lanes marks 30th anniversary

Lanes Group plc Chief Executive Wayne Earnshaw has marked the 30th anniversary of the company his father founded by making the first cut in a cake shaped like a jet vac tanker at the company’s Greater Manchester HQ. The UK’s largest independent drainage and wastewater specialist operates hundreds of the specialist vehicles that can clean sewers and suck up waste for safe disposal. So it was perfectly apt that the cake baked to mark the 30th anniversary looked like a mini version of the eye-catching pink and white tanker lorries that have become an increasingly common sight on roads across the UK. Slices of the chocolate cake - made by East Lancashire professional baker Molly Robbins, former star of Channel 4’s Extreme Cake Makers - later

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made tasty treats for colleagues at the Lanes Manchester depot and HQ offices. Wayne Earnshaw said: “We’re proud of what Lanes has achieved over the last three decades, delivering drainage services on behalf of many water companies, tens of thousands of businesses and millions of people. “Over the years, those services have been delivered by many thousands of dedicated and highly professional people, including our current teams. So we will be celebrating their contributions over the rest of 2022.” Wayne Earnshaw’s father, Allan Earnshaw, and Graham Tattershall triggered the company’s rapid development when they bought Lanes for Drains from its founder, John Lane, on 21st April 1992. What began as drainage company with one depot in Leeds, West Yorkshire, has since grown

rapidly to operate more than 35 service depots and utility hubs, and a turnover of over £300million. Lanes is now one of the UK’s largest wastewater maintenance service providers. Clients include Thames Water, Severn Trent, Yorkshire Water, Scottish Water, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, and Northumbrian Water. In 2020, the company launched its latest business venture, setting up Lanes Infrastructure to deliver excavation and ducting installation services for the broadband industry. The Lanes-i launch has been a big success, with the business building a rapidly growing portfolio of contracts, aided by an innovative business model that combines digital operational systems with industry-leading safety and quality standards. Lanes Group: www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Building & Facilities Management

Beaverswood extends the racksack range with new workstation version Improved collection and segregation of workstation and workbench waste materials is provided by the new racksack mini from workplace visual communications and safety products specialist Beaverswood. Known for its space-saving design, by hanging on the end of racking, racksack provides a simple solution for waste segregation in the warehouse and distribution centre. Requiring no specialist expertise or experience to install and operate, racksack mini provides a simple, compact and effective solution for better waste management, allowing people to quickly and safely dispose of cardboard, paper, plastic, clips and other common waste materials found in packing stations, pick benches, manufacturing and assembly plants. The racksack mini also is also suitable for postal rooms, archive and storage rooms and offices, where it will hang neatly from shelving or attached to the wall using different fixing solutions. Once full, the sacks can be emptied into larger onsite balers and skips to be sent away for offsite recycling. The smaller 600mm wide x 880 mm high size has been designed for use in workplaces where a lot of waste is collected, providing an effective waste disposal solution by simply hanging off the end of the work station - or hung on the end of conveyer systems - where waste can be easily collected and then tipped away when full. Incorporating three strong handles woven into the edge of the sack for easier handling and emptying, racksack mini is manufactured from hardwearing polyester to withstand the rigours of the harshest work conditions and provide long-term durability and operational performance. It is supplied as standard www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

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with mini ‘S’ hooks to attach directly to end frames. A bungee fastener is available to provide a solution to fixing, where there is not the option to attach with the hook, while fixing plates can also be used to provide a more permanent attachment to walls and desks. Jim Roberts, product manager at Beaverswood, said: “The addition of racksack mini enhances the range and its flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the busy workplace, particularly the need for efficient ways to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered while saving space. It ticks a box for our customers, who are users of the racksack and have been searching for more space-saving options for different work areas.” More at http://www.beaverswood.co.uk News

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CHSA Launches Roadmap to Sustainability Green & Black’s co-founder is keynote speaker at first Roadmap webinar The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has formally launched its Roadmap to Sustainability, announcing the first webinar – ‘Sustainability and the Cleaning Industry’. Explaining the Roadmap to Sustainability, CHSA Chair, Lorcan Mekitarian said: “Sustainability is one of the biggest issues facing our sector and it is one of the most complex. Identifying the best way forward and making the right environmentally and ethically sustainable choices is challenging. It’s particularly tough when set in the context of day-to-day commercial pressures and the current huge escalation in the cost of energy. Our Roadmap to Sustainability is designed to help members move in the right direction, whatever their starting position.” Jo Fairly, co-founder of luxury, ethical chocolate brand, Green & Black’s will be the keynote speaker at the CHSA’s introductory webinar - ‘Sustainability and the Cleaning Industry’. Jo will share her experience of developing an ethical brand. She will be followed by a panel of experts from within

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the industry, who will answer delegates’ questions. The panel will comprise: Jo Pybus, Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager for the UK & ROI at Essity; Vikki Morris, Environment and Sustainability Manager for Evans Vanodine International PLC; Amy Carter, Sustainability Activation Manager of Kimberly-Clark Professional UK & Ireland; and Tony Nawar, Vice President, Berry BPI, Sustainability, Strategy and Innovation. The webinar is taking place at 10.30am on Wednesday 29 June. To register visit the CHSA’s website. The CHSA’s Roadmap to Sustainability offers value by: • Informing and educating members on the sustainability agenda and associated issues; • Providing members with a strategic way forward for developing their approach to sustainability; and • Helping the membership align on sustainability and so drive the industry forward. It has been built on five key pillars: • Product: as it is received,

used and disposed of by the end user. • Packaging: all the packaging of a product, throughout the supply chain. • Transportation: encompassing the movement of raw materials and delivery to the end user. • Social values: including mental wellbeing, personal development, community involvement and the overall ethical approach of the business, which includes sourcing from ethically and environmental sustainability suppliers. • Corporate environmental impact covering waste, emissions and water. Lorcan concluded: “Sustainability is a big and complex challenge facing our industry. There is no quick and easy solution. Our Roadmap to Sustainability is a practical approach that will give our members and the wider industry the information and insights they need to move towards a sustainable future.” www.chsa.co.uk

Building & Facilities Management

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Baldwin Boxall celebrates 40 years at Firex and Announces Seven Year Warranty Gift! Since its formation in 1982, the Baldwin Boxall brand has become a steadfast symbol of reliability and quality. Celebrating 40 years the company has announced the introduction of a sevenyear warranty on all its own manufactured products purchased on or after 17th May 2022. The news was revealed to all at Firex in May this year. The announcement is seen as proof of Baldwin Boxall’s confidence in their products and sends a strong message to anyone considering their options when choosing life safety communication systems. Commenting on the introduction, Nick Baldwin,

Sales & Marketing Director at Baldwin Boxall, stated “We are delighted to be making this announcement which, I feel sure, will provide further reassurance to customers and users of our systems. We are often made aware of systems installed 15 years or more ago, which are still fully functioning and in daily use. We really value the strong relationships we have with our customer base and the extension on our warranty is likely to reinforce this further.”

Further information, including customer testimonial and product videos, can be found on Baldwin Boxall’s comprehensive website (baldwinboxall.co.uk). Enquiries can be sent to hello@ baldwinboxall.co.uk or by telephone 01892 664422.

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 goal of the PSSA is to assist in improving the sustainability of the built environment - by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed and maintained. With over 450 members, feel free to visit our website and join us today to assist you in reaching your sustainability goals. For more information on joining, please visit www.pssa.info 8

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Building & Facilities Management

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Building a greener fleet: OUTCO signs deal with Volkswagen Financial Services for new surfacing, infrastructure & grounds maintenance vehicles Outdoor compliance expert OUTCO has signed a two-year deal with Volkswagen Financial Services Rent-A-Car, helping the company modernise its fleet and reduce emissions with new vehicles that feature efficient and Euro 6 compliant engines. The leasing deal has replaced an older fleet of owned and hired vehicles with 16 vehicles for OUTCO’s Surfacing & Infrastructure division and provides 28 Volkswagen panel vans for its Grounds Maintenance division. A further 30 Volkswagen panel vans are also on order and are waiting to come off the production line. The arrangement also paves the way for the future introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles as and when more suitable models become available given the current challenges of market availability. OUTCO are also working with Volkswagen to supply its staff with the option to personally hire electric and hybrid cars as part of the Volkswagen Infinity Scheme at discounted rates. The scheme is to help employees who do not want to commit to long term leases and have the flexibility to return the vehicle as when required. Operating nationwide, OUTCO’s Surfacing and Infrastructure division provides a complete car park refurbishment, construction and maintenance service, as well as civil engineering, drainage, line marking, specialist coatings and surveying services. Hence, its vehicles need to be robust and reliable but must also support the forward-thinking company’s drive towards greater sustainability. “By replacing an older fleet with all-new models, we are able to reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions in line with our company objectives,” explains Raj Kanda Group Fleet and Asset Manager OUTCO. “We see this as a step in our journey towards zero emission vehicles - and, as a

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company, towards net zero emissions. In this vehicle segment there are currently limited options for electrified vehicles - especially given the impact of the global semiconductor shortage on automotive supply chains. However, working with Volkswagen provides us with a way to immediately take advantage of the newest generation of cleaner, Euro 6 compliant engines, while also having a strong partner on board that is investing heavily in electrification.” For the Surfacing & Infrastructure division, the deal with Volkswagen Financial Services Rent-A-Car includes the supply of 16 vehicles, including twelve Crafter Doublecab Dropsides, one welfare vehicle, two Transporter vans for the drainage business team and a Caddy van to be used as a site manager’s vehicle. The deal is part of OUTCO’s ongoing drive to operate with an efficient and up to date fleet. The recent VW deal follows a renewal of over 100 gritting vehicles for OUTCO’s Winter Services division vehicles over the previous year with other vehicle brands. The major investment to keep the company’s nationwide fleet of around 500 vehicles in optimal condition reflects OUTCO’s commitment to reliable and dependable service - especially when operating in safety and mission-critical contexts. “In VW, we have a partner that matches our commitment to reliability and assured delivery,’ explains Raj Kanda. “While many auto brands are struggling to get vehicles into showrooms, the team at VW hugely impressed us

by supplying the exact vehicles we needed, with the flexibility we demand, and in the timeframes we set. This allows OUTCO to provide its teams with smart, modern vehicles that reflect our professionalism and tech-forward company culture. Moreover, providing our teams with safer and more comfortable vehicles makes a real difference to attracting and retaining highly skilled staff.” “We are excited to complete the first phase of a long-term business partnership with OUTCO to supply both commercial vehicles and cars,” Nikki Ettwell, General Manager, Sales and Rental Location Operations, VWFS- Renta-Car. “This is a significant moment for both OUTCO and VWFS Rent-a-Car. Our shared vision has enabled us to deliver a varied fleet mix that is bespoke to their exact requirement. We are pleased at the speed at which we were able to implement and deliver the vehicles that OUTCO needed to cater for their mobility needs. This partnership to supply vehicles on VWFS Rent-a-Car’s flexible rental platform ensured that OUTCO was able to upscale their fleet with no initial capital required. In addition to the benefits of maintenance, breakdown cover and worn tyre replacements, our partnership ensures that we will minimise downtime for OUTCO’s vehicles.” Building & Facilities Management

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Photographer: Hassocks5489

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Nuaire collaboration with Seismic set to help bring about ‘new era’ for indoor air quality standards · New platform-based approach to construction Seismic demonstrator unveiled with Nuaire ventilation systems for superior indoor air quality · Seismic excels against traditional construction methods: 75% faster, 70% lower in carbon (embodied AND operational) and 47% better value · Delivered by consortium of firms comprising MMC experts, manufacturers and consultants including ventilation innovators Nuaire Global ventilation manufacturer and indoor air quality specialist Nuaire today unveils its collaboration with the team behind Seismic – a four-year project developed by a consortium of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) experts, manufacturers and consultants poised to bring about a new era of standardised, platform-based modern construction and building design. The Seismic demonstrator is based on a standardised steel frame and set of components, to offer a flexible, highly configurable system suitable for a range of building types. It has been created to drive a shift towards MMC - designed in line with the government’s Construction 2025 targets and exceeding them in every way, delivering a building that is 75% faster to complete, 70% lower in carbon impact and 47% better value than traditional construction. With the UK government pushing for platformbased construction solutions, the new demonstrator building offers a glimpse of the future. As part of the build, Nuaire provided products from both its residential and commercial 12

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range of heat recovery systems to efficiently ventilate the different spaces being showcased – providing clean, filtered air to ensure ongoing protection for occupants within the rooms. Stuart Smith, group sales director at Nuaire, said: “Seismic is a dramatic development in the construction industry and one which no doubt will have major impacts on the HVAC industry also. We are really excited to be a part of it. “With this move into MMC, offsite builds would mean quicker and easier installation, timely stock delivery and opportunities for testing. It mitigates risk and allows for increased flexibility. “The shift could also herald a greater focus on indoor air quality – currently a no man’s land within building regulations with complete lack of emphasis on ventilation effectiveness. These important considerations within any new build, be it for schools, offices or at home, will be essential for the ongoing protection of the occupants who will be making use of that space.”

Future-proofing for schools

Seismic offers a flexible system suitable for a range of sectors. This has been reflected in the Nuaire products supplied. The ground floor of the demonstrator building showcases a teaching environment. Nuaire installed its award-winning XBOXER XBC unit, which is well-suited for schools. A higher duty extension of its award-winning range of packaged heat recovery units, the XBC features high performance, low noise, and is the lowest

depth by duty on the market. The XBC series units are designed to ventilate multiple rooms, so ideal for classrooms and feature a plate heat exchanger with efficiencies of up to 95%, fitting perfectly with the Seismic principles.

Promoting wellbeing at home Designed to reflect a more residential style dwelling, the upper floor of the demonstrator has been outfitted with a Nuaire MRXBOXAB-ECO-LP2 - part of the MRXBOX range of heat recovery (MVHR) systems. Offering the lowest specific fan power of any low-profile void-mounted unit, it fits easily into apartments with ceiling void restrictions and where space is at a premium. In line with the ethos of Seismic, the MVHR is a low-profile unit with low-energy features and benefits. It is designed with a summer bypass function that activates automatically to maintain a comfortable temperature, which providing clean, filtered air to each room. Richard Crosby, director at consultancy blacc, that spearheaded the initiative, said: “Seismic was developed to help drive a shift towards MMC in the industry. What the consortium has achieved demonstrates the value of a standardised, platformBuilding & Facilities Management

News based approach to construction. It is faster at every stage, from design through to manufacturing, assembly and fitout, and offers better quality and value, alongside a dramatically lower carbon impact. “Seismic sets the template for a platform-based approach to construction and proves that it can be done now. This offers a huge opportunity for unlocking development, providing a solution for a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, workplace, leisure and residential.” Sam Stacey, challenge director, Transforming Construction, added: “Most modular construction relies on bespoke systems created by individual manufacturers. A lack of standardisation means that different systems are incompatible, which adds risk for clients, especially once they take on responsibility for the building’s operation and maintenance. “What Seismic shows is that if everyone works to

one system it is possible to deliver buildings much more effectively, whether compared with existing modular techniques or traditional construction.” Seismic has been worked on in two stages. Phase one was developed in response to work with the Department for Education (DfE) to improve the delivery of schools. It focused on the design of a standardised, lightweight steel frame and connector and was completed in 2020. Because of its success, a second stage was commissioned. The objective was to design and construct core components that would work with the frame system, including wall, floor, ceiling and roof cassettes, offering an “allin-one” solution for clients. The ambition is that Seismic provides a blueprint for the modular market to grow. Other work packages within the project included the development of a framework to analyse a manufacturer’s ‘MMC readiness’.

Led by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), it also includes a methodology to set up the most effective production processes within factories. Keith Waller, Programme Director, Construction Innovation Hub, added: “A project like Seismic can bring significant learnings to the construction industry, clients and end users, meaning projects can be delivered faster, with lower carbon impact and better value. “Seismic is platform-based, meaning it is future proofed and as manufacturing becomes more efficient and new technology comes to market, better solutions can be switched in as and when appropriate.” People can visit the demonstrator building at BRE Watford until the end of the year. To find out more visit seismicgroup.co or contact Nuaire for more information on product specifications and requirements, nuaire.co.uk.

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New NHS premises benefits from high energy-efficient heat recovery from S&P UK A new NHS 24 call centre which has opened in Scotland to alleviate pressures on the rest of the NHS and social care is now benefitting from improved energy efficiency after ventilation specialists S&P UK flat-packed installed its RHE heat recovery range. Around 140 staff have moved into the new premises including call handlers, nurses, and psychological mental health practitioners to help facilitate higher demand for the NHS 24 service following the redesign of urgent care. Funded by the Scottish Government, NHS 24 has taken more than 10,000 sq ft of space at Caledonian House, Dundee, to occupy the third floor. Up to 300 staff could eventually be based at the four-storey building. S&P UK was appointed to supply two high-efficient heat recovery units – the RHE 3500 and RHE 2500 – which were both flat-packed delivered to help with assembly and installation. The units benefit from energy efficiency of up to 88% using thermal wheel heat recovery technology, helping to reduce carbon footprint and heating bills amid rising energy costs affecting all organisations and building owners. According to the Carbon Trust*, heat recovery systems

which operate at 70% efficiency can reduce the heating bills for a typical commercial office by up to 38%. Lee Page, Sales Director at S&P UK, said: “Everyone including the NHS is feeling the pinch from rising energy bills after wholesale gas and electricity prices doubled over the past year. “We know NHS Trusts already spend tens of millions of pounds each year on energy costs, which is why we were pleased to provide our high energy-efficient RHE heat recovery units to this much-needed new NHS 24 call centre so that it can immediately start to benefit from significant savings on its energy bills while reducing its carbon footprint. “The RHE range delivers up to 88% thermal efficiency, meaning the vast majority of heat leaving the building will be retained and used with the incoming fresh air and supplied to the space.” The RHE units are supplied with a rotary wheel, EC plugfans with backward curved Impellers external-rotor motor.

They have pre-configured control systems for simplified start-ups. In addition, S&P supplied two centrifugal in-line JETLINE 100 ECOWATT fans to provide additional ventilation measures. NHS 24’s Head of Estates and Facilities, Lynne Kane, said: “As a national health board, NHS 24 has expanded its estate in order to help us respond to both the Covid-19 pandemic and the increased demand for our services. We are keen to minimise our carbon footprint so the inclusion of energyefficient heating was a priority for us in our Dundee centre.” Caledonian House was acquired by Shelborn Investments in 2018 and previously fully let to HMRC. It has undergone a significant refurbishment over the last three years. Similar to NHS 111 in England, the Scottish Government is asking people to call NHS 24 helplines for minor injuries before going to hospital. S&P UK Ventilation Systems is the UK subsidiary of leading global manufacturer Soler and Palau, and is the sole UK distributor of commercial, industrial and residential fans and ventilation systems. Operating nationally, S&P UK is a leading fan, air movement and ventilation systems provider offering over 10,000 products along with technical sales support and consultancy. It is a subsidiary of Spanish owned S&P Group, whose global operations span over 90 countries and includes major R&D centres in Europe, Singapore, USA and Brazil. For more information, visit S&P UK’s new website: www.solerpalau.co.uk

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Building & Facilities Management

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Sustainability

Changing models: smart buildings and smart finance Carolyn Newsham, Siemens Financial Services, UK Countries around the world are setting accelerated targets for decarbonization. In the UK, the government’s latest Carbon Budget features plans to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 – compared to 1990 levels – taking the nation more than threequarters of the way to reaching net zero by 2050. Moreover, in its ‘Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’ this administration has highlighted the decarbonization of buildings as a key aspect of its policy towards reaching these targets. Given buildings account for 36% of final energy use, they are a prime target for energy efficiency initiatives and will be a major contributor to climate target attainment. In order to achieve these goals, more attention needs to be paid to the existing commercial and public building stock. In Europe, for instance, roughly 75% of the building stock is energy-inefficient. This means that a large part of the energy consumed is in effect wasted. Renovating existing buildings could reduce the EU’s total energy consumption by 5-6% and lower carbon dioxide emissions by about 5%. Yet, on average, less than 1% of the national building stock is renovated each

Sustainability

year. To meet climate and energy objectives, experts state that the current rates of renovation should at least double. Across the EU territory, the directive amending the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is encouraging accelerated progress towards energy-efficient buildings. Government policy is starting to force the issue with public buildings. For instance, the Energy Efficiency Directive requires an annual renovation rate of 3% for buildings owned and occupied by national central governments. In the UK, heating and powering buildings currently accounts for 40% of the country’s total energy usage. Moreover, a vast quantity of the UK’s building stock is relatively old, 39% of non-residential buildings were built before 1970, predating many thermal regulation laws, while only 30% were constructed in the 21st century. This means significant renovation of the country’s building stock is required in order to meet the goal of net-zero by 2050. To get on track to net-zero carbon building stock by 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that by 2030, direct building CO2 emissions need to fall by 50 percent

and indirect building sector emissions by 60 percent. In particular, an announcement from the Global Alliance for Building and Construction noted “The pace of renovation in all the countries concerned is insufficient, staying well behind potential. Indeed, annual renovation needs to rise in industrialized countries to an average of 2% of existing stock per year by 2025, and to 3% by 2040 .” A previous paper from Siemens Financial Services calculated the financial volumes of this overall investment target to 2040. However, a more recent study estimates the gap between the existing rate of investment in energy-efficient smart buildings and the accelerated rate which experts are saying needs to be reached to achieve sustainability and climate change targets. This gap is where smart finance can step in to enable the investment that should be made but is not yet happening. To bridge the investment gap, building owners and managers are having to look at changing how their buildings operate, their business models and how they are going to finance the required upgrades. Regarding operational technology, commercial and public buildings are going to have to become smarter to cope with these new demands for decarbonization. Smarter buildings allow flexible working – whether from the perspective of hot-desking, agile changes of use, security and safety, greater efficiency and flexibility or adapting to cope with volatile circumstances. While there is wide consensus around the need to make buildings smarter, all countries and sectors need a way of Building & Facilities Management

Sustainability

making that conversion financially sustainable. Yet how can this be done in practice? The starting point is to use smart technology to reduce building energy consumption. This produces hard financial savings that – through smart financing arrangements – can be harnessed to significantly subsidize the energy efficiency renovation of existing buildings. In selected cases, the energy savings might even pay for overall conversion. This can be done at an enterprise level, or in small incremental steps, each of which proves its return on investment. Typical building energy efficiency savings are usually at least 20% (often far higher) representing very substantial operating economies.

New models for smart financing

Smart financing takes a variety of forms, depending on the business processes that need to be enabled. At the technology component level, financing tools are available to help vendors and distributors add value with cash flow capabilities for their buyers. For larger installations or systems, smart financing arrangements can be flexed and tailored to align costs with www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

the rate of benefit gained from the energy-efficient technology. At the most complex level, Smart-Buildings-as-a-Service provides the financing solution, with future expected savings from energy efficiency being harnessed and used to pay for the capital investment and more.

Conclusions

Renovation projects to decarbonize buildings by transforming them into smart, energy-efficient environments are falling behind governments’ declared climate goals around the world. Many experts have declared that the annual investment rate should scale

by three times or more to reach those declared targets. In order to bridge the gap between current investment rates and the required volumes, smart financing methods are being offered by private sector finance. They all seek to make the conversion to decarbonized, energy-efficient, smart buildings affordable for owners. At the least, these financing tools ease cash flow and align costs to the rate of benefits gained. At the best, smart financing makes the transition to decarbonization budget neutral, by harnessing future savings to pay for current investment. Sustainability

Sustainability

Dyson for Business and Welcome Break partner to boost sustainability and hygiene in motorway service washrooms

Dyson’s low energy hand dryers are helping Welcome Break to reduce its carbon footprint, with the hand dryers emitting 85% less CO₂ than single-use paper towels.

24th May, 2022 (London, UK) – Today, global research and technology company Dyson for Business, and the UK’s leading motorway service provider Welcome Break, are announcing details of a recent partnership which is helping Welcome Break to deliver its sustainability goals by using the latest washroom technology. The company has installed over 450 Dyson Airblade 9kJ low energy hand dryers across all of its 44 service areas and 31 hotels in the UK. Each hand dryer uses only a sixth of the energy of conventional dryers, corresponding to 9.1 kilojoules of energy per use, and captures 99.95% of particles through its HEPA filter – helping Welcome Break’s 85 million annual visitors dry their hands hygienically and efficiently. In the wake of COP26 and the implementation of the Government’s Net Zero strategy, businesses are racing to reduce their carbon footprint. One of the main areas where major sustainability gains can be seen is in the washroom. Globally, millions of tonnes of paper towels are used every year, with most going into landfill since they cannot be recycled. But with research showing that damp hands can transfer up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands, customers must be able to dry their hands 18

Sustainability

thoroughly and sustainably. Dyson’s innovative technologies negate these concerns. All Dyson hand dryers include air-cleaning HEPA filters and touchless activation as standard. Dyson hand dryers are just as hygienic as using a paper towel, and the Airblade 9kJ model produces up to 85% less CO₂ than paper towels. Implementing this simple change to its UK washrooms is helping Welcome Break to further its mission of becoming the greenest motorway service, while boosting hygiene levels for customers. Tom Crawford, Global Director of Sustainability at Dyson said: “Dyson was founded on a principle of lean engineering and doing more with less when it comes to our technologies and how we do business. We applied the same philosophy to the development of our hand dryers, making wasteful paper towels redundant with the launch of the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer. Working with Welcome Break to help the company boost sustainability and hygiene in its

washrooms nationwide aligns perfectly with our own goals and we are excited to see how the partnership continues to benefit visitors in the future.” Martyn Brett-Lee, Commercial Director at Welcome Break said: “We are delighted to have installed Dyson Airblade technology across our Welcome Break locations. On our mission to become a more sustainable Motorway Service Area Operator, reducing our CO2 emissions is key and Dyson’s Airblade technology is one of the many ways we’re driving this. Given the last few years we’ve all experienced, we’re pleased to provide our customers assurances that their hand drying is with HEPA-filtered, clean air.” Dyson for Business offers high quality products for professional settings including its awardwinning hand dryers and air purifiers. From motorway services to education establishments, Dyson for Business offers peace of mind through its use of the latest technology and engineering innovation. Building & Facilities Management

4-5 October 2022. Manchester Central.

The No.1 Event in the UK for Health Estates, Engineering and Facilities Professionals Healthcare Estates® is a unique event that consists of the prestigious IHEEM Annual Conference, Awards Dinner and the UK’s largest trade exhibition for the sector. Build innovative and productive partnerships in asset management, integrate efficient patient-centred environments by collaborating with the right people, find inspiration, and foster aspirational attitudes. Visit www.healthcare-estates.com Pete Sellars, IHEEM CEO said “Our aim is to make our flagship event as inclusive as possible both for our members and everyone from the healthcare efm community who has worked tirelessly to meet the challenges of the past two years. This revised pricing structure will undoubtedly encourage increased delegate attendance at our conference and exhibition. I am delighted that we have the opportunity to return to a live event this year and I look forward to meeting many of you in person at Manchester Central.”

HVAC

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s partnership with Siemens dramatically reduces carbon and costs

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has a long-term commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and to improve the sustainability of its services. A total investment of £6.24m since 2019, comprising a £4.34m grant from the national Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as council funding and private sector investment was used to fund the projects. Works included projects across 11 public buildings in the city, which have reduced annual CO2 emissions by 1,415 tonnes, saved £628,258 per year in energy costs, decreased overall power consumption by 4,07,272 kWh, and decreased gas consumption by 2,864,974 kWh. The three-year phasedimprovements programme optimised energy efficiencies, developed onsite generation and added decarbonisation measures to several buildings

HVAC

and sites across the city. In April 2017 Stoke-on-Trent City Council formed a strategic collaboration with Siemens to develop a series of energysaving projects as part of the council’s plans to dramatically decrease carbon emissions, increase the use of renewable energy and reduce costs. As the lead technical partner, boosted by several local partnerships, Siemens entered discussions to investigate ways of improving the energy performance of the local authority’s buildings over a five-year period. As part of its decarbonisation drive, the council secured £4.34 million funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix Finance. The scheme aims to put the public sector at the

forefront of decarbonising buildings in the UK. The first phase of the programme involved a widescale LED lighting upgrade. A total of 5,440 energy-efficient LEDs were installed in many wellknown locations in the city over nine months. These included the Civic Centre and Town Hall, in Stoke; Swann House administrative centre; John Street Multi-Storey Car Park, in Hanley; Gladstone Pottery Museum, in Longton; Hanley Market and in three sports and leisure facilities – Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Dimensions Leisure Centre and New Horizons Sport and Leisure Centre. The system reduced lighting loads by 76 per cent, which saved the council £205,663 annually and lowered carbon emissions by 437 tonnes each year. Three new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) installations

Building & Facilities Management

HVAC have also been installed at the Civic Centre, Dimensions Leisure Centre and at Fenton Manor Sports Complex. All the CHP systems will be operational by 2025 to generate electricity and steam for power and heat on-site, saving the council £250,000 per year. In addition, solar PV installations supply power to Dimensions Leisure Centre and Fenton Manor Sports Complex, adding further to onsite power generation. Air Source Heat Pumps at Fenton Manor Sports Complex and New Horizons Leisure Centre also provide a lowercarbon way of heating the swimming pools and contribute further to decarbonisation. New pool pumps, filtration and control systems were added. Heat pumps and air handling units have also replaced panel heating at Steel House, an operational council-run building. To help manage the new technologies, Siemens Desigo CC was deployed as an upgrade to the existing building management system which has improved the optimisation and efficient use of building services across the sites. The Desigo CC system is used to monitor, control and visualise all the operational and energy assets such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting and security systems inside buildings across numerous sites to optimise the comfort levels, safety and energy efficiency. A dashboard flags the status, health and maintenance requirements of connected devices while trend-monitoring and utility metering are reported by the system. The rich feature set gives support engineers the freedom to monitor and maintain buildings remotely, saving valuable time travelling between sites to attend fault incidents. The installation at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in particular has made the facility one of the best examples of a retrofitted local authority-run leisure centre in the country. The LED lighting across the site, www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

including sensor operated lighting in sports halls which can be dimmed and have reduced glare, mean the facilities are suitable for international sports competitions. Meanwhile the CHP systems have replaced 1970s industrial gas boilers, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Councillor Carl Edwards, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for housing and the environment, said: “We’re serious about reducing our carbon footprint; building the use of sustainable energy into the fabric of our city’s infrastructure; reducing energy costs to help to keep the cost of delivering public services low for residents, visitors and service users; and setting an example of what can be achieved for the rest of the city. “The decarbonisation programme has used the engineering and technological expertise of Siemens and is radically transforming energy uses in our public buildings. Fenton Manor Sports Complex is an exemplar of this work. A wide range of works means the building, which is approaching 50 years old, is not only fit for the future, but has boosted facilities to the extent that sports halls are competition-ready for national and international events. “The decarbonisation works sit alongside innovative programmes such as the District Heat Network, where more than four kilometres of piping is already installed under roads in Stoke town with the aim of connecting properties up to more sustainable energy supplies.” Director of Programmes at Salix Finance Ian Rodger said: “We are delighted to be working with the City of Stoke-on-Trent on this ambitious scheme. “Our team have worked very closely with the council on these projects and we have been very impressed by the commitment to reduce the carbon footprint.” Rob Sinclair, Account Manager at Siemens: “Combining multiple energy assets that are synchronised to work together while significantly reducing carbon emissions across

numerous public buildings requires a high-degree of technical competence. This project has laid the foundations for Stoke-on-Trent City Council to consider where it goes next on its decarbonisation journey and where best to funnel investments that will benefit its stakeholders and the local community to deliver a more sustainable and greener future.” As well as its work with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Siemens has also supported other decarbonisation projects across Staffordshire. Its work with Keele University and its SEND project created Europe’s largest testbed for the research and development of renewable and smart energy technologies. Through SEND, energy generation, distribution, storage, forecasting and energy balancing implementations are being learned in a ‘living laboratory’ to help achieve cost and carbon savings for the university. Rob Sinclair, Account Manager at Siemens concluded: “All this work is only just the beginning and a testament to what close and good collaboration can achieve. Delivering both financial and environmental savings, it is a major step towards creating an exciting carbon-neutral future for Stokeon-Trent, and Staffordshire.” HVAC

HVAC

World-famous art protected by Condair humidifiers

Two Condair RS steam humidifiers have recently been installed, by Ceilite Air Conditioning, at the prestigious Henry Moore Foundation in Hertfordshire. Henry Moore was a renowned artist, best known for his figure sculptures. The Henry Moore Foundation is a charity founded by the artist later in his life, to educate and promote fine art. Its Hertfordshire headquarters houses many works of art that need consistent environmental control for their protection and preservation. Accurate humidity control within the range of 40 to 60% maintains the integrity of the valuable exhibits. Previous experience of the reliability of Condair’s humidifiers at Henry Moore’s studios meant the leading specialist in humidification was again first choice when the time came to enhance its humidity control. Tim Cheshire, Ceilite’s Applications Engineer Technical Manager, said: “We required an efficient and effective method of humidification that could safely raise relative humidity (RH) in a large archive store for priceless artwork – vital requirements that were successfully met by Condair. There were some challenges posed by the space to work in and the infrastructure of the building, but the excellent installation team overcame the issues without any complaint. Would I specify Condair’s humidifiers again? Yes, without hesitation.” The previous humidity control strategy employed evaporative humidifiers at the world-famous site in Perry Green. However, the archive store required a closer level of humidity control than is possible with an evaporative system so the Condair RS was specified in consultation with the M&E consultant, Harley Haddow. The Condair RS is a resistive steam humidifier capable of providing ±5%RH control when operated on regular mains water and ±2% with RO water. The two air-handling units 22

HVAC

serving the archive storage area are located externally to the main building, so Condair supplied its Condair RS OC models that have IP55rated cabinets. Rather than install standard humidifiers in protective housing, the Condair RS OC has a purposebuilt, weatherproof and temperature controlled case. This means it takes up much less room and is easier to install. The outdoor humidifiers are the most compact in the industry with the smallest footprint and incorporate lifting handles to make onsite transportation easier. Henry Moore (1898-1986) was one of the most important British artists of the twentieth century and arguably, the most internationally celebrated sculptor of the period. His

works typically depict reclining figures or a mother and child, and tended to contain pierced or hollow spaces. Alongside sculptures, Moore produced many drawings and other graphic work on paper. Each year the Henry Moore Foundation welcomes thousands of visitors to the studios and gardens in Perry Green to view the famous sculptor’s work. The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidification, dehumidification and evaporative cooling, with technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. The company offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk. Building & Facilities Management

REHAU Improves Performance on PP-R District Heating Pipework Polymer pipework manufacturer REHAU has reduced heat losses on its PP-R district heating pipe. The PP-R pipework’s lambda value has recently been improved to 0.023W/mK – a significant increase over the previous polyurethane foam used. This market-leading new figure puts it at the forefront of large diameter district heating pipe performance for PP-R pipes. Over an example length of 250m, the newly-improved pipework achieves an impressive 24% reduction in heat losses at 70/40°C flow and return temperatures compared to the previous PP-R generation. REHAU believes that this increase in thermal efficiency makes the product ideally suited to low-carbon heat networks, which continue to enjoy growing uptake due to schemes such as the £288 million Green Heat Network Fund. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions,

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said: “Within the market, we have definitely observed a growing trend towards fourth generation district heating schemes using heat pumps and waste heat. This is a welcome development, as transitioning to lower temperature systems will be key to decarbonising the nation’s heating and achieving wider net zero targets. “When installing fourth generation networks, opting for polymer pipework is a sensible option. Solutions with a higher rated thermal efficiency will accumulate far more carbon savings over the network’s lifespan, so it is recommended to specify them where possible.” Combining a large diameter PP-R spine with the highly-flexible 0.0199W/ mK RAUTHERMEX PE-Xa solution will help improve the efficiency of a network versus a fully steel system. Moreover, polymer solutions also hold a number of benefits over steel as the spine of a heat network. Polymer is more

HVAC

resistant to corrosion, and does not need to incorporate expansion loops, making it far easier to design and install. Recent research from REHAU also indicates that due to polymer’s lightweight nature, the impact of transporting PEXa pipework to site is up to 67% lower than steel, leading to lower embodied emissions for each project undertaken. Steve concluded: “District heating networks will no doubt prove a key asset in the nation’s transition to net zero, further demonstrated by recent government funding for the technology. “The efficiency of such systems will determine the scale of the savings here, so installing more fourth generation networks and specifying highly insulated pipework will in turn prove vital to this cause.” For more information on REHAU’s PP-R pipework, click here.

HVAC

Cleaning & Hygiene

Is data-driven cleaning the future of facilities management?

The global cleaning service market is expected to reach $74 billion in revenue by 2022, growing 6.2% on average each year1. Despite this, facility managers and service providers face significant challenges. Pressures to elevate hygiene protocols and provide proof of service value are higher than ever; in a recent global survey, 80% of respondents said they ‘expect public washrooms to provide a safe hygiene environment to a greater extent than before COVID-19’2. Labour costs alone make up an estimated 70-75% of the total cost for the average facility cleaning business3, and ever-increasing demands mean these service providers are expected to perform additional work with the same, if not fewer, resources. So naturally, optimising has never been more critical. Facility cleaning has traditionally been an analogue business. The lack of objective data has made it difficult to make smart changes and

Cleaning & Hygiene

demonstrate achieved value. For example, not knowing the status of washrooms and dispensers often leads to too much or not enough cleaning, which poorly reflects a facility cleaning business’s reputation and bottom line. The Domestic Cleaning Alliance estimates that the average cleaning company loses up to 55% of its total customer base every year, and past ways of working are no longer enough to meet demands. Therefore, the

cleaning industry needs to adopt new strategies that don’t rely on putting greater demands on their workforce. It’s time to work smarter, not harder. The Internet of Things (IoT) is already disrupting the way businesses operate in many industries, and the cleaning and facility services sector is no exception. Data-driven cleaning solutions, like Tork Vision Cleaning by Tork®, enable facility managers and their service providers to apply new technology to overcome

Building & Facilities Management

Cleaning & Hygiene

challenges, stay competitive, and increase performance. With sensors throughout facilities collecting data about visitor numbers, cleaning needs, and refill levels in realtime, service providers are empowered to improve their operations by ensuring a high cleaning quality, delivering on increased hygiene demands, and improving operational efficiency. This proactive approach has achieved up to 30% higher customer satisfaction4 and saved up to 20% on cleaning hours5 – a mutual win for clients and service providers. Building on Tork’s decades of experience in data-driven cleaning, Tork Vision Cleaning uses people counters to monitor traffic flow and connected dispensers to track supply levels. This gives cleaners and managers access to real-time data regarding immediate cleaning needs. The system has been proven to ensure that dispensers are stocked 99% of the time6, reducing dispenser checks by 91% and saving hundreds of staff hours per year7. www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

In a survey of Tork Vision Cleaning customers, 100% said data-driven cleaning helps them improve hygiene on their site, 82% said they improved efficiency, and 76% said they improved proof of service and reporting by using the system8. Depending on the needs and requirements of their plant, customers can choose between three data-driven cleaning offers that best suit their specific cleaning operations (Facility Flow, Refill on Demand, or Customised Cleaning). Find your ideal solution at www. tork.co.uk/vision-cleaning. 1. Allied Market Research (2017), Cleaning Services Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecasts, 2014-2022. 2. Survey conducted by United Minds in cooperation with CINT in March 2021. The survey covered seven markets: UK, USA, China, Germany, France, Spain and Sweden. In total, 7063 answered the survey. 3. Jan Stegmann (2017), Koll pa laget! Ansvar for lokalvard. 4. Measurement of visitor satisfaction in two Tork Vision

Cleaning washrooms and two traditionally maintained and equipped washrooms at ISSA/ InterClean exhibition, May 2016. 5. Based on the documented results achieved by three Tork Vision Cleaning customers, measured before and after the implementation of Tork Vision Cleaning. 6. Measured across nearly 13,000 connected dispensers between June-December 2019, based on time per month that a dispenser is in an empty status against total time per month. 7. Based on customer feedback for dispenser checks over 6 months before vs after installing Tork Vision Cleaning (between JuneDecember 2019). Measured across 16 sites connected to Tork Vision Cleaning, with each dispenser check taking approx. 20 seconds. 8. Based on survey results conducted in March 2021 of 34 current Tork Vision Cleaning customers in Europe and North America. NOTE: Tork Vision Cleaning was formerly known as Tork EasyCube®. Cleaning & Hygiene

Cleaning & Hygiene

Jangro’s ntrl range receives vegan accreditation Jangro’s ntrl range verified by The Vegan Society

Jangro, the largest network of independent janitorial and cleaning distributors in the UK and Ireland, is delighted to announce that ntrl, its innovative range of natural cleaning products, is registered with The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark. An internationally recognised standard, The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark certifies that all products registered are free of all animal use, in ingredients and testing. The ntrl portfolio comprises thirteen products ideal for cleaning surfaces in a variety of environments. All use raw materials that are derived from plant-based extracts. Their natural formulas are 100% biodegradable, contain zero petrochemicals, and can reduce the product’s carbon footprint by up to 85%. Products come superconcentrated too, giving more uses out of a single container. The ntrl Washroom Cleaner and the ntrl MultiSurface Cleaner also harness revolutionary, probiotic cleaning. Rather than killing germs with chemicals, probiotics use beneficial bacteria to colonise surfaces, in effect taking over the area, including deep into hard-toreach cracks and crevices. This means they can help to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria on surfaces 26

Cleaning & Hygiene

and carry on working after they have been cleaned. Joanne Gilliard, CEO at Jangro, comments, ‘The number of vegans in the UK quadrupled in the five years between 2014 and 2019 to make 600,000 vegans, or 1.16% of the Great British population. This trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon – in fact, according to research over half (56%) of Brits adopt vegan buying behaviours such as buying vegan products. We are proud to add a certified vegan cleaning range to our offering. The Vegan Society’s Trademark helps customers identify products that really are free from animal ingredients. We are thrilled that the ntrl range has been verified by The Vegan Society and can offer that added level of confidence.’ The full range includes: Washroom Cleaner; Toilet Cleaner; Foaming Washroom

& Toilet Cleaner; Foam Hand Soap; Alcohol-Free Foam Hand Sanitiser; Multi-Surface Cleaner; Washing Up Liquid; Cleaner & Degreaser; Surface Sanitisers (available with and without fragrance); Organic Descaler; Kitchen Sanitiser; and an All-Surface Cleaner. All packaging is recycled and recyclable. Since products are packaged into PCR (postconsumer recycled bottles), CO2 emissions are reduced and physical plastic pollution removed. Outer boxes are made from 100% recycled and FSC certified cardboard. Produced to ISO 9001 and 14001 QMS standards, 100% of the range is made in the UK. For more information, visit www.jangro.net/ntrl. For more information about The Vegan Society’s Trademark scheme, visit www.vegansociety.com/ the-vegan-trademark. Building & Facilities Management

Cleaning & Hygiene

Even more cleaning power from Makita

Makita has expanded its range of XGT 40VMax vacuum cleaners, giving the cleaning and facilities management industry even more power to tackle cleaning tasks. The VC002GL, VC004GL and VC005GL XGT 40VMax L-Class Vacuum Cleaners have been specifically designed for the building maintenance industry. All three machines deliver a maximum sealed suction of 23kPa and the VC005GL can be used for dry vacuuming tasks - and the VC002GL and VC004GL are both suitable for vacuuming finer, airborne particles. To keep users working disruption free for longer, the VC002GL, VC004GL and VC005GL can hold two

XGT 40VMax batteries, so that when the first battery runs out of charge, the second automatically kicks in extending run times. All models have large tank capacities (VC005GL – 8L, VC002GL – 8L and VC004GL - 15L) to prevent regular work breaks to

empty the tank. The VC002GL and VC004GL also include an automatic self-cleaning filter to prevent blockages and ensure optimum efficiency. For easy transportation around the work area, the VC002GL and VC004GL feature ø50mm rear wheels – and the VC005GL has larger ø120mm rear wheels that enhance stability during use. Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “With the VC002GL, VC004GL and VC005GL in their armoury, cleaning professionals and facilities managers have the tools they need to tackle any task with ease. Thanks to our XGT 40VMax technology, these vacuum cleaners offer the increased power and run time needed to ensure maximum user efficiency and productivity.” To find out more about Makita and its range of XGT tools visit: https://makitauk. com/products/xgt-machines

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Cleaning & Hygiene

High Performance Alternative To Traditional Floorcare Easy-To-Use, All-In-One TASKI Swingo 250µicro

The revolutionary TASKI swingo 250µicro is a lightweight and mobile micro scrubber drier that combines floor scrubbing, mopping, and drying in a single design to offer a highly productive one-pass cleaning alternative to traditional floorcare processes. The battery-powered machine is designed for facilities of any size that need excellent performance and professional results. It helps cleaning teams address the health and safety concerns of unclean floors, enhance facility appearance, and create safe environments for visitors and personnel. TASKI has collaborated with a major partner to devise this innovative machine. The slim and compact design enables the

Cleaning & Hygiene

flexibility and manoeuvrability that allows it to operate in tight and confined spaces. Operators now have the option to replace secondary or manual cleaning processes with the enhanced results and performance that can only be delivered by mechanical cleaning. Using a scrubber drier to scrub, mop, and dry a floor in a single pass takes less time, increases efficiency, and reduces risk for facility users compared to traditional floorcare processes. With labour representing around 80 per cent of cleaning costs the new machine can reduce total cleaning costs by up to 70 per cent. The new machine’s

mechanical action creates up to ten times the pressure on the floor. It removes up to five times more soiling and up to 65 per cent more water from the floor than traditional wet mopping. The result is a floor which is visibly cleaner and drier. Trips, slips, and falls resulting from wet or dirty floors are dramatically reduced. The risk of contamination spread by unclean mops and buckets is eliminated. The machine’s energyefficient digital electric motors provide smooth and controlled cleaning performance. The brushes and pads rotate at 140rpm to clean floors thoroughly, remove soiling, and pick up

Building & Facilities Management

Cleaning & Hygiene water quickly and efficiently in even the smallest spaces. Battery power frees the operator to work anywhere at any time. There is no mains power cable to limit mobility or present a potential trip hazard. This means the machine can be used more easily and safely in public spaces. The powerful lithium-ion battery stores enough energy for up to 80 minutes continuous run time. It can be recharged in around 60 minutes or swapped with a fully charged unit in a few seconds. Swapping batteries avoids any delays to ensure maximum machine productivity, performance, and availability throughout the working day. TASKI has made the new machine easy to use and maintain. The intuitive and ergonomic design of the fully height-adjustable handles makes it comfortable to operate. The user panel incorporates an intuitive two button setup

EST000926_A5_Landscape_OUTLINED_CMYK_100%.indd 1

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that allows operators to get straight on with their cleaning tasks. Foot operated brush and squeegee levers eliminate the need for the operator to bend over or touch these controls with their hands. Waste and fresh water are stored in a tank at the front of the unit. This is easily lifted off for emptying, cleaning, and refilling. Water usage is controlled through a simple control on the tank’s base and can provide outstanding results with very low levels of water usage. Consumption of water and chemical solution is reduced by up to 6500 litres a year for an average application compared to conventional mopping. Sustainability is further enhanced when the machine is used with a pad from Diversey’s Twister range. These innovative pads, which are impregnated with billions of microscopic diamonds, are available for all types of hard floor and can

be used with water alone. They last three times longer than traditional products and significantly reduce the need for periodic maintenance which also reduces costs. When the machine is not being used it is placed in a compact and upright safe parking mode. This takes up the minimum amount of space to prevent it causing a blockage, becoming a potential hazard, or getting in the way of other activities. Its light weight also means it can be moved easily from one working area to the next. Service points are the same yellow colour that is standard on all TASKI machines, making it easier to identify and carry out routine daily checks. Further information in the UK on 0800 525525 or http://www.diversey.com Further information in Ireland on 01 808 1808 or http://www.diversey.com

16/03/2021 09:04

Cleaning & Hygiene

Special Feature

When specifications don’t solve the problem

How writing a specification correctly can reduce the risk to your project Specifications are passed down a lengthy chain. In the process of this journey, the intent behind the original specification can be lost, resulting in suboptimal solutions that entail a risk to your project. This risk can be avoided simply by getting the specification right. Here, Adam Fox, director at vibration isolation specialist Mason UK, offers three key principles for writing a good specification. At its heart, a specification is a document that both defines a problem, offers a solution, and establishes a set of criteria

Special Feature

whose satisfaction entails the successful implementation of that solution. This definition is a useful way of thinking about some common pitfalls that can emerge when writing a specification, so I’ll return to it shortly. For now, let’s begin with why this matters so much. Part of the reason a specification is such a crucial document is because of its finality. As an acoustic consultant, once you produce this document and hand it over to the contractor then that may well be the last you see of it. If a subcontractor further

along the chain picks a suboptimal solution to save on cost or time to install correctly, or if an irresponsible supplier recommends a product that will not deliver the outcome, the acoustic consultant who wrote the specification may not know. There is a risk to the project and the end customer who will incur cost to resolve in the future. The consultant might have written the document setting out the correct solution, but their intention has been lost in the chain. How does this happen or, more importantly, how can you prevent this

Building & Facilities Management

from happening when you write your specification? Having been called upon to provide retrofits where things have sometimes gone wrong, I’ve often pondered whether a more tightly written specification would have reduced the risks and if so, what general principles might govern the writing of a document like that? It is a tricky one to pin down, but here are three key things I think might help lower the risk to your project:

Make sure you answer the how question

Let’s return to the definition offered at the outset. The specification should define a problem and a solution, but here’s the important part: it needs to outline the criteria that determine whether that solution has been implemented correctly and in full. Take, for example, the following scenario. An acoustic consultant is called in to identify a source of noise and vibration in an office building. They identify the culprit is a pump on the roof of the structure. The problem, therefore, is the pump and the solution is straightforward: you need to isolate it. However, in this example you are missing the third component in our definition. Specifically, how do you isolate it? You need to identify the right engineering principles and incorporate these into the criteria. For example, you might specify the frequency and what other properties the isolator should have as a starting point. Now, you are not only offering a solution, but providing clear instructions as to how that solution is implemented.

The beauty is in the detail This leads to the next important point. If you’ve read this far, it will come as no surprise that the next key ingredient in a good specification is the level of

detail. It sounds so simple, but it’s worth dwelling on why this is so important. Remember that the purpose of all this is to limit the risk to your project and that the specification document needs to have a degree of finality about it. It cannot leave any questions unanswered, so you need sufficient detail. Of course, you don’t want detail for its own sake. There is no point, for example, in specifying what colour paint should be used on an isolator, when the goal is to set out the correct engineering principles. However, that caveat aside, more detail is generally going to strengthen or tighten your specification. Let’s take an example to further illustrate why this is so important. Let’s say acoustic hangers are specified for a project. The specification might require spring hangers which offer a natural frequency below 8Hz. There are many products on the market that could tick this box, but not all of them are designed correctly. In this instance, additional detail might include the misalignment capability of the hanger. For example, with minimal misalignment capability, the rod will make contact with the bracket, creating a transmission path and an acoustic breach. If the specification did not include details about the necessary misalignment capability, the contractor might simply pick the cheapest hanger that can meet the natural frequency requirement, without realising that this product will inevitably fail to isolate sources of vibration.

Place the onus on the supplier

The specification should include enough design features that the consultant can walk away and forget about it, knowing there is little risk to the project. However, there

may be situations where if the supplier doesn’t request the right information, then there is the risk of the wrong type of product being specified. Ideally, the specification should be written so that the acoustic products will be fit for purpose and not all products are designed the same. For example, you would not specify the same size acoustic hanger for a small pipe versus a much larger pipe. The supplier should be proactive and ask questions about load requirements so that the specification can be met. Yet if a supplier were to simply pick larger hangers without caring about the outcome, the contractor is unlikely to know or understand the risks this might introduce. At this stage in the project, the consultant who originally wrote the specification may no longer be involved. So how do you prevent scenarios like the one described above? A good supplier should be able to willingly supply documentation that shows evidence that the specification has been complied with. If you make sure you are addressing the how question and doing so with the appropriate level of detail in your criteria, you will have a tight specification. If you go to the additional length of requiring the contractor or supplier to provide evidence that the specification has been met, you ensure that your original intention is not lost along the way. Although it might entail slightly higher up-front costs, the risk to your project will be reduced and the whole life costs to the end user will likely be lower too. Mason UK provides products, solutions and expertise for vibration isolation problems. For more guidance on how to write a specification, visit mason-uk.co.uk.

PSSA

Public Sector Sustainability Association

BECOME A CORPORATE MEMBER OF THE PSSA 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. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS • 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)

WHAT DOES IT COST 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

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