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
Since heat is transferred rather than generated, heat pumps can operate up to four times more efficiently than traditional methods, and have the potential to produce four units of heat for every one unit of electricity that they use.
how we are playing our part in upskilling the industry.
With the UK’s net zero target edging closer, organisations are looking to build momentum on their plans to decarbonise their energy use.
Heating and hot water in buildings are responsible for a fifth (21%) of total carbon emissions in the UK. It’s clear then that an increased adoption of low carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps, in non-domestic properties will be significant step towards decarbonisation and improved energy efficiency – as well as helping organisations future-proof and hedge against volatile energy prices.
However, the successful uptake of heat pump technology depends on a number of factors, including the availability of funding and incentives, government policy, and the right education for heating engineers and installers.
Heat pumps work by using a refrigeration cycle to transfer heat from the air or ground outside a building to the inside, where it is used for heating and hot water. They use a small amount of electricity to power the transfer of heat from the environment to the building, and as a result emit significantly less CO2 compared to traditional systems.
When fitted in non-domestic buildings, this can lead to a 6570% reduction in carbon emissions, compared to traditional gas boilers or direct electric appliances, although the exact reduction depends on factors including the efficiency of the heat pump, size and fabric of the building and system design.
Regulation changes are pushing the UK towards more energy efficient technology like heat pumps, helping to drive decarbonisation.
For example, changes to Part L Building Regulations require new buildings and renovations to meet higher building fabric standards, with the ambition to achieve a decrease of 27% CO2 on average and where possible also set minimum energy efficiency standards. It also paves the way for the Future Buildings Standard that is set to come into effect in 2025 and will require all new buildings to have low carbon heating technology installed.
The introduction of new regulations also means that up-todate training for heating engineers is vital, so they are aware of the latest regulations and able to install, maintain and repair lowcarbon heating technologies to ensure businesses are compliant.
At Ideal Heating, we have opened a £2 million facility near Hull, located at the head of the historic Humber bridge dedicated to training engineers on heat pumps. This further demonstrates
Regulation can be a lever to drive change, while training can facilitate it. But some organisations’ appetite or ability to invest in low carbon heating can represent a barrier.
Fortunately, there are some Government funding schemes to help offset these costs and make heat pumps more affordable; for example, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which provides government grants to public sector bodies to help fund heat decarbonisation and increase uptake of low-carbon technologies including heat pumps.
Many organisations are also seeing the cost-benefit of investing in low carbon heating in the long term. Energy prices have been volatile over the last year, and heat pumps can partly help in shielding them against these costs. Heat pumps can also help keep costs down thanks to their long lifespans. They also have fewer moving parts than traditional heating systems, further reducing replacement and maintenance costs for businesses.
At Ideal Heating, our ECOMOD range of commercial heat pumps have been developed to help businesses with buildings of various sizes decarbonise their heating systems and improve their energy efficiency.
However, we know that to achieve net zero, a combination of low carbon heating technologies will be needed, as well as keeping legislation, government funding, and training at the centre of change.
idealcommercialboilers.com
As organisations set out to make early gains towards net zero, Chris Caton, Product Director – Commercial, at Ideal Heating, explores how the deployment of heat pump technology can help drive low carbon transition in the UK.
There are various laws and regulations that as a Facilities Management (FM) company, you must ensure the properties you manage comply with. One such regulation is Section 111 of the Water Industry Act, which outlines that FM companies should prevent anything from entering the public sewer which could cause pollution or interfere with the free flow of water. This details that any water discharged from sites, such as car parks, industrial units, and commercial properties do not cause harm or pollution to the public sewer. If you fail to comply with this regulation, this could result in fines of unlimited value, legal action, and reputable damage.
But don’t worry, there are steps you can, and should, take to comply with Section 111:
• Asset Mapping: An asset map, also known as a drain map, is crucial to identify the location, size, directional flow and type of liquid carried in your drains beneath your site. By knowing the exact location of your drains, you can also see where they discharge, which is an essential insight to prevent water pollution and flooding.
• Car Park Maintenance: Keeping up with car park maintenance of various equipment such as interceptors, gullies and ACO drain channels is something FM companies should focus on. Keeping
your car park clear, will help to catch oil and sediment before it enters the drain, preventing pollution. It is essential to keep up with regular maintenance to ensure equipment works correctly to reduce the risk of flooding and pollution, in particular, interceptors and car park gullies should be emptied and maintained at least twice a year.
• Grease Management: Any commercial hot food kitchen or property that manufactures or produces food should have a grease trap, as well as a maintenance plan for the equipment. On average, a grease trap should be emptied every 1 to 3 months, but this depends on the amount of grease being produced. Failure to empty and maintain grease traps can lead to a number of problems, such as blocked sinks, grease discharged into the water course and disruption to the business.
• Sewage Pump Station Maintenance: Sewage Pumps are essential for collecting and pumping sewage and other wastewater to mainline sewers and treatment facilities; preventing it from entering rivers, streams and other watercourses. They play an important role in complying with section 111 of the Water
Authority Act; failure to maintain them can lead to a breach of the regulation with waste overflowing causing expensive repairs. It is recommended to service your pump station at least twice a year to diagnose and repair any issues before they become a problem, saving you time and money in the long run.
Taking the above steps will help you to comply with regulations such as Section 111 of the Water Authority Act. Failure to do so can result in environmental damage as well as putting the company at risk of unlimited fines, legal action and reputation damage. To help FM companies to understand their responsibilities, Metro Rod has developed a Pollution Prevention Plan, download the free whitepaper to find out more.
As well as the whitepaper, Metro Rod can support FM companies in implementing the above measures as well as many other drain, pump, plumbing or tanker services you may need. Their one-stopshop of services is available nationally and their network of over 500 engineers are available within an hour’s drive of 85% of commercial properties in the UK, making them one of the fastest to reach you.
For more information about improving and maintaining your drainage system, visit www.metrorod.co.uk
Paul.
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.
Drainage, pumps, tankers and plumbing. Find out more: www.metrorod.co.uk
Most people would run away, we’re not most people. Meet
The air-conditioning company Clivet has established its European Hub in the spaces of the innovative SuperLab Bicocca in Milan, the eco-sustainable building born from a major recovery project of the former Breda offices, opened last autumn to host companies and start-ups. A space that also opens up to citizens, thanks to a hall open to all.
On the first floor of the ‘horizontal skyscraper’, the new Clivet headquarters will be dedicated to exporting the Italian brand and heat pump technology throughout Europe. The company plans to expand the number of employees at the new Milan offices to around 70 by 2024. Present at the inauguration were Clivet’s top management, representatives of trade associations and Euro MP Oscar Lancini.
On 4 May, the new offices of Clivet’s European Hub were inaugurated, on the first floor of the 100-metre-long horizontal sustainable skyscraper, made of iron, glass and with transparent rubber external finishes, created through a redevelopment of the industrial building that used to house Breda Siderurgia. The building, with a public hall open to all citizens, is powered only by renewable sources, without gas power stations, and boasts Leed Gold certification.
The inauguration was attended by the Honourable Danilo Oscar Lancini, a member of the European Parliament’s International Trade (INTA) and Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committees; representatives of various associations: Aicarr, Anima, Assoclima, Assolombarda, Eurovent, GBC Italia. There were also football legends Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro with some
managers of AC Milan, of which Clivet is a partner.
With this step, Clivet continues its constant growth, highlighted by the positive results achieved in the last year: turnover has risen from 149 million euros in 2020 to 262 million euros in 2022.
The CEO of Clivet SpA, Stefano Bellò, comments: “For the offices of our European Hub, we chose SuperLab considering the ability of this structure to best meet our needs. The building has features that reflect Clivet’s DNA and our principles of sustainability and total well-being. First and foremost, I refer to the Leed Gold certification for energy performance and the ecological quality of the interiors, the resources and materials used, such as the recycled elements from the silicone rubber of the façade. The structure is also completely carbon free. We believe it is the space with the right characteristics to represent the international expansion that is among our main goals’.
The European Hub in Milan now houses 16 people, which, according to the company’s plans, will grow to around 70 by 2024. Great impetus will be given to research and development activities: in October 2021 the Clivet and Midea Innovation Centre was inaugurated in Feltre, now the Milan offices at Superlab will host a new Clivet-Midea R&D HUB, and another R&D hub will be opened in Padua during 2023.
Some spaces on the ground floor of the horizontal skyscraper will also be used as a training
centre for professionals working with Clivet at an international level, with a special area equipped for tests and simulations. The aim is to guarantee customers a complete service of the highest quality, not only on products but also on advanced systems such as smart living solutions for integrated comfort and energy management.
The Balance studio, designer of the entire SuperLab, has been able to interpret the idea of making this location a division of Clivet projected towards Europe and the world. Architect Jacopo Bracco says: “The walls, the furniture, the brightness, the soundproofing elements are continuous references both in colours and geometric shapes to the Feltre headquarters and to the mountains where Clivet is located. The use of wood, transparencies, blue in its various declinations, and the inclusion of living elements such as trees and lichen make this headquarters a new cell of Clivet, a junction towards the world, a welcoming environment designed to facilitate teamwork and openness towards the outside world.”
Clivet’s expansion towards Europe will also be supported by the construction in Feltre of a new 30,000 square metre factory dedicated to the production of heat pumps, with 300 new employees to be hired during 2024.
Contact: enquiries@clivetgroup.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 which our engineers from PTSG Water Treatment Ltd provided a variety of services to ensure the water systems at Motel One Edinburgh remain safe and clean.
One of the UK’s best-known department store chains, Harvey Nichols, has appointed Spectrum Service Solutions to work with them at the Edinburgh store in St Andrew Square.
Spectrum will provide cleaning, hygiene and sanitary, consumables and window cleaning services at their store and in the Call Centre facility at St Andrew Square.
The contract win adds another global brand to our client portfolio. Spectrum is delighted to work with its team to ensure its customers and staff enjoy the high levels of cleanliness and comfort they expect.
Founded in 1831, the long-established business is renowned for offering some of the best fashion brands and an exquisite range of food and wines. Because of its enviable reputation, it is undoubtedly one of the busiest stores in the capital, popular with locals and many tourists from around the globe.
The Edinburgh store was purpose-built and opened in August 2002, and it is widely accepted that its arrival kick-started the biggest retail revolution the capital has ever witnessed.
Regarding the latest contract win, Spectrum’s Operations Director, Rebecca Bell, said: “This is an important win for Spectrum, it reinforces our desire to work with leading brands, and Harvey Nichols is up there with the best retailers in the world and their Edinburgh
store is undoubtedly one of the busiest shops in the city.
“We relish the task ahead; as a retail operation, the building is in use for many hours each day, but our team are ready to meet the challenge and looking forward to working with the team at Harvey Nichols.”
Spectrum’s Managing Director, Sara Speirs, was equally excited and added: “Harvey Nichols is an iconic brand with a well-deserved reputation for exceptional quality and service. Customers expect and value the first-class shopping experience they get when visiting the store; it’s a privilege for Spectrum to be part of delivering that expectation daily.”
Spectrum Service Solutions is a well-established company specialising in contract cleaning, facilities management, specialist and event cleaning
contracts. It is proud to be a family-owned business with an all-female board with an annual turnover of £10m.
Spectrum operates throughout the UK and, over recent years, has become well known for its expertise in event cleaning, particularly at sizeable massaudience sporting events and concerts. This year they will provide services at some of the most significant events in the UK, including the recent British Masters at The Belfry and the forthcoming World Cup Qualifier Match at Hampden Park Stadium. This summer will also take them to St Andrews for the 150th Open Championship, an event they have worked with for the past three years.
spectrumservicesolutions.com
Star Power has joined forces with sister company Star Platforms to open a new head office that allows them to collaborate on delivering the best possible services to customers.
The new head office, in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, is strategically located to benefit both businesses and to support their continued rapid growth.
Star Power provides temporary power solutions across all industrial and commercial sectors, including events, TV and film production, data management, construction and maintenance, and manufacturing, on a planned and emergency basis.
Teams from critical power specialist Star Power and powered access hire specialist Star Platforms will benefit from working together at the site, with a total workforce of more than 50 people.
Key functions being shared include financial control, IT, marketing, human resources and procurement, allowing faster and more effective decision-making.
Ultra-modern facilities, including fast-charging for electric vehicles and the latest digital information sharing systems, will benefit both work teams and customers.
Star Power’s Head of Power, Paul Ridley, said: “By
bringing the two businesses together, we will be perfectly placed to drive growth, to deliver our exceptional service and value to more customers.
“Seamless and costefficient back-office support will underpin sales and service teams who will be better able to work together to ensure customers have full and transparent access to our range of products and services.”
Star Platforms Managing Director Richard Miller said the new head office makes both businesses “fit for the future”, adding: “This represents an exciting time for both businesses as we continue to grow and expand our reach across the UK.
“We believe in the importance of social interaction and collaboration in the workplace, which have become even more critical in recent years.
“The new office has been designed to bring teams together, and make it easier for colleagues to connect and communicate with each other, and with our customers.”
Located next to the M1, the new head office has excellent transport links to help key personnel visit clients and worksites, and customers and suppliers to visit the two businesses.
An official opening, with invited guests, will take place in the summer.
www.star-power.co.uk
Leading UK ceilings manufacturer Zentia launches a three-step online acoustic calculator.
An online acoustic calculator that helps architects and other specifiers check ceiling product performance against acoustic standards in just three simple steps has been launched by the UK’s leading ceilings manufacturer Zentia. While the focus of the new acoustic calculator is education, due to its particularly stringent acoustic requirements, future developments of the calculator will expand on this strong baseline.
In the first of the three steps, the new acoustic calculator automatically finds the target reverberation time of the chosen room type, so users do not even need prior knowledge of the building standard.
Step Two adds the room dimensions and apertures,
and the wall, floor and ceiling construction materials, before the user selects a ceiling tile, canopy or baffle to benchmark against their chosen building standard.
The third and final step allows the users to review the information they have submitted before the result report shows if their chosen ceiling product meets their target reverberation time. The report can be downloaded or emailed directly to a colleague.
Zentia’s new acoustic calculator also allows the user to view technical details and sustainability information, order a sample, contact Zentia’s specification team for a consultation, and to add their chosen product to an NBS specification.
Carl Davison, Zentia’s commercial technical manager, said: “Our new acoustic calculator has been designed to be more inclusive and user friendly, as anyone can use it with minimal prior knowledge.”
Zentia specification manager Michael Anderson added: “An acoustic calculator of this capability has long been on the wish list of our specifier customers and we are delighted to have gone above and beyond to deliver for them.”
The launch of the acoustic calculator comes hard on the heels of another innovative Zentia design tool – Sonify 3D Studio, an online parametric configurator that allows each design of discontinuous ceiling to be visualised and exported as a Revit file to support digital workflows. www.zentia.com/en-gb/ zentia-acoustic-calculator/
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.
Benefits of membership
• Access to up to date info on all issues of sustainability affecting the public sector including the latest news, case studies, legislation, policy and reports
• Reminders and invitation to trade events, exhibitions, conferences and seminars involving sustainability
• Networking opportunities
• Discounted training and education courses
• Access to a PSSA Members-Only online forum to discuss issues, problem solve and connect (Launch date TBC)
For more information on becoming a member of the PSSA, please visit www.pssa.info.
While 73% of businesses believe that staff wellbeing is important, only 45% of UK workers have seen that belief actioned by their employers. It makes redesigning the UK’s workplaces to support and amplify staff wellbeing more important than ever.
In 2022, work-related stress and anxiety resulted in the loss of an estimated 17 million working days. As workers embed into a new year – a typically stressful time as teams adapt to new targets, clients, and working approaches – implementing changes to workspaces that support staff wellbeing can yield tangible rewards. Spaces that are crafted to help reduce stress levels can, in turn, make staff feel more connected to their office and employer. Our behaviours have changed, so spaces must too
Events of recent years have vastly redefined how workers perceive work. There is a fresh emphasis on flexible working and the power for employees to demand more
accommodating approaches to working from their employers. This is particularly important for working around family commitments. As behaviours and outlooks change, so must the spaces that staff operate in.
It’s important to understand and cater for what the modern worker needs to perform at their best and how their workspace accommodates those needs. The modern office should have a variety of spaces available for staff to work from depending on the tasks they are undertaking, not just a single, one-size-fits-all desk space. Offering a variety of spaces helps workers get into the right headspace for the task at hand. It can help workers feel supported, rather than stifled, by their environment.
Amongst the amenities desired by UK office workers are openplan spaces for collaborative working and soundproofed booths for private, distractionfree working. Fitting these with integrated video call technology will also help eliminate techinduced stress and presents the ideal place for calls with clients and customers.
A well-designed scheme will make the most out of the space you have. When we work with clients on refurbishment projects, they are always
surprised by the scope of impactful changes that can be made to make an existing space feel like new. There is untapped potential in office retrofits. The homification of the office
The drop in temperatures and the rising cost of energy bills are driving people back to the office. In a time when 81% of the UK prefers working from home, the homification of the office can positively boost staff morale. Fitted kitchen spaces allow employees to cook and eat what they want and accommodate a variety of diets. Recreational spaces are great for encouraging a more sociable working environment, helping build a more familylike feel throughout teams.
Creating office spaces that accommodate plants and our pets can also help improve employee wellbeing. Not only do plants in the workplace make for a cosier and more welcoming aesthetic, they are also proven to help reduce stress, absorb background noise, and heighten our senses for improved productivity. Plants naturally filter toxins from the air, helping employees perform better, which is why biophilia is so predominant across the most effective office design schemes. There are also wellbeing benefits of bringing your dog to work as our bodies have been proven to release stressreducing hormones when interacting with our canine companions. The University of Lincoln has also found that
having a dog in the office can boost day-today productivity and ensure the longevity of the workforce. So, adding a dog bed, food, and water station – along with poo bags and rug cleaner – to your office space has plenty of benefits to both employer and employee.
The number of offices offering staff meditation or exercise classes is on the up too, rising from 39% in 2019 to 47% today. Allowing staff moments for meditation – and a tailored space in which to meditate –can have a huge impact on mental health, particularly in high-stress, fast-paced environments. In most cases, a simple restructure of the office floorplan can accommodate meditation spaces without impacting the functionality of the rest of the scheme.
Research by CIPHR has found that 79% of UK workers feel stressed at least once a month and meditating and the spaces for quiet time outs can make a big contribution to alleviating those negative feelings.
Even the smallest of changes can make staff feel like they are valued. Reassessing the functionality of workspaces can yield results that make workers happier and more at home when then they’re in the office which, in turn, boosts productivity to help businesses hit their 2023 targets. https:// eatockdesignandbuild.com
ABM, a leading provider of integrated technical and facilities solutions, has won a Green Apple Environmental Award for the fourth time. Taking the global bronze award at an international ceremony in Miami, the prize was awarded for the work taken out in collaboration with Victoria Leeds Shopping Centre, a premium shopping and lifestyle destination in West Yorkshire.
In the international campaign to find the greenest companies, councils and communities, ABM continues to impress judges with the passion and purpose with which the team’s ambitions are implemented. This year’s win builds on the team’s Green Apple award in 2019, a silver award in 2021 and gold in 2022.
The focus of the latest win is the site’s focus on using natural resources within the shopping centre efficiently, conserving the landscape and contributing to the local economy.
Standout results include:
• Solar panel installation has resulted in 210,493kwh being generated, saving 34.9tonnes of emissions and offsetting the same amount of CO2 as planting 462 trees.
• A waste coffee grounds initiative has diverted over 21 tonnes of grounds away from waste streams by utilising it across external planting areas as soil enricher. This has also
now been adopted across the portfolio at other sites.
• The introduction of ReFood bins has saved just over £7,000 on operating costs per annum and all food waste on site is 100% recycled.
• A partnership with First Forge recycling to reduce the number of collections lowered the site’s carbon footprint and costs simultaneously. Through several of Forge’s Carbon Offsetting Schemes, the site’s collections are now carbon neutral.
• Victoria Quarter has been transformed from 50% fake plants on display to 100% real plants. The same process is under way at Victoria Gate, which will be finished by the end of July. A local flower stall in Leeds market (Brian’s Flowers) has been appointed to the project as part of the focus on the local economy.
• A bespoke bug hotel takes pride of place on site to increase biodiversity.
• A partnership with a local employment charity has also been a huge success. A gentleman who was homeless and unemployed for the majority of his adult life joined the team in 2019 and he remains a valuable part of the team today.
The Green Apple awards aim to improve environmental performance, encourage the efficient use of resources and support the wider goals of sustainable development, including social benefits through community and staff involvement.
Craig Brady, Environmental Services Manager for ABM UK, said: “It’s wonderful to receive recognition again this year. What started as a focus on energy usage has grown into a culture of doing better both environmentally and socially. The excitement of creating change is palpable amongst the team, making Victoria Leeds a fantastic place to be. We’re extremely proud of the ABM and Victoria Leeds team for all they are doing, especially as the cost of living and environmental emergency gains pace globally.”
Jo Coburn, Senior General Manager at Victoria Leeds, said: “Our commitment to the environment is unwavering – we are always seeking news ways to help protect our planet and the whole team is behind our efforts. We have made great strides forward in this area in recent years and I couldn’t be more proud of the front line team that implements our fantastic work and initiatives.”
For more information, please visit www.abm.co.uk
New analysis of site data from 12 Keltbray construction projects has revealed staggering savings since the business introduced Aggreko’s battery technologies to decarbonise its power usage and reduce running costs.
Keltbray is a construction engineering specialist delivering integrated solutions for complex building and infrastructure sectors across the UK. Recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for its efforts to quantifiably reduce the carbon emissions on its projects, the business is continually looking at new processes, technologies, and forwardthinking suppliers to partner with to continue such work.
At the helm of its sustainability agenda is Kiro Tamer, Head of Environmental Sustainability, and ICE Carbon Champion. In 2021, Kiro approached Aggreko
for support with Keltbray’s site power provision due to the capability of its specialist telemetry systems, which would allow the company to monitor equipment remotely.
This was of particular interest to Kiro and his team as it would allow them to start monitoring power equipment performance around the clock to better inform their decarbonisation strategy.
In early 2022, Aggreko Sector Engineer Kath Argent began working in partnership with Keltbray to audit its power requirements across certain sites and identified the common issue of generator oversizing. Kath comments: “We often see hired equipment that is oversized as an attempted level of resilience, but it also
means it is often running at less than 30% load and therefore inefficient. Aggreko right-sizes its equipment and implements other techniques, such as load on demand, for maximum efficiency.”
Kath and her team also introduced battery energy storage system (BESS) technology as part of Aggreko’s Greener Upgrades portfolio. According to Aggreko, while the sustainable benefits of batteries have long been undisputed, until recently there had been low uptake across the construction industry due to the perceptions the technology was in its infancy.
Kiro comments: “We wanted to look at batteries for some time, but it also needed to make commercial sense and market conditions just hadn’t made it viable until that point. When fuel prices started to rise
around April, that’s when things started to change. Since then, the adoption of the technology has come along so quickly.”
Throughout 2022, Keltbray introduced Aggreko’s battery storage systems on 12 projects which spanned six different counties. It included a wide array of developments such as the construction of the iconic East London neighborhood at Silvertown Keys, maintenance of a cargo shed at Heathrow Airport, new flood defenses for Sheffield City Council, a new housing development for a leading UK housebuilder and a large infrastructure project concerning the A30.
Kiro adds: “The versatility of this technology is demonstrated via the wide variety of projects and sites we
have been able to introduce it into, making it a fundamental part of our decarbonisation strategy. In just 12 months, we went from using no batteries, to them accounting for at least 25% of our temporary power procurement with Aggreko.”
As part of its commitment to work in partnership with Keltbray to help achieve its Net Zero goals, Aggreko’s insights team used its specialist telemetry system to analyse data from the 12 projects spanning 2022. By looking at load information and comparing traditional generator-only running costs against the new hybrid running costs, they were able to evaluate a reduction of over
200 tonnes of carbon. This was the result of saving over 75,000 litres of fuel, which equated to over £100,000 in fuel costs.
Kiro adds: “Our industry is working relentlessly to become more sustainable, but there are still many hurdles to overcome. Power procurement has never been simple, and I think there is a general lack of understanding on how to reduce reliance on diesel generators where there is no access to the grid. But there are solutions out there – as evidenced in this sustainability success story. For those who want to reap the rewards, the technology is there for the taking and companies like Aggreko can help implement it smartly and quickly.”
aggreko.com
The cascade system of Trane air-sourced and water-sourced heat pumps proves as renewable alternative to traditional fossilfuelled boilers
Trane®, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Trane Technologies, has announced the collaboration with Derby College in Morley, UK resulting with the installation of a low-carbon heating system replacing the existing fossilfuelled boilers at the Broomfield Hall Campus. The new high efficiency thermal system features Trane Conquest CXAX and Trane CITY™ RTSF heat pumps combined in a cascade configuration delivering 600kW of heating. The new system improved the Total Efficiency Ratio by 400% when compared to the incumbent boiler system and will annually generate 790,000 kWh of energy savings and 160 tonnes in CO2 emission reduction.
“This award-winning project represents a best practice example of Trane thermal systems that reduce operating costs and carbon emissions while improving indoor air quality,” said Louis Rompre, portfolio manager at Trane in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Our high-efficiency
heat pump technologies provide a renewable energy alternative to fossil-fuelled boilers, connecting heating and cooling demands, and playing a crucial role in decarbonising buildings and cities.”
“We are delighted with the support and service from Trane and proud of the positive impact and recognition this project has achieved,” said Iain Baldwin, Director of Estates at Derby College. “Relying on a carbonbased fossil fuel heating system was outdated and unacceptable in today’s society. This installation is a step in the right direction for the college and is a great example of how green, clean energy provision can be utilized on a greenfield site. We will see immediate benefits and longer-term impacts, and
we look forward to building on this work for wider benefits across the college estate.”
The 600kW heating system installed at the Derby College campus is based on Trane CITY™ RTSF water-to-water and Trane Conquest CXAX air-to-water heat pumps, both featuring low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
Trane CITY™ RTSF can deliver heating capacity up to 80°C and has been originally designed for applications like high temperature heating, sanitary hot water supplies, district heating and heat recovery cascades. The heat pump sources energy from waste-water or geothermal systems at 5°C to 30°C and is ideal for small commercial buildings, industrial facilities and
industrial processes. It matches with (existing) conventional heating system requirements, delivering safe cooling and heating solution thanks to the low GWP R1234Ze refrigerant.
Trane Conquest CXAX airto-water scroll heat pump
offer reversible cooling and heating at wide operating maps reaching down to -15°C ambient air and offering up to 60°C leaving hot water temperature. The units feature low GWP R-454B refrigerant offered by Trane across its entire portfolio of scroll compressor chillers, heat pumps, multi-pipe units and rooftops. R-454B offers the lowest GWP among the refrigerants available today for scroll compressor technology, answering customers’ need to future proof their investment by mitigating the increasing tax rates put on refrigerants across Europe.
This project was highlighted in the UK government’s decarbonization summary report of January 2022 and
was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the European Heat Pump Awards (EHPA) 2022 Forum. The installation was part of a larger project supported by £3.6 million through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which also included the installation of solar panels and new LED lights at the college.
Providing sustainable cooling and heating solutions is part of Trane’s and Trane Technologies’ overall approach to reducing carbon emissions in the industries and markets they serve. It helps advance the 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons.
www.Trane.eu
An environmental technology business has launched a new digital platform to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions with AIcontrolled smart buildings.
Based in Newcastle, Harmonic has been developed for energy optimisation and carbon reduction. It officially launched at UK REIFF, the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, at Leeds’ Royal Armouries on May 16-18th.
Integrating human behavioural data with utility usage, Harmonic can predict, manage and reduce spiralling energy costs and carbon footprint.
Harmonic is a comprehensive package combining proprietary hardware, state-of-theart software, and machine learning technologies. The combination enables actionable insights, drives cost savings, and enhances operational efficiency.
The technology uses a people-centric web platform, mobile app, and optional sensor devices, all of which can interface with metering and building data and thirdparty integrations. Harmonic is the first to integrate resource and amenity booking management, sensor data, and building operations.
An AI-driven algorithm predicts a building’s planned and actual activities, enabling operational performance
optimisation. The approach collates and corroborates various data inputs related to space, utility, and carbon consumption and output.
Gareth Humphreys, group CEO at SPG Transformation, said: “Designed to eliminate cost and complexity, Harmonic can be used within the existing estate or building infrastructures, delivering a single-pane view of actionable insights and solving the problem of disparate data and systems. With it, we’ve created an innovation designed to tackle the pressing issues already at the forefront of global concern.
“The need to find smarter ways to manage energy, lower utility costs, and reduce carbon footprints have become more crucial than ever in our new hybrid working environments. This is where Harmonic excels, and we are excited to showcase it for the UK market at UK
REIFF in Leeds. As part of our own eco commitments, we’re also pledging to plant a tree for every visitor to our stand who leaves a business card.”
Harmonic is part of the SPG Group, an advanced technology company that works across the public and private sectors to deliver digital transformation projects. Its clients include the emergency services, government departments and social housing companies.
SPG has experienced record growth since 2021, taking its team from six staff to 52 across its offices in Newcastle and Leeds, with a further office opening planned for this year.
SPG Transformation is based in the Helix building at the heart of Newcastle’s innovation district.
Visit: https:// spgtransformation.com/ and https://spgresourcing.com/
Powered access specialist Nationwide Platforms has taken delivery of two new Volvo FM Electric 4x2 tractor units in what is believed to be a first for the UK’s powered access sector. The battery electric trucks form part of a larger order of Volvo models.
Supplied by Rory Kelly, Transport Solutions Executive at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East’s Coventry depot, the FM Electrics will be used to pull step frame trailers transporting hire equipment to and from sites around Birmingham and the north west. Nationwide Platforms’ new Volvo electric trucks
James Clarke, Haulage and Logistics Director, Nationwide Platforms, says: “Sustainability is a key driver for the business, and introducing our first battery electric trucks felt like the right thing to do. Volvo had the product that met our sustainability commitments, and it’s exciting to welcome these new electric models.”
Commenting on the suitability of battery electric power, he adds: “We need the electric trucks to cover up to 150 miles each day on the routes they’ll be working, whilst also providing enough power to drive our ancillary equipment. They’ve been spec’d to deliver that and more, with a comfortable margin of power in reserve at the end of the day before recharging in our depots overnight. We are confident they will slip into our operation seamlessly, whilst also turning
heads out on the road.”
The FM Electrics both feature three electrical motors, generating an output of 666hp and 2,400 Nm of continuous torque, paired with a standard I-Shift gearbox to deliver a smooth and ultra-quiet incab driving experience.
Such impressive performance is handled by an electromobility traction control system to help manage power output on slippery surfaces, while different drive modes are available to set the desired performance, comfort, and energy usage levels.
The two vehicles will be split between Nationwide Platform’s Birmingham and Warrington depots, helping to further drive down its fleet emissions while complementing existing and upcoming clean air zone regulations in both regions.
“Given the size of vehicles and equipment in fleet, driving sustainability gains has always been easier said than done,” adds Clarke. “Products such as the FM Electric are clearly a step in the right direction for the environment. There is huge potential in transitioning, where possible, to low and zero tailpipe emission heavy trucks and this
is a very important step for us.”
The FM Electrics have been fitted with spacious Globetrotter cabs and a Drive++ package, which adds dual armrests, leather upholstery and fully electronic air conditioning with sun, mist, air quality sensors and a carbon filter – ensuring premium driver comfort.
Visibility is improved with V-Shaped LED headlamps that automatically adapt to ambient light conditions, and rainsensing windscreen wipers to ensure a clear view of the road ahead. Also included in the specification is a host of active safety systems, including Lane Keeping Support, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Alert Support, as well as Side Collision Avoidance Support on both the driver’s and passenger’s side to boost safety.
www.nationwideplatforms. co.uk
Construction is the second largest contributor of singleuse plastic waste in the UK. Figures from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) indicate that construction generates over 19 per cent of the UK’s five million tonnes of plastic waste per year. Recovery and recycling rates for waste materials across construction have been increasing, yet it’s still thought that up to 20,000 tonnes of construction plastic is sent to landfill. It’s time for construction companies to explore organic biopolymers, and how they can provide the building blocks for safer and more sustainable construction.
The construction sector is reliant on plastic for many applications including cladding panels, guttering, piping, electrical wiring, wall linings and insulation. It is chosen for its light weight, robustness and resistance to weather, corrosion and rot.
However, using plastics in construction often leads to more waste. Plastic waste is produced in a multitude of ways, from removing materials during renovations and discarding packaging to unused materials from off-cuts or over-ordering.
The industry already contributes 38 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions by burning fossil fuels to power machinery, so what can be done to reduce its environmental burden? To answer this, companies should explore the consequences of using construction plastics.
Plastic certainly has its advantages in construction. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and
polyethylene (PE) are the most popular choices because they are versatile and combine good strength to weight ratios with durability and cost effectiveness. However, according to Greenpeace, PVC is the most environmentally damaging throughout its lifecycle.
PVC production is the largest use of chlorine and dioxin, two chemical building blocks responsible for a lot of toxic pollution. Chlorine is found in the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) destroying the Ozone layer, whereas dioxins pollute our waterways, poison our wildlife and contaminate our food chains. While there is little data on how much of the plastic in landfill is PVC, studies suggest that large amounts are incinerated in mixed waste facilities.
This has huge repercussions for human health. For example, Greenpeace reported that people living near illegal incineration sites in Malaysia had noticed an increase in respiratory issues and headaches. They are also concerned that toxic fumes could be causing menstruation issues or higher cancer rates.
If 40 per cent of plastics from construction is still sent to landfill or exported overseas, this is a significant contribution to pollution. This said, companies can rectify this and make construction more sustainable.
Organic biopolymers are showing promise as plastic alternatives across several industries including construction. This technology may eventually help steer the industry away from toxic PVC and PE.
A new composite material
developed by Teysha Technologies has been made from natural derivations of starch and vegetable oils found in agricultural waste. This versatile polymer can be physically, mechanically and chemically tuned to meet the needs of the construction industry without using petrochemical monomers.
Organic biopolymers break down naturally to safe, non-toxic components in the environment. Furthermore, no toxic waste is generated in the production of organic biopolymers, unlike in the creation of PVC.
Plug-and-play systems, like the one developed by Teysha, are high-yielding and cost effective, meaning that large quantities can be produced at any one time. Because they can be manufacturing using waste sources, they support and promote a circular economy. Crucially, these biopolymers overcome many of the challenges of existing biopolymers. The fact that their hydrolytic breakdown can be tuned means they can be made to biodegrade in nature, and without the use of industrial catalysts.
The construction industry could make use of organic biopolymers, from insulation to window frames. If every construction material manufacturer were to make this transition, the toxic lifecycle of PVC and PE would soon become a thing of the past.
To find out more about Teysha Technologies, visit https://bit.ly/3DlDgBp
A study commissioned by the Water Jetting Association into the management of high pressure fluid injection injuries has become one of the important research papers on the topic in the world.
It has been accessed online more than 10,000 times since it was published in 2019, and has been cited in five specialist medical papers over the same period.
Now, a water jetting injury treatment guide developed from the research, has been extensively redesigned to make it easier to use.
Water jetting is essential for a huge range of tasks, including pressure washing, cleaning tubes and chambers in oil and gas, petrochemicals and energy plants, de-fouling ships and marine structures, hydrodemolition of concrete, sewer and tank cleaning, and precision materials cutting.
The WJA water jetting injury treatment algorithm gives stepby-step best practical guidance on the treatment of water jetting injuries from first response through to definitive hospital care.
It has been praised as a game-changer in aiding effective responses to water jetting injuries which, if not treated correctly, can result in life changing, and sometimes fatal, consequences.
The WJA-funded research was led by Dr Sancho Rodriguez-Villar, an intensive care consultant at Kings College Hospital, London, and Dr Robert Charles Kennedy (PhD), the WJA’s clinical research and development advisor.
Dr Rodriguez-Villar said: “The study is clearly one of the most important sources of expert opinion on high pressure fluid injection injuries in the world. It is a complex multidisciplinary
piece of research involving knowledge from industry and three medical specialties.
“It is highly likely that doctors and surgeons around the world are searching for advice on such injuries, finding this research, and using it to guide their treatment.
“The study is having the desired and very important effect of educating clinical teams about how to treat these unique and serious injuries. This, in turn, will be greatly improving the treatment outcomes for patients, contributing to their long-term health and wellbeing, and possibly saving lives.”
The WJA is the member organisation for the water jetting industry in the UK. Its codes of practice and City & Guilds accredited training courses are respected for setting water jetting standards in the UK and internationally.
The study, called the Management of Industrial High Pressure Fluid Injection Injuries (IHPFII): the Water Jetting Association Experience with Water Driven Injuries, is published in the European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery.
It is also available via the medical database Researchgate. The WJA funded a publishing agreement to allow it to be free to download, to ensure it is seen and used as widely as possible.
IHPFII injuries can be caused with water pressures as low as 7 bar, or 100 pounds per square inch (PSI) – while water pressures for industrial applications can exceed 1,700 bar, or 24,650 psi.
They are characterised by small entry wounds, caused by fine fluid jets, and no exit wounds. This
can mask the extensive internal disruption they can cause. Debris and bacteria can be also carried far into the body, increasing the risk of serious infection.
These factors can lead to delays in patients receiving the appropriate emergency treatment. This can result in complications that, in worst cases, cause lifechanging serious injury or death.
The WJA water jetting injury treatment algorithm is designed to help first aiders, paramedics and clinicians optimise treatment, make correct treatment decisions throughout a patient journey, reducing the risk of death, longterm disability or unnecessarily prolonged periods of recovery.
The WJA has now created A4 version which is easier to view, both online and offline. Its sections have also been colour-coded so users can easily follow a patient’s journey through a treatment pathway.
Robert Kennedy said: “The evidence shows that, without early and correct intervention, the outcome for those injured is often catastrophic. We strongly advise all parties to observe the WJA’s algorithm for the management of high-pressure injection injuries.”
The algorithm can be instantly accessed via a red tab on the home page of the WJA website. www.waterjetting.org.uk
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Fixings can create safer and more efficient workplaces for construction workers. How Lindapter’s innovative engineering solutions can improve workplace safety while maintaining high levels of performance and efficiency.
Silica dust is generated during tasks such as drilling, cutting, and grinding materials like concrete and other construction materials. The dust particles are so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing serious damage.
According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) who commissioned the research, exposure to silica dust can cause serious health problems, including silicosis, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases. Workers in the construction industry are at the highest risk of exposure to silica dust.
• Shortness of Breath: Silicosis can cause shortness of breath, which can make it difficult to perform everyday activities.
• Chest Pain: Silicosis can also cause chest pain, which can be severe and debilitating.
• Respiratory Failure: In severe cases, silicosis can lead to respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening.
• Silicosis: Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. It is a progressive and irreversible disease that can lead to difficulty in breathing and even death.
• Lung Cancer: Exposure to silica dust can increase the risk of lung cancer.
• Tuberculosis: Silica dust can also increase the risk of tuberculosis.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Exposure to silica dust can also cause COPD, which is a group of lung diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. More information can be found here https://www.hse. gov.uk/pubns/indg463.htm
Decking Fixings from Lindapter offer several advantages over traditional methods for securing building services to composite decking profiles.
Firstly, Lindapter’s Decking Fixings are designed to be easy to install, which can save significant time and labour costs during construction. This innovative method offers the contractor real efficiency gains because it can be installed on-site in a matter of seconds without the need for specialised labour, costly equipment, or power. Additionally, these fixings are fabricated to be strong and
durable, ensuring that they provide a secure and longlasting connection for securing building services to composite decking profiles. In contrast to drilling or shot-firing, Lindapter’s fixing method offers multiple safety benefits including, eliminating silica dust exposure for the operative and preserving the fire integrity and strength of the decking profile, avoiding delamination (separating the steel from the concrete).
Lindapter’s high-quality, costeffective fixings for securing building services are designed to fit inside the dovetail reentrant channels which is common throughout all the profiles and give a secure point from which building services can be suspended with guaranteed capacities, completely removing the need to drill through the deck into the concrete above which can release a large amount of silica dust into the air, posing a health risk to workers.
With a reassuring safety factor of 3:1, Lindapter’s Decking Fixings have a capacity between 1.00 and 2.10 kN depending on the type of fixing, and hold building services securely thanks to Lindapter’s independently approved safe working loads and stringent quality procedures.
Lindapter composite Decking Fixings have all been designed in conjunction with the various decking manufacturers to
ensure they fulfil the necessary requirements from ease of installation to carrying capacity. This not only eliminates the health risks associated with silica dust exposure but also makes installation quicker and easier, saving time and reducing costs.
With a reputation synonymous with safety and reliability, Lindapter’s products are both CE and UKCA Marked, verifying that the product performance has been independently evaluated and certified to satisfy internationally and domestically recognised standards. This adds another layer of reassurance for Engineers, Specifiers, and Contractors.
Lindapter Decking Fixings are an excellent example of how innovative engineering solutions can improve workplace safety while maintaining high levels of performance and efficiency. By incorporating innovative solutions like Lindapter Decking Fixings, we can create safer and more efficient
workplaces for construction workers, ensuring that they can carry out their work safely and effectively.
• Quick and easy to install.
• Adjustable for precise alignment.
• Zero-impact installation.
• No damage to the decking.
• No drilling so no exposure to silica dust.
• No specialist labour or tools required.
• CE and UKCA Marked.
• Independently fire tested to BS EN 1991-1-2.
• Safe working loads with independent approvals for technical submission.
• Batch traceability.
For more information visit our website page and download our PDF Flyer on the dangers of Silica Dust exposure vs Lindapter’s safer Decking Fixings >> https://www.lindapter.com/ decking-fixings-by-lindaptereliminating-exposureto-harmful-silica-dust
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