BFM September 2016 by Abbey Publishing

SEPTEMBER 2016 www.bfmmagazine.co.uk building & facilities facilities management management

HEALTH & SAFETY | LIGHTING | SECURITY & ACCESS CONTROL

New research reveals outsourcing of security high but professionalism is paramount See page 33

INSIDE:

TRACKING EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PAGE 4

On the cover: Grosvenor Services study reveals requirements when procuring security. September 2016

See page 33 for more details. www.grosvenorservices.com

BFM Team

Contents

Business Development Director

James Scrivens james@abbeypublishing.co.uk Creative Director

Sarah Daviner sarah@abbeypublishing.co.uk Accounts Manager

Katie Brehm accounts@abbeypublishing.co.uk

News

Windows & Doors

Silverbuck provides new look for workwear

Union secure repeat orders from Lidl

SAXO PRINT

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Health & Safety

Low cost solution to slippery decking

Lighting

Emergency lighting changes: no reason to panic

Security & Access Control

Eaton Adds Style to Substance with Flush Security System Keypad

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Special Feature

Michael Page of Saracen Interiors, looks at the issues surrounding noise in the modern office.

Cleaning & Hygiene

Raising hygiene standards with Rotarad

Building & Refurbishment

Demand for off-site construction continues to increase in the UK’s manufacturing sector

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Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

News

Tracking Excellence Award for University of the Arts London University of the Arts London delivers 20,000 items without loss.

niversity of the Arts London has been awarded a Tracking Excellence award by Channel and Mobile Solutions. The award was presented to Emlyn Foody (Facilities Manager) who headed up the mailroom team who managed to deliver over 20,000 parcels to staff and students in its flagship site Granary Building without a single item being unaccounted for. Mike Bowen (Director) – “We provide Mailroom Tracking systems to many clients which are great tools to help ensure all items are accounted for and delivered on time. However, it is always the combination of a well-run team of people and a good system that achieves the best results. Delivering 20,000 items without a single loss, is a fantastic achievement and I delighted

to present our Tracking Excellence award to Emlyn and his team.” Emlyn Foody (Facilities Manager) – “We introduced DeliveryPoD Mailroom a few years ago to ensure we had a full audit trail from receipt from a courier through to final delivery to people at desks. As time has gone on we have used more and more of its features to refine our service to achieve our ultimate goal of not a single item being unaccounted for, throughout the whole of last year and we delivered over 20,000 items without any items being lost.” The end result is that staff and students get an excellent service, whilst the facilities department saves a substantial amount of money as it does not have to reimburse people for lost items.

Emlyn Foody added – “We are currently implementing the latest version of DeliveryPoD which allows us to grant staff and students the ability to log on and see what has arrived for them and where it currently is. This will further improve the service we offer to staff and students, whilst at the same time it will improve our department’s efficiency.” DeliveryPoD is an Internal Tracking System that allows organisations to track items from point of receipt in a building (or multiple sites) through to delivery to people at their desks or barcoded locations. It is in use at many Public Sector and Private Sector organisations in the UK. www.arts.ac.uk www.chansol.co.uk

Silverbuck provides new look for workwear

ilverbuck, a specialist workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) company, has been launched by The Anchorpoint Group, replacing its successful Strathallan division. The company and its new look brand have been introduced to reflect a wider

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service offering and product ranges. Dale Paterson, Managing Director of the Anchorpoint Group, commented: “Working with some of the biggest companies in the workwear and PPE marketplace, we find our service increasingly involves advising clients on bespoke solutions. “We are investing more time to clearly understand our client’s requirements in order to develop a suite of workwear that meets their particular needs. “Such solutions can offer exceptional value for money, providing workwear that employees actually want to wear along with associated benefits.”

Mr Paterson emphasised that research shows quality workwear not only helps promote a quality brand, but can have a significant, positive effect on workforce morale and motivation. “That is why we find ourselves increasingly talking about workwear to senior personnel in human resources and marketing departments, not just procurement. We wanted a new, refreshed brand that would appeal to such customers, although clients won’t see any change in the high quality service we provide.” Silverbuck workwear and PPE ranges include head protection, high visibility, eyewear, ear and face protection, embroidery, footwear and gloves. To find out more visit the company’s new website at www.silverbuck.co.uk or call 0800 619 0916. Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

News

School building delivered after just 18 weeks on site to help meet the rising demand for primary places in Leeds The Portakabin Group has expanded a PFI primary school in Leeds to provide more than 200 additional places, helping to meet the increasing demand for primary education in the city. The scheme at Asquith Primary School was delivered after just 18 weeks on site using a Yorkon off-site solution – reducing the programme by at least five months to the benefit of the school.

he project was part of an ongoing, city-wide schools expansion programme. The rise in birth rates, the numbers of people moving to Leeds, and the level of new housing have significantly increased the pressure on education provision. It has been estimated that around 4,000 additional primary school places will be needed in the city. Government figures have projected that by 2023 there will be a total of 8,022,000 pupils in England’s schools – an increase of 880,000 pupils. The Yorkon off-site solution helped Asquith Primary School to move to two forms of entry and increase capacity with a Key Stage Two extension. Opened in 2002, the existing school was built under the Private Finance Initiative and is managed for Leeds City Council by Carillion. Commenting on the project, Zoe Laidlaw, Senior Operations Manager for North and West Yorkshire and Humberside at facilities managers, Carillion said, “Because this project was a PFI scheme, there was a very complex and challenging procurement process. The Portakabin team did everything possible to understand the issues and to push the project through to contract. Their engagement and performance was really exceptional from the earliest stage.” 6

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“The building has a great design – a very open, spacious feel and excellent areas for outdoor learning. Use of a Yorkon off-site solution significantly reduced time on site by at least five months which was very important when working on a live school project. Children’s education must come first so the least disruption possible is a major advantage.” “Portakabin also involved the children in the construction process, which was a fantastic way for them to learn and everyone was blown away by seeing their new school building being assembled in the factory.” Gillian Austerfield, Head Teacher at Asquith Primary School, said, “We would highly recommend the Portakabin Group and the Yorkon solution to others in the education sector and particularly for challenging PFI projects such as this. This was a fantastic contractor to work with. The whole process has been extremely quick, smooth and easy from start to finish.” “We love the design of the building. The rooms are light and airy and the break-out space provides an excellent learning area. The large windows have created a bright and stimulating environment for children. We can’t praise the Portakabin Group enough.” Much of the two-storey building was fitted out off site at the Group’s production centre in York to minimise any disruption to teaching and to

radically reduce the programme time. It was delivered to site with all M&E services, toilets, doors and partitions already pre-installed. The self-contained building provides eight purpose-designed classrooms, an IT hub, library and resource area, and breakout spaces to both the first and second floors. Externally, the facility is finished in white and grey with green rendered panels to add interest to the façades, white render and brickwork to the lower levels, and a double height glazed entrance. Large picture windows allow lots of natural light into the classrooms, creating a positive learning environment. The location for the new facility was very constrained and a temporary road had to be constructed to make way for the crane and installation of the building modules. The cranage phase was carried out over a weekend to ensure no interruption to the running of the school. For further information about Yorkon off-site solutions from the Portakabin Group for primary and secondary education projects, call 0845 2000 123, email info@yorkon. co.uk or see www.yorkon.co.uk. Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

News

New StoColor Dryonic paint raises the standard for façade finishes

to UK is set to revolutionize the UK façade market with the launch of its new StoColor Dryonic paint which allows water from rain, dew and fog to run off building façades almost instantly. This innovative new paint uses a technology borrowed from nature which allows it to both repel water and channel it away at the same time. It is suitable for both newbuild and refurbishment projects, and offers many advantages including rapid drying, great resistance to the growth of unsightly algae, plus the scope to create unique and eye-catching façades. Inspired by special micro-textures found on the shell of the fog-basking beetle, StoColor Dryonic paint uses a special composition of binding agents

and filler material to create a hydrophilichydrophobic micro-textured surface which instantly repels water. It also simultaneously channels it away, leaving the façade dry in no time at all. This efficient and reliable action also ensures that microorganisms are unable to grow on the dry surface, and any staining or marking is dramatically reduced compared to a conventional façade finish. “StoColor Dryonic represents a real milestone in the development of intelligent façade coatings, and it offers benefits to architects, building owners and contractors alike,” says Sto’s Senior Product Manager, Greg Astill. “StoColor Dryonic works on all conventional types of substrate. It can be used on buildings with a classic monolithic construction, as well as those fitted with an external wall insulation system, and it’s compatible with all types of substrate including render, concrete, brick, metal or plastic cladding. “It’s also available in a very comprehensive range of colours, from pastel shades through to dark intense tones, so it offers tremendous potential to create new and unusual façade appearances.

StoColor Dryonic is also part of Sto’s iQ Intelligent Technology generation of paints, so you can rely on it to provide a high level of colour stability, great protection and outstanding durability.” StoColor Dryonic can be easily applied using a paintbrush, roller or an airless spray. As well as protecting the main façade areas, this allows it to be applied easily to those difficult areas prone to algae growth, such as gutters, pipes and panels. It can even be used to ensure that inclined surfaces dry out quickly and rem3ain cleaner for longer, and thanks to its tough, protective surface layer it is easily able to withstand everyday knocks and scrapes. In addition to Dryonic, Sto’s iQ Intelligent Technology paints range also includes StoLotusan – a façade coating which incorporates a special LotusEffect® Technology that washes clean every time it rains, StoColor Photosan which actively combats environmental pollution, and StoColor X-black – a heat reflective paint used to create deep, intense coloured and insulated façades with a high level of colour stability. For more details on StoColor Dryonic, visit www.sto.co.uk, or call 0141 892 8000.

Wates Smartspace FM takes residence at Twycross Zoo

ates Smartspace’s facilities management (FM) division has been appointed by the East Midlands Zoological Society to deliver a three year contract at Twycross Zoo in Atherstone, Leicestershire. Wates Smartspace (FM) will now commence mobilisation of the £3m contract, which will include carrying out asset and condition surveys before commencing works. This will see the business deliver a full range of services at Twycross including external landscaping, mechanical and electrical (M&E) works, maintenance and refurbishment of the zoo’s 64 buildings. All works will be delivered whilst the zoo continues to open its doors to around 500,000 visitors each year and care for over 500 animals across the 80 acre site, 365 days a year. Wates Smartspace (FM) has a vast range of experience working in 8

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live environments for public-facing customers, minimising disruption to day-to-day operations and continuing to uphold a first-class safety record. Dr Sharon Redrobe, CEO at Twycross Zoo, said: “There are a lot of exciting changes underway at Twycross Zoo as part of our £55million Masterplan to redevelop the site. It’s important that our operations continue to run smoothly during this period of change, and the appointment of Wates Smartspace will help us to maintain services as normal.” James Gregg, recently appointed Managing Director of Wates Smartspace (FM), commented: “The Wates team has worked extremely hard to understand the unique environment and culture at Twycross Zoo and we are delighted to have been appointed to deliver this contract. “We look forward to becoming part of the wider team at Twycross

Zoo and working in partnership with them to maintain business as usual at this busy visitor attraction so that the zoo can continue to deliver its valuable conservation work.” Now celebrating over 50 years of business, Twycross Zoo is one of the UK’s major zoos and is the only place in the UK to have every type of Great Ape (Gorilla, Orang-utan, Chimpanzee and Bonobo). The zoo also has a wide collection of gibbons and is also home to many other endangered species such as Amur leopards (the world’s rarest big cat), Asian elephants, giraffes and snow leopards. This contract announcement follows a number of recent wins secured by Wates Smartspace (FM) for high profile, public interfacing clients including ACCA and the Canadian High Commission in London. www.wates.co.uk www.twycrosszoo.org. Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

There are an estimated 20 million workstations in the UK and the typical office worker accounts for 20 metres of exposed cabling – that’s 400 million metres! On average, 500 trips occur daily in UK workplaces – some have devastating consequences and cable hazards are a common cause. The HSE tells us that over 2.1 million work days were lost in 2015 due to slips, trips and falls – many absences were in excess of 3 days. Overloaded socket blocks and/or damaged cables can create electric shock and fire risks. Socket blocks and associated cable clutter can be impossible to clean around, creating breeding grounds for dust mite allergens. Accidents, injuries plus the costs of lost productivity and compensation claims from cable hazard incidents are almost entirely preventable. The dangers can easily be resolved by applying cable management products which simply fit around trailing cables and socket blocks – requiring no electrical competence to install thus minimizing costs further.

That’s why D-Line have organised the 'Cable Safety at Work Campaign' (www.cable-safety.com). It aims to highlight awareness of these potential risks by pointing out extensive legislation surrounding employer/employee responsibilities regarding trips and falls in the workplace, going on to look at what should be being done - with a recommended minimum of regular risk assessments - by working with Health and Safety professionals, Facilities Managers, businesses, public bodies, installers and wholesale suppliers to make all workplaces safer and cleaner. D-Line, award winning cable management experts, have offered their extensive range of affordable, fastfitting cable-management solutions for over 10 years – now in 26 countries. These solutions minimise trip and tug hazards, facilitate tidy cable routing, make socket blocks less accessible (minimising overloading and disconnection risks) and save time retrieving fallen cables – Take a trip to the website (www.d-line-it.co.uk) to see what they can do for your business.

Trailing cables can be very costly…

News

Pre-adoption surveys prepare drainage for new cancer centre

anes Group has been commissioned by leading construction contractor Laing O’Rourke to carry out drainage surveys and cleaning work at the UK’s newest NHS cancer treatment centre. The company’s drainage engineers have carried out CCTV camera surveys and high pressure jetting at the £160 million cancer centre, located at Guy’s Hospital in central London. When it opens in autumn 2016, the centre will be the hub of cancer treatment, training, service development and research for south east London – helping to improve cancer treatments and outcomes. Lanes Group’s London depot, at Rainham, Essex, has been supporting Laing O’Rourke by carrying out prehandover cleaning and drainage surveys of the new building’s drainage system. Steven Murrells, Area Development Manager for Lanes London, said: “This is an important step in the handover of a new or refurbished building. “Laing O’Rourke and the NHS need to be sure the new drainage system is working perfectly, and that it is joined properly to the surrounding sewer network.

“Our HD quality CCTV drainage surveys have given Laing O’Rourke the evidence its team needed to demonstrate clearly that’s the case.” Access to the drainage system was through a manhole in a basement, so additional safety measures were incorporated in the risk assessment and method statement, including deploying additional staff. A specialist high pressure jetting and vacuumation unit, with the capability to water jet at up to 10,000 pound per square inch – over three times the standard pressure – was used to clear one particularly difficult blockage. A single patch liner was also installed. This is a no-dig method for repairing and strengthening pipes. Computer-generated image of new Guys Cancer Centre A glass fibre liner impregnated with resin is inserted remotely in a section brings together currently dispersed of pipe, preventing the need for costly cancer services on to one ultraexcavations. modern purpose-built site. The company’s drainage engineers Its doctors, nurses and therapists worked in the evenings and at weekends will treat about 6,500 patients a to fit in with Laing O’Rourke’s tight year. It will also deliver 80,000 construction schedule, and to ensure radiotherapy treatments every patient care on what is live hospital site year, compared with 47,500 under was not disrupted. current service arrangements. The new cancer centre has been www.lanesfordrains.co.uk. under construction since 2013. It

bartlett mitchell strengthens board

an Thomas has been appointed the new bartlett mitchell CEO. Thomas will be responsible for business performance and growth, client retention and the executive team. Founder Wendy Bartlett will become Executive Chairman and will continue to remain very much involved in the business, providing the long-term strategic vision for the company as it continues to grow. Alongside co-founder Ian Mitchell, Wendy will also focus on team and client relationships, as these are bartlett mitchell’s strengths and foundation of their success. Francois Gautreaux, Operational Managing Director and Simon Houston, Sales Managing Director, led by Ian Thomas, will make a formidable team. Thomas is well known to bartlett mitchell, having worked for a niche FM company who partnered with bartlett mitchell bidding for full FM contracts. Prior to working in the FM 10

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industry, Ian held a number of roles working for companies within the hospitality sector including Whitbread and Granada, which gives him a unique perspective from both catering and facilities management companies. Francois Gautreaux, Operational Managing Director and Simon Houston, Sales Managing Director, will now report to Thomas. Wendy Bartlett, said: “Ian’s experience in FM and catering together with his warm personality makes him a perfect fit. The board and I are thrilled that he will be joining us, bringing his enthusiasm, knowledge and experience to our business. Ian Thomas, Francois and Simon will be a formidable team to deliver sustainable success for the team.” Ian Thomas added: “bartlett mitchell is a strong business which is demonstrated by delivering double digit growth over the past 18 months. My focus will be to continue this growth, retaining our

existing customers and attracting new customers whilst building an even stronger future. The opportunity to build on these solid foundations and take bartlett mitchell forward is a very exciting challenge for the whole team. Our growth has been driven by our innovative approach, in particular the introduction of Perkee Coffee and other sustainable food concepts last year. We’re going to build on this success by working closely with our chef development team, clients and customers.” www.bartlettmitchell.co.uk

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

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News

Lusso enjoys its most successful period ever with over £48m of new and retained business

usso, the specialist City caterer and part of the CH&Co Group, has secured £48.7m of new and retained business over the past 14 months, over half of it with new clients. The new deals are worth £23.4m in turnover over the duration of the contracts and include amongst others, prestigious new contracts such as Grey Advertising London; investment management company Charles Stanley; and law firms Charles Russell Speechlys and Bond Dickinson. £25.3m of this success relates to the retention of existing contracts. Against tough competition, Lusso closed the 14-month period with a 100% client retention rate, which includes being retained by a number of major customers including Legal & General and Norton Rose Fulbright. Across this portfolio of new and retained business, Lusso will provide everything from retail style all-day cafés, employee dining, fine dining, events, customer lounges and meeting facilities, tea point provision, and hospitality services. Lusso’s Food Philosophy has proven a real factor in its success, with new and existing clients connecting with the ethos that focuses on seasonality, sustainability, provenance and partnering with small

local suppliers, and to deliver five-star food and matching service. Paul Hurren, Managing Director of Lusso, said, “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this new business and to have retained these major clients too. The quality of our food and service – our Food Philosophy – is central to what we do and we’ve been really delighted with the feedback we’ve received. Both new and existing clients have been very confident in our ability to provide best food and service at a price that also

delivers them value for money, whilst reflecting their own ethos and culture. “Although we’re now part of a bigger Group, we’re still very much a small company within that business focussed on providing delicious, sustainable food and excellent service. We thrive on the attention to detail and exacting standards expected of us and we’re really looking forward to working with these new clients, and building on our existing relationships into the future.” Discover more at www.chandco.net

Site surveys could lead to significant energy savings

nergy savings of up to 40 percent can be made, starting when a company agrees to a site survey, it has been revealed this week by pump specialist, Dura Pump. Pump systems used in commercial environments often waste a huge amount of energy, through common issues such as incorrect specification, or running constantly at full power when such capacity is rarely needed. Dura Pump visits thousands of sites each year and at a majority of them, regardless of sector, there are opportunities to create significant energy savings. After improvement works are specified and carried out, the payback in reduced energy costs can be achieved in as little as six months. 12

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A spokesperson at Dura Pump said “Most facility or site managers are unaware of the huge opportunities to save resources. On the few occasions where they are aware, they can be unsure of how to go about making improvements.” To improve awareness of energysaving opportunities, and as an incentive to save energy, the firm has announced it is offering a free luxury hamper with every quotation that ensues from a site visit, until the end of October 2016. Dura Pump’s team of friendly experts have been helping companies with their pumping systems for 10 years, and take pride in being able to support their customers at the same time as honouring their commitment to the environment.

To contact Dura Pump to learn more and arrange a quotation, visit www.durapump.co.uk Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

News

Chubb Apprentice Wins National Apprentice Installer Award

ax Wheeler, an apprentice with Chubb Fire & Security from Coventry, has won an Apprentice Installer Award from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA). Chubb, a leading provider of security and fire-safety solutions, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). Wheeler was one of three young apprentices from the UK’s private security industry who were presented with national awards in recognition of their academic and practical success in the field of electronic security installations. Awarded by the BSIA, the trade body representing the UK’s private security sector, the Apprentice Installer Awards recognise the achievements of level two and level three apprentices involved in the installation of alarms, closed circuit television, access control or a combination of these systems. Their achievements represent the commitment of security companies and training bodies in providing young talent with the

opportunity to succeed in the security industry. Max has been commended for continually showing a willingness to stretch himself, to gain a new knowledge and to reach his goals early,” the BSIA said in a news release. “He has already made himself an extremely valuable member of the team at Chubb Fire & Security and he has received regular praise from all of the staff that he has worked with, many of whom request Max’s attendance on their jobs.” Wheeler, 21, works out of Chubb’s Coventry office and was nominated for an award by Chubb’s apprenticeship programme manager, Jim McSharry. He has already successfully completed all of his level two field assessments and is on track to start his level three tests. “I am incredibly proud to have won

Lynne Williams appointed as new Interiors Manager

this BSIA award, particularly being recognised by my seniors at Chubb,” said Wheeler. “To know that others appreciate my efforts here at Chubb is great, and I look forward to the next and final year of my apprenticeship.” Wheeler and the two runners-up were all presented with their awards at the BSIA’s annual luncheon, hosted at the London Hilton on Park Lane. For more information, visit www.chubb.co.uk

Specify CFA members and

ynne Williams has been welcomed to the Flora-Tec team. Lynne joins after many years at PHS Greenleaf to head up the Interiors team. She will be responsible for growing the division and ensuring the company maintain an exceptional level of customer service. Recognising the importance that interior landscaping can play in staff wellbeing as well as improving the look and feel of any space, she’s looking forward to taking the lead at Flora-Tec. “I’m delighted to be joining the business at such an exciting time. I’m really keen to expand the division and support our team to deliver great results for our clients.” Managing Director Andy Bradley adds “Lynne has an enviable track-record in interiors and we’re thrilled that she’s decided to join us”. Flora-Tec Ltd is a growing Corporate Horticulture business providing Interior and Exterior design, installation and maintenance services along with landscaping and construction division working in both the Private and Public sectors. www.flora-tec.co.uk Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Specifying a CFA member for your next flooring project could mean the difference between success — or a flooring failure. Most of the UK’s largest and best known Manufacturers, Distributors, Contractors and Consultants are CFA members — and for good reason. • CFA members promote high standards, knowledge and expertise • Specifying CFA members will maximize your investment and minimize costly flooring failures • All members have to pass a vetting process

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www.cfa.org.uk Email: info@cfa.org.uk news

News

The implications of Brexit on UK energy and environmental policy and what it means for you as a Facility Manager On June 23, 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU. The two years’ notice period required by the Treaty of Lisbon, for the government to implement this decision, means that an actual exit date is very unlikely to be before June 2018. There has been lots of discussion about how this vote will impact on the UK economy in general but what are the likely implications prior and post exit in relation to the UK energy and environmental policy? And more importantly, how will they affect you in your role as a Facility Manager?

As ESOS has been transposed into UK law (implementation of Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive), it is reasonable to expect this will continue although its current form may well change. The Government announced in the Budget that it plans to simplify energy reporting into one single scheme: further information should become available once the Government publishes its much anticipated consultation on the future of business energy reporting In the meantime, it is safest to keep on top of your existing ESOS requirements until further news is announced to avoid penalties.

therefore, without a change to that law, the provisions in it will still apply to the UK even after Brexit. It is unlikely the UK would repeal this legislation, as to do so would be a massive retrograde step, from an environmental perspective. There are also movements on a global scale, such as the HFC phase-out/ phase-down under the Montreal Protocol, which are influencing the UK. The European HFC phase-down, however, is based on a reducing refrigerant volume quota system imposed on EU member states as a whole. Much will depend on how the UK decides to work with the EU. If the UK pursues the Norwegian model nothing will change but if not then the UK will have to establish its own quota allowance going forwards. Of more pressing concern, however, will be how Brexit could impact on the price of HFC refrigerants, which will start to rise quite rapidly as the market anticipates the changes. As production of HFCs falls in line with the phase down, prices will rise, and a devalued pound will add further cost pressures on imported refrigerant supplies. In light of these changes, now is the time to review current HVAC systems, and either upgrade them to utilise lower HFC refrigerants or invest in new units, which don’t use refrigerants as a cooling method or can run on extremely low refrigerant levels.

Could Brexit disrupt HFC phase down?

Will Brexit impact on the UK’s climate change policies?

As with ESOS, the F-gas regulation has been adopted into UK law and

It’s unlikely that Brexit will have much impact on the UK’s climate

Will we see a rise in energy costs? We are currently seeing stable energy prices on the back of well supplied systems. However, future rates are likely to be volatile due to uncertainties in the sterling and the potential for the increased cost of gas imports. Longer term, the UK will continue to be influenced by the global energy market but Brexit may affect investor uncertainty, with consequences for energy security and investment in generation capacity and the grid. Reducing energy costs will be more important than ever in the coming years.

Will Brexit mean the end of The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)?

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change policies, mainly because the UK government has already gone further than the EU when it comes to reducing carbon emissions with the Climate Change Act which compels governments to cut emissions by at least 80% by 2050. In fact, on the 30th June, only a week after the Brexit vote, the UK published its fifth carbon budget. This announcement means that the UK accepts the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendations to reduce emissions by 57% below 1990 levels between 2028 and 2032. This will force many large and medium-sized companies to comply with lower carbon emissions and inform the regulator about their energy consumption and energy efficiency plans. As a Facility Manager, meeting these targets will require a combination of energy saving measures and innovation in technology to ensure your building or buildings are as energy efficient as possible.

What can I do to improve energy management in my building as costeffectively as possible? Despite the huge amount of work you already carry out to save energy, such as by upgrading lighting technology, excluding draughts, and insulating walls, there is one area that accounts for up to 40% of a commercial building’s energy usage – HVAC systems. Simple improvements to the efficiency of existing HVAC systems can offer considerable energy and CO2 savings, reduce costs and improve the working environment. Some potential energy efficient upgrades include: • EC Fans – Replacing AC fans with EC fans allows optimisation of cooling systems for ultimate energy efficiency, potentially reducing energy usage by up to 70%. Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

News • Electronic Expansion Valves – The use of Electronic Expansion Valves (EEVs) in cooling units and condensers reduces the need for high head pressure, which can result in an energy efficiency ratio (EER) increase of 30%. EEVs provide stable, fast and precise control of superheat and can be used in all types of unit. • Inverters – Installing inverters to motors allows precise control of motor speeds, which can be ramped up or down to match load requirements. This ensures that the only energy used is that which is needed. • Refrigerant – Refrigerant upgrades help to increase system efficiency which will also save you money. • Controls and BMS replacements – Upgrade to the latest software platforms to improve system optimisation. The latest hardware and unit strategy can be installed on existing equipment to ensure system reliability, enhanced performance and increased control. • Variable speed drives – Installing variable speed drives allows control of fan and pump speeds which can help to reduce energy consumption and costs by enabling the output speed of the motors to match load requirements. • Compressors – Maintaining or better still, upgrading compressors can save vast amounts of energy. Compressors can be precisely specified for individual applications and offer variable speed, which can be matched to load requirements, meaning the only energy used is that which is needed. • Pumps – Upgrading and selecting the correct pump for an application and avoiding oversizing can lead to considerable energy savings. Again, pumps can be matched to demand, therefore using only energy required. • Sub metering – Sub-metering and collecting energy data enables system inefficiencies to be highlighted, investigated and eliminated. Understanding, energy usage by system components means, performance targets can be set and monitored regularly. With likely increasing utility and refrigerant costs, alongside greater legislative and regulatory requirements on energy use and carbon reduction, it is more important than ever before that Facility Managers like you, develop strategic energy plans to improve efficiency and profitability. For more information, visit www.airedale.com. Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Commercial landscape contractor takes tech to the field

Crown Landscapes managing director, Gareth Emberton (left) discusses the tablet technology with Chris Pallett, Managing director at Bespoke Computing.

Midlands commercial landscaping specialist is taking tech into the field as part of a pilot project which will help it deliver an enhanced service to customers. Crown Group approached Bespoke Computing to help deliver the project, which sees tablet technology taken on site to relay real-time information back to site and head offices. The hardware and support systems for the project have been supplied by Telfordbased Bespoke Computing, which has experience in delivering communication solutions for off-site employees. Managing director Chris Pallett said: “We’ve successfully rolled out a similar scheme for vets, particularly those working in rural areas, so that they could check and complete paperwork in the field without having to return to the practice. “The Crown Group project takes this a step further, and we’re really happy to see the initial results which clearly demonstrate that mobile technology, in this case Windows-based tablets, can support a variety of different sectors.” Crown Landscapes, based near Shrewsbury, provides commercial landscape services to businesses across the country including blue chip companies, commercial developers, top 50 construction firms, retailers and the public sector.

Managing director Gareth Emberton said: “For us, it was about improving the flow of information both in terms of sending documents and plans from the office to supervisors in the field but also coming back the other way, such as realtime photos of what’s happening on site. “The information can be uploaded into our server at the office using Cloud technology, and we have real-time data available to us which means we’re more responsive, and ultimately able to offer an enhanced service to our customers.” The tablet technology has already been used by Crown Group staff on construction sites including a multi-million pound school development in North Wales; and at Aberystwyth University on a Balfour Beatty led project to create a new £45m halls of residence. Mr Emberton added: “Previously we may have had staff having to divert to pick up drawings or plans, but this technology at our fingertips means there will be many occasions where we’re saving hours spent on the road.” Bespoke Computing, which is based in Stafford Park, Telford, advises and supports organisations across a wide range of industries in Shropshire, the wider West Midlands and beyond. For more information, go to www.bespokecomputing.com or contact 01952 303404. news

News

IRWIN Launches Ergonomically Designed Pro Comfort Screwdrivers New Pro Comfort Screwdrivers are the first ever screwdriver offering from the IRWIN brand in the UK

RWIN® Tools, driven by innovation for over a century, announces the launch of its first ever range of screwdrivers for the UK market, building on the renowned, excellent performance trade professionals have grown to know and trust. The new range of Pro Comfort Screwdrivers, available now, feature a unique distinctive handle designed especially for an enhanced ergonomic grip giving added comfort, performance and efficiency. They are available in a core range, covering the most popular tip types and sizes, including Phillips, Slotted, Pozidriv, Torx and Parallel

heads. Available to purchase individually or as part of ten piece, nine piece and six piece set, features include: • Dual material (polypropylene and rubber) covered trilobular handle for an ergonomic grip • Chrome-Vanadium (Cr-V) steel shaft with corrosion protection • Black phosphate finished magnetic tip for improved alignment, easy driving and extended life • Hex bolster which allows for increased torque when using with a wrench • Magnetiser/demagnetiser accessory available “IRWIN prides itself on the continuous innovation of our product categories with the ambition of enabling our customers

to get the job done with increased precision, comfort and speed. The launch of Pro Comfort Screwdrivers with their ergonomic handles, marks Irwin’s first step into the UK screwdriver category for the brand,” explained Amber Popowicz, Sr. Brand Activation Manager at IRWIN. IRWIN’s Pro Comfort Screwdrivers and VDE Insulated Screwdrivers, for electrical work up to 1000V AC, are available at leading tool stockists. www.irwin.co.uk

IDEAL Networks urges installers to stay ahead of updated fibre optic testing standards

he international standards to which fibre optic cabling and encircled flux compliant light sources are fieldtested are changing. Tim Widdershoven from IDEAL Networks says that new ISO/ IEC and ANSI/TIA standards will have a notable impact on the test equipment required by installers. “The new encircled flux testing standards will slowly start to make their way into contracts and customer requirements,” says Tim Widdershoven, Global Marketing Manager for IDEAL Networks. “Installers will need to obtain accurate, compliant measurements so to ensure a problem-free testing experience they must be equipped with the correct testing tools and equipment.” The ISO/IEC 147633:2014 standard specifies systems and methods for the inspection and testing of installed optical fibre cabling designed in accordance with premises

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cabling standards while the ANSI/TIA526-14 standard is applicable to the measurement of attenuation of installed fibre optic cabling using multimode fibre. The purpose of these standards, which are both due to be updated this year, is to ensure that regardless of which manufacturer’s test system is being used, all the different test systems report the same loss for the cable being tested. “To stay ahead of the new testing requirements, installers should not delay in ensuring that the test cords that accompany their power meters and light sources are made with reference grade connectors,” explains Tim. “They must also understand which tools and methods will deliver compliant test results in varied scenarios, for example the differences that exist when using LED or VCSEL light sources.” The most significant change is the addition of encircled flux testing which ensures that all fibre optic testers provide the same results when testing the same cable. To accomplish this, installers will need to add encircled flux launch cables to their existing inventory of fibre optic test equipment. Additionally, encircled flux testing does not allow

VCSEL light sources thus requiring “upgrading” to LED light sources. For fast and simple certification of high bandwidth single and multimode fibre optic cabling, including support for encircled flux testing, IDEAL Networks FiberTEK III adapters can be used with the LanTEK III cable certifier. The FiberTEK III adapters offer quick and easy Tier 1 certification which is also compliant with the new 2016 encircled flux fibre standards when equipped with encircled flux launch cords. To help keep costs manageable, LanTEK III and FiberTEK III have been designed as a modular solution so that cable installers only need to pay for the components that they need. To support installers, IDEAL Networks has published an article containing more detailed guidance on how to test fibre optic cable with encircled flux compliant light sources: www.idealnetworks.net/ UK/EN/News/Using-Encircled-FluxCompliant-Light-Sources-for-TestingFiber-Optic.aspx For more information on IDEAL Networks range of data cable and network testing solutions, visit www.idealnetworks.net

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

News

Telehouse Completes First Phase of its London Docklands North Two Data Centre with LINX On-board New £135 million data centre will further improve connectivity at London Docklands campus

elehouse Europe has launched the first phase of Telehouse North Two, its new £135 million data centre in London, and has marked the occasion by confirming the London Internet Exchange (LINX) as a partner. With two floors of secure co-location space immediately available to early adopters, Telehouse North Two will cover 24,000 sqm of gross floor area across an 11-storey building within Telehouse’s existing 73,000 sqm Docklands campus, ideally located very close to the centre of London. In addition to LINX, several other new and existing customers have already registered their interest in purchasing space within Telehouse North Two, following advance tours earlier this year. The investment in North Two further enhances connectivity at Telehouse’s Docklands campus, already the most highly connected data centre site in Europe, with direct access to a diverse range of connectivity partners. This enables Telehouse to meet the growing demand from Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and Over-The-Top content providers (OTTs) resulting from the rise in cloud adoption and the increased demands for content. North Two will provide the infrastructure for its existing and new customers to expand, with direct connections to its base of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs), carriers, mobile and content providers, enterprises and financial service companies. Telehouse is the primary home of LINX, a network that effectively provides the backbone to the UK’s internet, and is one of the largest sites for internet traffic exchange in the world. Telehouse’s carrier-neutral Docklands campus was opened in 1990, and LINX traffic has been travelling through the site for more than 20 years. LINX has more than 700 members from around the globe and Telehouse

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

hosts the vast majority of this UK internet peering traffic through its Docklands campus. With this movement of data, low latency requirements for networks and financial services is a given. However, increased performance pressures for video streaming and gaming for example, mean that proximity and connectivity are now more critical than ever. The siting of LINX within Telehouse North Two, will meet any increased demand for low-latency data flow, or high volume traffic exchange through the hosting of powerful 100 GE capable routers. “LINX is delighted to offer its services to Telehouse customers within North Two. With the North Two data centre, Telehouse has again shown it is at the forefront of data centre development,” says John Souter, CEO of LINX. “Our relationship with Telehouse goes back more than 20 years and it has enabled us to transform London’s Docklands into one of the world’s leading global internet hubs. This partnership is only going to grow in importance, with the new facility delivering greater connectivity and capacity as internet traffic continues to grow.” Hiroyuki Soshi, Managing Director of Telehouse Europe says: “The partnership between Telehouse and LINX has driven innovation and progress in the UK and worldwide, leading to

unrivalled connectivity. The launch of North Two will further drive the industry to reach new heights and allow businesses to grow exponentially.” Telehouse North Two will be the first multi-floor data centre in the world to feature a vertical Indirect Adiabatic and Evaporative cooling system, delivering a power usage effectiveness of 1.16. This innovative technology positions this facility as one of the greenest data centres in the world. It will combine efficiency and connectivity with peace of mind and is the only UK data centre that owns an on-campus 132 kV grid substation directly connected to the National Grid, reducing transmission losses and providing exceptional power density and service continuity. The site has a total power capacity of up to 73 MVA, which includes a capacity of up to 50 MVA from the substation and 23 MVA from six additional commercial power feeds. The facility also boasts unrivalled levels of security, with gated entrances manned 24/7 and more than 400 movement activated CCTV cameras. To learn more about Telehouse, visit www.telehouse.net. For all of our latest news follow us on Twitter via @TelehouseEurope or find our Telehouse Europe LinkedIn company page. news

News

Armstrong Ceilings hit the heights at Farnborough The total amount of tiles recycled by Armstrong Ceilings at the airshow has risen again.

rmstrong Ceilings continues to break the mould for recycling building materials at the Farnborough International Airshow. The UK manufacturer has again exceeded the amount of ceiling tiles it recycles at the bi-annual show it has supplied for the past four events, this year some 14,769m2 compared to the 13,400m2 it recycled in 2014 – the first time the company employed its Off-Cut scheme as well as its End-Of-Life scheme. Not only that, the amount of mineral ceilings recycled from the potential from more than 200 temporary corporate hospitality and business chalets and exhibition halls on site rose from 61% in 2014 to 79.8% this year, winning praise from the show’s head of operational development and Health and Safety. Jonathan Smith said: “I am extremely pleased with the outcomes this year working with Armstrong. There has been a significant year-on-year improvement over the last few shows since we began working together.” Some 1,885m2 (or 12.7%) of this year’s recycling total was from 70 bags of ceiling tile off-cuts recycled prior to the show between July 11 and 17 while 12,884m2 (87.3%) was from tiles dismantled after the show, all in all saving contractors (whom Armstrong does not charge for the service) more than £10,000 in landfill and skip hire tax. In terms of environmental impact, as well as the 14,769m2 diverted from landfill, this year’s scheme saved more than 73 tonnes of virgin raw material, more than 20,000 kWh energy, more than 36,000 CO2 equivalent greenhouse gasses, and more than 251,000 litres of potable water. The tiles for recycling (Dune Supreme and Fine Fissured) were collected in bags and stored in the exhibition hall then returned on nine trucks to Armstrong’s production facility in Gateshead for recycling back into the mix with the help of logistics company and fork lift operators Ceva Showfreight, specialist waste management and cleaning contractors Sagum Events and 18

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the Southampton branch of specialist distributor SIG Interiors. The corporate hospitality and business chalets, which are used by such prestigious exhibitors as Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Rolls Royce, typically take five weeks to build and fit out and one week to dismantle. Armstrong was first brought in to recycle its suspended ceilings at the 2008 airshow by the event’s largest independent chalet fitting contractor SDD I GES and back then saved 2,600m2 (or 10 tonnes) from landfill.

The ceiling tiles recycled from this year’s Farnborough airshow help to bring the total amount of recycling by Armstrong since 2009 to more than 500,000m2. Armstrong pioneered ceiling recycling in the UK in 2003 and since then the programme has evolved to include all mineral tiles, no minimum quantities, a growing network of “Green Omega” installers and partnerships with national distributors to further support customers’ local recycling requirements. www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk

Watco solves dilemma of colour matching

atco, the UK’s leading manufacturer and direct supplier of industrial strength flooring products, is pleased to announce that it has launched Spectrum, a range of concrete floor paints available in 190 RAL classic colours. For designers and architects this can solve the problem of colour matching to a client’s specification, effectively matching floors to a brand identity. With 190 colours to choose from, the perfect match can be made to any

colour scheme. Its tough polyurethane formula means it can be used inside and out, and is strong enough for general use in warehouses, factories and workshops, but attractive enough for use in showrooms, retail areas, leisure facilities, or play areas. Spectrum can be applied to concrete, wood, painted surfaces or metal, and will transform brighten and dustproof floors, providing an easy to clean, mid-gloss finish. www.watco.co.uk Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

News

BPI Recycled Products urges buyers to check refuse sack standards BPI Recycled Products is urging buyers to look for CHSA certified refuse sacks to make sure they always benefit from products that conform to the highest industry standards.

he company is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of refuse sacks, recycling 65,000 tonnes of scrap polythene each year and supplying over 270,000 tonnes of polythene products to customers worldwide. Too often buyers of plastic refuse sacks have not received what they paid for – for example, refuse sacks are described as Heavy Duty but in reality fall short of this claim on the box. The CHSA (Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association) represents all the major manufacturers and distributors supplying cleaning and hygiene products in the UK. It has driven up standards, making it possible for buyers of cleaning products like refuse sacks to be sure when they buy accredited products, “what’s on the box is in the box.” Lorcan Mekitarian, Commercial Director of BPI Recycled Products said: “We believe it’s vitally important for buyers to have confidence in the quality of the sacks that they are purchasing and that they don’t fall foul of misleading their customers. “Regardless of which supplier they purchase them from, buyers can easily check with the CHSA the ranking of that particular supplier within the scheme and the number of audits carried out on its sacks. “When you buy refuse sacks from any CHSA accredited member, like BPI Recycled Products, you can be confident you will get exactly what you pay for. “There are some companyled standards for refuse sacks but none of them meet the industryled CHSA Standards, which have transformed the market. “Other standards don’t have the same stringent criteria, including rigorous independent assessment and auditing, which the industry should be adhering

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

to in order to get the best products into the hands of our customers.” He continued: “As a strong advocate of the CHSA Accreditation Scheme, BPI Recycled Products’ entire Green Sack is manufactured to the exacting CHSA Standards. “Our range of refuse sacks are recognised and trusted by cleaning and healthcare professionals, and our reputation rests on the proven performance of our sacks. “That is why we signed up to the CHSA Standards as we believe they are the only truly credible industry standard.” All CHSA members adhere to the code of practice and, where relevant, the Manufacturing Standards Accreditation Schemes for Soft Tissue products, Plastic Refuse Sacks and Industrial Cotton Mops make sure customers get what they pay for. Each scheme guarantees: • Consistency of supply: customers receive what they order • Accurate labelling: customers know what is inside the packaging • Fully audited manufacturers: customers get what they pay for Crucially, application to one of the accreditation schemes doesn’t guarantee membership as applicants are only admitted if they pass the initial audit

of all their products, labels and quality control procedures conducted by the scheme’s independent inspector. New members are audited four times in the first year of membership and at least twice annually thereafter. If they fail to meet the standard, they lose their accreditation membership. BPI Recycled Products manufactures its flagship and award-winning environmental brand, Green Sack™ range from 100% recycled UK farm waste polythene, chosen because of its strength, which results in a superior quality refuse sack. This range offers performance and environmental benefits and is widely used throughout the foodservice, janitorial and facilities management sectors. BPI Recycled Products Green Sack range is accompanied by a wider refuse range and healthcare portfolio. This includes sacks for local authorities, hospitals, retail and builders’ merchants. For more information about CHSA visit: www.chsa.co.uk/ For more information on British Polythene Industries visit www.bpipoly.com/

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Health & Safety

Low cost solution to slippery decking

ooden decking can become hazardous in damp and slippery conditions, creating the possible threat of a slips or falls for anyone walking across the surface. Outside areas where people gather need to be made safe so FibreGrid has

come up with a solution to this problem with the development of Anti Slip Standard GRP Decking Strips, part of their affordable GRP SlipGrip® Standard range. Timber decking becomes safer with these quick and easy to install DeckGrip Strips, which come supplied with decking screws and are pre-drilled. Available in lengths of 1200mm and 2400mm and widths of 50mm and 90mm, these decking strips are ideal for most decking areas and walkways. They are designed with a chamfered edge to provide additional safety which reduces any possibility of trips and

falls. Unlike other products, no glue is required to install the product. From an aesthetics view point, given the choice of widths available, DeckGrip Strips are able to complement existing decking areas by making a feature of the Strips against the timber substrate. Main advantages: • This tough safety solution for decking will last longer than the lifetime of the timber. The fibreglass construction won’t rot or warp and will remain safe even in wet conditions • The product offers cost effective, low maintenance long term safety • Tough enough for use in busy public spaces • Rapid, easy installation means it can be done will people continue to use the area while the strips are installed www.fibregrid.com

EMCOR UK recently presented seven prestigious safety awards from RoSPA & the British Safety Council

eading facilities management provider EMCOR UK is proud to announce it was recently presented 7 top safety awards from two of the UK’s most prestigious safety organisations, RoSPA and the British Safety Council, recognising the company for its significant focus on health and safety management. EMCOR UK received the Gold Medal Award in RoSPA’s (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) annual scheme. RoSPA also presented EMCOR UK with five Gold Medal Awards for its work with its customers Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Public Health England (PHE), RAF Coningsby, BAE Systems, and United Utilities. RoSPA awards represent excellence in health and safety management systems at customer sites including practices, leadership and workforce involvement. The awards demonstrate commitment to keeping employees safe at work, and continuing commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record. For example, EMCOR UK has had zero reportable incidents at AWE since 2011. Additionally, EMCOR UK received the International Safety Award with Merit from the British Safety Council, 20

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in recognition of the high standard of health and safety management practiced at EMCOR House, their Head Quarters in Surbiton. These 7 top safety awards are in addition to the 25 safety awards EMCOR UK has been presented in the last 15+ years. In 2016 alone the safety awards include: • EMCOR UK, RoSPA Gold Medal Award • AWE, RoSPA Gold Medal Award with Commendation • United Utilities, RoSPA Gold Medal Award • BAE Systems, RoSPA Gold Medal Award • PHE, RoSPA Gold Medal Award • RAF Coningsby, RoSPA Gold Medal Award • EMCOR House, International Safety Award with Merit, British Safety Council David Parker, Group Executive Director, EMCOR UK said: “Nothing is more important to EMCOR UK than health and safety, which is why it will remain a business imperative going forward. Therefore, EMCOR UK is very proud to be recognised by RoSPA and the British Safety Council as a leader

in health and safety with Gold Medal Awards and the International Safety Award with Merit. As a company, we remain committed to the goal of providing a safe environment for our employees, customers, and those with whom we are honoured to work with and for.” Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said: “To win an award at such a highly-regarded event as the RoSPA Awards is a great achievement for EMCOR UK. It recognises their commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record and raises the bar for other organisations to aspire to. We offer them our congratulations. This year was doubly special for our winners as their achievements were recognised as the RoSPA Awards celebrated its diamond anniversary, which is a ringing endorsement of the thousands of businesses and organisations that have committed to continuous improvement in accident and ill-health prevention.” EMCOR UK provides facilities management and sustainable business solutions for a diverse range of private and public sector organisations. For further information on EMCOR UK, please visit www.emcoruk.com or telephone 0845 600 2300. Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Health & Safety

Health & Safety North 2016 showcases the latest developments in health and safety policy and practice Major developments in health and safety policy and practice will be debated at Health & Safety North 2016.

he two-day event, which returns to Bolton Arena on 12th-13th October, is centred on an exhibition that includes a free-to-attend conference curated by the British Safety Council. The event also showcases leading trade bodies, manufacturers and distributors, training providers and consultants in the health and safety sector, providing visitors with access to key industry speakers who will offer unique insights into the health and safety industry. Opening the conference programme, Shaun Knott, manager at Casella, draws attention to the growing issue of occupational illnesses, which are a far bigger killer than industrial accidents. Shaun looks at the management of occupational exposure to dust and explains how businesses can better protect the workforce. In addition, Zoe Betts, criminal regulatory lawyer from leading UK legal firm Pinsent Masons LLP, assesses the Sentencing Council guidelines for health and safety offences, which was introduced in February, and the impact that increased fines has had on the industry. As Zoe will point out, never before has there been such intense scrutiny on the risk of harm arising from business activities and the systems in place to ensure regulatory compliance. Safe businesses are reliant on the entire workforce maintaining excellent standards of health and safety. The presentation from Nigel Bryson, director of Bryson Consulting, references the Health and Safety Executive’s new strategy for health and safety in Great Britain and highlights how worker involvement is vital for effective health and safety management. Following a busy first day, the programme for the 13th October is also not to be missed. Kevin Fear, health and safety strategy lead at the Construction Industry Training Board, explores the thinking behind the Construction Design Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

and Management Regulations 2015 and, importantly, the impact it has had on the construction sector. As Kevin will point out, the level of discussion about the regulations since their introduction has risked forgetting their main purpose – to protect workers. Another highly topical issue that will be of significant interest to businesses is the thorny issue of HSE’s fee for intervention (FFI). Kevin Bridges and Gareth McManus, partner and associate at legal firm Pinsent Masons LLP, offer some practical advice on what businesses should expect and how they can prepare from a visit from an HSE inspector. Highlighting the changes that have occurred as a result of FFI, they will answer the all-important question – when can the HSE inspector charge a fee for their engagement with the business? The event will also benefit from a Safety Dialogue Theatre; a panel discussion during which experts discuss the latest issues and open up the floor to questions from the audience. With panellists drawn from event partners 3M, the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) and the British Occupational

Hygiene Society (BOHS), and event supporter, the National Examination Board for Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH), topics will include respiratory protection, noise hazards and hearing protection, and training and demonstrating competence. After its success at the Health and Safety Event at the NEC in March, NEBOSH’s Education Pavilion will make its debut at Bolton, offering visitors an opportunity to access the latest and best in training, education and competence. The full seminar programme for the event can be viewed online at: www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk

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Special Feature

Sounding Off Michael Page, joint managing director of workplace consultant, Saracen Interiors, looks at the issues surrounding noise in the modern office and the solutions that are commonly presented as a means of creating, and keeping, the peace.

ow to counter the effects of noise in an open-plan office will always feature highly on the average client check list as noise and lack of privacy continue to prove to be such major distractions. An estimated seven out of ten, working in open-plan spaces, claim to be affected by noise, from doors slamming and music on the radio to loud phone voices and chattering colleagues. You don’t need statistics to confirm the fact that too much noise can have a detrimental effect in a working environment, not to mention a negative impact on staff morale. Take it as a given. Many workers have been driven from their desks by excessive noise, choosing to work from home, if it’s an option, or to seek solace in an empty boardroom. And it’s not just a concentration issue. There’s also the confidentiality aspect to be considered... For example, nobody wants sensitive HR information discussed within earshot of whichever department and colleagues happen to be positioned the closest. There are some issues that are very clearly personal and best kept that way. There’s a balance to be achieved as businesses strive to reap the benefits of open-plan, and the unity it affords, without falling victim to the negatives that can be imposed, from loss of privacy to low productivity. Part of the job for our team, when planning a fit out or refurbishment, is to make sure that the balance is realised by presenting a series of credible options. There are many solutions that we flag up in the very early stages of the design and space planning process. All are dependent on space, budget and the specific needs of the individual client 22

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and include everything from intelligent space planning to the choice of floor and ceiling tiles, along with more expensive, high-tech solutions. Thoughtful planning, including break up areas to disperse the noise and the considered positioning of certain departments, is always in the mix. With some clients, we also advocate the ‘phone booth solution’ – small, acoustically-isolated spaces that can be used for private access to teleconferences, important phone calls or for increased concentration when there are deadlines to be met. Also, the use of ‘slab to slab’ walls, rather than partitioned walls, that stop at the point of suspended ceilings or floors, can effectively cut off sound and restore a far quieter environment. Then there are sound-absorptive, desk level products, ceiling tiles, flooring and fabric boards that help to muffle sound, along with sound-masking technology – the most expensive option, providing a coating of inoffensive ‘white noise’ such as birdsong or gently flowing water. As well as creating a pleasing background noise, masking covers low-level noise and has been proven to improve performance and, of course, to boost that all-important sense of wellbeing that an open plan office, with jarring sound effects, can strip us of. It’s important to remember that the noise factor can work both ways. Some quiet spaces can be a little too quiet, exposing colleagues who are struggling to maintain some privacy

around themselves when making phone calls or talking to colleagues. Masking sounds, as mentioned above, is useful in these situations, as such sounds are low volume and easy to work in. Often, it’s all about budget but, for us, the crux of it is that we’d be falling short if we didn’t advise clients on what can be achieved by spending a bit more in certain areas. For instance, a small upgrade on floor or ceiling tiles can make a significant difference and, in doing so, can pave the way for a happier and more focused team. The workers’ wellbeing is now a key focus for any office fit out or refurbishment. It tops the list when it comes to productivity and it sits at the very heart of the recruitment and retention of staff. And so getting the acoustics right has to be a priority for the facilities manager, as well as the office refurbishment consultant, as, when it comes to wellbeing, sound is, arguably, the crucial, contributing factor. www.saraceninteriors.com Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Cleaning & Hygiene

Raising hygiene standards with Rotarad With cleanliness the top priority within the healthcare sector, Rotarad’s radiator valve access kit, which allows access to the space behind the radiator, is a major step forward in raising hygiene standards. Helping to fight the battle against infection For the first time, the ingenious Rotarad kit makes full access behind the radiator panel, a both forgotten and inaccessible place, a reality. Allowing easy deep cleaning as well as the opportunity to completely redecorate a room, Rotarad offers clear benefits, including raised hygiene standards since the accessibility allows harmful bacteria, dust and other irritants that can trigger allergies to be conveniently and regularly removed. Rotarad may also help with infection control of socalled superbugs MRSA and C. diff.

Fully compliant and easy to install The result of extensive market research and product testing, Rotarad is fully complaint with all current EU

quality and health and safety regulations. Easily installed as either an original or retrofit, Rotarad is suitable for all sizes of conventional radiator. Malcolm Keeling, product creator said, ‘Rotarad literally has the potential to help revolutionise attitudes and practises concerning cleanliness within our hospitals, clinics and care homes.’ Rotarad is available at independent plumbing and heating merchants, DIY outlets as well as via Rotarad direct. For more information on the Rotarad radiator convertor kit and how it could benefit the healthcare sector, visit www.rotarad.com or call 01782 385152.

Bristol firm strikes major FM deal with UK leading college An up and coming Bristol business is celebrating striking a major deal with a significant UK education provider.

aste Source has won an important contract with City of Bristol College to manage the college’s waste; and will be working together with bespoke Cleaning Services, who will be delivering the commercial cleaning contract for the College. The four-year deal will see Waste Source working across seven sites in Bristol and the broker will be coordinating five waste service providers, using its industry-leading IT infrastructure. The contract win represents another positive milestone in what has already been a successful year for Waste Source. The company, which is based at Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

the Tobacco Factory in Bedminster and employ eight people, was achieving sales of £265k three years ago and is on course for an impressive near 100 per cent increase in turnover compared to last year – with the business projected to hit a record turnover of £2.4m by its financial year end in November. It counts companies such as Turtle Bay, Boston Tea Party and Oak Furniture Land as clients and manage all of their waste processes in an ethical and transparent way. Chris Holland, who is founder and director, comments: “We’re naturally delighted to be working with City of Bristol College across multiple sites; as it speaks volumes for us as a business and the level of service and work we deliver. “We’re well on track for an amazing year in business and are actively recruiting to ensure we remain at the

cutting edge as we grow.” Chris Gwynne, Facilities Manager, at City of Bristol College, comments: “All of our sites are different sizes with different waste requirements and Waste Source and bespoke Cleaning Services offered a sensible and effective solution. Both are the best at what they do and highly professional to deal with.” Mark Woodall at bespoke Cleaning Services, comments: “bespoke is looking forward to working with Waste Source, as like us they are a stand-out company. It represents a significant milestone for both of us and we’ll work hard to deliver a first-class service.” Waste Source’s mission statement is to make waste disposal a simpler, cheaper and more effective process for businesses of any size, especially those that operate across multiple locations. www.wastesource.co.uk cleaning & hygiene

Windows & Doors

Union secure repeat orders from Lidl

nion Industries, the Great British manufacturer, has been working overtime to complete a series of installations for the German discounter, Lidl UK, which will help transform operations at one of the grocer’s largest multi-temperature warehouses. Lidl, a long-standing client of Union Industries, has invested in four new high speed doors for its Kent-based site that will facilitate significant efficiency gains. Three Ramdoors and one Bulldoor have been used to replace four existing doors at the warehouse which were supplied by one of Union’s competitors when the distribution centre was built in 2014. The original doors frequently required costly new parts, mainly as a result of impact damage by forklift & ride-on ped trucks. The new Union rapid roll doors will drastically reduce the downtime that Lidl experienced with the previous doors, which was caused by excessive lead times for parts and repair. Union Industries’ doors have an excellent reputation in retail distribution for very high traffic use openings between various temperature controlled zones. The robust construction of the doors, coupled with Union’s ability to deliver exceptional after-sales service has been key to its success in securing contracts with multinational companies such as Lidl. Alternative suppliers in the industry tend to be agents and distributors rather than OEM manufacturers so cannot match the speed at which Union can react to

customers’ requirements. A team of Union’s highly trained technicians carried out the installations in a way that caused as little disruption as possible to Lidl’s operation, which involved working throughout the weekends and on evenings, when traffic in the warehouse was at its lowest. In common with the other doors in the range, the Bulldoor and Ramdoor also features Union’s highly-regarded ‘Crash-Out’ damage protection facility which ensures the doors remain operable if the heavy duty steel composite bottom beam is hit by a vehicle. Both door models are also covered by Union’s Lifetime Warranty Scheme, which was introduced several years ago. This cover not only provides an extensive guarantee but also includes service visits from Union’s highly trained technicians as required. Lidl saw the benefits of the Lifetime Warranty from day one and so have agreements in place for Union doors on their all warehouses in the UK. Henry Patterson, Technical Sales Engineer for the South at Union Industries, said: “Businesses operating in industry are recognising the importance of investing in a high quality product, which is complemented by a responsive after-sales service. “Too often cheaper imported doors,

which are not durable, are used at warehouses and end up leading to spiralling costs. On the other hand, Union Industries’ doors can complete thousands of cycles without any maintenance and so should be seen as a long-term investment.” Stacy Copley, Head of Logistics for Lidl UK in Northfleet, said: “Having reliable rapid rise doors between our temperature controlled rooms is important; however, having even better after-sales service support is our main priority as it ensures a fast response time on any repairs required that could affect our cold chain. “We previously had to pay for regular call-outs, repairs, parts and maintenance of the doors we used, but since we invested in Union’s high quality doors with their brilliant warranty scheme, these problems have gone away.” www.unionindustries.co.uk

Kloeber deliver enhanced quality and performance with blu™

loeber’s position as one of the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of high performance timber, aluminium and composite glazing solutions, has seen it work with Marine Grade 316 stainless steel door and window hardware specialist blu™. Kloeber is now working with blu to fit a growing range of the high quality stainless steel hardware onto its award winning contemporary FunkyFront timber and aluminium entrance doors. According to Kloeber company buyer Chris Cook, the moment he was introduced to the new blu™ range earlier this year he was impressed. “We are very specific about who we work with – as a leading name in 24

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the market we are courted by the hardware industry almost continuously – but it was clear from speaking to the team at blu™ that they shared the same ethos as us which was vitally important” said Chris. “Stainless steel has become incredibly popular and now features on about 90% of our products and it is vital that we work with a company that matches our high standards. People want the hardware to match the quality of the rest of the product because it is such an aesthetic aspect – it’s what the customer comes into contact with every time they open and close their windows and doors. We feel we have the best products and we want to finish

them with the blu™ hardware and our customers have really responded positively to this,” Chris added. Having developed such a positive relationship, Kloeber is now working with blu™ to design its own range of door hardware. www.blu-performance.com Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Windows & Doors

Allegion launches new AXA range for UK market

XA, part of the Allegion family of brands has launched its brand new range of door hardware products. AXA is a specialist manufacturer of door and window fittings for residential applications, offering effective solutions and high quality products. The new release of products includes: AXA Oyster® 10, AXA Remote 2.0™, AXA Door Guard, AXAflex Combi-stays and Telescopic stays and are available to the UK market. The AXA Oyster® is a unique product to the market and combines a window fastener and stay in one. This means that only one product is needed for the window, instead of the usual three. The product can be safely used for ventilation in two positions and has a built-in damper that absorbs any gusts of wind. AXA Remote 2.0™ enables users to open and close windows in their home easily, quickly, securely and remotely. The product allows natural ventilation and fresh air with just a push of a button and can be powered by solar. AXA Door Guard is a safe and highly secure option for residential front doors, enabling users to open a door slightly to see who is there, and restrict access if necessary. The AXAflex Combi and Telescopic stays are the leading products in the field of ventilation, and have been for decades. These products provide an all-in-one

safe and efficient window product. All of the products listed meet current safety and security requirements for ventilation and all come with guarantees of up to 10 years. Although products are primarily suitable for residential security, they can also be used across other applications such as commercial, leisure, healthcare and education. Dan Harvey, product manager at Allegion said: “The new range for UK markets is a secure and compliant

collection. They are easy to install, look great and offer quick and efficient security solutions for homeowners. The products all meet necessary standards so homeowners can be rest assured they are purchasing the very best in the market.” For further information about the products and the benefits, you can view the brochure here. You can contact Allegion on contactuk@allegion.com. Visit www.allegion.com/uk for more information.

rightstyle, the leading supplier of steel and aluminium glazing systems, has been appointed to the Royal Academy of Arts, the UK’s oldest arts institution, for the supply and installation of advanced glazing systems. The prestigious contract forms part of the RA’s £49.8 million redevelopment to link the two buildings it owns – Burlington House and a building in Burlington Gardens that it purchased in 2001. When complete in 2018, in time to celebrate the RA’s 250th birthday, visitors will for the first time be able to walk from Piccadilly to Mayfair through expanded and improved artistic spaces. “The RA is an iconic institution and a centre of teaching excellence, and the redevelopment of its historic buildings is therefore a project of enormous national and cultural significance,” said Lee Coates, Wrightstyle’s technical director. “We have particular expertise in working on historically sensitive Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

buildings, and we have comprehensive systems ranges to enhance any built environment,” he said. The external glazing contract will comprise systems from both Wrightstyle and Secco Sistemi, for whom Wrightstyle was appointed a fabricator and supplier earlier this year. The Italian company is a worldwide leader in the production of designer systems for doors, windows and facades – and which are specified internationally for the refurbishment of historic buildings. Wrightstyle recently completed the iconic frontage to King’s Cross station in London, is currently working on an

Image: Ollios

Wrightstyle appointed to the Royal Academy

historic project on Tower Bridge, and expects to complete the RA contract in three phases between the end of this year and spring 2017. Contractor for the project is John Sisk & Son and the architect is David Chipperfield. www.wrightstyle.co.uk windows & doors

Lighting

Emergency lighting changes: no reason to panic Recent revisions to the emergency lighting requirement in the UK shouldn’t be a cause for consternation – but do mean that facilities managers need to carefully review their current installations. Greenlite’s In-House Lighting Designer Andrew Balmer looks in detail at the latest measures.

he need for commercial spaces of all shapes and sizes to undertake regular reviews of their emergency lighting should, in all honesty, require little explanation. As well as guaranteeing the safety and comfort of their personnel, there is also the fact that even seemingly minor compliance failures can result in substantial penalties. But if you haven’t paid the subject too much thought lately, the recent changes to the relevant BS5266 standards – designed to bring them into line with the European emergency lighting luminous requirement specification standard, BS EN 1838:2013 – should be sufficient to prompt a thorough review. The revision expands the scope of the existing standard in several key ways, not least in its extension to cover high-risk task lighting – in other words, providing illumination for the safety of people involved in potentially dangerous processes or situations, and enabling proper shut-down procedures for the safety of the operator and other occupants of the premises. There are also a number of additions that have potentially far-reaching consequences for the design of new systems, or the refurbishment of existing ones. Among other areas, these include guidance on the implementation of requirements and solutions, particularly with regard to suitability and energy usage, as well as advice on planning schemes for required equipment. There is also guidance about several 26

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specific types of building space, such as swimming pools and ‘open balcony’ entrance areas in apartment blocks. Above all, there is a heightened emphasis on the responsibilities that facilities managers and building owners must bear in ensuring that emergency lighting is deployed and utilised effectively. Accordingly, the new version highlights that risk assessments are needed for all premises and should identify the risks to people entering a premises, and that the assessor must ensure that safe means of escape – taking into account the needs of people with disabilities including visual impairment – are in place. Given the complexity and extent of the regulations as they now stand, it is arguable that only an emergency lighting system test – such as those carried by Greenlite and a number of other leading specialists – can provide complete peace of mind with regard to compliance. But if this is something that you are not in a position to carry out immediately, there are some measures that can be taken to verify whether there are some problems with present installations.

Exit boxes Firstly, make sure that there are exit boxes where required. The obvious ones are situated at final exits, but if it is necessary to pass through a room to get to the exit, an additional exit box – or sufficiently lit sign – is needed beforehand as well.

Check the spacing of existing bulkheads As a rough guide, based on a standard 8w bulkhead these should be 3m from the wall and 6m apart with a 2.8m ceiling, the exact data should be available within the log book or direct from the manufacturer. Also, it is possible that in many existing retail outlets, for example, installations have been designed to the old regulations at 0.2 lux for an open area in which it should now be 0.5 lux. Meanwhile, exit routes should now be at 1 lux along the centreline.

The importance of regular checks The new regulations also stress the imperative for a log book to be kept on-site noting all tests and repairs, while in our client visits we are emphasising the importance of daily checks of the operational LEDs to make sure that emergency lights are on/charging, as well as more extensive monthly functional and annual duration tests. Ultimately, there isn’t much here that should result in mass compliance failure if facilities managers carry out reviews of their emergency lighting installations, and then undertake regular assessment thereafter. But similarly, it is evident that there is no substitute for the complete reassurance that can be offered by a thorough emergency lighting test carried out by Greenlite or one of the other leading specialists. www.greenliteuk.com

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Lighting

New style linear luminaire launched by Aura Light Aura Light’s new Lezzon LED luminaire is one of the latest products to join the market offering a stylish twist to the classic favourite linear luminaire.

ezzon forms a part of Aura Light’s architectural range of luminaires that offer a modern lighting solution for offices, schools, universities and other public spaces. The luminaire offers a more stylish and unusual outline compared to a traditional linear luminaire and is wire suspended for an exciting, contemporary addition to any room. The luminaire now also incorporates Aura Light’s Tunable White technology to allow users to adjust the colour temperature to promote natural light levels which is known to improve productivity and concentration levels, a particular benefit to working and educational environments. Designed and manufactured in Sweden, Lezzon is the work of lighting designer Joachim Engstrand based on the advanced ‘Z-core’ light engine platform which is used in a number of Aura Light’s latest luminaires. Z-core based luminaires offer the highest efficiency rates due to their exceptional thermal management properties. Offering the ideal combination of great energy savings and low maintenance, Lezzon is particularly good for schools and offices where reliable and affordable lighting is required for long periods of time. The luminaire can be specified in 36W, 41W, 53W or 65W as a low energy replacement for fluorescent tubes or linear luminaires that are often associated with high running costs. Lezzon also offers high efficacy producing up to 115 lumens per circuit watt for excellent visibility and light levels. Lezzon comprises an LED light source with a 50,000 hour lifetime, supported by a 5 year guarantee, to ensure that an environment remains efficiently lit without the need for regular maintenance or lamp replacements. The efficiency of Lezzon is enhanced by the extruded aluminium housing which ensures good heat dissipation. This prevents the LEDs from overheating and damaging Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

the performance and quality of light, which consequently reduces the overall light life. The LED luminaire gives 65% direct light using a micro-prism diffuser, as well as 35% indirect using a line prismatic diffuser, which can be dimmed using DALI dimming controls and can also be dimmed by phase pulse control, for additional energy savings where possible. Installing Lezzon is particularly straightforward which will benefit applications in schools and offices with strict time restrictions. The pendant luminaire is suspended from 1m wires, which can be adjusted and moved along the luminaire to suit the installation requirements and making it a much easier task. Lezzon can be specified in colour temperatures of 3000K and 4000K as standard, with the new Tunable White option, available only in 41W output, giving users the flexibility to adjust the temperatures from 2700K to 6000K according to individual preference and natural daylight levels. The Tunable White concept has been developed by Aura Light in response to recent studies on Human Centric Lighting. Results from these studies have suggested that different

light levels and temperatures can have a positive or negative effect on productivity, fatigue and concentration levels in offices and classrooms. In offering the ability to control the colour temperature within a room, users can create an ambience that is right for their daily requirements. Further information is available from Aura Light on 01952 250800 by emailing: simon.taylor@aura-light.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.aura-light.co.uk

lighting

Lighting

Venture creates bespoke lighting solution for Costco underground car park

enture Lighting Europe has supplied a purpose-made retrofit gear tray to help a Costco store in Birmingham reduce its energy consumption and improve the lighting of its underground car park. The company, working with lighting maintenance contractors Solent Lighting, developed a 50W LED retrofit gear tray to replace 300 150W Metal Halide lamps whilst still utilising the existing fittings to generate an estimated 70% energy saving. The 300 fittings are located in the store’s underground car park, which required high levels of light to promote a safe and customer-friendly environment. Due to the nature of the car park, fixture replacements would have been extremely expensive and would have required extra drilling into the concrete structure, creating a lot of mess and disruption to the car park. Venture’s retrofit solution eliminated all of this whilst keeping the costs and installation time to a minimum. The 50W LED retrofit gear tray was created by Venture to meet the light and performance demanded by the car

park, and is purposely designed to fit the existing luminaire body. Comprising three of Venture’s high performance linear LED modules and a 50W fixed output driver, the new gear tray delivers excellent and reliable light, with an efficacy of up to 148 lumens per circuit watt. The new LEDs also offer a light life beyond 60,000 hours to eliminate any lamp failures and replacements. In using the LED retrofit gear tray, the store was able to keep its existing IP65 non-corrosive fixture which is best suited for the application. Being an underground car park it was important to the store to use a robust luminaire that is dust and water resistant and can withstand various temperatures and conditions. The retrofit solution allowed the store to keep the existing fittings, all of which have proved effective since the original installation. The store’s existing noncorrosive luminaire uses a prismatic polycarbonate refractor to allow for excellent control of light distribution. This cover is also designed to be extremely robust and vandal resistant to ensure no damage can be done to

the luminaire which may compromise the performance or distribution of the light. The modules and driver used to create the gear tray is amongst many different options developed by Venture for similar purposes. The company offers a range of LED lighting, including square and linear modules and various fixed output or dimmable drivers to create high efficiency and high performance luminaires for the commercial and industrial markets. Further information on Venture’s range of LED components is available from the company on 01923 692600, by emailing: info@venturelighting.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.venturelightingeurope.com

Prestige LEDs – the easy, cost efficient way to update T5s and T8s

inimise Energy Lighting Technologies has added the OMS Prestige modular linear busbar LED System to its range of energy efficient lighting options. Originally designed as a flexible and easily adaptable system for fluorescent T5s and T8s, this latest Prestige iteration now incorporates energy efficient LEDs. The beauty of Prestige is that both old fluorescent and new LED units are modular, compatible and easy to upgrade with new lamps and a range of accessories, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of switching to LED. The system’s modularity makes it ideal for complex lighting designs in industrial, warehouse, logistics, retail, education and leisure applications. Furthermore, as all past, current and future Prestige elements are compatible, the system simplifies upgrades, both now and for years to come. The Prestige LED LSK system incorporates high performance LEDs with lens-only optics. The system can 28

lighting

be specified in both surface mounted and suspended variants and incorporates eight standard configurations: three width options, three depth options and two asymmetric options. In addition, the Prestige LED II system incorporates a diffuser, polished aluminium reflector and parabolic louvre. Again available in both surface mounted and suspended formats, Prestige LED II units can be specified in six standard configurations: two widths, two depths and two asymmetric. The system has been designed for flexibility of application, allowing lighting designers to combine any Prestige luminaire variant in any configuration to deliver the desired lighting levels and effects. Further customisation is available by the easy addition of accessories including speaker systems, power outlets, emergency kits, energy saving sensors and track luminaires to highlight focus areas. Suitable for use with any lighting

management system, Prestige units have a very high system efficacy rating of up to 138 lm/W and offer a CRI of up to 80+ RA as standard, with options to tailor the system up to CRI 90+. All have a lifetime of 50,000 hours / L80. Based on 20 hours of operation per day, 365 days per year, typical of a supermarket. This equates to more than 6 years of reliable service, and can be extended with the use of presence sensors of similar. The Prestige system is part of the Minimise Energy Lighting Technologies new OMS range. www.minimisegroup.com

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Lighting

LED Eco Lights launches intelligent LED lighting battens

ED Eco Lights has added SMART Sensor technology to its Goodlight™ G5 LED battens, allowing the luminaires to be grouped and respond intelligently to a building’s lighting needs. Warehouses and industrial sites can reduce their lighting energy bill by up to 65% by replacing fluorescent lighting in offices, production areas, warehouses, car parks, loading bays and other areas with SMART Goodlight G5 LED battens from LED Eco Lights. Goodlight G5 battens now feature SMART Sensor, a built-in RF wireless sensor which allows full control of the luminaire. The sensor not only allows the luminaire to respond directly to occupancy, motion and light levels, but also allows it to communicate with other grouped luminaires. G5 LED battens can be grouped together, with one master controlling the behaviour of multiple slaves. The feature allows lighting to be controlled much more intelligently. For example, lights can be switched on in anticipation of occupants entering an area for example as they progress along a corridor or up a flight of stairs. The Goodlight SMART Sensor includes Daylight Monitoring and Tri-level Dimming. All options and settings can be programmed and adjusted by simple remote control. Goodlight G5 LED battens are a direct drop-in replacement for standard 2ft, 4ft and 5ft length single and twin tube fluorescent fittings, but draw just 20W, 30W, 40W or 50W respectively – 65% of the energy of the fluorescent equivalent. The G5 has a lifespan of 50,000 hours, over triple the typical fluorescent tube, giving site operators further savings in maintenance budgets. The G5 delivers very high levels of light output, offering 110 lumens per Watt with a 120° beam angle for optimum spread. Light replacement can be funded from operating budgets using a pay-as-yousave lease option. Housed in a sleek body, the Goodlight G5 is shielded by a high density rubber seal, giving it fivefold protection against the environment. The seal offers IP65 protection against water, dust and corrosion plus the fitting can withstand exposure to frost, snow and ice. It can operate in extreme temperatures from -20 to +50°C, and is suitable for use in cold storage areas. The G5 fitting is glass-free making it suitable for food Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

and drink production environments. It has an impact protection rating of 1K08. LED Eco Lights are specialists in LED lighting for retro-fit applications, and estimates an existing fluorescent batten can be replaced with a G5 luminaire in just ten minutes. The G5 can be recessed, suspended, surface-mounted or seamlessly linked and is supplied with stainless steel mounting clips as standard for quick and simple installation. Goodlight G5 LED batten luminaires are available in three colour temperatures: daylight, natural and warm white. They are fully dimmable, and can be controlled via a DALI or 0-10V interface in addition to the RF wireless remote. An optional emergency backup battery is available. Commenting, Saima Shafi, sales and marketing director at LED Eco Lights said, “Goodlight LED lighting technology offers more efficient light at lower cost, without the drawbacks of other low energy lighting technology. Our LED lamps and luminaires reach full brightness instantly, and are virtually maintenance free with no ballasts or starters needed. They are also free of the migraine-inducing flicker of traditional tube lights, and contain no heavy metals making them easy to dispose of safely and are much less hazardous in the unlikely event of a breakage.” Businesses are able to fund lighting replacement programmes from their operating budgets by taking advantage of the company’s BrightPlan LED leasing

scheme. This allows the replacement lights to be paid for directly by the energy savings and the customer will own the lights outright at the end of the lease. LED Eco Lights is offering businesses a free site survey which will provide a detailed breakdown of suitable replacement light fittings, the installed cost and the return on investment from savings on energy and maintenance costs. They also guarantee the G5 and other Goodlight fittings for five years, making installation risk-free.

About LED Eco Lights LED Eco Lights was founded in 2006 and is an award-winning LED lighting manufacturer. Its Goodlight™ LED lamps and luminaires provides a comprehensive range of LED solutions for commercial, industrial, amenity, leisure and hospitality environments. LED Eco Lights offers a team of technical experts, to guide customers through every stage of the upgrade process, including lighting design services, funding solutions and installation. LED Eco Lights also offers its Bright Goods range of vintage-style decorative LED filament bulbs. For more information please contact: www.goodlight.co.uk lighting

Security & Access Control

Eaton Adds Style to Substance with Flush Security System Keypad Eaton has launched a stylish flush keypad for security systems in the commercial and residential sectors. The power management company’s new KEY-FKPZ keypads offer class-leading aesthetics and a simpler installation.

“A

longside our existing range of stylish keypads, there is often a requirement for particular premises to have an even more aesthetically pleasing security keypad solution that does not detract from the smooth surface of the wall,” said Tony Walsh, vice president of engineering and security product line leader at Eaton. “We have been creative in how we have overcome the challenge of low profile and ease of installation.” Unique in the security industry, the flush keypad is designed to fit a singlegang back box. In addition, the KEY-FKPZ range of keypads are compatible with the full range of i-on and Menvier panels and use software version 4.04 and higher. Unlike competitor flush products, which require the installer to make large holes in the wall, the new KEY-FKPZ can be fitted as a standard installation, enabling minimal disruption to the building’s interior design and a smooth mounting. To meet a growing demand for a wider choice of colour finishes, the keypad’s discreet design provides the homeowner with the freedom to choose from five finishes – polished chrome, brushed chrome, brass, piano black and high-gloss white. “It’s all about meeting the customers’ style preferences as closely as possible,” said Glenn Foot, security products technical manager for Eaton. “The homeowner can match the colour of the keypad to the finish and the aesthetics of their property.” The KEY-FKPZ keypads include a large LCD display and key backlighting. Once mounted, the navigation key provides easy access for the installer to configure,

security & access control

and the user to set and unset the security system. As an additional feature, the keypad menu allows the installer to turn the status LED on or off. The keypad’s two zone inputs expand the installation options and provide greater flexibility for wiring additional zones. An integrated proximity tag reader is included with terminals for two fully supervised loop (FSL) zones or one four-wire closed circuit loop (CC) zone, which also has a programmable output and loud speakers connections. Eaton offers a wide range of third-party tested security products that cover access control, lone worker protection and intruder detection and alarm systems. Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power

distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges. Eaton is a power management company with 2015 sales of $20.9 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 96,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Security & Access Control

Biometric access control for ISO 27001 accreditation Shaun Oakes, Managing Director of ievo Ltd, the Newcastle-based manufacturer of biometric recognition systems, explains how access control is a vital factor for organisations working towards ISO 27001 accreditation.

he security of information or data storage is becoming increasingly vital to every organisation with their Information Security Management System (ISMS) now recognised as virtually a yardstick of their professionalism and integrity. The 2013 upgrading of the original ISO/IEC 27001 standard created a universally recognised benchmark by which all organisations could be judged before entering into commercial relationships and, as such, has become an extremely valuable asset for companies, highlighting the importance they place on data security as part of best business practice. Whilst no ISMS can guarantee perfect security, and security breaches over the last few years are well documented, ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation will not only help businesses manage the security of their data but will also advertise this expertise to existing and potential clients. The standard looks

at a number of core sections, which include IT systems, business processes and, most importantly, people. An integral part of the accreditation process (Section A.11) deals with access control, looking at key areas such as user access management, user registration and password management and here the use of biometric security systems with fingerprint recognition readers enables organisations to not only cover all requirements of the Standard, but also facilitate additional security measures, should they be required to significantly reduce risks of security breaches and cyber attacks. Many organisations, of course, rely simply on swipe cards or a numeric pin entry access system, but while access pins can be passed around or even guessed, with key cards sharing many of the same downfalls as well as increasing costs due replacing lost/damaged cards, biometric security systems bypass many

Shaun Oakes, MD of ievo Ltd

of these vulnerabilities, and are becoming increasingly popular. Fingerprints are unique to each individual – unlike codes or key cards they can’t be passed or shared. The implementation of the latest biometric recognition systems allows the organisation to secure commercial sites worldwide, adding an additional layer of safety to the businesses access control infrastructure. Each site’s visitor movements can be accurately monitored in real time from the access control system with certain areas restricted if needed. This provides the organisation with a sophisticated level of personnel movement information, vital for health and safety and fire roll call protocols. ISO 27001 is now the standard by which the security of an organisations’ data is judged and companies without the accreditation, or which rely on old technology, may well be excluded when it comes to tendering for major contracts. For more information please visit: www.ievoreader.com

OPTEX to showcase intrusion detection systems at Essen

PTEX will be exhibiting its newly launched intrusion detection sensors at Security Essen, and show that when integrated with third party security systems they help to provide 360-degree protection. Additionally, a new package

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

including OPTEX’s people counter and third party analytics software will be previewed at the show. The leading sensor technology manufacturer will be showcasing a number of live demos to demonstrate how easily its range of presence and intrusion detection sensors integrate with third party security systems. A whole range is available: from connecting OPTEX battery powered PIRS to a wireless alarm panel, to integrating IP intrusion detectors to CCTV systems. For high-end security applications, a live demo will showcase how OPTEX’s fibre optic PIDS (Perimeter Intrusion Detection System) and laser scanners are integrated with the latest ela-soft GEMOS Software – a Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) system. By doing so, the overarching building and security management system provides the end-user with an easier

control of intrusion events in and outside the building giving a full overview. For building and asset protection, OPTEX’s new high-resolution laser sensors can precisely detect and locate people or objects in all lighting conditions. The speed of detection is so great that even the fastest runner in the world would be detected. OPTEX will be also presenting its people counting sensor with its new capability to include third party analytics software that enables retailers, museums, and leisure outlets to have multi-directional counting data; the in and out count allowing analysis of the footfall or occupancy level. The sensor and the software combined provides a flexible and easy to implement people counting solution for shops and premises that do not have a dedicated analytics software system in place. www.optex-europe.com security & access control

Security & Access Control

Industry backing for top fire and security awards

he FSA Awards will be presented at IFSEC’s Security & Fire Excellence Awards in November Six leading organisations in the fire and security industry have confirmed their support for this year’s Fire & Security Association (FSA) Awards, which are open for nominations until 21 September. The industry bodies backing the awards are as follows: • Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) • SELECT – The Scottish electrical trade body • National Security Inspectorate (NSI); • Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB); • The Fire Protection Association (FPA); and • British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) Following a partnership deal, the two FSA Awards will be presented for the first time at this year’s industryleading IFSEC ‘Security and Fire Excellence Awards’, being held on 23 November in London. Attendees on the evening will include business leaders, clients and other key stakeholders. Representatives from the FSA, SELECT, NSI and SSAIB will be among the judges assessing the

nominations for the two individual FSA Awards, which are as follows: • The Peter Greenwood Security Award - recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the security systems industry. Last year’s winner was Simon Banks of CSL Dualcom. • The Ian Marsh Fire Award recognises individuals who demonstrate enthusiasm and selfless concern for the fire and emergency systems industry. Last year’s winner was Geoff Teader of Amalgamated Ltd. Head of the FSA Steve Martin commented: “The FSA is delighted to confirm that the fire and security sector is getting behind the FSA Awards, highlighting the industry-wide recognition that the winners will receive. “We urge the entire industry to nominate deserving individuals for these awards, and look forward to recognising the achievements of the winners later this year.” NSI Business Development Director Graeme Hazlewood added: “NSI strongly supports the FSA in its recognition of extraordinary people in the Security and Fire systems’ industries. These prestigious awards champion those that

Geoff Teader of Amalgameted Ltd in the centre, alongside FSA Chairman Pat Allen on the left, and comedian Ed Byrne on the right

are passionate about the sector and who strive to make it successful. We wish all of the nominees the best of luck!” BAFE Chief Executive Stephen Adams commented: “BAFE are pleased to be supporting the FSA Awards. These two sectors are becoming closer than ever and we support the ECA as one of the important trade associations supporting contractors who have gained third party certification for their competence in these areas.” The winners of both FSA Awards (plus one guest each) will be given free places on the FSA’s table at the Security and Fire Excellence Awards, which is being hosted by top comedian Jimmy Carr. The deadline for FSA Award nominations is Wednesday 21 September at midday. For more details, or to nominate an individual for either award, please visit http:// www.eca.co.uk/fsa-awards/.

Interserve wins £20 million security contract extension

nterserve, the international support services and construction group, has been awarded a two-year extension of its contract to provide security services to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) worth in excess of £20 million. Leading provider of manned guarding and security services, First Security – part of Interserve – has worked with the BBC since April 2014 when it was awarded the Corporation’s National Security Contract. This was a three-year deal to provide security services at properties across the UK. First Security handles all manned guarding, close protection and control room operations at a variety of sites, including Broadcasting House in London, Pacific Quay in Glasgow and the Media City UK complex in Salford. The account extension will start in early 2017. 32

security & access control

Tom Ward, director of operations for security at Interserve, said: “We have a strong working relationship and have built up a track record of delivering outstanding service across a large and diverse portfolio. We look forward to continuing our work with the Corporation for a further two years.” First Security’s parent company Interserve is the BBC’s integrated facilities management partner. The

team provide workplace support and services including cleaning, maintenance, mechanical and electrical, signage and waste management to sites across the UK. www.interserve.com

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

Security & Access Control

New research reveals outsourcing of security high but professionalism is paramount Grosvenor Services study reveals requirements when procuring security

ompetence of staff and getting the supplier to deliver on the terms of the contract are the two main challenges businesses face when outsourcing their security, new research shows. At a time when businesses are increasingly alert to security threats, outsourcing is the most popular option according to independent research conducted on behalf of facility services specialists, Grosvenor Services.

Key findings: 80 per cent of those surveyed prefer to outsource security requirements rather than use an in-house team, with half preferring to use a provider specialising solely in security. Those who were in favour of using a stand-alone security specialist were concerned that diversification would lead to a less than satisfactory service. An alternative is a bundled FM contract, whereby a facilities management company manages several elements of service provision such as security, cleaning and grounds maintenance. 30 per cent of those surveyed said they would prefer to opt for a facilities management provider with security expertise. A prime reason cited for this was ease of communication by having one point of contact for multiple services. Professionalism of on-site staff was paramount for all those surveyed, whichever way security is managed. Compared to similar research conducted on the broader facilities management market, while both expect professionalism it ranks as the most important factor in the security sector, Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

outstripping everything else. Investment in security could be undermined by less than competent staff which could have serious consequences for the security of a company.

Meeting changing needs Bernard McCauley, Group Managing Director from Grosvenor Services, which also owns Charter Security, said: “Organisations looking to outsource need to be confident that the supplier they’ve selected has the expertise and innovation to meet ever changing security needs in a professional manner. “Developments, including the application of new technology and the need for increased levels of security, have raised the bar in terms of service delivery requirements. It is now time to re-educate the marketplace about how much more a modern, professional security services provider can deliver, whether a stand-alone specialist or a full facilities services company.” The survey was conducted amongst those with responsibility for purchasing security services and included security and FM managers,

primarily in commercial offices and construction companies with over 100 employees based in London. For more information on Grosvenor Services, visit www.grosvenorservices. com, call +353 1 295 4866 or email enquiriesireland@grosvenorservices. com or +44 (0) 203 713 7783 or email enquiriesuk@grosvenorservices.com security & access control

Building & Refurbishment

Demand for off-site construction continues to increase in the UK’s manufacturing sector The Portakabin Group is seeing a significant rise in demand for buildings in the manufacturing sector as more organisations look to expand their facilities using offsite construction.

he Group’s latest project constructed using its Yorkon offsite solutions is for Totally Wicked – the first purpose-designed fluid production and technical facility for electronic cigarettes to be built in the UK. The scheme has increased the company’s capacity to over 10 million bottles of premium quality e-liquid every year for the UK, USA and worldwide markets. The facility was constructed off site to radically shorten the programme time and reduce disruption to the local community and to the company’s existing operations on the Totally Wicked site in Blackburn. Finished in anthracite grey with striking chilli red stripes to reflect Totally Wicked’s strong corporate image, the scheme accommodates a new production facility on the ground floor, complete with test room, fluid mixing area, bottling plant and a highly insulated cold room. New offices are located on the upper floor. The use of a Yorkon off-site solution from Portakabin reduced the build time for the facility to just four months to give Totally Wicked the benefit of earlier occupation. This also allowed production capacity to be increased and facilitated the company’s expansion at an earlier stage. Commenting on the project, Stuart Mercer, Operations Director at Totally Wicked, said, “We needed this building to help us meet the growing demand for our products both in the UK and for export markets. It is a cutting edge facility for e-liquid production.” “We chose an off-site solution because the brownfield site we wanted to develop is very constrained and it was critical to have as little interruption to our operations and to neighbouring properties as possible. The benefits of off-site construction far exceeded those of site34

building & refurbishment

based construction – we could have much less plant and equipment on site, the programme was much shorter, and disruption was minimised.” “Following completion we are now ideally placed to take the business to the next level, increasing production in a very clean, modern environment. The finished building fits in really well with our corporate image and we would definitely recommend the approach and the Portakabin Group to other businesses looking to expand their facilities.” Around 30 people now work from the new building to meet the growing demand for Totally Wicked’s e-liquid products. Portakabin was principal contractor for the project and managed complex excavations on the challenging sloping site; construction of stone retaining walls; foundations, design, building installation and landscaping. The building also has a high performance pre-installed Yorkon concrete floor at ground floor level to

provide a robust, lasting and clean finish for the production areas. The landscaping included tree planting and an external break-out space for staff. For further information about Yorkon off-site building solutions from the Portakabin Group, call 0845 2000 123, email info@yorkon.co.uk or visit www. yorkon.co.uk.

Building & Facilities Management – September 2016

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