PSS Magazine April 2016

April 2016

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LSHP wins ROSPA Gold award for third year running

New Street Station & Sustainability

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April 2016

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APRIL 2016

HeRAdeSiGn iS RAted OutStAndinG InsIde thIs Issue:

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LSHP winS ROSPA GOLd AwARd fOR tHiRd yeAR RunninG

new StReet StAtiOn & SuStAinAbiLity

AdvAnced cHOSen tO PROtect tyne And weAR MetRO

Highlights 9

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Shedding new light on museums and galleries

Kawneer systems help a new school break records

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12 OXFORD UNIVERSITY OPTS FOR INVISIBLE AUTOMATIC ACCESS

14 ALTRO WOOD SAFETY USED BY NORFOLK’S LARGEST CARE HOME PROVIDER

24 Controlling Flood Risk on Devon’s New Link Road

25 PORTAKABIN PRODUCES SHORT FILM

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pss Magazine • April 2016

News

Waste reducing student announced as project winner

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fter hundreds of entries and entrepreneurial ideas, The Student Energy Project (TSEP), an initiative launched by utilities management firm amber energy has announced a winner for its latest competition.

The TSEP Champion was chosen from students from universities across the UK. They were asked to submit original ideas to make their accommodation more sustainable. The winning entry will receive a £250 cash prize. The successful idea will also be included in a proposal to all TSEP sites during 2016/17.

Having already achieved success in locations such as Birmingham, Sheffield and Nottingham, The Student Energy Project encourages students in private accommodation to become more mindful of their energy consumption whilst at university.

Victoria Wheeler, project manager of The Student Energy Project, said: “This competition was a great way to bring to light the importance of sustainable living to students living in halls of residence, whilst highlighting the need for behavioural changes towards energy consumption.

“With so many entries, it was really encouraging to see so much awareness among the candidates. We’re really starting

to see a shift in attitudes among young people, and this competition has demonstrated that engaging students through incentives is a great way of expanding the vision of a sustainable future. It was difficult to select a winner, but Jemma’s idea was exceptionally creative.”

Jemma Broadstock from the University of Leicester has been announced as the winner. Jemma’s ideas were to open a sweatshop to allow students to trade unwanted items, as well as installing glass collection points on each floor of university halls of residence.

“It can be quite difficult to carry recycling down 19 floors in order to get to the bins, and I’m not the only one who struggles to remember to recycle because of this. A glass bin on each floor would make things so much easier, and have the biggest difference on our waste habits. With both of my ideas, I felt like I needed to look at my own life and what would work for me.

“Since moving into my current halls of residence, I signed up to TSEP out of curiosity. The rewards system has really motivated me to keep track of my energy use. I’ve gone from someone who doesn’t keep track to someone who has become more mindful, and ended up winning this competition. It shows how much awareness

that TSEP has brought to my daily life.

“I think TSEP has been great at encouraging students to become more aware of their energy consumption. We all know we should be taking notice, but it can be easy to forget to make it a priority.”

The Student Energy Project encourages students to reduce their energy consumption in their halls of residence and incentivises students to do this by rewarding them with points. At the end of term, students can then exchange these points for prizes of their choice.

The initiative was created by amber energy, an award winning energy consultancy based in South Wales. It is used as a way to promote behavioural changes and energy awareness across universities and private accommodation providers across the UK. For more information on TSEP email info@studentenergyproject.com

Sustainability lacking in public purchasing

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ll too often, public funds are used to purchase goods and services that are selected without regard for environmental or social responsibility.

In Europe, the new EU Public Purchasing Directive offers governments an opportunity to tighten legislation surrounding sustainable purchasing, and for buyers at the local level to take advantage of existing opportunities to make more sustainable product choices.

A new report from Sweden, Sustainable public procurement – from rhetoric to practice, takes a closer look at sustainable purchasing in the public sector and examines some common myths associated with including sustainability factors in the process. Deficiencies are identified in current legislation aimed at encouraging greater focus on sustainability factors in purchasing contracts. The study concludes that there is a need for tighter legislation, but also for buyers to take a greater responsibility at the grass roots level, by making more use of tools, such as third

PSS Magazine • April 2016

party certifications, available to them today.

The report is published by a group of sustainability organizations based in Sweden, including TCO Development, Fair Trade Sweden, MSC, the Association for Nature Conservation, KRAV, New Wave Group, 2050 Consulting and Ecolabelling Sweden. Together, these organizations have over 100 years experience in public purchasing, sustainability criteria and environmental strategy.

Sören Enholm, CEO of TCO Development and Ragnar Unge, CEO at Ecolabeling Sweden comments on the collaboration; “This report represents a unique cooperation between organizations with a long background in solutions for public purchasers. We hope this report will encourage both lawmakers and procurement professionals to become more engaged in sustainability issues when buying products and services.

The new EU Public Purchasing Directive is currently being implemented by all member states. Provisions in the Directive

give greater room for purchasers to make use of third party certifications as part of sustainable purchasing practice. Third party programs can support purchasers by providing current, relevant criteria and built-in routines for assessing and verifying compliance of the products they buy, something which is often too complex and resource-intensive for purchasers to do themselves.

The authors urge public entities to take greater responsibility for ensuring that products purchased with public funds meet sustainability criteria throughout the life cycle. Using third party certifications in various product categories is an effective way to do this, and in turn, help reach broader national climate and sustainability goals.

Buyer demand for third party certification provides greater incentive for brands and manuufacturers to not only certify their products, but also improve the overall environmental and social aspects of their business.

News

LSHP wins ROSPA Gold award for third year running

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iverpool & Sefton Health Partnership Ltd has been awarded a ROSPA gold award for their commitment to health and safety.

LSHP is a public private partnership which has co-ordinated the build of and manages 11 new health facilities in Liverpool, representing £100 million of investment in the city.

For the third year in a row, the organisation has been given a gold award by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

They will be presented with the award during a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel, on July 13th.

RoSPA’s mission is to save lives and reduce injuries for all ages and stages of life. To support this mission, the RoSPA awards were set up to celebrate those actively working to improve their accident and ill health prevention at work.

The scheme will be celebrating 60 years of presenting highly-regarded and sought

after accolades to businesses and organisations which have shown commitment to the cause.

Through the scheme, which is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas, judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

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 our winners. 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.”

Michael Webb, general manager of LSHP Ltd, said: “We are delighted to receive the gold award for a third year running as it highlights the tremendous work we put into ensuring our buildings have the highest standards in terms of safety.”

For more information about the RoSPA Awards visit www.rospa.com/awards www.lshp.co.uk

Study reveals ‘real’ aluminium packaging study into ‘real’ recycling rate for aluminium recycling rate Alupro packaging in 2015 reveals over 10,000 tonnes of

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he national recycling rate for all aluminium packaging now stands at 55% (previously 48%) and the estimated recycling rate for aluminium drinks cans has reached 69% (from 60%), but the figures could be even higher, indicates the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro).

According to packaging waste recovery data recently released by the Environment Agency the “business” recycling rate for all aluminium packaging exceeded its 2015 target (49%), reaching 76,027 tonnes.

However, research conducted to determine how much aluminium packaging is reprocessed or exported, beyond that reported by reprocessors/exporters accredited to issue packaging recycling notes (PRNs), revealed at least 10,000 tonnes of qualifying used aluminium packaging did not go through the PRN system in 2015. This means that an estimated 86,200 tonnes was actually collected for recycling, equating to an overall 55% recycling rate for 2015. The study was commissioned by Alupro and undertaken by independent environmental consultancy, Resource Futures.

The ‘real’ 2015 recycling rates announced

by Alupro are based on the methodology outlined in the EU’s Circular Economy package proposals. This removes the

unreported material aluminium where, by weight it forms a minor part of laminate and composite packaging, from the total aluminium put on the market.

Executive Director of Alupro, Rick Hindley, says: “Our research clearly demonstrates the need to encourage more reprocessors to become accredited to ensure that the PRN system provides an accurate record of recycling performance. It sets a clear benchmark for our sector and we will use our findings to focus on what needs to be done to meet the ambitious new material recovery targets proposed under the EU Circular Economy package. It is also vital that the measurement system we use in the UK for calculating recycling performance is aligned to the methodology used throughout Europe.”

Rick Hindley adds: “Meeting ambitious EU recycling targets and making the circular economy a reality is the responsibility of the entire supply chain, and will require long-term commitment and involvement throughout the materials sector.

Programmes like MetalMatters and Every Can Counts are helping to educate consumers and make recycling part of everyday life, and will continue to be key elements in our industry’s ‘roadmap’ to

2025. Our successes to date show that partnerships work and Alupro programmes are making a major contribution to delivering lasting and positive behaviour change, and increasing the recycling rate of aluminium packaging.”

Alupro project manages several programmes funded by metal packaging manufacturers, reprocessors and leading brands which the industry believes are making a vital contribution towards encouraging people to recycle more.

MetalMatters focuses on improving metal capture rates in local authority recycling schemes; whilst Every Can Counts supports organisations wanting to enable people to recycle the beverage cans used outside the home. www.alupro.org.uk

PSS Magazine • April 2016

News

Checkit and Cambridge City Council partner to transform UK food safety

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ood safety across the UK will be radically improved through an innovative new development created by a Cambridge partnership and announced today. Checkit (www.checkit. net/), the leader in automated monitoring and work management solutions across food, safety and facilities management, has partnered with Cambridge City Council in a flagship initiative to develop a next generation cloud-based food safety management system, which will revolutionise food safety compliance.

The system, which builds upon the Food Standards Agency’s Safer Food Better Business, enables all food businesses, whether a single restaurant or a UK-wide chain, hospital or even a school, to replace their paper-based system with interactive digital checklists and automated cloud-based monitoring, to give improved compliance, control and visibility.

Through the Primary Authority Partnership, Cambridge City Council has approved the use of the Checkit solution as a food safety management system, clearing the way for widespread adoption of the new technology. Through the partnership, Cambridge City Council is able to provide confidence and advice to Checkit customers who sign up as partner businesses, and confirmation to other food authorities across the UK that Checkit is able to fulfil the legal requirements food businesses must have.

The advanced Checkit system has been created to fully digitise the management and recording of tasks. It comprises four elements - the Memo, a handheld unit that displays scheduled tasks to staff, guiding them to ensure they comply with business processes and procedures, and then automatically recording and date-stamping their actions; handheld probes that allow the checking of temperatures and the wireless Internet–of-Things sensors that can automatically monitor temperature,

humidity or door status, 24/7.

All of the data feeds to the Checkit Control Centre. This is cloud-based management and monitoring software that provides businesses with real-time control and visibility over all of their operations. It enables managers to see at a glance which food safety tasks have been completed, and which have not. Checkit provides a verified audit trail that gives a full account of the business’s food safety activities, or an accurate, at-a-glance overview of the state of compliance. This summary is ideal for area managers, or even, if requested, for enforcement officers .“Checkit can provide a complete digital record of all of the tasks carried out by the business. It gives an accurate and verifiable record of compliance which benefits all good food businesses, and so offers the best opportunity for the business to succeed and achieve a high food rating,” said Frank Harrison, Manager of the Commercial Team of Cambridge City Council. “In a workplace where paper-based records are easily damaged, lost, or simply not available, a digital system which is always ready for use, makes record-keeping easy, accurate and fast, thereby saving the business time and money, while offering minimal disruption to the operations.”

As well as affecting the health of consumers, poor food safety also has a significant business impact, including leading to loss of custom, reputational damage, lower revenues, and potential prosecution. All of these can lead to the collapse of the business.

Food businesses, including restaurants, supermarkets, schools and hospitals, are rated under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme which publically displays the current ratings of qualifying food businesses. The maintenance of a complete and accurate food safety management system is essential for legal compliance, and to achieve a good food hygiene rating;

Checkit allows the business to achieve this, enabling checklists to be created and monitored around processes including food storage procedures and cleanliness.

“Cambridge has a global reputation for innovative ideas, and this partnership is a perfect example of public and private sectors working together to transform how task-based businesses, such as those in the food industry, operate,” said Martin Nash, Product Line Manager, Checkit. “Digital checklists are key to automating control over previously manual processes. We believe food safety is just the first application for our technology and are already seeing multiple applications in areas as diverse as healthcare and facilities management, where we can assist organisations in increasing efficiency and real-time control.”

“This Primary Authority Partnership shows that Cambridge City Council is committed to working with local business, and recognises the national benefit that good partnership working can achieve. This partnership, which aims to develop and improve food safety, both in the local area and further afield, is an excellent example of innovative work helping to improve our commercial sector and food safety as a whole,” said Councillor Peter Roberts, Executive Councillor for Environment and Waste. Cambridge City Council. “As a council we are committed to supporting Cambridge innovation, with its impact across the UK. Our work with Checkit demonstrates the benefits of good partnership working. It ensures that the highest standards of food safety and hygiene can be maintained even in an increasingly technical world; this cloud-based food safety management system is the natural progression of the paper version most widely used, and will help advance food safety to an higher level.” http://www.checkit.net/

Would you like to be a Sustainability Champion of 2016?

Register NOW for the 2016 Public Sector Sustainability Awards!

For more information, and to enter, please visit www.pssawards.co.uk

Be in it to win it!

News

AUDE Awards Celebrates Excellence in Estate Management

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he best of the best in Estate Management were honoured today for their exceptional achievements in Higher Education Estate Management.

The 2016 Higher Education Estates and Facilities Awards took place at the Gala dinner on the final night of the annual AUDE conference held at Exeter University.

Each year the awards celebrate and highlight the achievements of universities and best practice in the industry, including those who lead the way in estate and facilities management.

The judges were on the lookout for teams, projects and individuals who have made a significant contribution to enhancing excellence and ensuring university estates provide best value to support the institutional mission and promote efficiency and effectiveness.

The awards provided an excellent opportunity to showcase sector achievements and allow everyone to see the very best practice taking place in institutions today. This year, architect, TV presenter and Creative Director, George Clarke was the key note speaker. An advocate for how architecture can transform our everyday lives, he began the proceedings with celebrating those in the higher education estates industry.

The winners

Dozens entered this year’s awards to win a place in one of the prestigious categories: • AUDE University Impact Initiative of the Year Award • AUDE Chair’s Award for Long Term Contribution • The AUDE Emerging Talent Award • AUDE Estates/Facilities Team of the Year Award

This year the AUDE University Impact Initiative of the Year Award went to The Consultants and Estates project team led

by Neil Stubbs, Manchester University.

This award recognises a specific initiative having a significant positive impact on the institution, the sector and/or the profession. The team at Manchester University impressed the judges with their innovative way of engaging with the community to deliver the impressive project of a 76,000m2 new build. When completed in 2019, it will provide a new campus for 8,000 staff and students in four schools and it is this extensive work on a large scale that won them the award.

Highly Commended awards went to: The Campus Heart Project, Teeside University and The Community Project, Cumbria University.

The AUDE Chair’s Award for Long Term Contribution went to Diana Hampson, University of Manchester. This award celebrates Diane’s long-term achievements within the higher education estates community. Director of Estates and Facilities at The University of Manchester for nearly 20 years, Diana has shown dedication and commitment to AUDE throughout her career and today leads the University’s 10-year, £1 billion Campus Masterplan to create some of the world’s most modern facilities for staff, students and visitors.

Highly Commended award went to: Ged O’Donoghue, Nottingham Trent University 2016’s AUDE Emerging Talent Award went to Kelly Grimes, University of Liverpool for her exceptional work in redesigning the VfM data collection process at the University. She reinforced the positive VfM

culture and ensured it remained an integral part of University business. This award celebrates her achievements and great potential for the future.

Highly Commended awards went to: Amy Wilkinson, Durham University and Danielle Doyle, Edge Hill University.

The AUDE Estates/Facilities Team of the Year Award was presented to the Swansea University Estates and Facilities Management Team for their exceptional work and amazing collaboration with the industry. They demonstrated excellent estate leadership within a multi-disciplinary commercial project, one of the largest and most significant projects in its 100 year history. The £450 million, one million sq ft, Science and Innovation focussed Bay Campus relocated more than 30% of the University’s community and saw the institution operate across multiple campuses for the first time.

Highly Commended awards went to: Queen’s University Belfast Energy Team and University of Hertfordshire Estates and Hospitality Team.

AUDE Chair and judge, Trevor Humphreys, Director of Estates and Facilities University of Surrey said, “It’s fantastic to see so many high calibre entries for this year’s awards. We’re confident that we have chosen the most exceptional teams and individuals who really showcase best practice across the sector. The University sector has faced monumental changes over the past year, so it’s encouraging to see that the standards across all our institutions remains extremely high to help deliver the best student experience possible.”

The AUDE Conference and Awards in 2017 will be held at the Univeristy of Manchester from 10th to 12th April. This event is for members of AUDE and invited guests and will be accompanied by an exhibition and sponsorship opportunities.

For more information, please visit: http://www.aude.ac.uk/home/

PSS Magazine • April 2016

News

BSRIA launches its new Model Format for Building Services Specifications Guide

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SRIA is delighted to have launched its new Model Format for Building Services Specifications (BG56/2016) – available to purchase from the BSRIA bookshop.

This guide, revised in 2016, is a joint venture with CIBSE and BESA (previously B&ES). It provides a model format for building services specifications that will aid efficiency and understanding for all parties involved in preparing and using specifications.

In this age of BIM it is easy to forget that the specifications are a crucial part of the information used during construction projects. They should clearly describe what systems are to provided and how they are intended to be operated once installed.

The guide provides the general framework covering the arrangement of sections and clauses within which an author can use their content with the least amount of change.

Section 2 of this guide describes ‘traditional’ specification practices. Section 3 gives key points on preparing more effective specifications and section 4 details the model specification format, together with an example in the appendices.

In addition to the classification information included in the first edition of BG56, this second edition now has tables for Uniclass 2015. This is the classification structure prescribed by the UK Government for use on BIM Level 2 and so its inclusion here should help

understanding of its use in building services applications.

This guide complements Design Framework for Building Services (BG6) and is available as part of a set with this guide for a 20 per cent discount.

Catherine England, BSRIA Marketing Officer, said: “Specifications which are inaccurate can lead to confusion and exacerbate difficulties in the commercial and contractual process. This guide aims to ensure specifications are written in such a way as to be readily understandable by the user.” catherine.england@bsria.co.uk

Evolt’s Rapid Charging network for EVs sparks the Cumbrian ‘black spot’

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volt, the Electric Vehicle (EV) charge point supplier, has completed the installation of Cumbria’s first publicly accessible EV Rapid charging network, which is now available for public use.

Nine locations across the county now benefit from a top-of-the-range Evolt 50Kw John Osorio of Evolt and Cllr Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Environment, at the charging site in Kendal

PSS Magazine • April 2016

Rapid Charger that can efficiently charge an EV within 30 minutes. A further Evolt 7Kw Fast Charger, ideal for quick ‘top-ups’ during short stay visits, has also been installed at four of those sites (Carlisle, Kendal, Workington and Keswick). The other five sites are comprised of Whitehaven, Ulverston, Kirkby Stephen, Kirkby Lonsdale and Ambleside.

Evolt, which is a division of the APT Controls Group, won a competitive tender to supply its charge points from Cumbria County Council in November 2015.

Councillor Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member responsible for Environment, explains that Cumbria now provides a low carbon transport solution: “Up until now there have been limited charging facilities in Cumbria,” she says.

“I’m sure this project will help open up the county to more electric vehicle drivers and make a real difference, both in Cumbria and nationally.”

The installation process included three stages: firstly, initial civil works including excavation and inserting power cables, ensuring the power infrastructure is in place; secondly the physical charge points’ installation; and finally their connection

to a back office management system that remotely monitors each charge point. After testing, the charge points have been made ready for public use.

Justin Meyer, General Manager of Evolt, explains its chargers will positively impact the lives of EV and Hybrid drivers in and around Cumbria: “The new network will drive forward EV activity in the region, with the infrastructure actively supporting the ambitions of an ever-increasing industry.”

Suzanne Burgess of Solway Renewables initially proposed that the Council should seek funding from OLEV: “There has been significant interest surrounding the charging network, and it will make a substantial difference to individuals, small business and the tourist industry that is hugely important for Cumbria,” she says.

“It’s time to get the word out that Cumbria is open to electric vehicle drivers.”

Evolt is a company of the SWARCO group. www.aptcontrols.co.uk/apt-technologies

Sustainable Building

Shedding new light on museums and galleries

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trip to the museum isn’t always as enlightening as it might be.

Whilst the exhibits seldom cease to intrigue and amaze, too often the visitor experience falls short of dazzling due to a lack of natural light in the building itself.

The importance of natural daylight in buildings should never be underestimated. It can help revitalise historical and cultural institutions reliant upon visitor numbers. Even on the gloomiest of days a well-designed rooflight system can shower large, traditional structures in rays, helping reduce costs and provide an attractive, welcoming internal environment.

Specifying the correct lighting solutions for museums can be a challenge, but it is one which needs addressing to avoid a decrease in footfall at galleries nationwide.

The Museum Association has reinforced the view that the presence of daylight offers psychological benefits to visitors. Gallery staff are also said to reap reward from natural rays in the form of higher productivity when exposed to daylight.

The Lonsdale Metal Company designs, manufactures and supplies patent glazing and rooflights which introduce natural daylight and provide the perfect backdrop for any public space.

Blending the old and the new Glass offers the rooflight specifier a welter of options in terms of performance, function and aesthetics. With a huge range of rooflights and rooflight systems available in today’s marketplace, each specification can be designed to suit different building types – from Victorian museums to modern exhibition spaces.

With a market-leading range of patent glazing and rooflights, Lonsdale offers a variety of solutions that are designed to meet traditional aesthetic demands, stringent planning restrictions and contemporary Building Regulations. From their SpanGard self-supporting aluminium lanterns and skylights to the neat box bar design of ThermGard thermal glazing bars – Lonsdale has the expertise to determine the very best, high performance specification and glass combinations for every heritage project.

History in the making

First opened in 1873, the Cast Courts at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum house some of its most well-known and largest casts of European sculpture – including Michelangelo’s David. When the barrel rooflight that runs the length of the gallery showed signs of failure, Lonsdale Metal Company supplied its SpanGard self supporting rooflight system to bring this historical building into the 21st century.

Arrange as two double-height and day-lit courts, the Cast Courts have been subject to extensive reorganisation and redecoration during their 140 year history.

When a survey revealed that the single-glazed rooflight was contributing to heat build-up, and many of its panes were cracked, a replacement was required as part of the Museum’s ‘FuturePlan’ programme to transform and modernise the V&A. Appointed to carry out the full gallery refurbishment whilst the sculptures and artworks remained in-situ, main contractor Coniston turned to the design and installation expertise of Roofglaze for the replacement of the 700m2 tiered vaulted roof – situated 24 metres above the gallery floor.

Featuring a five-tiered barrel vault layout, dual-pitch lantern at the apex and vertical glazed infills, the project’s design team developed an architecturally sympathetic rooflight system. Combining traditional aesthetics with modern manufacturing standards, Lonsdale’s aluminium SpanGard self-supporting rooflight system provided the duo-pitch roof lantern at the ridge with vertical glazing at the sides. The subsequent lower tiers, feature ThermGard patent glazing bars

replicating the original layout and fixing details.

All sloped surfaces were double glazed, hermetically sealed units incorporating high performance 6mm solar controlled toughened glazing outer panes and 6.8mm inner panes. The vertical glazed elements were specified as 4mm thick clear toughened soft coat Low-E glass.

Pre-built in Lonsdale’s factory, each SpanGard rooflight is delivered fully fabricated and ready for immediate installation on site. Ensuring the Roofglaze installation could complete the complex and challenging project on schedule, the system’s slim and elegant box-rafter design also proved perfect for the application’s demand for top quality aesthetics.

An exhibition in rooflights When a traditional aesthetic is the requirement, a correctly designed and specified rooflight system can meet the client’s demands whilst helping to create a warm and welcoming environment. With a price tag in line with modern construction methods and an appearance that blends the past with the present, Lonsdale’s range of advanced patent glazing, rooflights and glass roof panels offer a perfect solution at museums and galleries.

With an array of rooflights and glass types, Lonsdale rooflights now feature on some of the UK’s most historic and important buildings. Showing that natural light can improve the atmosphere and aesthetics of an internal environment, Lonsdale has become an increasingly popular specification in museums, galleries and exhibition spaces and has helped the company to create an impressive portfolio of heritage projects.

PSS Magazine • April 2016

Sustainable Building

New Street Station & Sustainability

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etwork Rail’s £650m New Street station redevelopment is now over three times the size of the old station and has 31 new escalators and 29 new lifts. To cater for future demand and create a better passenger experience for all, more energy is required and Network Rail have explored all avenues to achieve a sustainable development and legacy by implementing best practice and guidance set out in the Rail Industry Sustainable Development Principles.

Network Rail, delivery partner Mace, designers, Atkins and Sustainability Consultants Q Sustain Ltd have successfully implemented the first BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rated rail station, as well as delivering the first BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated accommodation for Cross Country Trains (called The Lampblock) on platform 1.

These initiatives at New Street have set a new benchmark in Network Rail of how to adapt and create innovative sustainable solutions in complex rail environments that include an 80m long green wall, rainwater harvesting systems, predicted to supply 60% of toilet flushing demand from recovered rainwater, and LED Lighting with close control.

Over 12,500 tons of concrete was removed from a disused car park and the roof. All the waste concrete removed from the site was taken to a waste recycling facility for use on other projects and avoid waste to landfill.

The station is the first to install a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and led the way to significantly expand a city district heating network with modelled reduction of 3,000Tons carbon / year. Such a scheme shall reduce the cities carbon emissions and assist neighbouring businesses and developments with the option for a greener fuel source, creating a carbon smart and energy wise station.

BREEAM BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) has become the principle measure used to describe a building’s environmental performance and Network Rail is dedicated to ensuring best practice for sustainability measures where viable.

It has been a tough journey but the station has met its target to gain a BREEAM

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PSS Magazine • April 2016

rating of ‘very good’ for the design stage and on target for the post completion final submission.

Waste Network Rail, Q Sustain and its partners have been working closely with many external bodies throughout the project, including The Carbon Trust, WRAP (Waste & Resource Action Programme) and NISP (National Industrial Symbiosis Programme) to support government initiatives and best practice in avoiding waste to landfill.

The project has also created and implemented a bespoke Project materials procurement policy to ensure the supply chain sign up to legal and responsible sourcing of materials.

We also ensured our supply chain hold Environmental Management Certificates to ISO 14001 or BES 6001 or equivalent.

Working around an operational railway can be a challenge in itself; however it also provides a very accessible resource that the project team uses to transport material into and from site, without having to use carbon intensive lorries around the busy city centre.

Every week, the train made two journeys into the construction site from a logistics depot in Bordesley, on the outskirts of the city and was estimated in saving 10,000 lorry journeys off Birmingham’s roads throughout the life of the project.

Energy and a Carbon Smart Station

The expansion of the station concourse and additional lifts and escalators will mean that we will need nearly double the amount of power. Therefore, Network Rail worked closely with Q Sustain Ltd and lead consultant, Atkins, to make the main concourse area naturally ventilated to minimize energy usage. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling was carried out to ensure the new atrium worked effectively in extracting warm air in the summer using the stack effect and the station concourse was not too cold in the winter. Exploration of various renewable and low carbon technologies ranging from Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), Biomass boilers, and Photovoltaic (PV) to cover 2,000m2 around the South of the station façade. Using an existing city centre location meant special constraints excluded the use of many technologies such as Biomass and wind.

Network Rail have implemented a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system to provide the station with electric generated from gas that contain a low carbon factor and also connects into the local district heating network from the North of the station. This now reduces carbon emissions from a site based micro generation, as opposed to traditional power station generated grid electric, reduce transmission losses and use the waste

Sustainable Building completely new welcoming route into the station and concealing a long dark and dirty retaining wall.

Delivering the first BREEAM Excellent Modular building in a live rail environment

by-product of heat that is normally lost in the cooling towers of old power stations.

The preferred bidder, Cofely were also very keen to use the subterranean network beneath the station to supply the south of the city and avoid disruption around the city centre.

With the inclusion of John Lewis agreeing to sign up to a heat agreement with Cofely, a carefully co-ordinated agreement was created that acquired simultaneous signing of Energy Supply Contracts.

Lighting and Controls All lighting was changed to low energy LEDs and lighting controls significantly improved to ensure lights are turned off in back of house areas for prolonged unoccupied periods and dimmed in public areas where passengers are not present.

All lighting shall be centrally controlled and monitored via a Building Management System (BMS) based in the control room.

Water The project aims to minimise the consumption of potable water by the use of dual flush cisterns in all toilets along with low flow sensor taps. All water consumption is also to be monitored via the BMS to allow close monitoring of consumption, something not regularly carried out at managed stations. A leak detection system will also produce an alarm in the control room if a leak is detected in the system.

The project has also constructed a large rainwater collection tank that collects rainwater from the roof and façade to provide for more than 60% of the stations toilet flushing demand and irrigation for planting.

Attenuation tanks have also been installed to prevent flooding from overwhelming the main local sewer during periods of intense rainfall due to the future effects of climate change and increase risk of flooding in the city.

Close monitoring and strict methods of all ground works and piling were observed by the project to protect an aquifer below.

A number of boreholes were used for periodically testing and monitoring the aquifer throughout the period of platform and ground works. Due to the methodology and processes placed early on, the aquifer remained protected and free from any increase in contaminants.

Materials Sourcing materials that have a low environmental impact has also been a key consideration. Processes introduced on the project at an early stage ensure suppliers and contractors responsibly source all materials to ISO 14001 or equivalent and legally source all timber to FSC and PEFC conformance.

The project actively researched alternative materials and sourced carpet tiles from Miliken of which the yarn is made from recycled fishing nets and the base from recycled off cuts from car seats.

Q Sustain, Mace and Network Rail delivered a new and very green office building situated on platform 1 for our colleagues at Cross Country Trains. It has a green roof, solar photovoltaic panels to generate power and solar thermal panels for hot water generation. This building has achieved a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of ‘Excellent’.

On site we insisted our contractors use responsibly sourced materials and legally sourced timber, as well as having environmental management systems in place. Waste produced from any prior demolition works and packaging on site has achieved high recycled / re-used rates in excess of 95%.

Summary Overall, the redevelopment of New Street Station has set a new precedent for rail buildings and a good practice delivery benchmark for Network Rail to follow, changing the culture by creating awareness for sustainable buildings within the rail sector. The project has also created a realisation in the wider rail organisation and sector that despite challenges of working in a live complex rail environment with tight deadlines and within a limited work area and stringent governance, sustainable buildings can be delivered using innovative methods of construction with strong Leadership, commitment and a realisation we all have a responsibility to consider the needs of future generations.

Q Sustain has also been engaged in providing Benchmark data and input into a revised corporate Sustainability policy in Network Rail Infrastructure Projects. info@qsustain.co.uk

Land Use and Ecology Despite the location for New Street having a low ecology site, Network Rail appointed suitably qualified ecologists to advise and report on enhancing and protecting the ecological value of the site.

A key feature Q Sustain helped deliver was a 325 m2 green wall with over 25 different species along the Moor Street link to the East of the new station, creating a

PSS Magazine • April 2016

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Sustainable Building

INTRODUCING THE WORLD’S MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ROOFLIGHT – THE LUMEN PLANUS ACCOYA™

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umen Rooflight has developed the world’s most environmentally friendly rooflight, the Planus Accoya™, made entirely from Accoya™ timber. Independent research and testing has proven Accoya™ Wood’s superior environmental performance against materials such as PVC, steel and aluminum and is renowned for its durability, stability, sustainability.

Available as a fixed casement design or with electric actuation for ventilation, the Lumen Accoya™ is designed for use on a flat or low pitch roof construction and can be supplied with or without Lumen’s unique insulated kerb system.

Providing superb thermal insulation the Planus Accoya™ incorporates a guaranteed

90% Argon gas filled high specification glazing unit complete with triple glazed Pilkington Activ self clean glass.

Crafted entirely from sustainably sourced Accoya™ wood the rooflight is CO2 negative over its entire life cycle, emitting less greenhouse gas in its manufacture than other competing materials. Its outstanding dimensional stability also outperforms other products on performance, maintenance and lifespan.

This range of beautifully crafted rooflights is manufactured in the UK to reduce carbon footprint from overseas shipping, and has acquired several quality certifications including KOMO, RAL, BBA, WDMA. With its striking natural wood finish, the Lumen Accoya™ also benefits from a 50 year rot free guarantee and can be finished in a variety of colours on both the inside and out.

Lumen Rooflight Managing Director, Paul Trace, said: “With the Accoya, we have developed a ground-breaking British made rooflight, using only the highest quality products. The combination of the Accoya timber frame and Pilkington triple glazed units allow the rooflight to boast impressive thermal and environmental performance.

“As one of the UK’s leading bespoke rooflight manufacturers, we also offer more choice in the specification process, enabling you to design a rooflight to suit your project. The Planus Accoya really is the bright choice for any environmentally conscious project.”

For information on the Lumen Planus Accoya™ rooflight please contact Lumen on 0330 300 1090, email info@lumenrooflight.co.uk, or visit www.lumenrooflight.com

OXFORD UNIVERSITY OPTS FOR INVISIBLE AUTOMATIC ACCESS

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he purpose-built Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University, recently opened its TORMAX automated swing doors to teachers, students and academics, welcoming them into a state-of-the-art facility that incorporates lecture theatres, exhibition spaces, seminar and meeting rooms as well as a café and informal seating areas.

Crafted by Birmingham Veneers Ltd, the two impressive wooden and glass

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PSS Magazine • April 2016

entrance doors are automated using two TORMAX iMotion 1401 operators concealed in sealed casings underneath the floor.

Ensuring longevity and reliability, even in such a busy location, the iMotion motors, which are uniquely designed with no abrading parts to cause friction wear, dramatically minimises maintenance, allowing them to be neatly located out of sight.

The Blavatnik School of Government is a global school pursuing a vision of better government, stronger societies, and richer human opportunities across the world.

Bringing all members together for the first time in three years, the new building has been designed to maximise energy efficiency and sustainability by combining modern control systems with ground breaking technology.

Contributing to low environmental impact, two sets of TORMAX powered automatic twin-leaf swing doors create a functional entrance lobby area. Effectively

minimising heat-loss from the building, powerful high torque synchronous motors combine with user-friendly keypad controls that allows staff to adjust hold open times and open/closing speeds of the door leaves in response to changes in the weather as well as pedestrian foot traffic volume. iMotion door drives are also manufactured from 96% recyclable products and require only low-energy operation, making them a truly sustainable option.

“The iMotion 1401 operator has been consistently in demand for either buildings of historic value where a concealed motor is desired,” comments Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX, “or for any location where the aesthetics of the building are of primary importance.” The underfloor operators at the Blavatnik Building allows the doors to swing silently open without any need external linkage, maintaining a sleek and contemporary entrance system that reflects the high quality of the overall design. www.tormax.co.uk

sustainable Building

Advanced Chosen To Protect Tyne and Wear Metro

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he Tyne and Wear Metro system, widely considered the first modern light railway system in the UK, is being protected by intelligent fire systems from Advanced after the industry-leading manufacturer provided it with new fire alarm panels.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, upgraded fire panels at 50 locations on the system, including 21 stations and at other key pieces of its infrastructure including relay rooms, vent shafts and other operational buildings.

Many of the busiest sub-surface Metro stations in the centre of Newcastle and Gateshead were part of the installation work, including Monument Metro station which is used by ten million passengers a year.

The project was part of the £389m Metro all change modernisation programme, which involves the refurbishment of Metro stations, trains, and other key infrastructure in an 11 year programme.

Advanced’s reputation for producing the highest quality fire systems has helped to achieve rapid expansion throughout the UK and worldwide.

The fire panels which have been installed on the Tyne and Wear Metro, which has the fastest passenger growth of

any light rail system outside of London, are cutting edge MxPro 5 models, compatible with multiple external components and renowned for their quality, reliability and flexibility.

The contract for the installation was awarded to leading North East Electrical Contractor Veale Nixon, who selected The Dante Group to supply and commission the Fire Alarm Systems. As Advanced partners The Dante Group selected the MxPro 5 Panels. The MxPro 5 can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, 200 panel networks covering huge areas and tens of thousands of field devices. The panels installed in the metro stations vary from two loop to four loop panels depending on the size station and report to a BMS/ Graphics systems via IP. Neil Corney, Director of Dante Group, commented: “We have worked with Advanced on numerous projects in the past and zero hesitation in selecting an Advanced network for the installation on the Tyne and Wear Metro. We needed a cutting edge system to protect a transport system that is used by thousands of people every day and the Advanced panels give the option to expand and enhance in the future.”

Advanced’s legendary ease of installation and configuration and wide

peripheral range make it customisable to almost any application and it is found in challenging and prestigious sites around the world. The MxPro 5 panels installed at the Tyne and Wear Metro Stations are among Advanced’s best performing fire systems and one of the few available approved to EN54 Parts 2, 4 and 13.

Neil Parkin, Advanced’s sales manager for the North, said “Advanced is renowned as a leading fire systems manufacturer and MxPro 5 is our flagship product in the UK market. The Tyne and Wear Metro system is an excellent example of how our systems can be adapted to differing sizes and types of building, with installations ranging from small local station to the multi-platform subterranean interchange at Monument, in central Newcastle.”

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. Its legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use sees its products used in prestigious and challenging locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control and fire paging systems.

More details can be found on the website at www.advancedco.com

PSS Magazine • April 2016

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sustainable Building

ALTRO WOOD SAFETY USED

BY NORFOLK’S LARGEST CARE HOME PROVIDER

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ltro Wood SafetyTM flooring has been used by NorseCare, Norfolk’s largest care home provider, after being installed in all 23 of its residential care homes in the county.

The latest NorseCare home to be fitted with Altro Wood Safety is Westfields, in Swaffham, which has recently refurbished its ground floor in the first phase of a major refit. The flooring has been installed in corridors and passageways, TV lounge, bedrooms, hairdressing salon, the dining room and a small kitchenette.

Andy Moore, facilities manager at NorseCare, explains why Altro Wood Safety has been regularly used at their care homes. “We are very familiar with Altro products and find they are ideal for use in care homes in terms of quality and practical application, as well as having superb colours and designs to choose from. We fit Alto WhiterockTM hygienic wall cladding in our shower areas too, as it’s a great-looking product which is easy to clean.

“We have found Altro Wood Safety flooring to be suitable because it is so successful in terms of safety, practicality, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance, which are all vital aspects in a care home.

“Residents can often be unsure on their

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PSS Magazine • April 2016

feet, so reliable safety flooring is a must. We also like to create an environment for residents that is warm, welcoming and homely, and we find Altro Wood Safety helps to create a bright, non-clinical feel wherever it is used.

“Maintenance is also a major factor in the running of a care home, and we have found Altro flooring very easy to clean.”

Altro Wood Safety is a true wood-look, sparkle-free safety flooring with a palette of 16 classic, contemporary and on-trend designs, which are ideal in locations where first impressions count and safety cannot be compromised.

The palette enables the mood to vary from cool and classy for spas and hospital receptions, to warm and nurturing for the hospitality and care sectors. The sparkle-free finish makes it particularly ideal for application in dementia settings.

Altro Wood Safety offers sustained slip resistance for the lifetime of the product, keeping your risk of a slip to just one in a million. The range also benefits from Altro Easyclean Maxis PUR Technology for optimum long-term cleaning and maintenance performance.

Westfields’ manager Joanne Bolton has seen a dramatic difference in the care home since the Altro Wood Safety was fitted. “The Wood Safety has assisted

residents and staff with various aspects within the environment. The new flooring has completely transformed Westfields in so many ways. It has made everything look brighter, fresher and more modern, homely and upbeat. It also makes the spaces look wider, especially the corridors. Cleaning is proving easy as well. We love it and can’t wait for the upper floor to be refurbished.”

The flooring was installed by Kings Lynn Flooring, who have worked with Altro products for 50 years. Director Paul South says: “Installing flooring in a healthcare environment means understanding that patients and residents come first, so our main aim was to deliver the project with minimal disruption and inconvenience, which required a lot of cooperation and coordination with the staff at Westfields, and the other contractors working on site.

“We completed the installation in stages to work around the needs of the home.

One area that looked particularly good was the corridor which leads down to the dining room. We laid the flooring to ensure the pattern ran continuously all the way down the length corridor, so it looked seamless.” www.altro.co.uk

sustainable Building

Heradesign is rated outstanding

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alley Invicta Primary, Leybourne Chase, is a new school built in the heart of the Kent countryside. The layout and design of the school and grounds provide a safe and secure environment for pupils, staff and visitors, including children with special educational needs.

Innovative Heradesign ceiling and wall panels from Knauf AMF were chosen for this contemporary building. Architect Mark Nolan of Lee Evans Partnership explained why: “I was looking for acoustic panels that provided high sound absorption and offered something different aesthetically. Heradesign has more than satisfied these requirements. The baffles and wall panels look fantastic.”

To comply with the Priority School Building Programme’s energy model, to waste less energy and emit less CO2, thick concrete soffits are fitted throughout the school to reduce the cooling and heating demands of the building, making it more energy efficient. Heradesign vertical baffles are fixed to the concrete surface to allow the air to circulate freely and at the same

time providing acoustic control.

Heradesign is a versatile product that can be fitted as a suspended ceiling, hung as rafts or fins, or directly onto walls or ceilings to create truly unique interiors.

Installing Heradesign vertical baffles provided the necessary sound absorption to control the level of reverberation in the classrooms, helping create learning environments where children and staff can easily hear and understand one another.

Heradesign offers the highest Class A sound absorption which has enabled the architect to reduce the number of baffles originally specified, saving on construction costs.

Heradesign is manufactured from sustainable, superior-quality wood-wool.

The textured woven surface of Heradesign is durable and offers high impact resistance making it ideal for school interiors.

Heradesign wall panels are fitted around the main hall to withstand tough wear and tear in this multi-purpose environment and control sound.

Mark Nolan specified Heradesign in white, but it can be matched to any colour including those from popular colour

systems including RAL, NCS and StoColor.

Heradesign is also available in a wide selection of face patterns, edge details and bespoke sizes.

Contact the team at Knauf AMF on 0191 518 8600 or email info@knaufamf.co.uk

Kawneer systems help a new school of Wales’ largest schools features break records One glazing systems by Kawneer

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rchitectural aluminium systems from Kawneer were specified for a record-breaking school in Wales for their “reliability”.

Kawneer’s AA®100 capped curtain walling and low/medium-duty swing and series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors were specified by frequent Kawneer users architects Scott Brownrigg throughout the Gateway to the Valleys (Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen) secondary school in Bridgend. These are complemented by AA®541 top-hung BRE Green Guide A+-rated and Secured by Design casement windows.

The new secondary school and community campus represents one of the largest single investments in a shared community and education building in Wales. The new community campus, on an existing 39-acre site, incorporates a 1,570 place comprehensive school for pupils aged 11 to 18 and a 604m2 dedicated community facility which includes a café, a multi-agency hub and child care unit.

The school is conceived as a series of “colleges” grouped around a community

heart space rotunda, the geometries derived from existing axes and from specific references to elements found within the existing context.

The scheme won the BREEAM Education Award 2013 and is the first BREEAM Outstanding high school of its type in the UK. It was designed and delivered through BIM, which brought clear benefits to the client, design and construction team alike.

The Kawneer systems were installed over 15 months by approved specialist sub-contractor Dudley’s Aluminium for main contractor Bouygues UK Scott Brownrigg director Jon James said: “We have used Kawneer’s systems many times before. They are a reliable product and BREEAM Outstanding buildings require the majority of materials to be A or A+ Green Guide rated. The curtain walling was used to provide quality light in and views in and out of the building.

Headteacher Andrew Warren added: “The design itself is truly stunning. Scott Brownrigg had a very real and deep

understanding of how the space could be used to support educational innovation and transformation.

“Much more than this has been the truly exceptional level of engagement that Scott Brownrigg has had with the whole of the school and the wider community.

Without this level of real engagement, real partnership and real energy we would not be where we are now, occupying a most iconic and world-class building. There is no doubt we have the best school building in Wales and quite probably the UK.”

PSS Magazine • April 2016

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sustainable Building

SIKA LIQUID PLASTICS CURES RESIDENT AND CONTRACTOR CHALLENGES IN HOUSING REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS

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ika Liquid Plastics has developed a rapid range of liquid applied membranes for social housing refurbishment schemes with cure times of as little as 20 minutes, even at very low temperatures.

The Sikalastic Rapid range utilises PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) technology, offering one of the fastest curing times of any liquid applied membrane in the market.

PMMA has proved to be advantageous for situations where the contractor’s access to the area to be treated may be restricted, and a fast application is desirable. A typical scenario would include communal walkways and stair wells within housing blocks frequently seen in urban areas, where residents require access to their home within an acceptable time period.

Sarah Spink, product manager at Sika Liquid Plastics, said: “While maintenance of public areas is essential, we found that providers are keen to carry out works with minimum disruption to residents and to keep costs down where possible.

“The Sikalastic Rapid range leverages our expertise in liquid applied membranes and has been developed in response to contractor feedback to offer both rapid cure and high performance across a range

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PSS Magazine • April 2016

of applications. Fast application allows the contractor to be on and off site in the minimum amount of time, whilst reducing the possible need for temporary access, such as staircases, which can be costly.”

The Sikalastic Rapid Range can also be utilised as a liquid applied waterproofing membrane on flat roofs with limited access and gutters, where speed of application is a major advantage, the solvent free cold applied liquid resin, which consists of two components, cures following an extremely rapid in-situ polymerisation, which is activated by the addition of a peroxide catalyst. This curing proceeds rapidly even at temperatures around 0°C. The membrane is reinforced with a polyester fleece and is installed wet-on-wet, meaning the polyester reinforcing fleece is first saturated with liquid resin, bonding the membrane to the substrate, with the surface layer then applied onto the bonding coat whilst still wet – therefore forming a single seamless membrane of uniform thickness. The advantage of this type of application is that on smaller roof areas, a one-day application may be possible as there is no need to wait for drying between coats.

Sarah continues: “The full Sika Liquid Plastics service and guarantee package will

be available with the Sikalastic Rapid range which includes initial consultation, technical specification design, and UK wide on-site technical support for the installing contractor, with final project sign off. The Sika Liquid Plastics guarantee covers all materials and workmanship for up to 20 years, when using a Sika approved contractor.

“Due to the specialist application of this technology, it is important to ensure the correct support is in place for approved contractors. For those with extensive experience within PMMA technologies, Sika Liquid Plastics will ensure its dedicated national team of field technicians will fully support the contractors throughout projects.

“For approved contractors with a little less experience using the Sikalastic Rapid range, they would be required to attend a bespoke training course at the Sika Liquid Plastics Training Academy in Preston, to ensure that all installers meet the standards required – but the support will not end there - full onsite assistance from our Applications Team will be given on live projects, reconfirming our commitment to quality.” www.liquidplastics.co.uk

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sustainable Environment

Anti-microbial product making washrooms and feminine hygiene units cleaner and safer sanitary waste efficiently in washrooms, Genesis Biosciences’ anti-microbial feminine hygiene technology was created to tackle two key issues; stop odour forming at the source by controlling the growth of malodour causing bacteria, and protect washroom users from harmful pathogens which may be reside inside the feminine hygiene unit.

Effectively treating sanitary waste in washrooms and feminine hygiene units is a pressing issue for the facilities management industry.

While odour control improves hygiene perception, odour neutralizing products do not offer sustainable protection from harmful bacteria found in sanitary waste units.

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ELSH biosciences company Genesis Biosciences has developed unique anti-microbial technology for the facilities management industry.

Genesis Biosciences’ anti-microbial products provide protection to users of feminine hygiene units through a patented ‘vapour technology’ based on a natural active ingredient being supported under the European Biocidal Products Directive.

In 2015 the EU, under the Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR), launched an approved suppliers list to better regulate the supply of biocidal products in Europe; improving safety for users and product quality. Only products containing biocidal materials from an approved supplier can be legally traded in the EU market.

Due to the importance of treating

In particular, it is of paramount importance that sanitary waste is treated effectively as sanitary protection products can contain pathogens that can survive in untreated hygiene units. The humid, nutrient rich conditions found within a feminine hygiene unit are ideal to propagate the growth of micro-organisms to levels that could pose a threat to human health.

The Health Protection Agency estimates that infectious intestinal diseases (IIDs), commonly spread through public and work washroom facilities, cost English businesses £530m every year through absenteeism. [1] Genesis Biosciences’ feminine hygiene products provide up to 99.999% protection against harmful bacteria, including E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

The unique active ingredient and vapour action within Genesis’ feminine hygiene unit germicide has been

scientifically proven to effectively combat harmful bacteria in the waste throughout the full length of the service cycle, even when the feminine hygiene unit is full of sanitary waste, offering far greater protection to washroom users in comparison to traditional odour masking products and chemical cleaners. Genesis Biosciences’ are the only supplier of feminine hygiene products in Europe that can substantiate this anti-microbial claim.

The anti-microbial active ingredient is harmless to its surrounding environment, making its application and storage safer.

Better feminine hygiene and washroom maintenance is also an issue of corporate responsibility. With greater public concerns over hygiene standards, companies and providers of public facilities are under more pressure from employees and users of public washrooms to improve their hygiene procedures.

Emma Saunders, General Manager at Genesis Biosciences, said: “With the introduction of BPR regulations, there should be greater transparency and scientific accountability for anti-microbial products in the European market.

“Safely treating sanitary waste is a both a health and corporate responsibility issue and companies need to be aware that alternative anti-microbial products on the market simply do not offer the same scientifically validated ‘in use’ protection.

“By choosing alternative odour control products to maintain washroom facilities and treat sanitary waste, companies could be putting their employees at risk of infection and undermining their hygiene procedures.”

References [1] Reference: Health Protection in the 21st Century. Understanding the Burden of Disease; preparing for the future. Health Protection Agency, October 2005

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PSS Magazine • April 2016

sustainable Environment

ACSOFT CREATES A BUZZ WITH COST EFFECTIVE GREENBEE® ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR

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cSoft Health & Safety – leading specialist in noise and vibration monitoring instrumentation for occupational health and the environment – has recently added the Greenbee ® Environmental Monitor from Azimut Monitoring to its portfolio of market-leading products. This cost effective Smart City environmental management system offers ease of installation, almost zero maintenance and low energy consumption.

AcSoft’s Greenbee® environmental monitor offers multi-sensor and permanent measurement. It allows simultaneous monitoring of various outdoor environmental parameters on a convenient 24/7 basis. These include noise, odour pollution, climate (temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and direction), photochemical and PM1 particulate matter.

The Greenbee® system is self-powered on solar panel and buffer battery, requiring no wiring. A special fixing mechanism means it can be easily installed on any upright stand.

Utilising a variety of Smart Technology, Greenbee® communicates via GPRS and continuously transfers collected data to Azimut Monitoring’s secure servers. It is linked to various web applications for relevant and contextual data exploitation.

A secure web portal called Agora allows data browsing for in-depth and long term analysis, whilst WebTV is a dynamic and optimised interface for screen display or website integration to facilitate promotion of environmental initiatives.

A warning can be transferred by SMS or email where there has been a threshold overrun for optimum reactivity in abnormal situations. Greenbee® can provide downloadable tailor made reports in CSV or html format through FTP link or collaborative platforms.

Azimut Monitoring’s Didier Dufournet comments: “We are delighted that AcSoft is now offering our popular Greenbee® Smart City environmental management system in the UK. Economic downturn resulted in a major drop in public funding for environmental monitoring solutions - considered expensive in terms of

investment and operation. At the same time, awareness of the health risks associated with exposure to various noise and air pollution nuisances has continued to increase.

Didier continues: “However, the recent emergence of Big Data and Smart City initiatives has meant that environmental protection monitoring applications are now being successfully applied on a local and regional scale. This trend led to the development of our Greenbee® monitor.

“Importantly, it doesn’t offer over specified accuracy,” he adds. “It does boast ease of installation, low energy consumption, reduced size and weight, and close to zero maintenance requirements.

It has already proved successful in monitoring high nuisance activities such as airports, construction, racing circuits and ports, as well as urban environmental management like noise observation, festivals and public safety.”

Smart City environmental management system offers simple 24/7 monitoring for noise, odour pollution, climate, photochemical and PM1 particulate matter

www-airsampling.co.uk

PSS Magazine • April 2016

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sustainable Environment

PSS Award Winner City & county of swansea

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he City and County of Swansea have a vision of “a safer, greener, smarter, fairer, healthier, richer Swansea”. ‘Business as usual’ isn’t enough to deliver the ‘Swansea we want’ in these challenging times. Swansea is a leader in sustainable development in aiming beyond compliance and for transformational change.

Sustainable development is our organisation’s central organising principle and underpins all corporate strategy as a way of working that looks at the bigger picture balancing environmental, economic and social costs and benefits. Building sustainable communities is one of our five corporate priorities around which all activities are focused and the Council’s sustainable development policy is delivered by the whole Council through corporate strategies and frontline services.

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PSS Magazine • April 2016

As Wales’ Model Authority for Sustainable Development for three years, our learning influenced the development of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act. As an Early Adopter of the Act, Swansea continues to push the boundaries of sustainable practice integrating the environment into our social and economic agenda. Outlined below are achievements representing outcomes which result from the creation of a policy and strategic context which prioritises sustainable governance principles.

Swansea was the first in Wales to report on sustainable development and created a methodology accounting for economic, social, and environmental outcomes, which has been emulated by others in the UK and is recognised as positive practice by the Wales Audit Office.

The Report is a critical communication tool for staff and communities leading to better management of our assets, reducing our impact on the environment and enhancing our natural resources. For example, since the methodology highlighted a lack of information on water use, we have reduced our total water costs by £382,902 and the amount used in our two main civic centres by 11,601m3 in five years.

Supporting the Healthy Cities Network; Swansea has developed a widely used Integrated Impact Assessment Tool, bringing together experts from a variety of specialisms to assess strategic plans from

different perspectives. This collaborative approach gives a platform and equal weight to environmental issues and provides a forum to involve our partners across the public and third sector.

Community action is central to how we deliver services for the future, recasting residents as co-producers rather than receivers of services. We work closely with community groups to regenerate local parks, beaches and allotments, for example: • Our sixth Green Flag Award for Parc Llewelyn came from the work of its Friends Group.

• The Friends of Bryn y Don Park have worked with the Council to bid for funds to install a glow in the dark ‘star path’ which captures sunlight in the daytime and lights the way at night.

• A project, delivered in partnership with the Talesin Arts Centre, has transformed a brownfield redevelopment into a creative food growing project called The Vetch Veg Community Garden making a multi-cultural local community more cohesive. The success of this project has changed the long-term plans for the site.

Swansea’s Local Development Plan is currently the only one in the UK which specifies that developers assign green and growing spaces within development projects.

Our Wildflower Scheme transforms verges and roundabouts into colourful displays, encouraging bees, butterflies and other wildlife to help prevent the decline in our area’s biodiversity. Mowing has been postponed in many sites to enable 30,000m2 meadowland to mature over 130 sites with huge environmental benefits but also result in operational cost savings. We are now developing a Green Infrastructure

sustainable Environment Strategy for the County, incorporating an eco-systems approach to natural resource management.

The Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team (NEAT) Project is a partnership between the Environment and Social Services. NEAT teams provide meaningful work for adults with learning disabilities whilst improving alleys and urban green spaces which would otherwise not be maintained. Swansea Council runs 7 teams with up to 28 service users on any one day. This project has resulted in environmental benefits, helping people to benefit from experiencing work. Thirteen participants have progressed to paid employment as a result of this opportunity.

Swansea is the only Council in Wales signed up to the LGA’s Climate Local Commitment pledging to publish and report annual on action across the Council to build economic and social resilience by tackling climate change.

We have a Carbon Reduction Strategy committing to reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2020 on a 2009/10 baseline.

We are ahead of the curve in meeting this target, reducing CO2e emissions by 81,839 tonnes in five years by saving energy. The Council’s construction waste emissions have also fallen by 72.4 tonnes supported by achieving ISO14001 in Corporate Buildings Service. £5m was spent restoring Swansea’s Guildhall, a Grade 1 Listed building, in a manner that did not threaten its listed status: • Refurbishing, upgrading or retrofitting energy saving gear, lamps double glazing and radiators; • Installing high efficiency gas fired condensing boilers and BMS system; • PIR Controls installed in offices; • PV array installed, estimated to generate 44,556kWh of electricity per annum on site providing a total saving of £10,150.

Our BREEAM ‘Excellent’ comprehensive rebuild of Morriston Comprehensive is

accepted as an exemplar resulting in: • 30% reduction in energy use and CO2 emissions on-site; • 4.43 tonnes waste removed/100m2 of GIFA off site (BREEAM exemplar target of less than 4.7 tonnes/m2); • Diverted 97.44% waste off site from landfill (CEW exemplar target of 95%); • Comprehensive approach to stakeholder engagement, using questionnaires, surveys and community ‘drop-in’ sessions to ensure openness and transparency.

85% of student requests were included in the design; • Educational outcomes have improved with attendance up 2.1% on the academic year; fixed term exclusions down by 65% and no child left school without qualifications last year.

The Council has a county wide street lantern replacement programme, replacing existing lighting with LED and high pressure sodium lighting. Once completed, this programme will have a significant impact on energy usage and carbon emissions; with a projected 40% decrease in energy usage and £400,000 of cost savings.

We have invested in low emission vehicles with a fleet of 11 electric cars and are trialling 28 hybrid cars with driver behaviour software to reduce emissions of CO2 and engine idling. We have reduced the rest of our fleet by 70 vehicles following a fleet utilisation review, have a successful Cycle2Work scheme with 123 members and have reduced our business mileage by 619,845 miles per annum, saving 305 tonnes of carbon and over £450,000.

The Council is a lead partner in Low Carbon Swansea, a public, private and third sector integrated approach to reducing carbon emissions across Swansea and south-west Wales. Swansea’s per capita carbon emissions are on a reducing trend from 2005.

More recently, our Cabinet have agreed to invest in a Community Renewable Energy

and Enterprise Scheme, a social enterprise project in deprived areas funded by a community share offer as a platform to develop enterprise and skills locally.

We believe that people need warm affordable homes to live in, whether these are owned by ourselves, occupiers or by private landlords. We have rolled out progressive schemes to improve the energy efficiency of all our homes. In the past three years we have invested £23.9m into improving our Council houses, resulting in 1700 benefitting from external wall insulation and 3742 new boilers. We have increased our SAP rating to 64.

The new private sector Neighbourhood Renewal Area investment programme will see over 1000 older and inefficient homes targeted for energy efficiency improvement works.

Since 2013 we have renewed domestic roofs with ‘Ecologic’ tiles which absorb and convert nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants into harmless soluble nitrates. 445 homes have been fitted with Ecologic tiles to date with a further 462 to be fitted by 2017.

Ecologic roofs can remove 100,000 car-miles worth of nitrous dioxide and nitric oxide in their lifetime.

We use social media to connect and empower our citizens and visitors. Our recycling app, providing recycling help, has been downloaded over 6,500 times. Our April 2014 ‘Keep it to 3’ campaign advised residents that black bag collections had been limited to 3 a fortnight. This has resulted in increased recycling rates from 53.3% (2013/14) to 56.6% (2014/15), a 25% reduction in black bags put out by residents and an extra 6000 tonnes diverted from landfill in the first year. Our Recycling Team are strong on engagement, door knocking 1000’s of homes prior to the change to explain different recycling options to residents. This commitment also includes commercial operations and a pro-active campaign targeting Swansea Market has seen a drop in 22% of waste sent to landfill by stallholders compared with the same month from the previous year, the equivalent in weight to the Endeavour space shuttle!

Our Gower Landscape Partnership has also developed an app ‘This is Gower’ which directs visitors to walks and areas of interest at our beaches and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our natural environment is an economic asset contributing £360 million to the annual local economy. A Twitter feed is updated three times daily and also physically posted at Swansea Bay to update swimmers on water quality.

PSS Magazine • April 2016

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sustainable Environment

Hand drying with single-use towels least likely to spread viruses Single-use towels offer the most hygienic way to reduce the risk of the transmission of viruses when drying hands in the washroom

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ew independent research has found that single-use paper towels are the most effective way to dry one’s hands in the washroom. The study indicates that they help minimise the spread of viruses including ones associated with various diseases, including those causing gastro-intestinal infections such as Norovirus and Rotavirus.

Single-use towels disperse fewer microorganisms into the environment than jet air dryers and warm air dryers and also help reduce the risk that viruses are blown into the faces of small children accompanying adults in the washroom.

The findings have serious implications for washroom facility managers in settings such as hospitals and restaurants where hygiene is paramount.

The research outcome Leading microbiologists, Dr. Patrick Kimmitt and Keith Redway of the University of Westminster, studied the transmission of viruses using three different hand-drying methods: a jet air dryer, a warm air dryer and paper towels. The use of a jet air dryer was found to transmit more virus particles further and at different heights than the other methods, with airborne virus counts also significantly greater. At a range of heights tested, on average the jet air dryer produced over 60 times more viral plaques than a warm air dryer paper and over 1300 times more than paper towels. Combined average results at distances up to 3 metres away from the hand-drying devices showed that a jet air dryer produced over 20 times more viral plaques than a warm air dryer and over 190 times more than paper towels. Air samples collected 15 minutes after use showed that the jet air dryer produced over 50 times more viral plaques than a warm air dryer and over 100 times more than paper towels.

Viruses have been shown to survive on the hands for some time, with Influenza virus lasting from 10-15 minutes, Herpes virus for up to two hours, common cold virus up to one week, and Rotavirus for up to 60 days. Viral pathogens such as Norovirus have a low infectious dose and can be shed in large numbers in faeces.

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“Our findings clearly indicate that single-use paper towels spread the lowest number of viruses of all the hand-drying methods we tested,” explained Dr. Patrick Kimmitt . “It is estimated that cross-infection contributes to 40% of cases of healthcare associated infections and effective hygiene in hand washing and drying is an essential step in minimising such infections.”

Spreading the word The study was presented briefly by Keith Redway at the European Public Health Conference in Milan in October 2015 where it received wide interest. It was subsequently published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal in December 2015 (reference: Kimmitt, P.T. & Redway, K.F. Evaluation of the potential for virus dispersal during hand drying: a comparison of three methods. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 120, 478-486. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jam.13014/ abstract).

Keith Redway will also present the results in full at ISSA/Interclean, Amsterdam on May 11th at 14:00h in a talk entitled ‘“Washroom hygiene: The dispersal of viruses by different hand-drying methods.”

“Good hand hygiene can save lives.” explains Keith Redway. “Minimising infection risk by ensuring proper hand hygiene, includes understanding what may

compromise that. Our research and results over the years have revealed time and again that single-use towels are the safest way to dry one’s hands in the washroom.

This virus study delivers further proof that when it comes to hygiene, drying one’s hands with a single-use paper towel is the safest way to reduce the spread of viruses after a visit to the washroom.”

Previous research undertaken by the Universities of Leeds and Westminster has also found that jet air and warm air hand dryers can spread more bacteria and other microbes in a washroom environment than paper towels.

“Our industry places great emphasis on hygiene and studies have consistently shown that paper towels offer the most effective way to limit the spread of microbes in the washroom,” commented Roberto Berardi, chairman of the European Tissue Symposium. “This latest research not only focuses on viruses for the first time, but it was also undertaken by microbiological experts at the University of Westminster and thus serves to further underline our message. Although there are no official guidelines on proper hand drying hygiene, it is rewarding to see markets and industries turning to single-use towels again to avoid compromising hygiene standards in washroom facilities. ” www.europeantissue.com

sustainable Environment

Unigloves aids colour compliance for cleaning professionals

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acilities management and cleaning professionals can now match coloured gloves with other essential cleaning materials to comply fully with the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) recommended colour code, thanks to Unigloves’ distinctively bright Yellow Pearl nitrile single use disposable gloves.

One of a dozen colourful options from the Unigloves Pearl range, the Yellow Pearl glove is specially designed for use in the cleaning sector and manufactured in accordance with BS EN 455 from highest quality synthetic nitrile. Yellow Pearl is currently the only nitrile disposable single use yellow glove on the UK market, and allows cleaning professionals to adhere fully to the BICS colour code that encourages best practice, especially in medical environments such as hospitals.

The Yellow Pearl glove, like all gloves in the Unigloves Pearl range, is powder free, ambidextrous in design and can be donned and doffed with ease. It features fingertip texturing and a beaded cuff for maximum

comfort and efficiency for the wearer. All Pearl glove colour options come in five sizes from extra-small to extra-large, so that users can always wear the correct size of glove, helping to prevent hand tiredness and repetitive strain injury, maximising safety on site. Unigloves Pearl nitrile gloves are strong and hardwearing, so that they last longer and help to prevent operatives cleaning with torn or damaged gloves.

This strength and durability also helps to discourage the practice of ‘double gloving’, which can increase costs unnecessarily.

Perfect for use in facilities such as examination rooms, clinics and hospital wards, the Unigloves Yellow Pearl glove allows a holistic approach to best practice in colour coding for the first time. It also allows supervisors to identify at a glance any breaches of best practice or team members working in the wrong areas.

Unigloves manufactures the Pearl range in compliance with ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003 standards. Unigloves Pearl gloves also come in a range of other colours or can be manufactured (subject to

minimum quantities) to order (subject to minimum quantities) in a bespoke colour in order to reflect individual corporate identities.

For further information about Unigloves products, please visit www.unigloves.co.uk

uvex C500 Safety Gloves combine Optimum Cut Protection with Supreme Comfort

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he days of sacrificing comfort for high cut protection are over. uvex’s C500 cut protection gloves give the wearer the best of both worlds. Cuts are one of the most frequently reported workplace injuries in both wet and dry conditions, but this need not be the case. Wearing the uvex C500, workers no longer have to put up with expensive, thick, inflexible gloves with limited dexterity and performance, or those that irritate the skin. uvex’s C500 gloves are soothing to wear because they are highly breathable helping to reduce sweat and, thanks to their Bamboo TwinFlex® Technology, boast a soft and silky yarn, offering exceptional moisture absorption and temperature control.

Alongside their outstanding comfort, the uvex C500 gloves offer the highest possible level of cut protection, abrasion resistance and therefore, safety when handling important tasks. Skin-friendly and

temperature-regulating, the C500 range features uvex Climazone technology for maximum hygiene and comfort and is also certified in accordance with the Oeko-Text Standard 100.

In addition to the intelligent use of lining materials, perfect shape, fit and dexterity are achieved by an innovative new flat ergo mould that accurately replicates the hand.

Five different coating materials are used in the uvex C500 range, which comprises nine different versions, providing extremely robust and comfortable gloves.

Great grip is ensured by the liquid-resistant high performance elastomer soft grip foam coating while the breathable microporous coating provides a stable climate inside the glove and a high degree of comfort.

The uvex C500 glove and all uvex products can be quickly located via uvex’s new Product Finder App, available free from the Apple App Store.

To find your local distributor and for more information on all uvex products visit: www.uvex-safety.co.uk To view the full uvex PPE catalogue, visit: http://www.uvex-safety.co.uk/en/services/ downloads

PSS Magazine • April 2016

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Sustainable Offsite

Controlling Flood Risk on Devon’s New Link Road

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ontrolling surface water flooding was a vital consideration in planning and building Mid Devon’s new £8.42 million A3072 Crediton Link Road. Vortex flow control technology was integral to a solution that managed surface water flows across undulating topography to protect local rivers.

By using Hydro-Brake Optimum® vortex flow controls as part of a SuDS approach, South West Highways (SWH) & Devon County Council (DCC) were able to meet Environment Agency requirements for discharge limits at a 1 in 100 year level and reduce flood risk in nearby rivers Creedy and Yeo. The River Creedy is to the east of the road, and not, itself, classed as sensitive to flooding. However, it also feeds the River Yeo, which lies to the south of the link road, which is classed as being at serious risk of flooding, so any changes to the surface water flow would need considerable care in planning the drainage strategy.

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“The new link road was built up and over the steep Downes Head Hill to link the A377 with the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate,” said SWH Site Agent Stuart Cheesman. “This meant DCC had to design discharge points at either end of the road into a variety of catchments and detailed the allowable design head and discharge at each of the discharge points which then allowed Hydro Brake Optimum flow control units to be designed

by Hydro International. The complexity of the drainage system on the road gradients and the time constraints of the project made it appropriate to install the drainage pipe system at an early stage, including the concrete manhole chambers to house the Hydro-Brake Optimum® vortex flow controls but not install the hydro brakes units themselves.

“Three Hydro-Brake Optimum® vortex flow controls were fitted with maximum discharges of 5 l/s, 20 l/s and 30 l/s via storage tanks, a swale and an attenuation pond to the field drains and eventually the Rivers Creedy and Yeo,” added Stuart Cheesman. “Final changes to the drainage

design during construction necessitated having bespoke connections made for the flow controls that could be retrofitted into manholes that had already been installed.

Hydro were very helpful in making the adaptions.”

Pollution and congestion from the heavy goods vehicles has been a longstanding blight in Crediton. Through an Air Quality Action Plan, Devon County Council planned to improve the situation by offering an alternative route outside the town. Following two years of planning and consultation, construction on the new link road began in July 2013 with opening in October 2014.

For more information about the Hydro-Brake Optimum® and other stormwater and wastewater management products please call 01275 337937, email enquiries@hydro-int.com or visit www.hydro-int.com.

Sustainable Offsite - mobile & portable Buildings

NEW VIDEO: PORTAKABIN PRODUCES SHORT FILM FOLLOWING CONSTRUCTION OF CHALLENGING BUILDING PROJECT AT ROYAL STOKE HOSPITAL

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ortakabin, the UK’s leading supplier of modular buildings, has produced a short film about how a highly complex, 4,200sqm ward and theatre building was constructed at Royal Stoke University Hospital in less than four months to help meet the increasing demand for orthopaedic services.

The video, which can be viewed here, (digital version only) is a fly through the £13.5 million building showing the clean air theatres for all orthopaedic procedures, recovery room, ward bays and single ensuite rooms. It features interviews with a director of University of North Midlands NHS Trust and one of the ward managers providing a clinical perspective of the new building.

Commenting on the film, Robert Snook, Director and General Manager of Portakabin Hire Division, said, “We believe this project will really change perceptions about just what can be achieved with

modular construction – in an extremely short timescale and on a highly constrained hospital site. The success of this project allowed the Trust to have its new orthopaedics unit up and running more quickly, to meet the increasing demand for services and enhance patients’ experience.”

was delivered as 124 modules which were installed in a carefully planned operation complete with wall finishes, internal partitioning, mechanical and electrical services and flooring already in place.

This approach further reduced work and disruption on this busy hospital site.

“This was a very challenging project in terms of scale, logistics, difficult access for vehicles and the extremely close proximity of existing wards which had to remain operational throughout.”

Modular construction is a fast and flexible way for healthcare providers to expand or relocate services, particularly on constrained sites. The hiring of buildings also allows projects to be funded cost effectively from revenue rather than capital budget streams, giving NHS trusts much greater flexibility to meet changing local needs.

You can view the video here or for further information about interim buildings for healthcare projects, visit www.portanews.co.uk, email information@portakabin.co.uk or call 0845 401 0010.

“Constructed to permanent standards, the building will be in use for five years, giving the Trust much greater flexibility as the facilities can be removed or adapted if service needs change.”

The facility has been designed to provide excellent light, space, décor and infection control and was installed by Portakabin immediately adjacent to the main hospital, with minimal impact on service provision. The building structure

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Sustainable Offsite - mobile & portable Buildings

FOREMANS AWARDED £1.6M CONTRACT TO USE RECYCLED BUILDING MODULES TO EXPAND ONE OF THE TOP-PERFORMING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND

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oremans Relocatable Building Systems, a member of the Portakabin Group and the UK’s largest supplier of refurbished Portakabin buildings, has been awarded a £1.6 million contract to build a purpose-designed sixth form centre at Higham Lane School in Nuneaton.

Higham Lane is the joint highest performing state-funded secondary school in Warwickshire, and has performed within the top 100 of all secondary schools in England. The new building, which is now under construction by Foremans, will allow the school to provide a high quality, direct, post-16 progression route for its students for the first time, maintaining standards and outcomes far above national levels.

The sixth form centre will be built by Foremans using 52 recycled and refurbished steel-framed modules. The two storey building will be delivered in less than six months from receipt of order to be open in time for the school’s first intake of sixth form students in September this year. Cranage of the refurbished modular structure is being timed for the school holidays to minimise any disruption to teaching.

This is Foremans’ 11th school project with education construction consultants Surveyors to Education who are designers and contract administrators for the scheme.

The building will feature large amounts of glazing for a high level of natural light, with brick cladding to complement neighbouring facilities, and areas of bright red rainscreen cladding to reflect the school’s colours.

Commenting on the project, Ben Elliott, Director of Corporate Services at Higham Lane School said, “There is a shortage of quality sixth form provision in our area and feedback from students has indicated a strong preference to stay on and study for A-levels at Higham Lane School.”

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“The Foremans pre-owned approach offers us significant benefits – it is very cost effective and the building will look brand new once it is completed. It is giving us more certainty to have the new sixth form up and running by September because the majority of fitting out takes place off site.

Knowing that Foremans is a member of the Portakabin Group gave us even greater peace of mind along with their excellent relationship with Surveyors to Education.”

Martin Hier, Director at Surveyors to Education said, “The school wants this to be a statement building which will also blend in well with existing facilities. It is designed to meet the specific requirements of sixth form learning, which includes teaching spaces to accommodate smaller groups.”

“We have a strong and long-standing relationship with the Foremans team and enjoy pushing the boundaries on each new education scheme we collaborate on. We take a standard building solution and enhance it to meet the school’s requirements – whether that is for aesthetics or as here, specific classroom sizes.”

“We would definitely recommend recycled modular buildings to other schools and colleges. The approach is very sustainable because we are re-using an existing building structure - which is still in perfect condition, and at the same time we can reduce lead times and carbon emissions. Foremans modular buildings are also really flexible so layouts can be reconfigured to meet changing local needs.”

The Higham Lane sixth form centre will accommodate up to 300 16-19 year-old students and will have 17 seminar rooms, an art room, two science laboratories, and common room with café area.

Foremans’ 10 previous projects with Surveyors to Education have included a two-storey school complex at Billingbrook School in Northampton and a single-storey community college building with five classrooms and an IT hub at Winstanley College in Wigan.

For further information about refurbished Portakabin buildings, visit www.foremansbuildings.co.uk, email info@foremansbuildings.co.uk, or call 01964 544344

Sustainable Procurement

PSS Award Winner Warwickshire County Council SUMMARY

Warwickshire County Council has competitively ‘franchised’ the operation of eight recycling centre re-use shops. As well as raising millions of pounds for charity, the ground-breaking partnership is providing a sustainable income stream for the authority as well as diverting thousands of tonnes of material from landfill.

Scaling up the Warwickshire re-use shops franchise model to the UK’s remaining 1,056 recycling centres would generate an additional £35 million a year for cash-strapped councils.

The symbiotic relationship between social enterprises and public recycling facilities demonstrates the circular economy in action – underpinning the triple bottom line of social, environmental and economic benefit.

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has been recognised as a pioneer in the development of charity reuse shops at its nine Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) by agencies such as the Local Government Association and WRAP. More than 500 tonnes of material such as electrical goods, books, DVDs and bric-a-brac are diverted from landfill each year thanks to Warwickshire’s HWRC reuse shop network and its legion of cost-conscious customers.

Prior to 2014, each HWRC re-use shop was offered as a concession to third sector organisations who pitched for the privilege to operate the site. The successful operator – either a local or national charity – typically paid a peppercorn rent of around £12,000 to operate the re-use shop and retained all proceeds from the operation less overheads such as fuel, water, wages and salaries, and administration costs. For the past three years, four organisations have operated re-use shops at eight HWRCs while the county’s only privately operated HWRC, in Nuneaton, has a separate

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arrangement with another local social enterprise.

By 2014 the County Council had aligned the contract end dates for all eight HWRC re-use shops concessions, and packaged eight sites into a four-lot competitive tender which is yielding WCC more than £3 million over the life of the contract (five years plus an extension of up to another five years).

Age UK Warwickshire (AUKW) won all four lots, and its contract to operate the eight sites commenced on 5 November 2014.

2. INNOVATION

Millions of pounds have been generated for good causes since Warwickshire’s first recycling centre charity re-use shop opened its doors back in 2003.

The authority is now claiming another first by effectively ‘auctioning’ the operation of these lucrative franchises in a competitive process which was won by Age UK Warwickshire (AUKW).

Generating an additional £250,000 a year in franchise fees, the authority is providing a platform for sustainable social enterprise – capitalising on the recycling centres as a magnet for unwanted goods and materials.

At the same time AUKW has the security of a five-year tenure (with an option to extend by up to another five years) across eight HWRCs which complements its established portfolio of eight high street charity shops.

In its Invitation to Tender, WCC stipulated that the successful bidder would be responsible payment of the re-use shops’ Business Rates. With registered charities eligible for 80% mandatory rate relief and up to 20% discretionary relief, this undoubtedly aided the business models of third sector bidders without closing the door to private sector providers prepared to absorb rates bills as an unavoidable overheads. AUKW is boosting its profit margins by Gift Aiding donations of goods at its HWRC shops.

3. CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

A fiercely-competitive Tender for just one re-use shop in 2010 informed WCC’s new procurement plan. Key lessons learned from the 2010 exercise were: • The importance of stimulating interest and enthusiasm from potential bidders beyond the publication of Contract Notices and Tender Alerts • Provision of detailed trading histories aids accurate business planning and income projections • Exit strategies for unsuccessful, incumbent operators are crucial as the enterprise may have over-relied on re-use shop income • Concession fees should be proportional to shop turnover and profitability, and not invariably ‘peppercorn’. Some Warwickshire outlets were already turning over more than £250,000 a year • Packaging outlets into lots and offering a five year term is likely to achieve best value for the authority and generate an adequate return on investment for the operator • Invitations to tender reflecting a high degree of localism and social value will stimulate third sector interest.

However, the possibility of a highly competitive bid from the private sector and/or private/voluntary partnerships should not be ruled out.

A pre-tender information day attracted representatives from 15 organisations ranging from local furniture reuse schemes to national charities and leading waste management companies. Many of the questions tabled at this event were distilled into Frequently Asked Questions

Sustainable Procurement The symbiotic relationship between a social enterprise and public recycling facilities demonstrates the circular economy in action – underpinning the triple bottom line of social, environmental and economic benefit.

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publication which formed part of the subsequent tender pack. WCC emphasised that whilst it welcomed enterprises to operate its HWRC reuse shops, peppercorn rents were seen as insubstantial and unsustainable in the current climate of austerity. A benchmark was set of £50,000 per annum for each of the four lots.

As well publication of the OJEU Contract Notice and its re-publication in Contracts Finder, WCC highlighted the opportunity to the Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire Re-use Forum plus industry contacts and existing suppliers. No fewer than 26 expressions of interest were received for the contract which whittled down to five compliant bids for four lots.

As part of the tender evaluation, a confidence rating was applied to bidders’ business plans to establish whether or not they were realistic and achievable – generating a reliable income stream for both charitable causes and the local authority.

4. SHARED AGENDAS

The franchise is generating an additional £250,000 a year for WCC against a tide of increasing austerity for local

government. This is £100,000 a year more than WCC’s procurement benchmark.

AUKW is also investing £50,000 from its own funds to improve signage, storage, office equipment, security and cash handling at HWRC re-use shops.

Both WCC & AUKW share a common agenda in Warwickshire that is clearly spelt out in Warwickshire’s One Organisational Plan 2014 – 2018 see http://oop.warwickshire.gov.uk/ WCC’s Core Purpose is to: “Develop and sustain a society that looks after its most vulnerable members, that delivers quality services at the right time, and seeks opportunities for economic growth and innovation.” With the number of people over 85 in the Warwickshire and the UK predicted to double in the next 20 years and nearly treble in the next 30, AUKW is set to play a pivotal role.

The economy of scale and pooling of expertise across eight outlets has already seen significant improvements in trading activity and shop turnover – as much as a four-fold increase at one outlet within weeks of taking over.

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5. RECOGNITION & REWARD

The successful franchising of Warwickshire recycling centre re-use shops was featured at The Future of Public Sector Procurement Conference 2014 as well as the National Civic Amenity Site Conference 2014.

A representative from the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) visited Warwickshire in October 2014 as part of her research for a case study on Warwickshire’s acclaimed HWRC re-use shops. The austerity-busting, landmark partnership with Age UK Warwickshire features prominently in the case study which is part of an initiative called The Great Recovery see www.greatrecovery.org.uk An over-subscribed autumn 2014 tour of selected Warwickshire HWRC re-use shops was attended by Waste Disposal Authority representatives from as far afield as Anglesey, Suffolk, Hampshire and Merseyside. The tour was repeated in March 2015 and again was oversubscribed with 30 representatives attending from UK waste authorities plus specialist consultancies and private operators.

To date Warwickshire has shared its re-use shops’ tender packs and contract documents with more than a dozen local authorities and waste partnerships.

A Warwickshire representative was invited to sit on the LGA’s Reuse Commission in recognition of the authority’s pioneering approach to re-use – including HWRC charity re-use shops.

Award success to date for the initiative includes: • Improvement and Efficiency Awards 2015 – Delivering through Efficiency Award (Bronze) and Transformation in Waste & Environment Award (Silver).

• Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2015/16 Finalist – Procurement Innovation or Initiative of the Year.

• National Recycling Awards 2015 – Efficiency Initiative of the Year.

• International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Awards 2015 – Local Authority Gold Award.

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Sustainable Energy

Best Energy Management

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

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he North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust has significant strategic challenges, it has a disparate and changing estate portfolio that is difficult and expensive to monitor – geographically its borders reach Scotland, Wales and the length of the Pennines. Like many others It has financial and carbon challenges. This financial year it will meet its challenges head on and has invested approximately £1.8 million used across its portfolio to implement and install energy saving technology as a big step forward towards achieving its carbon reduction, strategic and financial objectives.

The funding is being spread across 11 sites which are Broughton HQ, Manchester HART, Egremont, Distington, Flimby, Bolton South, Manchester Central, Runcorn, Warrington, Wallasey and Bootle ambulance station.

The scheme benefits from the advances in technology, the Trust is using combinations of technologies that has only previously been used on larger acute hospitals. The overarching strategy is one of reduce demand to zero when applicable, use energy efficiency measures if it can’t be avoided and avoid carbon intensive power through generation by renewables or CHP. The technology being installed comprises of a mix of the following dependent on site and appropriateness: Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) roof panels which will generate electricity for direct use by the Trust saving on the amount of energy being purchased and also will export any surplus electricity generated back to the National Grid which would

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produce an income.

Combined Heat and Power Units (CHP’s) which will provide the main source of heating and also generate electricity for direct use by the Trust saving on the amount of energy being purchased and also will export any surplus electricity generated back to the National Grid which would produce an income.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting which uses far less wattage and therefore saves on energy and also has a life expectancy of 50,000 hours. i.e. If lights are used for 10 hours a day, this should be equivalent to 13.7 years. This produces additional cost savings for replacement lamps and the cost of contractor labour time for undertaking any replacements.

Electronic Thermostatic Radiator Valves (eTRV’s). These will maintain pre-set temperatures within different areas of the buildings and can regulate specific areas such as corridors and toilets which do not need to be as kept as warm as mess room facilities and therefore save on unnecessary energy usage.

Interlocking garage door/heating systems which will disable the heating system if the door is opened and therefore save on wasted energy.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors on extraction systems which will only activate extraction systems in the event of exhaust fumes being detected within the garage area as opposed to current systems which operate on a permanent basis. Again saving on unnecessary energy usage.

Building Management Systems that will give the Trust greater control and management of energy usage and therefore energy costs by enabling remote access to check and amend temperatures and energy usage within the buildings fitted with the system. This will have particular benefits in reducing the man hours it takes to travel across the region from site to site as well as saving on the vehicular emissions this travel would create.

The Trusts investment in BMS has associated savings because of the distances between the sites is considerable. It enables the Trust to save on the number of man hours required to maintain the buildings and the embedded carbon required for travelling.

Insulation and draught proofing of identified vulnerable areas.

The installation programme will be completed by the end of March 2015. The projected annual savings for the Trust are guaranteed under an accompanying 15 year support contract at £197,151.32 for pure energy saves and a further £33,000.00 on non-energy saving e.g. breakdowns and maintenance. The annual reduction on carbon emissions is projected to be 586.91 tonnes of carbon.

The Trust needed a solution that would meet its changing estates strategy, especially as which buildings would be in or out of scope was not 100% decided. A procurement strategy was needed that would allow it to complete the works both now and in the future without going through another procurement exercise.

Coupled with only have enough internal capital for the first tranche of buildings a new approach was needed to bring the scheme to realisation.

The Trust selected the Carbon and Energy Fund Framework to assist with the scheme, it is the most experienced framework available for use in the NHS and it had the technical, legal and financial resources to assist the Trust to deliver the scheme. The 11 buildings were procured as one to achieve the benefits of scale, the technical solution was developed via a series of meetings to enable the Trust to choose from what the market had to offer.

Imtech was selected to deliver the scheme and reaching the end of the project. To meet the strategic objectives of the Trust and its capital limitations the Trust and CEF pioneered the community finance model.

When new sites become available the contract allows the Trust to carry out the works and it has pre-selected third party finance to pay for the works.

The project has succeeded because the Trust has incorporated innovation in technology, in procurement and finance.

The approach taken by the Trust is transferable and will unlock cash and carbon savings that have previously been deemed as unobtainable by similar organisations.

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Register now at www.pssawards.co.uk

The 2015 Winners Most Sustainable Public Sector Organisation:

Most Sustainable Public Sector Project:

Platinum Award City & County of Swansea

Best Energy Management Project London Metropolitan University

Gold Award Glasgow City Council Most Sustainable Public Sector Organisation In: Government Environment Agency Local Authority City & County of Swansea Health/NHS Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust Education Coleg Cumbria

Best Waste/Recycling Project Oxford City Council Best Refurbishment Project City & County of Swansea Best Transport/Travel Plan Project Glasgow City Council Best Procurement Project Warwickshire County Council Best Water Management Borough of Lambeth

Emergency Services Kent & Essex Police Estate Services

Innovation Award Exeter City Council

Housing Association L&Q

For more information please visit www.pssawards.co.uk