BFM March 2016 by Abbey Publishing

HVAC | OFFICE & IT | WORKPLACE PLANNING & DESIGN | MARCH 2016

building & facilities facilities management management

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THE LEadINg maNufacTurEr Of SafETy & cONTrOL VaLVES

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HIGHLIGHTS

FUNDING SCHEME DIPS THE LIGHTING BILL FOR VALLEYS AUTHORITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PAGE 36

iApply provides welcome efficiency for UK building boom

Modern office design; how style meets substance

Seven seemingly harmless items that could put your company at risk

On the cover: NABIC – offers a comprehensive range of safety & control valves. March 2016

BFM Team Business Development Director

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Contents

Creative Director

Sarah Daviner sarah@abbeypublishing.co.uk Accounts Manager

Katie Brehm accounts@abbeypublishing.co.uk Print

MIXAM UK LTD

News

Lighting

Jangro launches new dedicated website for suite of training modules

HVAC

Good things come in small packages

Funding scheme dips the lighting bill for Valleys authority

Security & Access Control

Video surveillance delivers real-time security

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Exhibition Preview Office & IT

Conference calling – don’t make the wrong call

Facilities Management 2016 has finally arrived

Waste Management & Recycling

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Portable & Modular Buildings

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Reducing food waste

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Portakabin delivers complete interim primary school in just 14 weeks to the amazement of parents

Catering & Vending

A Healthier Road Ahead for Vending

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Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

News

Jangro launches new dedicated website for suite of training modules

angro, the UK’s largest network of janitorial supply companies, has kicked off 2016 with a brand new website for its award-winning suite of training modules. To celebrate, Jangro is giving potential and current customers the chance to download the training modules free of charge with a special voucher code. Through the ‘Learning Management Solution’ (LMS) website, companies can ensure all staff are fully trained in correct products and working procedures following a quick and easy online registration process, entering the code LMSPRESS for exclusive access. The system works remotely so it can be carried out at times to suit the user, covering everything from ‘Kitchen Hygiene’ and ‘Carpet Care’ to an ‘Introduction to Cleaning’ and ‘Housekeeping’. The distance-learning programme originally launched in 2012 and consisted of eight different modules with two more being introduced last year by popular demand. Joanne Gilliard, Operations Director at Jangro, said: “We are delighted with our new LMS website and this voucher code gives everyone access to our awardwinning modules free of charge.

“Since we launched LMS modules in 2012 we have had some really great feedback on the programme from both users and employers, who now have the peace of mind that their staff are being trained through a quality training programme.” Each module has a different operating time, varying from 50 to 90 minutes. The training programme also allows for employers to monitor the progress of each employee.

Lubron UK welcomes its new UK Sales Manager

ater treatment specialist Lubron has appointed Mark Hadaway as its UK Sales Manager. Mark joined the team in January 2016, and his knowledge and experience in the industry will be a significant asset to the company. Already a market leader in healthcare and the food and beverage industry, Lubron has been a reactive Engineering company with the majority of its sales occurring as a consequence of its welldesigned and reliable equipment. Mark plans to use sales strategy to encourage a more proactive approach to break into new markets that, conventionally, Lubron has not focused on. Mark graduated from the University of Leeds with a Chemical Engineering Degree and gained his industry experience working for Veolia

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Water, BAC Balticare and Clearwater Technology. His specialist knowledge of chemical water treatment will enable him to spearhead Lubron UK’s drive in that field of the industry. Mark says, “I see myself adding value to the Lubron UK team by utilising my skills and expertise to enhance what is already a collection of exceptional technical knowledge and experience. Lubron already has a good share of the water treatment market, but I want to build long term growth as our key success criteria, and work towards this in our team values.” The use of chemicals in water treatment is vital to ensure the longevity of equipment and getting it right has significant long-term financial benefits for those responsible for facilities

Jangro’s LMS training modules include: Introduction to Cleaning, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Awareness, Introduction to Equipment, Kitchen Hygiene, Carpet Care, Washroom Hygiene, Floor Care, Housekeeping, Colour Coding and Infection Control and Health and Safety. The LMS modules can be accessed at http://jangrolms.net. For further information please contact 01204 795955.

management budgets. Mark explains, “Lubron has a great deal to offer the FM industry, we can service and maintain our competitors’ equipment, provide the chemicals needed to operate it at optimum levels and carry out the regulatory compliance tests. There is no reason we should not be the ‘go to’ company for the building services as well as the Facilities Management sector for every aspect of water treatment.” For more details about Lubron, its services and products, or to contact Mark, visit: www.lubron.co.uk or call 01206 866444.

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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News

iApply provides welcome efficiency for UK building boom

ews that new-build properties have hit an eight-year high is reassuring for everyone involved in the building industry, from those designing and planning homes to those authorising and building them. House Building: December 2015 reports show more than 143,500 new-build homes were started up to December, a 91% increase on June 2009. Completions have also hit a sevenyear high, which is not only encouraging for homebuyers but is a fine reflection of building industry growth as a whole. Moreover, the latest Housing Pipeline report from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) indicates that planning permission

for 59,875 homes was granted in England during the third quarter of last year. This is up from 53,409 permissions during the equivalent period the previous year. Building control is one of many aspects of the industry buoyed by these promising figures. Increased efficiency from new technology such as iApply, the UK’s first combined online planning and building control submissions service, helps to keep track of these rapid developments. Created by Idox, iApply has been designed to bring greater flexibility, transparency and interactivity to the planning and building control submissions process. It enables submissions for both planning and building control applications to be managed through a cloud-based mobile-friendly single source. Data can be shared between applications and this new platform also affords the ability to authorise others to add drawings and make payments. iApply provides automatic notifications of changes in status which brings fluidity to the process, and results in increased timesaving on the part of both applicants and local authorities. North Yorkshire Building Control Partnership (NYBCP), the first Local Authority Building Control Partnership in the UK, was one of the local authorities involved in the iApply pilot project and

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has since become one of iApply’s early adopters. The partnership provides a flexible and modern building control service on behalf of Hambleton, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby councils. Les Chapman, Head of Building Control at NYBCP, explains why he favours iApply’s new approach. “We have been working with Idox since 2012 and the company has already helped us streamline our online service. The introduction of iApply seemed like an obvious next step and we were keen to be involved in the initial pilot, as it gave us the opportunity to ensure that it would work effectively for our customers. One of the things that has made iApply such an attractive proposition is how simple and intuitive the product is to use. The fact that our applicants can use iApply to collaborate with others involved in the project – from the architect to the client – is also a major benefit, as is the ability to pay online. In addition, iApply will help us become more efficient and our aim is to be able to turn building notices around within one day.” For further information on iApply, please visit www.iapply.co.uk or watch the introductory video highlighting just some of the major advantages of investing in the service https://iapply.co.uk/lgdp/#why Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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News

Jangro set to shine at the Manchester Cleaning Show 2016

angro, the UK’s largest network of janitorial supply companies, will be showcasing two new additions to its impressive portfolio at The Manchester Cleaning Show 2016. Delegates will be able to find out all about Jangro’s brand new ‘Learning Management Solution’ (LMS) website and pick up free voucher codes for exclusive access to the online training modules. It’s inaugural Healthcare catalogue, which has been developed to meet the needs of a whole host of care and nursing facilities, will also be available on the stand. In addition, Jangro team members will be talking visitors through the company’s added value services including its Budgeting Software and its Site Manager tool, which is a leading health and safety compliance solution. Joanne Gillard, Operations Director at Jangro, said: “We are very excited to

be attending this year’s Manchester Cleaning Show. “It is recognised as the meeting place for the UK’s cream of the crop in the cleaning industry and we’re thrilled to be exhibiting our brand new website for our award-winning training programme and our first Healthcare catalogue.” The Manchester Cleaning Show 2016 is at Event City on the 6th and 7th April. The Jangro team will be on stand C14

throughout the two-day event. To attend The Manchester Cleaning show please visit http://www.cleaningshow.co.uk/ manchester

Cistermiser helps Thames Water save water

he UK’s largest water company has cut water use by a staggering amount at its Clearwater Court office in Reading following a trial of three new technologies in two of its washrooms. Thames Water replaced the existing urinal sensors in the washrooms with Cistermiser’s Direct Flush. They collectively reduced the amount of water used during the trial period by 90.7 per cent. Meanwhile, the company also replaced the existing non-concussive taps with Cistermiser’s sensor-controlled Vectataps which cut water usage from the taps by 59 per cent. When the gains achieved by these two sensor technologies were added to the savings from new toilets provided by another supplier it showed that the two washrooms now save over 11,500 litres a week and are on course to reduce water use by a colossal 500,000 litres over the next 12 months. Direct Flush uses infrared sensors to detect visitors to the urinal, automatically flushing two seconds after use to ensure the highest level of hygiene from the minimum volume of water. It removes the need for auto-flush cisterns which flush all urinals intermittently even if they

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have not all been used. The average water saving per urinal using Direct Flush at Clearwater has been calculated as 1,315 litres per person p.a. Meanwhile the newly installed Vectataps are elegant, deck-mounted, polished chrome plated brass basin spouts with inbuilt infrared control which turn the water on whenever a visitor to the basin places their hands in front of the sensor. Andrew Tucker, water efficiency manager at Thames Water, says: “We recently installed Cistermiser sensor taps and urinal sensors in two washrooms as part of a water efficiency pilot project at our head office in Reading. “We have been delighted with the look and performance of the two devices and have achieved an average water saving of more than 80 per cent, compared with the previous efficient fittings. We are now looking to roll out further improvements to our other buildings.” David Meacock, Technical Director at Cistermiser says: “This has been a terrific trial and provides an indisputable endorsement of the value of moving to sensor-controlled technology in the bathroom – the

more so, given that the previous fittings were considered efficient. “Not only have the water savings been enormous, there are substantial cost savings too – if the same combined technology was installed in all 16 washrooms at Clearwater Court it would lower annual water use by 4.8 million litres and save Thames Water around £10,000 per year.” For more information, call 0118 969 1611, email sales@cistermiser.co.uk or visit www.cistermiser.co.uk.

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

News

World Water Day Since 1993 on March 22nd World Water Day has brought focus to the importance of fresh water and the sustainable management of fresh water sources with changing themes each year; this year it’s ‘water and jobs’.

ivreau, a global leader and innovator in the development and manufacture of purified drinking water systems, understands the importance of hydration in the workplace. There are many benefits of ensuring staff are hydrated at work, including improved concentration and combating fatigue among many other physical benefits, which can improve overall health in the workplace. Stephen Charles, Managing Director at Vivreau explains: “Hydration can be easily overlooked in the workplace. However, having a hydrated and healthy workforce can improve overall productivity. Facilities managers play an integral role when it comes to deciding how water is made available, making it accessible and appealing.” Dehydration in the workplace is not uncommon in the UK and can result in staff suffering from headaches, fatigue, dizziness and many other unpleasant symptoms, all of which can have an impact on health, productivity and even personal safety at work. Research has shown that losing just 2% of water from your body (on average consisting of 60%) can reduce cognitive (mental) performance. Therefore, it is in every employers’ interest to ensure that staff are well hydrated and that is where building and facilities managers can really make a difference. To avoid dehydration in the workplace, Vivreau suggests the following top four hydration tips: 1. Ensure that water is readily available in hot and dry environments - dehydration is often caused by temperature control systems speeding up moisture evaporation. 2. Drink fluids cooler than room temperature - water is the healthiest way to hydrate in comparison to other drinks, as it contains no calories or sugar. 3. Encourage staff to drink at regular intervals throughout the day, regulating hydration levels, allowing for one glass of water for every cup of tea or coffee. 4. Offer fruit for staff to infuse still water and offer sparkling water for those who may need some encouragement.

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Whilst it is perfectly safe to drink tap water in the UK, many consider filtered water to contain fewer impurities, especially in some parts of the UK which have ‘hard’ water that can be unpleasant to drink, whilst others simply prefer the taste of filtered water. However, drinking bottled water is not without consequences, the UK spends over £2billion a year on bottled water; getting through approximately 15 million plastic bottles a day. LA has recently made a bold decision which could pave the way for the future of sustainable hydration, introducing a ban on plastic water bottles in the city. Using plastic bottles increases carbon footprint up to 30 times more than tap water and costs up to 500 times more; there has therefore never been a better time to make significant changes in how water is made available. Sustainability is at the core of Vivreau’s ethos and with it innovative and sustainable products, Vivreau has helped many organisations reduce their carbon footprint whilst promoting a healthier workplace. One sustainable solution to making purified water readily available to all staff is the Vi tap from Vivreau. The Vi tap dispenses mainsfed purified chilled still, sparkling and instant boiling hot water from one single tap with a touch sensor control and zero splash. The sparkling option is perfect for those who consider water to be a dull beverage. Stephen Charles, Managing Director at Vivreau explains: “Awareness surrounding the importance of employee wellbeing and personal health in the

workplace continues to grow. The Vi tap is one of many sustainable solutions we offer to keep staff hydrated and healthy. Providing the option of still or sparking also makes staying hydrated more appealing.” Springer Nature a leading global research, educational and professional publishers installed one Table Water Bottling System and 30 Vi tap systems throughout their UK headquarters in London. John Haskell, Contracts Manager at Springer Nature commented: “I would say that the Vi tap system is one of the most used items of equipment that we have on the premises. With the proximity of the Vi tap, staff are constantly topping up their bottles and taking them back to their desks, so they rehydrate on a regular basis.” Keeping staff hydrated can be key to health and productivity in the workplace and ensuring that water is readily available is a fantastic way to encourage staff to stay healthy in your facility. www.vivreau.co.uk Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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News

Allegion encourages checks to door closing devices

pecialist security manufacturer, Allegion, is encouraging facilities managers, fire safety managers and maintenance supervisors, as well as others in charge of safety in public sector buildings, to assess their door closing devices, in case an adjustment is necessary. A recent warning from The Department of Health has highlighted issues in public sector buildings with regards to heavy fire doors closing too fast. The warning was prompted by a tragedy that occurred within a hospital regarding an electromagnetic holdopen door closer that was released due to a power failure and closed too quickly, despite being compliant with the British Standard BS EN 1155/4 and maintained regularly. The Department of Health has suggested risk assessments be carried out on all fire door closing devices to assess the appropriate closing time, taking into account the occupancy of the building. To avoid such tragedies, adjustments should be made, where

appropriate, to lengthen the closing time to the higher end of the tolerance and allow enough time for occupants to pass through doors safely. Jo Milne-Rowe, specification manager at Allegion, said: “Thousands of electromagnetically hold-open door closers are fitted every year and never encounter any issues. Still, we can’t stress enough how important it is that closing speeds are regularly checked and adjusted to suitable speeds for building users. For example, a less-abled person may need the door to stay open for a longer time, to allow them to pass through it. At Allegion, we offer the additional function of delayed action that can be incorporated on an electromagnetic hold-open door closer, allowing a delay between the magnet releasing on the activation of the fire alarm and the door actually beginning to close. In addition to checking the closing speed of door devices, door hardware needs to be regularly serviced and maintained.

Allegion products are suited for the education, healthcare, commercial, leisure, transport and hospitality sectors, and are fully compliant with current EN requirements. You can try out a door closer for free through Allegion’s Try Me Product Programme, which allows the security provider to set up a door closer to its optimum performance, allowing customers to experience the different performance of the door. As part of the Try Me offering, Allegion can also show maintenance and facility management teams how to install and adjust closers correctly and efficiently to guarantee safety. For further information, on the service and maintenance of Allegion products, visit www.allegion.com/uk or contact the Customer Care Team on 01922 707400.

A great two years celebrated by One Connectivity

ommunications company One Connectivity is celebrating two years of being based at their Nottinghamshire office. The company also has another reason to celebrate; it is expanding with the introduction of several new team members, and has enjoyed a successful period. One of the new members of One Connectivity’s staff, Simon Smith, joins the team on a full-time role after an initial 12-week placement. This came as a result of One Connectivity working with a national charity, and Managing Director Paul Stevenson explains the significance of this relationship. Paul says: “One Connectivity was chosen as the communications partner for a national charity called Street League. This Charity uses the power of football to change the lives of young people by supporting them to get back into work, education or training. Simon joined us in July last year on a 12 week work placement and we were really impressed with his enthusiasm and the fact he really wanted to get back into employment.

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We decided to offer Simon a full time role at One Connectivity after his work experience. Through ongoing training and development Simon has become a fantastic addition to the One Connectivity team and a real success story for Street League.” Paul also hopes that the additional experience of Technical Solutions recruit, Adam Millington, who has nine years’ experience in the telecoms industry, working with several key players in this field, will help One Connectivity continue to grow for years to come. It is hoped that Adam’s knowledge in the telecoms industry will allow One Connectivity’s customers to have a single point of contact whilst working with the company. Adam says: “I am really excited to be joining the team at One Connectivity, I have been really impressed with them over the past couple of years and I am always impressed with their customer focus and emphasis on customer experience. I honestly feel that One Connectivity are the telecoms company that truly deliver what they say and more,

and I am really happy to be part of a team of great people with the same focus and values that I hold.” One Connectivity has also grown in a physical sense. After moving to their offices in the Old British Waterways building on the bank of the Trent Lock, One Connectivity now occupies the entire ground floor and has plans to expand onto the first floor as well. www.oneconnectivity.co.uk Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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News

Leading shopping centre coffee shop chain selects Design & Contract Furniture again for new stores As nationwide shopping centre coffee shop chain, bb’s Coffee and Muffins, expands across the UK and Ireland, Design & Contract Furniture has been selected to provide more bespoke furniture for the newly opening stores.

enowned for its tempting range of freshly baked ‘made on site’ muffins and delicious barista coffees, bb’s Coffee and Muffins, as part of the Retail Food Group, has over 50 stores across the UK and Ireland with three recent new store openings in Maidstone, Ipswich and King’s Lynn and plans to open another 10 this year. As the company’s long-term furniture provider, Design & Contracts worked closely with the opening stores to provide the right furniture to match the brand’s existing theme. Amongst the tailor made furniture is a range of faux leather arm chairs and banquette seating, as well as Billiani dining chairs and solid ash dining tables. Design & Contracts has worked with bb’s Coffee and Muffins for over 15 years and provides furniture for the majority of the brand’s high street stores. Andrew Moyes, Group CEO (UK and ROI) of the Retail Food Group commented, “We have worked with Design & Contracts for many years and we have always found them to be extremely reliable and flexible in what they offer. As a brand we have an image that we need to portray across all of our stores and this is something we have been able to achieve through the furniture they have supplied.” As a busy shopping centre coffee shop chain, bb’s Coffee and Muffins receives a high number of customers each day and therefore required furniture that is able to withstand constant use without compromising the quality or appearance. Andrew Moyes commented again, “All of the furniture supplied by Design & Contracts is very high quality and robust which has made them an attractive 14

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choice for newly opening stores. The team at Design & Contracts are always very helpful and supportive and continue to provide an excellent service long after each project is completed.” Amongst the many seating options are a number of retro-inspired Milan and Ludo armchairs, upholstered in Skai Sotega Nature and Olive faux leather. The two vibrant colours present a modern, stylish twist on classic armchairs, with contrasting coloured buttons for extra decoration. The armchairs offer exceptional comfort with cushioned seat and back pads. Design & Contracts also provide banquette seating in Skai Sotega Nature faux leather, with contrasting buttoned backs in Begonia and Elderflower Sunbury fabric. The style of the seating reflects the retro theme of the armchairs; however the earth-coloured leather fashionably contrasts with the entire furniture scheme. Like the armchairs, the banquette seating provides a comfortable option in the form of sofa-like seating. Other seating options include traditional Bentwood chairs with a natural wooden frame, as well as sleek Billiani Pop chairs in a light and dark Zebrano finish, are supplied to add an element of simple elegance to the cafés. Bespoke cushions are also provided for extra decoration, using Sunbury Aquaclean Belfast fabric in

a range of colours, including Lizard, Begonia and Elderflower to add to the mix of pale pinks and greens presented across the stores. All of the contemporary seating options are complemented with a range of mixed-sized, solid ash dining tables with a natural polished finish. Design & Contract Furniture have worked with a large number of bars, cafés and restaurants nationwide to provide bespoke furniture and upholstery services. The company prides itself in offering furniture to match any corporate branding themes, or can work with its customers to create a fresh furniture scheme according to any interior design brief. Further information on Design & Contract Furniture is available from the company on 01344 628 108, by emailing: sales@designcontracts.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.designcontracts.com

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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News

Launch of ChairCompare®

Free tea!

ivreau, a global leader in the development and manufacture of purified drinking water systems, has teamed up with Birchall Tea to offer clients installing the Vi tap product free bundles of the nation’s most treasured drink. Over 165 million cups of tea are consumed by British people daily and Vivreau will be supplying it to new clients for free. The award-winning Vi tap dispenses mains-fed purified chilled still, sparkling and instant boiling hot water from one single tap with a touch sensor control and zero splash. For a short period Vivreau will be offering free tea with every Vi tap installation. Each new client will also be entered into a prize draw and at the end of the promotion, one lucky winner will receive a Birchall Tea’s beautifully carved wooden box filled with a variety of Birchall teas – perfect for any meeting room environment. The Vi tap’s high spec boiler can produce up to four cups of boiling water per minute at the perfect temperature for tea! There is even an intelligent safety feature on the Vi tap which prevents boiling water from being dispensed by accident. Incorporating high performance ice bank refrigeration, it is also capable of delivering high quantities of chilled water. Debbie Tate, Communications and Marketing Director at Vivreau, says: “We are delighted to offer our clients this promotion, helping fuel offices nationwide with the perfect brew made with high quality, Brita filtered water.” Vivreau is a privately owned company founded in the late 1980’s as a family business. In partnership with Brita since 2012, Vivreau continues to lead the way with new technology, improved water filtration and product development accommodating a range of drinking water dispensers unrivalled across the world. www.vivreau.co.uk.

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wo businessmen have launched the UK’s first chair comparison website: ChairCompare.com®. John Sacks of JSA Consulting, and brand expert Adam Dunn are behind this web-based platform. The website will be launched at the end of March 2016 and increases choice and convenience for anyone looking to buy chairs for their business, without the hassle of going through a long supply chain. It’s an easy to use, step by step process which gives comprehensive information and allows users to quickly pick out which products they´re interested in, whether it’s office, homeoffice, restaurant, theatre or conference seating. A drop down menu leads to a shortlist, which shows information on products, services and third party certifications. All this takes under a minute. Chair Compare will not actually sell any product but rather steer the buyer to the supplier and products, which most closely match their needs. Sacks says: “Before ChairCompare, users had to carry out lengthy searches to find the right product and manufacturer that met their needs. Whilst a quick Google search might give a wide choice of products, the user might want to buy, let’s say a sustainable product. As a result, ChairCompare.com was born.” Dunn adds: “When someone is spending £1000 on a chair for a new office they want to know where to get independent advice to make sure they get the best product available. We are not selling chairs, but we are helping

ChairCompare® is an objective guide to help everyone sit comfortably. Directors Adam Dunn and John Sacks

consumers to get as much information as they can before deciding on a product. If a buyer needs five chairs for the new office, and wants information for example on office chairs that are ergonomically correct, then this is the site to go to for independent advice.” The website allows leading manufacturers from the UK and Europe to participate and promote their products, and adds a wealth of additional information especially on sourcing, sustainability and other certification which is important for the user. The ChairCompare team is currently working with the British Contract Furnishing Association, BCFA, to support its services.

WPS boosts sales team with further senior hire

PS, the parking management specialist, has further strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Jim Short as Senior Business Development Manager. Jim has more than 20 years’ experience in sales, of which the last seven have been specifically focused on the parking industry. Roles include Technology Sales Manager, EMEA, for Smart Parking and four years as Senior Business Development Manager at Xerox Parking Services. Simon Jarvis, Managing Director of WPS, says this is an exciting time for the company: “Demand for our smart, reliable ParkAdvance™ technology

matched by smart thinking is clearly on the rise, and Jim will play a key role in promoting the benefits of our systems to an audience of both public and private customers.” This is the second senior hire in recent months for WPS, reflecting a new period of growth as a key brand within the new Dynniq business. Philip Howell joined the company at the end of 2015 in a similar senior business development position. http://wpsparkingsystems.eu/ Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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On the Cover

NABIC – offers a comprehensive range of safety & control valves

ABIC has long been recognised as the industry standard for commercial and industrial hot water applications. In fact, NABIC valves, available in gunmetal and stainless steel, are also suitable for use with a wide variety of fluids and gases including steam, hot water and air. Typical applications are vented and unvented heating systems, hot water and steam boilers, compressed air systems, pump relief and bypass. NABIC has a rich history dating back to 1864 and the Victorian Age - it is a brand name built on pedigree and trust. NABIC is an acronym for National Boiler Insurance Company and came into existence due to a rising tide of boiler explosions which were causing extensive damage to commercial properties and considerable loss of life. For instance, in 1854 there was a boiler explosion in Rochdale which killed ten people. The inquest ruled that the incident was caused by neglect – one safety valve was inoperative and the other had been over-weighted to “stop the boiler blowing off”. This incident was one of many that took place across the country in the industrial heartland of England which had the biggest concentration of steam boilers in the world and started the unstoppable process of making working environments’ safer. The NABIC Company was born out of necessity to insure commercial activities and they employed highly skilled engineers to carry out the inspections. So it was no surprise that the new Company was also keen to look kindly on any new inventions which would help safeguard boilers. In 1863 John Smith patented a fusible plug for boilers and NABIC bought the rights in 1864 for £2000 and this provided the base for the company to grow. NABIC commenced manufacture ensuring the quality of the fitting and offered customers a 10% reduction in premiums if they fitted them. NABIC set the trend as fusible plugs were so effective and other companies followed their lead and told their customers to request NABIC. The name became the industry standard, a modern day ‘Hoover’ for the boiler industry and still carries gravitas today. All valves are manufactured in the UK, and pressure set to customer specific requirements. And now, for the first time NABIC valves are available to purchase online direct from the manufacturer, via a Fastrack next day service. The platform has been built to improve the customer

on the cover

experience and to be effective in the field as the site is optimised to handle the latest smartphones and tablets. NABIC is a leading brand of Crane Building Services & Utilities and offer a range of safety valves that serve a variety of industries including Education, Healthcare, Petrochemical, Food, Power Generation, Leisure and Commercial Heating protecting life and property against failure to control system pressures.

Safety Relief Valves A range of safety relief valves available in high lift and standard variants primarily used for water, steam and air applications.

Pressure Relief Valves Standard and high lift pressure relief valves for applications where pressure tightness is required on the discharge side of the valve.

Combined Pressure and Temperature Relief Valves Designed for use on unvented hot water supply systems where protection is essential against excessive temperature and pressures.

Anti-Vacuum Valves Utilised to protect drying cylinders, storage tanks from collapse due to an internal vacuum. Also used on steam systems, to assist condensate drainage and prevent suction of contents from vats.

Boiler System Valves The NABIC range of valves comprise automatic air vents to remove trapped air from a sealed system and three way vents and cocks to allow for easy maintenance while the system is still running.

Pipe Interrupters Pipe interrupters are safety devices designed to protect potable water systems. They prevent the backflow by automatic ventilation of the system and elimination of the vacuum.

Test Valves and Equipment Test valves are utilised on steam boilers to provide a means for attaching a pressure gauge to allow for calibration under working conditions. Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

On the Cover

5 Star Luxury Demands 5 Star Safety – The Renaissance Hotel

The Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Project: St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London Client: Marriott Hotels Contractor: EMCOR UK Distributor: BSS (Kings Cross) Ltd. Specification: NABIC Fig. 500 High Lift Safety Valves NABIC Fig. 500 valves were installed in the plant rooms of the sumptuously renovated five star St Pancras Renaissance hotel which opened to much fanfare. The luxury accommodation consists of 245 bedrooms, 38 suites, 9 meeting rooms the Gilbert Scott restaurant & bar, health club and spa. The NABIC safety valves are installed in all 5 boiler rooms helping to provide hot water to bathrooms on the hotel’s seven floors. The Fig. 500 is WRAS approved and designed for use on unvented systems where a high capacity emergency steam relief capability is required.

Project: Royal Edinburgh Hospital Client: McCallum’s Water Heaters Contractor: BBESL in Scotland Specifications: NABIC Fig. 500T Combined Pressure & Temperature Relief Valves, Fig. 542 Safety Relief Valves, Fig. 568 Anti-Vacuum Valves. NABIC Safety Valves were installed in the £48million recently developed special care unit at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. The vast programme of works at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital campus, which started in January 2015, will see the entire site transformed over the coming years with modern and fit-for-purpose facilities. Phase one redevelopments include new accommodation for the adult acute mental health inpatient service, older people’s mental health

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

assessment, Intensive Psychiatric Care Service (IPCU) and the new Robert Fergusson National Brain Injury Unit. NABIC Safety Valves were supplied to McCallum’s Water Heaters who have built the Skid unit plant rooms and Chlorifier’s. McCallum’s currently choose NABIC valves in all of their major projects due to the trusted brand name which ensures products of a high quality, reliability and longevity.

on the cover

HVAC

Good things come in small packages It is often said that the best things come in small packages, and nowhere is that more true than in the installation of combined heat and power (CHP). In fact, the most successful CHP installations in the UK have been kept purposefully small. Gary Stoddart, general manager at SenerTec, explains why.

s facilities managers will know, the heating and hot water systems in a commercial building is responsible for the lion’s share of both carbon emissions and energy use, and a large proportion of costs out of the business. However, with a recent report highlighting that average total carbon emissions are 3.8 times higher than those estimated at design stage1, it’s clear that the ongoing battle to match up a building’s predicted and actual energy use has to be won if we are to reduce emissions in line with the government’s ambitious carbon targets. The key for heating and hot water systems largely lies within sizing correctly for each and every application, and CHP is no exception. CHP can help to achieve carbon reduction either as part of a standalone heating system, or as part of a heat network. It delivers savings in two ways – by producing electricity using natural gas rather than purchasing electricity from the grid, and through the generation of heat. In comparison to electricity from the grid, CHP electricity doesn’t suffer transmission losses, and costs three or four times less2. At the same time, where the ‘waste’ heat from the generation process is lost at gas power stations, the heat generated by CHP can be reused in the heating/hot water systems – normally most effective when CHP is designated as the lead heat source. Overall, it means CHP can be approximately 30 per cent more efficient than traditional electricity3. But in order to achieve the predicted savings, it is essential to first consider whether CHP is appropriate for the building in question, has been specified and installed correctly, and used as intended. A major consideration for building and facilities managers is the need to rely on the heating/hot water system’s ability to continue to run efficiently, even when demand is low. Because oversized CHP

units will not run if the heat demand is not present, and as a result the anticipated electricity will not be generated, this is a particularly important issue for CHP. Unfortunately, incorrect specification of CHP is all too common. In many cases, the ‘10 per cent for luck’ rule is applied, meaning that many buildings have larger plant than required. The equipment is of course more expensive in the first place, but in addition will not operate efficiently, leading to higher operational costs. The golden rule for CHP is to keep it as small as possible. Sizing the system so that the base load heating and hot water requirements can be met largely by the CHP unit alone will result in the continuous generation of low cost, low carbon electricity as a by-product of producing base load heating. According to Building Regulations, CHP must be sized to provide ‘not less than 45 per cent of the annual total heating demand’, which includes space heating and domestic hot water. This is critical for CHP as oversizing for summertime loads can result in either non-operation of the CHP or the heat produced being ‘dumped’ in order to continue generating electricity. To ensure the CHP runs continually throughout the summer months the hot water requirement should be the initial target for CHP sizing. Here, the risk is that 45 per cent of the total annual heating demand is mistaken for 45 per cent of the central heating load, which is not the case as the hot water loading is all year round and con be a significant part of the annual fuel usage. Building managers also need to know that the system can react swiftly, accurately and efficiently to changes in heating demand. Cascades are rapidly

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ low-carbon-buildings-best-practices-and-what-toavoid, February 2016 2 The average cost of electricity from the grid is

14p per kWh, however the gas used to generate electricity on site costs an average of just 4p per kWh (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/ content/our-calculations)

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emerging as an ideal way to deliver these performance benefits, as they can respond rapidly to changes in usage patterns, and extend the operating life and reliability of the equipment. What’s more, a cascade of CHP units offers end users the option of shutting down parts of the system when there’s a fall in demand or maintenance required, meaning that the remaining units can continue to run at full capacity and maximum efficiency – unlike modulating CHP units. The best way to ensure that CHP works as intended is for all parties to work together at the early stages of a project. It is also important for the CHP supplier to stay involved with the project after commissioning, to ensure that the system continues to perform and deliver savings. SenerTec offers a range of maintenance and monitoring solutions, meaning we can work with the building operator to ensure the system runs efficiently. With increasing take-up of CHP technology across commercial building stock and its potential as a low carbon technology to help realise emission targets, it is vital that facilities managers are up-to-date with the latest guidance on how a system should be sized if they are to guard against ill-fitting solutions and costly malpractice. For more information visit www.senertec.co.uk http://www.theade.co.uk/what-is-combined-heatand-power_15.html

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

HVAC

Efficiencies made clearer The introduction of the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives last September have made boiler efficiencies clearer – in turn helping facilities and building managers to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. Jonathan Tedstone from Potterton Commercial explains more.

oday, combatting climate change is more important than ever, and with the recent Paris Agreement fresh in our minds, the carbon emissions from commercial and public sector buildings must be kept as low as possible. Alongside this, organisations will of course want to reduce their energy costs. It can be difficult for facilities and building managers to know where to begin in terms of making improvements, but a building’s heating system can be a good place to start. The Carbon Trust says that heating and hot water can account for 60 per cent of an organisation’s total energy use. It suggests that replacing inefficient boilers can cut heating costs, and that substantial savings can be made by ensuring that efficient heating systems are specified, operated and maintained*. There is a wide range of commercial boilers on the market, so once a facilities or building manager has made the decision to upgrade a heating system, how do they know which model will deliver the highest carbon and cost savings? Fortunately, this should be an easier process now that the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives (commonly referred to as ErP) are in place. Since September 26 2015, space heaters and combi space heaters of up to 400kW have needed to meet minimum efficiency performance criteria in order to obtain a CE mark and be legally placed on the EU market, in accordance with the Ecodesign Directive. The directive applies to energyrelated products sold in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors in the European Economic Area. Energyrelated products use energy, or do not use energy yet have an indirect impact on energy consumption. They account for a large proportion of energy consumption across the EU and also have significant potential to be improved to reduce their environmental

impact and achieve energy savings. There are dozens of product groups – called ‘Lots’– under scrutiny, and so far the focus has been on those that consume the largest proportion of natural resources and energy, and therefore have the most potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, the complementary Energy Labelling Directive (which also became mandatory on September 26 2015) means that space heaters and combi space heaters of up to 70kW require an energy rating and a label similar to those seen on household white goods such as washing machines and fridges. The energy efficiency bands for space heaters and combi space heaters currently range from A++ to G, but will eventually extend to A+++. Additional performance and efficiency parameters are available via a ‘product fiche’ and within product technical parameter sheets, which must be included on manufacturers’ websites and in installation instructions supplied with the product. Where a product is installed as part of a package – which, for the purposes of ErP would include one or more space or combi heater/s, temperature control/s and/or solar device/s – a package label must be completed by the person combining the package components for handover to the end user; in most cases this will be the installation contractor. Ultimately, energy labelling will help facilities and building managers to make more informed choices when selecting boilers/heating systems. However, the labels should be seen as just one part of the decision making process. For a balanced view, the technical fiches and technical parameter sheets should be used for guidance and to compare products in the same energy band against one another. During the product selection process we would also strongly recommend calculating the whole

life cycle costs of a product (i.e. the capital cost plus the running costs over the lifetime of the equipment). Whole life costing models can predict how much energy a boiler will use, and assumptions can therefore be made about how much it will cost to run (depending on fuel prices). The slightly higher capital cost of some energy efficient equipment can often pay back very quickly through reduced fuel bills. Assessing a product’s anticipated energy use over its lifetime also has the benefit of revealing how much carbon it will emit. A more in-depth analysis of whole life costs would also include cost predictions associated with installation, maintenance, repair and servicing. Buying cheaper, low-quality products can be false economy in the long run, as a result of time-consuming, costly and inconvenient maintenance and repairs. In all instances, the anticipated maintenance costs should include an allowance for chemical water treatment. It’s well documented that heating systems will perform better, more efficiently and more reliably with good-quality water circulating in them – and water treatment is recommended by ICOM, HHIC and leading boiler manufacturers. The Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives offer greater clarity on boiler efficiencies, making it easier for facilities and building managers to select the most energy efficient products, thus delivering cost and carbon savings. For further information please visit www.pottertoncommercial.co.uk.

http://www.carbontrust.com/resources/guides/energy-efficiency/heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-hvac/

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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HVAC

Herschel Far infrared cuts family’s heating bill

iving in a house dating from 1350 heated by storage and plug-in electric heaters, Rebecca and Richard Collis were struggling to keep themselves and their new baby warm. With spiralling energy bills, they decided to install Herschel Far infrared heaters throughout their home and are now not only warm but have cut their monthly electricity bill from £153 to £40. Rebecca and Richard’s house in north Somerset is a large thatched property which has been divided to create four homes and is the oldest in the village. The couple were keen to find a solution that was efficient, did not spoil the look of their home and would be safe for their son who is now one. When Rebecca discovered Herschel’s website, she used the wattage calculator to work out what she would need and, realising that infrared heaters might provide the answer, arranged a visit to the company’s nearby Bristol office. The team at Herschel explained the products in detail, helped confirm Rebecca’s calculations and, because of the age of the property, visited to check the details. In all, six infrared heaters were ordered with Herschel Inspire mirror heaters in the kitchen, dining room and bathroom and white Herschel Select XL panel heaters in the two

bedrooms and playroom. These were installed by a professional electrician. Each of the heaters is on a different zone, controlled via the Herschel iQ system from an app that the couple have on their smart phones (http:// www.herschel-infrared.com/heaterfundamentals/zoning-control/). This wireless system saved running cables and drilling holes in walls and provides very accurate control. Before the installation of the Herschel system, the temperature in the house was sometimes as low as 11°C. Now, if it drops below 18°C, the thermostats automatically turn the relevant heaters on. There has also been a noticeable

reduction in the amount of condensation within the property and a significant improvement in the smell of damp. Rebecca comments: “I wish I’d known about Herschel sooner. They were very professional and the infrared heaters have been the finishing touch to make our house feel like a home. The heaters are stylish, easy to use and fit in perfectly with our period property. Guests just can’t believe our mirrors are our heating! I’ve already recommended them to other people.” For further information, please call 01473 760 059 or visit www.herschel-infrared.com.

ADEY supports fire-hit college

fter a fire swept through a building at Swindon College housing the plumbing and heating courses, ADEY Professional Heating Solutions stepped in to help. Students are currently unable to undertake practical work while extensive repairs are carried out to the building. With completion still some weeks away, ADEY arranged for one of its fully kittedout roadshow vehicles to pay a visit for some hands-on tuition. Groups of Level 2 students were given a talk on ADEY Best Practice boiler maintenance and protection from technical support trainer Colin Yearp. The students then completed a short test with prizes for the most correct answers. Each student also received a water treatment education pack. As well as the opportunity to see the full range of ADEY products and the real-

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life problems they can help solve, the magnetic filtration pioneers made a donation of a MagnaCleanse system flushing kit, a MagnaClean Professional2 filter and 500ml bottles of the UK manufacturer’s MC1+ and MC3+ premium chemicals. These will be used by the students for practical work once the repairs have been completed. “Swindon College is not far from us, so when we heard about the fire we wanted to help,” explained ADEY’s Marketing Director Haimish Mead. “Supporting young people training to become installers and apprentices is something we’re passionate about and this was an opportunity to support the college during a difficult time.” “The fire’s had a big impact on the students as all of their work is currently theory and classroom-based, which while

ADEY Technical Trainer Colin Yearp (centre) during the visit to Swindon College.

valuable, needs to be included alongside practical experience,” said Gill Mendham, Curriculum Area Manager for Plumbing and Construction from Swindon College. “We’re grateful to ADEY for their support. Once we’re fully back up and running, the products will also be great teaching tools.” www.adey.com Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

HVAC

Quality visitors with money to spend ACR Show hailed a success by exhibitors

he ACR Show, the UK’s only dedicated event for the refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, heating and heat pump sectors took place at the NEC, Birmingham from 16th – 18th February. There was a notable increase in the quality of visitors, with exhibitors reporting multiple leads and orders. The decision to include H&V companies was a hit with visitors – nearly 30% expressed an interest in ventilation equipment and over a quarter, heating. Heat Pumps accounted for half the visitor number. The demand for air conditioning & refrigeration equipment was as strong as ever. 70% of visitors highlighted air conditioning equipment as an area of product interest. 55% were interested in refrigeration equipment; 41% refrigerants and a quarter, refrigerated display equipment. And they had money to spend too; nearly 40% of visitors had a budget of £200,000 or more. Global air conditioning giant Gree is currently challenging the status quo in the UK HVACR market with the launch of Gree UK Limited, so there was naturally a lot of interest in what the company had to say at the event. Commenting at the end of a successful first day, sales director Tim Mitchell said: “Today has certainly been productive for us; it appears that decision makers are at the show and are specifically seeking us out.” Commenting on behalf of Fujitsu, sales & marketing director, Ian Carroll, said: “We were very pleased with how The ACR Show went. This year, we welcomed a record number of visitors to the Fujitsu stand. Our new product ranges were well received and the show presented a good opportunity for customers to meet the team.” Stanley Handling’s extensive range of powered stair climbers won rave reviews from exhibitors and visitors alike. Designed to safely move items like hot water tanks, boilers, furnaces, gas cylinders, major appliances, plumbing and heating supplies more, the event generated over 100 enquiries. Managing director, Graham Sharp said: “The ACR Show has opened up so many doors for us; we didn’t have a single time waster. It’s just a shame the event is only every two years. We’ll definitely be back.” In addition to the 100+ companies exhibiting at the show, visitors enjoyed an extensive seminar programme on range of topics that affect their Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

working day. Leading experts shared knowledge and advice in three seminar theatres: the Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Theatre sponsored by GREE; the Refrigeration & Cooling Theatre, sponsored by Opteon Refrigerants from Chemours and the Training & Careers Theatre, sponsored by Toshiba Carrier. Sessions included: Major issues of interest in BIM; Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery for commercial applications; New developments in Refrigerants and more. Training & Careers was a key theme at this year’s show with the introduction of a dedicated theatre and national skills competition taking place at the event. The new CPD accredited Training & Careers Theatre, sponsored by Toshiba Carrier, covered a range of topics pertinent to the industry including TM44 inspections – reasons and benefits; the new Building Controls Professional Assessment and how it is helping to raise standards in the controls sector; the Index SEI that is destined to replace COP (Coefficient of Performance); the heat pump market and the effects of the government ditching green incentives; the PURR report; major issues of interest in BIM; energy efficiency from an engineer’s perspective and much more besides. Silvia Romano, a member of the European partnership for Energy and the Environment secretariat addressed delegates in the Training & Careers theatre on the second day of the show. The EPEE represents the European heating, cooling, refrigeration and heat pump industry is very much committed to supporting the implementation of the EU F-Gas Regulation and its ambitious phase-down objectives. That is why EPEE is developing a new tool, the socalled “Gapometer”, aiming at defining a route towards a successful phase down of HFCs in Europe and will identify the biggest risks of gaps between required and actual progress. Silvia said: “We very much appreciated the opportunity to speak at such a key event on the calendar, particularly for UK stakeholders.” The ACR Show also hosted the national SkillFRIDGE competition for the first time. The competition provides a potential launch pad for apprentices in the sector to compete internationally at vocational skills competition, WorldSkills. In August 2015 Team UK had great success with Chris Baillie (BA Refrigeration Ltd, and South East Regional College, Belfast) gaining silver medal and runner up at the WorldSkills competition in Sao Paulo Brazil. “The national skillFRIDGE competition allows apprentices studying level 3

RAC to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and emotional intelligence in a pressurised environment,” said national SkillFRIDGE competition manager and lead assessor, Mark Forsyth. The competition final required the six competitors demonstrate recognised industry skills and deliver on three main objectives. As such competitors had to demonstrate a core ability to follow instructions and solve problems in order to produce a ‘cold space’ at specified temperature and at the same time ensure an energy efficient refrigeration system. The winner was Ashley Wilson, an RAC level 3 student at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Northern Ireland and an apprentice for A1 refrigeration Ltd. Ashley won over tough competition from Chris Hoy (South Eastern Regional College NI), Kaine Finlay (Eastleigh College), Scott Thomson (Glasgow Kelvin College), Adam Hussain (College North West London) and James Hughes (The Manchester College). Ashley said “I am very proud to have won SkillFRIDGE, and honoured to have been given the opportunity to experience a great event like this, it really helps you think more about the workplace”. The ACR Show was backed by all of the leading trade associations, including the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), which also held its annual conference at the show; the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA); Refcom; the Building and Engineering Services Association (BESA), British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), Association of European Component Manufacturers (ASERCOM) and the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA). For more information visit www.acrshow.com hvac

HVAC

Flood proof skirting boards also provide room heating and wall drying Martin Wadsworth, Managing Director of Discrete Heat, comments on aspects of flood homes renovation that are ready for improvement.

ith recent weather events hitting the headlines, thoughts have turned from cleaning to rebuilding and renovating those properties devastated by flood water. With thousands of homes under several feet of water, there is much work to be done. The Government has indicated it will look again at the UK’s flood defences and warning system, but tacitly admits there is precious little it can do to prevent these so called one-in-ahundred-year floods happening ever year. Planning consents and building control may have to be looked at to see if adequate provision has been made for such violent weather events and perhaps even some planning consents rescinded where it would be practically impossible to prevent future home owners suffering such untold misery. But what about the thousands and thousands of existing homes that due to changing climate conditions find themselves in a hitherto unrecognized flood plain and seem destined to be flooded out year after year? With insurance premiums rising like the proverbial flood waters themselves, many home owners are desperate to prevent future flooding from ruining their properties, lest they become uninsurable or unaffordable or worse, unsaleable. Raising existing buildings up on stilts is a non-starter, and whilst door and window flood shutters can prevent flash flood damage, they are pretty ineffective against 10’ deep torrents of water engulfing whole streets for days. There is now a momentum building for developing products that are ‘flood resistant’ such that they are unaffected by being submerged in dirty, silt-ridden river water, or can be cleaned and reused afterwards, keeping renovation costs down. Waterproof plaster boards and paint are available as well as water resistant floor coverings. Whilst soft furnishings may still need to be moved upstairs,

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Steel radiators usually rust when they are exposed to contaminated water and they tend to retain the dirty water which causes odours.

anything that is permanently fixed need to be re-evaluated and flood resistant alternatives seriously considered. One such readily available suitable product is ThermaSkirt – an aluminium alternative to conventional timber and MDF skirting boards, that not only is impervious to being submerged, but actually provides the central heating as well, replacing conventional radiators in the process. Being manufactured in rust resistant aluminium, and then epoxy powder coated, ThermaSkirt is available in a wide range of shapes and styles & can withstand being under water without even needing repainting afterwards. Uniquely, ThermaSkirt also incorporates integral pipes that connect onto a typical central heating system, creating a true ‘skirting board radiator’. By combining the heating into the ThermaSkirt profile, this means that conventional steel radiators that would ordinarily rust in water, or retain the foul flood water in the grilles and fins are eliminated, speeding clean up as well as creating more usable wall space under normal everyday conditions. By providing the heating all around the room at low level, as well as creating a more comfortable and energy efficient system, ThermaSkirt will also help to dry out flooded properties and limit the lingering effects of damp and musty smells. If water resistant plasterboards have not been used and require replacing, it is relatively straight forward to remove the ThermaSkirt from its wall mounting brackets, and remount afterwards. ThermaSkirt utilises push-fit connections, meaning that if disassembly and refitting

ThermaSkirt’s rust resistant aluminium can withstand being under water for long periods and has no grilles or fins to trap water inside.

Rust resistant aluminium can withstand being under water and the exemption of grilles means water wont get trapped inside.

is required, this is straightforward and not unduly time consuming. Available in Lambs Tongue, Torus, Pencil Round & Ogee profiles, and in up to 6m lengths, ThermaSkirt once fitted is practically indistinguishable from conventional skirting boards. The EasyClean profile – developed in cooperation with the NHS – features seals to the wall and floor to provide an even more resilient and water resistant option. Fitted in a matter of hours, and usually using the existing radiator pipework, ThermaSkirt is an ideal retrofit solution for those properties that currently require new skirting boards or are looking to become prepared for the inevitable. Further information on ThermaSkirt is available from Discrete Heat on 0845 1238 367, by emailing: martin@discreteheat.co.uk, or by visiting the company’s website at www.discreteheat.co.uk Discrete Heat is supported by Vantage PR. Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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Workplace Planning & Design

Workplace design sets the scene Oliver Ronald, Sales & Marketing Director at The Boss Design Group, talks about the emergence of settings within the workplace and explains why people are the key drivers behind workplace design.

or many of us, the phrase ‘workplace design’ conjures up images of desks, chairs and meeting rooms. Today, however, workplace design is all about settings and how people work and are managed, the technologies that enable their work, and how a company employs the workplace for its own ends. People trends show that more and more employees view their work and life as one. Indeed, it’s proven that those companies who support their employees with flexible working patterns and technology to work anywhere, anytime, see a happier and more productive workforce. We also know that the traditional daily commute to an office to occupy fixed desk space has long been on the wane. With the rise of telecommuting, co-working spaces, globalisation and new technology, ‘flexibility’ in the workplace is key. More and more of us are, or will be, working in both non-traditional ways and places, ranging from relying on adaptable furniture within the workplace and within hotels, to satellite offices, offshore offices, and of course, home offices. The kingpin in today’s workplace is a new generation of knowledge workers, whose desire for innovation and creativity runs high on the agenda. They need to be able to easily switch their mode of focus – be it focusing, learning, socialising or collaborating – in order to stay fulfilled and to be productive. This in turn has led to the creation of a series of designated settings within workplace design. But as facilities managers, how does this impact on the actual design of the workplace? Here’s some considerations: Privacy – whether it’s visual, territorial or acoustic, it’s important that space is created for workers to enjoy privacy from distracting phones and co-workers, either on an individual or team basis. There have been numerous product developments in this field over the years, including personal touchdown spaces, headspace and breakout areas that provide ergonomically sound alternatives to sitting at a desk or table. They also provide the 26

workplace planning & design

perfect place to take a private telephone call, or to work independently, or as a group in conjunction with a laptop table. Display – to facilitate communication and collaboration, it’s important that vertical surfaces feature throughout the workplace. From meeting booths and pods, to standalone media walls that offer TV, video and online facilities, or a fixed whiteboard, there is now a diverse choice of technological functions available. Plug and play – technology and specifically connectivity is now ubiquitous and is becoming integral to everything we do. Whilst it‘s commonplace to find meeting tables that include discreet and integrated table-top power and data connection points, with cable management as standard, the integration of such devices is now common in soft office products too. Collaborative work stations not only provide innovative meeting areas that effectively break up large, open plan office spaces, they offer exceptional seating and technology combined into one striking piece. Diversity – today, we have a diverse and entitled working population who demand a choice of where and how they work. Space trends show that those organisations that offer a mix of well-designed, shared and individual workspaces and practices that encourage employees to communicate and collaborate more, will attract and retain talent better. Aesthetics – the trend for the workplace to become a softer environment continues. The modern office requires a balance of open-plan and quiet spaces, and workspaces need to accommodate the requirements of teams and individuals, with the flexibility to customise the working environment instantly. Minimise costs – the workplace

has always been viewed as a cost, but over the years, its potential impact on turnover, and ultimately on profitability, has become widely accepted. It’s a common fact that globally, desk occupancy only runs at around 40%, which amounts to a substantial amount of wasted space. People no longer need to be sat at a desk to work productively, so workplace design is now all about defining upfront those areas that need to be fixed, flexible or fluid in a bid to keep costs down. In conclusion, as the workplace continues to evolve, the key driver is people, and not furniture. In order to meet the needs of workers and their modes of focus, a holistic approach is required to support their way of working. By creating settings that facilitate modern ways of working such as collaborative, touch down, headspace and even the work café, productivity will ultimately increase and costs will be minimised. More importantly, by putting people at the centre of workplace planning, real business issues can also be addressed: such as identifying the true value that innovation, enhanced communication, and faster decision brings to the company. Workplace design is no longer about configuring the layout of desks, chairs and meeting rooms, it is a strategic asset that needs to be managed effectively. For further information contact 01242 584897 or visit www.boss-design.com Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

Workplace Planning & Design

Is building and facilities management age ready? With the focus increasingly on ensuring low cost, efficient and future-proofed operations, are we as a society sleepwalking into an imminent and expensive problem? David Usher of InterAction of Bath looks at the growing challenge of the inevitable.

uccessive governments have struggled to deal with the issue of how to fund the National Health Service. An important aspect of the problem is the changing nature of the society the NHS serves. Quite simply, we are getting older, and an increasingly aged population brings with it a burden that the NHS will be unable to carry unless we address the simple fact that our society is not correctly set up to enable independent living later in life. There is a reason why so many elderly people find themselves living in care; they are unable to cope any more in their own homes. Simple things like stairs and high cupboards become obstacles that cannot be overcome. And yet many, if not most, older people would prefer to remain in their own homes and lead an independent life. This would of course suit the NHS and the taxpayer as the cost of looking after older people would be significantly decreased. There is another pressing issue here – one that concerns the commercial world. We are all expected to work later in life, and for many of us that will mean well into old age. Yet the same challenges apply. Our workplaces are generally not set up to accommodate an increasingly elderly work force, or indeed increasingly elderly customers. But they will certainly need to be. Business and building owners, as well as facilities managers, will remember the inconvenience and expense incurred by the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act of 1970, which first required the needs of disabled people to be considered in the design of public buildings. Infrastructure such as wheelchair access ramps and disabled

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

toilets were shoehorned into buildings that were, as far as the healthy sector of society was concerned, fine as they stood. But of course they weren’t fine, and the realisation that they weren’t came with a substantial cost to society and business for its previous shortsightedness. The lucky businesses and organisations were the ones who occupied buildings that were already disability-friendly and that therefore required minimal rectification work. The size of the growing challenge is immense. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently warned that within the next 15 years, 24 countries will become ‘super-aged’, having more than 21% of the population aged 65 or over. So the inevitable future for business is one with ever larger numbers of older employees and customers who need environments and working practices that are suitable for their increasing frailty and diminishing abilities if they are to remain effective and efficient in their work. This isn’t a future that can be avoided; businesses cannot sidestep the issue by choosing only to employ younger workers as younger job candidates will come with a premium. We can also not rule out the possibility of legislation being introduced in the future that, like the disability legislation before it, enforces change to better suit an older workforce. Business and building owners, facilities managers, architects and designers need to recognise this impending challenge and think now how they can start the process of change. The task is essentially simple.

Workplaces need to become more aged friendly. But what exactly does that mean and how can it be achieved? Ergonomists have the answer. The first step is to find out as much as possible about the ageing population. What size are they? How far can they stretch? What weight can they lift? How mobile are they? How well can they see? These questions can be difficult to answer as there is a shortage of relevant information about older people. However, ergonomists are now developing databases of anthropometry – the sizes and shapes of people – using new technology such as 3D scanners. This is delivering a comprehensive knowledge base. The second step is to use this anthropometric data in the design and planning of all workplaces, whether it be new build or refurbishment. Another technique ergonomists use is ‘link analysis’ – observing a task in situ and recording the physical movements it requires. The concept of link analysis is no doubt reminiscent of the ‘time and motion’ studies that were ubiquitous several decades ago. But those studies were about improving productivity, while link analysis is a more involved and scientific process. When combined, anthropometric data and link analysis provide a powerful knowledge base from which design can be informed to produce highly effective environments suitable for all. The key to delivering future-proofed working and business environments suitable for an increasingly aged population is to include ergonomics in the design process. www.interactionofbath.com workplace planning & design

Workplace Planning & Design

Sound reducing baffles at Landmark land and property experts office

Modern office design; how style meets substance Changing times Once upon a time, workplace design was simplistic and functional, and particularly in the office environment, you might be forgiven for thinking all workspaces were essentially the same. A limited range of designs, available office furniture, and even architecture meant that there was a very standard outline design on offer, and one that left imagination at the door. Fortunately, times have changed and the staid, unimaginative workspace has been left to the annals of history. Employers are increasingly working to create spaces that inspire, provide comfort and functionality, and above all, are representative of their brand. In addition to interior and exterior design, the buildings which house office environments have also evolved, not only incorporating new and interesting design, but repurposing existing buildings such as disused factories, listed buildings and modified buildings (former residences like large townhouses). These environments provide stimulating and inspiring workplaces and can be real talking points for staff and visitors alike. 28

workplace planning & design

John Sulzmann, founder, Artworks Solutions

With this new generation of workplaces comes the challenge of how their interiors should be designed to make the best of the space whilst also providing functionality for the working team.

A space to think Open plan offices are hugely popular as they encourage interaction between teams but they can present their own problems for productivity, particularly in older, converted spaces which provide more echo and amplification of general office noise. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t good news for those needing quiet time to concentrate on involved tasks or important calls. Break-out or quiet rooms may offer some improvement, but often even smaller spaces have the same acoustic issues and sound can travel quite significantly in these, also affecting conference and one-to-one calls. Soundproofing and noise reduction solutions are the answer, and far from being unattractive and purely functional, these solutions can be designed to blend seamlessly with existing interior theme, providing a significant noise reduction coefficient (NRC) at the same time.

Sound reducing baffles interspersed with dry wipe boards, magnetic glass, pin boards and acoustic art at MLM

Bespoke fabric walling and ceiling baffles can dramatically reduce noise reverberation, and when designed and printed to carry through the workplaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Building & Facilities Management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 2016

Workplace Planning & Design John has considerable experience in commercial design solutions for workplace interiors and built Artworks Solutions from a one man operation to its present 60 strong team. He has over 20 years industry experience in the sign, graphics and design industry. Artworks Solutions provides digitally printed bespoke graphics, branding and decorative solutions for the workplace environment. design theme, they also provide an aesthetic function. High ceilings and large spaces can be made cosier by the introduction of suspended baffles, which not only absorb excess noise but can also incorporate lighting spots and carry design themes through. Noise reduction walling and baffling is composed of specific noisereducing materials (a variety of high quality brands are available) wrapped in fabrics such as lamb’s wool. Functionality of design is another key consideration when looking at work spaces. Sound reducing baffles can be interspersed with a range of practical items like dry wipe boards, magnetic glass, pin boards and acoustic art creating an attractive, practical space-saving display. Wall mounted soundproofing material can also be made into acoustic graphics, perfect for making an open space more attractive and reducing reverb at the same time.

Inspirational images Branding, signage and imagery play a key role in inspiring the workforce, and can be incorporated seamlessly into a workplace environment. Carrying branding themes throughout the environment, incorporating brand devices into practical items (door handles, notice boards, storage and signage for example), is an ingenious way of reinforcing company values and messaging to staff and visitors alike. Images, (especially those denoting teams and work or projects in an attractive setting) can also boost morale and serve as a pertinent reminder of the company and workforce’s raison d’etre.

Multipurpose While buildings might be increasing in size thanks to renovation and building projects focusing on commercial property, the contemporary challenge of competitive rents and rates – particularly Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

for coveted city centre properties – means space can still prove a premium. As a result, workplace planners must use space intelligently and incorporate multipurpose features, such as glass artwork that doubles as folding storage doors, interior glass walls that double as dry wipe surfaces, and lighting fixtures that also absorb sound.

More than just a space Above all, it is vital to remember that workplace design is about far more today than simple functionality. If real consideration has gone into its features, a workplace will bring the organisation’s brand to life, inspire its workforce and visitors (which could include potential clients, investors and employees), and also make working life simpler. By providing the right spaces and tools for quiet work, meetings, calls and creative brainstorms, including multipurpose facilities, these workplace designs can also help improve the productivity and headspace of the workforce, reflecting

Acoustic Art at Wiltshire College

the organisation’s values and aspirations. www.artworks-solutions.com

Tracerco sees the HD future with Hiperwall

ideowall specialist Saville Audio Visual has added their dynamic HD technology to the headquarters of one of the UK’s leading oil and gas technology companies. International oil and gas service provider, Tracerco is part of the Process Technologies Division of Johnson Matthey and a world leader in its field. The company aims to ensure full optimisation and efficiency of customer assets across the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. In 2014 Tracerco opened the £9m purpose built Measurement Technology Centre in Billingham, Cleveland. Saville was commissioned to install a state-of-the-art NEC Hiperwall system in the atrium reception area, to display marketing communications material showcasing Tracerco products and services. The display comprises six NEC 46” full HD screens mounted in a bespoke videowall frame, with audio delivered via a Yamaha professional sound bar. The system includes a remote control option that also provides an ambient light sensor, to monitor and control the image brightness automatically. Saville regional technical manager John Andrews said: “The software-based technology of the Hiperwall system

enables the source equipment rack and computers to be remotely located, with content delivered over network cabling. This arrangement delivers consistent, high definition images in almost any lighting conditions.” The Tracerco installation is one of many new case studies featured in Communicate 2016, available from Saville in March. Visit www.saville-av.com/ communicate workplace planning & design

Office & IT

Conference calling – don’t make the wrong call With public sector finances subject to increasing scrutiny and cuts, cost-effective procurement of good and services has never been more important. Yet many procurement managers in charge of purchasing conference call services – a key tool for meetings – may be completely unaware of new charges affecting the amount of money spent on these calls. Kieron James, founder of free conference call service WHYPAY? and board member of the Federation of Communications Services (FCS) outlines these charges and explains how they could lead to unexpectedly high bills and can be done to avoid them.

n 2013/14, the UK public sector spent a total of £242 billion on procurement of goods and services – 33 per cent of total public sector spending1. As the public purse tightens, there is a greater need than ever to avoid unnecessary spending.

Average spend Conference calling remains a popular method of holding meetings for public sector organisations, allowing several participants to dial into a call from different locations and save the expense of travelling to meetings. While precise figures on the amount of money spent on conference calling will differ according to the organisation, Freedom of Information Requests offer an illustration of the average spend of some of the UK’s most important public sector organisations: British Transport Police – The average monthly spend in 2014 was £1,696 per month, with an average 55,000 minutes per month of call time. The organisation also paid an annual charge of £34,560 for an online web meetings service2. Ministry of Defence – The average monthly spend in 2014 was £13,000, with an average of 600,000 minutes of call time per month3.

New call charges On 1st July 2015, Ofcom introduced charges for service numbers (numbers starting 084, 087, 09 or 118). Many of these numbers are used to dial in to popular conference call services and, since the changes, calls are now costing businesses and public sector organisations up to 95 per cent Public Procurement Briefing Paper by Lorna Booth researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/ documents/SN06029/SN06029.pdf

office & it

more. Despite this increase, there is little awareness of the change and its potential impact on budgets. The average service charge for calling the 08 numbers provided by six UK conferencing services is now an additional 6.64p per minute. Since Ofcom made its announcement, some mobile providers have also significantly increased their access rates – O2 has raised its access charge from 25p per minute to 45p per minute with other mobile phone operators charging a similar rate. Research into conference call service providers using service numbers shows that the average charge for a 40 minute call will now cost £11.31 from a mobile or £6.16 from a landline. The lack of awareness of these new call charges, means public sector organisations, who are under increasing pressure to keep costs down, may face an unexpected bill when dialling into a conference call and, as a result, be over-spending by thousands of pounds per year.

Looking at alternatives With service charges rising for conference call numbers from some of the UK’s most popular providers, many organisations may wish to consider other options. In the digital age, there are more efficient and cheaper services available to public sector organisations looking to change provider, many of which are run by smaller technology SMEs rather than larger corporations. In March 2011, the government set out a target of 25 per cent of public sector procurement spend to be awarded to SMEs either directly or indirectly. In August 2015, Minister for the Cabinet http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/FOI%20 Response%20528-14%20Conference%20 calls%20and%20Web%20meetings.pdf

Office Matt Hancock announced that target was being increased to 33 per cent. However, while more has been done to bring SMEs on board, many technology SMEs are calling for a better understanding of what they offer. A recent survey by leading technology association TechUK looked into the issues holding back government from building a strong and rich ecosystem of technology excellence in the UK. It found that 96 per cent of those surveyed thought that Government should be doing more to improve SME’s supply chain experience along with a widespread concern that public sector commissioners are not making sufficient use of all the tools at their disposal. 86 per cent of SMEs said that civil servants need to make more of the Digital Marketplace and there was a lack of awareness. While the government’s efforts to engage with SMEs should be applauded, more must be done to make it easier for smaller firms to do business with the public sector as ultimately more choice will help with cost savings.

Improving awareness and choice Conference calls remain an ideal way to conduct meetings and save money on travel expenses. However, there is an opportunity to save even more money and greater awareness of the new call charges is needed so that public sector executives can make a more informed decision about the services they use. An improved understanding of the ever expanding range of services offered by technology SMEs in this area is also fundamental in order to increase choice and facilitate cost efficiency. www.whypay.net https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/323908/ FOI_Teleconference_Web_Meeting_tools.pdf

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

Office & IT

ITS helps keep the lights on at Lyco with new data recovery products

etailer Lyco was established in 1995 and has grown to become the UK’s premier lighting company. It sells over 4,500 lighting products, for commercial and domestic use, within the EU, and is currently planning an expansion to a second warehouse. The company differentiates itself by providing the latest products from around the world at competitive prices, coupled with award-winning customer service. ITS provides helpdesk, onsite IT support, and manages software licenses and business continuity through its BlackVault and BlackCloud solutions.

Challenge As a Managed Services customer of ITS since 2009, Lyco had built up a significant amount of trust in its IT partner. Rapid expansion, increasing stock and product lines, and a growing customer base contributed to an exponential growth in business data. Lyco turned to ITS when a solution was required to store this increased amount of data, both onsite and offsite. Protecting the data as well as having confidence in the ability to recover data in a timely fashion was a key business objective, as was the need to provide a constant online service to customers. By securely locating data across multiple sites, the business could continue to run regardless of circumstances. In any disaster situation, customer facing and internal systems, applications and data needed to be recoverable in a secure alternate environment. Lyco required data to be vaulted securely over the internet to a third-party location that met and/or exceeded its due diligence and privacy requirements, as well as an appliance onsite for rapid local recovery, and 24/7 support with a one hour response time. The company also targeted a reduction in recovery times from less than eight hours to less than two hours over a stable secure connection, significantly minimising the potential risk of data loss, as well as operational downtime. Although an existing backup solution and USB discs had served Lyco well previously, the IT team was not confident that the solution in place was backing up business critical systems correctly and consistently. The inability to back Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

up data to a secure third-party location was leaving the retailer at risk, and there were constant service drop outs due to a poor connection between Lyco and the existing data storage facility. In spite of a recovery time reduction to five hours with the existing solution, Lyco wanted the ability to recover data within one hour or less.

Solution ITS provided Lyco with a robust recovery solution for any disaster situation through the implementation of two new IT services, BlackCloud and BlackVault. BlackCloud offered a fully managed private cloud that enabled Lyco to replicate data to an offsite location. While BlackVault provided a comprehensive onsite disaster recovery platform that created a secure virtual environment, giving Lyco quick and easy access to servers as necessary. As the solutions were brand new to the market, although successfully tried and tested in the US, an expert team from ITS’ US parent company Rentsys travelled to the UK to assist the implementation and train Lyco’s team. ITS ensured that the correct IT and networking infrastructure, documentation, procedures and processes were in place. As the US team was instrumental to the implementation, it worked to FEIEC regulatory standards, which ensured that data is handled according to stringent guidelines used by US financial institutions. BlackCloud provided data de-duplication, and encryption in transit and at rest, so storage space is not wasted on duplicated data nor transferred in an insecure manner. It also reduced the risk of data loss and enabled rapid data vaulting and recovery from any location with a suitable secure Internet connection. Vaults are fully automated, and Lyco is now able to quickly restore its IT systems held within BlackCloud onto standby servers. Data vaults are now securely and consistently stored offsite, and there is no need for Lyco to use an external hard drive or USBs, and remove these offsite as an additional backup method. As ITS provided a fully managed service, restoration of data and monitoring of the vaulting jobs are automatically in place with the ITS team ready to

assist regardless of minor vaulting failure or full disaster scenarios. For onsite storage, the Black Vault Managed Recovery Platform provided Lyco with peace of mind and consisted of core service components: BlackVault Vaulting, BlackVault Recovery and BlackVault Archive. Mark Staffiere, IT Director, Lyco: “Now that we have onsite and remote back up, we are confident that our data can be recovered quickly, while our IT team can focus on core business and strategic projects. ITS really is helping us to keep the lights on 24/7 – they managed the whole process, they understand our business requirements and ensured these were met.”

Benefits • Lyco was able to outsource disaster recovery, vaulting and archiving of data in its entirety to a single, trusted partner • Peace of mind – insurance policy protecting a growing business • Recovery time according to SLA – BlackVault recovery service provided 1.5tb data less than four hour local recovery, less than eight hour cloud recovery – in working hours (30 day retention period) • Consolidated, secure vaulting • Access to global expertise with over 10 years’ experience in Disaster Recovery • A fully monitored and manned solution • 24/7 356 days support • Ability to have key workers working from home if disaster strikes http://www.itspecialists.uk.com/ office & it

Office & IT

The sinful seven Seven seemingly harmless office items that could put your company at risk of a devastating data breach.

nformation security is serious business as all organisations house sensitive data, but when it comes to protecting that information, prevention is key! To safeguard companies against a data breach, employees must be made fully aware of the threats that face their organisation on a daily basis. To help, Shred-it has compiled seven harmless office items which unwittingly could lead to a loss or exposure of confidential data. 1. THE PRINTER Have you ever gone to print only to find the photocopier has jammed or run out of paper? In a frantic rush to get documents printed in time, we often abandon print jobs in search of a working printer, but where do the original documents end up? Remember: always track down and safely destroy unwanted documents before someone with harmful intentions gets their hands on them. 2. THE PHOTOCOPIER Did you know inside those volatile multi-function photocopiers are hard drives which retain images of everything scanned, printed and photocopied during its lifetime? Don’t risk it! Avoid data thieves by physically destroying hard drives at the end of their useful lives to ensure none of the data can be retrieved. 3. THE RECYCLE BIN We all want to do our bit for the environment, but good intentions could lead to a disastrous data breach if confidential information ends up in an unsecure recycling bin. Don’t choose between secure document disposal and environmental protection. Simplify security and sustainability by employing a Shred-it all policy to shred all unneeded documents, and working with a reliable document destruction company that recycles all shredded paper. 4. USBs We’ve all been there: your colleague can’t find a USB key so you lend them yours, but did you check what information was saved 32

office & it

onto it before you handed it over? Always delete documents on USB keys before handing them over and when the time comes, make sure you dispose of the USB securely – don’t just throw it away! 5. DESK SPACE We get it, you’re busy and as a result your desk is probably inundated with various documents (as well as remnants from lunch!) but if you’re not careful, your desk could be a hotbed of sensitive information. From passwords to contracts and even scribbled notes from that planning meeting you just came from, store all confidential documents away and out of plain sight. Don’t be lax, keep it tidy! 6. STORAGE Storage units and filing cabinets are a great way to store documentation, keeping them out of sight; however, if you don’t lock them they are pretty useless. Lock all storage units when not in use and keep the key or password to the unit in a safe place! Never share your password with others. And don’t forget, it’s against the law to keep personal information longer than necessary so consider what should be securely disposed of. 7. LAPTOPS We all take our laptops out of the office now and then, but there are a couple of things you should take into consideration before you do. Speak to IT about installing encryption technology on all devices and double-check your security settings as passwords and firewalls protect devices with internet connections. Also, remember to take particular care if you are working in communal public spaces – don’t leave anything behind! Shred-it is a world-leading information security company providing information destruction services that ensure the security and integrity of our clients’ private information. A wholly, owned subsidiary of Stericycle, Shred-it operates in 170 markets throughout 18 countries worldwide, servicing more than 400,000 global, national and local businesses.

For more information on how to keep your organisation safe, please visit www.shredit.co.uk. Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

Special Feature

An ally in the germ war

Infectious outbreaks may seem like a risk too far to control. But facilities managers should know they have a trusty ally in fogging, says Ashley White, Commercial and Safety Manager of cleaning and FM services specialist Nviro.

n essential element of the facilities manager’s job is ensuring the health and safety of the people who work in or visit the building. From avoiding slip and trip hazards to monitoring air conditioning systems to guard against legionella, the risks to be managed are legion. The threat posed by bugs and microbes is not new, but the expectation that building managers need to consider infection control is spreading. More employers are concerned about workers’ wellbeing. Minds have also been concentrated by outbreaks of the Norovirus winter vomiting bug and contingency planning for bird and swine ’flu pandemics. Whether reacting to – or pre-empting – a germ attack, there are a variety of weapons available to facilities managers and their cleaning teams. Common methods include deploying hand sanitisers in wash rooms and communal areas, steam cleaning of both soft and hard surfaces, and wall-mounted sanitisation units that use UV light to decontaminate air in toilets and elsewhere. Until relatively recently, chemical fogging had not been so commonplace outside industrial clean rooms and food factories, but it’s a method with benefits that facilities managers should understand. Modern biocides now mean that bio-fogging is a highly costeffective sanitisation technique. Also, fogging no longer entails major disruption or health risks of its own from potentially toxic chemicals. The water-based anti-microbial we use is non-hazardous, odourless and non-corrosive to materials and surfaces. This solution is harmless to the environment and does not require rinsing. The only real concern is the potential for an allergic reaction for people in the area during fogging. As the anti-microbial is sprayed as a fine mist, fogging must be done outside working or opening hours. And cleaning staff need to take all necessary precautions, wearing the PPE recommended for the agent used. Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

A biocide is effective against airborne viruses and bacteria because the fine particles in the fog remain suspended in the air long enough to kill them. These particles also spread throughout the space being treated, settling on surfaces, including walls and ceilings, furniture and floors. An effective biocide – we recommend using a solution with four different biocides to combat any resistant bacteria – will eliminate a very wide spectrum of microbes and pathogens. These include E. coli, MRSA, C. difficile, listeria, salmonella and Legionella pneumophilia. In practice, the effectiveness of fogging will be limited only by failure to deliver sufficient biocide or obstacles that stop it reaching the surfaces in a room. A fogger machine is not difficult to operate, while evidence strips can be used to check that enough of the agent has been delivered. Dust, debris and other extraneous materials are more likely to come between the biocide and the sanitised surface that fogging can achieve. Which is why a thorough deep clean is essential in advance of fogging. While facilities managers may trust the evidence of their eyes when judging the standard of a deep clean, we recommend a more scientific approach when it comes to sanitisation. Microbes and all living things produce the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which can be accurately measured. A hand-held luminometer gives a ready indicator of living cells on a surface. So it’s practicable to take ATP readings before and after fogging, and thus test its effectiveness. We have carried out many trials both in the Nviro offices and on clients’ premises, and the results show a dramatic reduction in ATP levels after fogging. Moreover, the sanitisation effect is not short-lived. Chemical suppliers claim that fogging agents have a residual efficacy against contamination that can last for months. The chemical continues acting as a bactericide and virucide, so that – if applied following

an outbreak of infection – it can help prevent repeat outbreaks. Our own testing showed that ATP readings after several weeks had not returned to the levels recorded before fogging, indicating that surfaces were not being re-contaminated as one might expect. ATP data can be used by facilities managers to gauge the cleanliness of common touch points in their buildings, and the effectiveness of a cleaning regime. But it can also be used to demonstrate the value of enhanced cleaning; to inform fellow managers, including those responsible for health, safety and welfare; and to justify the cost of sanitisation. Fogging agents are more expensive than conventional cleaning solutions, and the service provider must invest in the necessary fogger machines, luminometers, PPE and staff training. But the results we have achieved give us and clients confidence that fogging is a cost-effective sanitisation technique. This may be most apparent when an infectious outbreak has caused high levels of illness and disruption, perhaps with loss of business or reputational damage. But every organisation should consider what role sanitisation, including fogging, should play in its contingency planning, if not its annual cleaning plan. For clients aiming to minimise the risk to employees or customers of ‘flu or other contagious infections, we recommend that areas are fogged twice a year to maintain a good level of protection. Facilities managers should be reassured that in the germ war they have a powerful ally. www.nviro.co.uk special feature

Portable & Modular Buildings

Portakabin delivers complete interim primary school in just 14 weeks to the amazement of parents

ortakabin, the UK’s leading supplier of interim modular buildings, has successfully constructed and handed over a complete new 300-pupil interim primary school in Devon in less than four months. Working in partnership with architects and project managers, Atkins, Portakabin provided more than 1,200sqm of primary teaching accommodation for the relocation of Dartington Primary School. The scheme will be in use for the next two years and was configured as 13 school buildings and three toilet blocks with disabled access. The project was delivered on time in a challenging timescale despite exceptionally high levels of rainfall during the programme, and the green field site immediately adjacent to the original school was highly constrained which made the building installation phase more complex. The modular buildings have been configured to create a village feel and a welcoming environment for children with imaginative age and function-related play zones. Facilities include a kitchen fitted out with the school’s own equipment, a music room, library, pre-school nursery, 11 classrooms, and an administrative building for the staff room, head teacher’s office, general offices, sick bay, toilets and school reception. Jill Mahon, Head Teacher at Dartington Primary School, said, “We are very happy with the buildings. The classrooms respond to the needs of the children and promote the flow of learning. The teaching areas have been configured in clusters to provide learning that is appropriate for each key stage and so that children can interact and learn from and with each other.” “The classrooms are light, airy and calming with a friendly, positive feel. Everything on the new site works really well for our school and our style of learning. Other teaching professionals who have visited have also been very impressed.” “Externally the layout of the buildings has been carefully designed so our children can learn outside the classrooms as well as inside. The whole interim school was constructed very easily and the area will be turned back into a field when we move to our permanent school.

portable & modular buildings

Parents really are amazed by the quality of the facilities and cannot believe these are interim buildings.” Kevin Presland, Principal Architect and Project Manager at Atkins said, “Portakabin offered us the solution which would provide the least possible disruption to the school and I am pleased to report this has been successfully achieved and in a really ambitious timescale.” “The buildings are flexible in their design and address the school’s specific requirements. We worked really well in partnership with the Portakabin team to find the optimum building solution and valued their fast and responsive approach to help us meet the urgent need for these facilities.” The buildings arrived on site around 80 per cent fitted out, with partitions, plumbing and electrics pre-installed to reduce lead times. All internal fitting out was carried out by Portakabin and included provision of magnetic white boards for visual learning displays, access ramps, entrance canopies, and security and data communications. The provision of high quality interim teaching accommodation allows schools and LEAs to react quickly to local needs and to provide alternative facilities for pupils when it is necessary for building

projects to continue during term time. By providing classrooms of the very highest standards and with a design life of at least 60 years, buildings from Portakabin help to ensure that there is no compromise on the quality of the learning environment. As at Dartington Primary School, the facilities can be configured and fitted out to the exact requirements of each individual school – as learning clusters, standalone teaching blocks and generously-sized, light, modern classrooms. The buildings can be linked to existing facilities; the floor area can be increased or reduced in line with local demographic needs, and the accommodation can remain in use for as long as needed. For further information about interim education buildings for primary and secondary schools, visit www.portanews.co.uk, email information@portakabin.co.uk or call 0845 401 0010. Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

Catering & Vending

A Healthier Road Ahead for Vending

Jonathan Hart, chief executive of the Automatic Vending Association (AVA), comments on the sugar debate and how the nation’s increased focus on nutritional food and drinks values paves the way for even more choice in vending.

o far, 2016 has been awash with national news stories around the health risks of consuming too much sugar, which has included reports unveiling the amount of ‘hidden sugar’ in fizzy drinks and hot drinks in particular. Increasing national focus on sugar content has led many influential experts and organisations, including Cancer Research and the UK Health Forum to back the introduction of a Sugar Tax. This has placed further pressure on the government to include a Sugar Tax as part of its pending childhood obesity strategy. Some of the world’s leading fizzy drinks manufacturers have recently reported better than expected profits, and this is all thanks to them quickly adjusting to changing consumer tastes by launching new, lower sugar drinks amid the growing backlash against ‘excessive’ sugar consumption. The vending industry does not support the introduction of a Sugar Tax – it believes in wider consumer choice and educating the nation about the importance of having a healthy, balanced diet where sugary snacks like fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate can feature, in moderation. When it comes to ease of access to sugary snacks and drinks, in the past the

vending machine has been seen as a key perpetrator of these products. However due to changes in consumer demand, which the vending industry has duly reacted to, this perception is changing. Vending machines provide a reliable and effective unattended retail outlet, able to stock all sorts of products. Recent research found that 79% of consumers would chose a healthy vended product if given this choice, perhaps helping to explain why today’s most profitable vending machines also stock a wide choice of healthy options. Sugar consumption does indeed need to be controlled, and offering wider product options to assist an educated choice will help consumers gain better control over their diets. Clearer labelling and improved education around nutrition from a younger age is also what is needed. As an industry, healthy vending has been on our agenda for many years. As a result, there is an increasing number of companies which specialise specifically in the manufacture and distribution of lower calorie vended products. The demand for vending machines to stock healthier snacks has grown considerably in recent months – a recent Mintel report shows that sales of potato crisps have declined to £1.34 billion in 2015 while sales of popcorn are popping, rising

by 169% over the past five years to reach an estimated £129 million in 2015. In fact, over one third (35%) of Brits aiming to opt for a healthier snack have eaten popcorn in the three month period, rising to half (49%) of those aged 16-343. The AVA closely monitors the snacking habits and preferences of consumers and has been actively involved in driving awareness and education around healthier snacking options for some time. For the last three years, the AVA has worked with Culinary Arts Management students at University College Birmingham to co-run a module called the Culinary Product Development Challenge. The module challenges students to create alternative, new healthy vending snacks that are calorie controlled. In 2015, the Culinary Product Development Challenge’s winning team – called TOP’D – produced a delicious, healthy polenta based snack to win. The creative students used glutenfree polenta grains to make a crunchy shortbread base topped with a range of British dessert-inspired flavours to meet the brief of a snack that was under 400 calories and wheat free. As we move further into 2016 and beyond, it is clear to see that education around nutrition is set to grow steadily alongside a growing consumer demand for lighter, healthier and lower-in-sugar snacks and vending machines must ensure that their stock reflects this in order to remain profitable. For more information on the Automatic Vending Association please visit www.ava-vending.co.uk or call 01494 568960

Launch of Perkee, a Fairtrade coffee

erkee is produced in partnership with Bewleys and the Soppexcca coffee cooperative in Nicaragua. The co-op (which is 40% female run), was set up by Fatima Ismael and aims to improve the lives of its members and the community. Soppexcca’s profits are ploughed back into education, diversification and health centres in Nicaragua. Simon Houston, Sales Director at bartlett mitchell commented,

Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

“Customers increasingly expect a brand of coffee in the workplace with exceptionally strong ethics and Perkee has been developed to meet these expectations and more. We have carefully designed every element of the Perkee brand including training, merchandising and uniform.” Simon added, “Perkee delivers a lively, uplifting and positive experience for our customers and consumers and we have seen really encouraging commercial

results from our initial rollout”. With dark chocolate and caramel notes, Perkee coffee is single origin 100% Arabica bean from Nicaragua, which is roasted in Yorkshire. Chef Director, Pete Redman has created a complimentary sweet and savoury all-day range to be served alongside Perkee in order to maximise revenues for our clients. bartlett mitchell has recently appointed Miguel Camara to the newly created role Coffee Brands Manager. Miguel, a former Barista Champion Award winner is leading the implementation of Perkee and heads up barista training at bartlett mitchell’s dedicated Barista Academy. www.bartlettmitchell.co.uk catering & vending

Lighting

Funding scheme dips the lighting bill for Valleys authority

ocal authorities across the UK are facing the challenge of providing high-quality public services at times of budgeting. To counter this, many are recognising the benefit of investing in energy efficient street lighting technologies as an effective means to drive down energy bills. Street lighting across the UK is estimated to account for over a million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, which is enough to fill the Wales Millennium Stadium in Cardiff 35 times with the roof closed. The majority of the street lighting facilities are outdated, inefficient and extremely costly. Energy prices have risen 20% since 2009 and recently published National Grid forecasts suggest the price of electricity could double over the next two decades. With this in mind energy efficient street lighting is a smart investment option for local authorities, but many struggle to find the finance upfront to invest in these highquality, modern lighting solutions. The lack of up-front capital and minimal funding can often act as a barrier to many otherwise willing authorities. However, an increasingly popular Government-backed support programme is now helping to plug that gap for public bodies by making finance available for energy efficiency improvements, which can be cost-neutral in the short term and make significant carbon and financial savings in the medium to long-term. Interest-free funding from the organisation Salix Finance provides the ready capital needed for local authorities

lighting

to implement energy efficient lighting upgrades across cities. Salix is funded by the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and the Department for Energy and Climate Change to support energy efficiency projects, such as street lighting upgrades, to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy bills. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is a recent example of a local authority that has identified the opportunity to lower its energy bills by updating a number of its street lighting technologies across the county. Similar to many other local authorities, it lacked the initial capital required to implement these technologies. The council approached Salix Finance who were able to provide an interest-free loan to help revamp the street lighting across this industrial area of the South Wales Valleys. The project was completed in four separate phases at four different locations of the county taking place across the course of a year. The projects required a loan of just over £2m to replace the outdated, SON-T lighting to a modern, LED replacement. The upgrades to the council’s street lighting will see the county cut its annual energy costs by a projected £370,000, amounting to savings of more than £7.4m over the lifetime of the project. In addition to this the scheme will save more than 1,400 tonnes of CO2 each year, amounting to 28,000 tonnes over the project’s lifetime. The loan will be paid back over 5 and a half years funded from the savings to the council’s annual energy bills which means the project is of no extra expense to the Welsh local authority and effectively pays for itself. Chris Ridout, Street Lighting Engineer for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: “After attending a Salix Finance seminar in Cardiff around three years ago, we were instantly interested in working with the company to reduce our carbon emissions and running costs for our street lighting. Since the LED installation has taken place we are currently saving around 75%, which is higher than we ever expected.” Tim Morozgalski, Programme Manager for Wales and NHS England at Salix said: “Merthyr Tydfil is an excellent example

of installing street lighting in phases across the County. Since 2014, they are expected to have rolled out £2m of LED street lighting in two years. By splitting this large-scale project into phases, it has allowed the Council to start achieving carbon and financial savings road-by-road. LED street lighting in proving popular amongst local authorities in the United Kingdom and we will be holding street lighting workshops in Wales to help support other Councils that are interested in getting interest-free loans to install new LED lighting and controls upgrades.” With a wide range of technologies available, building managers from across the public sector are faced with the difficult task in driving forwards with a low carbon behaviour change, but options such as a Salix loan, make the task a smooth process. To date, Salix has financed over £85m worth of loans to complete street lighting projects across the UK, resulting in over £315m in lifetime savings. In addition to this, its work has saved over 1.3m tonnes of lifetime carbon savings. The establishment of the Salix investment, which is available to all local authorities across England and Wales, makes energy improvements in the public sector available. Furthermore, repayment instalments for the loan are usually covered by the sum saved through the immediate and often dramatic reductions in regular fuel bills. To find out how your public sector organisation can apply for interest-free funding, please visit www.salixfinance.co.uk/loans Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

Security & Access Control

Video surveillance delivers real-time security

Karl Pardoe, Regional Sales Manager UK & Ireland at March Networks

key component of any building project is security. Using contemporary surveillance systems not only protects against unnecessary losses through fraud or theft, they can also enhance operations, nurture occupier brands through the delivery of a satisfying experience for customers or visitors and increase profits significantly. A major advantage is that rather than relying on CCTV to reactively provide evidence of a crime, new generation, fully networked and remotely accessible solutions deliver real-time video and data to facilities and security managers. Safety of building users is top of the agenda and the combination of cameras and browser-based client software enables instant notification if a dangerous situation is developing, allowing incidents to be dealt with instantly. Security analytics provide information on suspicious events including unauthorised access and loitering. A virtual tripwire (enabled by carefully positioned cameras) placed across a ‘private’ door, for example, will trigger an alert every time it’s crossed. Operationally, the software can deliver vital information such as the number of customers or visitors entering the premises; and activity around the key points of interest, e.g. reception, Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

meeting rooms and key offices. It can also determine the busiest times of day for receptionists, alerting managers to increase staff numbers, and show levels of cleanliness or appearance, all of which helps to ensure the best service to customers and visitors.

The right solution It must be straightforward to install, simple to use and demand little in maintenance. Modern video surveillance solutions work on existing IP networks and integrate easily with other systems. The same real-time data and business intelligence is applicable whether the building is small or large. Specialist installers will work with designers and builders to specify the number, type and position of the cameras and identify the most suitable Network Video Recorder (NVR). Smaller premises will find that four to eight channels (e.g. the number of cameras feeding live video to NVR’s) will be more than sufficient, whilst larger ones can select up to 32 channels, positioned internally and on the perimeter of the premises. The software managing the links between cameras and transactional systems is easy to use so security staff or managers will need minimal training.

Case study – Serlachius Museum, Finland. Housed in a sleek wood and glass building, Serlachius Museum boasts three exhibition spaces to house a valuable art collection, restaurant, festival hall, and spacious museum shop. A local security systems integrator recommended and installed a March Networks video surveillance solution, powered by the company’s Command Professional video management software. Video is recorded from approximately 90 cameras, capturing crystal-clear images 24 hours a day with bullet cameras covering the surrounding area and carpark. The integrator also worked with a local fabricator to design and manufacture special brackets and camera housings to sensitively blend with the architecture of the building. Authorised museum employees can watch live or archived video on their workstations using March Networks’ browser-based Command client. “The system gives our customer service personnel awareness of where our visitors are in the museum, and in the event of a theft, vandalism or other incident, it provides solid evidence of what happened,” said Julia Roponen, Gösta Serlachius Art Foundation CFO. www.marchnetworks.com security & access control

Exhibition Preview

Facilities Management 2016 has finally arrived Facilities Management 2016, the UK’s leading event for the large scale and multi-site facilities industry, opens its doors on 22 – 24 March at Birmingham’s NEC. The show will feature a series of product launches and an array of leading industry suppliers, plus top speakers, as part of its new seminar programme. Seminar Programme

Facilities Management 2016 has a new seminar programme, which has been specially designed by Magenta Associates, to address the core issues that affect a facilities professional’s day. Visitors will be presented with over 25 free-to-attend, educational seminars focusing on three core themes – People, Politics and Policy.

People Within the people strand of talks, Julie Kortens, Senior Business Executive at Channel 4, will discuss ‘how to build a personal brand’. Chris Moriarty, Development Director from The Leesman Index, will then take to the stage to present ‘productivity is the Holy Grail for FMs, but are they doing enough to create the right environments for people?’ For those interested in the developing face of facilities management education, Paul Wyton, Subject Group Leader Facilities Management at Sheffield Hallam, will explore the opportunities and benefits of higher apprenticeships in facilities management for FM organisations.

Politics Kellie Jervis, Emergency Response Manager; Lesley Reid, Contract Manger G4S FM and Steve Johnstone, Cleaning Services and Housekeeping Manager at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, will take a look at how it has changed its systems and processes in order to cope with suspected Ebola cases. Rudi du Plessis, Head of Facilities Management at LCMB, will use case studies of his own work, with clients including Kings College, UCLH, University of Reading and Birmingham

Airport, to explore the traditional relationship between sustainability and carbon. He will also consider how the facilities management industry can use sustainable practises across all of its business areas to benefit organisations.

Policy With policies, such as new legislations, potentially having widespread implications, this aspect of the programme will look at the impact major policies are having on organisations and its clients. This will begin with a live panel debate exploring ‘the introduction of the Living Wage and Travel to Work time: what impact is this having on FM service providers and their clients?’ Panellists include Guy Pakenham, Managing Director at Cordant Cleaning, Guy Stallard, Head of Facilities at KPMG, Lisa Sheppard, Account Director at Facilicom UK and a founding member of the Living Wage Recognised Service Providers’ Leadership team. Three months on from the introduction of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), many businesses remain non-compliant, whilst others benefit from lower energy costs and a reduced carbon footprint. With this in mind, ESOS experts Servest Group will deliver its presentation ‘ESOS: Was it worth it?’ It will look at the impact of the legislation, the Government’s approach to non-compliance and what facilities managers need to do now, if they haven’t yet tackled the issue. Greg Davies, Head of Service Development at Assurity Consulting, will also be giving a legislation update from the past year. He will also delve into the future, explaining all that facilities managers need to know.

Exhibitors Some of the biggest names from the UK’s facilities industry will be launching an array of products and services, providing attendees with the opportunity to source the latest innovations and witness the most proactive thinking within the marketplace, all under one roof. Safer Access Solutions will be 38

exhibition preview

presenting its range of solutions, which solve complex and costly access problems. These include the services of facade cleaning, gutter cleaning, banner installation and removal, plus the installation of the complete range of bird deterrent systems. Higham Roofing’s ‘HighScan’ drone survey provides a sustainable and cost effective approach to scientifically measuring the condition of flat roofs. Paramount Security Group will be presenting its bespoke, integrated security solutions, including its range of security gates, traffic barriers and the control systems that go with them. Lutterworth Ecolighting will be highlighting its energy saving light fittings used in public sector locations such as community centres, sports halls and car parks. Cleaning City will be exhibiting its award winning wet floor warning sign, Banana Cone, plus providing a live demonstration of its versatile scrubber dryer, the I-mop.

Complimentary Shows As well as featuring the Cleaning Zone, which allows visitors to see the top cleaning innovations at the heart of the facilities industry from leading suppliers, Facilities Management 2016 will once again be running alongside two complimentary shows. The first of these is Maintec 2016, the UK’s longest running maintenance, plant and asset management event. The second co-location is the Health and Safety Event, run by Western Business Exhibitions, a leader in the health and safety sector. Visitors will be able to access all three shows with one badge. Registration is now open for Facilities Management 2016. Please visit the website below or call +44 (0)20 8843 8800 to register for free. www.easyfairs.com/ events_216/maintec-facilitiesmanagement-2016_75738/facilitiesmanagement-2016_76265/ Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

facilities

Incorporating

NEC, Birmingham 22 – 24 March 2016 Discovering innovation at the heart of the facilities industry

NOW

Facilities Management is the only facilities event focused on multi-site and large scale premises. The show has again proved itself to be THE nationwide event to network, gain industry knowledge and ultimately do business.

2016

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There are so many factors which can affect a facilities professional’s working day, for Facilities Management 2016 we are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Magenta Associates and will be offering a NEW and exciting seminar programme addressing the core issues – PEOPLE, POLITICS and POLICY.

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Recycling & Waste Management

Reducing food waste Paul Killoughery, Managing Director of Bio Collectors.

ood waste is receiving more attention in the media, and has also been stepped up on the political agenda with Westminster’s own disposal methods in the spotlight. This can only be positive for the environment in the long term, but we think there needs to be more pressure on FM managers in commercial buildings to control waste disposal. While not a new issue, we need to encourage those in decision-making positions to toe the line when it comes to correct and environmentally-friendly waste disposal. The industry must be educated on the best methods of waste disposal in order for change to occur. Reducing food waste is one avenue towards a more sustainable future, and this can be achieved through working with in-house catering staff or contractors to identify opportunities such as tighter control over the ordering of working lunches; active management of the quantities cooked in canteens; and better stock ordering. However, there will always be leftover waste and it is what is done with it that is paramount to the future of the environment. Once a more popular option, landfill has become unfeasible from both an environmental and cost perspective. Unfortunately, this has pushed some companies towards incinerating food waste instead. While the price (£7080 per tonne) and ease of incineration might be appealing, it is still a damaging the environment through the carbon emissions and fact that

ash still needs to be sent to landfill. To put it into perspective, incinerators emit more carbon dioxide per unit of electricity than coal-fired power plants. Although energy is produced, the resulting emissions have a negative effect on the environment. Food and drink waste accounts for 20 percent of the UK’s CO2eq emissions, so it’s clear that we need to be looking for much greener processes. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most attractive options, providing a renewable source of energy. It dramatically reduces the impact on the environment, while producing rich fertiliser that farmers, at the start of the food chain, can use to improve crop harvests. It also produces energy without creating any by-products. With the government granting permission over the last couple of years for heavy investment in AD plants, they are increasingly becoming an option that companies can’t ignore. So the questions is, why are the more harmful processes still used by so many? One of the main reasons is the perceived cost and additional effort involved. For food waste to be recycled it needs to be collected separately to other general waste. It’s a fairly simple concept, but one that does require new processes and equipment. Restaurants have been doing it for some time, and households are getting better following the introduction of kerbside caddies. However, commercial properties are lagging behind, with vast quantities of

food and drink from sites literally going up in smoke at incineration plants. Once a system of separation is implemented, the business can almost sit back and relax. Our company can collect the waste and ensure it is properly recycled. On the face of it it’s a very simple process, and one that can be introduced relatively quickly. It is the recycler itself that bears the brunt of the work – taking the waste, processing it into sludge and pasteurising it to kill any bacteria. After three weeks of holding the waste an AD plant has produced the fertiliser and pumped methane gas back into the national grid. The beauty of sending food waste to an AD plant is that it is allot cheaper – almost half the price of incineration. Another bonus is that when large companies use us for their food waste collection, they have the option of buying the gas produced during the process back to utilise as energy in their own businesses. So, despite having a set up cost when introducing new processes and bins to separate waste, there are long terms gains for your bottom line and the environment. Ultimately we all want to reduce food waste. The best case scenario is that we simply eat everything, but the reality is that there will always be leftovers that need to be disposed of. We need to educate those holding key FM positions, who are responsible for waste management, on the cost and environmental benefits of recycling food. This will help them make better informed decisions about what to do with waste at their sites and stop food waste from going up in smoke. www.biocollectors.com

UKWSL launch new waste management system in Roadchef

oadchef, one of Britain’s leading motorway service area (MSA) operators, recently appointed UKWSL as their new national waste and recycling contractor for the next three years. The contract covers 30 locations nationwide and is estimated at around £3 million. As of Monday 11th January 2016, Roadchef have installed three sections to their waste systems; general waste, mixed recycling and liquid making it easy for customers to determine where to put their waste. There is also now an onsite compost

recycling & waste management

system which allows Roadchef to recycle all their left over coffee grind instead of it ending up in food or general waste containers. Within 8 weeks the compost is ready to be reused on the Roadchef grounds to enrich soil and grow flowers, food or coffee. UKWSL’s Company Director, Chris Giscombe commented: “It is a pleasure to be working in partnership with Roadchef. This exciting new venture will give us the opportunity to increase recycling rates at all the Roadchef locations and deliver a highly sustainable solution in a cost effective manner.”

For further information visit http://ukwsl.co.uk/ or http://www.roadchef.com/ Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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Product Showcase

Rada safeguards users at popular country club

eisure centres are a place for users of all ages to get fit and have fun, particularly busy private facilities like the Castle Country Club in Shrewsbury that boast a large number of members and run activity clubs for children during the school holidays. With washroom facilities in near constant use, any downtime for maintenance and repairs could mean disgruntled guests or a loss of income for Castle Country Club. Much more important, however, are the potentially life saving consequences of washroom system failure – with scalding and infections like Legionnaire’s Disease a real risk. Fortunately, Facilities Manager, Colin Pope knows these risks and takes them extremely seriously, so when it came to ensuring the safety and comfort of their members he turned to Rada to find the solution. Having worked with Rada products throughout a career that has seen him responsible for managing the washroom facilities for more than 120 schools, Mr Pope is well versed in the importance of selecting not only appropriate systems,

but ensuring that these systems are properly maintained. Mr Pope brought his experience of working with Rada products and services to the Castle Country Club nearly two decades ago, where a project to design the pool and changing facilities saw him take on a permanent role at the site. His knowledge of the demands based on washroom facilities means that robustness, vandal resistance and user safety are all key concerns – though in a private leisure club it doesn’t hurt to use products that are aesthetically pleasing and offer simple, intuitive operation for users. Nowhere is he more conscious of this than in the sites. The complex’s busy leisure centre boasts 18 Rada Sense digital shower units and Rada 425 thermostatic mixing valves that are in almost constant use across three changing areas. Chartered Engineer Mr Pope felt that while specifying appropriate products designed to withstand this level of use was important, ensuring

that the site is safe and can remain operational year-round was vital. Rada’s team of experts visit the site on six monthly intervals to undergo maintenance work, as well as offering an emergency call out service to undertake immediate repairs using parts direct from Rada’s manufacturing facility in Cheltenham. Having such a wealth of experience in facilities management, Rada’s visits allow Mr Pope to undertake additional activities, such as nightly duty flushing and monthly water sampling, to safeguard guests from the spread of bacteria like Legionella. With a 24-hour turnaround for servicing, and a team that have built a strong relationship with Mr Pope and the site’s staff, Rada’s maintenance teams are able to undertake works with minimal disturbance to gym-goers - keeping the club as healthy as its members. For more information on Rada’s leisure sector expertise, please visit www.radacontrols.com

Chubb Community Care Provides Knowsley Housing Trust with Assisted Living Solution

hubb Community Care has designed and installed an assisted living solution for Knowsley Housing Trust’s (KHT) Bluebell Park Apartments to enhance the safety and security of residents, helping them live independently in their own homes. Chubb, a leading provider of solutions to support independent living, is a part of Chubb Fire & Security, a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The chosen solution for the Knowsleybased sheltered housing development was the Chubb® Care System, which enables residents to communicate quickly, clearly and securely with on-site and remote staff, as well as off-site monitoring centres. The installation includes Chubb intruder detection, access control and video calling technology.

product showcase

Chubb Community Care worked closely with the team at KHT from design through to installation and aftercare, to ensure the specific requirements of its residents were met and the systems seamlessly interfaced with other building management facilities. “We needed reliable technology and a service provider who fully understood how the assisted living solution could work best for this specific development. Our goal is to in deliver the optimum care to our residents and Chubb has supported us in this,” said Andrea Murray, Extra Care Building Manager at KHT. David Hammond, general manager for Chubb Community Care, commented: “The Chubb Care System is reliable, flexible and extremely user friendly. We know it is a valuable support to housing managers who can have the confidence

Pictured left Tony Brennan, Area Sales Manager and Andrea Murray, Extra Care Building Manager at KHT at the new Bluebell Park Apartments

that the system will work well for both residents and staff.” KHT is a housing association providing high-quality homes at affordable rents. In business since 2002, KHT, now part of the First Ark Group, provides homes for around 27,000 people in Knowsley. For more information, visit www.chubbcommunitycare.co.uk. Building & Facilities Management – March 2016

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