PSBJ March 2020

Public Sector Build Journal March 2020

Healthcare

Education

Leisure

psbjmagazine.com

Issue 91

A SPLASH OF COLOUR The power of art is demonstrated at the PACT and Westfield Health Oncology and Haematology Centre, Sheffield

Housing

Why councils need to consider high-quality hardscaping products

A focus on wellbeing future-proofs town and city regeneration

Top tips for specifying sliding door hardware systems for disabled access

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Editor

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Formica and Artist Leah Bartholomew have proved that bold and brightly-coloured schemes in healthcare environments are the perfect remedy for a more relaxing, healing ambience.

See page 16.

Accounts

Jackie Dearman

Welcome to the March issue of PSBJ...

Sales Support & Administrator

The public realm has to accommodate and meet the, often challenging, needs of a diverse array of individuals. Whether it’s hospitals, schools – from primary to secondary and SEN – leisure centres or care homes, there’s an arm’s length list of crucial factors to consider when designing and building public sector buildings. With an ageing population requiring more from our premises, we’re regularly turning to technological innovations to meet discerning requirements.

jackie@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Klare Porter

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Publisher Sam Ball

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In this month’s issue, we’ve talked to Nigel Ebdon, Market Development Manager at Secure Meters (UK), about the uptake in technologies within the health and care sector, and how these gadgets are assisting our ageing population. Here, Nigel reveals insightful information from a recent survey of adult care providers to discover what’s driving innovation. Turn to page 08 to learn more about why the health and care sectors are turning to modern-day technologies to assist with living. Meanwhile, on page 32, Patrick Decker, President and Chief Executive Officer at smart water company, Xylem Inc, looks at the future of smart technology within the water and utilities sector.

Elsewhere in March’s edition, we’ve talked to sliding door hardware manufacturer P C Henderson about what you need to consider when specifying sliding door hardware for disabled access. Turn to page 18 to read their concise yet insightful top tips.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on PSBJ’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com.

Rebecca

Rebecca Kemp • Editor • rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Find us on Social Media:      @psbjmagazine

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CONTENTS

06 News

A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

08 Upfront

Nigel Ebdon, Market Development Manager at place-tech specialist Secure Meters (UK), discusses the issues surrounding our ageing population, and the results of a recent survey of adult care providers to discover what’s driving innovation.

12 Housing

Ben Warren, MD at Baumit, looks at how manufacturer training schemes are helping to alleviate housing shortage pressures.

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14 Leisure

Peter Jackson, Managing Director at Jacksons Fencing, looks at the new requirements for licensing venues following the implementation of Martyn’s Law.

16 Healthcare

Formica and Artist Leah Bartholomew have proved that bold and brightly-coloured schemes in healthcare environments are the perfect remedy for a more relaxing, healing ambience in their eyecatching design for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

18 Disabled Access

22 Legal & Business

20 Education

26 Talking Point

Stephanie Lee, Marketing Manager at P C Henderson, takes a look at what needs to be considered when specifying sliding door hardware systems for disabled access.

Tom Devaney, Global COO at Scape, looks at the art behind designing and building purpose-built student accommodation.

With the epidemic of instrument theft on the rise, Simon Crowhen, National Sales Manager at Topcon Positioning GB, looks at what can be done to reduce the vulnerability of the industry.

David De Sousa of AHR looks at how the public sector is increasingly using wellbeing as a way to future-proof the regeneration of towns and cities.

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CONTENTS

26

16

30

28 Building Forum: Housing

A round-up of the latest updates from the housing sector, and top tips from some of the industry’s leading suppliers for architects and construction professionals working within the industry.

30 Doors & Windows

Mark Lester, Internal Door Manager for Hörmann UK, explores the importance of specifying innovative door solutions to create interactive and inspiring office environments for the public sector.

34 Building Maintenance & CCTV Michael Thorpe, Product Manager at STANLEY Security UK, looks at the latest developments in CCTV that are heading your way.

36 Flood Management

Following the increased frequency of extreme rainfall events and consequent flooding of late, Hudson Lambert, Director at Safeguard Europe, explores ‘water-entry’ and ‘water-exclusion’ strategies.

44 44 Street Furniture & Landscaping

Sheffield-based landscape product supplier, All Urban Ltd, explains why councils should be considering value-engineering when it comes to the lifecycles of quality hardscaping products.

46 Product Showcase

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

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NEWS

INDUSTRY UPDATES Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.

NHS contract boosts healthcare portfolio for Triton Salisbury Group secures University of London contract win Salisbury Group, the facilities management (FM) company, has won a major contract with the University of London. It will see the company provide hard FM services to academic and residential buildings across the estate, which currently includes 27 buildings and ancillary facilities with a footprint of around 130,000m2.

The University of London was established by Royal Charter in 1836 for the public benefit and is recognised globally. As a world leader in higher education, it has pioneered change in the sector and improved the lives of millions of people around the world through its unique approach to education. Through the contract, Salisbury Group will deliver planned preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance and project and lifecycle engineering infrastructure projects. It will also provide helpdesk services and specialist supply chain monitoring for a diverse range of buildings, plant, equipment and systems.

Caledonian secures place on £3bn DfE framework Caledonian, working with Stride Treglown Architects, has been selected as one of five companies to deliver a £2bn programme of offsite built secondary schools and blocks, for the Department of Education (DfE) under Lot 1 of the Modern Methods of Construction Framework.

The other smaller-scale project, Lot 2, will deliver a £1bn programme of off-site-built primary school schemes and secondary blocks. Established by the DfE to build on the success of recent modular procurements, this major framework supports a wider Government move towards modern methods of construction as a preference for new-build projects and reinforces the desire of the DfE to continue the commitment to modern methods of construction in the delivery of education projects.

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Remstone Construction, Triton Construction’s specialist subsidiary in the North West, has been awarded a contract by NHS England to refurbish its offices and consulting rooms at Lever Chambers Centre for Health in Bolton.

The £650,000 project, due to complete in April 2020, includes the reconfiguration and modernisation of public and back-office spaces to improve interaction and efficiency. Lever Chambers is a three-storey building housing two GP practices and a pharmacy as well as a wide range of community services including dental care, orthoptics, dermatology, family planning, nutrition and speech therapy. The contract comes on the back of a number of successful contracts for Remstone/Triton with the NHS in the North West.

Stephen George + Partners advances £15.4m bus station A design by Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is moving closer to a spring 2020 planning submission with the launch of a public consultation programme by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calderdale Council. Plans and visuals for the £15.4m bus station in Halifax are being shared with stakeholders and members of the public, and a series of pop-up, drop-in and static displays have been held across the town. Accessibility and safety are central to the design and the innovative move to provide a centralised bus concourse serving all stands which traverses the sloping site has provided the best solution to satisfy clients’ requirements. Early engagement with the local accessibility group has provided extremely positive feedback for the plans.

Works begin on £35m Cumberland Cancer Centre Sporting specialisms Works on the new £35m cancer centre for the boosted in London Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, on which international property and construction consultancy Gleeds is appointed as cost advisor, have begun on site following an official bricklaying ceremony. The commencement of the build phase of the new facility, situated next to the main hospital, follows the recent demolition of the redundant 1970s infirmary tower block. Once complete, the two-storey structure will allow the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust to bring all its core oncology services under one roof, while remaining connected to the Cumberland Infirmary for the benefit of those patients requiring additional treatment. The state-of-the-art centre will house a chemotherapy day unit, comprising 15 chairs and three single bedrooms, two medical linear accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machines and a CT scanner suite, as well as consultation and examination rooms, and clinical planning areas.

LK2 Group – the sports, leisure and architecture specialist – has bolstered its team in London following demand for growth in the south. James Gregory – an experienced sports consultant in the industry – has brought his specialisms of GIS, heat mapping and project management to LK2’s London offering. James will be joined by sports law specialist Gaby Sims, who will be enhancing LK2’s bespoke service to its existing and future clients in the field of sports mitigation and rationalisation through expert advice, guidance and support. LK2 has a long-standing presence in London, and its team is keen to expand its network in the city, Greater London and the M25 corridor.

The appointment of both James and Gaby in London reflect the business’ commitment to the city and LK2’s strategic plans for growth.

NEWS

New RGS sixth form centre welcomes students

HRH The Princess Royal opens Danemore sheltered housing scheme Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially opened Ashford Borough Council’s new £7.5m Danemore sheltered housing scheme in Tenterden on Wednesday 12th February. Prior to unveiling a commemorative plaque, Her Royal Highness was introduced to a number of dignitaries, including the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Kent Richard Oldfield, the High Sheriff of Kent Paul Barrett, the Mayor of Ashford Cllr Jenny Webb, the Town Mayor of Tenterden Cllr Jean Curteis, Ashford Borough Council CEO Tracey Kerly, and Chair of Kent County Council Ann Allen. Earlier, during an escorted tour of the award-nominated scheme and its facilities, The Princess Royal was welcomed into the home of resident Mrs Barbara Williams who chatted to her royal guest about her experiences of living at Danemore.

When sixth formers at Newcastle Royal Grammar School (RGS) returned to school after the Christmas break, they stepped into a totally transformed study environment following the completion in December of an extensive refurbishment project. The complex deconstruction of the sixth form building, which originates from 1906, has enabled the combination of the old sixth form and old library into a new, and much larger sixth form centre. Appointed to the four-month project by RGS because of their knowledge of the school and in-depth experience of sympathetically modernising heritage buildings, architect firm Howarth Litchfield, was responsible for architecture, construction design management and interior design.

£15m Chorley Market regeneration scheme completes A new, 74,479ft2 retail destination has officially completed in Chorley, supporting the town centre’s significant wider regeneration plan. Perfect Circle – which provides property, construction and infrastructure consultancy services to the public sector – project managed and provided quantity surveying services for the scheme. The project, which is owned and managed by Chorley Council, has transformed Market Walk shopping centre, providing seven new units for mixed retail, leisure and restaurants to complement and renew the town centre’s current offering.

Works have also improved the public area around the Chorley Pals War Memorial, with the addition of Marks & Spencer and REEL Cinema, alongside a number of other national retailers.

Conversion project highlights Housebuilder way forward arrives with bells for town centre on at Boroughmuir regeneration

BakerHicks brings European life sciences business under single brand

A local high school in Edinburgh has been presented with the original 1930s school bell discovered in the property restoration of its previous home in Viewforth. During the sensitive refurbishment of the former Boroughmuir High School building, the CALA Homes (East) construction team rescued the artefact and has now gifted it to the new school. CALA delivered and presented the bell to pupils and David Dempster, Headteacher of Boroughmuir High School, at the new premises, where it will sit pride of place in the school’s display cabinet dedicated to the school’s history. Speaking after receiving the bell, David Dempster, said: “We’re delighted that CALA has recognised and restored this significant part of our school’s long history. The bell will remain with us as a reminder to all of our staff and pupils of the past.

BakerHicks has restructured its European Life Sciences division, which now joins forces with the UK operation as a single business. Previously operating as Morgan Sindall Professional Services (MSPS) in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, the specialist division has been rebranded by BakerHicks as part of a new strategy to deliver an integrated service to its UK and European Life Sciences clients, with a particular strengthening of project management capabilities and the ability to deliver all size of capex projects. Remaining part of the Morgan Sindall Group, the new combined BakerHicks Life Sciences operation pools the engineering consultancy and pharmabio capabilities of its European team with the project delivery and fill-finish skills of its UK operation. This will enable BakerHicks’ pharmaceutical and Life Sciences clients to leverage the company’s wider European locations and subject matter expertise.

A successful conversion project in the heart of Kilmarnock, which saw five newly-refurbished flats rented within six days, is paving the way for further input from developers on continuing efforts to regenerate the town centre. The former council building at Bridge Lane had lain derelict for more than 12 years prior to its conversion by Sweeney Group.

The upper floors of the property previously housed the offices of East Ayrshire’s Child Protection Services, which were re-located to a nearby address more than a decade ago. After 10 months on the site, which covers a total of more than 3,600ft2, Sweeney Group has transformed the space into four two-bedroom flats and a single one-bedroom flat. Following a wave of enquiries, all five properties have had great interest with three of them now been secured by tenants.

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UPFRONT

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE: ADULT CARE AND CONNECTED SOLUTIONS There is an increasing realisation amongst those who deliver adult care that smart homes will play a vital role in closing the demographic care gap, and allowing people to stay in their own homes for longer.

Ebdon, Market N igel Development Manager at place-tech specialist Secure Meters (UK), discusses the issues surrounding our ageing population, and the results of a recent survey of adult care providers to discover what’s driving innovation.

The UK’s ageing population The UK population is ageing.

According to the ONS, there are currently over 12 million people aged 65 and above in the UK, and this figure is set to double over the next 30 years. By 2040, one in four people in the UK will be aged 65 or over.

The burden of healthcare in the UK has moved from tackling infectious diseases to managing chronic age-related conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia and cancer. These diseases are placing a growing burden on the UK’s health and social care services, which are already at breaking point.

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The Internet of Things (IoT) and independent living Care providers, such as social landlords and local authorities, are increasingly seeking or developing innovative new ways to better support vulnerable people.

Most older people want to retain their independence and stay in their own homes for as long as they possibly can; however, this is not always possible, with resources dictating that they’re placed in residential care. For local authorities, the cost of providing care for vulnerable residents is a significant and growing burden.

Care providers often talk about helping people achieve their desired life outcomes, and from my perspective, this means technology enabling people to do as much as they can, for as long as they can.

Many of the care providers I talk to are currently facing the same challenge: the switch

over from analogue to digital care technology. It’s a change everyone will eventually have to make, but some are using it as an opportunity to see what new technologies are now available; connected solutions that go way beyond existing capabilities.

Survey results We recently surveyed a sample of social landlords, local authorities and in-home care providers to discover what is motivating the uptake of innovation, what technology is being deployed or considered, and whether strategy or problem-solving is driving innovation in this sector.

Almost half of respondents stated that improving welfare is the most important factor driving innovation in their organisation, with just over 60% selecting increasing efficiency and reducing the cost of care as the second most important factor. These numbers suggest that most are taking a person-centric approach, which puts the needs of the

tenant/client ahead of cost savings.

An example of innovation in this area is Salford-based, housing association Salix Homes, which is working to integrate housing with health and social care.

Salix is working in partnership with Salford University and the Salford Royal NHS Trust to develop person-centred, low-cost, tech-based solutions, including ambient living and remote healthcare management systems.

These should help tenants to remain in their homes for as long as possible, and promote better health and social care outcomes.

One such system is an offthe-shelf gaming console which detects and learns behavioural patterns. By learning what is ‘normal’, this connected device can share information via an app when something ‘abnormal’ is detected.

For example, if someone that is normally active is suddenly sitting for long periods of time, this could indicate a physical or

UPFRONT emotional issue which requires intervention.

It is no surprise that nearly 70% of respondents have deployed wearable technologies and over 50% have installed security solutions such as press-key activated doors, as these have been available to the market for a number of years and are well-known and understood – although the feedback we have received is that wearable solutions can be unreliable as the user has to remember or choose to put them on.

Nearly half of respondents have installed smart home devices, and close to 40% have installed voice-activated devices, perhaps reflecting the increased popularity in recent years of these items in the consumer market.

There has been a low uptake of technology such as realtime health monitoring sensor alerts (23%), instant Skype calling (8%) and video/tele health consultations (0%), and surprisingly close to 10% are yet to deploy any independent living technology at all.

An early adopter of a range of technologies is Hampshire County Council. Four years ago they decided to make greater use of assistive care technology, and have incorporated a range of solutions including alarms, îš…

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UPFRONT sensors, GPS trackers for people with dementia and medication reminders into the care packages they provide.

Over 9000 people across Hampshire are currently benefiting from assistive technology, with 100 new referrals being made each week.

A feedback survey of their care recipients discovered that 94% feel that care technology has “increased their feelings of safety and security” and 98% would recommend the service to others.

Uptake is imminent We went on to ask our survey respondents what independent living technologies, if any, they are considering. The responses demonstrate that the uptake of a wide range of technologies is imminent. With over threequarters of respondents considering the installation of smart home devices and 60% considering the installation of voice-activated technologies.

A third of respondents are considering real-time health monitoring sensor alerts,

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reflecting the development and awareness of this type of solution.

The survey also revealed that 25% of respondents aren’t receiving any feedback at all on the quality of care being delivered to tenants/clients.

We’re acutely aware of this long-standing challenge at Secure Meters, and have recently launched Beanbag Care: Quality Care Assured, a service that enables real-time feedback on care quality directly to the provider from both the service user and their family.

Quality Care Assured, one solution from Beanbag Care’s suite of services for independent living, allows care providers to proactively measure the frequency and standard of care received by an individual carer at any time, and then allows this data to be further shared with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as part of the audit procedure.

Beanbag Care’s Quality Care Assured also enables the user’s family and loved ones to check that care has been delivered via a

smartphone app, through which they can also leave feedback.

We’re proud that this solution was recently awarded a position on ESPO’s Homecare Monitoring and Scheduling Solutions framework.

Beanbag Care, by property technology innovator Secure

Meters, offers a suite of services to support independent living.

Beanbag Care’s Quality Care Assured is now available through the ESPO public sector procurement framework www. espo.org/framework. 

www.securemeters.com

UPFRONT

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HOUSING

MANUFACTURERS CREATING A BRIDGE TO NARROW CURRENT CONSTRUCTION SKILLS GAP Issues surrounding building competence remain an ongoing concern for the industry, writes Ben Warren, MD at global building manufacturer, Baumit. workmanship can lead P oor to a range of consequences; structural failure being the most serious. Government funding has led to the founding of more than 20 on-site construction training hubs across the UK to help improve building standards. Building manufacturers are also doing their bit to address the current skills gap by implementing in-house training programmes to develop a qualified, fully-competent workforce.

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Shortage According to housing charity Shelter, more than half of buyers of new-build homes in England have had significant issues with construction in relation to unfinished fittings and faults with utilities. It’s a disquieting revelation, particularly with the UK Government pledging to build 300,000 new homes per year to tackle the current property shortage. Substandard

workmanship will take the headline blame for buildings failing to perform as designed, but the skills shortage that currently exists in the UK construction industry speaks of an overarching issue. In 2018, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) revealed that the number of skilled UK construction workers had fallen to its lowest recorded level. According to the same organisation, the building industry will need to find an additional 157,000 recruits to keep pace with projected building projects.

Training is the obvious solution to ensuring a better-skilled workforce, creating a win-winwin situation for the employee, their company and their client. It needs to be said, however, that education, particularly in relation to the building sector, isn’t exclusively for the young. Even those with a construction career span as long as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge should refrain from considering themselves beyond learning new tricks of the trade. After all, those who stand still commercially or personally, risk being left high and dry by the tides of change.

HOUSING As the 21st-century advances, so does the breadth and capability of building products and practices.

It’s not a stretch, therefore, to say only those who keep pace with industry trends and standards will remain a competitive force in the marketplace. As has been highlighted, the UK needs new housing like never before; housing that is sustainable, conforms to unprecedented levels of energy efficiency and is built in the shortest time possible.

Opportunity has never knocked more loudly for those in the construction sector, but only those able to meet the required skill levels shall reap the rewards.

On course for success Training academies, such as those set-up by Baumit, will help candidates ‘skill-up’ and meet the construction industry’s current and future demands. At our UK headquarters in Aylesford, Kent, Baumit has devised a series of external wall insulation courses for installers and applicators.

Designed to cater for candidates of all abilities, the two-day course is tailored to suit individual or group needs, offering hands-on, practical learning experience with ‘real-life’ challenges usually

encountered in the workplace.

After completion, attendees will leave with Baumit Approved Installer status. Followed by on-site project assessments to achieve ‘Gold Approved Installer’ status. We will soon be opening an additional training academy in Doncaster, ensuring that those located in the north of the country have easy-to-reach access to training.

As part of our aftercare service, candidates who complete the course will have the ongoing support of Baumit’s technical team. It means whether you’re on-site or in the office, our experts are a reassuring phone call away to offer guidance and advice on any EWI-related matters.

Offerings such as this can be the difference between a project being completed on time and to a high standard, or it failing due to issues around seemingly minor technical details. With its training academy, Baumit has built a platform for EWI installers to stay ahead of the opposition as the industry gears-up for future challenges and change. It could also contribute to a much-needed narrowing of the construction skills gap. 

www.baumit.co.uk

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LEISURE

SECURITY LESSONS FROM MANCHESTER Recently Manchester City Council took a step in the right direction by implementing ‘Martyn’s Law’, writes Peter Jackson, Managing Director at Jacksons Fencing. The new policy follows the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and is named after one of the victims, Martyn Hett. introduces five new I trequirements for licensing venues, ensuring they conduct vulnerability assessments and have a counter-terror plan in place. They are listed as: 1. A requirement that spaces and places to which the public have access engage with freely available counter-terrorism advice and training 2. A requirement for those places to conduct vulnerability assessments of their operating places and spaces 3. A requirement for those places to mitigate the risks created by the vulnerabilities 4. A requirement for those places to have a counterterrorism plan 5. A requirement for local authorities to plan for the threat of terrorism.

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Having advocated these measures for years, we are pleased to see the first steps of local Government taking more effective action and implementing a common-sense security law. A successful interpretation of the new law will rest on thorough assessment and monitoring by local bodies and industry experts, understanding the local threat context and having a knowledge of the most effective measures for each individual situation.

Assessing the threats The first step in integrating security for public venues is to carry out a full-scale risk assessment, identifying any potential hazards and possible design flaws. This includes site considerations such as location, its day-to-day usage and topography.

LEISURE

Risk assessment It’s important to consider the types of buildings in the area and identify any high-risk sites nearby, as these will have a direct impact on the planning process, potential threats and overall security of the area.

Establishing how the space will be used, who will have access, and how access is controlled are also crucial parts of a standard risk assessment.

Importantly, an assessment will highlight an area’s weak points, from poor traffic management, unmonitored vehicle access control or blast stand-off distances. By painting a picture of how these weak points can be exploited, specifiers and planners can design against potential methods of attack.

It’s not just high-profile terror attacks that authorities and businesses need to consider.

Criminal activity and opportunist lone-wolf attacks should also be planned for. Analysing the local threat context and emergency service response times can help inform security decisions.

A venue in a neighbourhood reporting high levels of burglary should ensure they have effective detection capabilities, removing blind spots, employing CCTV or maximising the attack time needed to break into an area and thus increasing the likelihood of preventing intrusion.

Designing out danger Once an assessment has been carried out and potential risks identified, it’s possible to

design out threats. Wellthought-out design can play a pivotal role in security.

The next step is to ensure appropriate measures are implemented according to the situation. This can include improving the physical security of the buildings themselves and also incorporating crime prevention techniques into the actual layout and landscape of the surroundings. For example, if an assessment indicates the venue is vulnerable to vehicle attack, then the threat can be mitigated by implementing traffic-calming measures and vehicle security barriers.

Street furniture (speed bumps, bollards etc.) or chicanes will prevent vehicles from reaching dangerous speeds or even getting into the space at all.

Intelligent, holistic design can help prevent or deter security breaches in subtle ways that will be barely noticeable to residents. Busy urban spaces can be secured against risks and attacks without being turned into a fortress. A good model of this is in place at Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium.

On match day, the venue can expect crowds of up to 65,000.

A vehicle attack could result in a catastrophic loss of life.

However, between the road and the pedestrianised area is a sculpture with huge letters spelling ‘ARSENAL’. These are strong enough to stop a vehicle in its tracks, preventing it from reaching the crowds. In other areas, large steel cannons, the club’s symbol, also greatly reduce the chance of hostile vehicles gaining access.

Taking inspiration The UK Government has already indicated its support of Martyn’s Law, a promising sign of things to come. While legislators and policymakers debate the new licensing rules and work on implementing them throughout the country, private businesses and venues should not passively watch on.

Security breaches can risk lives and cause serious commercial damage. Venue managers and security specifiers should take the initiative and start implementing effective strategies today. 

www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk

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HEALTHCARE

A COLOURFUL REINVIGORATION Our surroundings have a powerful effect on how we feel, and hospitals can often be places of uncertainty and anxiety. However, thoughtful, considered design and beautiful art can make the experience better. The power of art is demonstrated at the recently launched PACT and Westfield Health Oncology and Haematology Centre, based at Sheffield Children’s Hospital – a regional centre for cancer treatment for children.

H

aving outgrown its previous facilities, money was raised by the Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia (PACT) patient families to fund a new unit, with patient input at the forefront of the design. Artist Leah Bartholomew was commissioned by Artfelt, a charity specialising in bringing art into hospital environments, to create artworks that will lift the spirits. Artfelt worked closely

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with Avanti Architects, patients and staff to create an uplifting environment. The result is a colourful treatment centre tailored to the young patients’ needs.

The project also included an innovative interactive installation

by Invisible Flock in the waiting room. The artwork reacts to the children’s movements, and projects them on to a digital screen keeping patients distracted while they wait.

Bartholomew devised bright artworks inspired by local Weston Park. As well as having wall-based prints, the ambitious scheme also included murals and other large-scale pieces.

The architects were looking for ways to maximise the amount of art visible in the new wing. They achieved this using motifs from Bartholomew’s designs printed on Formica laminate and bonded to the doors provided by door

expert, Doorpac. Formica HPL was selected for this project due to its suitability in healthcare environments. It is durable and approved by the hospital’s specialist infection control team as well as the project architects.

The way that art has been designed into the scheme injected vibrancy into the wing, creating a reassuring environment for young patients and their families.

HEALTHCARE Photographs: Jules Lister Artwork: Leah Bartholomew

Leah Bartholomew commented: “I always wanted my art to be in a place like a hospital where it’s so important to have colourful and optimistic works reminding you of the beauty in life.”

She continues: “I sat with my dad in hospital for months once, and I still remember the Ken Done work that he had to look at every day, and he loved it. I would love my work to resonate with someone like that piece did.”

Nina Bailey, UK Design Manager, said: “When patients and staff are brought into the design process, it can result in a space which works really well for all involved. Traditionally, healthcare design would play it safe, so it’s refreshing to see this scheme moving away from the dingy grey and clinical whites of the past. The use of sophisticated palettes and bold colours provides the space with a coherent, relaxing identity."

She continues: “A pop of colour can add energy to a space and provide visual wayfinding. In places where patients may stay for longer periods of time, for example, on the ward, the trend is for more refined use of colour and a focus on creating a calming, healing environment, often looking to nature for inspiration.

“In places where people don’t tend to dwell for a long time, such as corridors and waiting rooms, healthcare designers are bringing in much bolder colours, citrus brights and so on. There’s an increasing understanding that these places need to be both memorable and

uplifting. Designers and hospital administrators are waking up to the power that colour has in both helping people navigate complex hospitals as well as how important it is in setting a mood.”

The rejuvenated treatment space is now five times bigger than the previous clinic and boasts impressive views over Weston Park.

The success of this project was acknowledged by experts in the field even before opening, as this new wing has won two prestigious awards – one from Design Week and another from Building Better Healthcare. 

www.formica.com

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DISABLED ACCESS

SLIDING DOORS FOR DISABLED ACCESS: A SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE SOLUTION Stephanie Lee, Marketing Manager at P C Henderson, takes a look at what needs to be considered when specifying sliding door hardware systems for disabled access. the NHS estimating W ith that there are 1.2 million wheelchair users in England and housing experts warning of an accessible homes crisis (new research from Habinteg has revealed that less than a quarter of homes built outside of London by 2030 will be suitable for older and disabled people) – it’s important that education around disabled access is of key importance.

One simple yet effective way of improving disability access is through the use of sliding doors rather than swing doors. Swing doors can sometimes be difficult to manoeuvre through, particularly for wheelchair users, due to the back and forth movement required.

Sliding doors can eliminate this difficulty by sliding out of the way completely clear of the opening – allowing for quick and easy access from room to room.

Here’s what to consider when specifying for such a system:

1. Is the sliding door for interior or exterior use?

Sliding doors can be used for both interior and exterior use, but it’s important to state which you require upon specification.

Exterior kits include additional components such as guide

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channels, door seals, thresholds, track seals and corrosion-resistant hardware – interior systems don’t usually require such components.

2. What size is the opening width? And for how many doors?

You also need to know your ‘clear opening width’ – the area of space between the two walls where the door will go. This measurement tells you what length of track you need – if it’s a particularly wide opening, you may wish to consider two bi-parting doors rather than one single door.

It’s important to note that the required opening width in disability access areas depends on a number of factors; the type of premises, where the opening is situated (e.g. a main doorway or in a corridor); and whether the door is accessed straight on or via a ramp. It’s important that you consult the relevant Building Regulations for this prior to specification.

3. Will the door be facefixed, soffit-fixed or slide into a pocket?

A face-fixed installation is where the door slides in front of an opening across a wall space – if

this is the case, make sure that the system can be installed in this way and the correct brackets are provided. If the door is sliding on the underside of the opening, it is a soffitfixed system – in this case, the track is usually fixed straight into the overhead lintel. Most systems can be installed both ways; however, it’s always best to check.

Alternatively, you may wish to install a pocket door system. This option holds the most benefits for disabled users due to the door sliding completely clear of the opening and into a cavity wall. Reputable manufacturers will have a specific system for pocket doors which contain all the relevant framework required to create the cavity.

4. How heavy are the doors?

The weight of a door can differ drastically depending on the size, thickness and material used. An experienced sliding door hardware manufacturer will always provide a maximum door weight for each of its systems – make sure that the kit you buy can comfortably cater for the weight of the door.

5. Does the system need to be automated?

An automated sliding door system can offer many obvious benefits for disabled access, with doors opening at the push of a button, remote control or motion sensor.

Automated bi-parting doors, in particular, can be beneficial for this type of application – providing large, obstruction-free openings from room to room. If this is a feature you require, it’s important to ensure the door will have access to a power supply of the correct voltage.

Whilst the above factors are certainly important, what holds the most value is choosing a reputable and experienced sliding door hardware manufacturer that can comfortably specify for your project. P C Henderson has been manufacturing sliding door hardware for almost 100 years, specifying for projects of all sizes across the globe. All products are tested to 100,000 cycles and hold a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty – guaranteeing a durable, high-quality product which is fit for purpose. 

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EDUCATION

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FENESTRATION FOR THE FUTURE At a time when schoolchildren across the world routinely take to the streets to raise awareness of the global climate change crisis, the need to reduce the environmental impact of educational facilities has never been more relevant. Andrew Cooper, National Specification Manager from leading aluminium fenestration supplier Senior Architectural Systems, discusses how taking a more efficient approach to the specification process can make savings in more ways than one.

it comes to the W hen construction industry,

Addressing the building envelope

the costs incurred are not just financial. The amount of resources consumed and carbon emissions generated in the construction, operation and possible demolition of just one building can have lasting implications for both the local and global environment.

Building Regulations, energy efficiency targets and budgetary requirements all play a part in delivering sustainable projects but also present challenges to the project team. With the UK Government now pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050, there’s much that needs to be done, but, fortunately, within the fenestration industry, the journey towards creating a lowcarbon world has already begun.

Reducing the amount of energy that is lost through the building envelope is an important way of improving its efficiency and creating a more cost-effective and comfortable internal environment. In the education sector, an inefficient building can lead to expensive operational and maintenance costs which can take a big bite out of an already stretched budget and can have a direct impact on the quality of students’ learning. As all buildings have the potential to lose energy through doors and windows, the fenestration package has a direct affect on thermal efficiency as well as other vital areas such as daylighting and natural ventilation.

But not all windows and systems are the same and understanding the long-term benefits, or

limitations, of a chosen product is key to designing school facilities that are built to last.

Understanding U-values When it comes to U-value ratings, less is more and the lower the figure, the more heat is retained.

The U-value of a window system is dependent on a number of factors including the frame material, the type of glazing and the use of a warm edge spacer bar which provides the space and insulation between the two or three panes of glass.

Thermally-broken aluminium windows are particularly effective at achieving lower U-values and preventing heat loss. Most systems on the market use a strong polyamide as an insulator to prevent heat loss between the inner and outer frame, but it has also been possible to create

a system that incorporates an even more effective thermal barrier made from expanded polyurethane foam; a material more commonly used in insulation and cladding products.

As legislation and guidelines can and often do change, it is well worth ‘future-proofing’ school buildings by specifying a window system that not only meets current targets but exceeds them.

Background checks Reducing the amount of energy that is lost via windows and doors can make buildings easier to heat and as a result, can significantly lower fuel consumption and costs.

However, it’s not just about how well a product performs and any green credentials can be easily tarnished if a significant waste and carbon has to be generated before the specified system even makes it

EDUCATION to site. By looking at the lifecycle of a product, from its manufacture and transportation to its operation and disposal, specifiers can get a much clearer picture of how sustainable a product really is and how its use will truly impact on the overall carbon footprint of a scheme. A good benchmark is checking if a manufacturer holds an accreditation such as BRE Global’s BES 6001 standard for the responsible and sustainable sourcing of aluminium extrusions.

Design flexibility Although energy efficiency may be a universal requirement within the education sector, any solution must also offer design flexibility.

After all, education facilities come in all shapes and sizes, and many projects require specifiers to look at improving older buildings as well as delivering new-build

schemes. The inherent strength of aluminium windows and doors allows them to accommodate much larger expanses of glazing within much sleeker and slimmer frames.

This not only helps to maximise the amount of natural light but also creates an aesthetic that is appropriate for both old and new building types. Bespoke colours and finishes can also be created by powder coating the frames. As this is a process where waste and carbon emissions can be generated, it is always worth considering a local manufacturer who can offer this service in-house to reduce transport costs and potential risk.

The unique requirements of a school environment also influences the size, shape and positioning of windows. For example, it is vital that all window openings are both safe and secure, particularly at low levels to prevent falls or trapped fingers. Windows must also be of a significant size to provide adequate daylight penetration to reduce lighting costs but also need to be easily operated and controlled by occupants, either via automatic or manual controls, to avoid excessive solar gain.

The development of thermally-efficient aluminium window systems has provided specifiers with the additional advantage of having greater flexibility in terms of the positioning of radiators.

Traditionally radiators would be installed in the coldest part of the room which would usually be along an exterior wall where cold air would enter via the windows. The use of more thermally-efficient windows removes these limitations, allowing greater freedom when planning interior layouts.

Aluminium systems that provide exceptional thermal performance and require minimal maintenance can offer a cost-effective alternative to using energy-efficient tripleglazing which, when used in a high-traffic environment such as a school, has a higher risk of breaking and would be more expensive to replace. Overall, the characteristics of aluminium window systems also make them ideally suited for use in school environments as they are robust, durable, easy to maintain and fully recyclable. 

www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

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LEGAL & BUSINESS Time fences are also a reality, meaning total stations outside of the hours that construction professionals want to use them are shut down, making them ineffective for thieves

INSTRUMENT THEFT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY The epidemic of instrument theft is on the rise, with businesses in the construction industry vulnerable to opportunistic criminals, says Simon Crowhen, National Sales Manager at Topcon Positioning GB. of construction A survey professionals, conducted by the Chartered Institute of Building, revealed that 92% had been affected by theft over the course of the year, while more than a fifth (21%) experienced theft on site on a weekly basis.

Finding a solution to the problem is difficult as thefts are not often reported, and as a result, the scale of the issue may not even be fully understood.

Why is the construction industry vulnerable?

The construction industry remains a target due to the high prices of equipment and the low rate of lost and stolen instrument recovery, with total stations often targeted due to their high value. Advanced technology, allowing users to

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operate total stations from a distance, also leaves the devices vulnerable and gives thieves more opportunity to take them. The low rate of instrument recovery allows thieves to escape punishment and acts as a deterrent for people when it comes to reporting incidents.

Sites also usually do not take measures to deter thieves, with many companies choosing not to pay for expensive extra security such as CCTV, bright lighting or even security guards. Preventative efforts, like padlocks on tripods, are also often not substantial enough to stop thieves.

What can be done?

In an ideal world, construction professionals would know where all their tools are and would be

Certain tracking technology already exists to monitor total stations, whereby construction professionals can manage their equipment online

able to monitor them remotely, providing extra peace of mind that, should equipment be stolen, it could easily be tracked.

Certain tracking technology already exists to monitor total stations, whereby construction professionals can manage their equipment online, tracking which project the total station is on and how many hours it has been used.

Geofences are now a possibility with today’s technology, allowing users to draw a map of construction sites and ensure that if equipment is removed from that area, the equipment is locked so that it becomes unusable. Time fences are also a reality, meaning total stations outside of the hours that construction professionals want to use them are shut down, making them ineffective for thieves.

Working together as an industry The Survey Association, the trade body for commercial survey companies in the UK, and crime prevention company, Smart Water, have formed an alliance to analyse and follow up on incidents of instrument theft. Recent figures collected by the partnership show that the average cost of equipment stolen in 2019 was £18,000. With instrument theft a growing issue, the construction

industry needs to make sure they are taking the appropriate measures to protect their equipment in order to defend themselves against massive losses.

Rachel Tyrrell, SecretaryGeneral at The Survey Association, explained: “You don’t have to be a TSA member to report equipment theft through our portal. The flow of comprehensive, quality data helps to highlight the UK’s crime hot spots to the national intelligence unit of the police, ultimately leading to arrests, the recovery of stolen instruments and disruption of organised criminal activity.”

With new breakthroughs in instrument security helping to reduce crime rates on site, technological innovation is also key to tackling the problem.

Construction professionals need to plan ahead when it comes to on-site security to ensure that equipment is not left vulnerable and easily accessible for criminals, and technology is available to help. The construction industry needs to work together to innovate and find new solutions to ensure that projects are not disrupted and money lost as a result of opportunistic thieves.

To report a piece of equipment stolen to the TSA, follow the link: https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/ equipment-theft/. 

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COATINGS & FIXINGS

WOOD-EFFECT POWDER ACHIEVES A2 ‘REACTION TO FIRE’ RATING Powdertech Wood Finish (PWF), a popular architectural finish that can be applied to both aluminium and steel, has successfully demonstrated that, as tested, it meets all of the Reaction to Fire Standards for fire classification A2-s1,d0.

Regulations 2010, B uilding Approved Document B Volume 1 (2019 edition for use in England), currently states that for relevant buildings with a storey at least 18m above ground level, external walls and thus facade materials are required to achieve a reaction to fire classification of A2-s1, d0. Full compliance was confirmed after PWF underwent tests at Warringtonfire Testing and Certification Limited. Classification A2 means very limited contribution to fire, s1 means smoke emission is absent or weak, and d0 means that there are no flaming droplets.

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and smoke growth rate and EN ISO 1716, bomb calorimeter test to ascertain the calorific value of the material components.

Powdertech has produced a tabulated summary of the test report, available as a download from the company’s website (www.powdertechcorby.co.uk).

“With an increased awareness of the role of building products in the achievement of fire safety, following major disasters and lesser-known fires, Powdertech felt that the time was right to confirm the reaction to fire classification of Powdertech Wood Finish,” said Richard Besant, Director at Powdertech. 

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TALKING POINT

LOOKING TO THE PAST TO INSPIRE THE COMMUNITIES OF THE FUTURE The ongoing growth of wellbeing as a social trend is having a significant effect on the way towns and cities are designed. In fact, the Global Wellness Institute’s 2018 Build Well to Live Well report forecasts that the global market for wellness-focused property is expected to be worth $198bn by 20221, says David De Sousa, Director of AHR. the private and public B oth sectors are sitting up and taking notice of this and increasingly using wellbeing as a way to futureproof the regeneration of towns and cities. For instance, initiatives such as the WELL Standard and NHS Healthy Towns set out guidelines on how to design and regenerate in a way that maximises wellbeing, with the latter ultimately aiming to ease pressure on the health service by making sure health is part of people’s everyday lives.

But alongside this increasing focus on wellbeing, the built environment is also challenged by meeting a range of new demands.

Sustainability and the UK’s ambitious net-zero carbon targets are one key area. The housing crisis is another, with the charity Shelter estimating that three million new homes are required in the next 20 years2. Meanwhile, on the high

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street, research from the BBC shows that consumers are now spending one in every five pounds online3.

New regeneration projects for towns offer an invaluable opportunity to reshape urban centres in a sustainable way that both promotes wellbeing and addresses the effects of the ongoing disruption across property sectors.

Incorporating wellness using barometers like the WELL Standard and improving issues like sustainability with design initiatives like Passivhaus are increasing trends as a result.

As well as being altruistic, there are a wealth of commercial benefits to focusing on wellbeing. It creates healthy, sustainable communities while also future-proofing spaces for decades to come.

Rather than re-inventing the wheel to do this, the property sector can take inspiration from towns and cities of the past in its approach. In doing so, the sector could incorporate health and wellbeing into the fabric of regenerated schemes.

Cities of the past for the future Though wellbeing-focused design has grown in popularity in recent years, this trend began in antiquity, with Greek and Roman cities placing the health of citizens at the heart of urban centres.

One way ancient civilisations created healthy towns and cities is by centralising amenities and community facilities. By creating centres that combined a mixture of uses, including temples, baths and other leisure and community facilities, they provided a space

David De Sousa became a Director of AHR in 2016. With a breadth of experience across infrastructure, transport, civic and educational sectors, he has developed an expertise in residential and mixed-use sites. Much of his work requires the unlocking of difficult sites and taking these through complex planning and urban design challenges.

that encouraged socialisation and exercise for all generations.

This approach was informed by high-profile architects of the age such as Vitruvius, whose principles inform how we design to this day4.

In ancient communities, there was also a recognition that healthcare facilities must be central to the infrastructure of towns. The Greek city of Epidaurus, for instance, was built entirely around its health centre, The Asklepieion, quite literally placing wellbeing at its core.

Placing this ancient approach to healthcare at the heart of modern towns marries well with new NHS plans such as the ‘Five Year Forward View’, which has identified that the changing face of towns and cities offers us the opportunity to reshape the way health and social care is delivered.

The benefits of new approaches

like this have also already been demonstrated in some regions.

For instance, NHS social care hubs across Wakefield have seen 2000 patients over six months, significantly relieving pressure on local GPs5.

Mixed-use developments that incorporate healthcare provision are a fundamental part of how it will be provided to local communities in the future.

At our Manor Street scheme for Braintree District Council, healthcare was prioritised in this way. The mixed-use development includes a new healthcare provision, Mid Essex CCG’s first Live Well Hub, at its heart – key to unlocking the regeneration’s growth potential and bringing life back to the town centre, tailored to meet the current and future needs of the area’s growing population.

Innovative new NHS initiatives driven by technology, including Manor Street’s Live Well Hub, will provide residents with easy access to more integrated health and wellbeing services.

This healthcare provision is in many ways an anchor to a broader scheme, which includes a variety of uses – 35 new homes, a 70-room hotel, a new bus interchange, a two-storey car park and enhanced public realm – to create a liveable and healthy town centre.

Landscaping and green space also played a key role in ancient communities and should also be a key element of modern, wellness-focused design of towns and cities. It’s proven that good-quality green spaces improve health outcomes and reduce health inequality according to research by Public

Collaboration is key A productive and collaborative partnership between the public sector and the private sector will be vital to ensuring wellbeing sits at the core of how schemes are designed.

For new projects, a combination of skills from both sectors is the best way to achieve commercial success and social value on a regeneration scheme. This has been demonstrated by the Government’s One Public Estate: Building a Movement Through Partnership report, which outlines how partnerships accelerate the delivery of projects and help to overcome potential barriers6. This ensures that wellbeing can be delivered in a way that has social and economic benefits.

Our regeneration of the Boden Mill site in Chard, Somerset, serves as an example of what can be achieved. This project, developed by Alliance Leisure on behalf of South Somerset District Council, will create a new library, community facilities and swimming pool, brought together in a sustainable wellbeing-focused design that is sympathetic to the local area’s history.

Working with the public sector on this project streamlined the community engagement process and allowed us to work collaboratively to integrate the Boden Mill development with the wider regeneration of Chard’s town centre.

Early engagement with the public sector and other stakeholders plays a key role in creating healthy places, as it gives invaluable insight into the requirements of the community, while also incorporating the advice of those working in healthcare and other regional public sector roles which can maximise the wellness of future residents7.

Organisations and businesses from across the industry should take this opportunity to reshape our urban centres to ensure they serve their communities now and in the future. By taking inspiration from evergreen design principles from ancient civilisations, and using collaborative partnerships to apply them, we can create spaces that meet modern demands with wellness at their core.

TALKING POINT

Health England and the Institute of Health Equity at University College London. A focus on landscaping also supports the creation of pedestrian- and cyclist-focused communities that have improved air quality and resident health.

At Manor Street, a publicly accessible garden forms the centrepiece of the scheme.

It offers a green space for residents to use that complements the local area and the historic Grade II Listed Braintree Town Hall, that brings the entire scheme’s wellness credentials to life.

A similar approach informed our design at Westwood Village in Thanet, Kent. The development comprises 1430 new homes and 50 units for specialist housing and a primary and secondary school. The focal point of the scheme’s masterplan is a large, open central space for community interaction, which is complemented by green corridors and recreational and ecological routes that provide an area for children to play in.

Site boundaries are also generously landscaped with trees, native hedgerows and wildflowers which improve biodiversity. Green space and walkability form the core of the scheme’s design. This is in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s recommendations that pedestrians and cyclists are given the highest priority in the design of new towns and cities.

Sources: 1https:// globalwellnessinstitute.org/pressroom/statistics-and-facts/ | 2https:// england.shelter.org.uk/media/ press_releases/articles/three_million_ new_social_homes_key_to_solving_ housing_crisis2 | 3https://www.bbc. co.uk/news/business-49349703 | http://www.dqi.org.uk/ / https://

4

www.tandfonline.com/doi/ abs/10.1080/0961321032000107564 | 5https://www.england.nhs.uk/ integratedcare/case-studies/nhs-andsocial-care-hub-helps-people-at-riskstay-well-and-out-of-hospital/ | 6https:// www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/ documents/11.120%20OPE%20 2018%20prospectus_v13.pdf | 7https:// www.tcpa.org.uk/Handlers/Download. ashx?IDMF=b9a54964-9cf5-49d4-8ef4095d2436719f



www.ahr-global.com

27

BUILDING FORUM: HOUSING

BUILDING FORUM: HOUSING PSBJ rounds up the latest case studies, advice and stories from the industry’s leading professionals.

This month’s Building Forum shines a light on the Housing industry; with top tips on fenestration and manholes.

Barry Turner is Technical Manager at Wrekin Products

GETTING WINDOWS RIGHT FIRST TIME With the need for “right first-time” installations an evergrowing priority, developers are under increasing pressure to deliver projects at maximum speed with minimal obstruction.

Taylor, Product M alcolm Manager at REHAU, explores how evolving window installation construction methods for window installations can minimise the risk of snagging and unexpected project delays.

Developers can face many obstructions when completing projects, and windows are no exception. Time delays, increased costs and long-term issues from inefficient work go hand-in-hand, and can prove problematic to those looking to provide highquality builds to deadline. In particular, ill-fitted windows can cause multiple problems, from leaking, low insulation, poor sound attenuation and even colour finish matches.

For installers, snagging issues like breakage or window sill damage, which can easily occur during installation, are an all-too-common problem. This is usually down to a job being rushed to meet project deadlines.

Investment into off-site construction methods has grown strongly in recent years, with the aim of resolving these issues and speeding up project builds.

Moving the building process away from the physical site can decrease project completion time and reduce disruption to the customer, while enabling more accurate planning and timeframes. However, though off-site construction may be a viable solution, it comes with its own risks. For example, obtrusive parts may be damaged in transit, so products should be selected during planning stages to best avoid damage risks.

In response to these challenges, the window industry is continuing to design and develop products that evolve traditional methods of construction and incorporate modern techniques. Through supplying easy-to-fit products – such as those that allow the installation of base parts at the build’s beginning and simply finished at the end when danger from on-site activity is minimised (for example, two-part sills) – we can offer full flexibility to fabricators, installers and builders alike. This, in turn, will ease the pressure for that “right first-time” installation.

www.rehau.com/gb-en

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USE FULL SYSTEM INSTALLATIONS TO REDUCE RISK OF MANHOLE COVER FAILURE Barry Turner, Technical Manager at leading UK designer, manufacturer and supplier of specialist ironwork products Wrekin Products, discusses the best way to ensure a high standard of installation which reduces the risk of failure and costly replacement. should comply I ronwork with industry standards, but other elements of the wider installation (such as the bedding material) can often be misused or simply overlooked.

Bedding material can often be seen as the ‘adjustment’ material used to align ironwork with the surrounding road surface, when, in reality, it is the most vulnerable structural component in a conventional installation.

Highways England recognises this in advice note HA104/09, stating that “bedding failure is one of the main factors contributing to the current poor performance of chamber tops.”

A number of issues can occur, such as reflective cracking on the tarmac induced by traffic loads inducing frame flexure.

This can result in cracking of the underlying bedding mortar initiating at sharp, angular frame features. In this instance, mortar can then detach from

ironwork and then be subject to a pulverising action from the moving frame component.

Care should, therefore, be taken in matching the performance characteristics of the elements that are intended to work together – the manhole cover or gully grate, the mortar, and the supporting manhole chamber structure. With a huge selection of products available on the market, it’s never been more important to understand all elements of an installation.

With this in mind, the simplest and quickest solution to avoid component failure is to take a full system approach. Utilising a full system from a reputable brand gives added peace of mind that all industry standards are met, but just as importantly, they have been designed specifically to work together. This reduces risk and gives a higher probability of a long-term and problem-free installation.

www.wrekinproducts.co.uk

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DOORS & WINDOWS

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS According to latest research*, 28% of UK office workers describe their workplace as outdated and dull, while just under half feel there is limited or no collaboration between employees. Here Mark Lester, Internal Door Manager for Hörmann UK, explores the importance of specifying innovative and resilient building components to create interactive and inspiring office environments for the public sector. today’s competitive W ithin landscape, employees’ expectations are changing.

Professionals require a functional, adaptable and ergonomic employee-designed environment that supports not only the business’ goals, but their own personal growth throughout each stage of their career.

From group discussions and presentations to individual research projects, the office environment is commonplace to a range of tasks, and its layout must reflect and support this. For public sector projects, quality, safety and compliance with relevant regulations are leading factors when specifying building components. However, in order to attract and foster talent, organisations must work closely with architects and manufacturers to design, create and maintain office environments that consider aesthetics and functionality in equal measure.

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In particular, steel and timber doors, visibility windows and glazed tubular systems play a central role in meeting these requirements, by rationalising office space adequately and efficiently. From regulating temperatures and providing appropriate ventilation to facilitating high levels of security and safety, doors and tubular systems must be strategically installed throughout the offices’ interior and exterior to maintain and manage this wide range of factors.

For example, sound-proofed doors are essential for boardrooms, interview rooms or specific meeting rooms where privacy is paramount, ensuring confidential conversations cannot be overheard. Blocking out background noise throughout the entire office will also help to decrease distractions, subsequently enabling employees to concentrate better. This can be achieved through the

specification of internal doors and tubular systems that provide the highest standards in acoustic insulation. The durable doors are manufactured to withstand heavy usage cycles with the highest levels of sound-proofing, without compromising on overall style.

The management of thermal performance is also crucial to ensuring an optimum working environment, with the strategic application of internal doors and tubular systems preventing the transfer of heat from one space or room to another. This ensures the overall efficiency of the building is adequately managed for improved sustainability and reduction of running costs.

Throughout the design stages, organisations should work closely with specifiers to research and select components that offer the greatest levels of thermal efficiency, whilst also ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.

The distribution of natural light throughout an office is also crucial to ensuring an employee’s overall wellbeing. A Cornell University study** found that eye strain and headaches are greatly reduced when the correct amount of natural light is available. This subsequently increases overall productivity.

Hörmann’s visibility glazings can be specified throughout an office environment as single or multiple elements to ensure the consistent distribution of light between specific areas, such as personal offices for management or separate meeting rooms. By installing the glazing to act as a window between these spaces, rather than traditional walls that create physical barriers, organisations can create a more unified and integrated working environment where employees are not separated from different departments or teams.

This can also be achieved with aluminium-framed glazed doors, which can be installed in conjunction with glazed side elements and transom lights to form partition walls between different rooms or offices. For increased privacy, the safety glass can be customised with a range of sandblasted designs, including vertical or horizontal lines, swirls or words, tailored to each business' unique branding.

DOORS & WINDOWS For a large proportion of the professionals surveyed, being inspired by their office’s interior was also an important requirement for enhancing their own personal productivity and creativity. By choosing internal doors that feature unique designs and are available in a wide range of RAL colours, such as contemporary textured finishes including linen or ultra-matt, businesses can project their personality into the office environment, without comprising on the overall quality and functionality of the building components.

Also growing in popularity is the application of timber effects in a horizontal, rather than vertical grain, for a contemporary update on a traditional favourite.

By working closely with a single manufacturer throughout all stages of the project, from the initial design to installation and servicing, a healthy and collaborative working environment can be achieved throughout an entire office to not only support employees’ growth but increase overall productivity and workplace satisfaction. 

www.hormann.co.uk Mindspace research: https://www.

*

independent.co.uk/news/business/ news/uk-millennials-rejectingemployers-offices-workplace-designarchitecture-a8270686.html **Cornell University study: http:// businesscardiff.co.uk/natural-light-office/

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WATER SOLUTIONS

BEING SMART WITH WATER: INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY AND THE UTILITIES OF THE FUTURE Water utilities are responsible for our most precious resource – but a perfect storm of climate change, ageing infrastructure and rising demand is threatening to interrupt supply.

managers are under W ater increasing pressure to do more with less. Rising to this challenge requires a step-change in how systems are operated, monitored and maintained.

The perfect storm of challenges Global trends, from climate change to rapid urbanisation, are fuelling a water crisis that cannot be ignored.

Patrick Decker, President and Chief Executive Officer at smart water company, Xylem Inc, says: “As the global water crisis deepens, the challenges

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facing water and wastewater managers are intensifying.

“Climate change poses significant risks for water networks, from water stress to flooding. Ageing infrastructure, suffering from a history of underinvestment, is crumbling under a growing population.”

In the next 25 years, the number of people living in areas of water scarcity is expected to hit 1.8m. At the same time, flooding, and the associated risks of contamination, is becoming a regular occurrence.

In November, for example, days of torrential rain caused part

of Whaley Bridge’s Toddbrook Reservoir to collapse, resulting in headline news and the evacuation of more than 1500 people.

Incidents such as this one, which saw Xylem engineers use five submersible pumps to reduce water levels by more than 10m in little under a week, are only expected to become more frequent.

Soaring demand also poses a problem. By 2050, an estimated 70% of the world’s population will be living in urban centres, relying on ageing infrastructure.

Global demand is expected to be 55% higher than it was in 2015.

Compounding these problems for water managers is the rising price of energy, which accounts, on average, for 11% of operating costs, and an increasingly stringent regulatory environment.

Work smarter “Managers cannot afford to stand still. Now is the time to act to get ahead of these complex water issues,” said Patrick.

“The good news is that the solutions required to be successful in this effort are, in some cases, already available, while others are rapidly emerging.”

WATER SOLUTIONS Smart water technologies, he explained, allowed water managers to collect, share and analyse data from equipment and networks.

This information enables proactive decision-making – it can help find leaks, drive efficiency, lower energy use, predict equipment failure and even ensure regulatory compliance.

The implications, both in terms of protecting water security and cutting costs, are hard to ignore.

Early indications are that smart water management could save global utilities between $12.5bn and $15bn every year, mainly from reductions in capital and operational expenditure.

And if the figures are anything to go by, the industry seems keen to embrace the opportunity. Since 2017, 260 smart water projects have been announced worldwide, and investment in the technology is expected to top $14bn by 2024.

One such project was initiated

by Thames Water, which worked with Xylem to install smart meters across its network of 15 million customers.

Daily data reports allowed the utility to locate leaks and other sources of non-revenue water quickly, and increased customer engagement led to a 13% decrease in water consumption.

“The smart network delivered multiple benefits including more equitable billing, prompt identification of leaks and pipe ruptures, and an enhanced customer experience,” said Patrick, adding that the monitoring of pressure and temperature gave the company a much better understanding of the overall network performance.

Another, in Italy, saw Xylem work with Metropolitana Milanese to install a smart leak detection tool. It found 23 large leaks, many of which would have been undetectable with traditional equipment, in a section of main measuring just 5.5 miles.

Said Patrick: “Focused repair works will allow the utility to extend the life of the pipeline and reduce water loss, thus improving the overall service to its customers.

“The expected savings in water loss from repairing the leaks will pay back the costs of the project in approximately three years, including the cost of repair to the damaged section.”

Joining the data dots There are three elements to smart water management. When they are aligned and connected, they provide a window into exactly what is happening within the system.

Intelligent equipment includes pumps, mixers, treatment technologies and sensors that can self-optimise to improve performance, cutting the time and effort involved in monitoring and maintaining equipment.

Smart networks collect information across several pieces of intelligent equipment, enabling real-time, remote and continuous system management.

Digital solutions can then run that real-time data through algorithms to model any number of predicted outcomes. This enables water managers to conduct predictive maintenance, prevent sewage and stormwater overflows, and review asset conditions.

When used intelligently, smart water technologies help managers identify and respond to problems reactively, while enabling proactive system management. It also means they can easily optimise processes to reduce energy use or more efficiently treat wastewater, for example.

The future is now Smart water technologies are no longer the stuff of science fiction.

Utilities the world over are already employing the benefits from these new methods of reducing costs and inefficiencies, driving down waste, and ensuring compliance.

“The adoption of smart water solutions has already begun, and the global evolution continues apace,” said Patrick.

“Let’s build on this momentum and accelerate the water industry’s migration to a smart, resource-efficient future. Let’s embrace the smart technology opportunity. Let’s solve water.” 

www.xylem.com/uk

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BUILDING MAINTENANCE & CCTV

CCTV: LOOKING AHEAD Michael Thorpe, Product Manager at STANLEY Security UK, looks at the latest developments in CCTV that are heading your way.

S

ince its first use in Britain in the 1970s, and adoption for use in public spaces in the 1980s, CCTV systems have grown in popularity and usage and can be found everywhere, from small domestic properties right through to high-security environs such as banks and data centres.

Part of its success is down to the fact that CCTV offers multiple benefits. When it comes to security, it’s a proven crime deterrent, can be used to direct live-action in response to an incident and is highly effective when used for evidential purposes. According to latest crime stats, CCTV surveillance is useful in about 65% of crimes where CCTV footage was available. CCTV is also frequently used for health and safety and monitoring business processes, so can add value to an organisation.

Like any successful industry sector, CCTV and video surveillance doesn’t standstill.

Here, we look at the latest key developments in CCTV that are ripe to take advantage of and that are well worth considering investing in.

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Image quality Gone are the days of grainy images where identification of a person was nigh on impossible.

The latest cameras benefit from huge improvements in image resolution, frame rates, defogging, image stabilisation, lens distortion correction and wide dynamic range.

Built-in infrared and thermal cameras for use in poorly lit areas have also grown in sophistication, whilst becoming that bit more affordable.

Other key developments that have proven very popular when it comes to image quality are new zoom facilities, including remote zoom/focus and super optical zoom, which enable operators to really focus in on details; plus wide-area coverage and multi-directional cameras which enable a large area to be clearly viewed. Multi-directional cameras are particularly suited to mounting on building corners as they have the ability to monitor multiple directions simultaneously to provide up to 360° coverage in separate streams.

Improvements in image quality have not only been made possible through new camera design but also through a reduction in bandwidth usage, which has been achieved through the adoption of the latest compression technologies.

Facial recognition Facial recognition has been much in the news over the past year with concerns over privacy being a hot topic.

However, facial recognition is already in fairly widespread use, especially by law enforcement, where its impact on crime prevention and the ability to make investigations faster, easier and more effective is well proven. It’s also growing rapidly in popularity in the commercial sector where it’s also being used to improve health and safety and for a more specific, entirely unrelated to security purpose: the ability to identify a VIP entering a facility/premises and enabling a personalised service for that individual.

Of course, this has only been made possible with the technology now available at a price point that is viable for commercial

organisations, and advances in processing power and deep learning algorithms which have dramatically improved accuracy.

Artificial intelligence An exciting development, albeit in its infancy, AI is heading your way. The focus here is on video analytics driven by deep learning algorithms which do not require human input. Standard systems take data from pixel values, but deep learning systems utilise a huge range of other elements, e.g. vector shapes, to identify objects (cars, people etc.).

Essentially, they learn as they go, getting better as they go, taking into account behavioural patterns specific to that site.

Sounds very sci-fi/Terminator?

Well, your CCTV system isn’t about to take over the world and make humans entirely redundant, but AI could improve the efficiency of your system considerably with existing users citing intrusion and loitering detection as the top benefits.

This technology is ultimately best used when combined with a real-life human operator to verify the information presented by the analytics.

The only thing holding the technology back at present is the prohibitive cost, but that’s expected to come down considerably, so it’s one to watch.

Lastly, it would be remiss not to mention the increasing use of smartphones and mobile devices in CCTV systems. In the domestic setting, this has proven extremely popular with homeowners able to receive alerts and view camera footage of their home wherever they may be. But it’s also proven useful in the commercial world, where security teams can view footage whilst on the move, improving efficiency.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE & CCTV

Time to get smart

Lagging behind

Analytics at the edge Also in the field of video analytics, analytics at the edge has transformed how data from CCTV systems is processed. The traditional server-based model sees data sent from cameras to a separate appliance to be analysed. Analytics at the edge sees data processing taking place within the camera and makes for more efficient use of bandwidth and storage. At a time when IoT devices are being deployed across customer sites, reducing the impact of CCTV on bandwidth is very popular and will, in a relatively short timeframe, be mainstream in CCTV cameras, despite increasing the initial cost of the camera purchase.

One area that you might expect to be listed in new CCTV innovations that is making headway is cloud-based platforms. But, despite the hype, this has not proven as popular as expected.

Cloud-based platforms enable CCTV images/data to be uploaded, via the internet, to the ‘cloud’ which essentially means it’s stored on a third party’s hardware and infrastructure.

The benefits include the reduced need for hardware (no digital video recorders) and storage capacity and the ability to view the footage from any internetenabled device.

However, the obvious and immediate worry here is cybersecurity. Cybersecurity risks come from a number of sources and are very real. Cloud-based systems are only as strong as their weakest link and that weak link could come as a result of poor security system design, installation or maintenance; end users’ lack of internal training and policies, along weaknesses in their network; and even security of the data centres acting as the host platform.

If you are planning to upgrade your CCTV or install a new system, be sure to look at the viability of incorporating some of these most recent innovations.

What seems new and innovative now may well become standard in the next five years, if not before. 

www.stanleysecurity.co.uk/ solutions/cctv

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FLOOD MANAGEMENT

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE! The increased frequency of extreme rainfall events and consequent flooding means new approaches to flood resistance and flood resilience – namely ‘water-entry’ or ‘waterexclusion’ strategies – are needed, says Hudson Lambert, Director at Safeguard Europe. no doubting that T here’s the UK is increasingly subject to extreme rainfall events, regardless of the arguments about the nature and causes of climate change. These extreme rainfall events put the UK’s infrastructure under great pressure, and urban and suburban flooding is now much more frequent.

According to the Environment Agency, more than five million homes in England and Wales are at risk of flooding – a point grimly made only this December, when the agency issued 79 flood warnings for the south, Midlands, east and Yorkshire. Worst hit was Hayle in Cornwall, where a ‘major incident’ was called after 50 homes and businesses went under water; while parts of the M23 near Crawley were closed, disrupting access to Gatwick Airport.

The crucial need to contain and control rainfall – to protect people and property – is leading to more stringent legislation and standards; impacting upon public authorities, developers and contractors and the design

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elements necessary to better manage these extreme events.

It has been the case that design solutions for flooding were described as either ‘flood resistant’ or ‘flood resilience’.

However, use of these terms had become muddled and occasionally used interchangeably. Consequently, less mistakable terms are now being employed, namely: ‘water-exclusion strategy’ (i.e. resistance), and ‘water-entry strategy’ (i.e. resilience).

A ‘water-exclusion strategy’ house is built so that water cannot get into the building and cause damage. A ‘waterentry strategy’ means constructing the house so that although water may enter, the impact is lessened, structural integrity is maintained, and drying and cleaning is made easier.

The likely depth of flooding will impact on the choice of design. For low water depths, a ‘water-exclusion strategy’ typically is recommended.

A ‘water-entry strategy’ is

needed for higher water levels: a difference in water level of over 0.6m between inside and outside can cause significant structural damage to standard masonry buildings.

In practice, a pragmatic combination of both is taken because it is often either prohibitively expensive or impractical to provide a completely flood-resistant building – especially in cases where flood protection is being retrofitted to existing buildings.

Designing in flood resistance In a new-build situation, the best way to stop water penetrating is to ensure that all concrete used is waterproof and to seal all construction joints with specifically designed proprietary tapes. Services coming in through walls and floors should be designed to be watertight.

As a second line of defence, and if budget and circumstances allow, a cavity drainage membrane can help with the management of floodwater.

Retrofit measure A cavity drainage membrane, such as Oldroyd, directs the water down the walls into a perimeter drain with the water running to a sump where it can be evacuated using a pump. This type of approach is also popular as a retrofit measure to existing buildings, used in combination with measures to upgrade the resistance of the existing masonry such as tanking and repointing.

Designing in flood resilience When designing for flood resilience, the goal is to make it as easy as possible to clean the interior of a house after a flood.

Floors and walls should be finished with an easily cleanable surface such as tiles. If the floor surface isn’t water compatible, it should be easy to take up and replace.

Water compatible doors and woodwork should be considered. Electrical circuits and sockets should be situated above the expected water level, and in a kitchen, appliances can be raised up off the floor.

Apart from floorcoverings and joinery, it is interior decoration that can take the biggest hammering – especially where walls are finished with gypsum or lime-based plasters.

FLOOD MANAGEMENT

FLOOD RESILIENCE SYSTEM

FLOOD RESILIENCE SYSTEM

FLOOD RESILIENCE SYSTEM

A report from the University of Portsmouth – ‘The Effect of Moisture on Plaster Performance’ – supports the use of damp-resistant plasters instead. This cost-effective system utilises breathable, moisture-resistant plasters to allow the fabric of a flooded building to dry out whilst providing a durable finish that will be resilient to future flooding. Moisture-resistant screeds have also been developed using similar technology.

After a flood, you can – for all practical purposes – simply hose down and sterilise the wall. The make-up of these plasters means they have large pores and a high pore volume. This allows salts to form within the plaster rather

than on the surface; and the high pore volume results in high water vapour diffusion (breathability) and higher thermal resistance, reducing the risk of condensation.

Vital details When considering the right combination of measures and products, it may be necessary to get specialist advice from a consultant or from the technical team of a supplier such as Safeguard. As with any system designed to protect from or manage water, it is vital to get the detail right at the design and installation stages. 

www.safeguardeurope.com

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THE FIRE SAFETY EVENT PREVIEW

SUPPORTING THE UK’S FIRE SAFETY INDUSTRY Now in its fourth year, The Fire Safety Event features a powerful combination of education, networking and business support designed to help organisations maintain the very highest standards of fire safety management. The event will feature live demonstrations, talks from key industry figures and an exhibition featuring leading fire safety brands.

Event will T heboastFireanSafety unparalleled line-up of free CPD-accredited content across three theatres.

The Fire Safety Keynote Theatre (Sponsored by Advanced) key themes will include Building Regulations review, protecting tall buildings, updates to the Fire Safety Order, a fire safety mock trial and much more. The perfect opportunity to give attendees the chance to hear challenges and changing regulatory landscape to promote best practices in fire safety in buildings and premises.

The Tall Buildings Theatre (Sponsored by Evaclite) and curated by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection will be packed with useful tools and techniques for passive fire protection, ideal for professionals managing fire safety in tall and high-rise buildings.

New for 2020, the Installer Theatre, which will offer key safety advice and legal requirements for installing fire and security systems across a range of buildings and environments. The new installer theatre will include key

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contributions from the National Security Inspectorate – a leading certification body for the security and fire industries.

In addition, there will be a number of live demonstrations and nothing more impressive than The DSEAR with a Bang Demo Area, which will feature live experiments based on the requirements of the Dangerous Substance and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. You will see how ignition sources react with compressed gases, highly flammable liquids, explosion limits and much more.

These presentations are part of a safety initiative run by asecos, promoting the best solutions for storing hazardous materials at your place of work.

Located at NEC Birmingham from 28 to 30th April and colocated with The Security Event, The Facilities Event and Health and Safety Event, this event series will offer a comprehensive knowledge-sharing platform for all professionals working in the safety and security supply chain. 

www.firesafetyevent.com

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Timber. Tools. Walls. Windows... and much much more.

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GLASS & GLAZING

Security glass installed but still creating stunning architectural buildings

GLASS HELPS FIGHT CRIME With crime against property a growing problem, products which help to prevent intrusion are in increasing demand.

Architects, however, favour light, airy buildings which use a lot of glass. Scott Sinden, Managing Director at glass processor ESG, explains how security glass is helping the industry to balance the need to accommodate the architect’s desire to use glass with the need to tighten security.

I

Security glass protecting staff at a counter

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t seems obvious that the vulnerable points of any building would be the glazed areas, which are often targeted by either thieves or vandals. However, thanks to the expertise of the glass processor, ESG now has new glass products, which offer a high degree of resistance against would-be intruders. The technology behind toughened laminated glass, which uses two or more panes of glass sandwiched together with one or more interlayers, has helped ESG to develop glass products which help to protect high-value articles, as well as premises, from attacks from intruders.

Security or attack-resistant glass is measured against two

main standards; BS EN 356 and LPS1270. BS EN 356 is a longestablished standard against which to rate glass for its resistance to manual attack. In this, the glass is tested in a highimpact drop of three metal balls of increasing weight.

LPS1270 was introduced a decade ago by The Loss Prevention Certification Board to rate glass used in items such as glazed or partially glazed security doors and windows, with a specific crime prevention agenda in mind, rather than accidental damage. The tests involved replicate more real-life scenarios and LPS1270 is endorsed by both the police and insurers.

GLASS & GLAZING Public buildings protected by security glass

Scott explains: “At ESG, we warmly welcomed the introduction of LPS1270, and we were the first in the UK to offer a compliant product in the form of ESG Secure. LPS1270 is important as it applies to the glass itself, rather than an entire door, which would be covered

by LPS 1175. By specifying LPS1270-compliant glass to be used in an LPS 1175-approved product, we can provide a highly robust defence against any would-be attack. If we can predict that an attempt might be made, we can now prevent it succeeding in advance, by specifying the right materials.”

In tests for compliance with LPS 1270, a security glass panel is tested against a range of weapons that might be used by the determined criminal. The first test scenario is the creation of a small hole large enough for a wire or screwdriver to be inserted, in order to lift a latch or press a release bar in order to gain access. In the second test, a hole large enough for a hand to be put through is made in the glass, either to open a door or steal a small object. In the third and most rigorous test, the panel is attacked until a hole large enough for an intruder to step bodily through the panel has been achieved.

At each of these three stages of increased severity, the test is timed, with the would-be intruder being given time to rest and to use an assortment

ESG secures against criminal acts

of tools with which to break through the glass. The tools used range from a screwdriver to high-powered diamond drills; anything just short of a firearm. The product is awarded a three-digit test rating from one to eight for each scenario.

The result might, for example, be 2-3-3, denoting a score of two for the small hole, three for the hand hole and three for the entire body hole. In reality, most intruders would give up, or be apprehended, long before they can achieve stage three.

For most commercial contexts, a high security level of 3 to 4 is ideal and practical, providing resistance against disc grinders, fire axes, hooligan bars, sledgehammers, circular and reciprocating saws and 18-volt drills, as well as anything leading up to these. The glass panel will doubtless be cracked and damaged, and will need replacing, but it won’t be breached.

Scott concludes: “Level 5-approved glass is also available, and this gives door manufacturers and specifiers the ability to more or less design crime out of the built environment. The attempt may still be made, but we can be confident that it will not succeed.

“With the glass processor able to provide an approved product which is resistant to manual attack, we can help to realise the architect’s concept while still guarding against crime.” 

www.esg.glass

Security glass protecting high-level IT

Scott Sinden, Managing Director at ESG Group

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TECHNICAL INSIGHT

THE GREATER SUCCESSES OF MAINS-FED FILTERED DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS Alex Wright, Technical and Training Manager at Zip Water, discusses the significant impact sustainable drinking water provisions can have throughout the public sector. part of the 25-Year A sEnvironment Plan, our Government has pledged to eliminate avoidable plastic by 2042 – including planet-damaging singleuse bottles. From manufacture through to disposal, it’s no secret that plastic bottled water is an unsustainable modern convenience.

Made from non-renewable fossil fuels, the production of a single litre bottle of water releases over 10 balloons full of CO2 into the atmosphere. Plus, with the production of almost 20,000 plastic bottles a second to keep up with worldwide demand, every new plastic bottle purchased contributes towards the already catastrophic plastic waste crisis.

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Our range of environmentallyfriendly mains-fed filtered drinking water systems are an ideal alternative for public sector facilities that want to reduce their single-use plastic bottle waste. The innovative and energy-efficient products can help you to reach your desired sustainability targets – they completely eradicate the need for single-use plastic water bottles by providing puretasting water straight from the mains water feed.

Here, I outline some of the key features from our product range that will benefit the public sector and contribute towards sustainability goals.

Advanced filtration technology A common reason people choose single-use plastic bottled water is because they dislike the taste of tap water.

Thanks to our advanced MicroPurity filtration technology, our HydroTap drinking water systems deliver the purest tasting water on the market. Unlike traditional carbon blocks, our premium filters combine carbon and sediment blocks into one cartridge. They not only remove a number of contaminants from tap water but also up to 97% of chlorine and 99.9% of biological cysts, if present.

There’s also the option of our HydroChill range, offering a mains-fed, reusable bottle filling solution thanks to the provision of filtered chilled, sparkling or ambient water in seconds. With models that can provide up to 200 750ml bottles of puretasting water per hour, the range is a perfect match for workforces of all sizes. Selected models in the range also boast an optional ‘UV out’ sterilisation feature which helps the dispensing area remain free from contamination.

Apache North Sea chose to install a Zip HydroChill at its head office in Aberdeen to support the company’s efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste. Within two months, the sale of bottled water and their subsequent use of single-use plastic waste decreased by 48%.

Energy-efficient innovations With the public sector currently spending more than £2.5bn on energy consumption every year in England alone, the latest sustainable and energyefficient innovations could

TECHNICAL INSIGHT lead to potential savings of around £860m each year. In addition, it could lower the 2% of carbon emissions produced from inefficient practices in the sector alone.

New technologies To ensure targets are met, our extensive range of drinking water solutions operate using cutting-edge, energy-saving technology to reduce power consumption while improving energy efficiency. Our HydroTap and HydroBoil Plus ranges utilise Power-Pulse technology to reduce power consumption by allowing the system to regulate power during periods of heating, causing it to save energy while maintaining the tightest possible temperature control.

On top of this, our HydroTaps are factory set to dispense water at a 98°C for enhanced safety and energy efficiency.

What’s more, you can activate timed control to set power-off times or rely on the clever lux sensor to automatically put the system to sleep when the lights go out at night.

Water conservation As well as tackling plastic pollution, the Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan also aims to restore national water resources to as close to a natural state as possible. This means that to reach sustainability targets, the public sector must also establish strategies for using water more efficiently in facilities.

The kettle is a commonplace water-guzzler – the Energy Saving Trust found that 85% of people boil the kettle at least once a day.

By switching to an instant boiling water tap, such as the Zip HydroTap, you can ensure only the amount of water required is dispensed, not wasting a drop. What’s more, the HydroTap also features an innovative air-cooled refrigeration system to reduce water wastage.

Leading the way in sustainable, energy-saving, water-conserving and user-safe technology, our drinking water systems are some of the highest quality on the market. If 2020 is the year you aim to make your facility singleuse plastic bottle free, contact Zip to discuss a competitive and specify.zipwater.co.uk/public-sector bespoke package.  01362 852247

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STREET FURNITURE

Two moveart family benches and an Arosa Well bespoke play sculpture installed in Switzerland

THE TRUE COST OF VALUEENGINEERING HARDSCAPING WITHIN THE PUBLIC REALM The UK has experienced an increasing trend in contractor’s value-engineering quality hardscaping out of public realm projects. Often working to tight client budgets, combined with an aim of making the projects personally profitable, cheaper and poorer quality products are offered as a viable solution. These short-sighted decisions have a much wider long-term impact on the public, councils and the planet. With councils across the country declaring a climate emergency, it’s no better time for all involved to step back and open up a conversation about how priorities should be redefined, when long-term wider-reaching benefits of quality investments are needed in public space.

Landscape Institute has T herecently published ‘12 key asks of the new government’, a report with a section dedicated to ‘Design for people’. The report supports now clear evidence that landscape plays a key role in public health, with the potential to help prevent ill health and reduce healthcare spend. It addresses the importance of championing high-quality design, linking it to improved public health and appeals for a higher set of standards in the landscape industry. “Engraining place-making is key: well-designed places that respond to local character… promote connectivity…and are designed with sustainability in mind.”

Quality hardscaping elements within a public realm landscape play a vital role in achieving the above. Using the public bench as an example, it encourages all to be more active by providing

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everyone with the opportunity to rest, to spend longer in the fresh air, it can reduce isolation and improve mental health.

These benefits are already widely accepted with benches being integrated into public spaces already, but why does the quality of the bench matter?

When addressing sustainability, investing in a higher quality bench dramatically extends the product life cycle.

Using superior sustainable materials combined with expert manufacturing techniques produces benches which are more resilient to outdoor weathering and everyday use.

Cheaper alternatives will rot earlier, rust sooner, as well as be less resilient to vandalism.

A quality bench’s durability requires far less long-term maintenance, dramatically reducing long-term costs for the council. It can last decades

longer, reducing the need to continually buy replacements, making them a sustainable long-term investment for the community and planet.

Achieving ambitions of highquality authentic place-making requires a collective change in attitude towards other values such as beauty and innovation.

Every community, whether it’s a city neighbourhood or rural village, has its own identity and the hardscaping elements within their shared spaces provide an opportunity for community expression. Bland, generic cheap designs are currently being installed across the country, and on very basic terms, they serve their purpose. But there is a real missed opportunity to add extra value to a place, reaffirming a sense of identity and pride for locals as well as making it more attractive for visitors. Choosing a distinctively designed bench

An Urbidermis Santa & Cole Vía Láctea Lighting Pergola

which captivates the user, changing its colour to harmonise with the rest of the landscape, adding alterations to which help convey a unique story of the place; all these small details enrich a space and its community and deserve to be a defended.

These basic principles can be applied to all public furnishings.

Whether it’s lighting, cycle racks, bollards, planters or litter bins; they all have the potential to transform and elevate our public spaces.

The climate emergency has provided a unique opportunity for everyone to redefine what matters. We cannot afford to pay the cost of not adopting a sustainable approach. Shared understanding, radical change and holistic methods are needed to improve quality within the public realm. Improving communication with landscape architects and defending quality product specifications will force contractors to install the quality products that provide long-term benefits for everyone. 

www.allurban.co.uk

The Norwegian Experience...

AWARD WINNER ‘BEST STOVE’ The award-winning Ecodesign Nordpeis ME represents over 30 years of quality Norwegian design and technical expertise, guaranteeing the finest standards in heating technology.

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Find Your Retailer

You can find your nearest retailer by visiting: www.nordpeis.co.uk/retailers

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22/01/2020 14:32

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FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

ALTRO’S ADHESIVEFREE FLOORS COLLECTION HAS GROWN Altro has added innovative new ranges to its awardwinning, adhesive-free, sustainable floors to offer adhesive-free options for a host of applications in the building.

Benefits include enhanced comfort underfoot and greater sound impact reduction, as well as greater creative freedom as more colour and wood design options give complete flexibility for differing application areas.

Altro’s adhesive-free floors also feature the most advanced Altro Easyclean technology, while retaining the benefits of reduced installation time and 100% recyclability.

New Altro Wood adhesivefree floor is a safety wood-look

product with easy cleanability; perfect for decorative, homely or biophilic areas. The range has been created with design freedom in mind. Altro Wood adhesivefree shares some designs with Altro Wood Comfort and Altro Wood, allowing you to coordinate floors with different performance criteria across different areas of the building.

The popular Altro Cantata tonal and modernist adhesive-free floor also now has a refreshed

ANCON OFFERING ENHANCED NONCOMBUSTIBLE BALCONY CONNECTOR RANGE

wellbeing of users for the lifetime of the product.

With 12 wood-look designs, a 10-year guarantee and Altro’s one in a million slip-resistance reassurance, Altro Wood adhesivefree offers high levels of comfort underfoot providing a safe, durable and decorative solution for busy spaces.

www.altro.co.uk enquiries@altro.com 01462 489516

TITAN MOVES TO BOSTIK ROLL: A SAFER, MORE ENVIRONMENTALLYFRIENDLY ADHESIVE

Ancon is leading the way in developing solutions to meet the Government’s tough new fire safety requirements for buildings, with the launch of an upgraded range of noncombustible insulated balcony connectors. The development follows news that the existing 18m height limit for combustible materials in high-rise multi-occupancy buildings, is to be further reduced to 11m, extending the scope of the regulations to buildings over four storeys. Ancon’s insulated balcony connectors have been re-engineered and now feature non-combustible mineral wool insulation and improved fire-rated thermal pads, to maintain its impressive thermal insulation properties and provide the required A1/A2 reaction to fire rating. As well as complying with the combustibility requirements in the current Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018 for wall components in high-rise residential buildings over 18m in height, the Ancon connectors provide contractors with a fire-safe solution for all multioccupancy buildings, regardless of height.

www.ancon.co.uk tech@ancon.co.uk 01142 755224

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palette of colours and designs and improved cleanability.

The new Altro Wood adhesivefree and Altro Cantata ranges are the first floors to use Altro’s innovative underside emboss structure, which provides 14 dB impact sound reduction and comfort underfoot. Coupled with exciting, aesthetic options, these ranges are ideal for more public-facing areas, where they will continue to make a great first impression and support the

Following a series of on-site trials, Titan Interior Solutions has opted to use Bostik’s solvent-free adhesive tape, Bostik Roll, for the installation of capping strips, cove formers and skirting on all future projects with long-term client, Wates Group, in recognition of the product’s health, safety and environmental benefits. An effective alternative to water- and solvent-based adhesives, Bostik Roll is supplied as ready-to-use, dry adhesive rolls in widths of 25, 50 or 85mm. Its low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions have seen it earn A+ and EC1 Plus ratings from LEED, as well as BS EN 13999:2007 from BREEAM, resulting in improved health and safety for flooring installers and a reduced impact on the environment. The decision to use Bostik Roll follows the successful completion of a series of trials that saw Titan – part of the Horbury Group of integrated construction companies – work closely with Wates Group.

www.bostik.com 01785 272625

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions’ UK manufacturing facility has successfully migrated – in super-quick time – to ISO 45001 for its Occupational Health and Safety Management System. The migration, which took the mineral tiles business nine months, when it can take a couple of years, took place when some corners of the safety industry are changing as well as during a period of unprecedented change for the business. Now approved internationally to BS EN ISO 45001:2018 (certificate number 517640) for the manufacture, storage and distribution of ceiling tiles and panels for use in suspended ceiling systems, certification is a feather in the cap for the production facility at Team Valley in Gateshead. While some processes under the former OHSAS 18001 certification remain the same, such as risk assessments, the new standard has focused on a greatly enhanced participative, collaborative and inclusive approach to health and safety management.

ECODEK TO UNVEIL NEW NONCOMBUSTIBLE DECKING – ADEK – AT FUTUREBUILD 2020

Ecodek is to unveil its new non-combustible aluminium decking system, Adek, at this year’s Futurebuild, which is being held at ExCeL, London, from 3rd to 5th March. This engineered lightweight decking has been specifically designed in response to changing building standards to be Class A2-s1, d0 fire rated, which is now a legal requirement for any material used in the construction or refurbishment of highrise buildings of 18m or above. This A2 certification means Adek lends itself to several applications, from balconies and terraces to walkways, in both commercial and domestic developments. Made from 100% recycled aluminium, Adek is available in two profiles – 20 and 30mm – which can span 600mm and 1.2m respectively, and with a point load of 4kN both options are strong, durable and long lasting. The system is also extremely easy to install, with concealed face fixings and no need for clips. It’s an ideal solution for both refurbishment projects and new builds.

www.armstrongceilingsolutions.co.uk 0800 371849

THE SAFEST AND MOST HYGIENIC GRAB RAIL RANGE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

ARMSTRONG CEILING SOLUTIONS WINS ISO 45001

www.ecodek.co.uk enquiries@ecodek.co.uk 01978 667840

INTERFACE HOSTS CLIMATECONSCIOUS EVENING EVENT FOR ARCHITECTS

Intastop, a leading manufacturer and provider of innovative solutions to the public sector, healthcare and associated industries, has added a collection of quality non-slip grab rails and bathroom accessories to its expanding portfolio of products for the protection of doors, people and places. The Tubocolor grab rail range features ‘Biocote’ antimicrobial protection which eliminates 99.9% of microbes within two hours and will last the lifetime of the product. Tubocolor grab rails are different to any others on the market, offering a warm-tothe-touch and smooth finish. The Tubocolor range is available in a variety of colours suitable for dementia care and offers adaptability for interior colour schemes and brand continuity. Furthermore, they are coated in vinyl and have hygroscopic qualities for improved grip. All of the products meet with the guidelines in Approved Document M of the Building Regulation and British Standards, and are tested up to 250kg and meet stringent loading guidelines up to 150kg.

www.intastop.com sales@intastop.com 01302 364 666

In response to UK Parliament, Architects’ Declare and RIBA announcing a climate emergency, Interface has brought architectural professionals together with an environmentally-conscious evening event to discuss the industry’s response – and the need to turn pledges into action. The ‘Climate Dine With Me’ evening was held at the prestigious Garden Museum in Lambeth. The speakers included presentations from British Antarctic Survey Climate Scientist, Ella Gilbert; Hattie Hartman, Sustainability Editor at The Architect’s Journal; Maria Smith, from architectural and engineering firm, Webb Yates and Jon Khoo, Regional Sustainability Manager at Interface. Interface’s Jon Khoo said: “At Interface, we are always looking for new, innovative approaches where we can boost collaboration in our network and provide some climate optimism. This event was created to bring leading minds together, so we can all benefit from greater knowledge sharing and learn from experts who are truly helping make a positive difference in the fight for a more sustainable future.”

www.interface.com 0207 490 3960 interface.uk@interface.com

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HVAC & ELECTRICALS

ADVANCED ENSURES PASSENGER SAFETY AT LONDON BRIDGE STATION

VORTICE UK SALES TEAM STARTS THE YEAR IN ITALY

48 million UK commuters and 80 new businesses who travel and operate within London Bridge Station each year are now protected by MxPro 5 fire panels from fire systems leader Advanced. The fourth busiest station in the UK has undergone a high-profile £1bn redevelopment that has seen passenger capacity almost double – another landmark protected by Advanced fire panels. MxPro 5 is the company’s highest performance analogue addressable panel, approved to EN 54 parts 2, 4 and 13, offering four detector protocols and a completely open installer network that enjoys free training and support. MxPro panels can be used in single-loop, singlepanel format or easily configured into multi-loop, high-speed, 200-panel networks covering huge areas and thousands of field devices. A member of the Rail Industry Fire Association (RIFA), Advanced has panels installed in a number of other rail buildings, including Tottenham Court Road Crossrail station, almost 100 London Underground stations and more.

January began with the VORTICE UK sales team’s visit to the company’s Italian headquarters where they previewed some of the brand’s exciting new product development plans, with the environment being a key consideration. 2020 begins with the roll-out of the Vort Avel HR450D Passive Houseaccredited ventilation system which was launched at the end of 2019. General Manager, Kevin Hippey, said: “The core business ethos in Italy is replicated in the UK, the desire to provide excellent indoor air quality to the domestic, commercial and industrial markets and our drive to ensure that all our products are as energy-efficient as possible. All of these measures help contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and assist the Government in achieving zero carbon by 2050.” The technical team at VORTICE will always be happy to work with architects, specifiers, developers and contractors in order to ensure that optimum energy efficiency and good indoor air quality is planned in at an early at the design stage of a project.

www.vortice.ltd.uk sales@vortice.ltd.uk 01283 492949

www.advancedco.com jmountain@advancedco.com 0345 894 7000

RENEWABLE HEATING HELPS CREATE WARM AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY

SIMPLY SAVING ENERGY WITH MICROWAVE SWITCHES DANLERS has launched a new range of costeffective mid-range microwave presence detection switches for the automatic control of lighting and ventilation. The products detect movement within the detection area and control the load accordingly. Each product is suitable for switching most lighting loads, including LED and have a detection range of up to 12m. MWCEFL is suitable for flush mounting into false or plasterboard ceilings.

MWCEFL has a snap-fit cover allowing for easy adjustment of time lag and lux level functions. Its slim profile is visually unobtrusive, making it suitable for corridors, offices and washrooms etc.

www.danlers.co.uk sales@danlers.co.uk 01249 443377

A new village hall in Trimingham, North Norfolk, has created a warm and welcoming hub for the community, thanks to a ground source heat pump installed by renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm. It specified and installed a Lämpöässä Vmi 17 three-phase ground source heat pump with integral 480-litre thermal store in a purpose-built plant room. Built on a paddock, the 1200m ground loop array was laid in the area surrounding the village hall with the system now heating the entire building via underfloor heating. Although there were some obstacles to overcome, including a protected area for the wildflower Purple Broomrape, Finn Geotherm completed all the necessary groundworks.

www.finn-geotherm.co.uk

01953 453240

VENT-AXIA’S COOKER HOOD WITH MVHR PROVIDES FRESH AIR FOR RESIDENTS Vent-Axia has supplied ventilation to the impressive Clippers Quay in Salford.

Vent-Axia ventilation systems were specified to provide good indoor air quality (IAQ) for all 614 apartments.

The largest build-to-rent development outside London, the scheme comprises 614 apartments and is set to be home to more than 1200 residents and seven new retail businesses. At the project, 550 Lo-Carbon Sentinel Kinetic Cooker Hoods and 64 Lo-Carbon Sentinel Advance mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) units were specified to provide ventilation. The Lo-Carbon Sentinel Kinetic Cooker Hood from Vent-Axia combines a cooker hood with MVHR unit in one.

www.vent-axia.com

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info@finn-geotherm.co.uk

info@vent-axia.com

0844 856 0590

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KBB

HELP CREATE A SUSTAINABLE CULTURE IN FIVE STEPS All businesses, no matter public or private, can be doing more to help the environment. Even small steps can make a big difference, but beyond using energy-saving lightbulbs and turning computers off overnight, what else can be implemented to engage the entire workforce?

1. Develop a sustainability committee It shouldn’t be down to just one person to lead on sustainable matters. With a group of representatives from different departments, people can voice their suggestions and take effective action together. In schools and universities, it is the ideal way to involve students, especially as their passion and commitment has been so public in recent months.

2. Identify areas of wastage Reducing energy consumption may seem like an obvious one, but with the public sector spending £2.5bn annually in England on energy consumption alone1, it’s an area that can’t be ignored. More and more public sector venues are installing their own on-site renewable generation facility, but if that’s not possible, identify the biggest culprits and look for ways to reduce reliance.

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3. Incentivise A growing number of firms have reportedly pledged to give staff extra days off if they forego air travel in favour of train travel for their holidays. Such a scheme might not be as workable in the public sector, but there are certainly ways in which employees can enjoy extra benefits for doing their bit to decarbonise their workplace.

4. Consider your supply chain How much do you really know about your suppliers? Start by mapping out your supply chain and dig deeper to find out whether their practices are in line with your own objectives.

Creating a sustainable supply chain not only benefits the planet and future generations, but can actually make significant savings for your facility. The British Assessment Bureau cites an example where a Scottish haulage fleet invested £100,000

into reducing its environmental impact, which resulted in savings of over £650,000 in return.

5. Adopt a ‘circular economy’ Instead of the ‘take-make-dispose’ model that we generally follow, the circular economy ideology is based on three main principles: cutting out waste, reusing products and materials and regenerating natural systems. Reducing plastic bottle waste is a good example of this.

Single-use plastic beverage bottles and their caps and lids are the most commonly found item polluting Europe’s beaches2. Rather than offering single-use plastic bottled water on-site in facilities, encourage people to refill reusable water bottles at mains-fed drinking water stations. Adopting this ‘refill culture’ has been proved to dramatically reduce plastic bottle waste.

With the Government pledging to be carbon net-zero by 2050, these long-term tactics will help facilities in the public sector work towards their sustainability goals. However,

if you want to make a more immediate impact and see tangible results this year, especially where single-use plastic bottle waste is concerned, then reviewing your drinking water provision should be your first step.

At Zip Water, we have a range of energy-efficient, mains-fed filtered drinking water systems that will meet your needs, no matter what the area or demand. Having clean-tasting water on-tap not only encourages users to drink more but discourages them from buying unsustainable single-use plastic water bottles and instead refilling their own reusable water bottles.

With options including the striking HydroTap, providing filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water from one single tap, or HydroChill, a bottle-filling system to meet any demand, we can undoubtedly help your public building reduce its single-use plastic bottle use.

Sources: 1Edie.net 2019 2Zero Waste Europe

specify.zipwater.co.uk/public-sector

01362 852247

KBB

ADAPTING TO LEVEL THE OBSTACLES TO INDEPENDENCE

NORFOLK GETS, AND GIVES, BEST VALUE As part of its Deep History Coast project, North Norfolk District Council planned to refurbish and upgrade its Information Centre in Cromer, and enhance its inclusion offering. Thus, it took the opportunity to build on the central refurbishment, and simultaneously include a Changing Places assisted accessible toilet in the information centre building. Supplied and installed by Closomat, it gives people who need help with their intimate hygiene more space, plus appropriate equipment including a peninsular WC, full room cover ceiling track hoist, height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench and privacy screen. The Changing Places ensures the centre now offers a full complement of toilet facilities.

www.closomat.co.uk info@closomat.co.uk 0161 969 1199

Adaptability in all aspects means that Closomat’s Palma Vita can deliver hygienic dignity and independence even in confined and complex situations. The Palma Vita has been purpose-designed to offer optimum flexibility in installation: thus it can easily accommodate being stood off from the wall and pipework (preformed infill panels provide a discreet solution in graduated thicknesses up to 75mm), raised height from the floor (preformed plinths allow height to be increased by up to 100mm), being fixed to floor or wall, and side entry supply pipework. Uniquely, Closomat’s Palma Vita is also purpose-designed to enable tailoring to individual requirement, be it initially when first installed, or retrospectively.

www.closomat.co.uk

0161 969 1199

info@clos-o-mat.com

AKW LAUNCHES NEW SHOWER WALL PANELLING RANGE AKW has launched its new Origins Wall Panel range, offering installers and end-users alike even more design, colour and finish choices.

The new range comes in both tongue and groove and square edge formats and is available in 16 different colourways. Having the option of 900mm and 600mm width tongue and groove panels or the 1200mm width square edge version means that no matter what the quality of the existing surface, there is a wall panel solution to suit. In addition, the 16 contemporary decors in the range have been inspired by the latest interior design trends, enabling a touch of style to instantly be added to any space.

www.akw-ltd.co.uk

01905 823298

sales@akw-ltd.co.uk

Do you suffer from False Fire Alarms?

More than 3,100 false fire alarms were maliciously activated across England in 2018/19 – disrupting businesses, placing unnecessary strain on our emergency services and reducing the confidence the general public have in fire alarms.

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DOORS & WINDOWS

SELECTAGLAZE FITS OVER 300 UNITS TO THREE LISTED BUILDINGS Developer Thomas Homes has spearheaded the restoration of the buildings on the University of Reading’s London Road Campus.

The most noteworthy among them is the Grade II* Listed St David’s Hall, built in the 1830s, which was a former hall of residence and was on Historic England’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ register. Also included is St Laurence’s Hall and St Mary’s Hall, both Grade II Listed and a further single-storey building which is not listed in its own right, but included in the curtilage of St Mary’s Hall.

The project demanded that, where possible, all the original single-glazed timber sashes had to be retained. The planning obligations required secondary glazing to the large majority of windows in these apartments. With the windows having timber shuttered surrounds, the secondary glazing was required to sit in these reveals.

With the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading University and the Oracle Shopping Centre all

ABLOY SCOOPS HEALTHCARE INNOVATION PRIZE The Medilink West Midlands Medical & Healthcare Business Awards have recognised Abloy UK for innovation within the healthcare sector, thanks to its CLIQ locking technology. The annual awards bring together clinicians, researchers and academics to celebrate the impact organisations have made to the medical and healthcare sector in the West Midlands. Abloy UK took the top prize in the Delivering Innovation into Health and Care category, sponsored by West Midlands Academic Health Science Network, which recognises innovations adopted by the NHS which demonstrate an impact on efficiency, patient outcomes and system costs. The security experts have worked alongside a number of West Midlands hospitals to implement its CLIQ locking technology, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham City Hospital and Sandwell General Hospital. CLIQ utilises mechanical, high-security disc cylinders combined with highly encrypted electronic locking and identification.

It provides a system of remote key management, providing access audit trails and the ability to remove lost or stolen keys.

just a stone’s throw away, London Road’s busy thoroughfare would be a distraction.

Selectaglaze fitted over 300 units to all three of the listed buildings, across all floors, over two years. Due to the successful reduction of drafts and outside noise, Selectaglaze was asked to return to one of the apartments to fit more secondary glazing.

Selectaglaze, founded in 1966 and granted a Royal Warrant in 2004, has a wealth of experience designing, manufacturing and installing discreet secondary glazing treatments. It boasts a range of extensive products to suit all projects from listed properties, to new builds.

www.selectaglaze.co.uk enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk 01727 837271

HEALTH AND SAFETY ENDORSEMENT FOR THE WINDOW COMPANY (CONTRACTS) The Window Company (Contracts) continues to set the pace in the commercial installation market with news that it’s just been accredited to the very latest occupational health and safety standard ISO 45001: 2018. Developed to replace OHSAS18001, ISO 45001: 2018 is designed to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions. Katie Thornton, Director of Compliance and Administration at The Window Company (Contracts), explained: “The main benefit of ISO 45001 is that it moves away from focusing on the negative impact of health and safety breaches and reinforces the positive benefits of good health and safety management systems. It deals with the risks associated with errors in health and safety but also emphasises the opportunities associated with getting things right.” Alongside its ISO 45001 accreditation, The Window Company (Contracts) has also just renewed its ISO9001 quality management and ISO14001 environmental management accreditations, strengthening its position as a credible and reliable partner for clients.

www.thewinco.co.uk 01245 268120 www.abloy.co.uk

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info@abloy.co.uk

01902 364500

DOORS & WINDOWS

SAFER SOLUTIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH UNITS Leading anti-ligature specialist Yewdale has extended its magnet bracket options for its anti-ligature product range YewdaleKestrel.

The brackets separate under a lighter load and are designed for areas where children, adolescents and people with eating disorders, where their body weight may not be great enough to easily break a standard ligature point of 20kg per magnet.

The YewdaleKestrel range now incorporates two reduced load magnets; 13kg approximate break point per magnet and a 17kg approximate break point per magnet. The magnets can be used with Yewdales’ anti-ligature product range which incorporates curtain tracks and room accessories from coat hooks to shower heads.

Yewdale recommends that all healthcare environments carry out a risk assessment prior to installation to ensure the magnets meet the specific needs of the environment.

SafeDoor is another innovative solution from Yewdale. The

en-suite door is constructed from a lightweight 4kg soft foam which is antimicrobial, stain-resistant and durable. It is easy to install as it magnetically fixed and requires no anchor points. The door provides privacy and dignity, yet is 100% failsafe. The door can also be printed to suit the decor of the environment.

Yewdale offers the only fail-safe range of exclusive anti-ligature products designed to maximise the safety of persons by removing the death potential where secure care is required.

As an anti-ligature specialist, you can be assured that all products have been developed with the needs of healthcare providers in mind and based on real-life challenges.

www.yewdale.co.uk enquiries@yewdale.co.uk 01268 570900

P C HENDERSON’S TANGENT ROUND THE CORNER SPECIFIED FOR UK’S LONGEST HERITAGE RAILWAY P C Henderson has recently been specified for a new-build project at the UK’s longest heritage railway, Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway.

Boston Lodge Works is the railway’s main workshop and base for the daily train service. With over 55 carriages in service, the station required a storage facility which could house up to 30 carriages whilst also providing shelter for train cleaning and preparation. The project brief included the need for a robust entrance solution, which could provide easy accessibility to the shed. P C Henderson’s Tangent Round the Corner sliding door hardware was specified for both entrances of the storage facility and then combined with vertical multi-hinge round the corner doors to allow for easy access. Catering for metal and wooden doors weighing up to 70kg, Tangent Round the Corner is particularly suited to applications whereby a bunch of parked units is not practical.

EXPERTS ADDRESS ‘UNSEEN’ THREAT TO WELLBEING IN MODERN BUILDINGS A masterclass focused on the effects of noise on health has taken place at London’s Business Design Centre. Hosted by Quiet Mark, the event featured a series of TED-style talks given by experts including Arup, and Saint-Gobain Ecophon, Interior Design Expert and TV Presenter Oliver Heath, and Enfield Speciality Doors.

The masterclass was to launch Quiet Mark’s Acoustics Academy – an online portal (at https://www.quietmark.com/building/ building-sector) – to equip architects, builders and designers with a comprehensive guide to acoustics and the solutions available.

The talks highlighted the increasing evidence of how noise affects mental and physical health. The speakers discussed how a better understanding of the effects of noise is pushing acoustics up the agenda. Enfield Speciality Doors manufactures bespoke acoustic, security, X-ray and fire doors for a wide range of commercial and residential properties. Nigel Sill, one of the keynote speakers, highlighted the challenges of different applications for acoustic doors and some of Enfield’s projects, including Abbey Road Studios and the Alan Turing research centre at the University of Manchester.

www.enfielddoors.co.uk sales@enfielddoors.co.uk 0208 805 6662

www.pchenderson.com sales@pchenderson.com 0191 377 0701

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RCI

METAL ROOF REPAIRS ARE PLAIN SAILING AT ADMIRAL LORD NELSON SCHOOL THANKS TO SIKA PRO-TECTA Named the TES ‘Creative School of the Year’ in 2019, Admiral Lord Nelson School in Portsmouth is a high school for around 1000 pupils aged 11 to 16. The school operates from a striking white building that reflects its maritime location with a cruise ship-style design. building was T heconstructed in the 1990s and features a standing seam metal roof. Due to integrity issues across a number of roof areas, dating back to the original build programme, the school was experiencing problems with water ingress. This was causing secondary damage to the internal fabric of the building.

A roof refurbishment was required to provide a complete waterproofing solution for the whole roof and this has been carried out as a phased project alongside a programme of internal refurbishment.

Specifying the right system Working with building surveying practice, Kendall Kingscott, the school intended to secure funding for the roof refurbishment through the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). In order to submit a successful bid, a system with a guaranteed service life of 15 years was required, making the Sika Pro-Tecta waterproofing (WP) system, with its range of guarantees, an ideal solution.

Sika Pro-Tecta also provided a system designed specifically for robust protection of metal roofs and capable of addressing the water ingress issues by encapsulating all the roof details and the metal sheets.

The project commenced during the school’s six-week summer break but, due to the size of the roof, the majority of the work had to be delivered during term

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time, while enabling the school to continue to operate as usual.

Consequently, the speed of installation offered by the Sika Pro-Tecta WP system was also a major benefit.

Expert installation Sika Liquid Plastics’ Quality Assured (QA) contractor, Davis Roofing, Kendall Kingscott and Sika Liquid Plastics’ area technical manager carried out a full inspection of the existing roof to assess the project’s requirements. Sika Liquid Plastics worked with the building surveyor and the school to develop the bid.

The Davis Roofing team began by removing all the existing aluminium detailing and cleaning and preparing the roof, applying the high-performance Sika Poxicolor HE New metal primer to the roof surface.

All detailing was then reinforced using Sika Joint Tape SA for all ridge, hip, apron, eaves and gutter details. The tape was also used to reinforce a total of 5300m of seams on the standing seam roof. A light flash coating of Sikalastic 625 cold-applied liquid membrane was then applied to all reinforced detailing and seams.

The Sika Pro-Tecta WP system was completed with a full encapsulation of the roof with Sikalastic 625.

The specification for the roof refurbishment also included replacement of three electrically operated lantern lights and five polycarbonate roof lights, with supply co-ordinated by Sika as

part of a turnkey product and service package.

Joe Robbens, Commercial Manager at Davis Roofing, comments: “The roof at Lord Admiral Nelson School is very large and has a lot of detailing that needed to be reinforced before we could begin waterproofing with the Sikalastic 625. The Sika

Pro-Tecta system’s Sika Joint Tape SA made this process much faster than it would have been using traditional reinforcement techniques, which provided labour cost savings for us and faster project delivery for the client.”

www.gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com 01772 259781

AQUARIAN CLADDING SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS TO DISTRIBUTE MECHSLIP

he innovative brick cladding system will uniquely allow architects and developers the creative freedom to design robust and versatile brick facades using any natural clay brick cut into slips.

The slips can be mechanically fixed to any substrate, at any height, via an engineered metal support system.

MechSlip will be added to Aquarian Cladding’s product portfolio, alongside the B-rated Gebrik insulating brick cladding system and A1-rated Terreal terracotta rainscreen system, as a non-combustible A1-rated cladding solution, suitable for use on buildings over 18m.

For Aquarian Cladding, it means an exciting start to 2020 after another successful year in 2019.

MechSlip will be introduced to Aquarian’s unique Approved Installer Network, and the company will work with its

Specialist external cladding supplier Aquarian Cladding Systems has announced an agreement with Ash and Lacy and Ibstock Kevington to distribute MechSlip.

AN EDUCATION IN MULTITASKING AND INNOVATION The iconic 8500m2 former Herman Miller factory, on the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal in Bath, has been transformed into a new School of Art and Design for Bath Spa University, with the help of some innovative thinking

by Structura UK.

60-strong approved installation companies to add the unique brick cladding system string to its bow.

The development of MechSlip has been carried out as a joint venture between UK-based industry innovators Ash and Lacy, who have designed the mechanical metal support system, and Ibstock Kevington, the UK’s largest brickwork special shape and masonry fabrication company, who cut the brick slips that go onto it.

MechSlip has been fire tested and meets Euroclass A1 in accordance with EN13501-1:2007 +A1:2009.

It has also been tested for weathertightness in accordance with ‘Standard for systemised building envelopes CWCT, 2006’ and is currently registered for BBA certification, which is expected in 2020.

RCI

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0808 223 9080 info@aquariancladding.co.uk www.aquariancladding.co.uk

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riginally designed by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw in 1976 and Grade II Listed in 2013, the architects returned 40 years later to convert the factory into a modern, bright, functional and flexible space.

As part of the conversion, Structura UK worked closely with main contractor Willmott Dixon on the complete building envelope from the entrances

and glazing through to repairs, refinishing and creating a complete new glass top floor.

This is the country’s oldest GRP building. In order to renew the classic GRP panels, Structura installed two spraying booths on site to remove the panels then sand, recoat, respray and replace.

The ability to set up dynamic on-site spraying booths complete with extraction venting saved time and money as well as minimising the risk of transporting and damage to these aged panels.

The glazing throughout the building was also replaced by Structura. Given the building’s listed status, this included sourcing bespoke gaskets from Germany which needed to match the original.

The result is a stunning series of spaces which are visually connected but also allow for privacy. The clean, sharp steel and concrete interior is complemented by the flowing panels on the exterior while the new roof top extension is set back from edge of the building to avoid being obtrusive.

www.structura-uk.com mail@structura.co.uk 01233 501504

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

GRAF UK’S SUPER-SIZED FIRE WATER TANK DEBUTS IN ESSEX When it came to finding an underground fire-fighting water tank big enough for the job, there was only one manufacturer main contractor Kier could go to – Graf UK.

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he sustainable water management specialist, better known for its rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment systems, supplied a super-sized 52,000-litre recycled plastic Carat XXL tank for an extension to Oak View School in Loughton, in Essex’s Golden Triangle.

And that’s not the biggest tank Graf can supply. Its fire-fighting models can be designed to suit whatever the design capacity is on a scheme, utilising multiple adjoined tanks from the Carat XXL range or alternatively adapting its modular attenuation tank systems.

This tank was required due to pressure from the local water main being insufficient, which is one of the fire safety requirements of the

2010 Building Regulations. These allow an alternative source of water supply, in this case a static water tank with a minimum capacity of 45,000 litres.

The tank, complete with fire hose connection to BS 336, was supplied

by Graf distributor Southern Tanks and installed by specialist subcontractor MA Divane, complete with access turrets, a maintenance and inspection ladder, and suction pipework – in just a couple of days.

Requiring an earth covering of just one metre, the ribbed construction of the Carat XXL means it can be driven over by a vehicle weighing up to 40 tonnes. It can also be installed in groundwater up to its midway point. In appreciation of this quality, Graf offers the Carat XXL with up to a 25-year warranty.

01608 499260 www.graf-water.co.uk info@grafuk.co.uk

HAURATON SURFACE DRAINAGE AND SERVICE CHANNEL SYSTEMS INSTALLED AT CENTRAL PARK, AVONMOUTH At 600 acres, Central Park, Avonmouth, Bristol, is a warehouse and distribution development strategically located between the M49 motorway on its Eastern boundary and the A403 to the west.

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he shear size of the Central Park development has meant that various companies have invested the park’s facilities.

With areas designated for HGV access and hard standing, car parks and areas accessed by smaller commercial vehicles, the road and yard surfaces employed included concrete, asphalt and block paving.

This meant that various types of surface channelling was required by the contractor, Churngold Construction, to ensure the drainage needs of the site as a whole.

Hauraton systems; RECYFIX HICAP, FASERFIX SUPER, RECYFIX MONOTEC and ENVIROKERB were chosen to meet the drainage requirements. FASERFIX

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SERVICE channel was also specified to house cables and coolant pipe-work.

Cat Jones, Hauraton Project Manager for this job, commented: “Although the original Hauraton channel selection was agreed, specification changes during construction meant the channels needed to be changed at short notice. Working closely alongside the contractor ensured that when changes were required, we quickly provided a solution that ensured site-work could continue without delay. Detailed project management is essential when dealing with large sites.”

01582 501380 www.hauraton.com ts-uk@hauraton.com

Simply Play, the freely available assessment tool, has just gone through a redevelopment process to increase functionality and usability, and is now available for all to use via the new web portal. Accessed via www. timberplay.com/simply-play/, the new Simply Play has been streamlined with a reduced number of questions, and the performance online has been enhanced so that it can be used more effectively on handheld devices.

Simply Play was created as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Sheffield Hallam University and Timberplay. This project combined the knowledge base of these two organisations in order to create a tool to benefit all individuals involved in the development of play spaces, maximising play value, regardless of their own knowledge or experience.

The new Simply Play survey has honed the themes and questions, now taking in 32 questions across eight themes. Easy to understand and simple to complete, the survey enables assessors to analyse factors in any space, providing supplementary and supportive information where necessary.

www.timberplay.com

beth@timberplay.com

The Osmo UK DoorOil is the eco-friendly finishing treatment for wooden surfaces, including doors and other general interior wooden joinery. An easy to apply, costeffective solution, Osmo Door-Oil will protect and preserve the wood with a highquality, durable finish. The treatment is the perfect solution for any modern home, as it will provide utmost protection against common household spillages and stains. Once applied, the solvent-free product provides a microporous durable finish which does not crack, peel or blister. The product is ready to use, removing the need for thinning. Also, with relatively little preparation needed on the surface, wood treatment and maintenance is made even simpler. As long as the surface is clean, dry and sanded where needed, the solution can be applied directly with a paintbrush, roller or a lint-free cloth. Each onelitre tin covers two coats of a 12m² area wooden surface, and has a shelf www.osmouk.com life, if stored correctly, of around five info@osmouk.com or more years.

01296 481220

FOCUS & INNOVATION

NEW SIMPLY PLAY TO BE A GREAT ASSET FOR ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN PLAY DEVELOPMENTS

DOOROIL FROM OSMO

0114 282 3474

MCAVOY RECEIVES MULTI-MILLION-POUND BOOST FROM PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT

DEANESTOR WINS £1.3M CONTRACT FOR SPECIALIST CRITICAL CARE CENTRE Deanestor – one of the UK’s leading furniture and fit-out specialists – has been awarded a £1.3m contract by Laing O’Rourke for the manufacture, supply and installation of furniture and fittings for the new £350m Grange University Hospital in South East Wales.

Deanestor will manufacture around 3000 furniture items for the 55,000m2 hospital, including laboratory furniture, shelving, bases and wall cabinets in compliance with all relevant HTMs. Its team will procure and fit more than 22,000 products for around 1450 rooms, from mirrors and medi rails to drug cabinets and specialist catheter storage units.

The McAvoy Group has secured multi-million-pound investment from London-based Blantyre Capital. The investment will support McAvoy in its continued growth in the very dynamic off-site sector.

It will also finance the group’s ambitious expansion programme.

The McAvoy family – Orla Corr and Conor McAvoy – remain as shareholding directors and fully active in the business. The current board will continue to be led by Mark Lowry, Managing Director, and will be joined by a director from Blantyre, further strengthening the existing management team. Orla Corr OBE said: “We are extremely excited to partner with a highly respected investment fund that is fully aligned with our vision for future growth and our strategic plan.”

www.mcavoygroup.com

info@mcavoygroup.com

028 8774 0372

BERRY SYSTEMS LAUNCHES CP-DAS – THE CAR PARK DESIGN ADVICE SERVICE The increasing pressures of parking are frequently a key consideration for designers and architects, which is why Berry Systems has launched CP-DAS: the Car Park Design Advice Service. Whether it’s refurbishing an existing structure, designing a bespoke car park, planning a modular parking solution or a facade, this new service offers architects, specifiers and contractors expert advice across all systems and sectors. With more than 45 years of experience, CP-DAS by Berry Systems can provide clients with comprehensive information and consultancy on all aspects of car park design, including access control, safety protection, traffic flow and exterior cladding options.

www.deanestor.co.uk/healthcare enquiries@deanestor.com 01623 420041 www.berrysystems.co.uk

01902 491100

steve.dunn@berrysystems.co.uk

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

POP UP POWER SUPPLIES SPECIFIED AT COVENT GARDEN Pop Up Power Supplies recently supplied six retractable service power units for installation in the Piazza at Covent Garden.

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he 450kg units are buried out of sight beneath the famous cobbled piazza and are raised out of the ground when required by a turning handle.

When not in use, the units do not impact on the historic appearance of the piazza as they are barely noticeable.

Covent Garden technical services team needed a power solution for temporary stalls and events that are put on throughout the year. The solution was Pop Up Power retractable service units located near to the Transport

ENVIROVENT WELCOMES INDOOR AIR POLLUTION RESEARCH EnviroVent has welcomed the report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the Royal College of Physicians which demonstrates that respiratory problems among children may be exacerbated by indoor air pollution in homes, schools and nurseries. The authors warn that indoor air quality tends to be poorer in low-quality housing where ventilation may be inadequate or insufficient. Rebecca McLean, Marketing & Product Director, said: “We acknowledge the findings of this report and what this means in terms of how poor indoor air quality affects young people. We have seen many times how an effective ventilation system can transform the air quality in a home and have significant health benefits for its occupants. Now, this learning needs to be taken forward, so social housing providers, homeowners, schools and nurseries are more aware.” The report recommends that local authorities should have the power to require improvements where air quality fails to meet minimum standards in local authority schools and houses.

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www.popuppower.co.uk info@popuppower.co.uk 020 8551 8363

MAJOR SCOTTISH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS FROM STO INSULATION SOLUTION A major residential refurbishment project in Glasgow has highlighted Sto’s ability to provide a fully integrated insulation and render solution for major projects. The company’s high-quality StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation and StoLotusan render have been used on three large 1960s apartment blocks, which are located on the Cedars development in the city’s north-west Woodside district.

The StoTherm Mineral system features mineral fibre boards which provide highly durable external wall insulation and unrivalled fire protection. On refurbishment projects such as this, the efficient single-leaf construction of the StoTherm Mineral system allows a building’s thermal performance to be significantly improved without reducing the interior spaces, whilst minimising disruption to occupants.

www.sto.co.uk www.envirovent.com enquiries@envirovent.com 0345 272 7810

Museum and next to the portico of St Paul’s Church in the piazza.

The Covent Garden services team staff now has access to a combination of 16A and 32A sockets in both single and three phase, all with RCBO protection.

Pop Up Power also supplies electricity through inground units with flip-top lids and bollards in a variety of designs to suit the surroundings.

info.uk@sto.com

0141 892 8000

Mediation Training Programme A facilitative and evaluative approach to mediation in the built environment Highly practical and intensive, the RICS Mediation Training Programme will prepare you to mediate the most complex disputes to the highest standards across land, property, construction and infrastructure.

This face-to-face course embraces the facilitative and evaluative approaches to mediation. Our expert trainers will provide you with in-depth, practical coaching and you will receive feedback from both your trainer and your peers.

To enrol today visit: w rics.org/mediation

t 02476 868 584

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