PSBJ December 2023

Public Sector Build Journal December 2023

Healthcare

Education

Designing parks and public areas to make space for girls

Leisure

psbjmagazine.com

Issue 136

PASSIVHAUS CAN BECOME THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ The first Passivhaus primary school in Scotland to feature CLT has opened its doors

Housing

The evolving role of access control in healthcare buildings

How can social housing landlords overcome key security challenges?

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WELCOME NOTE

Editor

Hannah Woodger

hannah@redhutmedia.com

Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@redhutmedia.com

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

sam@redhutmedia.com

Jim Moore

Sciennes Primary School – a 19th-century Grade B-Listed building in the Marchmont conservation area – opened its doors in September, becoming the first Passivhaus primary school project in Scotland to use a cross-laminated timber structure. See page 12.

jim@redhutmedia.com

Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb

jack@redhutmedia.com

Digital Design Manager Matt Morse

matt@redhutmedia.com

Accounts

Rachel Pike

accounts@redhutmedia.com

Publisher Sam Ball

sam@redhutmedia.com

Welcome to the December issue of PSBJ...

With the year drawing to a close, it’s always a delight to add London Build to the back end of the diary, offering promise for the following year with the arrival of new solutions, discussions of pressing issues and ambitious goals, and the opportunity to network with industry colleagues new and old. As always, it was a hive of activity, and with a constant buzz on the exhibition floor, the organiser once again delivered an inspiring show.

Among the many highlights was a well-attended seminar titled Designing Safer Cities for Women and Girls. This particularly piqued my interest due to the timely coverage of this important topic in this month’s issue of PSBJ. As concerns over safety mount in public spaces after dark, the emphasis of the discussion was on designing spaces where people could be seen, encouraging the public to convene in spaces that promoted an ‘eyes on the street’ approach.

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With recent research suggesting girls are under-represented in local parks and the public realm, the seminar exposed that, despite developers’ best interests to cater to a mixed audience, their design briefs, ultimately, don’t always connect with the intended user – namely girls. Discussions then focused on the crucial need to engage women and girls early on in the process to avoid assumptions and remove the guesswork.

psbjmagazine.com 01795 515288 redhutmedia.com

Turn to page 16 to read more from Broxap, a leading street furniture specialist, on how councils can reimagine parks and green spaces for universal appeal. Also, be sure to catch January’s edition where DSDHA reinforces the gender imbalance in the built environment.

Elsewhere in this issue, Eurocell explores how window and door solutions can impact energy efficiency in housebuilding, William Martin unveils the top considerations when managing contractors and Pagabo discusses how futureproofing frameworks into the next decade relies on an ethical approach to procurement.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access 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 smartphone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com.

PSBJ is a proud supporter of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor's hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Red Hut Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Hannah

Hannah Woodger • Editor • hannah@redhutmedia.com Find us on Social Media: 

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@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

Children’s Day Treatment Centre at Evelina London by ADP Architecture has completed, providing dedicated day surgery facilities for families.

12 Education

The first Passivhaus primary school project in Scotland to be constructed from crosslaminated timber (CLT) has opened its doors in Edinburgh.

14 Legal & Business

Finding contractors who are reliable, certified and share your values can be a time-consuming business – but one that’s essential, explains Phil Jones, Managing Director of William Martin.

16 Leisure

Susan Johnson, Senior Business Manager at street furniture specialist Broxap, explores how councils can reimagine parks and green spaces for universal appeal.

08 18 Doors, Windows & Balustrades

22 Infection Control

Martin Benn at Eurocell looks at how effective window and door solutions can help deliver the energy-efficiency and sustainability enhancements that builders are looking for.

Eve Wellard, Marketing and Communications Manager at DELABIE, looks at innovative alternatives to cisternflush WCs to prevent the problems associated with stagnant water.

20 Healthcare

24 Housing

Daniel May of Consort reviews the integration of access control systems in healthcare settings, outlining the benefits and key considerations decision makers must make.

JELD-WEN explains how the installation of enhanced doorset designs within new and retrofit projects can help social landlords to overcome key security challenges.

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SHOWERS LIMITED

CONTENTS

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26 Interiors

30 Procurement

28 Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

32 Talking Point

Jonathan Reed, Managing Director at Amron Architectural, explains how metal mesh has become the preferred design solution when applying an internal wall system.

Retrofitting properties with high-performance insulation is a vital tool in decreasing heating demand lowering CO2 emissions whilst simultaneously tackling fuel poverty.

Jonathan Oram, Director of Frameworks at Pagabo, discusses how futureproofing frameworks into the next decade relies on a truly ethical approach to procurement.

Andy Archibald of Scotwork UK discusses how to upskill procurement teams in negotiation in advance of public sector procurement processes being transformed.

34 Technical Focus

Working fire doors are a prerequisite for fire safety, but what differentiates them from regular doors? Allegion UK outlines the technical features that form firerated doors.

36 Product Showcase

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NEWS

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

Works commence on new Beaconfields Primary and Nursery School Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has started the construction of a new primary and nursery school to meet the demand for extra school places in the Stafford area. Situated within a new housing development, Beaconfields Primary and Nursery School will welcome nursery and reception pupils from September 2024 before increasing its capacity year on year to accommodate a total of 210 primary and 26 nursery places. Delivered through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) framework on behalf of Staffordshire County Council and the end user, the Creative Learning Partnership Trust, a groundbreaking ceremony at the end of September marked the start of the works for the new-build, two-storey 1FE primary and nursery school. G F Tomlinson is delivering the construction works alongside Entrust as the project manager and architect. The facility will comprise nine classrooms, a library, catering spaces, staff offices and an indoor school hall with acoustic panelling and tiles. An outdoor play area will be created to enable a number of sports activities for pupils.

The 1492m2 school will incorporate an energy-efficient design with a high level of insulation and thermal mass to the walls and ceilings, to ensure the building adjusts to temperature changes, along with the good use of daylight and natural ventilation.

Project team for £10m Citadel Leisure Centre revamp unveiled South Ayrshire Council has appointed the project team to deliver the £10m redevelopment of Citadel Leisure Centre at Ayr Harbour.

Leisure development specialist Alliance Leisure is leading the project to revitalise the centre, which is used by some 300,000 people a year. Working alongside Alliance Leisure is architect firm and principal designer, Holmes Miller, and principal contractor, Robertson Construction Central West. The rest of the design and build team comprises Axiom Project Services as project manager and quantity surveyor, WPS as mechanical and electrical engineer and structural engineer Struer. The project has been secured through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) and has long proved a successful vehicle for delivering leisure transformations across the UK. The comprehensive refurbishment will address necessary repair work and will also see the introduction of exciting new facilities to enhance the user experience and create an inviting play, sports and recreation destination for both residents and visitors. Final designs of the new-look centre are due to be released in early 2024.

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CPW brings energy expertise to university’s £80m innovative science facility A flagship new university building with groundbreaking sustainability features, designed by international MEP consultancy CPW, has been handed over to the University of Birmingham. The £80m Molecular Sciences Building will be the base for more than 500 scientists leading the field in world-class research in chemical, environmental and biomolecular sciences. Innovative technology and a range of sustainable solutions have been used throughout the design and construction of the 11,250m² phase one of the masterplan, now home to cutting-edge laboratories, including 171 high-efficiency fume cupboards, as well as lecture rooms, offices and collaborative spaces. An experienced design team has collaborated effectively to help the building achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ accreditation and an EPC A [14] rating. The digital-first project includes an impressive two-storey energy centre, created on the edge of the site by CPW to mitigate the impact vibrations on the sensitive experiments and research to be undertaken. The central design achieves a desire for a highly logical building organisation that is focused around an optimised laboratory zone and maximising efficiency for ventilation services. CPW has also used pioneering heat recovery technology to reduce the building’s energy waste and consumption, with the latest air-source heat pumps cutting carbon emissions by as much as 70%.

Work starts on first-of-a-kind homes in the North West Work is underway on the construction of some of the UK’s most energy-efficient homes – the first of their kind in the North West and for any local authority in the country. Modern methods of construction company Etopia is providing a panelised building system to create four new EPC A-rated homes for Lancaster City Council. The new homes provided for residents at the council’s sheltered housing scheme at Alder Grove in Lancaster will drastically reduce heating costs for those residents moving in and meet the 2025 Future Homes Standard, avoiding retrofitting costs when the new Building Regulations come into force. Under architect firm Mason Gillibrand and local contractor Baldwin Building Services, the project has seen the demolition of a structurally-unsafe house to make way for four one-bed flats, a manager’s office and community room. To ensure an EPC ‘A’ is achieved, the maximum number of solar panels possible have been incorporated into the design and the electricity generated will be divided by the four dwellings. Electric vehicle charging points will be provided, along with highly-efficient storage heaters to maximise efficiency for tenants. Nicola Clayton, Head of Business Development at Etopia, said: “We’re delighted that Lancaster City Council is the first in the North West to use our structural insulated panels that go beyond current regulations. It will allow them to deliver zero-carbon homes that are not only sustainable but are also affordable, warm and great places to live.”

NEWS

Impressive new library plans unveiled by Manchester Metropolitan University Plans to develop an impressive new campus library in the heart of the city have been unveiled by Manchester Metropolitan University.

Proposals for the landmark development would see the current library at All Saints on Oxford Road replaced with a modern and dynamic learning environment that places students and their learning at its core. The university has submitted a planning application for the visionary library, which will help Manchester to retain its status as a choice destination for students. The project will create a library fit for the 21st century and is a central part of the university’s strategy to deliver excellent education for its students, and research that makes a difference to the community and world. The iconic new building would feature digitally-enabled teaching and research facilities to enhance students’ data science and analytical skills, flexible breakout spaces to support collaboration and nurture ideas, and a new home for the Manchester Poetry Library, the North West’s first public poetry library. It will also house a new gallery and event spaces designed for both public and university use. If the planning application is approved, work will start in summer 2024 with full completion by 2028.

State-of-the-art £7m SEND school celebrates opening in Ipswich The newest SEND school in Ipswich – Woodbridge Road Academy – has held its official opening ceremony, following the completion of work on site in Russet Road. The £7m new-build school is tailored for 60 children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and has been constructed under the Department for Education’s (DfE) MMC1 framework. The school features 12 classroom suites and several learning resource areas, which will allow secondaryage pupils to be taught vital life skills. In addition, Woodbridge Road Academy boasts a well-equipped library, sensory rooms, main hall, dining area and accessible bathrooms. Outside, a multi-use games area (MUGA) has been constructed for recreational activities – including use by the wider community. Architecture and interior design teams from multi-disciplinary construction consultancy Pick Everard have worked closely with design and build contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, playing a pivotal role in delivering a carefully-considered design fit for both pupil and community use. Paul Knifton, Director at Pick Everard, says: “We’ve been very pleased to bring our extensive experience from other MMC1 framework and SEND projects, ensuring the best use of project budgets and gross internal floor area (GiFA). This expertise and our collaboration have resulted in a school that not only meets, but exceeds the stringent requirements needed for SEND schools – and adds values to pupils and the community too.”

Willmott Dixon Interiors completes £7.5m modular refurbishment Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services at Princess Royal Hospital

Innovative waste management procurement solution helps NHS achieve net zero

(NHS SBS), has launched its inaugural ‘Sustainable Healthcare Recycling & Waste Management’ framework agreement designed to help the NHS meet net zero. The framework agreement has been developed in collaboration with Barts Health NHS Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and suppliers of pioneering sustainable waste management services and technologies. It gives NHS organisations and the public sector access to carefully-vetted vendors of innovative, sustainable waste management solutions, like pyrolysis technology, onsite bio-digesters and food recycling management, with the ability to buy them compliantly, cost effectively and at pace. “Sustainability in healthcare waste management has moved from a ‘nice-tohave’ position, to a focal objective where trusts will be required to undertake work to implement the new guidance,” says Emma Clyne, NHS SBS Principal Category Manager – Estates and Facilities at NHS SBS. “Our framework agreement offers an easily accessible and compliant procurement route with the very latest sustainable waste management offerings and sustainable management expertise obtainable.”

Fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors, has handed over the new Urology Investigation and Treatment Centre at Princess Royal Hospital on behalf of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex). The £7.5m project has created a new modular structure in Haywards Heath, which will improve services and significantly increase the department’s capacity.

Willmott Dixon Interiors has added 250m2 to an existing facility through the delivery of modular units, which form the new building’s superstructure. An internal fit-out has delivered specialist facilities including ultrasound, laser treatment, cystoscopy and consultancy rooms, as well as a new reception. There are also several new amenities for NHS staff, with separate nurse stations, storage areas, modern open-plan office space and training facilities. Externally, a safe pedestrian route has been installed around the perimeter of the hospital, with wayfinding and landscaping. The project was made possible through the demolition and strip out of an existing day surgery unit, which saw the replacement of redundant services and a completely new M&E arrangement, including a new plant deck and plant installations. It was awarded via Procurement Hub.

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UPFRONT

All images: ©Edward Bishop

SPECIAL CHILDREN’S FACILITY PROVIDES ENHANCED PATIENT EXPERIENCE Children’s Day Treatment Centre at Evelina London by ADP Architecture has completed, providing dedicated day surgery facilities for families. six-storey Children’s Day T he Treatment Centre at Evelina London Children’s Hospital by ADP Architecture has completed, helping the hospital to treat up to an additional 2300 children per year. The centre’s Children’s Day Surgery Unit housed on the ground and first floors provides state-of-the-art day surgery facilities for children, and is designed to enhance the patient experience for young people and their families.

The new centre, next to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital building on Lambeth Palace Road, increases the number of children the hospital can treat each year. Children’s waiting times

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on the day of their procedure will be reduced thanks to the seamless same-day patient journey – with everything from pre-surgery checks to post-op recovery collocated in one purpose-built space.

The new building on the St Thomas’ Hospital campus provides two new operating theatres and specialist clinic facilities, including the latest child-focused technology and equipment. It also houses an admissions area, first-stage recovery, second-stage recovery and discharge facilities, along with clinical support spaces.

Patient flow was a primary design driver for the new surgery unit, and the interior is mapped as a one-way system,

whereby patients being prepared for and entering theatre don’t cross over with patients post-op, or as they move into recovery and same-day discharge.

In the admission area, a contemporary play area is designed to entertain young patients and reduce waiting anxiety, and the centre includes well-observed secondstage recovery rooms for young patients – ranging from early years to teenage – as well as supportive spaces for accompanying family members. On the second floor of the building, there are designated spaces for staff rest and relaxation away from the clinical setting – as well as changing rooms and flexible spaces for meetings and training.

UPFRONT Overcoming the restrictions of inserting a new build within a constrained site, the design solution utilises modern methods of construction (MMC) techniques. The building’s steel frame is clad with a single-aesthetic panellised baguette rainscreen system, providing both solar shading and privacy from close-neighbouring buildings.

Sitting between the original redbrick Victorian St Thomas’ Hospital South Wing and the contemporary Evelina London Children’s Hospital East Wing, the new building mediates between the two with a modern terracotta facade.

Working with young people, NHS staff and other building users, ADP designed the new building to reflect both its heritage context and the adjacent highlyfunctional and child-friendly Evelina London. The simple building form and coherent elevation design sit comfortably next to its contemporary neighbour, while providing a clean backdrop for the more decorative South Wing.

The interiors of the centre, including colour, graphics and wayfinding, were consciously designed in collaboration with art consultant, Art in Site, and the Guy’s and St Thomas’ arts team, to create an inclusive and engaging environment

for children, and a calm and reassuring space for families.

In terms of artwork, an outer-space theme was chosen with staff and patients to continue the narrative of the natural world theme of Evelina London.

Consulting with children through Art in Site, Japanese manga Artist Kiriko Kubo – who has previously designed awardwinning artwork for Evelina London – reimagined original designs by children to create 82 space-themed pieces, featured throughout the building.

The building is rated as BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and is fully accessible, with level thresholds at all external entrance doors, accessible 

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UPFRONT WCs on all floors, door widths that allow for wheelchair users and visual and colour contrasts designed for those with sensory impairments. The overall building is designed to be easily adaptable and fully versatile to respond to future NHS needs, which are set to change and evolve over the coming decades.

Hannah Brewster, Regional Healthcare Director at ADP Architecture, comments: “A key part of the brief was for the building to be separate from the main Evelina London’s Children’s Hospital – to both improve the overall experience of patients and protect the use of the unit as a day care centre. Our design ensures the building has its own identity with its own front door, appearing standalone but with the added support and reassurance of being physically connected to the main hospital. It is visually coherent through the sensitive use of the terracotta facade and integration of the interior design and artwork to feel very much part of the Evelina family.”

James O’Brien, Director of Operations and Improvement at Evelina London and Project Sponsor, comments: “Opening the Children’s Day Treatment Centre is a significant milestone for us in continuing to provide outstanding healthcare for even more children and young people, meeting their needs now and in the future. The look on the children’s faces when they enter the building makes it clear how special the facility is and how different from what many people would expect when entering a ‘hospital’.” 

www.adp-architecture.com

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EDUCATION

PASSIVHAUS CAN BECOME THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS The first Passivhaus primary school project in Scotland to be constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT) has opened its doors in Edinburgh. Clara Garriga, Project Architect at Holmes Miller, details the ambitious project that demonstrates Passivhaus can become the ‘new normal’ for the UK’s education buildings. a school to Passivhaus D esigning standards is not the cheapest or the fastest way to build – but it doesn’t aim to be. What it does deliver on is exceptional levels of longer-term affordability, interior comfort, health, wellbeing and durability.

Having a client who understands this, rather than considering only the upfront cost, is the first step to success. And, herein, lies the challenge, especially in this time of extremely tight budgets.

One such ambitious client is the City of Edinburgh Council, who brought us on board to design what has become the first Passivhaus primary school project in Scotland to use a cross-laminated timber structure. We had previously worked with the council on several successful school projects, and they always play an integral part in the design process.

The £3.2m, two-storey extension to Sciennes Primary School – a 19th-century Grade B-Listed building in the Marchmont conservation area – opened its doors in September. The new-build element offers four additional classrooms that lead to shared, flexible teaching areas, which

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encourage interaction between pupils from different classes.

A very tight site meant that the new extension would be overshadowed by the existing school building, reducing the opportunity for winter solar gain.

To compensate, we used a fabric-first approach, addressing airtightness and thermal performance by minimising openings and cold bridging, heavily insulating the walls and roofs, and using triple glazing. The building has achieved an impressive airtightness rating of 0.28ach/hr@50Pa. Structural timber was the perfect choice for this project, as it generally accomplishes a better airtightness than a steel structure. It also has a positive impact on user wellbeing, ensuring the classrooms and shared areas have a warm and soothing atmosphere while also effectively reducing embodied carbon when compared to alternative structural solutions.

However, there were some initial nerves from our client over how a largely-timber building could meet

fire regulations. The process was more complicated than expected, but we overcame this challenge by covering some of it up with fire-rated gypsum board. We did have to compromise on the amount of CLT we could leave exposed internally – around 25%, when we had hoped for more. As more industry guidance emerges on timber buildings and fire, this process will get easier.

Happily, we were able to deliver an excellent environmental performance without compromising on natural light.

The building features large windows with integrated seats and extensive rooflights, while improved landscaped areas in the playground encourage outdoor learning.

It is these components that truly drive wider benefits for the pupils and offer a long-term higher-quality place to learn, play and develop.

As projects like Sciennes reach completion, we hope they will demonstrate to others what can be achieved with the right mindset, and that Passivhaus can become the ‘new normal’ for the UK’s education buildings.

EDUCATION With the success of this project under its belt, the City of Edinburgh Council is becoming increasingly committed to Passivhaus to support the decarbonisation of its education building stock, while also improving the learning environment. Last month, we submitted a planning application for the refurbishment of the existing Victorian building and a large, ambitious four-storey Passivhaus extension to Trinity Academy in the north of the city.

One of the reasons the Passivhaus standard is becoming increasingly attractive for schools is that it ensures a building’s actual energy use is, on average, extremely close to the amount predicted by models.

Quality control on site during the construction process also ensures that any Passivhaus building will be built to very high standards.

And if you have a carefullyconsidered Passivhaus school that is genuinely built around the needs of the end user, the benefits will last throughout the building’s lifetime.

This is an approach encouraged by the Scottish Futures Trust, as part of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme funding. It stipulates that a ‘Band A’ of 67-83kWh/m 2/yr must be met for a school’s overall energy use, in order to receive full funding over the 25 years following completion.

It’s only possible to meet these long-term energy standards if the design team are across absolutely everything, from the building form and orientation, to materials, equipment and end uses. This will even involve researching exactly what equipment teachers often plug in during classes and for how long, to estimate predicted energy use.

Ultimately, if you put the technical expertise and intricacy aside for a moment, it’s clear what it really takes to make Passivhaus schools a reality is commitment and collaboration. A tightknit design team is essential.

Cooperation and ‘buy in’ is needed across the board, including subcontractors and stakeholders.

Architects and contractors can help a nervous client take that initial plunge into Passivhaus design by showing what can be achieved with the right commitment, and encouraging them to take a longerterm view of potential cost and carbon savings.

Hopefully, that job will get easier as more successful Passivhaus schools open their doors. With the UK’s ambitions for net zero gaining increasing importance, we hope that Sciennes Primary School will be the first of many educational projects of its kind. 

www.holmesmiller.com

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LEGAL & BUSINESS

TOP CONSIDERATIONS WHEN MANAGING CONTRACTORS Finding contractors who are reliable, certified and share your values can be a tricky and time-consuming business – but one that’s essential if you want to maintain the integrity and reputation of your organisation. Phil Jones, Managing Director of William Martin – a health and safety consultancy – explains more. a recent poll we carried out on LinkedIn, 90% of I nrespondents said their organisation had experienced repercussions because of a contractor or supplier’s actions.

There is much to think about when going through the contractor selection process, and this will vary depending on an organisation’s precise goals and priorities. However, in our experience, some of the most important considerations when choosing a contractor are: Reliability: A contractor becomes an extension of your team, so if they don’t turn up when they say they will or fail to complete a task by a promised deadline, that’s not going to reflect well on your organisation.

Communication: Being open and honest are qualities that you should look for in a contractor. Everyone you work with should be able to communicate clearly and transparently about their capabilities, their availability and their challenges.

ESG: Public sector organisations increasingly want to work with contractors who align with their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. This involves conducting due diligence on a potential partner’s practices on things like energy efficiency, waste reduction, community engagement, fair labour standards and sustainable construction materials. To ensure your own ESG compliance, you may need to evidence exactly how you manage and document your contractors’ ESG policies, procedures and commitments.

Quality: Quality should always be a top priority when it comes to your buildings, and contractors play a huge role in this. Consistency

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Phil Jones is William Martin’s Managing Director, a position he has held for the past 18 months. Having previously been the company’s Technical Director, Phil is a Chartered Member of IOSH and strongly believes in maintaining his professional membership with a focus on continuing his professional development.

is also a must; you need to ensure they can do a good job every time.

Moreover, quality doesn’t just refer to the service your contractor provides, but also the materials they use and the way they work.

Although budgets are tight just now, quality should always be prioritised. Investing in quality at the start of a job will save you time and money further down the line.

So, how do you ensure your contractors meet all the above criteria, without taking up too much of your valuable time?

As with most things, tech can help. Some organisations opt for a simple spreadsheet to keep track of contractors’ information.

The downsides here are that they require manual input and don’t use real-time data. A supply chain management platform, which can give full visibility over the contractors you work with and keep all documentation in one place, can help you make faster decisions. It can also allow you to set criteria for your contractors to meet, on things like ESG and net zero.

A good platform will also allow you to set bespoke questions related to your organisation. The answers will give you the background knowledge you need to choose who you want to work with, without spending hours trawling through paperwork.

By using tech to manage things like the financial health, insurance certificates, professional memberships and accreditations of potential contractors in real time, you should be able to see more quickly and easily who best aligns with your values, goals and net-zero requirements – hopefully leading to a lasting relationship. 

www.wmcompliance.co.uk

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LEISURE

DESIGNING PARKS TO MAKE SPACE FOR GIRLS Charity Make Space for Girls is calling for change after highlighting a significant gender gap in the provision of park facilities for teenage girls. Susan Johnson, Senior Business Manager at street furniture specialist Broxap, explores how councils can reimagine parks and green spaces for universal appeal. are almost entirely designed G irls out of park spaces – those are the findings of a citizen science project gathering data on the number of teenagers using facilities in their local parks. Research by equality charity Make Space for Girls, funded by the Sweaty Betty Foundation, shows that overall,

88% of teenagers enjoying features such as MUGAs, skate parks and bike tracks are boys.

However, in parks where different facilities are available, such as shelters, swings and play areas designed for older children, girls are three times more likely to make use of them.

Looking at teenager facilities provided by 91 different councils as listed on their websites, the Parkwatch report showed a total of 1060 were MUGAs, 366 were skate parks and 89 were BMX tracks.

There were 53 ‘other’ facilities, as well as 112 youth shelters.

Perhaps the answer to more inclusive parks lies not only in providing facilities that appeal to all genders, but in taking a fresh approach to outdoor design and delivering modern and engaging infrastructure. Parks are valued so highly because of their potential to enhance physical, mental and social wellbeing for everyone.

Municipal parks – green spaces for the public to enjoy free of charge – were first created in the 1840s in response to growing urban populations and the need for green spaces in towns amid fears of overcrowding. Today, many of these large Victorian parks still make use of traditional features such as lakes, formal flowerbeds and grassed areas for events, festivals and Sunday morning football.

Keep pace with expectations In the centuries that followed the introduction of the first public parks, the likes of cycle paths, sculptures and fountains became commonplace. And while these historical landscapes have been updated with cafes, children’s play areas and some facilities for teenagers, it’s time to ask whether this infrastructure has kept pace with the needs and expectations of Generation Z. Or maybe more pertinently, how can sustainable infrastructure design be integrated into green spaces to prioritise health and wellbeing for all future generations?

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LEISURE Take the traditional bandstand, for example. Still used for concerts and celebrations, as well as a meeting point for friends or events, such as Park Run, bandstands are recognised heritage assets. Bring the concept into the 21st century, and a performance space is still entirely relevant today as many young people have personalised video feeds, and social media sharing apps are commonplace in everyday life. Including a TikTok stage or amphitheatre as part of teenage park facilities is an ideal way to appeal to a broader spectrum of park users.

The park bench is also an important amenity. Comfortable, accessible seating with scenic views across the lake may immediately spring to mind but for teenage girls, group seating may be more fitting. Think about circular bench designs, clusters of individual stools or even sunloungers and hammocks. Inspiration may even be found in other parts of the public realm or landscaped developments.

Outdoor social spaces are crucial to the success of a diverse university campus – why not take some of those ideas and apply them to parks?

Parade Green student accommodation in Oxford, for example, features fabric canopies and a wide mix of outdoor furniture, including benches, tables and cube seats. The lively Slate Yard neighbourhood in Salford rates its outdoor areas as a big selling point with a stylish geometric timber canopy taking pride of place in a landscaped seating area. While

classic style certainly has its place in our parks, there are endless possibilities for creating quality spaces orientated to the needs of different user groups.

Prioritise safety Of course, providing the right spaces and equipment goes hand in hand with safe design.

Ensuring teenage girls feel safe in our parks is another key way to encourage them to make use of facilities. This can be as simple as good maintenance, ensuring parks remain well lit and litter free; holding events so that parks are busy and consistently well used; and updating signage and communications so visitors can navigate their surroundings.

The Safer Parks Consortium, which Make Space for Girls contributes to, has prepared guidance for improving park access for women and girls. It suggests a sense of belonging can directly impact safety and can help girls to feel more welcome.

For teenage girls, visible indications that a park is an inclusive space include specific facilities for that demographic like outdoor fitness equipment, MUGAs marked out for games, such as netball and volleyball as well as football and other traditional sports, and more swings and equipment for climbing and balancing.

The creation of public parks was unequivocally intended to benefit all and the enduring flexibility of green spaces is part of their beauty.

From picnics to pop concerts,

leisurely cricket matches to professional cycle races they provide a place for the community to connect.

Research, such as the two reports mentioned here, takes a lot of the guesswork out of the planning and preparation stages when updating facilities or designing new outdoor areas.

Working with an outdoor infrastructure partner that understands the changing demands placed on the landscape can also help local authorities to make meaningful improvements in a gender-balanced approach to futureproof parks for years to come. 

www.broxap.com

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DOORS, WINDOWS & BALUSTRADES

THE SHREWD CHOICE: HOW WINDOW AND DOOR SOLUTIONS IMPACT ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HOUSEBUILDING Martin Benn, Head of New Build at Eurocell, takes a look at how effective window and door solutions can help deliver the energy-efficiency and sustainability enhancements that housebuilders are looking for – and consumers want – as the current regulatory landscape alters.

Future Homes Standard (FHS) is set to be introduced T he in 2025 and, with it, a step change for all stakeholders charged with transforming the UK’s housing stock so it is more energy efficient, more sustainable and, ultimately, low carbon.

An immediate focus for housebuilders has been the introduction of changes to Part L 2021 of the Building Regulations, meaning many are now looking for the simplest and most cost-effective way to meet the new carbon reduction obligations.

To make significant contributions to energy efficiency and sustainability progress, housebuilders can be supported in additional ways alongside emerging renewable technology systems, such as with window and door solutions. At Eurocell, we already have our Modus system, which is Future Homes ready and continues to lead the market.

Removing the need for complex and expensive glazing specification, Modus helps to lower the cost and impact of tackling the net-zero carbon agenda for housebuilders and homeowners.

Crucial in the journey to achieving net zero is a holistic approach from inception to completion, and forward-thinking planning for how the end user will use the space. This means window and door solutions that not only meet the Future Homes Standard, but also exceed the usage requirements of the house buyers for years to come.

Key benefits from using effective window and door solutions to deliver energy efficiency include:

Use of energy-efficient materials From manufacturing right through to installation, effective window and door products require less energy and provide opportunity for recycled material use.

All Modus main profiles feature a minimum of 36% postconsumer recycled PVC-U as standard. This helps to achieve a lower carbon footprint compared to products made or containing recycled material sourced from outside of the UK. The system deploys cutting-edge dual material extrusion technology (DMET), which layers post-consumer recycled and ‘virgin’ material simultaneously with high precision. The recycled material is concentrated in the central core of the profiles, where it is completely invisible in an installed window or door.

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Reduced air leakage Designing with better insulation materials and techniques can reduce heat and air leakage, resulting in less energy required to heat or cool the building. Modus is proven to deliver thermal insulation excellence, as well as airtightness and noise reduction benefits due to the uniquely-designed 75mm six-chamber profile system that can achieve very low U-values with triple-glazed units.

This improves the energy efficiency of a building as a whole because energy is being stored appropriately throughout the seasons, thus reducing the need for constant heating and cooling management. Altogether making the decision to install energyefficient window and door solutions particularly appealing.

Durability and longevity When products are designed to be more durable, this increased lifespan extends the benefits of lower energy consumption to also reduce the need and cost of labour for replacement.

A key consideration when creating durable, long-lasting products is visual appeal to reduce product lifecycle when tastes or modern functionalities change. Creating timeless but contemporary designs are vital to allow the sector to build the homes people want to purchase and live in. 

www.eurocell.co.uk

HEALTHCARE

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF ACCESS CONTROL IN HEALTHCARE Daniel May of Consort reviews the integration of access control systems in healthcare settings, outlining the benefits and key considerations decision makers must make throughout product specification. patient safety and traversal F rom to the protection of sensitive data and pharmaceuticals, today’s healthcare environments are faced with several operational challenges. And where security remains at the forefront of decision making, modern access control systems may often hold the answers.

Hospitals, in particular, have developed into multi-faceted spaces that house hundreds to thousands of patients, staff and visitors at any one time. In England, for example, research has found in the three months leading to June 2023, an average of 44,626 people visited major hospital A&E departments each day, with over 16 million attendances typically recorded over the course of a year – not to mention an additional nine million logged at other minor units.

For any building, this level of sustained footfall can invite severe security tests.

With that, the need to deploy effective physical security systems in healthcare is clear. And so, as access control continues to become more readily adopted and new products enter the market, decision

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makers are reminded to consider the requirements of their building, ensuring they select the solutions most suited to their settings and budget.

Security controlled Patient safety will always remain top priority in healthcare settings and, where matters of health and social care come into question, a diverse set of professional regulatory bodies are tasked with setting and maintaining high standards. When it comes to healthcare premises specifically, patient security and perimeter security often come hand in hand and are amongst the most pressing of challenges that decision makers must face.

To help address operational planning and potential design concerns in the NHS, the Health Building Note (HBN) provides general design guidance for healthcare buildings under HBN 00-01 – citing the use of access control measures as a way of maintaining security and protecting the safety of patients, staff and visitors.

Hospital buildings, for example, must control varied levels of access for a number

of operational and security purposes.

Routine scenarios exist where vulnerable patients are under monitoring and thus refrained from exiting the premises for their own safety, while at the same time, permitted staff must be able to reach their patients and medicines when required.

For this, the use of access control is key.

Equally, access credentials can also help management teams keep track of those who may be entering or exiting rooms with equipment and pharmaceutical supplies, deterring any unwanted visitors and opportunists in the process.

On a similar note, regulations have set a minimum standard for how personal data should be stored and managed in healthcare environments, giving decision makers an added responsibility to regulate staff-controlled areas with patient medical records. While instances of personal data breaches are rare, healthcare facilities and professionals are at legal risk should confidential data be found misused or missing. As such, the incorporation of access control systems has become essential in keeping data

HEALTHCARE storage areas secure, with intuitive online systems capable of permitting access to staff with the correct credentials while simultaneously tracking who has requested clearance at digital entry points.

To function effectively, healthcare facilities must always be perceived as a safe place by the people who reside within them, and, as HBN guidance implies, a unified physical security system can help address key safety and security concerns while enhancing patient and staff experience. Opportunely, today’s access control systems are more accessible and adaptable than ever and combine several technologies, such as mechanical locks and automatic doors with electronic access credentials in the form of smartphone apps, badge readers and biometric scanners.

By integrating these systems into the building’s existing infrastructure, healthcare professionals are better equipped to control the sheer volume of people entering and exiting the premises without impairing the general flow of movement and coordination around the facility.

Better by design Despite the clear benefits offered to healthcare facilities, there are a number of considerations to be mindful of when choosing an access control solution.

Poorly-implemented systems can have an adverse effect on security and functionality – quickly costing healthcare organisations time and budget to rectify and replace the inadequate products that don’t meet the building’s requirements.

For that reason, decision makers and design teams are reminded that there is no single solution that fits all healthcare buildings. As such, it’s crucial for decision makers to understand the systems that are being put in place throughout each of the touchpoints in their facility. Clear collaboration is required during periods of specification, where together, teams can ensure the selected product works on all angles, from meeting fire safety and sustainability standards to aesthetics and scalability.

Frequently overlooked, scalability is a key area that decision makers must review when selecting access control systems.

Such is their diverse nature; healthcare facilities can often change and develop as years go by, and by selecting a system that facilitates growth – such as a cloudbased solution – security and efficiency is long established. While modern access control products are known for seamless integration, there are some systems that may restrict the ability to use different vendors throughout the remainder of the building’s infrastructure. This, in effect, causes a monopolisation of products throughout the estate, which can have an adverse effect on growth by increasing costs and reducing the levels of service associated with the security system already in place.

A scalable and reliable access control system will continue to improve security and safety by adapting to a building’s new requirements – and all while having minimal

impact on its operational network. And so, while technology will no doubt continue to influence and transform the access control market, healthcare facilities and their professionals must continue to remain educated on their own systems, ensuring they have the best options in place to keep their patients, staff and visitors safe and secure for years to come. 

www.consort-hw.com

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INFECTION CONTROL

SAY SAYONARA TO CISTERNS A recent increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the UK has prompted research into toilet cisterns as a potential source of infection. Eve Wellard, Marketing and Communications Manager at DELABIE, looks at innovative alternatives to cisternflush WCs to prevent the problems associated with stagnant water.

Legionella in the UK

The cistern situation

Cases of legionella are increasing in the UK. Legionnaires’ disease is already under reported by a factor of 10. It is often simply classed as pneumonia without identification of the causative agent. Research estimates that the reality could be as high as 4000 to 6000 cases every year.

Following lockdown in the UK, the risk of Legionnaires’ disease has greatly increased, due to water stagnation and an absence of normal control measures.

COVID-19 has very similar symptoms to Legionnaires’ disease and fatality is often due to secondary pneumonia. There is evidence emerging that this secondary pneumonia could be Legionnaires’ disease.

Typically, risk assessment for legionella in public buildings has concentrated on taps and showers, and there has been little awareness of toilets as a contamination source. Toilet cisterns must also now be recognised as a potential source of infection, as they contain around 9l of water stagnating at room temperature.

Scale and rust build up results in biofilm, providing an ideal environment for bacterial proliferation.

Until recently, very few studies have been able to provide an accurate picture of the situation, and there has been a lack of viable alternatives to the cisternflush system.

Case studies According to new research, Legionnaires’ disease can be spread through toilet flushing, which releases invisible ‘plumes’ of contaminated water bioaerosols up to 1.5m into the air¹.

This poses a severe risk to vulnerable people, as seen in a Parisian hospital, where two patients contracted Legionnaires’ disease through inhaling contaminated toilet water that was aerosolised during flushing.

Legionella bacteria was found in the room’s toilet bowl water, but not the room’s shower or sink².

The consequences of this elevated risk are widespread. In 2021, legionella was found in a small number of Thameslink Class 700 train toilets. On discovery, Thameslink locked the toilets and removed the trains from service to drain, bleach and refill the tanks³.

Innovative solutions An innovative solution to prevent bacterial development in toilet cisterns is to remove the cistern altogether. With a cistern-less direct flush WC, the valve connects directly to the mains supply, a system that can be retrofitted into a wide variety of environments.

The powerful flush is instantly available, with a second flush requiring no refill time, making it a much more suitable option for public places with intensive use. The technology is available with an anti-blocking system to prevent misuse and day-to-day wastage, and softtouch operation to ensure user comfort, even during busy periods.

Electronic models provide touch-free activation, once again minimising the potential spread of bacteria. To reduce stagnation, a duty-flush function is recommended to purge the pipework during periods of inactivity.

Conventional WCs with cisterns are installed in public and commercial places because the initial investment can seem lower, however, this soon proves to be a false economy.

The multiple advantages of directflush WC systems – improved hygiene, water savings, reduced maintenance and simple servicing – very quickly make the technology more economical, while preventing the problems associated with stagnant water in cisterns. 

www.delabie.co.uk Sources: https://www.nature.com/articles/ s41598-022-24686-5

1

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/ 19-0941_article

2

https://www.ciphe.org.uk/news-and-advice/pressreleases/legionella-leads-thameslink-off-the-railstrade/#:~:text=Legionella%20was%20found%20 to%20be,bleach%20and%20refill%20the%20tanks 3

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23

HOUSING

THE KEY TO BETTER TENANT SECURITY Here, Glyn Hauser, R&D Senior Group Manager at JELD-WEN, explains how the installation of enhanced doorset designs within new and retrofit projects can help social landlords to overcome key security challenges, in turn helping to keep intruders out and better protect tenants. tenants safe and secure is a Unfortunately, this opinion is further K eeping key priority for any landlord. However, validated by our own recent research , in 3

burglary rates remain high, especially in social housing where there is a shared responsibility among multiple occupants to maintain a high level of security.

Being burgled is not only costly, but often a deeply traumatising experience for victims. Although evidence suggests that domestic burglaries have started to decline over the past year1, the reality is that there were still 275,919 burglaries in England and Wales during the year ending March 20232 – averaging at around 756 a day.

Fundamentally, most thieves are opportunistic and, therefore, more likely to take advantage of quick-win options closer to home than plan for more lucrative targets in wealthier, often farther afield neighbourhoods. This can be shown through various studies, which suggest that burglary rates are more prevalent in less advantaged neighbourhoods, and social housing properties are disproportionately more vulnerable to burglary risk than private ones.

At the same time, some disadvantaged communities tend to have less social cohesion, making it easier for burglars to remain anonymous. This is especially pertinent where a high tenant turnover rate can implicate relationships, and reduce residents’ investment in their local communities.

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which we surveyed 1000 social housing residents to explore how secure they felt within their homes, and how important it was for their front door to offer a high level of security.

Amongst the key insights, we found that one in four residents living in a multi-occupancy property had experienced a security breach in their building over the last 12 months, with 23% of tenants raising concerns about security to their landlord. This comes as almost half (47%) of all respondents felt that crime was increasing in their area.

More revealing still, is the fact that 44% of social tenants had decided to take matters into their own hands by investing in additional security equipment in the past year, including CCTV, recording doorbells and security lights. A further quarter (24%) felt their front door was not secure.

Everyone has the right to feel safe within their home, yet this insight suggests that there is still work to be done to ensure that disadvantaged communities aren’t at a greater risk of becoming a victim of crime. Most importantly, it is important not to overlook the first line of defence for any home: A secure entrance door.

Communication and information Most residential blocks have hundreds of people accessing common spaces and individual dwellings throughout the day and night. This means that any tenant error, such as leaving a communal entrance door open or letting non residents inside the property, can immediately compromise tenant protection.

Further compounding the issue is a common misconception amongst those living in multi-occupancy properties that their dwelling will be protected via the security that comes from a communal entrance point, eradicating the need to lock their individual dwelling. In fact, our research found that a third (32%) of tenants admitted to leaving their front door unlocked overnight, whilst over a half (57%) would leave it open during the day, which is when most burglaries take place.

However, the most common way for intruders to break into a property is through the front door, so it’s easy to see how gaining unwarranted access into a building offers a wide scope of easy targets for an opportunistic thief. There is clearly a need for more focused communication and information to ensure residents are aware of these risks, and promote best practice so that their entrance door can perform as intended.

Of course, as of January, social landlords will already have to get to grips with new

HOUSING requirements to provide information to their tenants about a building’s fire doors, both those in individual dwellings and communal areas. As such, the obvious approach would be to tackle door security information as part of the process.

Specification considerations While recent years have seen soaring demand for high-tech security solutions, such as CCTV and video doorbells, secure door design remains largely overlooked outside of current regulatory guidance. If it looks like it will be easy to force open, it’s much more likely that a potential burglar will attempt to break in, than one that appears to be reinforced with anti-theft design features.

Along with this, when building or retrofitting a property, it’s important that project managers do not overlook the opportunity to procure doors that have been approved by Secured by Design (SBD), the official UK Police flagship initiative supporting the principles of ‘designing out crime’.

Put simply, an SBD-approved doorset is widely considered a security essential and the best crime prevention for any building. To receive accreditation, any doorset must meet the rigorous requirements designed to prevent crime set to a ‘Police Preferred Specification’, which goes above legal requirements.

To achieve this, each doorset will go through intense and rigorous assessments, including measuring resistance against soft and hard body impact, through to hardware attack and manipulation, and endurance testing. Certification also involves PAS24 testing by an independent third party from a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) authority, which ensures measured conformity.

The result is peace of mind for landlords, knowing they have chosen doorsets that have been purposefully designed, manufactured and tested to establish enhanced security standards, which can deter and reduce crime, and help tenants live more safely.

New regulations, which came into effect this January, now stipulate quarterly checks on fire doors in communal areas and annual checks on entrance doors in buildings taller than 11m. Given that internal breaches are equally important – particularly when it comes to safety – this is a prime opportunity to pay due diligence to security as part of both new-build and retrofit processes, and address two major concerns in one.

Turning the key on better security Indeed, there may be no silver bullet solution to tackling security issues, especially in multi-occupancy buildings. But

by paying due diligence to the impact secure doorsets can make and, in turn, helping to curate better awareness and understanding amongst tenants, social landlords can begin to open the door to a safer way of living.

SecureSET and SecureFIT flat entrance doorsets by JELD-WEN carry the SBD accreditation along with dual certification. 

www.jeld-wen.co.uk/social-housing Sources: https://www.ons.gov.uk/ peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/ bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/ yearendingmarch2023 1

https://www.ons.gov.uk/ peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/ bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/ yearendingmarch2023 2

One Poll research, September 2023

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INTERIORS

IF WALLS COULD TALK The design flexibility of metal mesh enables architects and designers to achieve a dramatic visual impact. Jonathan Reed, Managing Director at Amron Architectural, explains how metal mesh has become the preferred design solution when applying an internal wall system. commercial office buildings F rom to schools and colleges, metal mesh is becoming increasingly popular as a creative solution in order to maximise the interiors of a space.

Metal wall panels provide flexibility in

design, making it easy for architects and designers to meet their unique design specifications. The panels create a beautiful appearance for internal applications, especially when finished with colour and texture.

All systems go In most cases, metal wall panels can be installed more quickly than brick, granite and other materials. They’re typically lighter and, therefore, require less support structure. The wall panels can be installed from vertical to horizontal to angles, and even curved panels on the walls.

The AW400 Series from Amron is an angle-framed metal panel system mechanically fixed to angle support brackets, allowing the designer to incorporate bespoke metal mesh and profile designs with a full palette of finishes and textures. This series is typically manufactured from aluminium, steel or yellow metals with the infill panels being welded into angle frames or if perforated can be folded for a more seamless look – then finished as required.

Product in practice Fareham College has invested £1.4m into a new, state-of-the-art ‘Energy Hub’ facility that will support the development of young people in the area. The college wanted to transform their outdated and abandoned sports hall into a vibrant and exhilarating space that incorporated cutting-edge technology into its design.

Featuring electric and hybrid charging stations, ground and air heat pumps, and smart home technologies, this new space is known as the ‘Energy Hub’.

This new facility will pave the way for future generations by delivering the best education and technology resources for those looking to explore a career in construction and engineering. The aim of this new hub is to educate, mentor and upskill college students for careers in engineering and construction.

Spread across a 9000ft2 space, the design reinforces the renewable energy ethos and encourages sustainability. The design intent emphasised the need to create a sizeable open-plan environment that is inspirational, collaborative and practical in order to fulfil future demand and industry needs.

We were approached by Scape Construct and asked to consult on a suitable solution for the walls. The team at Fareham College wanted textured and vibrant wall panels with lights fitted to them in a zigzag pattern. Our AW400 series in mild steel was specified as the most suitable product for this project.

The angle-framed metal panel system was fitted with our Zircon RB35 expanded mesh and was powder coated in zinc yellow, which was a direct match to the floor colour. We supplied 25 panels for the walls, plus an additional three panels for the charging bay walls and ceiling.

The whole design of the ‘Energy Hub’ focused on a yellow framework, with an industrial look incorporated throughout the design. The striking and bold design oozes creativity. 

www.amronarchitectural.co.uk

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Fire rated glass

Steel Framed Fire doors and screens

To further compliment our range of fireglass, Firman now offer complete steel framed fire doors and screens. Built to the most demanding specifications for commercial buildings, shop fronts, entrances, interior fire screen walls and virtually any other application.

Each system is designed specifically to suit the requirements of the particular application. Sections can be provided in mild steel, finished to any standard RAL colour, aluminium clad as well as our new range of stainless steel sections available in either a satin or bright polished finished.

Firman offer a full selection of fireglass, on either a supply only or a supply and install basis, providing fire protection from a basic 30 minute integrity only rating through to the highest levels of integrity and insulation.

To find out more about these products visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com

www.firmanglass.com

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RCI

RETROFITTING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Whilst the Government has scaled back its net-zero ambitions with what it claims is a ‘more proportionate’ approach, there remains a significant challenge with nearly 30 million existing homes that are simply not up to the high energy-efficiency standards necessary. these homes, 4.1 million belong to the social rented O fsector, where tenants continue to face growing energy bills and the prospects of more fuel poverty as long as energy is being wasted in these poorly-insulated properties. To prevent vulnerable households from enduring cold, draughty and damp living conditions, it is vital we undertake a comprehensive retrofit strategy to enhance thermal performance, reduce energy consumption and upgrade heating systems.

Britain’s ageing housing stock is known for its poor energy performance, with nearly six million houses built before 1919 and over half built before the first insulation requirements were added to the Building Regulations in 1965. These homes lose a lot of heat and are in varying states of repair. As a result, there is no simple, one-size-fits-all solution for retrofitting all these properties.

Regulatory updates The Prime Minister’s recent announcement, relaxing the steps on our journey to net zero, casts considerable doubt on our ability to meet these challenges within the allotted timeframe. Higher standards for energy efficiency were introduced for new-build housing – the new and updated Part L of the Building Regulations for England came into force in June 2022, followed by new energy-efficiency updates in Scotland and Wales in November

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and December 2022 and the Future Homes Standard is still expected for 2025 – all new homes as well as other buildings must be built to ultra-high levels of energy efficiency. Unfortunately, there is very little to promote and deliver the improvements needed for existing buildings, with the PM stating ‘no households will be forced to make their homes more energy efficient now’.

Prior to this latest announcement, the Government had a vague aim of upgrading existing homes to EPC C by 2035, but only where ‘practical, affordable and cost effective’ but then scrapped the requirement for landlords to upgrade their properties to an EPC grade C by 2035. These contradictory statements indicate they have no real strategy in place and it is difficult to see how the necessary improvements can be achieved.

The Heat and Building Strategy published in 2021 expands on the detail of heat in buildings, but there is little on improving energy efficiency, reducing demand or the essential policy needed to support any large-scale approach to mass retrofitting.

If we are to move to a net-zero-carbon country by 2050 (2045 in Scotland), it will be vital to make improvements to homes and other buildings to reduce emissions. This means installing a whole range of energy-saving measures; from better insulation and more efficient appliances to replacing fossil-fuelled boilers with low-carbon alternatives, such as heat pumps.

PIR and PUR insulation has an invaluable role in upgrading our poorly-performing housing stock and ensuring a sustainable future. Good insulation is essential and is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy demand and cut CO2. The better or lower the U-values in walls, floors and roofs, the less heat that is lost, resulting in enhanced thermal performance, which, in turn, will help to deliver the standards required.

Highly effective and versatile, PIR and PUR insulation solutions are available in a range of forms including boards and blocks, cavity injected, composite panels, as well as a spray and panel insulation. The use of PIR insulation, with lambda values as low as 0.022Wm/.K, means it is possible to achieve the highest insulation values using the minimum thickness of material compared with traditional insulants.

RCI

Fabric first

Health and wellbeing Well-insulated buildings can also have substantial impacts on the lives of building users and occupants. The importance of thermal comfort, providing pleasant internal conditions during the winter and summer months, is a prime example.

This factor is seen to influence performance and productivity, as well as the physical and mental health of building users.

Another social benefit associated with enhanced levels of insulation is the reduction and potential elimination of fuel poverty. This issue is alleviated as a greater proportion of heat is retained more effectively in homes when incorporating superior fabric efficiencies. The provision of an enhanced building envelope results in a reduced overall fuel demand needed to achieve equivalent, sustained warmth over the winter months than for a building with lesser thermal performance.

Digital building passport Another challenge in raising energy-efficiency standards is the lack of ability to measure and demonstrate a building’s performance over its lifetime. Residential and commercial properties could benefit from a building passport, with regular checks being made, normalising the concept that buildings, like vehicles, must be judged over time and meet certain standards.

This could also provide full traceability of products and services installed into a building, so that when it is bought/sold or renovated an accurate and informative log is kept.

Such a passport could contain building-related information on energy consumption/production, maintenance and building plans, and could be transferable between building owners. This digitalisation could go some way to ensuring buildings are sustainable and perform to the standards intended.

Retrofitting properties with high-performance insulation is a vital tool in decreasing heating demand, lowering CO2 emissions whilst simultaneously tackling fuel poverty and improving comfort and wellbeing. Only through such concerted efforts can we create a long-term asset that minimises energy usage and can be confidently passed down to future generations. 

www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk

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PROCUREMENT

PIONEERING ETHICAL PROCUREMENT: FUTUREPROOFING FRAMEWORKS INTO THE NEXT DECADE Jonathan Oram, Director of Frameworks at Pagabo, discusses how futureproofing frameworks into the next decade relies on a truly ethical approach to procurement.

Planning procurement for the future With the Construction Playbook, ‘Gold Standard’ and the new Procurement Bill setting out the roadmap for public sector procurement in the future, we’re at a pivotal point for frameworks.

After 10 years of making frameworks the preferred route to market, providers must now consider how things will continue to develop in the next decade – and how to protect the solid reputation that has been built by upholding standards and accountability across the whole sector. This includes how we leverage best practice, collaboration and new technologies to maximise the benefits frameworks deliver for clients, suppliers and the communities they serve.

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As the use of frameworks continues to grow, so does the risk of organisations entering the market without the same compliance rigour that providers like ourselves, CCS, Scape and Bloom put in place to make frameworks so widely adopted in the first place. This risks not only harming clients and suppliers, but damaging the integrity of frameworks as a whole.

As one of the leaders in the market, our role must also include protecting the integrity of frameworks. At Pagabo, we do this through pioneering ethical procurement. We believe there are key principles that must be followed when establishing and managing public sector frameworks – and we have a

responsibility to the public sector to hold other framework providers to account where standards are not met.

Driving best practice and legal compliance The first critical point is that organisations establishing frameworks must comply with PCR2015 regulations and be able to provide both clients and suppliers with guidance around best practice.

That’s why it is so important for providers to invest in an experienced team, making sure they are not only producing compliant frameworks, but can offer an effective ongoing service to clients and suppliers alike.

PROCUREMENT Procurement organisations should be able to demonstrate that they have accredited professionals with the required relevant procurement experience, and that they have the necessary evaluation resources and skills needed to operate the framework over its entire lifespan.

For example, a multi-lot framework may require the appointment of hundreds of suppliers – a significant management task that the provider simply has to have the ability to deliver effectively.

To make sure we offer this to our suppliers and clients, at Pagabo, we have invested in a team of MCIPS and NEC PMA-qualified people. This means we are in a position to offer real support and added value at every stage of the procurement process for both our clients and our suppliers.

Being fair and transparent to all parties Frameworks play a critical role in helping manage both supply and demand, so careful curation and management is vital. The guiding principles are fairness and transparency – one-sided agreements do not serve to help clients or suppliers, nor the communities in which schemes will be delivered.

For suppliers, being appointed to a framework provides a compliant route to securing work but does not give guarantee of pipeline. If a framework is developed and launched without being based on an identified need, it can end up being a big resource drain for the suppliers that put the time, money and effort into bidding for it. In turn, this could have the effect of eroding trust in frameworks generally.

So, ensuring frameworks meet the market requirements of both clients and suppliers is critical to success – and relies on extensive market engagement. All of Pagabo’s frameworks go through extensive market testing and analysis in the early stages of development to make sure we know that we’re developing frameworks that provide a solution to an identified market need.

This includes a two-stage approach, engaging with both clients and organisations from key areas of the market relevant to the framework being developed, helping us to shape what the lot structure, region breakdowns and terms and conditions – among other aspects – may look like.

Clarity is needed to ensure fair competition. For example, how will awards be made? How will evaluations be handled to ensure bidders of all sizes have the essential information to determine how the award will be managed – and have a clear process to ask questions? And how will the allocation of SMEs be fairly judged?

Delivering value for money The transparency matters continue into the financial side of things – existing to make sure the framework delivers real value for money.

Where a framework monitors and measures a supplier’s performance, for example, through the use of key performance indicators (KPIs), then these should be proportionate to ensure they encourage the right behaviours from the supplier – and any resulting action for failure doesn’t benefit the framework provider.

For pricing to be submitted, clients should have the ability to understand embedded costs. To put it in basic terms, if a client can’t understand how a framework is costed and financed, it should be wary about using it.

Frameworks are an incredibly powerful tool for the public sector’s use that we simply have to futureproof to make sure the sector can procure what it needs at speed (when required), with compliance, fairness, ease and value. So, not only do we need to ensure that we, ourselves, are upholding the principles of ethical procurement, but we also need to engage with the other providers to make sure that the high standards the public sector has come to expect from framework providers is maintained. 

www.pagabo.co.uk

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TALKING POINT

NEGOTIATION, MIND GAMES AND GUESSING – A MYTH EXPLODED Andy Archibald, Senior Consultant at Scotwork UK, discusses how to upskill procurement teams in negotiation in advance of public sector procurement processes being transformed, and explains how to structure expectations to be clear on what you want from negotiations. has been a long time coming but I tnext year will mark a significant change in the way that the public sector buys in a whole host of situations.

Transforming Public Procurement is designed to simplify and modernise the way procurement and commercial teams negotiate, ultimately providing more freedom to generate different (and hopefully better) outcomes.

The changes will create opportunities and challenges for negotiators in the public sector, including, among many, the critical decision about what information is disclosed and when.

Information in negotiations is critical – when negotiating, thinking about how to manage expectations by sharing information, while at the same time gathering useful information from the other parties to help later in the process, is a core skill.

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For almost 50 years, Scotwork have been negotiation consultants and trainers for many of the world’s leading organisations. During this time, we have been gathering data on the key capabilities of organisations and one of the key insights we can share is that information is a real source of power… but is rarely used well.

This has been ratified by my own experience of working in the public sector and consulting with many clients’ negotiators.

Years ago, I heard a story about a wannabe traveller walking into a travel agent shop.

“Good afternoon. How might I help you” began the travel agent. “I want to book a holiday” responded the traveller.

“Great!” says the travel agent. “Where would you like to go?” “Guess,” the traveller instructs the travel agent. “I beg your pardon?” replied the confused travel

Andy Archibald is a negotiation expert and provides negotiation training and consultancy to Scotwork UK’s clients.

Before joining Scotwork, Andy spent most of his career in commercial and communications roles in the UK energy industry and the public sector with the City of Edinburgh Council.

agent. “I want you to guess!” confirmed the traveller.

This story may or may not have actually happened. But I see this happen all the time in negotiations, where negotiators on both sides of the table withhold crucial information (i.e. what they want), hoping that the other side will somehow guess.

Negotiators hold on to information for typically two reasons – it’s too difficult to say or they believe holding on to information gives them more power and it will lead to a better outcome.

The first reason is understandable, because negotiations can be uncomfortable and often we may need to ‘feel’ our way into it and figure out what is possible. But the second is a stretch, to say the least.

To give an example, in a recent negotiation I was advising on, the buyer negotiating with a supplier had a

TALKING POINT situation where the primary objective was to secure a 30% saving on an invoice, as well as a favourable price going forward on a longer-term agreement with a significant volume. There were multiple ways in which an agreement could have been reached but crucial to the outcome was the buyer telling the seller specifically what they wanted.

But the buyer did the opposite, withholding what they wanted and forcing the seller to guess. With each guess, the seller did move incrementally towards what the buyer wanted but at a snail’s pace.

“They (the sellers) are not giving us what we want!” said the buyer when I asked why progress was so slow.

I probed further, ultimately asking if the buyer had told the seller what they wanted. “No, of course not. They might give us more!”

That might be right and the buyer might get more than what they want if they make the seller guess. And who knows, maybe I’ll score the winning goal in a World Cup final. But probably not.

The negotiation did, however, achieve one thing, and that was a lot of wasted time on both sides.

Fortunately, this was a simulated negotiation with a public sector client upskilling their procurement team and it, therefore, gave me a unique opportunity to also get the seller’s perspective.

Unsurprisingly, they confirmed they would never have guessed the buyer

needed a 30% discount and had instead just thought the buyer wanted a slightly better deal. And while it didn’t guarantee the seller would have given the buyer everything they wanted, they would have considered it had it been shared early on in the negotiation and there was a credible reason why (i.e. more than just wanting a better deal).

Many will explain away this behaviour by saying they’d never do the same in the real world. But that’s not true.

Negotiators behave the exact same way in the real world as they do in a

classroom, forcing the other side to guess what they want.

Negotiation does not involve mind reading, and asking the other side to guess your preferred outcome rarely has the desired effect. The first part of the negotiation puzzle is to be clear on what you want and tell your counterpart(s) what it is and why.

It may not guarantee you get it, but it sets up the negotiated outcome in the right way. 

www.scotwork.co.uk

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TECHNICAL FOCUS

HOW A DOOR BECOMES A FIRE DOOR: A TECHNICAL GUIDE Working fire doors are a prerequisite for fire safety, but what differentiates them from regular doors? Kirk Smith of Allegion UK outlines the technical features that form fire-rated doors as we know them. indicates there may be R esearch around 42 billion doors found throughout the world’s built environment.

Every day, each of those doors play a purposeful role towards the accessibility, safety and security of buildings and their occupants – but how many people truly recognise what they are using?

Doorsets are assembled in a variety of configurations and sizes, but more often than not, they are used without a second thought. Yet, there are stark differences between regular door and fire door classifications, and where fire safety is concerned, it’s critical for users

and responsible persons alike to be able to differentiate between the two.

Despite their similar appearance, regular doors serve as interior and exterior access points only and are usually thinner at 35mm, while fire doors aim to protect buildings and their occupants in the event of a fire and are either 44 or 54mm thick depending on its fire rating. As a key element in a building’s passive fire protection system, fire doors and their hardware components are often the first line of defence against fire and, as such, require detailed engineering and testing.

From components and construction to features and function, there are several clear distinctions between regular doors and fire doors. Whereas regular doors are often placed throughout a building on accessibility or aesthetic merit, fire doors are strategically positioned to compartmentalise areas of the structure – such as hallways and stairwells – and are designed to help direct occupants through safe escape routes whilst also providing them with valuable time to make their way out of the building.

When opened, fire doors provide a means of escape. And when closed, they form a barrier to stop the spread of fire and smoke. To be able to do this, the main panel of the door (also known as the door leaf) is constructed from fire-resistant materials that help to prevent the door from warping or collapsing when exposed to high temperatures. Conversely, regular doors without these materials are highly vulnerable. Nonetheless, for a fire door to become effective, it must consist of more than just the leaf, and will include: The frame Intumescent fire – and if required for certification – smoke seals Glazing (although this is not necessary) Signage Door hardware, such as hinges, door closers, locks and latches.

Fire doors must work in tandem with each of these components, so to not compromise the integrity of the doorset. Intumescent fire and smoke seals, for example, frame the edges of the fire door and are chemically designed to expand into the frame when exposed to temperatures beyond 200°C. In doing so, the seals close the gaps between the frame and the door itself, eliminating any possibility of fire – and, if required, smoke – from passing through.

Intumescent seals, along with clear ‘Fire

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TECHNICAL FOCUS Door Keep Shut’ signage – usually found towards the top edge of the door leaf – are some of the most unmistakeable visual marks found on a fire door.

From an operational viewpoint, fire doors work differently than regular doors too. Fire door hardware is indispensable to fully-operational doorsets, where during a fire incident, an open door is rendered useless. To be able to form an effective barrier against fire, a door must close to completion from its open position and, as part of this process, it will call upon its hinges, locks, latches and door-closing devices. Door closers, whether concealed or surface mounted, use spring-loaded hydraulics to effectively close and engage the door into its latch, where it is held firmly in place by the frame, whereas regular doors rely on manual control.

For buildings with high footfall, an electromagnetic hold-open device may be present on a doorset. These systems are permitted to keep certain fire doors open until a fire alarm is activated, aiding ease of movement until the first sign of a fire incident, in which the system will automatically release and close the doors to completion. Equally, panic and emergency exit devices can be found on some fire doors that are positioned throughout a building’s escape routes. All exit devices are meant to be operated with minimum effort to help users successfully escape through the doorway, meaning reliability is key every step of the way.

manufacturing guidelines and, as a result, gives responsible persons and end users peace of mind that their doorset will function in a fire scenario.

Fire doors are a legal requirement in all non-domestic properties and houses of multiple occupancy and with updated fire safety regulations now in effect, thirdparty testing and product traceability is as crucial as ever. Upon testing, certified fire doors are given a fire-resistance rating that details the length of time the door and its hardware components can withstand fire and smoke, with the most common FD ratings being FD30 and FD60, which declare the doorset can withstand fire for 30 or 60 minutes respectively, and FD30S and FD60S if the doors have been tested with smoke control. A regular door with no fire-resistance characteristics would not be able to withstand these tests and, as such, would fail in a real-life event.

What’s more, fire-resistance tests are conducted on representative samples and, as such, components should not be substituted post-specification and installation. Fire door hardware, for example, in addition to rigorous fire safety testing, must go through stages

of performance testing to ensure they function properly and are able to sustain a level of durability that makes them fit for purpose. Mechanical door closers must be tested to the appropriate British Standard EN 1154, which classifies hardware over its category of use, number of test cycles, power size, fire behaviour, safety and corrosion resistance. Equally, emergency exit devices and panic exit devices are tested to BS EN 179 and BS EN 1125 respectively and electromagnetic holdopen devices to BS EN 1155. A fire door’s hinges must also be tested to BS EN 1935.

For traceability purposes, end users can review the UKCA and CE marks on a fire door and its hardware to find its fire rating, certificate numbers and the manufacturer’s details. Furthermore, for those looking to find additional information on a doorsets’ components, the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) can be referred to for clear, accurate and up-to-date product information – helping people to review and select trusted hardware that conforms to UKCA and CE certifications. 

www.allegion.com

Testing and standards To certify fire performance, the complete fire doorset is put through periods of standardised destructive testing in accredited laboratories and workshops.

The standard fire performance test method complies to BS EN 1634-1 and, in conjunction with product standard BS EN 16034, it provides the supply chain with

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

ZENTIA GIVES ULTIMA+ THE ULTIMATE UPGRADE WITH NEW NAMES AND NEW PRODUCTS – MEET PRESTIGE Zentia, a UK leader in complete ceiling solutions, is pleased to announce the renaming of its brightest and whitest tile, Ultima+. The new family, titled Prestige, will continue to represent the pinnacle of innovation and excellence in the industry and set new standards for performance, reliability and versatility.

Prestige, which was successfully launched on 25th October, offers three reliable, bespoke solutions depending on different client needs. The flagship product, Prestige, offers smooth, finely-textured laminated tiles that provide good sound absorption and attenuation, offering perfectly-balanced acoustical performance. The tiles are made in the UK*, contain up to 37% recycled content and are available in 35 colours, offering practical and creative solutions for a range of environments, including meeting rooms, waiting areas and data centres.

Prestige hA+ offers the same sleek, smooth aesthetics but also forms one of Zentia’s most sound-absorbent suspending

ceiling tiles to date, making it ideal for open-plan areas that require a dose of calm and quiet, such as libraries and healthcare settings. As well as an outstanding acoustic performance, the ceiling systems offer a reinforced scratch-resistant face and impressive environmental credentials, being 100% recyclable.

Zentia is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products. As such, it is excited to announce the Prestige family will be the first laminated product to be added to its Pinnacle Partner offcut recycling scheme. The scheme is a promise from Zentia, as a manufacturer, to take back and recycle all offcuts of Prestige

tiles from its approved Pinnacle Partners on future projects. This will result in the reduction of the amount of waste going to landfill sites.

The final product within the range, Prestige dB, offers sound attenuation properties that are most effective when privacy is your main concern by limiting noise being transmitted through ceiling voids. This makes it ideal for individual offices and boardrooms. The tiles offer the same aesthetic finish that Zentia has become known for and can be specified, as with the rest of the range, in a range of different shapes, sizes and colours * to allow enhanced creative freedom.

Graham Taylor, Director of Sales and Marketing at Zentia, said: “We are thrilled to have successfully launched our new product range, Prestige, previously known and adored as Ultima+. Whilst the name may have changed, the brand and range’s reputation for reliability, quality and innovation has not, and Prestige is only another great example of our dedication to making cutting-edge ceiling tile solutions that are made in the UK and of the highest quality, offering the best solutions for our clients.”

0191 497 1000

www.zentia.com info@zentia.com FOOTNOTE:

*Excluding dB range and SL2 Planks

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

ADVANCED’S EVACGO EVACUATION ALERT SYSTEM HELPS KEEP RESIDENTS SAFE Fire protection solutions manufacturer, Advanced, has supplied its EvacGo evacuation alert system to three social housing tower blocks in Halewood, Merseyside.

The three nine-storey tower blocks, Woolton Views, The Fairways and Ashton Park on Sherbourne Avenue, Halewood, have benefitted from the installation of three Advanced EvacGo systems, one in each block. EvacGo is compliant with the BS 8629 Code of Practice that sets out the criteria for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in England and Wales.

ABM Fire and Security undertook the complete supply, installation and commissioning of the EvacGo systems, which feature a four-loop, eight-zone evacuation alert panel in each 48-flat tower block.

The three buildings are owned by independent housing association Livv Housing Group, and partially managed by an onsite manager.

The EvacGo panels are housed inside robust, security-rated GERDA enclosures meeting the STS 205 class BR2 security rating with patented BS EN 1303-compliant lock. This minimises tampering and

restricts access to fire and rescue service personnel only, who are able to access the controls using a patented key, as stipulated in the BS 8629 code of practice. Argus Vega visual alarm devices and interfaces have been installed in all 144 flats to ensure that hard of hearing and deaf residents are kept safe and informed.

Tony Cahill, Executive Director – Property from Livv Housing Group, said: “When we were selecting an

evacuation alert system for the three tower blocks, it was essential that it met the criteria for BS 8629.

Advanced’s EvacGo is already installed in all of our other tower blocks and it ticks all the right boxes for us to meet best practice and to protect our customers in the event of a fire.”

www.advancedco.com 0345 894 7000

RAIN, SNOW, ICE? NO PROBLEM FOR WEST FRASER’S CABERDEK

KIDDE LAUNCHES NEW CAVIUS RELAY UNIT FOR COMPREHENSIVE FIRE SAFETY Leading manufacturer of fire safety equipment, Kidde Safety Europe, has announced the launch of a new relay unit under its Cavius brand, designed to provide enhanced safety for building occupants. The new Cavius Relay unit serves as a dedicated connection between smoke and heat alarms, and third-party safety systems in the event of a fire.

Enabling an emergency signal to be transmitted to systems such as telecare systems, strobe lights and sounders, this offers an ideal specification for dwellings that house vulnerable people or where compliance with the Equality Act is essential. The mains-powered Cavius is an interface between Cavius RF smoke and heat alarms and hardwired, third-party inputs (such as fire panels, break glass boxes and sprinkler flow switches) and output systems (such as telecare systems, strobes and sounders). When any of the input devices are triggered, it sends a message to the Cavius Relay unit, which, in turn, activates all the other appliances within the system, quickly raising the alarm and ensuring the safety of building occupants.

www.kidde.com/fire-safety/en/uk

CaberDek is one of West Fraser’s flagship quality flooring products designed to ensure that, whatever weather befalls UK construction sites, work can continue cleanly and safely; this is especially important with today’s tighterthan-ever timelines. It is made from the same moistureresistant particleboard as the standard CaberFloor P5 and features a protective non-slip film applied to its upper surface. CaberDek’s protective film prevents rain and frost damage to the new floor surface as well as providing a safe non-slip working surface for the construction team.

CaberDek can be left exposed and remains BBA approved for up to 42 days without risk of damage, provided it is correctly installed with West Fraser’s CaberFix adhesives.

Even after the building is weathertight, the floor surface remains protected while following trades, such as plastering and painting, come onto site. When work has finished, the protective film is simply peeled off to reveal a pristine particleboard floor ready for covering. CaberDek comes in easy-to-handle 2400 x 600mm panels produced in thicknesses of 18 and 22mm.

uk.westfraser.com

01786 812921

0333 772 2227

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

STO HELPS REFURBISHED HOMES SHINE BRIGHTER AND GREENER MAPEI SYSTEMS SAFEGUARD FUTURE AT NORTHCROFT LIDO A comprehensive Mapei system – including structural repair and waterproofing products – has been used to renovate the historic lido at Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury. Mapei products were supplied by Resapol, with works carried out by Structural Renovations on behalf of main contractor, Universal Civils & Build. The high-performance Mapei specification included products to repair and stabilise the concrete foundation of the lido and to create a new waterproof and watertight surface. The specification comprised Lamposilex fast-set pre-blended mortar, Mapeproof Swell moisture-expanding rubber-based hydrophilic sealant, Mapemortar HB R3 repair mortar and Mapeband TPE flexible sealing and waterproofing tape. During the second stage of works, Mapefix VE SF ultra-rapid hardening structural anchor was applied, along with Adesilex PG1 and Adesilex PG4 thixotropic epoxy adhesives and Epojet LV epoxy resin. The surface build up was then completed with Topcem fast-drying hydraulic binder for screed and Mapelastic Foundation flexible cementitious waterproofing mortar, and Mapeflex PU 45 FT – a rapid-hardening paintable polyurethane sealant.

www.mapei.co.uk

A refurbished housing development is benefiting from an aesthetic, energy-efficient exterior thanks to a Sto external wall insulation system. Located in Bordon, Hampshire, The Pines features 96 former Ministry of Defence (MOD) properties, which have been transformed into modern two- to three-bedroom houses and maisonettes. Square 1 Architectural Solutions specified and installed the StxTherm Robust external wall insulation system to the exterior of the existing properties. Ideal for low- to medium-rise housing, StxTherm Robust prevents heat loss and eliminates thermal bridges to enhance energy efficiency.

By insulating the outer leaf of each property, the entire structure becomes warm and dry, reducing the risk of condensation and associated mould growth. The installation of the system was completed with a final coat of Stomix Silkotex HD render. This cement-free, silicone resin render is available in a variety of colours, which enabled the client to create facades with white, grey, blue, beige and yellow finishes. With a high level of water repellence, this render also offers protection from weathering, damp and algae growth.

www.sto.co.uk

0330 024 2666

d.newton@sto.com

info@mapei.co.uk

AIRTECH SUPPORTS RADON AWARENESS WEEK

STEEL WINDOW SURVEYS FROM ASWS ASWS is offering a valuable survey service to property owners, contractors and architects. Known for its large, prestigious projects in the capital, like Battersea Power Station, The Whiteley, BBC Bush House and Hackney Town Hall, part of ASWS’ company ethos is the continual support and guidance for clients. ASWS has seen a rise in the number of landlords and architects employing the company’s services to obtain detailed, expert guidance they can submit with tender information packages to help them secure accurate project costs for their projects. In addition, several main contractors utilise this service to assist in offering all options of refurbishment and/or replacement to their clients.

www.asws.co.uk 0208 665 5335

Airtech, the condensation, mould and radon specialist, once again supported UK Radon Awareness Week, which took place from 6 to 12th November 2023, by helping raise awareness of the gas. Run by the UK Radon Association, this year’s UK Radon Awareness Week aimed to ensure members of the public have a greater awareness and understanding of radon and the health risks it poses. Airtech, therefore, advised households, private landlords and employers to learn about radon and its health effects and to carry out a radon test in homes and workplaces to help protect families and employees. Airtech offers a complete solution to help protect properties from the risks caused by radon gas with over 30 years of experience in radon prevention.

www.airtechsolutions.co.uk

info@airtechsolutions.co.uk

CLASS 1 MAGPLY BOARDS WITHSTAND REAL-LIFE FIRE TEST ON SURREY HOME A potentially catastrophic blaze, which consumed the garage containing a parked vehicle adjoining a £1m house in rural Surrey, was stopped in its tracks thanks to the 12mm A1 non-combustible Magply being chosen as the render substrate board on the contract. The property was constructed using a structural insulated panel (SIP) system with A1 non-combustible Magply being used on the exterior of the building as the substrate panel for the proprietary render system. Magply is a multi-use A1 noncombustible board with an impressive library of testing for fire applications. In the offsite and timber frame sector, the board is designed and specified to contain a fire and support the emergency service with added crucial time.

www.magply.co.uk

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01823 690292

01621 776252

john@magply.co.uk

FOCUS & INNOVATION

BURGWÄCHTER’S SECURE COMMUNITIES SCHEME SUPPORTS DORSET CHARITY NEW STRATTON MK3 SYSTEM SELECTOR FROM HAMWORTHY HEATING SIMPLIFIES PRODUCT SELECTION Following on from the launch of its latest Stratton mk3 wall-hung condensing boiler range, Hamworthy Heating, a trusted British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products, has announced the introduction of its new Stratton mk3 System Selector tool, designed to help simplify the product selection process for cascade arrangements. For installations that require more output delivered flexibly, a Stratton mk3 cascade system can be installed with up to six boilers at a time to meet building demands effectively.

Available with a range of plate heat exchangers and low-loss headers (including bespoke frame and header kits), the new Stratton mk3 System Selector identifies all the Hamworthy products needed for an efficient heating system. By answering a few simple questions from a drop-down menu, such as the number of Stratton mk3 boilers to be cascaded, the highest single boiler output and gas type, the new Stratton mk3 System Selector will list all items required on the screen.

www.hamworthy-heating.com

Burg-Wächter UK’s Secure Communities Scheme has come to the aid of a Dorset charity needing help to keep items of equipment, documents and cash safely stored.

The company received an application from the Prout Bridge Project for the free-of-charge support that the security specialist’s Secure Communities Scheme provides. Approving greatly of the work the charity does for the local people of Beaminster, Burg-Wächter’s team was motivated to help the organisation through the donation of a suitable safe.

Having liaised with the charity to assess its security needs, BurgWächter recommended its PointSafe P2 EWS safe because it is ideal for quickly stowing documents of various dimensions, thanks to its two insertion slots of two different sizes. With one slot at the front and the other on the top, it is easy to pop documents into the safe, even when it is permanently installed, without having to open it first. The safe offers the option of a double-bit lock with two keys or an electronic combination lock.

www.burg.biz/uk

01274 395333

01202 662552

0114 282 1283

allurbanltd

allurban.co.uk

allurbanltd

info@allurban.co.uk

Reimagining the public realm

all-urban-ltd

Supply and Installation of Architectural Street Furniture • Lighting Solutions • Communal BBQs and More

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