PSBJ May 2014 by Red Hut Media Ltd

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May 2014

Sustainable legacy Green agenda for award-winning build

Winning resources Managing the true cost of bidding

Safer surfacing Why wood has got new competition

Emerging technology New hub proves catalyst for growth

Pole House, Fairhaven, Australia.

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Editor Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Advertising Sales Steve Gull steve@mixedmediainfo.com Studio Manager Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com Production Ben Bridgeman ben@mixedmediainfo.com Artworker/Sub-editor David Perry david@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts Simone Jones simone@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher Mixed Media Information Pear Platt Woodfalls Industrial Estate Gravelly Way Laddingford Kent ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020 www.mixedmediainfo.com www.psbj.co.uk

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 editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information 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.

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BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ building One Trinity Green chooses Remeha boilers. Photography by Steve Mayes. Images supplied courtesy of +3 Architecture. See page 51

Welcome. . . As expected, the domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) arrived last month – the world’s first long-term financial support programme for renewable heat. Open to everyone – homeowners, social and private landlords, self-builders and households – the incentive strives to offer payments to offset the cost of installing low carbon systems into their properties. Commenting on its official launch Dr Nina Skorupska, Chief Executive, Renewable Energy Association says: “DECC, Ofgem and industry have been working for years on the Domestic RHI, and its launch is a major milestone for the Government’s green policy record. Households off the gas grid now have a financially attractive clean energy alternative to oil and electric heating. Already over half a million people have installed solar power in their homes to cut their costs and carbon emissions. Now millions more can do the same with solar hot water, wood fuel heating and heat pumps.” In this month’s issue, renewable energy is a key focus yet looks at their place in historic properties. With owners and managers under ever increasing pressure to find cost savings, Carl Benfield, Managing Director of Prescient Power talks to PSBJ about the rise of biomass boilers. Elsewhere in this issue, we turn our attention to the bidding landscape and true cost of it. In this edition’s Talking Point, Philip Collard of MarketingWorks Training & Consultancy explores what contractors could do to improve their win rate performance. Turn to page 18 to find out more. I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access the latest features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via PSBJ’s state-of-theart app. Be sure not to miss next month’s issue, where we’ll be highlighting all the benefits of this smart specification tool. In the meantime, you can download your version free-of-charge by simply entering the search term PSBJ into Google play or App Store.

Hannah Frackiewicz

Hannah Frackiewicz | Editor | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Public Sector Build Journal

Contents

06 News A round up of the latest industry news including charity events, awarded contracts, show partnerships and responses to timely construction announcements.

08 Upfront PSBJ profiles a £5.8m innovation centre on a Leicester science and technology park, which has recently been completed by contractor Willmott Dixon.

14 Healthcare

18 Talking Point

22 Building Access

Barbara Weiss Architects has completed the extensive refurbishment, extension and change of use of a redundant 1990s office block into the new Wokingham Medical Centre.

What could public sector clients do to improve efficiency in bidding? Philip Collard, Managing Director of MarketingWorks Training & Consultancy talks to PSBJ about improving your win rate performance.

The Old Market multi-storey car park in Paul Street, in the heart of Taunton has been the subject of refurbishment that centres on the three very well used passenger lifts.

16 Timber

20 Leisure

24 Drainage & Wastewater

Alastair Kerr, Director General of the Wood Panels Industries Federation discusses the opportunities one such sustainable panel, Oriented Strand Board, can offer in terms of form and function.

To reduce the frequency of trips and falls in outdoor play areas, it is crucial to have certified playground surfacing. Richard Oates at Travis Perkins discusses why wood is now facing some competition.

Evoqua Water technologies looks at water recycling and management and provides advice on the latest technologies and methods for recycling and managing water within leisure environments.

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Public Sector Build Journal

from

28 HVAC

36 Renewable Energy

Remeha looks at how relatively affordable refurbishments can slash energy bills and usage with a corresponding cut in emissions, all with rapid financial payback and minimum disruption.

Owners and managers of historic properties are under ever increasing pressure to find cost savings. Carl Benfield, Managing Director of Prescient Power looks at the rise of biomass boilers.

32 Housing

38 Play Equipment

The first 26 council homes in the landmark Building a Better Nottingham programme have now been completed by Notts construction company, Robert Woodhead. PSBJ previews the developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress.

The Association of Play Industries (API) discusses the importance of taking a holistic approach to physical activity, embedding it into all aspects of learning.

34 Education

40 Product Showcase

Morgan Sindall has recently completed a new building to Fulston Manor School, whereby its elements can collect, store and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat gain in the summer.

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and installations to help architects and specifiers make informed choices when planning their building project.

42 34

Online Enquiry 003 www.psbj.co.uk/advert-enquiry Public Sector Build Journal

News and the recently completed A470 Gelligemlyn Improvement Works. Balfour Beatty has invested £35m into the Welsh economy in the past year and under the framework it will work with the local authorities, schools, colleges, the local supply chain and Careers Wales in delivering a lasting legacy for local communities.

FCH completes £30m student studios in North Acton FCH Architects’ £30m Lyra Court proves that light, bright and stylish student apartments are an affordable proposition. The 80,000ft2 student accommodation led mixed-use development contains 209 high quality student studios sitting across two adjacent seven-storey buildings with retail at ground floor. Each studio contains kitchenette, en-suite bath or shower room, study space, and sitting and sleeping areas, on floor plans between 17.5 and 21m2. The buildings include secure access and on site management suites along with laundry facilities and social spaces like the Lyra lounge and a roof top terrace. Says Mark Doohan Director of FCH Architects: “Downing Students chose FCH primarily for our project detailing skills and we believe Lyra Court proves that affordable, stylish and practical places to live, study and relax are achievable for today’s student body.” Lyra Court completes a student accommodation masterplan adjacent to North Acton station, led by Ealing Council.

Balfour Beatty appointed to £190m building framework Balfour Beatty has been appointed to the £190m North Wales Schools and Public Building Framework. The appointment will see Balfour Beatty carrying out works on existing buildings and constructing new ones for the six local authorities in North Wales: Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Flintshire and Wrexham. Balfour Beatty has extensive experience of working in North Wales where it has delivered projects ranging from the North Wales Police Headquarters and Caernarfon Crown Court buildings to the A487 Porthmadog Bypass

Public Sector Build Journal

education programmes in recent years. The groundbreaking Design Engineer Construct! Curriculum developed by Class of Your Own (COYO) brings together industry and education to inspire and encourage future built environment professionals. The curriculum is aimed at a generation of tech savvy young learners who need support to grasp the application of pure subjects and how they relate to solving some of the world’s greatest challenges in sustainable living. In order to encourage industry involvement, COYO has developed the ‘Adopt A School’ scheme with RICS being one of its earliest adopters. RICS is sponsoring students from Clacton Coastal Academy and encouraging others in the industry to do the same.

Former pool site to be transformed Work is underway to breathe new life into the site of a former Grange-over-Sands swimming pool, delivering more than 40 affordable homes to ease the town’s growing housing need. With more than 3000 people currently looking for an affordable home to rent in South Lakeland, the £6m scheme by Two Castles Housing Association and Esh Property Services will deliver 43 new homes at the former Berners Indoor Pool site, off Berners Close. Working together under the Hadrian Development Solutions Partnership, the energy-efficient scheme is due for completion in spring 2015 and is available for people with a connection to the town and surrounding area. It will include 43 houses and flats – 32 available for affordable rent and 11 available under a shared ownership arrangement.

RICS promotes best in class Students from schools in London and the South East were invited to RICS’ HQ on Parliament Square to celebrate the launch of one of the most innovative secondary

New PassivHaus scheme for Hastoe Housing An award-winning Norfolk social housing association has been given the go-ahead to build a new eco-friendly array of dwellings in the village of Outwell, Kings Lynn. Hastoe Housing Association, in conjunction with Norfolk-based building consultancy Ingleton Wood and contractor EN Suiter, have already been granted a section 106 for the 15-unit PassivHaus build off Birdbeck Drive. In 2011, Hastoe Housing Association opened the UK’s first accredited rural affordable housing PassivHaus scheme at Wimbish in Essex. The company has gone on to build several other schemes of this nature, such as in Ditchingham, Norfolk, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable building and achieving Code for Sustainable Homes at Level 4 or higher. James Evans, Associate Architect, who is leading the design and build project on behalf of Ingleton Wood, and who is studying to become a certified PassivHaus Designer, said: “This is a great project for us to work on with Hastoe. PassivHaus, while a relatively new concept in the UK, will over the next few years become the benchmark for sustainable house building. It brings very low running costs to its future residents whilst avoiding the inevitable energy price hikes.”

News

Ryder transforms Manchester Central Library The re-opening of the refurbished Manchester Central Library brought to fruition one of Ryder Architecture’s most ambitious designs, in an inspirational and practical re-imaging of a well-loved, but internally hamstrung building. The scale of the two main interventions – removing the book stacks from the core of the building and installing a new vertical circulation provision – was considerable, likened to removing the fruitcake filling from a wedding cake and replacing it with sponge, all without disturbing the icing. Yet scooping out the entire innards of the 12,500m2 building and putting in a radically different new structure was vital to renewing Manchester Central Library, making a completely accessible, legible and uplifting space whose inherent flexibility would see it loved and used for its next 80 years – and beyond.

RLB puts forward Government Soft Landings Rider Levett Bucknall has presented one of its projects as an example of best practice at a prominent conference on Government Soft Landings. The firm, which provides project management, quantity surveying and building surveying services, discussed the £40m Champion Hill redevelopment for Kings College London last month at the GSL: ‘Joining the Dots’ Conference. The Champion Hill project comprises the development of 720 student residences across four new-build blocks and the renovation of a Grade II listed building. It is one of a number of schemes Rider Levett Bucknall is delivering using a GSL approach, in sectors including education, healthcare and research. The methodology is being used for both new-build and refurbishment projects, ranging from £2m to £100m

Kevin Little, Director of Capital Projects at King’s College London, said: “Using soft landings on this project will accelerate both a smooth facilities management operation from day one and help the development to meet our carbon management aspirations. This state-of-the-art system will help us provide world class facilities to students and staff, attracting the brightest and the best to King’s College London.”

Cleator Moor Health Centre celebrates opening Cleator Moor Health Centre in Cumbria opened its doors to more than 40 people as part of a special celebratory event, on Thursday 20th March. The purpose-built centre, on Birks Road, was developed by eLIFT Cumbria Limited under the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme, a publicprivate partnership involving Express LIFT Investments Limited and Community Health Partnerships, who are also the centre’s Head Tenant. The centre was created as a means to integrate a number of services, which were previously offered from four different buildings. This co-location of essential services ensures the local population has easy access to health and wellbeing facilities delivered from modern premises. Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Chairman Mike Taylor commented: “Cumbria Partnership is delivering a range of community services from the health centre, including physiotherapy, podiatry, smoking cessation and First Step. Being so close to other services is clearly better for the patients and it will mean better integrated working between clinicians and professionals.”

Miller builds on public sector success Miller Construction has been appointed to the £200m framework that will deliver school building projects across North

Wales. In this latest framework success Miller is one of seven firms appointed to the North Wales Schools and Public Buildings Contractor Framework which includes delivery of the high profile 21st Century School building programme across the region. Appointment to the framework, which will be delivered over the next four to seven years, covers a number of projects which are committed to be delivered by Denbighshire County Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Flintshire County Council, Gwynedd County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Isle of Anglesey County Council. The 21st Century Schools Programme is a unique collaboration between the Welsh Government, the Welsh Local Government Association and local authorities with goal to deliver a generation of 21st century schools in Wales. In addition, the framework will also include a range of wider public building developments across North Wales. The framework is a joint project funded by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills is led by Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils on behalf of the six North Wales local authorities.

Scape restructures as demand for services soars An increase in demand for services provided by public sector construction procurement, design and transformation specialist Scape has led to a company restructure and a series of new senior appointments. Scape is a local authority controlled company which saves its local government and wider public sector clients an average of 14% on the procurement costs of their construction projects. It also provides design products such as Sunesis which delivers new schools, extra care accommodation and leisure facilities which are 30% cheaper and delivered 12 months quicker than market alternatives. Its consultancy arm of the business helps the public sector transform the way it manages property and assets. The restructure sees Scape continue to be led by Mark Robinson who has been appointed as Group Chief Executive and Steve Elkin being appointed Chief Operating Officer.

Public Sector Build Journal

Upfront

The narrow width of the site informed the shape and design of the building, which includes a number of contrasting materials

L Technology moors to Dock Sitting alongside the National Space Centre and award-winning Abbey Park, the new £5.9m Dock innovation centre in Leicester is set to ignite the city's knowledge economy by providing top quality facilities for hi-tech businesses. Nick Heath, Operations Director at main contractor Willmott Dixon, comments on this innovative project and the ambition to bring hi-tech industry to the city.

eft vacant for nearly 20 years, ‘Abbey Meadows West’ was the largest undeveloped employment site in Leicester. This former sewage works was crying out for regeneration and the city desperately needed a home for innovation and technology businesses, allowing it to take full advantage of the rich vein of graduates from its two universities. Despite the project being cited as a key strategic regeneration initiative in Leicester’s 2002 master plan, it was not until 2011, when the city elected a mayor for the first time, that Leicester was able to gather the necessary political and financial traction

The building provides break out and communal exhibition spaces for tenants and a place where businesses and individuals can meet and exchange ideas

Public Sector Build Journal

Upfront The building features a central three-storey atrium with feature staircase and larch walls, which provides break out and communal exhibition spaces for tenants and a place where businesses and individuals can meet and exchange ideas. This is believed to give Dock a competitive advantage as it looks to attract more emerging technology firms, and has ensured that existing tenants have built an excellent rapport with one another. Achieving environmental excellence throughout the project was also vital and Dock has been designed and constructed with this very much front of mind. The south facing building is naturally ventilated with louvres on the outside and solar-

The south facing building is naturally ventilated with louvres on the outside and solar-controlled glass

width of the site informed the shape and design of the building, which includes a number of contrasting materials to the exterior. Zinc shingles were placed alongside more traditional materials such as brick to reflect the industrial heritage of the city and to help create a link with the surrounding buildings. A key consideration for maber during the design process, and of the utmost importance to Leicester City Council, was the need to give tenants sufficient space to come together to share knowledge and ideas, while at the same time ensuring lettable space was maximised in line with funding targets.

to deliver Dock. The City’s Mayor’s first decision in office was to purchase the land and commit to its development. Dock has received funding from the European Regional Development Fun, the Homes and Communities Agency as well as Leicester City Council. It is anticipated that Dock will be entirely self-funding by year three. Located approximately half a mile north of the city centre, Dock will provide flexible workspace for up to 55 new space, science and technology businesses amid its 32,000ft2 of incubation units, laboratories, conference facilities and offices. Since the building was handed back to owners, Leicester City Council in the autumn, more than a third of the available space – including the largest unit – has been occupied. Once Dock reaches full capacity, it is estimated that 150 new jobs will have been created as a direct result of its completion.

Cutting-edge design Behind the Procon nominated design is Leicester-based architects, maber. The award-winning firm was challenged with creating a range of flexible workspaces, excellent communal areas and an eyecatching design fitting of the firms to be housed within. Reflecting the innovative design of surrounding buildings such as the National Space Centre, it was essential that Dock was at the cutting edge of modern design as well as sustainable and environmentally sound. The former sewage works proved a challenging site to work with in terms of both construction and design. The narrow

The building features a central three-storey atrium with feature staircase and larch walls

Public Sector Build Journal

Upfront 13 acres of available land to help support the growth of hi-tech businesses in the city. Interest has also been expressed in a brownfield site, located adjacent to Dock, for grow on space for innovation and technology businesses. Construction of a new ASDA superstore adjacent to the site is also well underway, which will improve the area even further for visitors, businesses and the local community.

Considerate constructors

As a member of the Considerate Constructors scheme, Willmott Dixon has ensured that all works have been conducted in line with the code of conduct laid out by the scheme, which includes everything from appearance to the local community. Dock is central to local development plans and it was important to ensure that its neighbours, partners and stakeholders were included throughout the build process. Engagement with these parties was at the heart of the project and each group was informed, consulted and

Recycled materials have also been heavily utilised throughout the project and the landscaped grounds include a series of bat boxes

controlled glass which, along with an air source heat pump system which supplies the entire building, has contributed to it achieving a BREEAM excellent rating. Recycled materials have also been heavily utilised throughout the project and the landscaped grounds include a series of bat boxes in recognition of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wildlife.

Catalyst for growth With financial and political backing, Dock is the flagship development from which Leicester City Council hopes to springboard growth in the knowledge

10 Public Sector Build Journal

economy sector in the city. The surrounding land, known as Pioneer Park, is also earmarked for development over the coming years and has been highlighted as the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first choice location for high growth businesses engaged in technology and innovation. Already Dock has sparked interest in the surrounding area with a further 15,000ft2 of Grade A workspace delivered by the private sector at 2 Exploration Drive. Work on the next phase of Pioneer Park has already begun, with the development of a former school site offering a further

Dock is the flagship development from which Leicester City Council hopes to springboard growth in the knowledge economy sector in the city

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Upfront

Dock will provide flexible workspace for up to 55 new space, science and technology businesses

Support for the park as a Business Investment Area will remain a strategic priority for Leicester City Council and Leicester & Leicestershire Economic Partnership. It will also remain a focus for national and European investment funds over the next five to 10 years, in part as a result of Dock’s success. As well as being a significant step forwards in the development of technology businesses and the wider sector within the

city of Leicester, Dock has also delivered a sleek and modern building to be proud of. Its impact on kick starting growth at Pioneer Park is clear to see and there is little doubt that this previously unloved area of Leicester is set to provide tangible economic and social benefits for the city for many years to come.

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involved every step of the way, resulting in a positive response from residents and businesses alike. Willmott Dixon is committed to improving the lives of young people living in and around their construction sites and was keen to go the extra mile with this innovative building. The project was used as a pilot for CITB (the UK’s construction training organisation) to develop an employment skills plan, which allowed for both sub-contractors and Willmott Dixon to use apprentices in association with Leicester College throughout the project. Indeed, the main contractor was able to employ an apprentice full time as a result. Keeping it local is key for Willmott Dixon and was central to this project – 100% of sub-contractor spend was kept within 60 miles of the innovation centre and nearly a quarter within a 20 mile radius. Such was the commitment of the team to ensuring the scheme’s targets were not only met but exceeded, they have recently been rewarded with a Gold award from Considerate Constructors in recognition of their efforts.

www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk www.dockleicester.co.uk

Key milestone According to City Mayor, Peter Soulsby, the official launch of Dock, which took place in February, marked a key milestone in the development of Leicester’s innovation and technology hub at Pioneer Park.

12 Public Sector Build Journal

Achieving environmental excellence throughout the project was vital and Dock has been designed and constructed with this very much front of mind

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Healthcare

Peace of mind Where the existing facade and built fabric remains, it has been given a ‘fresh face’ to conceal the original architecture

Barbara Weiss Architects (BWA) has completed the extensive refurbishment, extension and change of use of a redundant 1990s office block into the new Wokingham Medical Centre, to create the largest singlesite GP practice in the UK.

he 1600m2 NHS building, provides new facilities for up to 16 GPs (currently home to 11), and five nurses, along with a new pharmacy and flexible medical suite. The relocation from two separate sites, now occupies a site in the heart of Wokingham’s town centre in Berkshire, a key area for the continued regeneration of the town. The brief was simply to accommodate a large number of patients (the centre will serve a catchment area of up to 32,000) and GPs within a calm, non-institutionalised environment. BWA substantially extended the existing building and added a penthouse conference room on the roof. Design features include bespoke joinery used to create an intimate suite of consulting areas throughout the building and ‘clinical’ examination areas at the rear. The use of Intelligent Glass glazing on the front elevation at first and second floors, provides touch-of-a-button privacy to the consulting rooms behind.

14 Public Sector Build Journal

Due to the variation in Wokingham’s building styles – from 14th century timber framed buildings in Rose Street, 15th century overhangs in Peach Street, to white rendered Georgian houses and 1990s red brick office blocks – the challenge for BWA was to design Wokingham Medical Centre so that its materials and appearance were appropriate both to its context and to its use as a modern public medical facility. BWA began the design process with the complete strip-out of the existing steel frame and cavity wall office building and remodeled

the space to meet a number of key objectives including need for additional floorspace for new services and clinics, and additional consulting and treatment rooms. To meet government ambitions on the provision of more care locally, the new building also needed to allow for the colocation of a pharmacy, physiotherapy and other services, whilst comfortably catering for the likely increase in patient numbers, a predicted additional 9-10,000, from 4000 newly-built homes in the area. BWA positioned the main surgery entrance

BWA designed the integration of a new third floor to accommodate a pavilion, housing a meeting and conference space

Healthcare on the ground floor within a large canopy with curved ends that mirrors the existing curved stair tower. The ground floor also houses the reception; administrative and waiting areas; nurse and treatment rooms; and the pharmacy. A sliding gate aids flexibility for the space, separating the surgery reception from the pharmacy entrance to enable out-ofhours use.

Additional links

The second floor houses further consulting rooms, waiting areas, nurse and treatment rooms

with the exception of the glazed screen in the entrance elevation, which is framed in deep oak mullions and transoms to provide warmth, and a degree of privacy from upward views. The service and escape door and adjoining screen are also faced in oak. The upper levels, above the entrance, are enclosed with a bespoke curtain wall system, constructed of oak and Intelligent Glass, designed specifically for the project. Intelligent Glass, at the flick of a remote control button, alternates between opacity and transparency, permitting doctors to offer their patients both

privacy and daylight. In the northwest elevation, facing Rose Street and the principal site entrance, the previously blank windows are opened up and redesigned to provide daylight to adjoining rooms and some passive surveillance of the adjoining car park and public areas. Where the existing facade and built fabric remains, it has been given a ‘fresh face’ to conceal the original architecture. The need to extend the building, especially to the northeast, has seen extensive glazing emphasise and enhance the entrance and its approach. The building is approached, from Rose Street, along a new 1.8m wide pedestriansafe access, separated from vehicles by new, modern lighting bollards and a mixture of newly-planted, largely indigenous trees. The Wokingham Medical Centre was completed on site in just over a year and is now fully operational for the public use. Dr Vijay Bhardwaj, Lead Client GP says: “Barbara Weiss Architects’ approach to design has enabled us to deliver for Wokingham a beautiful, contemporary and innovative building. The practice has shown beyond doubt that medical spaces can be fit for purpose without being institutional, clinical or bland. Wokingham Medical Centre has warmth, character and, with its lighting and palette of materials and colours, is a building that is calm and reassuring.”

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An extensive provision of roof lights allows natural light to flow into all rooms on the second floor, which houses further consulting rooms, waiting areas, nurse and treatment rooms. The second floor also accommodates a large staff common room, the heart of the practice’s community, along with additional offices. Along with a number of successful alterations to the existing built fabric, BWA designed the integration of a new third floor to accommodate a pavilion, housing a meeting and conference space. The third floor extension is also set back from the northeast elevation and opens out onto a spacious terrace. A new accommodation staircase provides an additional link between the ground and first floor waiting rooms. The original stairs and lift have been completely refurbished, including the provision of a new lift car. A light shaft is extended from the stairwell to the roof, to bring natural light to filter into the lower floors of the building. Externally, the new extensions are rendered with simply proportioned window openings. Window frames are made of aluminium,

A new accommodation staircase provides an additional link between the ground and first floor waiting rooms

www.barbaraweissarchitects.com

Public Sector Build Journal 15

Timber

Picking the panel Whether commissioning new build or refurbishment projects, local authorities and, as a result, contractors have a responsibility to ensure that projects are cost-effective and sustainable. Alastair Kerr, Director General of the Wood Panels Industries Federation (WPIF), discusses the opportunities one such sustainable panel, Oriented Strand Board, can offer in terms of form and function.

imber panels come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s important to know and understand the differences so that the right panel can be chosen for the right job. Plywood has often been the common choice for projects where a panel product is needed but all too often, this isn’t a considered decision – it’s just what specifiers are used to. Over the past few years, interest in engineered panel Oriented Strand Board (OSB) has come into its own, as specifiers realised the variety of applications and comparative like-for-like, or even better, performance it can offer on the job. As more builders and specifiers start to choose to use OSB, the less they return to the ply they used to know and love. This is because OSB proves itself as an affordable alternative that can do everything they need it to, on building jobs large and small, and its quality and green credentials are always guaranteed – unlike uncertified plywood. Chosen increasingly for its form and not just its function, OSB can satisfy the demand for a strong, versatile panel product whilst retaining strong design credentials. With a natural tone and a textured appearance, OSB has a unique layered composition as a result of the cross-ply technique used during manufacture. In this way, OSB is both incredibly strong and incredibly versatile, plus it can be stained,

16 Public Sector Build Journal

varnished or painted as desired, making it a perfect choice for interior design. Increasingly codes, regulations and legislation in the construction and refurbishment industries are focussing in on materials. While this is largely targeted at manufacturers, there are occasions when the effect of legislation can have such widereaching implications that all those involved in building or refurbishment projects need to be aware.

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OSB can satisfy the demand for a strong, versatile panel product whilst retaining strong design credentials

established system of felling regulation, compliance with EUTR should be relatively simple compared to those products made from materials sourced from further afield. All too often, plywood is chosen for a job that OSB can readily do and if the origin of the plywood is unclear, so is its environmental credentials. The CE mark affixed to OSB is evidence that it conforms to the Construction Products Directive and is therefore free to be placed on the European market in all member states. If further reassurance was needed, FSC accreditation means that the wood used in the manufacture of OSB in the UK and Ireland already adheres to tough environmental guidelines. Recent research has shown that global consumption of OSB is set to increase by 11% per year over the next five years, compared to a 5% annual increase in the consumption of plywood, according to the latest wood panel industry research. Recognising that there has been a massive shift in favour of strong and sustainable wood panels in the last decade, the research indicates that this trend will continue and more countries will begin to benefit from OSB’s structural and environmental benefits.

www.josbdone.com

Reviewing choice One such example is the European Union’s Timber Regulation (EUTR), which came into force last year. By the terms of the regulation, those placing illegally sourced timber or timber products within the European Economic Area will be committing a criminal offence, which could result in heavy fines, stock seizures and the suspension of trading rights. Whilst this is targeted at those in the early stages of the supply chain, local authorities and contractors should take note and review their choice of materials to avoid disruption to projects and ensure ethical purchasing decisions are being made. Thankfully, switching to products such as Oriented Strand Board (OSB) can mitigate any potential impacts. Made from wood harvested in the UK and Ireland, which can be considered low risk due to a long

OSB proves itself as an affordable alternative that can do everything they need it to, on building jobs large and small

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Public Sector Build Journal 17

Talking Point

The pursuit of efficiency Use a properly-designed, mapped-out, work-winning process to ensure client centric alignment across all stages of bidding

Philip Collard, Managing Director of MarketingWorks Training & Consultancy, talks to PSBJ about the current bidding landscape and explores what contractors could do to improve their win rate performance.

Allow limited resources to be focused on the “must win; can win” bids

18 Public Sector Build Journal

hilst there is a palpable sense of relief across the construction industry that the economy has picked up, my personal view is contractors should be very cautious. This good news obviously translates into larger opportunity pipelines for all members of the supply chain. However, it also comes with the likely temptation of trying to process more bids through the already lean and over stretched work winning teams. The obvious reaction is employing more bid staff to help with this demand and the recruitment pages have plenty of jobs on offer. However, whilst rebuilding the work winning function is a good “first fix”, I would still advise caution on processing too many bids as this spreads good resources too thinly. My personal mantra has always been “bid less and win more” which relies on being extremely selective as to which opportunities to pursue. We, with the University of Reading, are currently updating a large industry-wide bid cost research programme whose 2003 results showed that the internal OPEX cost of responding to a relatively modest bid started at out around £3k. The average cost of a D&B bid for a contractor, even in 2003, was around £28k. Given the average lose rate is 4:5, it’s easy to do the maths, and realise what their actual cost of losing

represents. Selectivity that achieves a reduction in abortive bidding will not only dramatically improve margins but creates happier bid teams, who dislike working long hours on bids they know they cannot win. Having trained, coached and mentored numerous contractors’ and consultants’ bid teams over a wide variety of procurement routes and types (including HCA, AMP6, Highways Agency, PSPB and PITT type frameworks bids), plus numerous one-off projects for end clients such as Jaguar, as well supporting teams for numerous County Councils frameworks, I now find bid teams are larger and better organised and more time is being spent per bid. In excess of 400 staff hours is now typical.

Valuable insight One team I worked with recently spent at least £500k on one bid. Hence why I believe the 2003 base levels have probably doubled. Most senior team people I speak with say they “dread to think” of what they are actually spending on bidding as it is hidden within the overhead and not captured as a separate metric. I think this denies them valuable insights on how to improve and refine selectivity variables that could minimise expensive abortive bidding. Such data would also inform where long term sustainable efficiencies can be achieved through improved behaviours and effective process and allow limited resources to be focused on the “must win; can win” bids. So what could public sector clients

Talking Point

1. The lack of standardisation of public sector pre-qualification is still costing the supplychain dearly. Not all public sector clients use PAS 91 or standardised processes such as Construction Line. Enforcing this really would allow suppliers to provide pre-qualification information just once that can then be presented to all public sector clients who have a potential opportunity. Many public bodies still insist on using one-off and bespoke variations, often asking similar questions. It is a huge waste of contractors’ money and resources. A glimmer of light here is the Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock’s recent announcement of measures to remove the barriers to public contracts by abolishing pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) for low-value contracts and mandating the use of core PQQs for high value contracts.

2. Proper feedback to contractors. After all the time and effort, blood sweat and tears that bid teams put into a bid, it still is frustratingly difficult to get proper honest structured feedback from public sector clients. Despite recognising it can only help them in the long run by helping a contractor address weaknesses and poor bid strategies; very few public bodies provide decent feedback. Contractors often worry that if they pushed hard for any qualitative feedback it might remove them from future opportunities. 3. Recognise and give credit to contractor’s ideas. Another bug bear from contractors about poor public sector procurement is the lack of recognition they receive for innovative and value-giving ideas. Often great ideas are taken and reissued to other competitors without any appreciation or recognition. No problem if this happens within open collaboration procurement routes. But when in a straight competition, it does not encourage contractors to share thoughts that actually help clients. Ongoing recognition by the professional team of the source of the idea would be a good first step. 4. Balancing risk and reward. Certain public sector bodies are retrenching from taking and owning risk and hedging towards tried and tested proven approaches. The only problem is that assessment at evaluation stages can score innovation poorly and, worse, drive out innovation entirely. This was a flaw of Highways Agency’s previous CAT scores, which have now been replaced with a truly impressive procurement approach called StART (Strategic Alignment Review Tool). This was developed in collaboration with all stakeholders and is used to test the alignment of key suppliers to the HA’s strategy. It is an exemplar approach.

Support bid teams in adopting more desirable client centric bidding behaviours through prompts and checklists

5. More competitive dialogue. Leveraging competitive dialogue as a process within the overall procurement approach is underused. Strangely it is the clients themselves that seem to draw back from having this healthy dialogue with one or two members of the supply chain. Because, I think, they may feel somehow this could be inferred as collusive. Could it be that the clients don’t quite understand how this complex process works?

Philip Collard is Managing Director of MarketingWorks Training & Consultancy. Over the last 25 years Philip has provided advice to a large variety of primarily professional service firms in the construction industry. His consultancy specialises in providing solutions which revitalise work winning as an integrated process.

What contractors could do to improve their win rate performance: • Be very selective, capture actual time and costs and learn from lost and won bids. • Use a properly designed mapped out work winning process to ensure client centric alignment across all stages of bidding. • Support bid teams in adopting more desirable client centric bidding behaviours through prompts and checklists to help develop better outputs. • Offer bid management training / mentoring to help refresh and revitalise behaviours and processes. • Hold proper internal reviews during the bid to help embed an improved culture. Do not leave reviews until adjudication. • If you want to improve efficiencies within your own bid teams and perhaps stimulate their thinking about better bidding practices, then submit a few Bid Cost Surveys on recent bids. It will also help us refresh this valuable research.

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do to improve efficiency in bidding? This experience of working with numerous contractors and consultants across many public sector procurement routes has allowed me to develop perspective and insights above simply selectivity.

www.marketingworks.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 19

Leisure

The versatility of rubber chippings allows exciting colours and patterns to be created

Doing the groundwork The biggest advantage of rubber chippings is its endurance, making it ideal for high traffic areas such as indoor and outdoor playgrounds

Trips and falls are the leading cause of injury to children in outdoor play areas. To reduce the frequency and severity of their injuries, it is crucial to have certified playground surfacing. Traditionally, the preferred choice has been wood chippings. Richard Oates, Landscaping Category Manager at Travis Perkins, discusses why wood is now facing some competition.

ood chippings are the most commonly used form of surfacing for playgrounds and outdoor play areas and for good reason. Not only a cost effective solution, they have the benefit of being environmentally friendly, whilst being simple to install and providing all year protection. However, the overall value for money can be questioned. Regular re-investment is needed as chippings easily get scattered, especially if used in an unenclosed area, leaving play areas in need of a top up. They can be

20 Public Sector Build Journal

difficult to maintain and often become muddy, which isn’t ideal for domestic or commercial nursery environments, and can result in the attraction of pets and wildlife. What’s more, all play area surfaces must meet specified depth guidelines depending on the height of the play equipment used. For fall heights over 1.9m, a surfacing depth of 200mm is necessary. This means that, as wood chippings compress by up to 25 per cent over time, there is a need to constantly ensure the play area surface is meeting the required guidelines. The time and care taken

to maintain a hygienic play area at a constant depth can have serious implications for overall maintenance costs. This had led to many contractors and landscapers to look for alternatives, namely rubber. Traditionally, rubber solutions were seen as a more expensive option, but we are now seeing a number of different options at various price ranges offering a number of benefits that wood chippings can’t, meaning rubber is increasingly becoming a popular play area surfacing option. In the past, contractors have raised concerns over the high upfront costs associated with rubber. However, the long term benefits to be gained from rubber chippings make it a far better investment than wood chippings.

Long term investment The biggest advantage of rubber chippings is its endurance, making it ideal for high traffic areas such as indoor and outdoor playgrounds. Rubber paving is also extremely durable and will not chip or crack and is not greatly affected by rain, snow, or ice. In addition, the rubber surfacing solution is easy to clean meaning any installation can be enjoyed for decades without the worry of incurring any further maintenance costs. Rubber chippings also offer improved safety features. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimates there are approximately 40,000 injuries to children on playgrounds which result in a hospital visit each year. Rubber chippings have superior slip resistance and shock absorption, making the surface the ideal solution to help minimise injury.

Leisure soil and drainage, is essential. Once the surfacing has been installed, a post-installation safety audit must be performed to ensure the surfacing meets all the required safety standards or that any potential issues are resolved before the play area comes operational. Ultimately, whilst wood chippings are expected to remain the market leader, there are clear reasons why rubber is an up and coming alternative surfacing material. We are seeing a growing market in families creating child safe play areas at home and the versatility of rubber as a flooring solution is beyond question. Being a viable solution across residential and commercial applications, it looks like the popularity of rubber will continue to grow. Travis Perkins now offers a range of outdoor rubber paving and chipping landscaping solutions.

Although playground safety is a critical first step in creating a positive play experience, it's vital that the play area is also engaging and appealing

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Research has shown that encouraging children to play and socialise is vital for their development. Although playground safety is a critical first step in creating a positive play experience, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital that the play area is also engaging and appealing. The versatility of rubber chippings allows exciting colours and patterns to be created, making them ideal for custom projects to suit any taste and requirement. Rubber paving also has the versatility of being used in residential and commercial applications including patios and garages through to sports arenas and gymnasiums. It has all the benefits of rubber chippings and is now a regularly sourced alternative to more popular paving options such as brick or natural stone. However, there are other key aspects to consider in addition to the chosen material. Proper installation is key whilst knowledge of the environment surrounding the playground or outdoor play area, including

www.travisperkins.co.uk

All play area surfaces must meet specified depth guidelines depending on the height of the play equipment used

Essential maintenance The creation of public spaces and on-going ground maintenance often means that a robust waste management solution is required. Choosing a complete package provider such as the Hire service from Travis Perkins can provide easy access to an extensive choice of refuse and recycling solutions from wheelie bins and skips, to road sweepers and the removal of hazardous material. As well as skips and bins, the service extends to an exclusive partnership with HIPPOBAG, the removal of hazardous and specialist waste, and the hire of recycling equipment such as balers. In addition to product solutions, these services can give customers confidence that waste is being handled safely and in accordance with regulations. This comprehensive process also ensures that a tailored and effective solution will be provided every time, making life hassle-free for local authorities and creating enjoyable spaces for the public. Find out more about Travis Perkins Hire and its waste management solutions by visiting www.travisperkins.co.uk/Tool-Hire/ Waste-Management-Solutions. Visit your local Travis Perkins branch to find out more or call the waste management team on 0844 892 1873 for a quote.

Public Sector Build Journal 21

LUFREWOP TSOM EHT !R E V E E V I R D G N I W S

dlroW ruoY gninepO The duplex pair is cleverly and very neatly linked to one call button, positioned centrally between the two lifts

Professional service on every level The Old Market multi-storey car park in Paul Street, in the heart of Taunton has been the subject of refurbishment that centres on the three very well-used passenger lifts.

he South West England and South Wales branch of national lift company Stannah Lift Services has completed the comprehensive modernisation of a duplex of lifts adjacent to the central stairway and a single lift adjacent to the access on the opposite side of the building. Both the corresponding motor rooms were also refurbished. .noitAll amthree rofnlifts i reh tru6-stop f rof ytraction adot sulifts, tcatnoC are the duplex lifts each catering for 16 4996 613 0080 persons/1250kg and the single lift being a k13-person/ u.oc.sm975kg etsyscapacity. roodneglig@ofni Working with South on ww ku.oc.smetsysroWest odnOne eglLtd ig.w behalf of Taunton Deane Borough Council,

of confident, competence which was very reassuring. My special thanks must go to your supervisor who fine-tuned everything, leaving nothing for my consultant to pick up on – a rare achievement indeed! “With no adverse complaints from the public throughout the works, my thanks go to them all and I trust our paths will cross in the future.” The scope of the work included new traction drive systems with a high performance motor gear unit for each lift, new electronic controllers and totally refurbished lift cars and landing doors. Each lift was completed simultaneously, in order to maintain sufficient public access over the six car park levels. The duplex pair is cleverly and very neatly linked to one call button, positioned centrally between the two lifts, doing away with the usual confusion of which lift to call and where they both are. The state-of-theart controller does all the work for you, as the pair of lifts work together to serve the user quickly, efficiently and saves energy by eliminating unnecessary travel. The lift is extremely quiet and the ride within the bright, spacious, brushed steel lift car is exceptional.

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Building Access

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8 www.stannahlifts.co.uk * liftsales@stannah.co.uk ( 01264 364311

tinu evird rood gniws 02 DF negliG wen lanoitpecxe ehT Stannah won the competitive tender, :reve tnelis dna lufrewop tsom ruo si removed old equipment and installed new lifts in just 18 weeks, on time and in budget. )eerf-lio( tinu evird lacinahcem-ortcele esion-woL • Robert Erskine, Senior Building Surveyor with South West One, was delighted with gk052 ro mm0061 ot pu srood etamotuA • the work of the Stannah Lift Services srood roiretxe rof elbatius oslA • South West team, putting it in writing to the Managing Director: “This project is noitcnuf og-dna-hsup elbatsujdA • now completed and I wanted to make you lortnoc mumixam reffo revoc edis eht ni snottub detanimullI • aware of the first class service your team has given in achieving a good result on lortnoc etomer lanoitpO • what was, a very contentious and politically yalyour psidsales detargetni na fo snaem yb gninoissimmoc ysaE • sensitive site. From the outset, advisor showed nothing but confidence msinahcem dor gnidils lanoitpo evitcarttA • in what your company could achieve and what the outcome would be, whilst his colleagues on site carried out the donkey scthings itehtshappened ea dna reinwaop , noisicerp ssiws senibmoc 02DF negliG ehT work to make sure timely manner with additional .sdeen noittechnical acilppa fo yteirav ediw a rof eciohc trams eht ti gnikam support in the background smoothed the way. The lift is extremely quiet and the ride “I visited the site almost every day and within the bright, spacious, brushed steel was always greeted with a smile and an air lift car is exceptional

riapeR dna ecivreS sekaM llA • daehrevO lanoitceS • srooD delaeS yllacitemreH • srooD mroftalP • srooD eriF • srooD ytiruceS • srettuhS relloR • srooD citamotuA 22 Public Sector Build Journal

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Public Sector Build Journal 23

Drainage & Wastewater

Reap operational rewards Improving water management will underpin overall efficiencies by reducing energy and operating costs

With water utility costs set to increase and the public purse under increasing pressure, Simon Radford, UK Sales Manager for Evoqua Water Technologies says implementing strategic waste water recycling and management systems for public buildings can deliver environmental and cost control benefits.

24 Public Sector Build Journal

As the public sector faces continuing pressure to not only reduce costs but also meet stringent environmental targets and offset legislative scrutiny, water management strategies continue to attract attention. Whatever the source, such as local water authorities or bore holes, water

supply comes at a price. In the general operational landscape, it can also be a key cost area that does not receive the focus required to reduce the impact on bottom lines. In this regard, assessing the worth of water recycling initiatives can make sound business sense.

Retrofit strategy

Recycling and re-use of water is becoming ever more prevalent across business and public sector operations

Whilst the optimal time to consider implementation of a water recycling and management system is on a new build project, it should also be considered for existing structures as part of a modernisation or upgrade strategy. It is advised in any case that a buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing water usage be examined under a water usage audit. This audit should include examining leakages through damaged or ageing infrastructure to check where wastage is occurring and analysis of potential overuse such as staff wastage. Every drop counts, so engaging the workforce in initiatives to reduce usage will prove valuable. Buildings that are in control of their water usage can then consider options

aking a fresh look at integrating water management as part of daily operations, and embracing the benefits of cost effective technology investments can help optimise the usage of what remains a costly, precious and heavilyused natural resource. As costs continue to escalate, UK water usage accounts for a significant proportion of any infrastructureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s running costs, particularly in heavily used public buildings, for example, those operating in the leisure sector. This resource is a critical operational element in the provision of swimming pools, is utilised in huge volumes on a daily basis, and is costly. As budgets tighten in the public sector, with organisational and sustainable best practice high on the business agenda, safely and effectively optimising water use can reap both operational and environmental benefits. Recycling and re-use of water is becoming ever more prevalent across business and public sector operations and is increasingly being applied in major UK infrastructure projects.

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Public Sector Build Journal 25

Drainage & Wastewater

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for water recycling and begin the process of cutting volumes, and associated costs, as well as driving a more sustainable agenda. The first stage of water recycling, therefore, is to look at the overall strategy together with the building’s requirements for water. If there is a suitable use for recycled water – maybe diverting it to another area or even using it as an alternative water source – the next step is to assess which technologies will best enable this whilst ensuring that the building operates as efficiently as possible. For both stages of the process it is essential to engage with a water treatment expert who can ensure the right solution is implemented to meet with the building’s exact needs.

Intelligent solution

It is important to select an operationally efficient re-use system, minimising both energy use and engineering time

26 Public Sector Build Journal

It is vital to choose a system that meets specific operational needs

available. Smart technologies require minimum engineering time, as they are low maintenance and easy to operate on an ongoing basis. Today’s systems are also efficient in terms of cleaning cycles, therefore careful assessment of the quality of water required across all areas can influence investment decisions. Technologies such as Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Systems comprise a unique wastewater treatment process designed for numerous municipal or industrial applications. It is particularly relevant for water reuse, housing developments, parks and resorts as well as leisure facilities. Based upon an ultrafiltration process, it provides a supply of fresh, clean water derived from waste water sources enabling building managers to drastically cut initial water consumption levels, tackle usage volumes and with it, reduce utility costs. It is estimated that for some applications, a water recycle rate of more than 90% can be achieved. With a reduction in use, comes sustainability benefit with the initial investment delivering not only an expenditure return over a number of years, but also supporting the ongoing environmentally friendly provision of water to the facility into the foreseeable future.

In today’s challenging public sector, optimising water usage is something building and facilities managers cannot afford to overlook. Utilising available technologies, some which have relatively short payback periods, to address leakage issues, reduce workplace wastage and recycle and reuse water in other areas of a building’s operation can achieve significant gains in sustainable operational efficiencies and therefore positive impacts on the bottom line.

Essential compliance It is vital to choose a system that meets specific operational needs and one that guarantees every drop of water is in compliance with legal, corporate and customer demands. Improving water management will underpin overall efficiencies by reducing energy and operating costs. It also lowers the carbon footprint, maximises revenues and contributes to a cleaner global environment – all positive factors that can flow from turning attention to how we use a vital resource we often take for granted.

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It is important to select an operationally efficient re-use system, minimising both energy use and engineering time. A water treatment system should not have a negative impact on overall building operations. In terms of energy use, there are highly efficient, intelligent systems

www.evoqua.com

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Public Sector Build Journal 27

HVAC condensing gas boiler. As a general rule, building managers should look to replace any boiler over 10 to 15 years old with a high efficiency, fully-modulating condensing boiler. A 5 to 10 year old system operates at around 70% efficiency whilst one that is over 15 years old drops down to 50%. Replacing them with a high efficiency system can therefore deliver very real benefits. Advances in technology mean that the latest boiler models already exceed the required efficiencies standards outlined in the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive that is expected to come into force in 2015. In real terms, when replacing old atmospheric boilers, they have proven to more than halve energy bills and reduce the levels of harmful greenhouse gases such as CO2 and NOx by as much as 90%.

Time and cost savings At the Octagon Theatre, South Somerset District Council briefed replacing the existing oil-fired boiler with a gas-fired plant for affordable, greener heating

A retrofit strategy Renewable technologies may grab all the headlines, but today's retrofit technologies head up the energy saving technologies in terms of effectiveness. Mark Northcott, Managing Director of Remeha Commercial, looks at how councils can massively cut fuel bills and emissions with minimum disruption and without huge capital expenditure.

ith tighter budgets in place, councils are looking to make efficiency savings wherever possible. Reducing energy consumption should be a priority for all local authority estate managers: not only will it lower operating costs but it will help councils meet their environmental commitments, which will in turn help the UK towards its steep carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050. With heating accounting for around 60% of the energy use in a building and 40% of the carbon emissions, it should be top of the list of any energy reduction strategy.

A lesson in retrofit Renewable technologies may grab all the headlines, but it would be unwise to overlook relatively simple and affordable energy efficiency improvements on refurbishment projects. While they may not have the visible ‘Wow’ factor of renewable

28 Public Sector Build Journal

equipment, they do offer a high return on energy efficiency investment. In its survey ‘The Business of Energy Efficiency’, the Carbon Trust found that financial officers were underestimating the returns for energy efficiency investments by around half their actual value. In reality, retrofit technologies have advanced considerably over the last decade, heading up the energy saving technologies in terms of effectiveness. What’s more, the nature of the UK’s notoriously inefficient old building stock and the heating system in place may preclude installing any renewable energy equipment. So, for many properties, retrofit technologies will be the only option available for greater energy efficiency in heating. To achieve the greatest reduction in energy bills and emissions and the fastest payback, the accepted advice is to replace old existing boilers with a modern

Technological progress has not only resulted in improved efficiencies but improved design. Today’s boilers are smaller and lighter, making them easier to install and maintain. In buildings where access to the plant room is awkward, look for models that are supplied on wheels or able to be disassembled into sections. This will facilitate installation, thereby reducing time and labour costs as well as minimising disruption. Prefabricated heating systems also reduce installation time and

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Public Sector Build Journal 29

HVAC

costs as well as improving quality control. Condensing boilers on cascade and rig systems, for example, are delivered on site as a whole system in a pre-configured and tested wheeled unit, rather than individual components from a number of suppliers. The cascade operation also allows the heat output demand to be matched more accurately and more reliably in a fraction of the space.

control of boilers.

Condensing to 'super condensing' Perhaps the optimum solution for retrofit solutions is the very latest development in condensing technology known as passive flue gas heat recovery technology. These ‘super condensing’ heating systems are

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As part of a wider refurbishment to make energy savings at the Civic Centre, Merthyr Tydfil Council replaced its ageing heating system with Remeha Gas 210-6 Eco Pro boilers

proven to slash energy use and emissions by as much as two thirds. On old heating systems which take more energy to heat, even the most efficient boiler could struggle to achieve its maximum efficiencies, as they are sized on high flow and return temperatures which prevent the boiler from fully condensing. ‘Super condensing’ systems use the energy input more effectively, recovering the otherwise wasted energy and passing it back into the system to preheat a cold water feed, heat return water or simply circulating it to a thermal. This means that they can deliver around 10 to 15 per cent higher efficiency levels than standard condensing boilers, delivering the highest possible efficiency of 107% NCV at all times and all flow and return temperatures. As technologies have advanced, so our energy saving options for heating have increased, offering huge reductions in fuel bills and emissions that will help stretch budgets further and make environmental targets achievable. At Remeha Commercial, we look forward to sharing our knowledge with councils and assisting with best system design for maximum efficiency savings that will help the nation move forward to a low carbon future.

www.remeha.co.uk

Maximising efficiencies In order to maximise the effectiveness of the heating system, it is important look at how the system works as a whole rather than the individual components. Cars are a good analogy: technological advances have made them capable of operating far more efficiently, but even so, if you drive around in first gear you won’t reap the energy saving benefits. In the same way, controls are central to effective performance as they ensure that the boiler operates at its highest efficiency level. If the controls are not used, the benefits will not be realised. The Carbon Trust says that controls achieve payback in just one to two years and suggests that lowering set points by one degree could bring a reduction in an annual heating bill of up to 8%. We recommend that the minimum control strategy should encompass valved zone control, thermostats and timers. Further improvements can be achieved by twozoned temperature and time control, weather compensation, and sequential

Cavity wall insulation was added at the Civic Centre, Merthyr Tydfil Council, for maximum efficiency benefits

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Housing

The Henning Gardens site in Top Valley has won a Considerate Constructors Award

Under construction Over the past year work has started in Nottingham on the biggest council-home building programme since the seventies. Four hundred new council homes will be built over the next four years, creating much-needed family accommodation, flats and sheltered housing, to meet the local housing needs across the city.

he programme forms part of the Nottingham City Council’s (NCC) overall Building a Better Nottingham scheme, which over the next five years will see more than £1bn invested in the city’s housing, road infrastructure, tram network, leisure facilities and retail centres. The city’s ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation), Nottingham City Homes (NCH) is working closely with NCC on transforming Nottingham’s neighbourhoods and creating homes and places where people want to live. Work started last year on the first phase of the programme, which includes 26 properties built on four disused garage sites across the city. Carried out by Nottinghamshire-based construction firm, Robert Woodhead Limited, the scheme was completed early in March 2014. Since the first phase began 38,000 people hours have enabled the local family firm to complete four separate sites in Bestwood, Top Valley, Aspley and Sneinton, to modern building standards. The derelict garage sites had previously not only been unused, but had attracted a range

32 Public Sector Build Journal

of anti-social behaviour and crime. Now these have been transformed into new communities with modern, efficient, sustainable homes. A local company themselves, Robert Woodhead made sure that over 95% of all plant labour and materials were sourced within 20 miles. They also ensured nearly 100% of waste from site was reused or recycled. All homes were built to Code 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes Standard, using a fabric-first approach. This makes sure the properties meet high levels of energy efficiency, use sustainable technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels, and can be adapted as Lifetime homes. The Henning Gardens site in Top Valley has won a Considerate Constructors Award, with all four sites receiving above average scores from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), which monitors its members against a strict set of standards, designed to encourage best practice, beyond the statutory requirements of any building site. The Geraldine Close development in Bestwood has also been nominated in the Chartered Institute of Housing’s UK Housing Awards 2014.

Nick Murphy, Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes, said: “The first phase of our Building a Better Nottingham programme goes to prove how building new homes can transform communities. “We have a responsibility when working on such huge programmes of work to make sure the impact we have is not just on the individuals who move into these new homes, but the surrounding community and the wider city itself.” The next phase of the programme is not just about building new homes, but managing the demolition of eight of the city’s tower blocks. These will be replaced with family housing, bungalows and an Independent Living scheme. The biggest single site is based in the Lenton area of the city, where demolition work is currently underway. The site just off Derby Road has been home to five 16-storey tower blocks since they were built in the sixties. Two of the blocks already been demolished, as well as a two storey garage building. Tenants are still living in two of the blocks, but it is expected these will all be empty and demolished within 18 months. Demolition experts, Total Reclaims, are taking the flats down using the ‘top down’ method. Bringing them down in this way enables the demolition team to safely strip out any reusable items from inside, before beginning to gradually remove the outer walls. The top few floors are removed with the aid of a specialist robotic demolition tool, which is operated remotely by one of the engineers and the remaining floors are taken

The Geraldine Close development in Bestwood has been nominated in the Chartered Institute of Housing's UK Housing Awards 2014

Housing

Geraldine Close on the Bestwood site comprises four bungalows

Flagship programme Now working in parallel with the demolition process, construction partner, Keepmoat, began work on the Independent Living Scheme in November 2013. Flats in this scheme are being made available to the existing residents of Newgate Court, one of the 16-storey tower blocks, which will be the last to be demolished. The programme has been timed so residents of Newgate Court will be able to

move straight into the new ILS scheme, Palmer Court, in order to minimise the disruption, as many residents are elderly and have lived there for more than 40 years. Work also began at the start of this year on the second biggest site across the city, in Radford. Construction partner, Wates Living Space, will be building 52 family homes to replace the three tower blocks that were demolished earlier this year. The Building a Better Nottingham scheme is becoming a flagship programme for many reasons, not least in the use of Nottingham City Homes’ existing employees to build a number of the new homes. At Eddleston Drive in the south of the city, five family homes are being built by NCH’s direct labour organisation – a first for ALMOs across the country.

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down with the aid of a high-reach machine. Nearly 99% of all material removed will either be reused or recycled. Once completed, the new neighbourhood will include 142 homes – a mix of family homes, bungalows, flats and an Independent Living Scheme for older residents.

It has given apprentices the opportunity to learn how things operate on a building site, and gain ‘real’ on-the-job experience of a variety of construction techniques and situations. These skills ordinarily would only have been acquired through theory or limited opportunities in ‘mock-up’ situations in the classroom at college. Janet Storar, Chair of the Board at Nottingham City Homes, said: “Being a tenant myself, I have often benefited from the work that our direct labour organisation do to repair and maintain my home. There is some real experience, skills and knowledge in our workforce, and we want to really put this to the test on our new-build site in Clifton.” The next phase in the programme, recently received a boost as plans for 49 new homes were approved for the Cranwell Road site in Strelley, currently occupied by crosswall flats. Demolition of the flats, which is being carried out this summer, will clear the site, enabling construction of the new properties to begin in September 2014. The development will include 20 two bedroom family homes, 17 two bedroom bungalows and 12 flats. Councillor Alex Ball, Executive Assistant with responsibility for housing and regeneration, said: “We are watching our city transform on a daily basis, and I have already been delighted to see the incredible work that has gone into this first phase of our council housing programme. “Not only are we providing warm, secure homes, built to modern building standards, but we are also creating local jobs and training opportunities, supporting local businesses, and creating places where people want to live.”

www. buildingnottingham.co.uk

The Sneinton site features two and three bedroom family homes

Public Sector Build Journal 33

Education

Refurb opens up opportunities The new learning area includes large expanses of glass allowing natural light to pour into the learning and breakout areas

Fulston Manor is one of a new breed of academy trusts in the UK and was one of the first schools in Sittingbourne, Kent, to gain academy status, making the transition in October 2010 to the system which hands power back to educators.

he independent, state-funded school is now one of many in the area to make the transition and Fulston Manor is now recognised as a High Performing Business and Enterprise and Leading Edge Specialist School. This focus on best practice, specialist expertise and high performance is an ethos which has been continued in the school’s recent expansion. Construction, infrastructure and design company Morgan Sindall delivered the new building for the school, replacing temporary classrooms with a newly built, highly-sustainable two storey facility. The £3.2m project, which was designed by the Lee Evans Partnership, provides the school with 16 additional classrooms. The new building links seamlessly with the existing school as the project team added spacious classrooms and break out areas

34 Public Sector Build Journal

that merged with the existing facilities. Morgan Sindall also undertook the delivery of external hard landscaping and new parking facilities for staff and visitors.

Inspiring environment Stephen Paine, Project Manager at Morgan Sindall, said: “Fulston Manor was a great project to be involved with and it’s very pleasing to see the building now occupied meeting the school’s needs. It is a highly sustainable new building that provides students and teachers with an exciting and inspiring learning environment. We established a strong relationship with the school from the outset, developing the customer charter and delivering upon our customer commitments. The construction was phased in order to minimise disruption to the school’s teaching curriculum, and close

Purples and greens adorn the walls in the form of acoustic panels that add inspirational splashes of colour

engagement and liaison with the school was required throughout all stages of the project. Overall the project has been a great success and myself and the team are delighted that the building has been so well received. “Morgan Sindall has a reputation for delivering state of the art education projects that exemplify innovation in design and construction. Indeed, the development of education facilities is an important aspect of Morgan Sindall’s work. Projects like Fulston Manor, in conjunction with the customer and designers, allow for the revolution of the standard classroom into a space where design and learning go hand in hand. Long gone are the days when design and functionality were two entirely separate entities. Now the two serve each other, and in this case, the educational facility they are used in.” Marrying functionality and design is something that has become more evident in the expansion and construction of schools in recent years, as evidenced in the new building at Fulston Manor. With educational design leaning more towards modern, well

Education lit spaces that aid and enhance the learning experience, Fulston Manor’s extension exemplifies this ethos. The new learning area includes large expanses of glass allowing natural light to pour into the learning and breakout areas which will, hopefully, aid learning through stimulation. This is also achieved through the bright colours used throughout the school. Purples and greens adorn the walls in the form of acoustic panels that add inspirational splashes of colour, while also suppressing noise – exemplifying the way in which modern educational facilities can manage the perfect fusion of design and usability.

On time, on budget Alan Brookes, Headteacher at Fulston Manor School said of the project: “The building will make an enormous difference to the educational environment of so many students. As well as being hugely impressed by the design of the completed building, I would like to pay tribute to the contractors who not only completed on budget and on time, but did so with minimal disruption to the operation of the school. The sensitive manner in which the whole team operated within a school setting was exceptional and we are grateful for their professionalism and expertise.” Design and practicality merge further as the building’s windows, floor and walls

are all able to collect, store and distribute solar energy. During the winter months, the building will store solar energy as heat, which will then be redistributed throughout the building as an environmentally friendly way of heating the building. During the summer, the building will reject solar heat gain, keeping the building cool and well ventilated. The building also has photovoltaic panels and is naturally ventilated, in line with its BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) rating of Very Good. Education design now not only takes stock of the learning environment but also sustainability and, in turn, the natural environment. Fulston Manor now has environmental construction credentials in line with national standards. The area also faces the common problem of oversubscription for school places. With a rising population and the demand for spaces in quality education facilities growing, the new building means increased permanent learning spaces for an increased intake of pupils in the September 2014 term. Therefore, the new building will benefit the local community, with more students able to attend the school and benefit from the enhanced learning facilities. The project team, led by Morgan Sindall project manager, Stephen Paine, delivered the project while contending with the obstacles that come with working in a live

Design and practicality merge as the building's windows, floor and walls are all able to collect, store and distribute solar energy

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school environment: “Working in a live school environment is one of the challenges that tends to come hand in hand with delivering education projects. Morgan Sindall has a wealth of experience in this area, which was put to good use on this project.” Working on a live site, the Morgan Sindall project team erected hoardings to ensure that the building works were fully segregated from the school and that there was minimal disruption to the student’s learning environment. Deliveries were scheduled to ensure that they did not take place during the school’s pick up and drop off times. This meant that the school was able to remain fully operational throughout the construction of the new building. Fulston Manor exemplifies increased focus on creating and delivering inspiring educational facilities that fuse design and practicality. This has allowed for the creation of facilities that provide a stimulating, exciting and inspiring learning and teaching environment for all school users. The new building links seamlessly with the existing school

www.morgansindall.com

Public Sector Build Journal 35

Rewewable Energy Healthcare A recent installation of a 200kW boiler in a large estate in Northamptonshire will generate over £28,000 annual benefit to the Trust which runs it, providing a payback on the investment within five years and over £800,000 of benefit over 20 years. These figures are fairly typical. Pretty appealing? How come? Firstly, biomass is a much cheaper fuel than oil, in 2013 oil typically cost 6.3p/kWh whereas wood logs cost 2.4p/kWh and wood pellets 4.5p. Secondly, the Government provides a very generous Renewable Heat Incentive, whereby you are paid for every unit of heat that you generate from renewable means, index linked and guaranteed for 20 years. However rates for new installations will decrease every three months as take-up becomes more popular, so it is best to get on board now whilst the best rates are available.

Sustainable security

Biomass boilers are modern, highly efficient and easy to operate and maintain

Energy prices are volatile, increases are frequent, and no-one is more worried than those running historic buildings, explains Carl Benfield, Managing Director of Prescient Power, a renewable energy provider. Often far from the mains gas grid, draughty, hard to insulate and costly to maintain, the future of our important and historic buildings can look bleak.

ith a dependance on oil for heating and hot water, managing the energy bill will be getting tricky; if electric heating is used then chances are that the energy bill is already unmanageable. The only real way to protect public sector buildings from rising fossil fuel prices is to remove this from the mix altogether; hence the rise of the biomass boiler. Biomass boilers are modern, highly efficient and easy to operate and maintain. They use wood-based fuel: wood chips, pellets or logs, to generate high levels of heat, feeding to existing central heating systems and providing hot water. They can range in size from 15kW domestic systems

36 Public Sector Build Journal

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A biomass future

Oil prices are going to rise as the fuel becomes more scarce, we know that it is running out, and there is nothing that we can do to generate more. Biomass fuel on the other hand consists of sustainable farmed wood, produced and prepared within Europe and replaced with new saplings to ensure that there is plenty more stock for the future, and which also renders the fuel carbon neutral. Installing a new boiler may seem like a strange way to release maintenance funds and cut costs, but the figures speak for themselves. In times of austerity, this really is a secure and long term way to reduce overheads.

www.prescientpower.co.uk

to Megawatt industrial systems and everything in between. They are ideally suited to historic properties as although they take up a fair bit of space, they can be hidden in cellars or sited away from the main buildings. Add to that the easy integration with current heating systems and you really don’t interfere with the fabric of the building, making planning permission a lot easier. There are two main reasons why our clients choose biomass boilers.

Generating income It’s fair to say that biomass boilers go beyond saving money and actually provide a powerful case as an investment stream.

The only real way to protect public sector buildings from rising fossil fuel prices is to remove this from the mix altogether

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Public Sector Build Journal 37

Play Equipment its members are leading experts in play provision. Choosing an API member for a play project provides peace of mind because they: • Are experienced, comply with relevant standards and abide by a strict Professional Code of Conduct; • Are reputable, trustworthy, financially stable and deliver long-term value; • Provide generous, credible promises on guarantees, warranties, repairs, maintenance and delivery of spare or replacement parts; • Design schemes which meet objectives and deliver positive outcomes for children; • Provide added value like stakeholder consultations; • Provide third party test certificates, references and costs for independent post-installation inspections; • Undergo rigorous financial monitoring and credit checking; • Provide a free technical dispute mediation service.

Many schools are introducing a holistic approach, embedding physical activity into every aspect of school life

Education's vital role for health Physical inactivity is having a catastrophic impact on the health of the UK population. Many children are obese before starting school and it has been said that today's children will live shorter lives than their parents.

ackling the obesity epidemic is one of this century’s greatest societal challenges. Experts agree that healthy lifestyles should start early, yet many parents fail to instill good habits during their children’s earliest years. As a result, schools are increasingly dealing with the problems this presents. The Association of Play Industries (API) represents manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of outdoor and indoor play equipment and safety surfacing. It campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition of the value of play and

38 Public Sector Build Journal

School demand for play equipment encouraging physical activity is increasing. Many are introducing a holistic approach, embedding physical activity into every aspect of school life, from teaching outdoors and creating gardens to becoming ‘forest schools’ or opening playgrounds outside school hours. Recognition of schools’ vital role in improving child health was reflected recently when Sport England launched Primary Spaces, an £18m fund to provide outdoor facilities for schools with little or no outside space for PE, sport and active play. API Vice Chair Colin MacAdam says: “Active, outdoor play becomes part of a child’s ongoing lifestyle and is as important as PE and sport in tackling child obesity. Investing in play equipment which promotes physical activity is hugely important. We urge schools to use every opportunity to create a health legacy for children.” As well as supporting physical development and movement skills, active play has many benefits for children. There is plentiful evidence to support this. Emotional/behavioural benefits: provides freedom, choice and independence, reduces anxiety, improves concentration, builds confidence and is particularly effective as a learning environment for boys and those with special educational needs, helps children build resilience, experience challenge, deal with new situations and take risks in a positive way, enhances creativity and imaginative play, and increases self-esteem.

Play Equipment Social benefits: encourages exploration and discovery, promotes team-work, problem-solving and leadership skills, develops social skills and enables children of all abilities and backgrounds to play together. Physical benefits: co-ordination, spatial awareness and balance, increases brain and sensory development, improves sense of well-being and happiness. Environmental benefits: improves interaction with the natural world and promotes environmental citizenship. More information about evidence around the positive benefits of play can be found at http://www.playengland.org.uk/resources/ play-for-a-change-briefing.aspx

Avoid compromise For schools looking to improve their outdoor space or seeking practical ways to increase physical activity, the API is an invaluable first port of call. Drawings of playgrounds and play equipment can look alike so care should be taken when choosing a supplier to avoid compromising on quality, standards, materials and safety. For peace of mind, insist on API membership. API members understand schools’ unique needs and demands. They provide bespoke play solutions that meet specific objectives, based on a visit from a highly-skilled consultant – never an ‘off-the-shelf’ package. Whether it’s a complete playground transformation, an outdoor classroom for all-weather learning or a refresh of existing space or equipment, API members make design recommendations based on expert knowledge and experience. They are a trusted partner throughout installation, including high-quality after care, inspection

Investing in play equipment which promotes physical activity is hugely important

and maintenance advice. When planning a play area, it is vital to decide what you are looking to achieve and budget is important too. The API website provides a wide range of advice, resources and links on fundraising, planning and project guidance, design and risk with full details of every member company. Numerous resources, including API member websites, provide funding resources, advice and links to local and national funding organisations and the Children’s Play Information Service offers a detailed factsheet called How to Raise Funds for Children’s Play. Other key planning considerations are: • Age group: children of different ages play in different ways. API members will ensure equipment is age-appropriate and conforms to latest standards. • Capacity: the number of children likely to be playing at any one time is key, as is the way they will be used. Play equipment standards are based on minimum user numbers rather than a large number of children playing at the

•

same time, so designs should be based on maximum numbers. There is no set formula for this but your play company will factor this into the design. Surfacing: safety surfacing absorbs impact, protecting children against critical head injuries. Play suppliers will advise on the best surfacing options for your site. Location: consider the safety and accessibility of the proposed site for your play area, including how children will access it. Assess any possible hazards. Risk: risk assessments needn’t restrict children’s enjoyment. Children enjoy and actively benefit from a degree of risk when playing so provide plenty of challenging play equipment. Conformity to standards: outdoor playground equipment, safety surfacing and multi-sports equipment should conform to relevant standards. While not mandatory, they are viewed as best practice by the API, UK play industry and judicial systems. Post-installation inspection: a postinstallation inspection should take place before a new play area opens. Undertaken by a registered, certificated Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) annual outdoor inspector, this can be commissioned by the play company or school. Repair and maintenance: regular servicing and replacement of worn out parts is essential to keep play equipment safe and compliant. API members provide nationwide maintenance and repair services.

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Schools can rest assured that when planning a play project, big or small, they can trust API members to deliver exceptional quality, standards and service. Play equipment improves and maintains physical and mental health, builds strength and resistance

www.api-play.org

Public Sector Build Journal 39

Doors & Entrance Systems

The Gilgen PSW door system helps to significantly reduce building heat loss

Ecological and versatile entry system A new automatic sliding door system from Gilgen Door Systems helps buildings to retain more energy, reduce noise levels and maintain a more comfortable environment for users.

transport centres, the system reduces utility bills and contributes to the achievement of Breeam sustainability standards. Gilgen PSW has been rigorously tested and certified by the ift Rosenheim and TüV independent testing institutes to provide class leading U-values, air permeability, wind

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he Gilgen PSW ‘Green-Wings’ system consists of a door automation drive, thermally-sealed door profiles and insulated glazing that helps to significantly reduce building heat loss. Ideal for externally facing doors in a number of public buildings such as hospitals, colleges, offices and

and rain resistance. The system delivers U-values as low as 0.6 and is designed to provide reliable long-term operation, even in the toughest of environments. The system incorporates a powerful door drive unit that is of modular design and provides extensive functionality. It is powerful enough to operate even heavyweight insulated doors with speed and efficiency. The drive is designed to be easy to install, efficient and incorporates advanced safety features to ensure compliance with EN16005 safety-in-use standards. The high-quality Swiss designed door system acts like and looks like a standard automatic door in normal daily operation, making in suitable for a wide range of applications. Its door profiles and header are manufactured of high-quality components and designed to enhance the look of any building facade. An elegantly designed motion sensor system is built into the header profile for a sleek finish and activates the doors efficiently as persons and objects approach. PSW is tested for protection against driving rain and is highly wind-resistant, making it suitable for exposed building entrances. Each door incorporates a special runner surface and rubber damping for quiet operation and the insulation also helps to reduce noise levels. Available with single or bi-parting door leaves, the system comes with a standard locking system built into the drive mechanism and is ideal for external facades. It is flexible enough to be fixed to the door lintel or wall, amongst numerous other possible configurations. The Gilgen PSW door can be tailored to customer needs, including a range of glazing and infill options from 24-50mm thickness. The surface finish of aluminium profiles can be finished to any RAL colour and anodised so that the system meets the architectural style and finish of any building entrance or facade. Gilgen Door Systems is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of automatic door, industrial door and folding wall systems. Since 1961, Gilgen has built a reputation for the quality and innovation of its in-door operating systems and fit for purpose solutions to meet customers’ access needs. In addition to the PSW Green-Wing system the company provides a complete range of automatic doors and industrial doors covering practically any building entrance need.

This versatile system incorporates advanced safety features

40 Public Sector Build Journal

8 www.gilgendoorsystems.co.uk * info@gilgendoorsystems.co.uk  enq 017 ( 0800 316 6994

Key events for your diary this summer... 3rd June 2014 - Birmingham Showcasing the best of the UK & European solid wood projects CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION • Case studies on some of the most prestigious projects in the UK & Europe • Confirmed speakers, include; James Cameron Sainsbury’s

Andrew Southey Halliday Clark

Andrew Wright Andrew Wright

Jonathan Roynon Buro Happold

Tim Snelson Arup

Nick Milestone X-LAM Alliance

John Spittle Wiehag

Philipp Zumbrunnen Eurban

Paul Gandy Lend Lease

www.solidwoodsolutions.co.uk

4th June 2014 - Birmingham Explore the latest innovations in offsite technology CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION • A platform for construction clients to explore the latest offsite construction solutions • Outstanding speaker programme, including;

Andrew Ogorzalek PCKO Architects John Bedford Accord Helen Boardman Laing O’Rourke

Nigel Ingram Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust Simon Reid Scape Graham Cleland NG Bailey

Graham Hogan Atkins Richard Kelly Heathrow Airport Emma Bridgewood Travelodge

www.exploreoffsite.co.uk

24th June 2014 - Birmingham CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION • Ideally suited to developers, architects, contractors, RSLs, clients and house-builders • Confirmed speakers include;

Matt Fulford Inspired Efficiency

Mark Bradbury Climate Energy Homes

Rob Pannell Zero Carbon Hub

Ben Shuster Willmott Dixon

Luke Jackson Hanover Housing

Cliff Fudge H + H Celcon

Brendan Wells Circle Housing Group

Oliver Novakovic BRE

Stewart Dalgarno Stewart Milne

www.fabricfirstevent.co.uk There are a range of sponsorship and exhibitor packages available. Multiple event discounts apply. For more information on exhibiting at the above events, contact Julie Richards: Online Enquiry 018 E: julie.richards@radar-communications.co.uk T: 01743 290001 Public Sector Build Journal 41

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

STYROFOAM manufacturer offers Part L 2013 summary STYROFOAM manufacturer Dow Building Solutions has released a new, independent publication summarising key changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, which came into force in April. Authored by Huw Evans of JPA Technical Literature Ltd, the guide includes: a summary of what has changed in all five compliance criteria compared to the 2010 Part L amendments; information on the new Fabric Energy Efficiency (FEE) standard for new dwellings; summaries of elemental U-value limits for new dwellings and new buildings other than dwellings; and an overview of changes to guidance on existing buildings.

Stay true with colourful Cembrit Responding to architectural demand for colour and texture in the urban built environment, external cladding board specialist Cembrit has made a colourful start to the year. The company has introduced a raft of new additions to its popular cladding range, which now offers around 50 different colours. Cembrit True is the latest addition, a throughcoloured fibre cement board which is ideal for rainscreen cladding applications. Delivering creativity in design, decorative rainscreen cladding is particularly suitable for Multi Dwelling Units, new or refurbished residential buildings and educational buildings. ( *

020 8301 8900 8 www.cembrit.co.uk  enq 019 sales@cembrit.co.uk

8 www.styrofoam.co.uk

dbsuk@dow.com

(

020 3139 4000

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enq 020

Kee Systems connects the University of York Kee Systems, a leading supplier of Kee Klamp fittings, has provided the University of York with an effective safety solution for a 45 year old footbridge across the largest plastic bottomed lake in Europe which links the north and south sides of its Heslington West Campus. The Vanbrugh footbridge was built a few years after the University opened over 50 years ago and recent inspections revealed it was suffering from a string of problems. Yorkshire-based civil engineering and cabling infrastructure company, SCD Group invited Kee Systems to attend site to design, supply and install a permanent handrail system, made from galvanised Kee Klamp fittings. 8 www.keesystems.com

sales@keesafety.com

(

01384 632188

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A render solution in adverse weather installations In a first for the industry, Wetherby Building Systems has launched a new mineral render which promises to revolutionise external rendering in the UK. Wetherby’s EpsiCoat Mineral Render PLUS has been specifically developed to combat the issues associated with installing EWI in cold and humid conditions. EpsiCoat Mineral Render PLUS is rain resistant in just two hours and touch dry in three hours, making it less susceptible to delamination and wash-offs, helping to reduce on-site delays caused by adverse weather conditions. With no source of lime present in the product formulation, clients can be confident the finished result will not suffer from any lime bloom or discolouration. 8 www.wbs-ltd.co.uk

info@wbs-ltd.co.uk

(

01942 717100

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Gebrik used on UK's first large PassivHaus project Aquarian Cladding Systems has supplied its off-site manufactured Gebrik insulating brick cladding system for use on the UK’s first large scale PassivHaus project to be undertaken in occupied properties. Working with specialist cladding contractor Speedclad, Aquarian supplied Gebrik, in Smooth Black and Smooth Grey finishes, for Eastlands Homes’ refurbishment of 32 maisonettes in Longsight, Manchester to the highly energy-efficient PassivHaus standard. Gebrik will help deliver good looking, well-equipped and modern homes to residents, as well as significant cost benefits, with the programme aiming to cut carbon emissions by 80% and slash energy bills for tenants from £1540 per year to just £270 per year. 8 www.aquariancladding.co.uk

42 Public Sector Build Journal

info@aquariancladding.co.uk

(

0844 334 0077

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A different look Cladding expert Vinylit has introduced VinyStone Design. This new panel system features natural stone chippings in 1200 x 180mm ‘planks’, enabling architects and designers to create exciting exterior effects to add interest to building structures and to meet the growing demand for special aesthetic effects for commercial premises. The new VinyStone Design facade system is already proving popular in specifications for refurbishing school buildings, which can have a tendency to be more functional than aesthetic, because it introduces contrasting panels in a random pattern effect which add interest and allow the designer to break up the building shape. (

0788 9035 488 ian.pyatt@vinylit.de

www.vinylit.de  enq 024

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Public Sector Build Journal 43

Doors, Windows & Balustrades nurseries and specialist child healthcare units as it reduces worry for staff and parents, as well as ensuring caretakers and maintenance engineers experience continued reliability with little or no ongoing maintenance requirements.” In addition to the safety benefits, the hinge is also impact resistant which puts an end to the possibility of doors splitting on impact and is discreet enough to be aesthetically pleasing. Performance tested to 1.5 million cycles the hinge is robust to support any level of usage and will last for the lifetime of the door making them commercially viable in comparison to traditional (knuckle) hinges which may require regular replacement in such heavy traffic areas.

Minimal maintenance

Guaranteed protection with safety hinge

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Finger trapping in door hinges can be painful for all concerned

Furthermore, there is little or no maintenance required due to the even weight distribution of the door in comparison to alternative hinges where the weight is centred in certain points, making the product attractive to maintenance professionals too. The Finger Safety Hinge is fire tested to BS476: Part 20 & 22 for 30 minutes and can also resolve door alignment problems such as doors dropping. Intastop remains a market leader in the healthcare and public sectors for door and wall protection due its knowledge, expertise and ability to develop products that fulfil customer requirements.

 enq 027

8 www.intastop.com * marketing@intastop.com ( 01302 364666

Door hinges and small fingers have never been a winning combination and continue to pose a health and safety issue to establishments across a variety of sectors.

his could soon become a thing of the past as leading manufacturer of door and wall protection Intastop, has drawn on its previous experience and technologies to create a finger safety hinge which will prevent fingers being caught in the hinge opening side of the door. It also comes with a cast iron guarantee to last the lifetime of the door it’s being fitted to, which means protected fingers for years to come. The unique continuous geared mechanism of the hinge works with the door, lessening the impact while creating a typical gap where fingers can fit, meaning

44 Public Sector Build Journal

the door is entirely suitable for educational, nursing and childcare establishments.

Peace of mind “Our Finger Safety Hinge provides the perfect solution to this common problem and is easily fitted to new or existing doors,” says Sarah Barsby, Marketing Director at Intastop. “This specialised hinge will eliminate the possibility of trapping fingers in the hinge side of the door giving councils, owners and maintenance engineers complete peace of mind.” Sarah continues: “Our Finger Safety Hinge is very popular with schools,

This specialised hinge will eliminate the possibility of trapping fingers in the hinge side of the door

Doors, Windows & Balustrades

Enfield speciality doors launches Guardian doorset Enfield Speciality Doors has added the Guardian to its prestigious portfolio, a PAS 24 door that is an enhanced-security flush timberframed door. PAS 24 is an enhanced security standard which assesses whether a door can withstand a number of measured manual and mechanical tests to deter the opportunistic attacker. The standard is recognised by Secured by Design. Secured by Design is an official UK Police initiative which aims to reduce burglaries and crime through the use better-designed solutions. The Guardian doorset is therefore ideal for such environments as social housing and residential developments as well as highly-specified apartments, as it offers a deterrent to the casual intruder. The customer can choose from a wide range of door hardware such as a wideangle door viewer and a security chain and bracket which all adds to the door’s security.

Nigel Sill, CEO of Enfield Speciality Doors, comments: “The Guardian PAS 24 door fits in extremely well with our current portfolio and we are delighted to offer our customers more choice.” Enfield Speciality Doors also provides steel security doorsets which are aimed at customers who require greater protection from attacks and are perfect for commercial premises. The Guardian comes with the additional acoustic properties (Rw 33 dB); a FD30 minute fire rated version is also available. The door can be finished in several ways eg painted, laminated or veneers (internal only). 8 www.enfielddoors.co.uk *

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sales@enfielddoors.co.uk ( 020 8805 6662

Delta Security helps to protect tenants The safety and security of Griffin Close tenants, a property managed by Origin Housing, has been significantly improved following the installation of Delta Security’s Model 9 Steel Doors. They have been installed with a fully isolated, digital door entry and fob system, which allows tenants and caretakers only into the areas of the property that they are permitted. Aaron John, Director of Echelon Consultancy, the procurement and asset management consultancy advising Origin Housing, says: “Griffin Close required a high security door that would deter those wanting to vandalise and enter the property illegally and the Delta Model 9 door met our specification exactly.” 8 www.deltasecurity.co.uk

sales@deltasecurity.net

(

020 8985 1855

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Facade solution has Maxx appeal Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with its approved fabricator APIC, completed a new TK Maxx flagship store in Woolwich, London. For this facade, the design of Comar 6 made it an ideal choice for this complex facetted curtain wall. Comar 6 was selected due to its slim 50mm profiles which maximised the glazed area for natural day lighting and its special facetted profiles which created the curved facade. To provide opening vents to the curtain walling Comar 5P.i windows were selected, providing exceptional thermal performance. For safety, Comar 7P.i doors were fitted with rounded Antifinger trap stiles, Axim soft touch Panic Exit Devices and Axim Concealed Transom Closers. 8 www.comar-alu.co.uk

projects@parksidegroup.co.uk

(

020 8685 9685

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SHS affirms commitment to quality Offering a comprehensive range of quality stainless steel, glass and aluminium balustrades, Stainless Handrail Systems can provide a solution to suit a whole host of special requirements. With over 25 years of industry experience in designing, manufacturing and supplying stainless steel handrails and glass balustrades across the UK, both domestically and commercially, SHS has built up one of the most diverse ranges of quality, fully stocked balustrade systems. Providing complete balustrade solutions now for over 10 years, the company prides itself on its quality and that commitment to quality covers both its products and services. ( *

0800 068 6363 8 www.shsproducts.co.uk  enq 031 sales@shsproducts.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 45

Floors, Walls & Ceilings Stormdry can even be applied to wet walls, which will continue to dry out because the cream works by lining the pores of brickwork and other masonry rather than blocking them. This enables water vapour to escape while preventing moisture, such as penetrating rain or excess surface water, ingress.

Improved performance

Roll out the cure Delivering two major benefits in just one convenient product, Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream from Safeguard Europe - the UK's leading specialist in damp- and waterproofing, and masonry repair solutions - not only stops rain penetrating external walls; but also boosts their thermal efficiency.

he two benefits are closely linked simply because dry walls have better insulating qualities than wet ones – dry bricks have twice the thermal resistance of wet. Safeguard has scientifically and independently proven this link so definitively that Stormdry classified under VAT Notice 708/6 as an energy-saving measure that qualifies for a reduced VAT rate of 5%. According to tests conducted on solid wall constructions by

Stormdry is more deeply penetrating than traditional liquid applied water repellents

46 Public Sector Build Journal

the University of Portsmouth, the treatment will provide energy savings of up to 29%. Easily applied by either brush or roller, Stormdry cures colourlessly to the original finish of masonry in just 12 hours and just a single coat will protect the substrate for up to 30 years. Stormdry is more deeply penetrating than traditional liquid applied water repellents – up to 12mm in flettons – meaning that its crack-bridging capability is greater; and its life expectancy increased.

■

Stormdry can even be applied to wet walls

It can also be used to deal with the issues of damp that can arise with cavity wall insulation as its vapour permeability enables the wall to dry out while preventing the entry of more water that may impact adversely on the insulation’s performance. The Stormdry cream also has significant advantages over insulation because it costs less to install, does not change the appearance of the building and can be applied quickly and simply with minimal disruption to the occupier. The masonry protection cream will also cut growths such as mould and moss and is also part of Safeguard Europe’s flood protection system. Safeguard Europe also provides comprehensive technical support and advice from its highly qualified and experienced staff on Stormdry applications.

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8 www.stormdry.com info@safeguardeurope.com ( 01403 210204

Easily applied by either brush or roller, Stormdry cures colourlessly to the original finish of masonry in just 12 hours

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Tarkett flooring put to the toughest test Great flooring deserves perfect cleaning - and now Tarkett's products are going under the spotlight in a new national showcase for innovative cleaning. The company has teamed up with cleaning experts Scot Young Research (SYR) Resilient to provide all the flooring for a new test centre being built at Lye in the West Midlands. The centre will be open to the trade by the end of April, offering demonstration facilities for technologically-advanced cleaning machinery and advanced products. SYR Resilient manager Steve Parry says: “We’ve had a partnership with Tarkett for many years – I’ve a background in flooring myself and believe there’s no other company like them in the business. We appreciate the innovation that Tarkett put into all their flooring products because we are innovative ourselves. The centre is the first of its kind and will lead the way in cleaning research and development.” Tarkett’s range of floor, wall and installation solutions, including Granit Safe. T, Eclipse Premium, Safetred, iQ Optima and ProtectWALL, is being installed at the centre.

Salespeople will be able to take customers to view the flooring being put to the toughest tests by SYR’s state-of-the-art machinery and cleaning solutions. Steve Urwin, Tarkett’s UK Marketing Manager, said the company was delighted to be taking part in the new venture. “Tarkett produces exceptionally hard-wearing yet attractive design led flooring. This means it has numerous applications, such as in hospitals and schools where extensive cleaning is crucial. “SYR Resilient are really taking cleaning machinery and products into the 21st century, and we think the fit with Tarkett is an excellent one. The test centre will also be a great showcase for our existing and new flooring types, and working alongside SYR we’ll be

able to use it to demonstrate the unique properties and strengths of our products to customers.”

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8 www.tarkett.co.uk uksales@tarkett.com ( 01622 854040

Interface helps further university's eco focus

Remmers serves up five-star flooring Remmers Floormix DQ system has been installed by Phoenix Specialist Flooring to upgrade the floors and coves to the kitchens of a major hotel chain in the Midlands. The system was laid over the existing quarry tiles using Remmers FAS Primer 100, chosen for its exceptional bond to wet, glazed and difficult surfaces. Due to the nature of the busy hotel kitchen area, the Floormix DQ system was selected by the client to meet their requirements for a seamless, hard wearing surface that was easy to clean and maintain as well as providing a good level of slip resistance. The installation was carried out over four days as part of a fast track, full kitchen fit-out project. ( 0845 373 0103

8 www.remmers.co.uk

* sales@remmers.co.uk

48 Public Sector Build Journal

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Global carpet tile manufacturer, Interface, worked with Middlesex University on the refurbishment of Fenella House, Hendon Campus, to provide sustainable and innovative flooring products and services for the project. Interface suggested the old carpet tiles were recycled through its groundbreaking process, ReEntry 2.0. The like-for-like recycling system, developed by Interface, reclaims end of life carpet for use in the yarn and backing of new tiles across the manufacturer’s ranges. The brief for the new interior scheme was for a contemporary and stylish finish which would stand the test of time. The design was therefore created using durable carpet tiles from Interface’s Duet and Barricade ranges. 8 www.interface.com

interface.uk@interfaceflor.eu

(

0161 817 6600

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Ancon extends insulated balcony connector range Construction fixings specialist, Ancon has extended its existing balcony connector range to include three new thermally insulated systems designed to minimise the effects of cold bridging. Comprising stainless steel reinforcement and mineral wool insulation, the new high performance Ancon Isotec system provides maximum corrosion protection and integral fire resistance. The Ancon STC (Steel to Concrete) system is a two-part assembly, comprising a cast-in anchorage and a post fixed bracket with integral thermal pad, reducing the risk of damage to the units on site during the construction process. For steel to steel applications, the Ancon STS system is a single, compact, easy-to-handle unit wrapped in thermally efficient polystyrene insulation. 8 www.ancon.co.uk

info@ancon.co.uk

(

0114 275 5224

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings Finsa’s CompacMel Plus is the natural evolution of wood-based fibreboards: a compact, high density wooden fibreboard (>1000 kg/m3) with excellent mechanical properties and a high strength melamine coating. CompacMel Plus is the right board for sports and commercial facilities, school, office and kitchen furniture, hospital and hotel equipment, public bathroom cubicles, partitions, panelling etc. An advanced solution in wood, specially designed for use in highly humid indoor environments or in applications requiring high resistance, CompacMel Plus represents an unbeatable alternative pricewise to the more expensive solid grade laminate. Available in 18 striking and vibrant colours and in a standard format of 2440 x 2100 x 12mm, combined with the next day delivery service offered by Lawcris, make an unbeatable offer of quality, performance and service.

FINSA appoints exclusive distributor of CompacMel Plus The wood products specialist Lawcris has been appointed by the Spanish panel producer Finsa as the exclusive distributor the UK for 1its 7/2/14 product14:43 CompacMel quarter pageinadds:Layout Page 1 Plus.

8 www.lawcris.co.uk *

 enq 038

sales@lawcris.co.uk ( 0113 2177 177

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Public Sector Build Journal 49 55

Inex-online.com Interior and exterior design inspiration

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50 Public Sector Build Journal

HVAC/HVP

BREEAM 'Outstanding' building chooses Remeha Boilers

Waterloo helps boost MMU's green credentials Waterloo Air Products is meeting the air distribution requirements of Manchester Metropolitan University’s (MMU) £75m Business School and Student Hub. Waterloo’s perforated face diffusers, airline linear grilles, louvre faced diffusers and over 1273 floor swirl diffusers have been used extensively throughout the award-winning building. The internal environment and comfort of the building’s occupants were addressed using a low energy solution that adhered to sustainability requirements. The building’s cooling and heating requirements are met using a controlled ventilation system whereby free cooling is achieved for most of the year using displacement ventilation and integrated slab cooling. ( *

8 www.waterloo.co.uk 01622 717861  enq 043 alan.smith@waterloo.co.uk

Remeha Quinta Pro boilers have been chosen to provide energy-efficient space heating at one of the country’s most innovative and sustainable business centres, the multi award-winning building One Trinity Green in South Shields, South Tyneside. Providing energy-saving heating for the entire building are two Quinta Pro 115 condensing boilers that were specified by M&E Consultant Jayne Bainbridge of RPS Group to contribute to the outstanding overall energy efficiency of the building. The Remeha Quinta Pro range of fully modulating condensing boilers offers outputs from 8 to 114kW, high efficiencies and excellent ultra-low NOx emissions for environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient heating and hot water production. 8 www.remeha.co.uk

boilers@remeha.co.uk

(

0118 978 3434

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enq 044

Housing association aims to reduce residents' costs Thermal Earth has worked in conjunction with Wales & West Housing to successfully increase energy efficiency and reduce running costs for tenants in a large domestic housing refurbishment in Mid Wales. Residents at Llwynbrain Close in Howey, near Llandrindod Wells, have had their conventional heating systems replaced with Thermal Earth’s MasterTherm air source heat pumps. The new heat pump system can heat the home as well as provide hot water and significantly reduces the domestic carbon emissions and lowers fuel bills simultaneously. It is anticipated that residents may be able to save up to 70% on running costs when compared to the old electric night storage heater. 8 www.thermalearth.co.uk

info@thermalearth.co.uk

(

01269 833100

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Vent-Axia shortlisted for two H&V News Awards Vent-Axia was shortlisted in two categories at last month’s Heating & Ventilation News Awards 2014. The company is delighted its Lo-Carbon EKF Kitchen Box Fan reached the Commercial Building Services Product of the Year category. Meanwhile, the firm is also celebrating reaching the final in the Retrofit Project of the Year category with The ReallySmartHouse project, which features its innovative Lo-Carbon Tempra single room heat recovery unit. “At Vent-Axia we are committed to innovation and continuous development, we are therefore very proud that this is recognised by our peers within the heating and ventilating sector,” said Jenny Smith, Marketing Services Manager, Vent-Axia. 8 www.vent-axia.com

jenny.smith@vent-axia.com

(

0844 856 0590

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FCO Communications Centre uses latest technology Atlantic Boilers has supplied two Atlantic Euromax 1455kW large hot water boilers at Hanslope Park, Buckinghamshire – the home of Her Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC). The boiler’s three pass design gives balanced heat transfer and stable performance at low heat loads. The upgraded boilerplant was specified by Consulting Engineers WSP and installed by E V Bullen. The boilers come with Dunphy TH37 ZM RT digital modulation B100 bio-liquid burners which marry together for excellent green combustion and seasonal efficiency of 85% GCV. The EUROMAX boiler and DUNPHY burner are also available with the RT yearround condensing economiser and the result is a seasonal efficiency in excess of 94% GCV. 8 www.atlanticboilers.com

info@atlanticboilers.com

(

0161 621 5960

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New brand in LST radiators to suit all applications The Warmac-Radiator brand of high output natural convectors and low surface temperature radiators is being launched by UK manufacturing group AGM Plc. Features include: factory assembled casings with aesthetically pleasing aluminium grilles; a choice of purpose designed energy efficient emitters; round edged single piece steel covers with punched grilles; soft corner technology; and anti-microbial surface treatment and LST compliance. Also available are fully NHS compliant models and models designed to optimise lower flow and return temperatures associated with environmentally-friendly hot water sources. 8 www.warmac-radiators.co.uk * 

enq 048

sales@warmac-radiators.co.uk ( 0333 577 5567

Public Sector Build Journal 51 55

Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Wireless technology and sophisticated sensors are now available that avoid pump installation difficulties

Wireless is the way forward W

et rooms are proving to be the strongest trend in current bathroom design, heading up everyone’s wish list in the same way as an indoor toilet more than 50 years ago. There are similar reasons too: health and safety. Wet rooms may look stylish and streamlined, and they may create a sense of space but, basically, they are safer than conventional baths and showers. And this is the largest driver behind the demand for wet rooms. The UK’s population is ageing: there are currently 10 million elderly people but, by 2030, there will be 15.5 million of whom nearly 6 million will be more than 80 years old. At the moment the injuries caused to old people from falling are costing the state £1bn a year – and a quarter of these take place in the home. There is also a strong financial incentive to make homes safer for elderly people as evidence suggests that postponing entry into residential care can cut the costs per person by £26,000 a year. But there are a couple of difficulties that can hinder any adaptation, which wireless technology can remove. Traditional plumbing systems obviously rely on gravity, so fitting wet rooms in apartments, basements and ground floors, for instance, can also be problematic – unless drainage

52 Public Sector Build Journal

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The growing need for wet rooms for vulnerable residents can now be met more easily as wireless technology is now incorporated into the latest developments in showering, writes Roger Crabb of Mira Showers.

the user has a more pleasant experience. The wireless link between shower and pump also cuts down the risk of flooding – there are no vulnerable wires and, if there is a power cut to the pump, the shower will not work. When power is restored to the pump then the shower is back in business. The shower and pump are commissioned together in four simple steps: connect the power to the Instant Match transformer, turn the shower on to full cold, turn the power on for the shower with the pull cord and the integral transformer will emit an audible bleep and a green light will come on to show that it has been successfully paired with the pump. By adopting a technology that everyone is familiar with – everyone now has a remote for their TV, DVD and set top box – the showering industry has produced a troublefree solution to wet room installation. The multi-generational bathroom will continue to provide three main installation opportunities: wet rooms and/or easy access low trays; non-slip trays – such as Mira Flight Safe – and showers that lend themselves to adaptational living, such as wireless digital products, or those with features of particular appeal to the older or frailer user.

pumps are fitted. Traditional pumped drainage solutions necessarily, though, have their own drawbacks. The noise of the pump pulling the water out of the showering area can be uncomfortable for the user, while the wiring, trunking and conduits required complicate installation and spoil the look of the shower room. Setting up the pump to synchronise with the shower can also be a complication – you may need to install an additional flow switch.

 enq 049

8 www.mirashowers.co.uk * kohlermira@linney.com ( 01242 221221

Full synchronisation Wireless technology and sophisticated sensors are now available that avoid these difficulties. And, combined, deliver a shower/ pump combination that provides an ideal solutions for those situations where a conventional gravity fed drainage system is costly, difficult and time-consuming to fit such as in a ground floor bathroom adaptation and where level access is needed. These products use unique serial number encryption and integral flow sensors so that the shower and the pump unit can be synchronised. The result is that the pump not only comes on when the shower is in use but also adjusts to the rate of flow, so that the suction noise is much reduced and

Wireless products enable the shower and the pump unit to be synchronised

Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms

New vandal-resistant waterless urinals Franke Washroom Systems, also known as Franke Sissons, has added to its own range of stainless steel washroom and catering products and its solid surface sanitaryware with a range of vandal-resistant Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) waterless urinals from Uridan. Whilst traditional urinals can waste water, cause maintenance problems and even with the most stringent cleaning regime can be inclined to smell unpleasant, these Uridan GRP waterless urinals are a no hassle solution that will save water, time and money in all types of commercial washroom builds. Only available from Franke Washroom Systems in the UK, the Uridan urinals works without using any water – a single urinal can save approximately 100,000 litres a year. The odour trap in the urinals contains Urilock, a revolutionary plantbased blocking fluid that is lighter than urine, meaning that the liquid simply passes straight through to the drains without the need for water to flush it away.

Urilock remains on the surface, blocking odours and the pungent ammonia smell that is a problem with traditional urinals and other waterless, cartridge-based urinals. Uridan urinals come in a choice of styles with several available in a choice of five colours. The range is designed to meet every commercial need. As well as conventional single wall mounted urinals there is a trough design in a choice of lengths, making them ideal for sports venues, leisure facilities or restaurants. Two models are available from stock; Crew Trough in 1200, 1800 and 2400mm along with the Cadet GRP Pod. The remainder of the range, which is detailed in a new brochure is available to order. As there is no need for pipework and

flushing systems, the urinals are quick and easy to install providing savings on installation costs. Cleaning is quick and simple using Uriclean spray and the Urilock liquid is easy to top up. 8 www.franke.com/washroomsystems *

 enq 050

ws-marketing.gb@franke.com ( 01246 450255

Inta's shower panels are stylish washroom wonders

Inta’s new i-Sport shower panels fuse sleek style with functionality to provide the ultimate showering experience for commercial washrooms. Boasting a sleek all-in-one compact design with an extruded aluminium finish, Inta’s shower panels feature an adjustable directional shower head, pneumatic push button control and come complete with anti-limescale shower head technology for easy cleaning. Recommended for use with Inta’s market-leading TMV3-approved mixing valves, the i-Sport panels boast a top and back entry variant and are supplied with an 8lpm flow regulator, helping commercial operators to save water. 8 www.intatec.co.uk

sales@intatec.co.uk

(

01889 272180

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Essential brochure for assisted bathing specification Gainsborough Specialist Bathing has launched its new Assisted Bathing brochure for construction professionals, contractors and specifiers operating in the long-term and acute care sectors. For almost 30 years, Gainsborough has successfully supplied and supported assistive bathing solutions for residential care homes, acute wards and local authority housing. The new brochure includes comprehensive technical information and product specifications regarding the complete Gainsborough range. It also includes a useful bath selection tool that ensures the most appropriate product can be quickly identified in relation to project needs. 8 www.gainsboroughbaths.com

* info@gainsboroughbaths.com

Toilet helps take library into the future A state-of-the-art toilet is playing its part in helping Birmingham City Council deliver 21st century services. The new £188m Library of Birmingham will achieve optimum accessibility with the inclusion of a Changing Places hygiene room to complement around 20 other wheelchairaccessible WCs. Supplied and installed by Clos-o-Mat, the Changing Places toilet, on the lower ground floor of the building, makes the library the first Birmingham city centre local authority site to have the facility to accommodate anyone who needs the help of a carer to go to the toilet: the only other Changing Places toilet in the city centre is in Bullring shopping centre. (

( 0800

542 9194

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0161 969 1199

8 www.clos-o-mat.com

* info@clos-o-mat.com

 enq 053

Public Sector Build Journal 53 55

Drainage & Landscaping

Weholite teams up with Barratt Homes Leading water management solutions company, Asset International ltd (Asset) has supplied a Weholite storm water attenuation tank in order to facilitate effective water management at a new housing development in the north of England. Barratt Homes, one of the UK’s largest homebuilders, required a drainage solution which was to be approved by Yorkshire

Water and which would be able to adapt to unique site conditions. The attenuation tank will provide storm water management for

the new Springhill Meadows development, which will be home to 134 new properties and which lies just four miles south of the seaside resort of Scarborough. Asset’s specialist water management solutions team provided a tank 433 metres in length, utilising 2600mm diameter Weholite HDPE pipe to give a total storage capacity of 2300m3 (approximately 2.3 million litres of water). The tank will be used to help reduce peak flow at the housing development by restricting the flow of excess water caused by heavy rainfall before releasing it gradually via an outfall back into the ground. The installation of the storm water attenuation tank was complicated by poor soil conditions, as a result of high levels of running sand at up to two metres below ground level, a common problem in coastal areas. Asset recommended the use of 600mm crushed rock bedding to stabilise the trench bed, something that was approved by Yorkshire Water and has since proved to be extremely successful.

8 www.weholite.co.uk *

 enq 054

sales@weholite.co.uk ( 01633 273081

Yeoman Rainguard gives cathedral new lease of life

FilterPave launches in the UK FilterPave is a porous paving system made from 100% UK post consumer recycled glass, bound together with a technologically advanced multicomponent elastic resin from Soiltec Germany in association with BASF – The Chemical Company. It is extremely porous and makes a big contribution to sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). FilterPave is mixed like you would cement, poured into place and finished off. It can be used for both domestic and commercial projects, including public areas, walkways, driveways, car parks and access roads. It is also used around the base of trees in urban areas. ( *

8 www.filterpave.co.uk 01642 783320  enq 055 ian@filterpave.co.uk

54 Public Sector Build Journal

Yeoman Rainguard lead effect GRP rainwater pipes, clips and hoppers have been used to replace damaged rainwater systems on the historic Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Architect John Beauchamp from Benjamin + Beauchamp Architects says: “We specified Yeoman Rainguard GRP for this particular project as they were able to match the design of the existing pipes and hoppers by producing moulds from which glass reinforced plastic replicas were supplied.” New downpipes were colour matched to the existing lead and produced in three separate colours to ensure a seamless bespoke installation at each location. 8 www.rainguard.co.uk

sallyann@rainguard.co.uk

(

0113 279 5854

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Ultracrete unveils innovation at highways conference Ultracrete, part of the Instarmac Group, will be showcasing its range of HAPAS approved Highways Maintenance solutions at Surveyor’s annual Highway Maintenance conference at The Nottingham Belfry on 30th May. The conference will feature an insight into and practical advice relating to the maintenance of our transport infrastructure as well as a focus on flooding and the development of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) on the road network. The full Ultracrete range of highway maintenance and ancillary products will be highlighted on stand 12, including its HAPAS approved manhole reinstatement system which comprises Envirobed HA104 high performance bedding mortar. 8 www.instarmac.co.uk

enquiries@instarmac.co.uk

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01827 871871

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P B S SBP RY A R LIB

sustainable-buildingproducts.com sustainable-buildingpr sustainable-buildingproducts.com

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sustainable-buildingproducts.com Your essential new reference for sustainable building product information web | mobile | tablet Public Sector Build Journal 55

Focus & Innovation

Createability shows its strength Lewes Leisure Centre has undergone a £160,000 revamp to create an extended gym and dedicated free weights area. Leisure design and build expert, Createability, was brought on board to create the free weights section in a balcony area with an underused climbing wall, next to the main gym. The fitness suite was then extended into the previous free weights area, offering a 20% boost to membership capacity. The male and female fitness changing have also been remodelled with new benches, vanity units and changing cubicles, and both areas have been redecorated to tie in with Wave Leisure’s

corporate colours. The leisure centre, managed by leisure trust Wave Leisure on behalf of Lewes District Council, was originally built in 1991 and had an extension to create the gym in 2007, but according to Wave Leisure’s Head of Operations, members wanted more free weights: “Our members indicated there was a shortage of free weights,” said Neil Harrison. “So we funded the redevelopment through our reserves, which as a registered charity and not

for profit organisation are ring fenced for reinvestment back into our facilities. “The entire project ran smoothly due in no small part to Createability’s excellent control and supervision. Creatability helped us develop a realistic specification, and through great onsite supervision, the project was delivered to a high standard, on time and under budget, and on that basis we are already talking to them about other future projects.” 8 www.createability.co.uk *

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info@createability.co.uk ( 0845 070 4321

Portakabin welcomes recognition for eco efforts Portakabin, a leading modular building manufacturer, has received the Think Green Business of the Year accolade at the Press Business Awards in recognition of its commitment to the environment and sustainability. The Think Green Business of the Year category is open to businesses which consciously strive to improve the environment. Derek Carter, Chief Executive of the Portakabin Group, says: “This is very welcome recognition for our energy-saving and environmental programmes. Our sustainable initiatives require a team effort from everyone across the business and together we have made tremendous progress over the last few years in the area of recycling and waste management.” 8 www.portanews.co.uk

information@portakabin.co.uk

(

All quiet at school 0845 401 0010

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GTC partners with Sky It has been announced that GTC and Sky have reached an agreement to team up to provide customers on GTC’s new-build fibre optic networks with the opportunity to benefit from a marketleading package of premium TV services, fixedline home phone and broadband speeds of up to 300Mbps. GTC’s super-fast fibre technology displaces the outdated copper-based solutions traditionally installed on new-build developments, and enables its customers the capacity to enjoy the full range of entertainment, home-working and social activities afforded by this 21st-century solution. Sky will offer its full range of premium TV services, including Sky+HD, to those homes who take their fibre broadband from GTC.

The Swiss Cottage Special School in London is a large special needs facility for children with a variety of different abilities. Designed by architect Penoyre & Prasad, the school has achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent. Part of this high rating is due to the use of Troldtekt acoustic panels for the ceilings. One of the most important hubs is the social area. In order to create a pleasant environment in this and other potentially noisy rooms, the architects have used 600m2 of 2400 x 600mm Troldtekt acoustic panels for the ceilings. The benefits of Troldtekt panels include high sound absorption, high durability and natural breathability. (

8 www.sky.com/communaltv

56 Public Sector Build Journal

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08442 411 335

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0844 8114877

8 www.troldtekt.co.uk

* am.carroll@skanda-uk.com

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Focus & Innovation

New fitness facility completes student village Students in Winchester are set to exercise their bodies as well as their brains, thanks to the development of a gym within the University of Winchester's newly-built Burma Road Student Village. The gym, open to students, staff and the local community, is based across two floors and kitted out with Life Fitness equipment. A free weights area, changing rooms and

600ft2 studio complete the basement, with a 1600ft2 fitness suite to the ground floor. The design and build was completed by Createability, which has 20 years of

experience in the trust and local authority sectors. Managing Director Ian Cotgrave says: “The university is really pleased with the work and we hope this will put us on the map with similar establishments – who are increasingly developing their fitness offerings to compete with other education providers.” Dave Mason, Project Manager at the University of Winchester adds: “Createability was a great company to work with. The team are knowledgeable, competent and well-informed with regards to construction in the leisure industry, often raising additional points for consideration.” Alex Trumble, Sports Facilities Manager at the University, comments: “We wanted to offer students, staff and members of the community a state-of-the-art gym complete with the latest strength and cardiovascular equipment. It was fantastic to work with Createability to make our vision a reality. The new gym is a great addition to campus and is the latest development to enhance our sports facilities.” 8 www.createability.co.uk *

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info@createability.co.uk ( 0845 070 4321

Hands on work is fully protected

Timeguard floods the LED market Timeguard’s lead in LED for outdoor lighting seems unassailable with the introduction of a range of wide-beam floodlight designs that produce even diffused light, virtually indistinguishable from old-style and energy-guzzling halogen lamps. This overcomes installers’ reluctance to switch to LEDs for floodlighting, because Timeguard has eliminated the disadvantages of other socalled LED floodlights which emit only the focussed beam of light that is the signature of light emitting diodes. The new range also benefits from Timeguard’s commitment to investing in superior componentry, with high-quality drivers and PIR detectors that are rated to cope with the initial surge that accompanies LED switching and highlyeffective cooling fins on the back. ( *

8 www.timeguard.com 020 8450 8944  enq 064 csc@timeguard.com

Ask any professional tradesman or woman and they’ll agree that hands are the most important tools you have on site. That’s why Snickers Workwear decided to develop the most effective and practical range of work gloves available today. There’s Precision gloves, which are light and flexible with a design priority on dexterity and fit, knuckle protection, cushioning and reinforcement to provide optimum protection. Plus Power gloves, which are comfortable, hard-wearing and ideal for all kinds of heavy duty jobs on site. 8 www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

* info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

( 0845

401 0010

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Schindler announces preferred charity for 2014 As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Schindler, a leading provider of lifts and escalators, has announced that its preferred charity for 2014 will be Crohn’s and Colitis UK. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are both forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a lifelong illness. Commenting on the new alliance, Richard Clarke, Sales and Marketing Director at Schindler, says: “This is the first time we have nominated a preferred charity for Schindler in the UK. We are looking forward to working with Crohn’s and Colitis UK, which helps to support many thousands of people across the UK with such a painful condition.” 8 www.schindler.com

info@gb.schindler.com

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01932 758100

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Public Sector Build Journal 57

Focus & Innovation

New bespoke basins offer a design advantage A standard range of Miranit basins from Franke Washroom Systems have been available for specialist applications for two years and has been widely specified in schools and colleges like Taf Ely. Now with the introduction of Miranit Bespoke it is possible to have either a run of basins or individual units made to measure and ideal for use in washrooms situated in schools, colleges, universities and care homes. Miranit Bespoke provides custom-made choices

and four styles of washbasins; straight, D shape, L shape and corner-convex and are available in lengths up to 3.6m. Miranit High Gloss white has a gelcoat surface made from 80% natural minerals and 20% unsaturated polyester resin. The

smooth, non-porous surface means that lime scale and stains cannot cling – making the bowls easy and very quick to clean. For a Matte finish Miranit Matte is made from 2/3 aluminum hydroxide and 1/3 polyester resin and is the same material and colour right through. This means it is robust and resistant to scratches and importantly, extremely hygienic. Franke Washroom Systems has developed a new moulded manufacturing process which allows designers and architects to specify both the size and the shape of the bowl/s. Bowls can be with or without a tap hole, front apron or waste disposal barrel. Other options include the distance between bowls, depth and width of basins and height of design. “We can now offer architects and specifiers the benefit of enormous choice,” says Victoria Himsworth, Product Marketing Manager. “Miranit is a tried and tested material for commercial applications. Our new Bespoke product range extends the design possibilities and is especially valuable in environments that can be very hard wearing.” 8 www.franke.com/washroomsystems *

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ws-marketing.gb@franke.com ( 01246 450255

Notts Sport secures biggest UK surfacing contract

Play at the heart of the community It was easy to recognise why LUC won the prestigious competition to design the social core of the northern part of the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park. Their concept design is based upon ecological concepts of succession and lifecycles. This central theme runs throughout both the timber lodge cafe and the naturalistic play area, which features large bespoke timber structure plus a variety of play equipment from Timberplay’s Richter Spielgeräte. The Tumbling Bay play area includes extensive sand and water play. The waterplay area was created to reference many different types of waterway, through a series of rivulets, channels and canals all created within the surface. ( *

8 www.timberplay.com 0114 282 3474  enq 068 sales@timberplay.com

58 Public Sector Build Journal

Synthetic turf surfacing specialist Notts Sport has secured an exclusive three-year contract to provide safer surfacing solutions for Glasgow City Council. Many of Notts Sport’s installations for Glasgow City Council have seen the company provide a cost-effective solution to refurbish wetpour rubber playgrounds. Notts Sport’s hard-wearing, vandal-resistant VHAF NottsSward carpet can usually be laid directly on top of an existing wetpour surface and requires minimal maintenance or repairs. Notts Sport has also worked with Glasgow City Council on a ground-breaking new type of play area at Glasgow Green which became the forerunner of the ChildsPlay Active system, which has since been rolled out nationwide. 8 www.nottssport.com

info@nottssport.com

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01455 883730

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The search is on for UK Worker of the Year 2014 Workwear company Dickies has launched its 2014 competition to find UK Worker of the Year. Like last year’s competition, UK Worker of the Year for 2014 will be sponsored by Dickies. The winner this time round will have the choice to take home a Suzuki S-Cross car, a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 motorcycle or a Suzuki ATV Quad. The winner of the competition will be announced at the final round of the British Superbike meeting at Brands Hatch in October. The winner will then also be given the opportunity to predict the outcome of a race on the final day and potentially win £100,000. 8 www.ukworkeroftheyear.com * workeroftheyear@chicanemarketing.co.uk ( 01761 4191419  enq 070

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