PSBJ May 2019

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May 2019

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Welcome Note Editor

Hannah Woodger hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Editorial Assistant Paige Smith

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Curtain walling and windows by Kawneer have been used on the UK’s first Proton Beam Therapy centre. See page 18.

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Managing Director Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher

Cross Platform Media Ltd.

Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 5BZ T: 01622 232725 www.psbj.co.uk

Welcome to the May issue of PSBJ...

There’s no denying that there has been some significant progress to meet the demand for more homes in the UK. It may not be to the desired level just yet, but efforts are being made to ensure delivery is consistent and to a high standard.

But with all these new homes being built, what is being done to create a sense of community and enrich these sites with valuable and essential amenities? The concept of ‘placemaking’ is integral if we are to deliver vibrant and successful towns and communities.

One architecture practice that believes wholeheartedly in placemaking is AHR. Not only does the firm feel this approach contributes to the economic growth of towns, but it gives communities a diverse offering that truly adds value. In this issue, we hear from AHR’s Director, Karle Burford, who offers an insight into how local authorities can maximise the impact of these regeneration projects. Turn to page 34 to read more.

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

Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor's hands.

In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher.

The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Also in this edition, we bring you the latest on Lighting, Classroom Acoustics, Kitchens, Bathrooms & Washrooms and Anti-Ligature Solutions. You will also find a dedicated focus on each of the four key areas of the public sector build market – Healthcare, Education, Leisure and Housing.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via Public Sector Build Journal’s state-of-the-art app. To download your free version, simply search ‘PSBJ’ on Google Play or the App Store.

Hannah

Hannah Woodger | Editor | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter:

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Contents

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

08 Upfront Kings Farm Close, Longcot, Oxfordshire is a new development of 15 eco-homes, including six affordable homes built to the same high-performance standards in one of the most expensive areas of the UK.

12 Housing Efforts to increase new starts in public sector housing have been lacklustre while the housing market stagnates. Christopher Stanley, Housing Manager at The Concrete Block Association, explores further.

16 Leisure Children are being increasingly micromonitored throughout their youth. Is this approach to protecting our children actually resulting in lifelong disadvantages?

18 Healthcare Curtain walling and windows by Kawneer have been used on the UK’s first Proton Beam Therapy centre in Manchester.

38 20 Talking Point

26 Lighting

The Government’s Outsourcing Playbook sets out guidance to de-risk working practices on major outsourcing programmes and other large publicly-funded contracts – but does it go far enough?

As schools, colleges and universities confront austerity and budget limitations, it is important to understand that the correct lighting has the power to affect moods and productivity within the classroom.

22 Education

28 Doors & Windows

Stakeholder management is a crucial part of a successful public sector scheme and yet, it could still be considered old-fashioned in its approach. Built environment consultancy Curtins discusses its process.

As part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Plymouth City Market, a range of Smart Architectural Aluminium’s windows and doors were specified.

24 Legal & Business

30 Technical Focus

To emphasise the importance of structural integrity and safety during a system’s lifespan, the BBA has revised all current EWIS certificates with regard to strength and stability.

Thanks to the Party Wall Act, protection is given to owners of properties next door to where building work is taking place. Paul Burton of Pellings explains more.

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Contents

12 34 32 Classroom Acoustics Architectural journalist Gideon Sykes looks at the impact that sound and light in education can have on our children.

32

34 Placemaking

38 Kitchens, Bathrooms & Washrooms

Karle Burford, Director at leading architecture and building consultancy practice AHR, explains how local authorities can maximise the impact of regeneration projects.

Offsite Solutions, a leading UK bathroom pod manufacturer, has manufactured and delivered 1178 bathroom pods for two new student housing schemes developed by Mace.

36 Anti-Ligature Solutions

40 Product Showcase

Phil Barsby, Business Development Director at Intastop, explains the priority of patient safety in health establishments and NHS Trusts across the country.

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

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News

INDUSTRY UPDATES

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

Revealed: the industries that voted for and against Brexit

Construction begins at first Maidenhead regeneration site Work has started on a major redevelopment site in Maidenhead which will deliver 229 new homes alongside community spaces and food outlets on the banks of Maidenhead waterways.

The £94m regeneration scheme is the first development to be started as part of the Royal Borough Development Partnership, a joint initiative between the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Countryside. The development, called Watermark, located in York Road, Maidenhead, will see 88 of the 229 new homes built as affordable homes of varied sizes and tenures in partnership with Housing Solutions. The range of property types and ownership options are being targeted at people that have connections to the Royal Borough. The beginning of construction was marked with a ceremony that was attended by the leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and key representatives from Countryside, the council and Housing Solutions. The site will see new public space adjacent to the Town Hall, York Stream and Maidenhead Library as well as approximately 20,000ft2 of new restaurant, cafe and community space. There will be a public square which will provide an enhanced setting for the Grade II listed Maidenhead library as well as a new Maidenhead Heritage Centre.

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With the decision on Brexit looming, a new study has found which industries had the highest percentage of leave voters as well as the least. Construction and law enforcement & security topped the list of industries wanting Brexit, whilst the healthcare and transport & logistics industries were the least receptive to leave the European Union. The team behind www.wmblogistics.co.uk conducted the research as part of a study into how Brexit may affect the transport and logistics industry, amongst many others. Over 5000 UK residents aged 18 and over, all of whom stated that they were in full-time employment and which industry they worked in, were quizzed about their attitudes towards Brexit. A spokesperson for www.wmblogistics.co.uk made the following comment: “While the decision of Brexit is, apparently, only a few weeks away, the country is still very much split and there doesn’t seem to be any clear indication of what is to come. The transport and logistics industry wants a peaceful resolution that still allows for free movement; our lorry drivers regularly drive around Europe, collecting and delivering, and we don’t want our industry, the retail industry, and many others to be affected by a negative or no deal outcome."

Planning approval for first homes at Filton Airfield Planning approval to deliver 278 new homes on the site of the former Filton Airfield has been granted by South Gloucestershire Council. The new homes form the first phase in the transformation of the historic airfield site into a thriving new neighbourhood for Bristol, known as Brabazon. Grant Associates is creating the landscape and public realm strategy for the development, working closely with the architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios on behalf of site owner YTL Developments. This first phase of new

properties includes high-quality family homes, private apartments and affordable properties, all set within community gardens and liveable streets. A public square and sweeping crescent mark the entrance into the neighbourhood, while the mix of homes, ranging from medium-rise apartment buildings to urban terraces and spacious family houses, is designed to foster a diverse and vibrant community. Following the grant of planning approval, YTL Developments anticipates that construction will begin before the end of the year. The homes are expected to go on sale during 2020, with the first residents set to move in at Brabazon in 2021.

Housing build contract awarded A contract to build Powys County Council’s first affordable housing development for social rent in over 40 years has been awarded to a Welsh building company. Port Talbotbased Jistcourt has been appointed as lead contractor to build a three-storey building containing 26 one-bedroomed flats in Newtown. The £3.5m development, which is being built on land adjacent to Newtown Bowling Club at Back Lane, will provide low-carbon accommodation available at an affordable rent. The Welsh Government has granted almost £2.2m in funding through its Innovative Housing Programme towards the development of the flats. Cllr James Evans, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I’m delighted that Jistcourt (South Wales) Ltd have been appointed as the lead contractor for this exciting and innovative social housing development project. This development, which will meet the needs of the local community, is just the first of many housing developments that we are planning across the county. It will also help meet our Vision 2025 – to build a minimum of 250 affordable homes across the county by 2023.”

Higgins starts work on site at Woolwich Reach Higgins has started work on site to design and build a 14-storey residential block at Woolwich Reach, E16 for Notting Hill Genesis. The £21m contract will deliver 75 affordable homes, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, of which 28 will be London Living Rent homes and 47 shared ownership, and commercial space overlooking the River Thames and next to Royal Victoria Gardens. Located on the derelict site of a former pub, the project also includes large communal spaces featuring a landscaped residents’ podium deck with car parking beneath and a new offsite public viewing platform with views over the river. The development sits next to a busy thoroughfare linking the site to the Woolwich Ferry, while its southern boundary overlooks the Thames and improves public access to the Capital Ring, a popular dedicated walking and cycling route around the capital. The project offers the potential for spectacular views in all directions and will also offer gated access to Royal Victoria Gardens, the TFL Capital Ring Walk and has excellent transport links including the upgraded TFL Woolwich Ferry, DLR King George V Station and London City Airport which are all close by.

Legal adviser appointed for Greenwich housing delivery plan The law firm Bevan Brittan has been appointed as preferred external legal partner to the Royal Borough of Greenwich to help deliver its aim of building more new council homes.

The Royal Borough has stated that it wishes to establish Greenwich as “one of the national and regional leaders in the delivery of social rented, genuinely affordable council housing”.

The authority’s corporate plan includes proposals to “radically increase the pace and quantum of housing delivery in the Borough” by building new 750 council homes – linking with the Mayor of London’s ‘Building Council Homes for Londoners’ programme. Following a tender process, Bevan Brittan has been appointed to carry out all legal work relating to the housing delivery proposals. This is likely to include property development, construction and build contracts, planning, procurement, conveyancing, state aid, corporate governance/ vires, advice on relevant taxes, compulsory purchase orders and Right to Buy. Bevan

University building named ‘Outstanding Project’ in double award win It was a double night of success for Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) and architecture and sports & leisure firm LK2 at the Lincoln Good Design Awards, as the newly-renovated Constance Stewart Hall took home the coveted ‘Outstanding Project’ and ‘Best Commercial Project’ awards.

Designed by LK2, the impressive £2.2m redevelopment was chosen by the Planning Department of Lincoln City Council as the overall ‘Outstanding Project’ of 2019, whilst a public vote placed it top in the commercial category. In naming it the ‘Outstanding Project’ the panel praised the design’s ability to maintain the heart and character of the existing art deco building whilst adding a modern aesthetic: “This modern extension to an academic building has real dynamism with bold modern materials and strong geometry which creates great contrast, whilst referencing the art deco design of the host building. The result is a prominent and sculptural focal point onto this busy junction announcing BGU’s presence.”

Hat-trick of framework wins for Woodhead Group Woodhead Group has made a great start to the first quarter of 2019 after securing a trio of framework wins to deliver a range of housing and public sector construction

projects. The group has been appointed to the Westworks Procurement Development and Construction DPS and re-appointed to the Blue Skies Contractor framework, which delivers social and affordable homes for local housing associations. The wins come just weeks after the company’s appointment on two value bands of the Pagabo framework.

Tom Woodhead, Director of the Woodhead Group, said: “Securing a place on three public sector frameworks demonstrates that we are trusted partners, we have delivered excellent social value returns and as a company we are passionate about working collaboratively to hand over successful projects. This trio of appointments has got 2019 off to a flying start and we are very pleased to have secured places on each framework. These frameworks act as a strong trust signal for councils and housing associations that are looking to work with us, and is a real testament to the high standard of work we deliver and our commitment to deliver real social value to local communities.”

News

Brittan's Head of Property, Mark Calverley, said: “We are pleased that we will be supporting the Royal Borough of Greenwich in its plan to take a primary role in directly delivering new council homes. Bevan Brittan multi disciplinary teams will be providing a range of advice to ensure that the housing programme is backed by the necessary capacity, legal expertise and finance.” The appointment is expected to be for a minimum of two years.

Planning approved for £21m medical school building Plans for a new, £21m medical school building at the University of Lincoln (UoL) have been approved, providing a significant, new opportunity for medical students to study in state-of-the-art facilities in the UK. Perfect Circle – a consortium comprising Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM – is delivering project management, cost management, BREEAM consultancy services and design services for the scheme at UoL, located at the Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln. The provision of these services have been enabled by the Scape National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework. The new, fivestorey building is due to complete in Spring 2021 and will comprise: lecture theatres; laboratories; clinical and prosection anatomy suites, equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic tools; and a science library. Mock consultation rooms in the clinical suite will allow students to experience real life situations encountered by those in the medical profession, using the latest technology. With aspirations to reach carbon neutrality, the building has been designed to meet BREEAM Excellent standards, with features including a living wall and photovoltaic panels.

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Upfront

HOW TO DELIVER TRUE LOW CARBON HOUSING FOR THE PLANET

Kings Farm Close is a collection of 15 new homes on the outskirts of the Oxfordshire village of Longcot

In its 2019 Spring Statement, the Government said it will aim to end the use of fossil fuel-based heating systems in all new homes from 2025. It’s a bold move, and one that certainly brings even more focus on improving the sustainability credentials of the UK’s new-build housing stock. But what else should be done to make our homes truly low carbon and sustainable? quest to reduce I nCOtheemissions and 2

A fifth of the site’s total area will be shared green space

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produce ‘nearly zero-carbon buildings’, most designers and builders focus on lowering operational emissions – even if it means emitting more CO2 in the construction process.

There’s still very little thought put into reducing the CO2 emitted during the build stage and from the materials used in the building fabric itself.

There are, however, pockets of developments appearing across the UK – built by innovative SME builders harbouring a social

conscience – that take a more holistic approach to sustainable housebuilding.

One such development currently under construction is Kings Farm Close. A collection of 15 new homes on the outskirts of the Oxfordshire village of Longcot, the development promises affordable, sensitively designed dwellings fit for 21st century living.

More significant, however, is that Kings Farm Close also claims to be the most sustainable housing development in Oxfordshire.

Upfront Modern methods of construction Ian Pritchett, Managing Director of Oxfordshire-based Greencore Construction, has been championing a fabric-first approach to new homebuilding, using eco-friendly, modern methods of construction for some time. His approach is to build to the highest standards while also delivering comfort and quality at a great price.

Every Greencore home is built offsite in a factory using a timber frame panel system, which is insulated with a mix of hemp, lime and wood fibre.

The hemp-lime mix provides exceptional levels of thermal performance – tests carried out by Bath University showed that this system stores nearly four times the amount of heat when compared with traditional insulation materials like mineral wool.

Ultimately, it means the homes’ occupants won’t need to use their heating as often.

This is because the hemp-lime and wood fibre insulation in the superstructure – and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery unit – help to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature all year round.

The heating is provided entirely by underfloor heating, leaving wall spaces clear for furniture and decoration.

The development promises affordable, sensitively designed dwellings fit for 21st century living

So, how is this possible? How does a humble plant-based insulation material like hemplime make such an impact on the thermal performance of a home?

Hemp-lime ‘phase change’ properties drive thermal efficiency It’s all thanks to the natural ‘phase change’ properties of hemp-lime. The moisture

naturally present in the cells of the hemp and in the pore spaces of the composite material can change from liquid to vapour and back again. When this change takes place, a lot of energy is either absorbed or released.

This phase change process can take place at a wide range of temperatures and means that energy entering or leaving one face of a wall is 

Meeting the double carbon target This insulated panel system – branded as the Biond Building System – is manufactured almost entirely from natural materials.

It means that Greencore’s homes, which are always built to Passivhaus thermal performance standards, can achieve the double carbon target of a low carbon footprint and low operational energy usage.

This insulated panel system – branded as the Biond Building System – is manufactured almost entirely from natural materials

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Upfront Oxford Advanced Living has made a concerted effort to build sustainability into the very fabric of the community

very different to the energy entering or leaving the other face. The reality is that the combination of good insulation and exceptional thermal inertia resulting from the natural phase change properties makes hemp-lime an extremely high performing material.

A little hemp-lime history…

in volume construction projects: it takes a long time to dry. In ideal weather conditions (warm, dry and breezy), drying can take as long as six to 12 months, which clearly isn’t practical for fast-track housebuilding in unpredictable British weather.

To tackle this, Greencore prefabricates the superstructure of each home at its factory –

ready-filled with hemp-lime and wood fibre insulation – before it’s shipped out to be assembled onsite. This means the drying process can be managed in a controlled, indoor environment.

Once onsite, the superstructure of each building can be erected in a matter of days. It’s modern methods of construction with a natural, sustainable twist.

Taking sustainability to the community For Greencore and its partners, however, the sustainability focus doesn’t stop with the homes themselves. Back at Kings Farm Close, developer Oxford Advanced Living (OAL) – with support from affordable housing provider Sovereign – has made a concerted effort to build sustainability into the very fabric of the community.

Hemp-lime has been used as a building material for hundreds of years in central Europe, but was revived in the 1990s in France as a niche construction technique for new houses and for infilling the panels of historic oak-framed buildings.

The new-build technique involves casting a wet mix of hemp and lime around a timber framed structure to form solid monolithic walls, normally finished with a lime render on the outside and lime plaster on the inside. This form of building has gained popularity in France and spread to the UK in the early 2000s.

Avoiding the delay of drying wet hemp-lime Despite its rise in popularity, one major limitation hampers the use of wet cast hemp-lime

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Greencore’s homes can achieve the double carbon target of a low carbon footprint and low operational energy usage

Upfront “A fifth of the site’s total area will be shared green space,” says Martin Pike, Director of OAL, “planted and managed with native trees to support wildlife under a biodiversity plan. This project has really allowed us to put into practice all our ideas and determination to create a genuinely sustainable community in Oxfordshire.”

With 40% of the development given over to affordable housing, Greencore and OAL are keen to champion a ‘sustainability and quality for all’ approach to housebuilding.

“With these homes, the same high performance standards are available to everyone, regardless of whether you’re renting or buying a home,” says Martin. “We believe that all the residents will be able to enjoy greener and healthier lifestyles at Kings Farm Close, and we intend to work closely with them to help us with future projects.”

Alex Brooks, Development Manager at Sovereign, agrees.

“These new affordable homes will not only be great places to live, they’ll also be good for the environment as well as keeping energy bills low for residents. It’s really important that we build homes and invest in communities that are fit for the future.”

Support from MPs It’s an approach that hasn’t gone unnoticed in political circles either. In March this year, Ed Vaizey, the former culture minister and MP for the Oxfordshire constituency of Wantage, took time out of his schedule to visit Kings Farm Close and see the project first hand.

“The vast majority of newbuild homes in the UK are of bland design, poor build quality and lack basic sustainability credentials,” he says. “Much of this is to do with national housebuilders refusing to embrace new technologies and construction methods.

“The Kings Farm Close development, however, is a shining example of forwardthinking, modern housebuilding from a team of people who are clearly very committed to bringing sustainable living to everyone – whether you own, part-own or rent your home.”

The Kings Farm Close development is a shining example of forward-thinking, modern housebuilding

Nicole Lazarus, Head of Bioregional Oxfordshire, praised the development, saying: “The Kings Farm Close team richly deserve recognition for their leadership in creating the kind of sustainable new housing we need so badly. We particularly love the natural materials used in the build system and the highquality indoor environment that they make possible.”

There’s a lot to be said for the power of plant-based materials in construction. The fact is the more of these materials we incorporate into buildings, the more carbon we lock up – plain and simple.

Recent industry data shows that the construction of an average house produces 50 tonnes of CO2. On the other hand, construction of a Greencore home, using the hemp-lime timber frame panel system, produces very low or zero CO2 in the construction process.

With construction work at Kings Farm Close expected to complete in the autumn of 2019, it won’t be long before the final residents move in and the claim of ‘Oxfordshire’s most sustainable housing development’ can be put to the test. 

 www.greencoreconstruction.co.uk

Recognition from sustainability leaders In October 2018, Kings Farm Close was recognised by sustainability charity Bioregional for its national leadership in implementing One Planet Living, a comprehensive framework for planning, building and managing greener communities.

Greencore and OAL are keen to champion a ‘sustainability and quality for all’ approach to housebuilding

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Housing

To maximise sustainability, we should be building for longevity

THE SUN IS SHINING, LET’S FIX THE ROOF In the Autumn Budget in November 2017, Philip Hammond announced the Government’s intention to build 300,000 new homes a year. The chancellor conceded there will be no ‘single magic bullet’ to increase the supply, and indeed almost a year and a half later, we are lagging behind targets. Christopher Stanley, Housing Manager at The Concrete Block Association, explores further. current media and T hepolitical obsession over Brexit is not helping, as it distracts from the pressing need to build more houses.

The target itself is relatively modest and entirely possible to achieve with existing manufacturing facilities and infrastructure. Yet even before we have left the single market, we are still not

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meeting these targets; last year we were 80,000 short.

Importantly, the masonry industry is one of few which is largely protected from many of the effects of Brexit uncertainty. From a production perspective, most materials are locally sourced and, therefore, any future import levies should not hamper production.

The housing market should be a diverse place and there is a need for different types of construction. However, efforts to increase new starts in public sector housing have been lacklustre while the housing market stagnates. This is not good enough, and I’d like to take the opportunity to delve a little deeper into how we can solve it.

Push for results now Our current Government is almost obsessively pushing Modern Methods of Construction, in particular funding schemes for modular houses. Yet I feel that we need to adopt a more holistic approach. This single-mindedness is unhelpful and in my view not the panacea it is hoped to be.

On the surface, it’s perceived modular enables us to meet targets quickly, however, if we look at the 1950s and 60s modular builds, many are no longer fit for purpose. The scandal is these were not built very long ago.

Surely we don’t want housing stock that needs renewing on a generational basis?

True, techniques have evolved since, but we need to be careful not to repeat old mistakes. By all means, incorporate modular into the housing landscape, but let’s make sure we use materials with longevity in mind and we don’t rush the construction.

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Housing

The masonry industry is one of few which is largely protected from many of the effects of Brexit uncertainty

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An active approach

Traditional is part of a sustainable solution

Sea change in current attitudes

To maximise sustainability, we should be building for longevity.

Yet with the push for ‘results here and now’, we’re in danger of letting the bad practices of the past, creep back in. Crucially, we must not plan obsolescence into our housing; instead we should be learning lessons from this legacy of poor quality building and improving.

The preoccupation with Modern Methods of Construction weighs heavy on this, amounting to a prejudice against traditional forms of construction. There’s an erroneous perception that a technique must be better simply because it is new.

But look at the mid-rises created by the Peabody and Guinness Trusts in Victorian London. A prime example of these is the Boundary Estate in East London’s Shoreditch. Built from masonry, it’s still standing and still occupied over a century later, and an indispensable part of the local community.

Furthermore, the masonry sector delivers the materials used as the primary constituent in around 85% of current new build housing. We are more than capable of absorbing at least 85% of the total materials needed for the extra 80,000 houses.

It does surprise me how shortterm politicians and housebuilders memories are. During the last recession, it was the social housing sector that helped prop up our housebuilding industry.

Brexit pending, there may well be another downturn on the horizon. We can’t have blind faith in this being possible again, therefore attitudes need to change.

Understandably, housebuilders might worry about the effects of Brexit on their workforce as well as the supply chain. Therefore, they should be focusing on methods of construction most workers are already skilled at, i.e. traditional onsite utilising local material, and not solely heavily invest in new ones that require upskilling, huge amounts of capital and imports.

While meeting the targets, we also need to build to sustainability standards; Passive House, for example. The fact is social housing could be working harder to implement some of these elements to improve efficiency.

One of our goals as a trade association is to educate the industry about the benefits of masonry construction, such as the inherent thermal mass of masonry, which helps achieve optimal thermal mass and therefore minimal energy use for temperature control.

In order to foster a better industry understanding of this important consideration, we now offer a U-value calculator, an entirely free and easy to use tool to help builders’ merchants, housebuilders and developers identify the best materials to use to achieve certain U-values.

Ultimately, we must not become distracted by the negative rhetoric preoccupying the national conversation. We have so much to do to fix the housing market, much of which is irrelevant of Brexit. There may be dark clouds gathering elsewhere, but for our industry, the sun is currently shining, so let’s fix the roof. 

 www.cba-blocks.org.uk

The masonry sector delivers the materials used as the primary constituent in around 85% of current new build housing

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Leisure

IS IT TIME FOR HELICOPTER PARENTS TO TAKE OFF?

Supporting children to assess and manage hazards and challenges in an incremental way will help build their confidence and resilience

Children are being increasingly micro-monitored throughout their youth.

Is this approach to protecting our children actually resulting in lifelong disadvantages?

Lilly Elbra from Timberplay explores the issues. are many challenges T here for today’s children to navigate that were non-existent until only recent times – mobile phones, anti-social online behaviour and volume of traffic for example. One thing that has seen a rise to prominence and represents a curtailment

of childhood is Helicopter Parenting – something which, despite the best intentions to protect children, can actually result in children being less independent adults who have not developed the skills to effectively risk assess the daily challenges life throws their way.

Over-management by adults prevents children being able to spontaneously explore and create everyday adventures

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Intense supervision leads to less autonomous, less socially able children who are unable to manage conflict and develop competence and confidence in their daily lives with its attendant everyday hazards.

Play providers can certainly do more to create play area environments worth exploring that offer the possibility of discovery, surprise, novelty and challenge. But parents and carers also need to be aware that over-management by adults prevents children being able to spontaneously explore and create everyday adventures, and manage social interactions with other children. Children need to play to survive and thrive. A few cuts, bruises and even a broken limb can contribute significantly to building competent capable children.

Supporting children to assess and manage hazards and challenges in an incremental way

will help build their confidence and resilience. The Regulator in Scotland, the Care Inspectorate agrees: “When children play they naturally seek out elements of risk, challenge and adventure – encountering risk and challenge in this way helps build resilience, confidence and judgement.”

Beth Cooper, Creative Play Consultant at Timberplay, regularly speaks to landscape architects and play professionals about the importance of risk benefit assessment and the need for children to have autonomous experiences.

She comments: “One of the examples I regularly cite in my presentations is that of how the right to roam has been lost over only four generations. In a study about the Thomas Family in South Yorkshire, the Great Grandfather George was allowed to walk for six miles to go fishing in 1919, in 1950 the Grandfather

Leisure

could walk to the woods one mile away, and in 1978 Mum was permitted to walk half a mile to the swimming baths. Her son Edward was only allowed to walk the 300 yards to the end of the lane, but he had no one to play with because all the other children in the street were only allowed to go to the garden gate.

“In many cases I am aware of this has diminished further with children not being allowed out of the house without an adult.

Edward and his friends are 20 this year and will be the next planners, urban designers, teachers, builders…..and parents!”

With this freedom, children would have been able to develop a variety of life skills, negotiating woods, streams, paths and hills, whilst also maintaining a healthier lifestyle and spending free social time with their friends. Even meeting older, tougher kids and learning how to avoid potential flash points serve as a great life experience to help children and young adults understand how to detect and avoid potentially dangerous situations.

The environment of today is vastly different to that of 1919, the one key element for potential danger being that of the car. It is understandable that parents and carers would have reservations about children having to cross busy roads, but even when roads are quiet, carers are still reluctant to allow their children to independently go to the park or woods.

Marguerite Hunter Blair, CEO of Play Scotland, is concerned that children today are not getting the permission, time, space, resources, and independence needed to develop their own spontaneous and self-initiated play.

She comments: “Children learn when they are ‘just playing’. Variety, adventure and challenge – learning to manage risks and make choices helps build resilience into adult life.

We need to be concerned that our children increasingly prefer to be indoors, sedentary and supervised, with poor physical literacy & strength and are more likely to be overweight. With life expectancy stalled in the UK, we need to get our children playing out more and let them have more everyday adventures!”

In addition to contributing to underdeveloped life skills, various studies show that helicopter parenting can also result in decreased confidence and selfesteem, increased anxiety and a sense of entitlement.

As a play provider, Timberplay equipment provides a risk, often with multiple levels of challenge to make it appeal to a wider age range. Whilst always providing great levels of fun, interaction with the products requires focus and concentration. We do receive calls from parents and carers from time to time suggesting our equipment is dangerous

The environment of today is vastly different to that of 1919

because a child could hurt themselves. A child could injure themselves in the garden, at nursery, at home, so why should a playground be free from any risk? Gratifyingly most callers are appeased when we explain our approach to risk and play.

Understandably the risks of the modern environment, traffic and pollution etc have curtailed the roaming distance of children, necessitating the creation of more doorstep play areas which deliver the play opportunities which can be found in the natural world.

These are compensatory spaces, making up for what children have lost.

In many areas great strides have been made in play design from the typical metal climbing frames of the seventies, we now need a movement through parents, grandparents and carers to let children have some freedom with these spaces.

Not only will they have more fun but they will also grow to be happier, healthier and more confident adults. 

 www.timberplay.com

Intense supervision leads to less autonomous, less socially able children

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Healthcare

The Kawneer systems featured are the manufacturer’s traditional stickframe AA 100 zone-drained curtain walling and thermally-advanced AA 720 top-hung casement windows

Project: Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) centre Location: Manchester Architect: HKS

A HEALTHCARE FIRST ON SO MANY LEVELS

Architectural glazing systems from leading UK manufacturer Kawneer feature on a pioneering healthcare building with so many strings to its bow it is difficult to know where to start.

new Proton Beam T heTherapy (PBT) centre at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester is not only the first to be built in the UK, it is also the first PBT centre in the world to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. It has also won multiple awards for its design (around the equipment it houses and the patient experience) by architect firm HKS. One of the most complex and precise projects in the history of the NHS, it was delivered on budget and completed ahead of programme by main contractor Interserve who, due to the lack of previous UK PBT examples, travelled more than 20,000 miles around the world to visit 10 such centres and equipment vendors to learn best practice.

The Kawneer systems which feature on its five storeys are the manufacturer’s traditional stick-frame AA 100 zone-drained curtain walling, which has 50mm sightlines, and thermallyadvanced AA 720 top-hung casement windows which feature a BRE Green Guide ‘A’ rated frame.

Christie’s was selected by the Department of Health as one of two providers of the service, together with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Although procured at the same time, Christie’s chose to deliver the construction phase through the Procure 21 framework and Interserve were appointed as its preferred construction partner at an early stage.

Minimal disruption

Curtain walling and windows by Kawneer were used on the UK’s first Proton Beam Therapy centre

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Funded by a £250m Government investment in conjunction with the second PBT centre, the Manchester site will treat annually up to 750 patients with complex cancers who would previously have had to go abroad for treatment, to typically Switzerland and America. Given this treatment can last several months, this was very disruptive to patients’ lives, and those of their families, and hugely expensive to the NHS. Conventional radiotherapy uses lower-energy photon radiation to destroy cancerous cells but surrounding tissue can also be damaged. In higherenergy proton therapy, the beam stops once it hits the cancerous cells, resulting in less damage to surrounding tissue – particularly important for children.

Healthcare

However, the particle accelerator used to deliver the Proton Beams is as energyhungry as its sounds and requires a significant amount of power to generate the highenergy beam. This demanded a dedicated electricity substation which provides the same amount of power needed to run the nearby Trafford Industrial Park.

The power generated results in similar levels of waste heat but reclaiming this has made a significant contribution to the BREEAM rating.

Future-proof design Modelled using 3D technology and BIM, which is believed to have created theoretical savings of around £1.95m through early clash detection, the 15,000m2 building features three 360° rotating gantry rooms as well as a research room, CT and MRI imaging facilities, patient reception and public space, and planning and support accommodation.

It is designed to be futureproofed – the research room can be equipped with a treatment gantry, the structure to support the equipment that delivers the treatment, if required.

Its list of technical features is almost as extraordinary as PBT itself. To contain the radiation, the concrete walls are up to 6m thick. The building incorporates 20,000m3 of concrete and 1700 tonnes of reinforcement, including steel bars up to 100mm diameter. Through this, 10km of services pipework has been threaded. The concrete itself weighed 48,000 tonnes, the same as two aircraft carriers, with the biggest single pour in a day being 648m3, the same as 105 concrete wagons.

All of this was conducted in a suburban residential area, on a restricted site, and adjoining live hospital buildings at the UK’s busiest cancer hospital creating immunosuppressed patients.

The Manchester site will treat annually up to 750 patients with complex cancers

and landscaping were given high priority, as well as a sense of community amongst the building’s users. The waiting spaces were positioned on external walls and courtyards, and the main waiting area designed as a winter garden, integrating light, vegetation and social interactivity.

“Given the shallow bedrock and water table, the large three-storey concrete structure of the treatment block was placed at grade and is situated in a dominant position near the hospital main entrance.

This provided an opportunity to announce the facility’s importance to passers-by, so signage, feature lighting and quality cladding materials were used to showcase the building.”

Life-changing treatment Lead Radiographer Hazel Pennington added: “Who would have thought as a student radiographer that 25 years later I would be discussing the logistics of the crane size needed to get a 90-tonne cyclotron into place and how we needed part of the external wall removing on the first floor to get the MRI scanner into place as it was too large for the corridors? I now know what a crane oversailing license is and that a joggle joint ensures each concrete element locks together securely to prevent radiation leakage at stop ends. I spent many an hour with architects, engineers, the construction team and designers.

“But one of our five-year-old proton patients on his first visit said the centre was the ‘best place ever’ and he couldn’t wait to come back next week to show his mum!”

Jason Dawson, Director of capital, estates and facilities at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this life-changing treatment to patients. The delivery of this facility has been one of the most complex and precise projects within the NHS.” Manchester’s new PBT centre won Best Procure project in the BBH Building Better Healthcare awards, Building of the Year by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and North West Building Project of the Year in the Constructing Excellence awards delivered with the BRE. 

 www.kawneer.co.uk

Patient experience HKS said: “From the outset, the design approach was to focus on patient experience.

Various measures were applied to create a warm and inviting space, aimed to reduce fear and anxiety. Natural daylighting

It is the first PBT centre in the world to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating

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Talking Point

The use of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) has been particularly effective in mitigating risk

REWRITING THE RULE BOOK: A RISK MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE The Government’s Outsourcing Playbook sets out guidance to de-risk working practices on major outsourcing programmes and other large publicly-funded contracts – but does it go far enough? Bob Hide, Director at risk management consultancy Equib, explores further. about three L aunched months ago, the Playbook is designed to help Government procurement teams to get things right from the start and be ready to act if things go wrong. The publication describes its intention to ‘capture best practice from across Government and highlight where different approaches and new behaviours are needed’.

The timing of the publication is significant as it is an attempt to pull together learnings from past failings, including many failed PFI schemes and the major-scale disruption caused by the demise of outsourcing giant, Carillion and the financial difficulties that faced Interserve.

Whilst useful in this respect, the stakeholders involved in the delivery of such contracts may be concerned that guidance alone won’t be enough to prevent such failings in the future.

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One of the areas of new guidance offered by the Playbook applies to risk management and allocation.

The guidance clearly sets out what is best practice in risk management, emphasising that risk should be allocated to the party best placed to manage it if the chance of mediumto long-term success of a commercial strategy is to be maximised. It is important that risk allocation is not left open to interpretation, particularly in situations where there is the potential for change or ‘scope creep’, forcing output requirements to change.

The guidance emphasises the value of quantification of risks in the process to help all involved to fully understand and consider their respective risk exposure both prior to and during contracts.

In the construction sector, there is a tendency for contractors and procurement teams to under-estimate risk and the approach taken to risk analysis before the contract or project gets underway may not be sufficiently robust. There are many reasons for this – of course, it is partly market driven by the need for contractors to secure bids in an intensely competitive market. There is also a tendency towards over-optimism, which means risk is likely to be understated at bidding stage just to meet the pre-conceived expectations of key stakeholders.

The lack of robust risk analysis and modelling undertaken at this stage exacerbates the problem, as actual risk becomes harder to quantify.

In this context, it is easy to understand why some risk management specialists are

A leading risk management consultant, Bob Hide specialises in providing risk advisory and management services to heavy civil construction and infrastructure projects and programmes. He has advised many of the major infrastructure programmes carried out in the UK over the last 15 years. His role involves delivering reliable risk analysis and advice, helping clients to make better decisions and optimise budgets.

Talking Point

concerned that the guidance provided by the Playbook may not go far enough and further evidence of its efficacy in practice is needed. Processes will require close monitoring and regular auditing to ensure the guidance is being implemented fully at bidding stage and thereafter.

One area where the guidance could be strengthened further is the use of analysis to model performance mechanisms and service level agreements. Using simulation, the performance of the contract can be modelled and inform the decisionmaking process both for the procuring body and the service provider. Simulation can also uncover inconsistencies and issues in the interplay between the many variables at play in the execution of a service contract, allowing steps to be taken at an early stage to mitigate any risk factors, before contracts or programmes get underway. Simulation of a project or contract prior to the bidding stage also enables stakeholders to establish a service level agreement that is fair to all parties and makes sense commercially. This could minimise the risk of disputes or disruption, if for example a key contractor becomes insolvent or is forced to pull out mid-contract.

Risk modelling usually involves a process of simulation to provide the parties involved with information about how the contract will operate in practice and the commercial returns that can be expected on both sides. For example, when negotiating a service level agreement to maintain and improve street lighting in a specific local authority area, simulation will help to establish the contract’s sustainability and viability. This exercise would involve understanding the delivery process in detail – from, for example, calling in a fault under a performance mechanism to locating the faulty asset and getting the right equipment to the scene as quickly as possible to perform the necessary repair or maintenance work. This form of pragmatic, real-life simulation is not currently part of the Playbook’s recommendations.

The Outsourcing Playbook is an extremely worthwhile attempt to collate best practice guidance in a practical format

Another area where the guidance has been well thought through is ‘living wills’ and their potential use in minimising disruption to services and contracts due to insolvency. These clauses are designed to de-risk supply agreements by ensuring clearly-defined steps are in place, allowing the contractor or service provider’s responsibilities to be transferred to a different company quickly and easily if they are placed in administration for example.

This is a positive step and should help to preserve the continuity of contracts or services in such circumstances.

Whilst the guidance is undoubtedly helpful and considered, it could have made more of best practice in some areas. For example, in the construction sector, the use of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) has been particularly effective in mitigating risk.

Greater use of this approach could help to de-risk contracts in other industry sectors in the future. Increasingly used on

major infrastructure projects, ECI allows delivery partners to understand and de-risk project delivery, before giving their final commitment.

The Outsourcing Playbook is an extremely worthwhile attempt to collate best practice guidance in a practical format.

Whether it goes far enough to bring about a change in behaviours across industry sectors remains to be seen. The proof will come in how widely it is applied and adhered to. 

 www.equib.co.uk

In the construction sector, there is a tendency for contractors and procurement teams to under-estimate risk

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MANAGING STAKEHOLDERS ON A PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECT

Image © Builtvision

Education

Nottingham Trent University

Stakeholder management is a crucial part of a successful public sector scheme and yet it could still be considered old-fashioned and often inefficient in its approach. Built environment consultancy Curtins is challenging this by adopting a number of innovative methods throughout its projects. Matt Woodhall, Associate and Lead for the Birmingham office, discusses its approach. stakeholder E ffective management is one of the most important parts of the project process; it’s vital that everyone involved works together as an interdisciplinary team to make sure it is a success.

Traditionally, the engineering sector’s approach to stakeholder engagement has been seen as Collaborative Teaching Lab at the University of Birmingham

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quite old fashioned, but that is really starting to change.

Technology is more prevalent than ever before and we now have access to so many different tools, which can help us when we are talking to stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

In the past, all you would be able to discuss with stakeholders

would be drawings on a piece of paper or on the computer, which isn’t the easiest way to explain why you might need specific engineering solutions; but technology has changed that.

Our digital-led approach means that we have a real wealth of different data, images and video content which can be shared with

stakeholders, allowing them to really understand the process and see how the finished product will actually look, rather than having to visualise it themselves.

Bringing engineering to life Very often as engineers, we are asked to make recommendations based on various factors, none of which are necessarily simple to picture in your mind. For example, we may be asked to look at loading or vibration criteria and how that impacts particular design features – it is easy to see how non-engineers may struggle to picture their impact even with in-depth workshops and presentations.

As an industry, we are already embracing 3D modelling technology as part of the BIM process across the board, but even that doesn’t necessarily go far enough when it comes to stakeholder engagement – especially if you are dealing with the general public or others for whom this might feel ‘too technical’.

Education

Millenium View Coventry University

Technology, however, has made that a much easier task as we are now able to really show stakeholders what an engineering solution will look like in practice. Virtual reality (VR) is one such tool which we are implementing more and more; it allows people to see and feel a design, helping to bring our recommendations to life – and encouraging people to get excited about what a building will really look like.

Virtual and augmented reality The architecture industry has already embraced the potential of VR and it is now commonplace, with augmented reality not far behind. But despite its obvious advantages the engineering sector has been slower to embrace the technology.

Compared with a traditional 2D architectural drawing, VR or AR can alleviate the need for technically-informed imagination to visualise a building or structure, thus making it easier for stakeholders to engage. By using this technology, we can show people a finished product – and communicate where and why we have made certain decisions or recommendations. It demystifies some of the process.

As well as the obvious benefit of being able to show your stakeholders a finished project, these are also incredibly useful tools in terms of identifying and illustrating potential problems or pitfalls along the way. By enabling us to solve issues before they happen – and encouraging stakeholder involvement in the project process too – technology really does offer significant benefits, which is one of the main reasons we utilise this across the business with our clients.

A more accessible solution Utilising technology to engage with stakeholders need not be high cost; there are tools available to help you go the extra mile, without huge increases in budget.

For example, Google Cardboard is a great tool to be able to use when engaging with a number of different stakeholders – such as during a

public consultation or showcase for a particular scheme at an open day, for instance.

We used this to great effect while working with The King’s School in Chester on the delivery of an extension to the school.

Stakeholders ranged from the property team at the school to its teachers, pupils and their friends and family, so we needed an engagement tool that would span each of these different audiences.

The Google Cardboard headsets allowed us to create a virtual reality experience for a large number of users, without incurring the costs of a full-on VR set up. This was done by exporting a series of 360-degree panoramic images, which were accessed via QR codes that users could scan on their phones before using the headsets in situ to view what the extension would look like.

This was a great way to encourage a number of different user groups to engage with a project, allowing them to see and feel what their new school would be like once completed.

By working closely with the client, we were able to devise this innovative and relatively low-cost approach – and ultimately assist them with their own stakeholder management and generating excitement about what was to come.

stakeholder group with them on the journey.

A consistent dialogue as well as the use of project management software, for example, can ensure that any problems are spotted and solutions devised at an early stage – saving your client time and money, working toward the concept of clash prevention rather than clash detection. This collaborative approach is really important to us, and we believe is the best way to deliver exceptional results.

Much of the technology used to engage with external stakeholders can also be applied here; we use BIM and virtual reality to create 3D models and view or change potential design solutions; our active project management systems ensure clear communications channels with all stakeholders, and we are continually looking at other ways to improve our engagement with all parties.

For example, we are integrating health and safety signage into VR films, making it

clear to all stakeholders where risks potentially exist within a project – this can be particularly useful for site teams.

Stakeholder management: the future As technology continues to develop, we will see more and more innovative ways for the construction industry to engage with its clients and stakeholders. We have already made real strides towards developing more effective ways to communicate not only the vision for a project, but also utilising available technology to identify potential pitfalls and to develop solutions early in the project lifecycle.

This is particularly important for the engineering sector as, so often, the challenges or recommendations we have to make can be difficult to visualise – and advances in technology will undoubtedly allow us to better engage with stakeholders moving forwards. 

 www.curtins.com University Locks, Birmingham

Collaboration at the heart As engineers, stakeholder engagement within a project team is just as important as external stakeholders such as end users or local community.

As such, it is vital the entire project team works together to bring along the entire

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Legal & Business

DESIGNING FOR SUCCESSFUL EWIS PROJECTS

Reports of EWIS structural failures worldwide have raised technical bodies’ awareness of these systems’ resistance to wind load

Ensuring the structural stability of external wall insulation systems (EWIS) is critical to their safe and effective performance, with particular attention required when it comes to their ability to withstand wind load. comprise insulation E WIS mechanically or adhesively fixed to an external wall. The systems improve the thermal performance of a building and are often utilised to upgrade the aesthetics of a facade, with various types of render (for example silicone, acrylic and mineral) or decorative finishes (such as brick slips or dash finishes) bonded to the outer surface of the insulation boards or slabs.

The popularity of EWIS has challenged UK construction professionals to improve design, detailing and installation, including the specification of ancillary components, preinstallation procedures, quality of work on site and site surveys.

However, reports of EWIS structural failures worldwide have raised technical bodies’ awareness of these systems’ resistance to wind load.

Design and installation defects such as deficient structural calculations, substandard ancillary components and weather exposure during installation

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also reduce the service life of systems. It is, therefore, crucial when designing and specifying EWIS to consider every mechanism by which they resist applied static and dynamic loads.

Lateral loads Negative wind load (wind suction on the external face off the system) is the most adverse lateral load. Design resistance to this is determined either by a full-scale wind suction test (for example the DWU, dynamic wind uplift test) or by structural calculations defining the resistance of the contributing components.

Design wind loads on different zones of a building’s elevation, taking into account the specific geographical location and topography, must be calculated in accordance with Eurocodes BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 and its UK National Annex. In all cases the external wall should be able to resist the additional load created by the EWIS; the adequacy of the supporting structure must be verified by those responsible for the overall stability of the

building. Only trained, competent professionals can design, specify and install EWIS in accordance with the particular requirements.

Resistance to wind load depends on the type of EWIS and the fixing method, which must give a design resistance equal to or greater than the design load applied. Where systems are mechanically fixed, care must be taken to ensure that the correct fixing protocol is followed; an excessive number of mechanical fixings can produce cold bridges leading to reduced thermal performance. Inadequate fixings placed in unsymmetrical patterns can lead to structural failure where the load distribution does not match calculations.

Water damage Understanding specific site conditions is another crucial aspect of delivering a successful EWIS project. Weather exposure and water ingress are both of major concern during installation. Water penetration of the insulant not only impacts thermal performance but also increases the system’s weight

and weakens it. Freeze-thaw action and high wind forces on a weakened system can result in excessive movement, cracking and delamination of the render, or pull-through of fixings.

Failure to administer water exclusion details correctly can lead to hydraulic pressure on the render surface, which may cause bursting and tensile stresses, contributing to failure of the bond between the adhesive or base coat and the insulation.

A successful EWIS design must demonstrate an accurate understanding of material properties (including thermal conductance, vapour resistivity, sorptivity, mechanical strength and fire performance), the installed environment (ie the existing structure and fabric, internal heat and moisture conditions, solar gain, ventilation and wind environment) and the modeling capabilities during the design process.

If these elements are correctly certified, considered and assessed during the design phase, and the system is properly installed, BBA-certified EWIS present solid, reliable and safe solutions for improving the thermal performance of buildings.

Training To emphasise the importance of structural integrity and safety during a system’s lifespan, the BBA has revised all current EWIS certificates with regard to strength and stability and is offering a training course on wind load resistance.

This course provides technical guidance on understanding and applying certificate design data with the aim of addressing any risks associated with a system’s structural design. While there are no obligations to adopt the solutions proposed by guidance on BBA certificates, following the principles does provide a mechanism for satisfying Part A of the Building Regulations. 

 www.bbacerts.co.uk

Create a good sound environment Design flexibility for your internal space

Photographer: Left: Hans Georg Esch, Right: Studio Juha Sarkkinen

Saint-Gobain Ecophon, is a global supplier of acoustic ceilings and wall panel systems which contribute to good room acoustics and support a healthy indoor environment, with a focus on offices, education, healthcare, retail and industrial manufacturing premises.

With a deep understanding of the impact of sound on people and specialised knowledge in how best to implement our systems for maximum effect, we are confident we offer a product range that will help you create a space with optimal room acoustics while exploring almost endless design possibilities.

For further information or for acoustic advice for your internal space, please contact our specification team on 01256 850977, alternatively email info@ecophon.co.uk or visit www.ecophon.com/uk

Lighting

Quick and easy to install with no maintenance requirements and no visible frame when installed in the ceiling grid, high efficiency LuxPanels are available in standard fixed output, dimmable and emergency options. High efficiency Backlit LuxPanels boast a market-leading efficacy of 152 Lm/cW, providing non-obtrusive but effective lighting in high traffic areas and improved glare control. Similarly, downlights prove a good choice for walkways and corridors as they maximise spacings, producing the correct level of illumination.

Future trends

BRIGHT SPARKS LIGHTING IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

LED UGR compliant fittings remove the risk of glare, lowering the possibility of eyestrain leading to headaches

Factors such as environmental conditions, health and wellbeing, and cost-cutting are essential considerations to homes and business, and the education sector is no different. As schools, colleges and universities confront austerity and budget limitations, it is important to understand that the correct lighting has the power to affect moods and productivity within the classroom, but also keeps costs down. lighting design A good will make the most of available natural light without relying on artificial substitutes.

The challenge for designers and installers, however, is to utilise artificial lighting in schools without leading to strained eyes, distractions or any other potential injuries.

Cost effectiveness LED lighting can deliver huge savings. The life of LED is up to 40 times greater than traditional products. What’s more, they produce consistent light output over their entire life. Not only do they deliver better lighting, they also cost less to run, last much longer and

The life of LED is up to 40 times greater than traditional products

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require no maintenance over the lifetime of the luminaire.

Inefficient lighting can account for 50 to 70% of the electricity bill. Making the right luminaire choice can reduce existing operating costs by as much as 80% within schools.

Health and safety The type of lighting products required for somewhere as complex as a school differs immensely to that of a home or small building. Products which are Unified Glare Rating (UGR) compliant are a necessity within a classroom environment.

Due to technology advances in schools, with the inclusion of smart whiteboards and computer screens, LED UGR compliant fittings remove the risk of glare, lowering the possibility of eyestrain leading to headaches. Luceco products, such as the LuxPanel edge lit frame, are highly popular with installers as they provide excellent luminous uniformity.

Insights show that 80% of new projects in the educational sector now request lighting control systems. The inclusion of wireless lighting and light control devices allows a perfect opportunity to upsell, as the products cut back on cost and light wastage.

Amenity areas such as canteens and break rooms should afford a relaxing space to unwind. Lighting controls can be considered to enhance the flexibility of use according to the natural daylight available and the occupancy of the space. In addition, emergency settings and PIR devices prove to be fundamental as they allow the user to limit the amount of wastage and running costs over quiet periods such as weekends and school holidays. Movement activates PIRs, whereas smart devices that allow for emergency settings can control the lighting levels from a remote location.

It should always remain at the forefront of installers’ and contractors’ minds that lighting plays a vital part within the education sector.

Educational buildings should be well lit to stimulate and encourage alertness, whilst supplying a comfortable learning environment. The right products and lighting design can result in a winning combination.

Whether you are new to the trade or have years of experience, it’s important for all contractors and installers to take the time to stay up-to-date with the latest developments within the sector.

It will not only offer chances to upsell, but keeps industry knowledge and support avenues fresh in the mind. 

 www.luceco.com

NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SCAFFOLDING NASC full contracting members operating across the UK are audited and accredited every year – so you can rest assured that their operatives are highly skilled,

professional and reliable. For more information and to find an NASC scaffolding contractor visit www.nasc.org.uk

www.nasc.org.uk

The world leader in timber preservation technology

Fire-X

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THE PROVEN LEACH RESISTANT FIRE PROTECTION TREATMENT FOR TIMBER AND SHINGLES ENHANCED PERFORMANCE FOR EXTERIOR TIMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit: www.kopperspc.eu Email: kpc@koppers.eu Call: +44 (0)1628 486644 Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757 Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1LS ™ Protim Solignum Limited trading as Koppers Performance Chemicals. Koppers is a registered Trademark of Koppers Delaware, Inc. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this document, Protim Solignum Limited gives no undertaking to that effect and no responsibility can be accepted for reliance on this information. Information will be updated when the need arises. Please ensure you have an up to date copy. All products are produced by independently owned and operated wood processing facilities. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Koppers Performance Chemicals, Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1LS. Visit: www.kopperspc.eu, Email: kpc@koppers.eu, Call: +44 (0)1628 486644, Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757.

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by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturers Of Wood Preservatives Protim Solignum Ltd Marlow, Buckinghamshire

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Doors & Windows

SMART REFURBISHMENT OF PLYMOUTH’S ICONIC CITY MARKET As part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Plymouth City Market, a range of Smart Architectural Aluminium’s windows and doors was manufactured and installed by Nordic Installations, one of the company’s fabrication partners. in the west end L ocated of the city, the market’s

The programme was technically challenging and also logistically complex

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structure features an iconic wave-like roof and geometric design, elements which led to it being granted Grade II Listed Building status.

The last renovation of the market took place in the postwar years, and it was a feature of this recent programme that the architect from that time was invited to join the early consultation meetings and contribute to some of the key decisions – including the colour of the windows and doors.

Some of the original sketch drawings were also shared and used in the design phase.

During these early phases, Smart’s technical team provided support to building consultancy services company, AECOM,

Doors & Windows developing solutions and design details that would be put forward to Plymouth City Council for approval.

One of the challenging aspects of this work was designing a permanent ventilation system for the top of the main facade, which features curved windows that slope back into building – the solution having to allow free movement of air while also keeping out the rain.

Smart’s Alitherm Heritage Windows were ultimately specified for the project, the system having been designed and developed to suit sensitive refurbishment projects such as this – often involving listed buildings. However, unusually the specification called for single-glazing and so Smart manufactured a new die to create a single-glazed bead for the system to meet the client’s requirement.

For the remodelled entrances, Smart’s Commercial Door system was then selected, with the entrance doors supplied in a polyester powder coated white finish and the Alitherm Heritage windows in a silver anodized finish.

With the Council eager for this regeneration programme to benefit the local community, local suppliers were used where possible, with both main contractor Ryearch and Nordic Installations being Plymouth-based.

Directors of Nordic Installations, Christopher Northam and Graham Shaddick, commented: “As a local company, we were delighted to be involved in the redevelopment of such an iconic building in the heart of the city. The programme was not only technically challenging, given the building’s unorthodox shape and listed status, but also logistically complex.

“As it is such a busy market, we phased our work to keep disruption to both traders and the public to an absolute minimum, with a lot of our installation work taking place outside the market’s normal opening hours.

“We understand that the programme has been very well received, with many new companies taking space in the market and visitor numbers continuing to grow.” 

 www.smartsystems.co.uk

The market’s structure features an iconic wave-like roof and geometric design

Smart’s Alitherm Heritage Windows were ultimately specified for the project

Unusually the specification called for single-glazing

29

Technical Focus

last thing that T heresidential landlords

NEIGHBOURING BUILDING WORKS? KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

The Act is designed to protect the interest of owners of adjoining properties where work is being undertaken

Thanks to the Party Wall Act protection is given to owners of properties next door to where building work is taking place.

Paul Burton of Pellings explains more.

Before work under the Act can start, the property owner proposing the work is required to serve a Notice under the Party Wall Act

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want are unhappy tenants and there is nothing like holes appearing in party walls because of development or refurbishment work next door to upset neighbouring residents, along with the associated noise and vibration.

In any event where building works include the party wall, it is subject to specific legislation that requires a next-door neighbour to serve Notice if they are going to undertake significant work governing that wall.

As always, the legislation is not straightforward, and a local authority or housing association needs to be aware of that legislation and needs to be advised by professionals on their rights and responsibilities.

The Party Wall Act 1996 covers building work on or at legal boundaries, building work to party walls, and excavations near to and below the foundation level of neighbouring buildings.

The Act is designed to protect the interest of owners of adjoining properties where work is being undertaken whether new build developments, loft conversions, the insertion of damp-proof courses, the digging of new foundations for extensions and there is a risk of adverse effect on a neighbouring property.

Before work under the Act can start, the property owner proposing the work is required to serve a Notice under the Party Wall Act on the neighbouring property owner about the planned works.

This should: Provide adequate notice in line with the statutory timescales Inform all affected adjoining owners which includes the freeholder and anyone with a leasehold interest longer than a year Describe the proposed work precisely enough.

Notices about excavations, for example, require a section drawing showing the proposed excavation and depth in relation to the neighbouring property Use the correct type of Notice and reference the relevant sections of the Party Wall Act.

Technical Focus However, the catch is that if a neighbouring developer or contractor ignores the Party Wall Act and doesn’t serve a Notice, depending on the extent of the works, there isn’t any comeback other than taking out a court injunction to stop the works until party wall matters are concluded. The legislation isn’t retrospective, so providing there is no damage to the party wall there is no redress or fines.

This makes it all the more important that owners or occupiers that are likely to be affected by neighbouring activity are properly advised.

Under the legislation both sides can appoint surveyors to mitigate the risk posed by building works and to agree works/compensation for any damage caused.

The party wall surveyor checks whether the work is being done properly. For instance a new basement that is not properly constructed could cause subsidence to a next door property, while loft conversions could cause fracturing of the party wall and damage to the plasterwork.

A common area to watch out for with social and affordable housing is where infill development is taking place on, for example, old garage sites which are no longer in use and new residential blocks are being developed and pushed out to the boundary on constrained sites. In that situation party wall, problems are a common occurrence.

Remember that the infringement of air-rights over someone else’s land that could occur through the erection of scaffolding and crane oversail needs to be considered. The Party Wall Act gives some rights of access but oversail for scaffold and cranes is normally dealt with by a separate licence agreement with compensation and fees attached.

Where access is required by the developer onto neighbouring property it is wise to agree access licences for major building work in advance. Remember that in return for granting access, you have the right to claim compensation and to decide what figure should be paid. You can also set other caveats, such as preventing work at weekends.

It is prudent to check whether the work being undertaken next door matches what planning consent was granted for (and whether stipulated conditions are being met). If not, it’s illegal.

Planning applications and consents can normally be viewed via the local authority’s website.

In conclusion, in order to keep your tenants or leaseholders happy, rigorous asset management will ensure that you, as the landlord, are aware of pending or current building works on adjacent property and can take the appropriate steps to minimise the possibility of damage or nuisance to your property. 

The Party Wall Act 1996 covers building work on or at legal boundaries

Not a Party Structure

Party Wall

Party Structures Flat C

Flat B

Flat A

Next door

Party Structures

Next door

Next door

Ground Level < 6 metres 45˚

 www.pellings.co.uk

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Classroom Acoustics

are many factors T here which have an impact on children's learning. From the obvious such as quality of teaching and facilities to the more sublime subjects such as sound and light.

It is a well-known fact that people study better in peace and quiet with a minimum of noise and distraction. It is particularly true of school children, and well-documented by research, that their ability to learn is directly influenced by both excess noise.

Acoustics in schools

SOUND AND LIGHT IN EDUCATION Architectural journalist Gideon Sykes looks at the impact of natural elements on our children.

It is a well-known fact that people study better in peace and quiet with a minimum of noise and distraction

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Many manufacturers offer modern methods of construction and innovative design to provide aesthetic, practical and high performance acoustic solutions

For example, Bronzaft and McCarthy (1975) conducted a study which indicated that New York City students were hampered in their reading skills by elevated noise levels.

Students on the side of the school building 70m from an elevated subway track lagged behind between three months to as much as one year behind their peers on the quieter side of the building.

In 1986 Cohens, Evans, Krantz and Stokols found that some children from noisy schools had higher blood pressure, less cognitive task success and greater feelings of helplessness. The students gave up and were more easily distracted from the task at hand. (Source: University of Georgia: Environmental Influence on Student Behaviour and Achievement).

Fortunately, there are many systems and products available to help reduce noise and its effect. Many manufacturers offer modern methods of construction and innovative design to provide aesthetic, practical and high performance solutions.

Italian manufacturer PL, part of the Abet Laminati Group, has developed Silentwall.

This is a range of interior cladding comprising vertical and horizontal panels of high pressure laminate on an aluminium fixing system.

This innovative panelling is designed to absorb noises in rooms of high frequency or where there is a high level of background disturbance, such as in auditoriums and large meeting rooms, where sound reduction is vital.

Classroom Acoustics

The system is available in hundreds of colours, textures and patterns with foldaway joints. These allow the cladding material to display a completely unbroken surface or with visible anodised aluminium joints for aesthetic appeal.

Another company making an impact in the UK with costeffective acoustics is Danish manufacturer Troldtekt which offers natural acoustic tiles and panels. As the panels are made from 100% natural wood fibres mixed with cement, their sustainability was recently recognised with certification at Silver level within the Cradle to Cradle concept. Their benefits include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability and cost life cycle performance.

The acoustic panels are widely used in many different types of project. They are particularly popular in schools, including Passivhaus design.

For example, Troldtekt ceiling tiles were recently specified

by Architype architects for two Passivhaus schools in Wolverhampton where they make a major contribution to comfort and learning.

The tiles not only offer high performance sound absorption in the study areas, which need to be quiet, calm and healthy, but also in the sports hall and play areas which are traditionally very noisy.

Acoustic panels are widely used in many different types of project – they are particularly popular in schools

Architype Director Jonathan Hines commented: “Oakmeadow is one of two schools we have designed using Passivhaus principles to offer radically low energy consumption together with optimised comfort for children and staff. We are convinced that designing to an energy target is the most logical and effective route to achieving carbon reductions. Troldtekt acoustic ceilings are one of the solutions which have helped to meet our design and performance objectives – in this case optimising the acoustic environment using a natural and beautiful product.”

Yet another company offering a creative and innovative second fix solution for good acoustics is Soundtect, with its collection of attractive and tactile threedimensional soft fabric acoustic panels. Available in 11 different designs, these are manufactured from 100% recycled materials, such as carpet, and are themselves 100% recyclable. The panels range in size between 450 and 600mm and combine form, function, design and acoustic performance to create a fun and lively new backdrop. With proven certification to reduce sound reverberation and a noise reduction coefficient of up to 0.95, they have already proved popular in areas where noise pollution is of concern, from office meeting rooms through to restaurants, school halls and shops. The class 1 fire-rated lightweight panels can be quickly and easily installed on walls and ceilings with the minimum of disruption and with the immediate and dramatic result of improving sound quality, while reducing the background noise.

Daylighting

There are many systems and products available to help reduce noise and its effect

As we know, daylighting radically changes building envelope design and the ambience of interiors. It positively influences people, affects how they behave in their environment, changes their circadian rhythm and improves their wellbeing. In schools, for example, diffused daylighting in

particular has a calming effect and marked influence on pupil learning and their behaviour.

For example, a stunning space was designed by LSI architects as part of its work at INTO University of East Anglia.

It is a dramatic example of how the unique Kalwall translucent system diffuses daylight through walls or roofs to create the ideal ambience for study, learning and leisure in colleges and schools.

Even on cloudy days, the calm and attractive interior is flooded with Museum-Quality Daylighting, eliminating the stark contrasts of glare and shadow and without the need for blinds. This means that the consumption of artificial lighting is reduced and, because the system is highly insulating, energy costs are reduced.

U-values as low as 0.28W/m2K, equivalent to a solid wall or roof, can be achieved by including translucent aerogel insulation within the panels.

Kalwall is the most highly insulating diffuse light transmitting system available and is widely specified for enveloping every type of building. It comprises a translucent structural composite sandwich panel permanently bonded to a grid core constructed of interlocked thermally-broken aluminium I-beams. 

 uk.abetlaminati.com  www.troldtekt.com  www.soundtect.com

33

Placemaking

The new site has been designed to maximise active building frontages

Project: Keynsham Civic Centre and Library & Information Service Location: Keynsham Architect: AHR

HOW TO REGENERATE TOWN CENTRES TO CREATE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES Encouraging economic growth across the UK is one of the biggest challenges facing the Government today – but it also offers a unique opportunity. Karle Burford, Director at leading architecture and building consultancy practice AHR, explains how local authorities can maximise the impact of regeneration projects.

Theresa May’s F ollowing announcement of the Stronger Towns Fund, £1.6bn has been pledged to deprived towns across the country. This follows the removal of the borrowing cap on the Housing Revenue Account and both changes have granted local authorities greater access to funds at uniquely competitive rates.

Local authorities are now in a strong position to unlock land that has previously been unavailable. Problem sites that may not have been commercially viable for private sector developers can now be regenerated in collaboration with local authorities and deliver significant benefits for communities. One great example of this is the London Borough of Havering’s £1bn joint venture with Wates Residential to regenerate 12 existing council estates.

The scheme will see the council’s current stock of 966 homes replaced by 3112 new homes of mixed tenure, increasing

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council rented accommodation in the area by 70%. It will also double the amount of affordable housing across the 12 estates, demonstrating the potential these partnerships can hold.

Local authorities are also uniquely well-placed to prioritise public realm to maximise community benefits and this is critical from a placemaking perspective. Creating well-used public spaces not only increases the vibrancy of a town centre but can also have a host of other benefits. Properly planned public space that is well lit and open can reduce anti-social behaviour for example, while appropriate street furniture or an art installation can increase dwell time and encourage greater interaction and engagement.

The important thing here is to take a collaborative, bottom-up approach to regeneration. The public and private sector are increasingly working together to create developments directly with local communities. This is the

most effective way to ensure a regeneration project will breathe new life back into a town centre.

A future-proof solution A strategic masterplan should consider the long-term use of a project if it is to be effective. It is only by accounting for existing infrastructure, possible land swaps and diverse uses for both new and existing buildings for example, that local authorities and developers can create communities that will properly serve the residents of tomorrow.

It is also essential to take a flexible approach to development to cater for future demands and economic fluctuations. For example, there has recently been an increase in buildings being occupied by small pop ups before they are even finished, while developers test ideas and think creatively about how a space will best be used. This tactic has proved to be extremely valuable; however, it requires a long-term, iterative approach to a project.

Diversity of real estate is a huge driver of economic growth and is vital to secure sustained prosperity for a town centre.

Avoiding single-ownership and encouraging interaction between education, retail, leisure and public realm is key to building growing centres with robust economies.

Finally, the dynamics of the market must be carefully considered to future-proof regeneration projects. For example, the retail industry has transformed significantly in recent years and our high streets are at the forefront of these changes. Local authorities need to be receptive to these market trends if they want to plan for economic prosperity over the long term.

Creating vibrant communities Changes in modern lifestyles are impacting the needs and requirements of local communities. Whereas once a

The project at Keynsham incorporated natural ventilation and an energy-efficient cross-laminated timber frame

Strong placemaking principles helped to deliver a mixed-use development with over 50% of the site dedicated to public space

This project was driven by the council’s requirement for 68,000ft2 of new office space

town was designed with a retail centre, commercial district and housing developments in separate areas, increasingly we want to live in places that combine them all. A modern vibrant community is typically mixed-use, densely populated and incorporates layers of use that complement each other.

Developers and architects need to think beyond an individual building to assess how a holistic project can form the basis of a more significant change to a town centre. A good example of this was the Keynsham Civic Centre and Library & Information Service project delivered by AHR. For this scheme in the heart of Keynsham town centre, strong placemaking principles

Placemaking

helped to deliver a mixed-use development with over 50% of the site dedicated to public space.

This project was driven by the council’s requirement for 68,000ft2 of new office space, however AHR was able to deliver something far beyond this by focussing on community value. Two offices were consolidated into one, enhancing the collaborative working potential between council departments. In addition to this, pedestrian links, car parking and a new library were delivered alongside 20,000ft2 of retail on the ground floor of the office buildings. The new site has been designed to maximise active building frontages, with outside seating used to connect the building with surrounding public realm. This public space comprises a new central square in which markets and events can be held – delivering value for the whole community.

Sustainability was also a key consideration to the longterm view of the regeneration project. To future-proof the development’s legacy, the project at Keynsham incorporated natural ventilation and an energy-efficient cross-laminated timber frame, embracing the energy standards of the future.

Although it was the local authority’s office space requirement that sparked the requirement for this project, by thinking beyond this scope we were able to deliver a widereaching regeneration project that added a great deal more value to the local community.

Fulfilling potential The recent funding changes have sparked a wave of new regeneration projects across the UK. It is now down to local authorities to unlock the value that this can offer, both in economic and societal terms.

By forging intelligent partnerships, prioritising public realm and taking a long-term approach to strategic masterplanning, local authorities can reimagine old town centres to deliver thriving, vibrant communities. 

 www.ahr.co.uk

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Anti-Ligature Solutions

SAFETY, SECURITY AND PREVENTION

The Shrouded Double Swing Continuous Geared Hinge and Removable Door Stop create a robust anti-barricade door package thereby increasing patient privacy

Phil Barsby, Business Development Director at Intastop, a leader in providing solutions and products to address anti-ligature needs, explains the priority of patient safety in health establishments and NHS Trusts across the country. before has the N ever nation’s mental health been so prevalent but as public awareness increases it is perhaps the behind the scenes aspect of mental health in the UK where there is most to be done. The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Surviving or Thriving?’ survey found that, nearly two thirds of people

(65%) in England, Scotland and Wales say they have experienced a mental health problem.

So, whilst awareness is increasing and social stigma decreasing, it seems that there will be an inevitable rise in the levels of care that are needed as more people seek support and appropriate medical care.

Considerations?

Recent statistics also show that 1 in 6 people will have had a common mental health issue and that 1 in 5 adults will have thought about taking their life at some point. Those with a mental health issue are more likely to consider suicide and this is particularly apparent for inpatients. Indeed, NHS figures show that the number of deaths annually among mental health patients in England rose by 21% over the period of 2013-2016, from 1412 to 1713. Inpatient hanging is cited as a major issue in mental health care and remains at the top of the agenda for healthcare trusts across the UK. Thus, there is an ever-present responsibility for care providers to remove this possibility wherever possible for patients under their care.

What has been done?

This tamper-proof system, which can be retro-fitted to existing doors with ease, works by a discrete sensory pad being installed at the top of a standard door

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In relation to inpatient hangings, in the not too distant past, drastic action was taken to amend the doors themselves. It was not uncommon to see doors being completely removed which failed to stop noise and odours from transferring, compromised privacy and posed a security issue, indeed another

preventative measure was for the door to have a sloped top to prevent the use of a ligature.

Neither solutions are ideal for providing the best healthcare and privacy for the patients. Where the aim of such care was to help them recover and address the issues they were experiencing, an alternative solution was developed and launched by UK-based Intastop. The Door Top Alarm, which has since revolutionised the use of doors in the mental health sector and, has returned a sense of dignity and privacy for patients and enhanced the ability of staff to provide a safe environment.

This tamper-proof system, which can be retro-fitted to existing doors with ease, works by a discrete sensory pad being installed at the top of a standard door and, should a weight be applied, it will alert staff via a preferred method such as an audible alarm, visible light, staff indicator panel or via a pager or main computer. The device connects via the main power and is also compatible with most staff-attack systems.

Protecting people Additional anti-ligature products have been developed to also help reduce self-harm within healthcare establishments.

The Shrouded Double Swing Continuous Geared Hinge and Removable Door Stop also by Intastop, together with the Door Top Alarm, create a robust antibarricade door package thereby increasing patient privacy and patient and staff safety where installed. This anti-barricade package can provide swift opening in emergency situations and has been specifically developed for mental health units in line with the national strategy for suicide prevention.

Future care As long as a nation we continue to talk about mental health, provide the right care and building infrastructure to support those with the most severe needs and work together to develop cohesive care, the future for our mental health looks set to make significant improvements in the years ahead. 

 www.intastop.com

FIRE DOOR HARDWARE As important as the door

A fire door is an essential part of a building’s passive fire protection system. A critical component of every fire door is the hardware on it.

At ZEROplus we have been independently fire testing door hardware for over 20 years, to be able today to offer an extensive range of tested products.

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37

Kitchens, Bathrooms & Washrooms

The Offsite Solutions design team worked closely with Mace to develop a standardised ensuite pod solution

STUDENT SCHEMES BENEFIT FROM POD LIVING Offsite Solutions, a leading bathroom pod manufacturer, has manufactured and delivered 1178 bathroom pods for two new student housing schemes developed by Mace. The contracts are worth over £2.6m to Offsite Solutions. is nearing C onstruction completion on the West Wing in Cardiff. Built by Galliford Try, this 10-storey building provides a range of high-specification student accommodation as ensuite bedrooms, studios with kitchenettes and penthouse apartments. Offsite Solutions supplied 609 ensuite shower pods for the scheme.

The Depot in Exeter is a mixeduse eight-storey regeneration development set around a central landscaped courtyard and providing student rooms as a mixture of apartments, studio-style living and cluster accommodation. On-site amenities include study spaces, games room, lounge and 20,000ft2 of retail space for shops, restaurants and bars. Working with main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, Offsite Solutions has manufactured 569 bathroom pods for this project which were craned into position over a six-month period as the building was constructed.

The Offsite Solutions design team worked closely with Mace to develop a standardised ensuite pod solution which can be used on multiple student schemes. This GRP composite pod which is fully fitted out in the factory, has only left and righthand variations for maximum efficiency in manufacturing.

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Commenting on the project, Oliver Gardiner, Development Director at Mace, said: “Pods are a brilliant solution for our student projects. As a business, we are committed to modern methods of construction, which includes pod technology. Pods give us the benefit of fast and efficient bathroom installation combined with fantastic quality ensuites for an outstanding student living experience.

“The Offsite Solutions team were easy to work with and highly flexible at every stage. As part of the product development process, they manufactured a sample pod for us to experience at first hand which was very beneficial.”

The shower pod developed with Mace features: An attractive, low maintenance tile-effect finish Sliding polished aluminium and glass shower screen Wall-mounted dual flush toilet Ecotherm thermostatic shower Glass shelf to the wash basin and a black opal-effect vanity shelf Amtico flooring Towel rail, contemporary mixer tap, soap dish and shaver socket.

GRP composite bathroom pods are specified for projects where robustness, longevity and ease of maintenance

are primary considerations.

These pods are widely used in the student accommodation, affordable housing, military, healthcare and hotel sectors.

Offsite Solutions uses a panelised construction for its GRP bathroom pods, which is unique in the UK. This creates vertical walls and 90° corners for easier integration and the use of standard door sets which removes the need for further work on site.

This design also improves

aesthetics by avoiding tapered walls which you have with pods created from single GRP moulds. A realistic tile-effect finish and recesses can be incorporated into the design of these bathroom pods for further visual appeal.

Offsite Solutions offers the UK’s largest range of bathroom pods to suit different building types and applications. Options include steel-framed pods with porcelain-tiled finishes for high-end apartments, student residences and hotels; robust and low maintenance GRP composite pods; hybrid pods for specialist projects; awardwinning steel and concrete pods for high specification wet rooms and luxury bathrooms, and demountable GRP pods for ease of installation in refurbishment schemes. 

 www.offsitesolutions.com/ GRP-pods

The shower pod developed with Mace features an attractive, low maintenance tile-effect finish

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39

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Post completion, SaintGobain Ecophon carried out an independent assessment, with all results meeting or outperforming current minimum standards: Reverberation time (BB93) = 0.4 secs RT Tmf Temperature = 20 degrees C Humidity = 42% Lux levels = 550 lux on the working plane (desks)

SCHOOL SETS NEW STANDARD FOR COST AND DESIGN

Careful attention was paid to meeting the acoustic demands of such a large volume space, utilising acoustic wall panels in a variety of interesting shapes and colours

It would be hard to imagine a more pleasant outlook than the view enjoyed by the students of Bridgend’s latest primary school. Tucked into the side of a gently sloping hill, this most practical of schools exhibits all the design elements encouraged by latest worldwide educational research. outgrown the H aving local village school, the Major Projects department at Bridgend County Borough Council needed to find them a new home. A sloping site, just up the road, with a view across the valley became the preferred option. Unlike many shrinking local authorities, Bridgend has retained just about all the professional disciplines necessary to successfully deliver a project of this scale.

Its ethos: the people with the greatest vested interest in the success of the project, control all the technical aspects of it.

This included architecture, civils, structural, drainage, highways, M & E, quantity surveying and internal project management.

It was also decided that whilst main contractor BAM would deliver another school across the valley, of an almost identical design, under a design & build contract, Bridgend would run Pencoed, also with BAM, under a traditional contract with an in-house clerk of works, and compare the two outcomes.

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Pencoed has both classrooms and ‘deep learning’ spaces.

Innovative Learning Environments & Teacher Change (ILETC) is currently three years into a fouryear programme and is being coordinated by Professor Wes Imms from The University of Melbourne. This groundbreaking study has already indicated some key design concepts that have potentially increased attainment in English, Maths and the Sciences by 10-15%, in the participating countries of Australia and New Zealand. The use of traditional teaching spaces combined with larger ‘deep learning’ spaces, such as Pencoed, has proved a winning combination. The critical point being that teachers don’t attempt to teach didactically in the deep learning spaces (often where so called open-plan schools fall down), rather students work quietly on tablets, in pairs or small groups, to learn in a more effective less superficial way.

Bridgend had the benefit of a longer than average time to collaborate with Pencoed’s inspirational head teacher, in order to create an interior

that is bright, airy and acoustically on par with the natural ambient noise level of the surrounding countryside.

“We know that the learning environment can dramatically affect the learning outcomes of pupils. The new school enables us to offer a truly flexible approach to learning, ensuring that we are able to meet the needs of all learners. The children love the adaptable learning spaces and use them for a range of purposes to supplement and extend their core tasks and provision,” says Suzanne Sarjeant, Head Teacher.

This is especially commendable given the acoustic challenge of the ‘street’, which runs the length of the school and provides the ‘deep learning’ area. Careful attention was paid to meeting the acoustic demands of such a large volume space, utilising acoustic wall panels in a variety of interesting shapes and colours under the direction of consultants, Hunter Acoustics.

Conclusion: Traditional vs D&B “The cost to the Authority for above DPC works, compared to a Design Build are similar and fall entirely within the Welsh Government m2 rates, but we have already identified savings which can be implemented on the next scheme. Our specification has been developed to provide robust solutions throughout the building. Nothing has been specified to minimum standards, with the aim being to reduce lifetime costs. In our experience D & B generally delivers the exact opposite,” says Jason Burton MCIAT, Architectural Technologist, Bridgend County Borough Council.

The new school offers a truly flexible approach to learning

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Mapei was asked to come up with a solution to upgrade the existing coatings, with a smooth finish

station had internal T heworks done to the

MAPEI SPECIFIED FOR UPGRADE AT HOLLAND PARK UNDERGROUND STATION Multiple Mapei products have been specified for an upgrade to the wall coverings at Holland Park Underground Station, situated in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The walls were coated with Silexcolor Paint – the ideal solution for this upgrade due to its excellent longevity

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lower part of the walls in the tunnelled walkways, which are normally in use by commuters on a daily basis between approximately 5am until 1am.

Previously painted with a textured coating, which had a very high dirt pick-up, Mapei was asked to come up with a solution to upgrade the existing coatings, with a smooth finish, to reduce the dirt pick-up. The solution was particularly significant, as it was the first project of its nature whereby London Underground (LUL) decided to use a new system, rather than simply repainting the walls; the decision to use the Mapei system means the walls will be much easier to maintain.

To prepare the substrate, the contractor cleaned the walls of dust and applied the first coat of water-repellent cementitious skimming mortar, Planitop 200. This was followed with the application of Mapetherm Net, an alkaliresistant glass fibre mesh.

Subsequently, a second coat of Planitop 200 was applied to create a smooth finish.

Once the curing process had taken place, the walls were coated with Silexcolor Paint – the ideal solution for this upgrade due to its excellent longevity.

Silexcolor was also deemed a ‘quality’ product by Ross Mcloughlin as Project Manager from K+M Decorators. “Value for money, in the long run, is of more importance than a quick fix for LUL and K+M,” he explains.

Following a return visit to the site, Ross said: “It looks terrific. The fact the station cleaning staff can maintain the excellent finish and with the system being able to stand the test of time, is a testament to the paint quality and application.”

 www.mapei.co.uk  info@mapei.co.uk  0121 508 6970

Ambitious university project complete with Knauf AMF ceiling systems Leeds Arts University has just completed an ambitious fiveyear £22m building expansion. Designed by DLA Design Group, the impressive new five-story 63,500ft2 development includes a 230-seat performance auditorium and industry standard film and photography studios.

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app

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Approximately 1200m2 Knauf AMF Heradesign rafts and baffles (1200 x 600 x 125), which have Class A sound absorption, were specified throughout the main entrance, library and the new group spaces to minimise noise disturbance.

Paul King of DLA Design Group said: “We chose Heradesign because, aside of the acoustic performance which was a project imperative, we liked the natural, raw wood wool texture which is refined without being clinical or flat.

“It’s a striking and versatile material and we were really impressed with how the individual panels could be matched to the chosen colour scheme. As the project develops there will be interior design changes so it was important to use materials that could evolve easily and Heradesign also provides us with that flexibility.”

Mike Griffin, ISG Contractors, commented: “The design for the project meant all the mechanical services had to be exposed and the lighting integrated into the hanging rafts. This presented particular challenges but the Knauf AMF team were really helpful. This is the first time we have worked with Heradesign but we were really impressed with how flexible it is to update and maintain. We have received really positive feedback about the completed ceiling installation from everyone.”

 www.amfceilings.co.uk  info@knaufamf.co.uk  0191 518 8600

Public Sector Build Journal

for iPhone, iPad and Android Free download available now BROWSE | SPECIFY | SOURCE | DIGEST The smarter way to access news and products for the sustainable building market.

With its easy-to-navigate format, users can benefit from a variety of useful tools, such as the magazine’s latest issue, digital archive, suppliers and newsbank.

The App is also synced with SBP Library (www.sustainable-buildingproducts.com) providing an essential specification portal.

swipe to see more!

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HVAC

Evinox ModuSat XR models offer more features, value and performance

communication network with other services, such as CCTV, access control/door entry and lifts.

Lower defects liability and aftercare support costs

The enhancements to Evinox’s ModuSat XR and XR-ECO units contribute to the excellent features and benefits of the existing range

HIDDEN EXTRAS IN NEW MODUSAT XR HIUS – GIVING CUSTOMERS MORE FOR LESS With over 15 years of HIU supply under its belt, Evinox has unveiled its latest range of ModuSat XR ‘Smart’ Heat Interface Units, which provide M&E contractors and consulting engineers with a whole lot more for a whole lot less due to the myriad of hidden extras.

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maller, more compact dimensions; the ability to deliver high performance at low primary flow temperatures; TCP/IP communications connectivity; and new, lower output models to allow cost-effective compliance with the latest industry design standards are but a few of the ways Evinox ModuSat XR models offer more features, value and performance – but with less space requirements, lower heat network operating conditions, and less time on site to install, commission, support and maintain – than ever before.

Less space Building on Evinox’s BESA-tested range of Smart Heat Interface Units, the latest ModuSat XR and XR-ECO Twin Plate HIUs have been enhanced to provide the same great performance but in a package requiring 27% less space in the home than before1.

Units are extra compact, ideal for tight installation constraints and help to minimise the size of prefabricated cupboards.

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Lower outputs The range has also been extended to include smaller ModuSat XR and XR-ECO TP 30 units. These are perfectly placed to meet the recommendations in the soon to be released CIBSE ADE Code of Practice v1.2, which states that designers should specify a maximum of 25kW output for Studio apartments and 30-35kW for 1- and 2-bed properties.

This recommendation has been included to avoid the oversizing of Domestic Hot Water, which can lead to increased costs and network inefficiency, so the new ModuSat range is perfectly placed to satisfy these new industry requirements.

Low carbon heat networks With the latest GLA planning guidance around carbon factors already causing a stir amongst consulting engineers and specifiers, there is already a clear incentive for heat networks

to be designed around different heat generation technologies, such as heat pumps, which in turn require lower primary flow temperatures. The highefficiency ModuSat XR-ECO models continue to provide impressive heating and domestic hot water performance at primary flow temperatures of 60°C (or even lower), making them the ideal choice where heat pumps are deployed.

Smart, lower cost communication network connection Ethernet connectivity comes as a standard feature on all ModuSat units, allowing two-way communications for diagnostics, commissioning and support – as well as metering data – to be accessed across shared building infrastructure. This allows the significant cost associated with dedicated M-Bus networks to designed out, by sharing a common, robust and reliable

And if all that wasn’t enough, yet another hidden extra giving contractors the opportunity to reduce costs and risks associated with their heat network installations is Evinox’s new ‘SmartTalk Pro’ monitoring and diagnostics web portal, which now comes bundled with every ModuSat installation.

Providing contractors with remote access to each HIU on the site, any reported problems can be quickly and easily diagnosed – and often remedied – online, without the need for an engineer to attend site; saving time, increasing the first-time-fix rate and reducing defects liability costs related to the heat network.

As well as providing access to HIU operational parameters and settings, support engineers can even take control of the residents heating system, to update controller settings and overcome any reported resident issues without an engineer ever having to get in a van.

An established Heat Interface Unit range The enhancements to Evinox’s ModuSat XR and XR-ECO units contribute to the excellent features and benefits of the existing range, with quality, high efficiency and reliability at the core. This includes testing of every unit – hydraulically, electrically and electronically before leaving the factory.

The ModuSat XR-ECO Twin Plate Unit is also independently tested to the UK Standard for HIUs from BESA, backing-up performance and efficiency claims; units come complete with smart room controls with optional energy display upgrade; feature in-built prepay technology and they can be commissioned and maintained remotely over the internet – a combination resulting in a truly Smart HIU range.

 www.evinoxenergy.co.uk  info@evinox.co.uk  01372 722277 Figure quoted for ModuSat XR 55 & 70 models

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HVAC

British media icon becomes new UK base for Moonpig

Warm welcome at the National Army Museum

Originally it was the print HQ for The Daily Mirror. After that it was famously used as the backdrop for photoshoots featuring The Rolling Stones, when it was as an artist’s studio. Now Herbal House in London has become the UK office for online greeting card company, Moonpig – and air terminal devices from Waterloo Air Products plc were fitted as part of the four-storey office refurbishment. Nick Beal, Technical Sales Agent for Waterloo Air Products, says the project at Herbal House had been extremely interesting. Nick says: “We used swirl diffusers in a mill finish from Waterloo for the main part of the project which celebrated the industrial heritage of the building. In an open plan office, it’s vital for good air circulation, Waterloo’s swirl diffusers are designed to produce radial air patterns to nearly two meters and offer excellent air mixing. To keep in line with the interior styling, airline linear grilles were supplied in white aluminium. They look impressive as they can be installed in long continuous runs and offer a horizontal projection of air.”

JS Air Curtains has supplied two Zen air curtains for the recently-refurbished National Army Museum in Chelsea, London, to provide a warm welcome to visitors in its reception foyer and gift shop. The air curtains seal the entrances while the doors are open with an invisible barrier of air, preventing cold air entering in the winter and cool air escaping in the summer. The Zen air curtain was selected to architecturally fit in with the design of the interior and, in the case of the foyer, match the colour of the doorway. The Zen air curtain is offered with front and rear panels that can be made in a variety of materials and colours. Mike O’Connor, Deputy Director at the National Army Museum, said: ‘‘The air curtains blend in perfectly, due to matching the RAL colour of the entrance, and are helping to maintain a very comfortable internal temperature for visitors and staff to the museum. They have been running very well so far with no operational issues.”

 www.waterloo.co.uk  enquiry@waterloo.co.uk  01622 711500

 www.jsaircurtains.com  sales@jsaircurtains.com  01903 858656

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Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Terracotta is proving to be an increasingly popular choice for architects and contractors

Paul Richards, Managing Director of Aquarian Cladding Systems

TERRACOTTA – THE BEST OPTION ABOVE 18M Terracotta cladding is the best option above six storeys for the construction industry following the ban of combustible cladding on certain buildings above 18m. That’s the view of Paul Richards, Managing Director of Aquarian Cladding Systems. believes that the P aul Government’s decision to ban combustible cladding over 18m, as part of its post-Grenfell fire safety and building design consultation, does not have to be to the detriment of the cladding industry.

Combustible cladding has been banned for all new residential buildings, schools, hospitals and care homes in England and Wales above 18m,

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of which the only materials approved for external walls will be A1 and A2 class materials.

As a result, architects, specifiers, building contractors and housing associations are being forced to look for clay, metal, stone or ceramic facade solutions, which are easy and quick to install in any weather, robust, fully tested and certified and cost-effective for these types of buildings.

“As an industry we must determine the right cladding option to use above 18m and in my view, a terracotta rainscreen is the best solution to overcome this challenge,” said Paul.

“It ticks all the boxes as it is A1 non-combustible, tested and certified, is quick and easy to install by our approved installers, and it’s cost effective when compared to other highquality facade solutions.”

The North Somerset-based Aquarian Cladding supplies brick and terracotta cladding systems to the UK construction industry across a wide range of sectors, from residential to commercial, in both the public and private sector.

One example of where the company’s Terreal terracotta cladding can be seen is currently the No.1 Portsmouth scheme by facade contractor Fabrite Group, a 22-storey student accommodation in the heart of the city centre.

Paul said: “Terracotta is proving to be an increasingly popular choice for architects and contractors as a non-combustible cladding solution for high-rise buildings for a number of reasons.

“It is a 100% natural material composed of clay, fired at high temperatures and it can create striking facade. It’s robust, weather-resistant, recyclable, sustainable and UV-stable, so is also very eco-friendly.”

Terracotta is suitable for use in both traditional and contemporary buildings and has proven to outperform alternative cladding systems for durability as well as offering design freedom and flexibility.

It can be dry-fixed so it’s not weather dependent, it can be used to create stack or stretcher bond in portrait or landscape format, and is available in a wide range of colours, finishes and sizes.

Paul added: “Our proven terracotta rainscreen cladding system, combined with more than 10 years of cladding experience, means we and our network of approved installation companies can offer guidance around fire safety, facades detailing and building regulations.”

 www.aquariancladding.co.uk  info@aquariancladding.co.uk  0808 223 9080

Powder coating for an earthy realism Retail parks are increasingly paying attention to the colours and textures used to decorate their units, giving them character and making the sites more appealing to visit and work within. Team Valley Retail Park, Gateshead, is no exception.

For a suite of new retail units, designers concentrated on using shades and textures that address both style and sustainability in the materials they use and the appearance they present.

Situated underneath the spreading arms of the ‘Angel of the North’ and built above former coal mines, it felt right for the park to reflect its industrial origins. Cor-ten was considered but in using this product,

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

special attention had to be paid to storm water drainage in order to prevent run-off from staining surrounding structures and other surfaces.

Powdertech Corby’s Evolution powder coatings were a perfect solution. These powders reproduce the effects of weathering on metals and can be applied to both aluminium and steel. The application of the powder ensures a variation in shade to reflect the inconsistency in natural metal patination. The finished surface is not affected by water and has a 25-year guarantee for colour and gloss retention, adhesion and durability.

After viewing several samples from the extensive Evolution range of 72 shades, the client decided upon ‘Peat Fire’, a shade giving the appearance of aged, rusted steel, and a perfect partner to the ‘Angel’.

Powdertech pre-treated and coated 1000m2 of aluminium panels and corner cappings.

The powders used for Evolution are architectural specification and the unique combinations that create these effects are applied in Powdertech’s fully-controlled powder coating plant. The resulting finish is suitable for internal and external architectural applications.

 www.powdertechcorby.co.uk  pcl@powdertech.co.uk

 01536 400890

Subscribe free to receive

...each month, in print or direct to your inbox. Simply visit

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Doors & Windows

Kingsway Group exclusively designs and engineers innovative anti-ligature products The main area of Kingsway Group’s expertise is in complete doorsets. Kingsway Group is unique in being able to offer fully certified pre-hung doorsets.

The doorset range has the Switch and Swing anti-barricade doorsets, Solo single action doorsets, Shower and Stow en-suite anti-ligature doorsets and the Stable doorset.

Kingsway Group also offers the latest in non-institutional anti-ligature products with its Signature range. The Signature range was developed in conjunction with leading UK mental health architects and provides a new level of design to assist with the healing environment.

Its solutions include a range of fit for purpose anti-ligature and anti-barricade products which have been manufactured to the highest standards and have been

proven to perform in the toughest and most challenging environments, including secure hospitals and prisons. The scope of its range covers handles, locksets, washroom fittings, privacy vision panels and general ancillary products.

The company’s project delivery philosophy of ‘Define, Design and Deliver’ means that the key project stakeholders are engaged and consulted through the process based on its vast experience of completed projects and current best practice. As thought leaders in behavioural healthcare environments, Kingsway Group strives to push its best to something better.

Open up new possibilities with Senior’s aluminium doors Senior Architectural Systems is helping specifiers get a handle on selecting the most appropriate door system for their project thanks to its recently extended product range and technical support packages. Benefitting from the recent launch of the new PURe Commercial Door, Senior’s largest and strongest door system to date, the manufacturer’s product portfolio includes a wide range of flexible solutions for both residential and commercial contracts. Offering single, double and emergency door systems and a choice of swing, folding sliding, lift and slide and automatic opening options, Senior’s aluminium doors have been designed to offer exceptional aesthetic appeal and excellent performance. To assist with the most cost-effective and appropriate specification of door systems, support is available via Senior’s in-house technical department and nationwide network of architectural advisors.

As well as advising on product suitability, Senior’s technical team can also provide detailed calculations for weather performance ratings and thermal efficiency as well as advice on hardware and threshold options.

 www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk  info@sasmail.co.uk  01709 772600

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 www.kingswaygroupglobal.com  sales@kingswaygroup.co.uk  01322 610470

AluK shows its strength with faceted on plan curtain walling solution A faceted on plan curtain wall completed in AluK’s SL52 system is the centrepiece of the two-storey community hub known as The Curve in the newly-opened Bryn Gaer Place housing development. AluK’s technical team worked closely with commercial fabrication partners Vellacine to design the curtain walling for the project in Newport, which also required an external canopy to be attached to the system. The challenge was to deliver the faceted on plan design in a practical and cost effective way. This was achieved utilising AluK’s SL52 curtain walling system with a variable gasket solution and a single mullion to ensure that the glazing complemented the external facade design. AluK’s SL52 flexible, capped curtain walling system met the aesthetic, thermal, wind and water performance requirements set down by architect firm Ainsley Gommon.

Alongside the curtain walling, AluK GT55TB commercial doors were also installed throughout the 39 new homes in the development, giving a coherent aesthetic to the entire building.

 www.aluk.co.uk  info.uk@aluk.com  01291 639739

Seek fee-earning work as a qualified adjudicator RICS Diploma in Adjudication Develop the skills and knowledge you need to successfully apply the law of adjudication to the construction industry. The RICS Diploma in Adjudication in Construction has been designed to provide you with the necessary in-depth knowledge of the legal principles and how to apply these to the adjudication process.

What will I learn?

• How the law of contract is applied to the practice of adjudication • How the law of tort is applied to the practice of adjudication • The practical application in the production of an enforceable decision • Knowledge and understanding of the nature of law and its place in society

Find out more and enrol on the course t +44 (0)2476 868 584 e drstraining@rics.org w rics.org/adjudication

Focus & Innovation

SOLUTIONS TO HELP DELIVER NEIGHBOURHOODS FOR THE FUTURE NOW

Closomat is already the ‘go to’ provider for accessible toilet provision in domestic and ‘away from home’ environments

One of the objectives set out in a new white paper on housing for the future can already be achieved, simply by appropriate selection of bathroom fixtures.

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eighbourhoods for the Future 2 calls for highquality housing that can be adapted to meet changing needs efficiently, in days, and deliver a home for life, with built-in adaptability. Explains Minister of State for Care Caroline Dinenage, it’s about providing “everyone with the best possible chance to grow old with dignity in their own home”.

Says Robin Tuffley, Closomat Marketing Manager: “That aim is already achieveable, at least in the bathroom. The bathroom is the most commonly adapted room. The report highlights that adaptations are often done out of desperation, rather than as a planned inclusive design

50

strategy, yet there should be a proactive approach so people can continue to look after themselves in their own home.

“Certainly in the bathroom, that is already a reality, just by careful selection of the WC. It is the fixture most commonly in need of adjustment to accommodate changing needs.

A shower, or wash dry toilet, delivers improved hygiene for all; as someone’s ability to clean themselves reduces, its in-built washing and drying ensures they can still go to the toilet with dignity and independence.”

Closomat’s brand-leading Palma Vita is the only wash dry toilet that can be accessorised to accommodate changing needs – a

different seat, support systems, even operating mechanisms, so someone can retain that dignity and independence for much longer, without care intervention.

The growth in acceptance of ‘smart’ toilets (i.e those that wash and dry) also means the Closomat is an aspirational fixture, that people want in their home.

Closomat is already the ‘go to’ provider for accessible toilet provision in domestic and ‘away from home’ environments.

Its website www.clos-o-mat. com is acknowledged as a key resource to help take the first steps towards efficient accessibility provision, including design guidance, white papers,

The in-built washing and drying facility ensures users can still go to the toilet with dignity and independence

CAD blocks, NBS specification clauses and case studies.

The company is unique in offering in house, design advice, supply, installation, commissioning and service & maintenance, across its range of products to enable dignified, hygienic independent living.

The expertise within Closomat represents the combined wealth of knowledge amassed from almost 60 years of helping disabled and elderly people optimise their dignity and independence in the bathroom, at home and away.

 www.clos-o-mat.com  info@clos-o-mat.com  0161 969 1199

Focus & Innovation

Hospital selects Advanced to protect new £49m Emergency Assessment Centre Industry-leading MxPro 5 fire panels from global systems leader, Advanced, have been installed at Wexham Park Hospital as part of a major upgrade to the hospital’s fire system.

Wexham Park Hospital is a large acute NHS hospital situated near Slough in Berkshire.

The 588-bed hospital is one of three managed

by Frimley Health NHS Foundation trust, one of the top performing NHS trusts in the UK. As well as the main hospital building, the site has a large post graduate building, ambulance station, staff accommodation and a new £49m, state-of-the-art, four-storey Emergency Assessment Centre.

Responsible for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the system was Advanced’s partner, Static Systems Group, who install Advanced under its brand name Evo2. Static Systems completed the site-wide upgrade with

20 networked, MxPro 5 panels, 18 MxPro 5 repeater panels and 2000 Apollo field devices throughout a number of hospital buildings and departments including Intensive Care, Sterile Services, Radiology and its new 9300m2 Emergency Assessment Centre.

MxPro 5 is the fire industry’s leading multiprotocol fire system solution and was recently certified by FM Approvals to the EN 54 standard. It offers customers a choice of two panel ranges, four detector protocols and a completely open installer network, backed up by free training and support. MxPro panels can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily

configured into high speed, multi-loop panels in 200 node networks covering huge areas. MxPro’s legendary ease of installation and configuration and wide peripheral range make it customisable to almost any application.

Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 PLC, Halma, has an impressive pedigree for protecting hospitals throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland including; the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, London, the world’s largest blood processing centre in Bristol and St James’ Hospital, the largest university teaching hospital in Dublin.

 www.advancedco.com

Anti-ligature washroom dispensers from Dudley Industries Choosing the right washroom products for public sector buildings has never been more important but with the Dudley Industries Stainless Steel Anti-Ligature range, choice of style is matched by robust functionality. The range includes toilet paper, soap, paper towel dispensers and mirror. The innovative wall plate and dispenser combination creates a recess to house the dispenser.

The rounded edges and corners also work to reduce the potential for a ligature to be attached. Dudley Industries’ expert design team has created sector-leading dispensers that can help protect and enhance independence for users.

 www.dudleyindustries.com

 sales@dudleyindustries.com

 01253 738311

Dedicated website on the advantages of IoT monitoring technology Cistermiser’s website dedicated to IoT water temperature and flow monitoring www.linkthru. com details this innovative technology. Linkthru. com outlines the benefits of installing LinkThru Temperature Monitoring Units (TMUs) at sentinel points to capture 24/7 monitoring data on water temperatures and flow events, accessed via a secure cloud-based portal. “LinkThru TMU helps building owners achieve compliance with HSG274 and reduce risk of Legionella,” says Cistermiser’s Marketing Manager, Mark Schlotel.

“Linkthru.com is the digital home for this exciting technology with videos, guides, downloads and everything you need to know stored in one place.”

 www.linkthru.com

 info@linkthru.com

 0118 969 1611

Apprentice Decorator of the Year: Crown celebrates the big 40 The Apprentice Decorator of the Year competition is back and bigger than ever. And it’s a landmark year for the competition’s sponsor Crown Paints as the company has now been supporting the contest for 40 years. The company has a full calendar of activity planned to mark the milestone, from special training days at Crown HQ to exclusive offers and deals via its network of 150 Crown Decorating Centres. Apprentices will soon be taking part in one of 11 regional heats of the competition, which is organised by Worldskills and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and sponsored

by Crown Paints, together with other industry leaders such as British Gypsum.

 www.crowntrade.co.uk/skills-training  info@crowntrade.co.uk  0330 024 0297

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Focus & Innovation

The building incorporates a diverse range of innovative technologies, sustainable design features and fresh thinking

© Kristen McCluskie www.kristenmccluskie.com

DEDICATED SMOKE CONTROL SOLUTION FOR URBAN SCIENCES BUILDING Newcastle University’s innovative and multi-award winning Urban Sciences Building (USB) is using a combined smoke control and environmental ventilation solution that incorporates a SHEVTEC control system, which was engineered by SE Controls to meet the unique requirements of the project.

Designed by architects, Hawkins Brown, the 12,800m2 USB is the first structure to be completed on the 24-acre Newcastle Helix development and is home to the university’s world-leading School of Computing, as well as providing extensive teaching and research facilities focused on digitallyenabled urban sustainability.

The building incorporates a diverse range of innovative technologies, sustainable design features and fresh thinking, which includes a PV-T array, rainwater harvesting and a 560m2 wild flower green roof, as well as a bio-dome, which uses waste CO2 heat and water from the building to grow food for the university’s restaurant. Also, 4000 digital sensors and embedded computing technology make it one of the UK’s most monitored high-performance buildings.

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As energy efficiency and sustainability are key aspects of the building design, these principles were also carried through to the glazed facades, curtain walling, environmental ventilation and smoke control systems.

Cladding and glazing systems specialist, Dane Architectural Systems, was involved from the early stages of the project and used Schueco FW 60 + SG, with AWS 114 ventilators including TipTronic concealed actuators.

To ensure they could meet the demanding design intent of the system, which required these vents to be linked to the BMS for managed day-to-day ventilation, Dane Architectural turned to SE Controls, a specialist contractor capable of providing a fullycompliant solution.

As the Automatic Opening Vents (AOV) have specific zone requirements and operate in banks of three for normal ventilation needs, SE Controls

designed the operation of the smoke control system to maintain the functionality and flexibility of the TipTronic control, while integrating with the system and providing effective smoke ventilation to the building in the event of a fire.

To achieve this, SE Controls worked in close collaboration with Dane Architectural and developed the new OS2 TipTronic SHEVTEC Controller, which is dedicated to Schueco’s TipTronic actuator system, enabling it to provide effective smoke and heat exhaust ventilation (SHEV) to the building.

Following the production of a detailed design, which included integration matrices, schematic drawings, operational documentation and installation details, SE Controls installed more than 40 of the new OS2 TipTronic controllers at the USB. Andrea Hayward, SE Controls Senior Key Account Manager on the project, explained: “The Urban Sciences Building is a technological and sustainability ‘tour de force’ which reflects the advanced research activities undertaken at the university and we are delighted to have our own innovative technology incorporated within its design.”

 www.secontrols.com  sales@secontrols.com  01543 443060

© Kristen McCluskie www.kristenmccluskie.com SE Controls worked in close collaboration with Dane Architectural and developed the new OS2 TipTronic SHEVTEC Controlle

• UK manufacturer with over 25 years’ experience, specialising wholly in furniture for mental health, learning disabilities and associated challenging behaviours • Current customer base includes many NHS Trusts, secure hospitals, private care groups, local authority housing providers, PICUs, CAMHS and charities • Tough Plus range includes anti-ligature security features, suitable for low and medium secure environments.

• Modular approach across all ranges allows for efficient maintenance and a cost-effective lifespan.

• Tough Plus Options range available in 4 extra colours – Cream and Oak, Light Elm, Dark Elm and Oak • Continuous investment in CNC technology allows us to offer a high level of bespoke design to solve the problems of challenging environments • 75% of our business comes from repeat customers

sales@toughfurniture.com www.toughfurniture.com 01588 674340

Focus & Innovation

Three Hauraton drainage systems installed at biomass plant The Margam Green Energy Biomass Plant is a 40MW electricity power station utilising chipped wood waste as fuel otherwise destined for landfill. When fully operational the project will use around 300,000 tonnes of waste wood from nearby regions.

Hauraton supplied three types of channel to meet the rigorous specifications for surface drainage of the main concreted yard surrounding the plant, weighbridges and car park.

Three sizes of RECYFIX HICAP high capacity channels were installed in the yard – 3m of HICAP 1000, 303m of HICAP 2000 and 255m of HICAP 3000. The total water capacity of the HICAP channels was just over 20,390l.

By installing this system, the channel runs were kept to a minimum so saving on installation costs and future maintenance.

Factory fitted with 14mm slotted ductile iron inlets, the channels comply with a loading Class of F900 so can easily take the

weight of a HGV fully laden with wood chips.

Importantly, once installed the complete system is highly resilient to the twisting forces imposed by the laden vehicles.

42m of FASERFIX SUPER 150 channels with Class F900 ductile iron 20mm gratings were installed around the two weighbridges. The FASERFIX channel component is made from the company’s Fibre Reinforced Concrete with galvanised steel angle housings moulded into the top edges of the channel during production. This specification is highly resistant to extreme loads and constant dynamic forces and was found to be ideal for the weighbridge application.

The FASERFIX gratings are secured by SIDE-LOCK patented boltless system. The

system allows gratings to be installed and later, removed quickly.

Finally, 39m of RECYFIX PRO 100 Type 75mm factory fitted with FIBRETEC heel-safe gratings were installed in the car park. The FIBRETEC grating is moulded from a fibre strengthened Polyamide (PA-GF) and allows loadings up to Class C250 (BSEN 1433).

All the RECYFIX channel components specified for the project are made from 100% recycled Polypropylene derived from post consumer and post industrial sources.

 www.drainage-projects.co.uk  janine.kennedy@hauraton.com  01582 501380

Deanestor manufactures specialist furniture for new hospital Landmark specification for Marmox Multiboard An iconic residential development by Barratt London is including the use of Marmox Multiboard for its outstanding physical performance with two walls around the 20m swimming pool being lined with the moisture resistant backing board. Landmark Place stands alongside the Tower of London, offering purchasers of the 165 luxury apartments and penthouses with stunning views of the Thames, Tower Bridge and the Southbank.

The ground floor pool and spa was fitted out by a specialist sub-contractor consuming close to 100 of the 2500 x 600mm Multiboards for the work, as well as six boxes of dowels to secure them and 30 rolls of Marmox Jointing Tape.

 www.marmox.co.uk  sales@marmox.co.uk  01634 835290

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More than 5000 items were manufactured and installed by Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading contract furniture specialists, in a £1.4m contract for the new Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Deanestor manufactured more than 300 bespoke bedheads which were finished in a natural oak laminate and had provision for medical gases, electrics, nurse call system and lighting. The bedhead units were designed for the specific requirements and layout of each individual room with over 40 variations and were installed by Deanestor’s own fitting team with removable panels for easy access to services. Co-ordinating floor-based fixed furniture was also provided by Deanestor – shelving, cupboards, worktops and cabinets across the hospital campus.

 www.deanestor.co.uk/healthcare  enquiries@deanestor.com  01623 420041

McAvoy wins fourth award for digital construction technology The McAvoy Group, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has won a fourth award in recognition of its pioneering work in applying digital technology to offsite construction.

The Group has been awarded BIM Contractor of the Year at the BIM Awards. According to the judges, “The BIM Awards’ judging panel selected The McAvoy Group’s award submission based on its thorough interpretation of its achievements in BIM delivery. There is clearly an excellent strategic-level interest in the use of BIM in its offsite operations and we saw that McAvoy is doing things differently from other contractors, which gave it the edge to winning this award. A well-deserved winner.”

 www.mcavoygroup.com

 info@mcavoygroup.com

 0288 774 0372

The New ASSA ABLOY Protect family of Sliding & Swing Door Systems

PAS 24 and RC3 certified automatic doors to keep your building safe

When you want to keep unwanted visitors out Whether your building use is healthcare, education, retail, transportation, commercial or multi-residential, we understand that you want the best security for your property.

0333 006 3443 www.assaabloyentrance.co.uk

ASSA ABLOY have launched the Protect family of risk-reducing, security enhanced automatic entrances. Our Swing and Sliding Door Systems have been developed to help design out risk. The Protect Swing Door system is third-party Secured by Design certified, whilst our Protect Sliding Door system is RC3 rated - providing you with piece of mind and industry-leading functionality.

LEVATO MONO

Porcelain paving system and coordinating internal tiling Surface 360, formally The Deck Tile Co, has 130+ colours and finishes in their Levato Mono 20mm porcelain paving tile ranges. Plus create a seamless visual transition between internal and external spaces with coordinating interior 10mm porcelain tiling.

• For both residential & commercial use.

• Ideal for balconies, roof terraces, garden decking and piazzas.

• Various sized 20mm thick porcelain tiles.

• An eternal zero maintenance product - offering over-life savings.

• Timber, stone & cementitious effects.

• ‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply membranes.

• Height adjustable/slope correcting support system: 9mm - 550mm.

• Lightweight – 45kgs per m2.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW WEBSITE: WWW.SURFACE360.CO.UK

• • • • • •

Highly abrasion and stain resistant.

Highly slip resistant: R11 (ABC).

High load bearing.

Impact resistant.

Completely non porous.

Frost proof.