Irish Construction News April May 2022 by Construction News

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The Build Digital Project Plan Sustainability comes at a cost

• Roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment • ACEI Engineering Excellence Awards irish construction newsconstruction solutions •MarchOffsite 2022

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NEWS 5 5 7 7

Roadbridge goes into receivership Irish construction growth rate declining Theo Cullinane announces his retirement from BAM Contractors Ltd LDA submits planning application for 977 new homes on Central Mental Hospital site 8 Dragons at the Docks event aims to raise over €300,000 for Dublin Simon 8 Updated Code of Practice for Tendering published 9 Sisk/Lagan JV appointed to Dublin Airport €325m framework 9 State architect to chair Towards NetZero Ireland Awards judging panel 12 2022 ACEI Engineering Excellence Awards shortlist announced

5 NEWS

APPOINTMENTS 13 13 14 14 15

Sisk makes two senior appointments Leo Lynch announces the appointment of new managing director BAM appoints executive director to Irish operation Elliott Group appoints new regional director for Munster Mike McLoughlin appointed associate director at John Paul Construction

MAIN FEATURE

16 Build Digital Project – Embedding world-class practices across the Irish construction industry

INTERVIEW

16 MAIN FEATURE

20 Everyone wants to save the planet, but most people don’t want to pay for it – John G Murphy, President, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, and Managing Director, Murphy Ireland 23 ACEI members driving changes in Irish construction – Brian Kavanagh, President, Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI), and Chairman, Garland 26 Sisk on target to be a carbon-neutral business without offsets by 2030 – Wayne Metcalfe, Director for Health, Safety, Sustainability & Quality, John Sisk & Son

CASE STUDY

32 Off-site solutions facilitate rapid progress on Bray apartment scheme – Southern Cross Road apartment scheme, Townmore Construction

SECTOR FOCUS

35 Does your company comply with the latest green public procurement requirements? – Liz Carroll, Construction Professionals Skillnet 36 Ballyfermot Skate Bowl and Plaza wins 39th Irish Concrete Society Award 39 Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate holding first conference and AGM in Dublin

OPINION

20 INTERVIEW

44 A government retrofit programme needed to get older offices up to standard – Aoife O’Neill, Divisional Director, Offices, Lisney 46 The impact of variations, what they are and how to protect yourself – Henry Hathaway

SUSTAINABILITY

49 Opera Square’s sustainability programme giving old building materials new life 50 Kingspan PowerPanel – The ultimate plug and play insulated PV roofing system 52 A roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment – Marion Jammet, Head of Policy and Advocacy, IGBC 54 Towards a net-zero carbon Irish construction sector – Rachael McGinley, #BuildingLife Ambassador and Head of Sustainability, CBRE

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES 57 All the latest products and services news

36 SECTOR FOCUS

THE BACK PAGE

60 A selection of recent online Irish construction videos

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E D I TO R I A L

From the editor Irish contractors continuing to deliver in 2022 despite overwhelming costs and supply pressures

PUBLISHER Foundation Media Ltd 1 Northumberland Place, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Tel: +353 (0)1 677 3157 EDITOR Robbie Cousins robbie@foundationmedia.ie DESIGN Joanne Birmingham CONTRIBUTORS Barry McCall, Aoife O’Neill, Liz Carroll, Henry Hathaway, Marion Jammet PRINTER WG Baird Ltd ADVERTISING SALES Joe Connolly joe@foundationmedai.ie Tel: +353 (0)86 396 6158 ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES To advertise in Irish Construction News or on www.constructionnews.ie, or to request a ratecard or details of promotional opportunities, contact Joe Connolly at joe@foundationmedia.ie CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @constructionnews.ie Linkedin: Constructionnews.ie Facebook: Constructionnews.ie Cover image: 35 Shelbourne Road, Dublin, consulting engineer, Garland. Image courtesy of MediaPro.

SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER To get the latest news, articles and offers related to the Irish construction industry to your inbox sign up to our free e-newsletter at www.constructionnews.ie While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct, the publisher cannot not accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or discrepancies. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The contents of this publication are copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or digital without the prior consent of the publisher.

ccording to data from the Health and Safety Authority, there was a 38% decrease in the number of construction workplace fatalities last year, with 10 deaths in 2021 compared to 16 in 2020. This should be acknowledged in light of the massive health and safety changes that have been implemented on construction sites over the past two years. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now become the latest threat to status quo, and once again the construction sector finds itself taking measures to counter the impact of another global crisis. Linesight’s Country Insights and Commodity Report (Q1 2022) states that Irish construction output in 2021 was just over €25bn, and forecasts it will grow by 14.4% to just under €28.7bn in 2022, with residential accounting for 40% of all activity, and FDI firms, particularly in the IT sector, continuing to drive demand for construction and engineering services, and putting greater pressure on supply chains. Stakeholders across the construction sector remain under immense pressure due to increasing materials costs, supply issues and labour challenges, all problems that have been escalated by the Russian war on Ukraine. As we are all very much aware, fuel prices will continue to rise throughout the year. According to the Linesight report, the same will be the case for steel and other building materials. Any stabilisation of timber prices anticipated as a result of an increase in the issuing of tree-felling licences this year will be hit by the increasing fuel prices. Despite all of this, Irish construction remains resilient, and many firms continue to pursue investment programmes to make their operations more sustainable and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. In this, the Sustainability issue of Irish Construction News, journalist Barry McCall speaks with Build Digital Project Lead Robert Moore about how the newly launched initiative aims to transform Irish construction and change the way projects are delivered. In our interview section, we speak with newly elected ACEI President Brian Kavanagh about the fundamental role

engineers play in society and how he plans to grow the association’s membership during his tenure. CECA President and Murphy Ireland MD John G Murphy discusses sustainability in infrastructure and says it is time that people get real about the cost of sustainable development. Also on the sustainability front, Sisk Director Of Health, Safety, Sustainability & Quality Wayne Metcalfe discusses how the company’s race to be net-zero carbon neutrality without offsets is picking up momentum. In our case study, we look at how Townmore Construction’s Southern Cross Road apartment scheme in Bray for Lioncor Developments has benefited from offsite solutions. In Opinion, Lisney Director Aoife O’Neill writes about how the commercial sector is addressing carbon emissions and asks if it is time for older commercial property owners to get support to enable them to retrofit their buildings. Irish Green Building Council #BuildingLife Ambassador and CBRE Head of Sustainability Rachael McGinley discusses the opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of the Irish built environment and the urgency of improving carbon literacy across the whole construction sector. Elsewhere, we have all the latest construction and engineering news and analysis. In the next issue of Irish Construction News, the Top Contractors Issue, we bring you a full breakdown of the top building contractors and M&E electrical contractors of 2022 in Ireland, profiling each of them with key highlights and achievements in the past year. Please take a moment to scan the QR code below and sign up for our free e-newsletter. And, if there are any issues or stories you would like to see featured in Irish Construction News, email me at robbie@foundationmedia.ie Regards Robbie

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CHARGING INTO THE

FUTURE

We have always been committed to embedding sustainability into the core of our activities. However, we now recognise the urgent need for an acceleration in our sustainability ambition and performance. Our activities have an impact on our planet, the environment, the economy, and the communities in which we work; as such we are committed to ensuring environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are embedded across all our operation and supply chain activities. Through our careful Stewardship, we will seek to enhance the communities and environment in which we operate. We are working towards setting clear measurable targets to reduce our use of fuel, and energy as well as materials, waste, water, transport, and other sources of emissions. We are also developing a plan to enhance biodiversity and the natural environment where we operate. Building on work that has already commenced, such as our deployment of new technology, we will continue implementing changes at our facilities to help them to become even more carbon efficient and reduce material waste.

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NEWS

Roadbridge goes into receivership R oadbridge, one of the country’s most prominent civil engineering and construction firms, announced it would go into receivership on 11 March, requesting its main creditor, Bank of Ireland, to appoint receivers to the company as it could no longer battle “insurmountable financial challenges”. The company, founded in Limerick by the late Pat Mulcair in the 1960s, employed 630 people in Ireland, the UK and Sweden at the time of receivership being announced. It is involved in some of the biggest infrastructural road, energy and water projects in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Calling in receivers, Roadbridge chairman Aidan Murphy said: “My fellow directors and I greatly regret having to take this step, but unfortunately, it was the only possible option at this time,” said Alan Murphy. “The board recognises the support of all our stakeholders, including our bank, Bank of Ireland, in difficult circumstances as the directors explored every opportunity to save the company. “We are committed to working closely with the receivers now in order to get the best possible outcome for employees, creditors and stakeholders.” Roadbridge was due to start work on the €200m upgrade of the N5 road between Ballaghaderreen and Scramogue in Roscommon. The company also won the €35m Coonagh to Knockalisheen distributor road scheme in Limerick.

The N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin Road Scheme was completed by Roadbridge in 2021.

Irish construction growth rate declining

he March Construction Industry Index, published by BNP Paribas, indicates that the sector continues to grow but at a much slower rate than in previous months. Rising building materials costs are really biting, as the index dropped to 53.9 in March, which, while still above the 50.0 no-change mark, was a 4.5 point drop from the 58.4 reading of February. Housing and commercial construction sectors saw the largest rises in activity, but civil engineering activity dropped for the first time in five months. The explanation for the softening growth is “straightforward” according to BNP Paribas head of research John McCarthy, “Arising from supply chain issues and sharp hikes in oil and gas prices, building firms experienced the second-fastest growth in input costs since the index began 22 years ago,” he said. The monthly construction purchasers managers index (PMI) survey was gathered from responses to questionnaires sent to a panel of around 150 construction companies. A similar picture was evident regarding new orders, which increased solidly but not at a rate seen in previous months. With a reading of 54, the new orders sub-index continued to show expansion. However, this was the lowest level of order book growth in more than a year. Construction companies themselves also indicated that they had been looking to stockpile materials in advance of expected price rises and supply problems. As a result, purchasing activity increased solidly, but the rate of expansion eased. The conflict in Ukraine, higher transport costs, and material

shortages all added pressure on supply chains. The survey found that lead times on the delivery of inputs lengthened substantially, with the rate of deterioration worsening for the first time in five months. The impact of rising prices on customer demand led to a sharp drop in sentiment at the end of the first quarter. Despite the decline in confidence, higher new orders encouraged construction firms to increase their staffing levels again in March. But the rate of job creation eased to the slowest since April of last year. A weaker rise in the use of subcontractors was also registered, while their availability continued to decline markedly.

irish construction news 5 April/May 2022

Our 2030 Sustainability Roadmap shows what we have achieved so far and the steps we will take in the decade ahead For more please visit www.johnsiskandson.com 6 irish construction news April/May 2022

NEWS

Theo Cullinane announces his retirement from BAM Contractors Ltd

n June of this year, Theo Cullinane, Chief Executive, BAM Contractors Ltd, will retire from his role. Cullinane, a chartered engineer, has worked with BAM for 43 years, 13 of which were as CEO and chairman of Royal BAM Group’s operations in Ireland. He said that it has been an honour to spend his career working for the contracting giant. “It has been an honour for me to spend my full professional career working for Royal BAM Group,” Theo Cullinane commented. “ I would like to thank the executive board for their steadfast support on the many developments and new initiatives on diversification and sustainability over the years. I thank my colleagues and partners for being on this journey with me, and our clients for being so supportive of our work over the many years. “I will continue to dedicate myself to the organisation until June 2022 to ensure an orderly transition,” he added.

Theo Cullinane, Chief Executive, BAM Contractors Ltd

Ruud Joosten, CEO, Royal BAM Group, thanked Theo Cullinane “for his very significant contribution to BAM Ireland and to the group, while a member of Royal BAM Group’s management board”. He added that his commitment and dedication to its members, colleagues and clients have been exemplary. “During Theo’s tenure, which spanned the financial crisis of 2008 and the current pandemic, BAM has developed into a market leader in the development and construction of large-scale building projects in the public, private and PPP sectors while maintaining its position as leader in the civil engineering market in Ireland. BAM is now well placed, as a construction company and employer of choice, for the future development of our business in Ireland,” Joosten said. The executive board of Royal BAM Group NV has appointed Alasdair Henderson as executive director of BAM Contractors Ltd.

LDA submits planning application for 977 new homes on Central Mental Hospital site

CGI render of proposed LDA development in Dundrum

he Land Development Agency (LDA) has submitted a planning application for 977 homes on the site of the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin. The application will progress the redevelopment of the site to deliver affordable and social housing as part of a sustainable and integrated community in a distinctive landscaped setting. The proposed development will consist of 940 apartments, 17 duplexes and 20 houses, in building sizes ranging from two to seven stories. The

range of homes provided will accommodate people at all stages of life, including families and homes appropriate for older residents. The development will also involve extensive facilities for residents and the wider community, including a community centre with indoor sports facilities, a medical centre, a café and a childcare facility. The planning application covers 9.6 hectares of the 11.3-hectare site, with the remaining area encompassing the location of the main hospital buildings. The proposed development is intended

to open up a part of Dublin that has been closed off for 170 years. Parts of the hospital’s existing perimeter wall will be removed to improve public access and permeability. Biodiversity will be prioritised, with the preservation of the vast majority of the site’s existing mature trees and supplementary planting. John Coleman, CEO, LDA, commented: “We are excited to be making this planning application for the largest LDA project to date that will showcase our ability to make efficient use of public land to help address the country’s housing shortage. We have taken a proactive approach to engage with the local community, politicians and our partners in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. We received extensive and constructive feedback, and I want to thank all who participated in this process which has informed the Masterplan for Dundrum Central. The support and collaboration of the HSE and OPW throughout the design phase has also made a valuable contribution.” The LDA has also recently submitted planning for 345 cost rental and affordable purchase homes in Skerries, Co Dublin.

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NEWS

Dragons at the Docks event aims to raise over €300,000 for Dublin Simon

reland’s biggest property companies are combining as cornerstone sponsors of a dragon boat racing fundraising event to raise over €300,000 for Dublin Simon Community and local charities. Dragons at the Docks returns as a physical event on Thursday 01 September 2022, after two years of virtual events during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since its launch in 2017, the dragon boat race fundraiser has raised over €1m for charity, with almost €700,000 going to Dublin Simon Community. The funds raised have helped to purchase 23 homes, allowing 26 adults and eight children to move out of homelessness and into permanent housing. Funds raised in 2022 could provide enough money to support the acquisition of around 10 new homes. Dublin Simon Community uses an innovative funding model whereby every €25,000 provides enough capital to secure the acquisition of a one-bedroom apartment. Anchor sponsors have more than doubled since 2017, with the following 14 companies now involved: Activate Capital, Avestus, Ballymore Group, BCP, Cairn Homes, Dalata, Glenveagh Properties, Henderson Park, Hibernia REIT, Hines, Ires Reit, Kennedy Wilson, Lioncor, and Quintain. Speaking about the event, Sam McGuinness CEO of Dublin Simon Community said: “The Dragons at the Docks event organisers and participants have shown great enthusiasm and support over the years to help us acquire badly needed homes for people experiencing homelessness. The ambitious new fundraising goal will give even more people the chance to rebuild their lives and move out of homelessness into safe and secure homes.” Kevin Nowlan, CEO, Hibernia REIT, said: “We are delighted to be able to hold the event properly this year after two years impacted by Covid. Interest in participating is bigger than ever and this year we’re raising our fundraising goal to €300,000, almost double what we raised when the event started in 2017. We encourage companies to get involved and enter a team for a great day of competition in the

(L to r) Peter McKenna, Head of Development, Kennedy Wilson Europe; Kevin Nowlan, CEO, Hibernia REIT; (2nd row ) Sam McGuinness, CEO, Dublin Simon Community; Michael Stanley, CEO of Cairn Homes; (3rd row): Charles Coyle, VP Acquisitions & Development, IRES REIT; ClaireAnn Minogue, Senior Asset Manager, Hammerson. water and on the shore.” Boats will launch from Capital Dock, Dublin. A team will comprise 11 competitors (10 rowers and a drummer), and each team member will receive a race pack, team t-shirt and entry to after race BBQ and entertainment. More information can be found at www.dragonsatthedocks.ie/

Updated Code of Practice for Tendering published

he Liaison Committee for the Construction Industry has announced the publication of the new Code of Practice for Tendering. This text is a revision to the previously published 2006 and 2018 editions and includes significant additions and detailed explanations of key subject areas, updates for legislative amendments and a more comprehensive set of appendices, which will help guide those involved in the construction industry through the tendering process for private works in Ireland. The Liaison Committee for the Construction Industry was established by agreement between the constituent bodies: Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI); Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI); Construction Industry Federation (CIF); Association of Consulting

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Engineers of Ireland (ACEI); and Engineers Ireland. Hardcopies of the Code of Practice for Tendering are now available in the RIAI bookshop, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, for €30. A digital version of the Code will also be made freely available on the Liaison Committee website www.liaisoncommittee.ie, or scan the QR code

Revised Code of Practice for Tendering

NEWS

Sisk/Lagan JV appointed to Dublin Airport €325m framework

aa has selected Sisk/Lagan Joint Venture (JV) to undertake its Dublin Airport Airside and Landside Civil Engineering Lot 1 Framework worth over €325m. This fully integrated JV between respective engineering firms, John Sisk & Son and Lagan Aviation & Infrastructure Ltd, will utilise Sisk’s position as the leading building and civil engineering contractor in Ireland and Lagan’s position as a leader in worldwide aviation and airport infrastructure development. The Airside and Landside Lot 1 Framework is part of daa’s Capital Investment Programme 2020+ for Dublin Airport (CIP 2020+), which is designed to deliver continued growth over the medium term in line with Irish government policy. This framework comprises civil engineering and infrastructure projects to upgrade the pavement, drainage and electrical systems at Dublin Airport’s boarding gate piers, aircraft stands, terminals, aprons, taxiways and the general airfield campus, in line with daa’s CIP 2020+. Commenting on the selection, Ultan McCloskey, Director of Infrastructure, daa, said that Dublin Airport plays a vital role in connecting Ireland with the world, and daa has an ongoing requirement to invest in its infrastructure to achieve that mission. “We are looking forward to working in partnership with leaders in building and civil engineering that have the people, processes and best practice to support our existing in-house teams,” Ultan McCloskey said. “Working with Sisk/Lagan Joint Venture (JV) to undertake our airside and landside civil engineering works will ensure we collectively deliver the capital investment programme required across Dublin Airport.”

Dublin Airport. Paul Brown, CEO, John Sisk & Son, commented: “Sisk/Lagan JV is delighted to be selected by daa to complete the Airside and Landside Lot 1 Framework at Dublin Airport. Sisk has a proud history of delivering first-class civil engineering projects in Ireland. We look forward to beginning our new working relationship with daa, Lagan and local communities to create a positive legacy at Dublin Airport.” Steve Turner, Managing Director, Lagan Aviation & Infrastructure Ltd, commented: “Sisk Lagan JV looks forward to working with daa and the stakeholders to deliver the Airside and Landside Lot 1 Framework. Lagan has a long track record of delivering infrastructure projects in airports, and we look forward to working with Sisk on this framework.”

State architect to chair Towards NetZero Ireland Awards judging panel

owards NetZero Ireland is a new national construction awards programme devised to encourage and reward those in the industry striving to establish new coordinates for sustainable design in Ireland. The awards will recognise the leadership of owners, developers, designers and managers of buildings who demonstrate significant progress along the

path towards net-zero energy and carbon neutrality. Derek Moroney, Manager, NetZero Awards, explains the objective of the awards: “The European Union seeks to be carbon neutral by 2050. What we need now is to move from aspiration to action, to insightful design, appropriate technology, knowledge sharing, data analysis and imagination. These new awards will help drive this critical objective.” State architect Ciaran O’Conner will chair the panel of awards assessors, which will also include Michael Curran, Chair, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Ireland; and Mona Duff, Senior Manager, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).

• • • •

Retrofit of a building Design practice Net-zero champion Innovation.

The inaugural Towards NetZero Ireland Awards will feature 10 categories • Commercial building • Public building • Industrial building • Apartment development • Housing development • Civil and structural engineering project

To learn more about the Towards NetZero Ireland Awards, visit www. netzeroawards.ie or scan the QR code.

The awards will be presented at a showcase event in the RDS on Friday, 16 September next. The awards will spotlight buildings that do more with less and respect the environment with good design, land use, landscape design and environmental enhancement. Buildings completed on the island of Ireland up to the end of 2021 are eligible to enter. Irish Construction News is delighted to be the media partner of the Towards NetZero Ireland Awards.

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RESI9 Pictured L-r: - Ciaran Byrne, SEAI Director National Retrofit; Niall Fay, Director, Grant; Barry Gorman, National Renewables Sales Manager, Grant; and Mona Duff, Senior Manager of the International WELL Building Institute.

HVO biofuel Grant Vortex wins best renewable energy product at the SEAI Energy Show Grant’s HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex condensing boiler has been awarded ‘Best Renewable Energy Product’ at the SEAI Energy Show 2022.

enowned for highly efficient, innovative heating technologies and commitment to reducing carbon emissions, this award is the leading home heating solutions company’s first major recognition for its HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex boiler. The product was developed following an investment of over €250,000 in R&D, which aimed to help existing rural and hard to heat homes reduce carbon emissions and helping to prevent homeowners from incurring the high cost and subsequent disruption to daily life of deep retrofitting. Grant was also recognised for its innovation in The Irish Times Innovation Awards 2021, where the same product was a finalist in the sustainability category. A trusted brand for home heating for over 40 years, Grant continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable and innovative product development. Founder Stephen Grant said: “We are delighted that our HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex boiler received Best Renewable Energy Product of the Show at the SEAI Energy Awards. Our breakthrough in the research and development of HVO-ready condensing boilers has led the way for us to transform largely into a renewable heating company, and we continue to lead the industry in designing and manufacturing heating technologies that offer a low carbon and sustainable home heating solution for

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homeowners throughout Ireland going forward into the future.” Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is an advanced renewable diesel biofuel derived from 100% renewable waste fats and vegetable oil. While it is a relatively new fuel to Ireland, in Europe and the UK, it is used for Marine and Public Transport and to power generators. HVO, currently available in the UK and Ireland, is manufactured from 100% renewable and sustainable wastederived raw materials and certified via the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) scheme. Stephen continues, “Over 1 million liquid-fueled homes on the island of Ireland could be decarbonised by installing an HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex boiler, especially those who are off the grid and that have poor thermal efficiency. The cost of updating an existing boiler would be approximately €500 when matching and changing to a new biofuel burner, however, this could be substantially less if the boiler is already biofuel compatible.” Niall Fay, director of Grant, said, “Using 100% HVO for heating will help meet Irelands carbon emissions target and result in circa 87% immediate carbon reduction and using this or a percentage blend of HVO with kerosene, will enable rural and hard to heat Irish homes to transition to a renewable green alternative from 100% kerosene at an affordable cost and minimum disruption

to their home lives. In terms of renewable heating, using 100% HVO could provide a more sustainable way to heat existing homes than a heat pump.” Grant is a member of OFTEC, the trade association for the liquid fuel heating sector and David Blevings, their Ireland manager, said, “This is a very positive step and reinforces our belief that biofuels have a key role to play in reducing emissions in the home heat sector. We have continually advised Government that the introduction of biofuel as a replacement for kerosene is a viable option and should be part of Ireland’s future energy mix. Replacing kerosene with HVO is a seamless transition for existing liquid fuel users and a simple option for Government to reduce carbon emissions in the off-grid sector. If all the c.700 thousand oil-fired homes moved to HVO tomorrow, the annual carbon emissions from the liquid fuel sector would drop from c.3.7 million tonnes to 488 thousand tonnes pa; those substantial savings are available today, not in ten years.” Grant’s portfolio of heating technologies currently includes HVO biofuel compatible condensing boilers, air to water, air-source heat pumps, condensing wood pellet boilers, solar thermal panels, underfloor heating, hot water cylinders and aluminium radiators. For more information, visit www.grant.eu

Build warmth with Grant Our complete integrated heating packages provide everything needed to build a highly efficient, warm and comfortable home. Tailored to suit the homeowners’ requirements, each Grant heating package is correctly sized and specified, free of charge, to achieve compliance, maximise efficiencies and provide long-term savings. Packages feature the Grant Aerona3 air to water, air source heat pump, Grant hot water cylinders, Grant Afinia aluminium radiators and the Grant Uflex underfloor heating system. Smart controls are also available.

Trust Grant on the journey to warmth and comfort by sending house plans to

heatpump@grantengineering.ie irish construction news 11 April/May 2022

NEWS

2022 ACEI Engineering Excellence Awards shortlist announced

Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Scheme by Nicholas O’Dwyer.

•

he ACEI has announced its Association of Consultant Engineers Ireland Engineering Excellence Awards 2022 shortlist. The awards are spread over nine categories • Civil • Structural • Mechanical & Electrical- Small • Mechanical & Electrical – Large • Environmental Sustainability – Built Environment • Environmental Sustainability -Natural Environment • Project Management • Innovation • Overseas

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY – BUILT ENVIRONMENT AWARD SHORTLIST • • •

• •

CIVIL AWARD SHORTLIST • • •

35 Shelbourne Road by Garland. Image courtesy of MediaPro

Mott MacDonald: Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme Roughan O’Donovan & Arup: A6 Randalstown to Castledawson ECI Dual Carriageway TJ O’Connor & JB Barry (with Royal Haskoning DHV): Ringsend WWTP Capacity Upgrade Contract Nicholas O’Dwyer: Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Scheme

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Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers: Guinness Enterprise Store GDCL Consulting Engineers: WuXi Biologics O’Connor Sutton Cronin: ProjectFitzwilliam Mott MacDonald: Central Quad Building, TU Dublin, Grangegorman Garland: 35 Shelbourne Road Cronin & Sutton Consulting: Spencer Place South

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL – SMALL AWARD SHORTLIST •

Varming Consulting Engineers: Donegal

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TOBIN Consulting Engineers: Irish Water Leakage Reduction Programme PUNCH Consulting Engineers: National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) Facility

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AWARD SHORTLIST • •

Nicholas O’Dwyer: Vartry Water Supply Scheme TJ O’Connor & JB Barry (with Royal Haskoning DHV): Ringsend WWTP Capacity Upgrade Contract

INNOVATION AWARD SHORTLIST •

STRUCTURAL AWARD SHORTLIST •

O’Connor Sutton Cronin (M&E): 2 Cumberland Place RPS: Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA): Ancillary Infrastructure Homan O’Brien: 70 St Stephen’s Green

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY – NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AWARD SHORTLIST

An overall Project of the Year will be chosen from the individual category winners. •

Homan O’Brien: 70 St Stephen’s Green

Focus Ireland offices by Ethos Engineering.

•

Town Garda Station Refurbishment and Extension Ethos Engineering: Focus Ireland

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL – LARGE AWARD SHORTLIST • • •

Varming Consulting Engineers: Charlestown Development 2 Mott MacDonald: Central Quad Building, TU Dublin, Grangegorman O’Connor Sutton Cronin (M&E): The Sorting Office Cardiff Lane

• •

TOBIN Consulting Engineers: NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome Mott MacDonald: Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme RPS: Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA): Ancillary Infrastructure

OVERSEAS AWARD SHORTLIST • •

Nicholas O’Dwyer: Monrovia Raw Water Pipeline Project RPS: Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA): Ancillary Infrastructure

The award winners will be announced at the ACEI Awards Dinner on Friday, 02 September 2022 in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin 2.

A P P O I N T MNEENWT S

Sisk makes two senior appointments

ohn Sisk & Son (Sisk) has announced the appointment of Mark McGreevy to the new role of chief commercial officer (CCO) for Sisk. Commenting on this appointment Paul Brown, CEO, Sisk, said: “This is a vital role, given our rapidly changing marketplace and the broader reach of our activities internationally. It will span the whole business, driving consistency, best practice, quality of earnings and the commercial strategy across all of our divisions in Ireland, the UK and Europe.” Mark McGreevy has been with Sisk for over 26 years. He has held a number of senior positions that have been focused on delivering the best commercial outcomes for Sisk and driving the successful delivery of strategy. Commenting on his new role, Mark McGreevy said: “I am thrilled to take on this more expansive role and to play a leadership role in support of Paul, the Sisk board and the wider team, to ensure we deliver the quality of earnings needed to be

Mark McGreevy, Chief Commercial Officer, Sisk. a sustainable business and to grow in key service areas.” Ajaz Shafi has been appointed chief operating officer (COO) of Sisk’s UK operations. This follows the appointment of previous COO Paul Brown to the chief executive officer position late last year.

Ajaz Shafi, Chief Operating Officer, Sisk (UK). Commenting, Paul Brown, CEO, said: “I am delighted to announce that Ajaz will take over the leadership of our business in the UK. I congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to continuing to work with him and his team as we grow our business in the UK in key regions and sectors.”

Leo Lynch announces the appointment of new managing director

eo Lynch, one of Ireland’s leading process-mechanical construction contractors, has announced the appointment of Philip Smith as its new managing director with effect from 01 January 2022. Philip Smith takes over the role from Sean Smith (no relation). Sean welcomed the appointment, saying: “Leo Lynch is delighted to have Philip as our new managing director, and I am fully confident that his experience, capability and energy will be put to excellent use in growing the company over the coming years while also continuing Leo Lynch’s great track record of delivering safe, high-quality projects for our clients.” Philip Smith joined Leo Lynch in 2016, bringing with him construction management and supervision experience on large-scale projects in key global markets. With Leo Lynch, he has acted as project director on a variety of projects in the microelectronics, biopharma, food and beverage, and healthcare & energy sectors. He has a strong track record in leadership, delivering projects whilst managing quality, safety, financial, stakeholder and timeframe requirements. Commenting on his appointment, Philip Smith said, “I am delighted to have the honour of leading Leo Lynch in what

Sean Smith, outgoing Managing Director, Leo Lynch, and Philip Smith, Managing Director, Leo Lynch. promises to be a very exciting time for both our company and our industry. I greatly appreciate the strong support of the Leo Lynch board, management, my

colleagues and, of course, our loyal clients. Furthermore, I look forward to building on the legacies of both Sean Smith and that of our founder Leo Lynch.”

irish construction news 13 April/May 2022

APPOINTMENTS

BAM appoints executive director to Irish operation

he executive board of Royal BAM Group NV has appointed Alasdair Henderson as executive director of BAM Contractors Ltd, effective immediately. Alasdair Henderson, a chartered civil engineer, has spent 26 years in Royal BAM Group in a variety of operational and business leadership roles, including divisional director of BAM Ritchies, people and culture director at BAM Nuttall, and most recently global director of HR business partnering in the civil engineering business line. It was announced recently that Theo Cullinane will retire as chief executive of the BAM business in Ireland in June. Ruud Joosten, CEO, Royal BAM Group, commented: “In Alasdair, we have appointed someone who has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the construction industry over many years. Not only is he someone who wants to get close to the people, but he has the operational understanding, which I know will help us continue to grow our business in Ireland, working closely with his colleagues in the rest of our UK and Ireland division.” Alasdair Henderson, Executive Director, BAM Contractors Ltd, said: “I am delighted to be taking on the leadership of BAM Ireland as we continue the social and economic recovery from two difficult

Alasdair Henderson, Executive Director, BAM Contractors Ltd years of Covid-19. With our highly skilled employees, modern methods of digital construction and dedicated supply chain partners, the business will play a major role in creating the low carbon, built environment that Ireland needs to support economic growth, highquality employment and national prosperity. I’m greatly looking forward to working with our clients and stakeholders in the public and private sectors to achieve these aims in a safe, collaborative and sustainable way.”

Elliott Group appoints new regional director for Munster

Will Leahy, Regional Director for Munster, Elliott Group

lliott Group has announced the appointment of Will Leahy as regional director for Munster. A native of east Cork, Will Leahy has deep roots in the region. With over 23 years of tier-1 main contractor experience, he is now responsible for construction operations and new contracting opportunities in the

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Munster region for Elliott. Beginning his career as a site engineer in 1999, Leahy has successfully progressed within the industry and, in doing so, has gained valuable experience and a deep understanding of the complex responsibilities encountered whilst delivering construction projects. He has managed large construction teams, multidisciplinary design teams, and numerous contractors in the past two decades, delivering successful projects for clients across all spectrums of the industry. He has also handled a diverse range of contract types, both civil and building. Throughout his career, Leahy has also worked with public bodies/ stakeholders, such as councils, school boards

of management, Irish Water, etc, and he managed complex and high-value PPP and design and build projects. Darragh Elliott, Managing Director, Elliott Group, commented: “Will’s experience and knowledge of the industry bring great strength to this pivotal role in the south of Ireland,” Darragh Elliott said. “Will has an impressive track record of success in the industry, and on behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome him to Elliott Group. We look forward to substantial growth in the region under his leadership.” Speaking about his appointment, Will Leahy commented: “I am delighted to have taken on the role of regional director of Munster. It is a region I am both very familiar with and very passionate about, and I am looking forward to leading the progress of Elliott Group in this province.”

APPOINTMENTS

John Paul Construction appoints Mike McLoughlin as Associate Director – Health, Safety and Sustainability

he board of John Paul Construction has announced the appointment of Mike McLoughlin to its senior leadership team as Associate Director – Health, Safety and Sustainability. McLoughlin is a long-standing member of the John Paul Construction team, having joined as a graduate engineer in 1997. He worked in engineering and project management roles before taking on the role of health and safety manager in 2010. He has been instrumental in championing the company’s safety culture and putting in place many of the processes, procedures and certifications that are used daily across the company as part of its safety management system. In recent times, he has been at the forefront in setting John Paul Construction’s sustainability agenda and putting in place the policies and processes to support this critical objective across its entire business. Commenting on Mike McLoughlin’s appointment, Liam Kenny, Managing Director, John Paul Construction, said: “In elevating Mike to the position of associate director, we acknowledge his contribution to the health, safety and sustainability function and reinforce their fundamental importance to the business as we develop and expand. We wish Mike continued success.”

Liam Kenny, Managing Director, and Mike McLoughlin, Associate Director – Health, John Paul Construction

Ambisense appoints Simon Jones as head of air quality control

mbisense, an IoT and AI analytics business focused on monitoring environmental risks, has recently appointed Simon Jones as its head of air quality control, bringing a vast wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the scaling Irish business. Jones had previously held the role of commercial director for Aereco UK and Ireland. Before joining Ambisense, he worked in building services and the built environment for nearly two decades and has been a voice for better standards and approaches in the industry. He is currently one of Ireland’s representatives and board members for Annex 5, the Air, Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC) part of the IEA. He is on the advisory board for the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB) and the expert group on ventilation, advising the Irish government during the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking about his new role, Simon Jones said: “I deeply care about the sector and have seen first-hand the transformative effect good air quality and indoor environments have on people’s health and wellbeing. I firmly believe that for the first time, we are moving into a new era where buildings

Simon Jones, Head of Air Quality Control, Ambisense.

are starting to talk to us. We now have an opportunity to listen and act.” Ambisense’s mission since being founded by CEO Stephen McNulty in 2014 has been to build the worldʼs leading system of intelligence, to automate, analyse and accelerate environmental risk assessment for a safer and more sustainable world. Speaking about Simon Jones’s appointment, Stephen McNulty commented: “The environmental monitoring market is going through a period of exponential growth, driven by a focus on reducing climate and pollution risk and a focus on ESG reporting. Over the past eight years, we’ve built out a suite of technology and data analytics solutions across a number of verticals, including infrastructure and construction, water, waste and, of course, air quality. Simon’s appointment allows us to double-down on our ambitious plans for this market in the years ahead.” Ambisense builds environmentally intelligent solutions that blend disparate and contextual data sources to support a data-driven, quantitative approach to critical decision-making that drives a greater understanding of the impact of operational processes on people and the planet.

irish construction news 15 April/May 2022

M A I N F E AT U R E

Embedding world-class practices across the Irish construction industry BARRY MCCALL explains how the Build Digital Project aims to change Irish construction as we know it and speaks with Robert Moore, Build Digital Project Lead, about the ambitious five-year programme of work that lies ahead.

here is widespread agreement that the ambitions set by the government’s Project Ireland 2040 and Housing for All will not be achieved without fundamental changes on the part of all stakeholders in the construction industry, particularly in relation to digitalisation and the adoption of a more industrialised approach. The Construction Sector Group’s Innovation and Digital Adoption subgroup was established in September 2020 to deliver on the seven priority actions detailed in the Construction Sector Group Building Innovation Report and arising from the KPMG/ Future Analytics/ TU Dublin Economic analysis of productivity in the Irish construction sector from 2019. The seventh of those actions was the funding of a Build Digital Project by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Build Digital Project's aim is to ensure that world-class digital practices, which already exist in certain elements of the construction sector, are adopted throughout the industry and supply chain to create a more sustainable and innovative sector from top to bottom and vice versa The project will achieve this goal by providing guidance and leadership on the digital tools, standards, approaches, and education and training

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required by the sector.

BUILD DIGITAL PROJECT

Last November, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, announced that a consortium led by TU Dublin with CitA (Construction IT Alliance) as co-applicant, and partners Atlantic Technological University, Munster Technological University, University College Dublin, and South East Technological University had been awarded €2.5m in funding over a five-year period to establish and deliver the Build Digital Project.

BUILD DIGITAL ACTIONS

According to Build Digital Project Lead Robert Moore, the project will involve a comprehensive range of actions, including: • Establishing an Irish Build Digital Leadership Forum to coordinate and lead the sector in digital adoption • Delivering the Irish Build Digital Exchange Hub, an open, accessible online space for resource, learning and knowledge sharing across the sector; • Undertaking an annual national survey to monitor progress, impact, developments in respect of digital

•

• • •

adoption and sectoral transformation; Engaging widely across the sector and partnering globally to provide access for Irish organisations to international best practice for adoption and adaptation; Identifying, monitoring, and publishing information on living lab projects of different scales, types, and locations, in collaboration with public and private sector clients; Developing an Irish Information Management (BIM / Digital Construction) Framework to support industry in the adoption and utilisation of ISO standards and associated guidance; Improving the quality, consistency, and availability of education and training supports for digital adoption; Developing supports for sustainable digital procurement and product identification standards adoption; and Benchmarking progress under Build Digital against international comparators.

THE FIVE PILLARS OF BUILD DIGITAL

These actions will be delivered through a programme of work spanning five pillars

M A I N F E AT U R E DIGITAL EDUCATION & TRAINING PILLAR

At the formal launch of the Build Digital Project at TU Dublin, Grangegorman, L to r: Suzanne Purcell, Build Digital Project PMO Lead. Pat Lucey, Steering Group Chair & Industry Lead; Robert Moore, Build Digital Project Lead; and Dr Avril Behan, Build Digital Project Director. of interconnected activities. Each pillar is populated with industry experts, early adopters, and challengers who, as the 'voice-of-customer', will work with full-time innovators and academic leaders to adapt international and national best practice and to develop novel solutions to transform Irish construction. The pillars will, in effect, act as specialist industry and stakeholder forums. Supports in the form of tool kits, guidance, exemplars, and templates will be produced by each pillar, with full interoperability and cognisance of the needs of all stakeholders, particularly SMEs, clients, and suppliers. These supports will be distributed and made available openly through the Irish Build Digital Exchange Hub. The five pillars are Digital Leadership & Cultural Change; Digital Standards; Digital Education and Training; Digital Procurement; and Sustainability and Climate Action.

DIGITAL LEADERSHIP & CULTURAL CHANGE PILLAR

Industry members of the leadership and cultural change pillar will play a key role in driving the culture change required to achieve digital transformation in support of innovative, effective, and sustainable evolution in mindset and practice within the sector. Working collaboratively with a team of industry experts and innovators, members of this pillar will be the voice-of-customer for stakeholders, including public and private clients, consultants, contractors, SMEs, and professional bodies. A central enabler for culture change will be the creation of a single source of expertise where productivity, energy performance, sustainability, decarbonisation, the circular economy, procurement, standards adoption, and BIM co-exist and are actively promoted, supported, and enabled, including through the provision of appropriate training and education.

DIGITAL STANDARDS PILLAR

Digital standards provide a common language that can be translated to technical

“Digital might be in the title, but it’s really about getting people to work together. People solve problems, people drive change, people help people, and people will deliver the Build Digital Project." Robert Moore, Build Digital Project Lead specifications enabling clients, designers, contractors, and facilities managers, irrespective of their preferred tools, to communicate efficiently and reduce cost, rework, and disputes. This pillar will be populated by leaders in standards adoption who will work with the innovation team to deliver guidance, showcase best practice, and assist organisations - irrespective of scale or role within the construction supply chain to excel. The pillar, working closely with the digital procurement and education and training pillars,will develop and deliver to the sector an Irish Information Management (BIM/ Digital Construction) Framework.

Education and training are key to the digital transformation of the Irish construction sector. Clients, managers, professionals, and workers need to have relevant knowledge and abilities to collectively advance the design, construction, and lifecycle management of the built environment. Industry members in this pillar will represent the key stakeholder groups of both consumers and producers of training and education provision. The outputs of the pillar will include a comprehensive suite of upskilling courses, aligned with the other pillars of activity of the Build Digital Project, available for high-quality, consistent delivery across the country, including with the support of a wide range of professional bodies, representative groups, and public and private educational organisations. Education programmes at third level will also be further developed to attract new talent to a more innovative sector with exciting career options.

DIGITAL PROCUREMENT PILLAR

The industry members of the Digital Procurement Pillar bring national and international expertise on best practice in sustainable digital procurement and digital product supply chain practices to the forefront of the Build Digital Project. The innovators within this pillar will closely monitor the project’s living labs. Industry members’ input into the development of adaptations of best practice into guidelines and exemplars via in-depth case studies and lessons learned analyses will be essential. This pillar aims to develop supports that will make it easier for SMEs across the entire construction supply chain to learn how to adapt to more agile, digitally enabled, sustainable procurement practices. Additional supports for guiding this transformation will be provided to SME leadership teams by the Digital Leadership & Cultural Change Pillar, with other enablers being provided as guides, toolkits, and training materials by the other pillars.

SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE ACTION PILLAR

This pillar will address the excessive patterns of consumption typical within many current construction practices. These patterns have been facilitated by the traditional linear extract-produce consume-dispose resource flow model of the modern economic system. There is now a unique opportunity to move towards a more circular economy and built environment sector – one that prioritises designing out waste and that views products, components and assets as valuable resources, which should retain utility for as long as possible. Industry members in this pillar will be passionate about and leaders in

irish construction news 17 April/May 2022

M A I N F E AT U R E

Delegates attending the Build Digital Project launch. transforming mindsets and actions to achieve a more sustainable, responsible sector. The Sustainability & Climate Action Pillar will develop, pilot, and continuously improve a number of toolkits for use by SMEs and clients, both for adoption by their businesses directly and in support of their supply chains. A toolkit for use by educators and trainers, including in-house trainers, will also be developed. Industry members will play a critical role in ensuring the fitness-forpurpose of all developed tools.

BUILD DIGITAL LAUNCH AND LEADERSHIP FORUM PLENARY

Digital Build Project Lead Robert Moore says that pillar co-chairs will lead and coordinate project work collectively and with the support of an industry steering group, chaired by industry stalworth, Pat Lucey. “The Build Digital Project is now formally up and running following its official launch in April,” explains Robert Moore. “We were awarded the grant for the project late last year and have been working since to develop our project plan in alignment with key stakeholders from the CSG's Innovation and Digital Adoption subgroup and with other actors across the industry. We have also focused on engaging and recruiting the right people across a range of project roles. “We are very excited about our forthcoming plenary with our full industry forum in early May. This marks a significant milestone for the project as it will be the first occasion when project participants will have the opportunity to work collectively towards achieving the project’s aim.”

IRISH BUILD DIGITAL EXCHANGE HUB AND LIVING LABS Important parallel work has been ongoing in various areas since the awarding of the project. “The Irish Build Digital Exchange Hub is one of the key deliverables,” Moore notes. “This will be a two-way, online portal to

18 irish construction news April/May 2022

collate, adapt, improve, and disseminate toolkits, guidance, and good practices across the industry. We will also employ living labs and run events across the country throughout the year to demonstrate the hub and its content.” The living labs concept is exciting as it will involve industry members testing adapted best practice and solutions from various sources on live public and private sector projects. “We want to go out to the industry to collate good practices on real projects that add value,” Moore continues. “We will standardise and improve, where necessary, these practices so that they can be tested in our living labs before open release. If it adds value to the project, we then know we have valid content for the hub. We will also bring best-in-class practice from abroad and customise it for the Irish market. Looking ahead, Robert Moore says a number of key actions are planned for later in the year. “We will be launching the hub in the third quarter of the year. Initially, we will be directing people to reusable or adapted international content. Later, we will populate the hub with Irish content that has been tested in a living lab. Year-on-year, we will be expanding the hub to deliver new content developed across the five activity pillars. We will also expand the hub’s capabilities for receiving inputs from industry and as an enabler of cross-sectoral collaboration. We intend to host our first annual interactive and workshop-focused conference before the end of the year.” In the meantime, the Build Digital Project will be holding a series of events and workshops around the country with the aim of both building support towards achieving the project objectives and of advancing the work being carried out under the five pillars. “The first annual survey will also be carried out this year,” Moore adds. “This will go beyond merely monitoring and assessing progress towards project goals. We will ask

the same questions year-on-year to identify change and where positive progress is being made. The impacts of our tools and guidance will also be assessed. Additionally, the survey will amplify the voice-of-industry within the project by helping with the identification of the hot topics and the pain points of interest to industry. This will all help guide our work.” Robert Moore is keen to emphasise the central importance of people to the project. “Our focus is people-centric,” he says. “Digital might be in the title, but it’s really about getting people to work together. People solve problems, people drive change, people help people, and people will deliver the Build Digital Project. We need to work with and listen to people if we are to succeed in our objectives.” Robert Moore encourages construction firms and anyone with an interest in the sector to get involved in the project by engaging with activities such as the survey and workshop, as the host of a living lab, and by subscribing through the website to receive project updates. “Seed funding for the project has been provided by the government grant but additional financial support from industry is required to enable us to deliver more quickly and to reach more stakeholders. By participating, stakeholders can help co-create tools to improve their businesses and have a much greater influence on policy,” he concludes. To learn more about Build Digital, visit www.builddigitalproject.ie or scan the QR code to view gallery and launch event video.

BUILD DIGITAL TEAM Steering Group Chair & Industry Lead: Pat Lucey Project Director: Dr Avril Behan Project Lead: Robert Moore PMO Lead: Suzanne Purcell

FIVE PILLAR CO-CHAIRS Digital Leadership & Cultural Change Pillar: Ted McKenna, Dr Róisín Murphy Digital Standards Pillar: David Bourke, Dr Barry McAuley Digital Education & Training Pillar: Dr Joe Harrington, Dr Ken Thomas Digital Procurement Pillar: Dr Claire Eriksson, Dr Alan Hore, Dr Ciaran McNally Sustainability & Climate Action Pillar: Dr Mark Kelly, Dr James O’Donnell, Dr Derek Sinnott

Solicitors specialising in: Construction Law The Build Environment Dispute Resolution Corporate Training & Seminars Contract Reviews and Drafting

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Henry Hathaway Solicitors is a niche law firm that is tailored and designed to cater specifically to the construction industry. Henry Hathaway qualified originally as a Civil & Structural Engineer and has previously spent twelve years in the construction industry representing both Contractors and Engineering Clients. He is a practising solicitor in both Ireland and England and Wales. He acts for clients in relation to disputes and litigation as well as regularly advising on dispute avoidance and alternative dispute resolution. He also acts on non-contentious matters on smalland large-scale construction projects using his

extensive knowledge of the industry both in Ireland and the UK. Henry Hathaway Solicitors provides bespoke training and development progammes for construction companies, which cover areas of contract formation and interpretation, claims in loss expense, and interim and final account disputes. These programmes are suitable for companies that require advice on the compiling of claims, that have payment disputes and to support those who require legal assistance in the process of administering their contracts.

irish construction news 19 April/May 2022

INTERVIEW

Murphy Ireland has installed solar panels on office and container roofs.

Everyone wants to save the planet, but most people don’t want to pay for it Civil Engineering Contractors Association president John G Murphy speaks with BARRY MCCALL about some of the fundamental changes needed to the public procurement process for the industry to become more sustainable.

n what might be seen as an echo of St Augustine’s famous prayer, successive governments have effectively been saying, ‘Lord make us sustainable, but at zero cost.’ This applies especially to public procurement, where scant attention has been paid to sustainability criteria over the years. This failure, according to John G Murphy, President, Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and Managing Director, Murphy Ireland, is hampering the industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact.

THE COST OF SUSTAINABILITY

“The majority of our sector’s work makes the world around us more sustainable and connected through the upgrading and improving of infrastructure,” John G Murphy starts. “But we cannot escape the fact that the construction process and the materials used throughout contribute heavily to carbon emissions. An awful lot of work has been done by individual companies to shift towards more sustainable and environmentally-friendly work practices, but, unfortunately, this tends to come at a cost.” Initial cost tends to be the problem. “It is not cheap,” he points out. “I am

20 irish construction news April/May 2022

John G Murphy, President, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, and Managing Director, Murphy Ireland. not saying it is more costly in the long run, but there are upfront and short-term costs involved.” He believes a shift in the approach to risk is required. “It’s like Russian roulette but with three bullets in the chamber of the six-gun, not

one..; people would say you’re nuts to take that risk. But lots of those same people still smoke, and one in two smokers will die of a disease related to the habit. That’s a 50:50 chance. People’s perception of risk is interesting. It’s the same with climate change. We know what’s going to happen if we don’t take action, but people still make excuses for putting it off. But the world seems to be waking up to it.” Unfortunately, that growing recognition of the problem hasn’t been reflected in public works contracts. “The average margin in construction is now below 3%,” he notes. “And that has to cover all risk too. That just doesn’t make any sense. Fixed price contracts don’t cope with change and are not designed to. All risk is passed on to the contractor.”

CONTRACT CHANGES

Of course, exceptional circumstances can require extraordinary measures, Murphy points out. “During Covid, the government had to step in and issue a directive to clients to keep the industry alive by paying for the increased costs created by the pandemic.” But that was very much a once-off measure.

INTERVIEW

Murphy Ireland has introduced electric vehicles into its fleet. Steel fabricator Anthony O’Shea, who is one of a number of employees that have completed a beekeeping course, tends a hive at Murphy Ireland’s headquarters in Kildare.

“Force majeure has been watered down to the point where it no longer deals with inflation due to war or pandemics,” he says. “And no contractor is going to build in the potential risk of a pandemic or a war in Europe when they are tendering for a job. That would make their bid completely uncompetitive in comparison to others. “That leaves the sector in a nearimpossible situation when it comes to climate action,” he continues. “Contractors simply can’t afford to spend money on the environment or other sustainability measures. The market is just too competitive. There are things you can do, of course. When it’s a 50:50 choice, and everything else is equal, we will always take the environmentally superior option at Murphy. We invest millions each year in plant, for example. When buying a car, you look at the fuel consumption and the emissions. You might not care about the planet, but you are concerned about running costs and the motor tax bill. We found that by weighing those things up, we cut our fuel bills dramatically. In this instance, the eco option saves money. We have also put solar

panels on office and container roofs and installed wild-flower meadows where we operate long-term facilities. There is a lot of stuff we can do in the industry. We need to innovate to be more eco-friendly and then take ownership of it. We need to be more aware of it and not do stupid stuff like using polystyrene to form openings in formwork when other more sustainable materials will do.”

REDUCING SECTOR EMISSIONS

Carbon offsets certainly aren’t part of the answer though, Murphy argues. “If companies in the sector were to say they are going to reduce their emissions to zero in the next 10 years, they would go bankrupt if they tried to do it by purchasing offsets. That’s not saving the planet either. It’s just moving the emissions around. “The best place to start is with the metrics,” he points out. “The first thing we have to do is measure our emissions. You see a lot of claims about reductions without the companies knowing what their emissions were in the first place. You really can’t manage what you haven’t measured.”

The next steps come down to making the right choices in areas like plant where electrification offers scope for quite dramatic emissions reductions. However, that is reliant both on having the electricity infrastructure to deliver the power to where it is needed and on having the renewables capacity on the system. “The ability of the power system to meet rising demand is a problem,” says Murphy. “There are planning issues that need to be resolved there. They’ve been talking about the North-South Interconnector for the past 15 years, and it’s still not there. And despite Arklow being the biggest offshore windfarm in the world when it was constructed, very little has happened since then. The rest of the world has sped past us in offshore wind generation. Embarrassingly we keep hearing about our great potential.

BENEFIT IN KIND FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

He laments the changes made in Budget 2022 to the benefit in kind (BIK) tax treatment of electric vehicles that will see the phasing out of the 0% BIK rate on electric vehicles over the next four years. As things stand, the zero rate applies to cars with an original market value (OMV) of less than €50,000. For cars worth more than that, the tax is levied at the 30% rate on the balance. From 2023, the €50,000 threshold reduces to €35,000, and a new rate of 22.5% is levied on the balance above that. The threshold falls to zero in 2026. “That’s a real problem,” says Murphy. “Companies make decisions on fleet purchase years in advance. All of a sudden, the rules have changed. Electric vehicles are more expensive than internal combustion engine cars as things stand. The BIK advantage partly offsets that. But if they are now going to be more expensive still, that may make companies change their buying intentions. “Does the government want to help save the planet or not? I think they are being a bit shortsighted here. I could understand it if they kept the BIK on the more expensive cars or increased it in some way. “Indeed, when the higher costs of EV purchase are added to the increased tax, this can amount to a penalty for doing the right thing.”

MATERIALS INFLATION

The government’s approach to inflation in public sector contracts is another problem. “They brought out an advisory note which stated that if inflation is more than 15% on materials, they will pay compensation for the amount over and above that. That isn’t much help when something like the war in Ukraine has driven up costs by an average of 6% for an industry operating on margins of less than 3%. If you are doing a project with a

irish construction news 21 April/May 2022

INTERVIEW must change if the industry is to meet the sustainability challenge. “The problem is that companies are more worried about staying in business than saving the planet. They need to be profitable, but they also need to innovate to be more eco-friendly.”

EMBED SUSTAINABILITY INTO CONTRACTS

Murphy VW eco-welfare vans.

Murphy has low-fuel consumption Komatsu PC210 excavators as part of its fleet. lot of timber, steel, or plasterboard, that will come to multiples of 6%. Labour costs will be less than that, of course, but with general inflation increasing, the cost of labour will come under more pressure also.” He believes that this will compromise the industry’s ability to deliver on the National Development Plan. “It takes so long to award contracts; you’ve already had a year of inflation, pushing up costs before you start. It isn’t only large infrastructure projects that will be affected. Areas like affordable housing will be hit as well. It will get to the point where contractors can’t afford to build the houses. It’s going to slow up private sector housing development as well. Builders won’t be able to sell ever more expensive houses when houses are already too expensive.”

PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS FLEXIBILITY

He believes the way to deal with this issue is by having more flexibility built into public works contracts similar to the private sector arrangements. “If you look at it from the client side, they are trying to push their projects through and get them included in budgets,” he explains. “That means they will tend to lowball their price estimates, which means the budget

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for the project is too low to begin with. And there is a great fear of cost overruns, and public sector clients tend to be fixated on delivery within budget. Trying to achieve that through fixed price inflexible contracts is destroying the industry. “If you said to businesses in any other sector like agriculture that they would have to accept fixed prices for the next two years or more, you wouldn’t get very far,” he continues. “It seems that construction is always treated as the enemy. But the industry delivers real value to the taxpayer. It employs 150,000 citizens and is very much an export industry now. It is an industry that is very much worth saving.” Changes to design, build and operate (DBO) contracts have also had an impact. “These used to be 25 years in duration, and that meant the contractor looked to supply equipment and materials that weren’t necessarily the cheapest but delivered the best whole-life value for the client. This is the more sustainable option. We are now seeing some clients reducing the duration of these contracts to just one year, and that will see contractors going for the cheapest rather than the best or most environmentally efficient option.” The approach to public procurement and the nature of public works contracts

There is a simple solution that could assist the industry in becoming more sustainable at the same time as supporting it in the delivery of the National Development Plan whilst making a significant contribution to meeting the government’s Climate Action Plan targets. “If the client was to step in and require certain sustainability criteria to be met at the pre-qualification stage, this might increase the cost of the project, but it will make sustainability happen. For example, if there were energy efficiency specifications for materials in the contract, that would shift the balance from cost to environment. Shift the balance from short-term to long-term. There would be no competitive advantage available to contractors or clients who found a lower cost but less energy-efficient product. The competitive nature of tendering without incentivisation will always gravitate to the lowest cost option.” Those types of actions will eventually have impacts across the value chain. “Four to five years ago, we said we need to start thinking seriously about the environment and how we impact it and more importantly about what we can do about it,” he points out. “That led to us buying excavators with half the fuel consumption of the previous models. If more companies do that, it will force manufacturers to start thinking about what they are producing. It will be a bit like the US in the 1970s when the oil shocks hit. Japanese fuel-efficient cars cornered the market because the American alternatives became too expensive to run. It is no surprise today that the biggest electric vehicle manufacturer in the world is from the US. But that never would have happened without the oil crisis. But we shouldn’t wait for something like that. At Murphy, we have doubled our EV fleet every year and installed charging points at offices and sites, even in employees’ homes. We are investing more in electric plant, installing solar panels on our sites, investing in eco-welfare units and cabins, and trying to understand and lessen our impact on the environment more fully. The investment may never pay for itself, but it is still the right thing to do. We now need our government and clients to take the next step and start introducing environmental requirements into award evaluations, so the price/quality evaluation of tenders starts to include the environment,” John G Murphy concludes.

INTERVIEW

ACEI members driving changes in Irish construction Brian Kavanagh, President, ACEI, speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about how consulting engineers are leading construction in the move to net-zero and why consultants not already members should engage with the association to learn what it can do for them.

rian Kavanagh, Chairman and Director of consulting engineers Garland, was recently elected President of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI). A chartered engineer and registered professional consulting engineer, Kavanagh qualified from UCD in 1987. One of a class of 52, he was also one of 48 who emigrated due to the recession of the time. After moving to the UK, his first job was at Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing Plant. “This was on a two-year £42m project,” he says. “Considering the British Nuclear Fuel Ltd was spending £1m a day on construction projects at the plant then, it was a small project by comparison, but a very exciting one for someone just out of college.” He later got to work on, amongst other projects, high-rise building developments in the City of London. He returned to Ireland and joined Garland in 1997, where he has been ever since. “At Garland, my early area of expertise was healthcare. I was the resident engineer on Tallaght Hospital and have worked on James’s Hospital, Crumlin Hospital, and Coombe Hospital.” He adds that he also worked for the Irish Prison Services, joking that he is in the unique position of having been in every prison in Ireland, but purely on a professional basis. Brian Kavanagh’s involvement with the ACEI began in the early 2000s. He later was elected a member of its executive board and has chaired various committees within the association over the years.

BUILDING CONTROL (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS

In more recent years, Brian Kavanagh was an advocate for the introduction of Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BC(A)R) and was to the fore when negotiations on BC(A)R implementation were taking place. “I have a keen interest in structures and regulation generally,” he comments. “I am also the convenor of the ACEI Building Control Regulations Committee. The association saw BC(A)R as a very positive move for the sector. Anything that improves

Brian Kavanagh, President, ACEI. building standards is a force for good, and BC(A)R has made a huge difference in how the industry works. It has also set up a position whereby the sector can more easily adapt when new measures are introduced.” Kavanagh’s expertise on BC(A)R led to him taking on the role of Assigned Certifier. “At this stage, approximately 50% of my time is spent as Assigned Certifier on projects rather than as a civil and structural engineer. I also engage more with the client as an assigned certifier than I would as an engineer. This is worrying, as it suggests clients’ perception of the importance of engineers to any project differs from the reality.”

BRIDGING THE GAP

Before taking up the role of ACEI president, Brian Kavanagh spent a year as vice-president, a senior officer role on the executive board. During this time, a key focus of the board was on the ACEI’s “Bridging the Gap” initiative. The final commissioned report examined the value and contribution that consulting engineers provide to construction and the wider built

environment on behalf of communities and how consulting engineers can better present and promote that contribution. “There is a consensus among members that in recent years the role of the consulting engineer on projects has been somewhat devalued by certain clients and indeed society. However, the consulting engineer’s role on projects has not changed. We play a pivotal role in ensuring a successful outcome on projects and continue to be the client’s trusted advisor. “Clean water has saved more lives than all medical advances together, and consulting engineers worldwide are responsible for the delivery of clean water. There’s nothing that we do in our daily lives that an engineer has not touched, whether it be the houses and offices we live and work in, our cars and the roads we drive on, or the delivery of electricity and heating energy required for everyday life. All have been made possible by the ingenuity and skill of engineers.”

PLEDGE TO NET ZERO

Brian Kavanagh is proud that ACEI was the first Irish professional body in the country’s

irish construction news 23 April/May 2022

INTERVIEW project on a fixed cost basis two or three years ago and the project is coming onstream now, they cannot afford to take on the work on the basis of the tender price because of hyperinflation. It has got to the point where engineers may have to walk away from projects.”

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

35 Shelbourne Road, a Garland project that achieved LEED v4 Gold Standard, and was awarded Green Project of the Year at this year’s Irish Construction Industry Awards. Image courtesy of MediaPro. built environment sector to sign up to the Pledge to Net Zero. “We are encouraging all our members to sign up to the Pledge, and I am delighted that Garland was in the first tranche of consulting engineers to do so. “The Pledge means that we are committing to become carbon neutral by 2030. While it is an aspiration, it is definitely possible. Consulting engineers, by their very nature, have been at the forefront of sustainability for decades. It’s just the name that has changed.” He cites a Garland project example where a small specification change resulted in a substantial carbon footprint reduction. “We switched from a reinforced concrete slab to a thinner pre-stressed concrete slab on one project. By doing this, the project had an impressive carbon emissions reduction, equivalent to a family car being driven around the world constantly for 57 years.” Another Garland project, 35 Shelbourne Road, which achieved LEED v4 Gold Standard, was recently awarded Green Project of the Year at the Irish Construction Industry Awards.

SECTOR CHALLENGES

The ACEI president says that overcoming barriers is nothing new for the engineering sector, but despite the construction industry

By switching from a reinforced concrete slab to a thinner pre-stressed concrete slab on one project, Garland achieved a carbon emissions reduction equivalent to a family car being driven around the world constantly for 57 years.

24 irish construction news April/May 2022

having a healthy pipeline of work in the coming decade, there are firms currently facing an existential crisis. “The overall construction sector has come through a torrid time over the past 15 years. We have gone from an industry with €38bn of projects per annum to €8bn, with 270,000 people having left the industry at one stage. Young people were also choosing other sectors in which to build careers. From an engineering perspective, there were about 350 civil engineering graduates per annum 15 years ago. That figure dropped to 35 graduates at the lowest point of the recession. “We need to get the numbers back up within our area of the sector. But the way public contracts are structured means that engineers accept a huge risk every time they take on public works. This makes it difficult for many firms to recruit and train newly qualified graduates. We need to be able to pay engineers adequately for their expertise, but the industry has been forced into an untenable position where tender prices are being driven down while costs rise.” Brian Kavanagh explains that before 2007, the average fee of a consulting engineer on a typical school project was in the order of 2.2 to 2.3% of the overall costs. During the recession, this dropped to 0.7%, and that is now around 1.8 to 2%. “If an engineer tendered for a public

“ACEI has held a series of stakeholder engagement meetings to address the challenges consulting engineers and clients face. We met with 15 stakeholder organisations in 2021, including government departments and semi-state bodies. We are now saying to them that we have reached a stage where if given the choice of two projects, one a public project with onerous conditions and that is slow to get to site, and the other, a commercial contract that can move quickly to site, engineers are choosing the latter. This decision is clearly due to the level of risk attached to the public project. It should also be noted that any delay on a project at the moment has enormous consequences for the entire supply chain.”

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE

Brian Kavanagh notes there are signs that professional indemnity insurance (PII) premiums are currently stabilising. “But I’m not sure whether we have enough evidence of that yet,” he comments, “we will see as the year progresses. Insurance premiums are based on the level of claims in a market, so when reviewing a market, insurance companies consider whether they have earned more premiums than they have paid. Unfortunately, engineering can be seen as an easy touch for some clients. We have the situation where if you are 1% to 2% liable on a project, then you can get landed with 100% of the cost of the claim. That has certainly happened in some circumstances, particularly when architects or contractors have gone out of business in the recession.” Through its stakeholder engagement process, ACEI has met several times with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to discuss the issue of PII, with some success. Brian Kavanagh says that there is more work to be done, but progress has been made. “The new OGP guidance on PII published in February is a step in the right direction. However, it remains to be seen if this works. “When public bodies tender work, they don’t always follow the OGP guidance. ACEI has been writing to client bodies to let them know it is there, but the Government also needs to engage to ensure their bodies follow the guidance.” He notes horrendous situations for some consulting engineers. “We’ve had reports of over 150% increases in premiums. I know one example of a consultant whose premium went from

INTERVIEW €10,000 to €100,000 for a drop in cover from €6.5m to €1.3m. That’s clearly unsustainable. “We are also seeing a level of attrition in contractors. Roadbridge is the biggest closure so far, but other contractors and engineers are coming under increasing pressure because of the unprecedented global issues and hyperinflation of the past few years.”

SUPPLY ISSUES

While the pandemic reshaped the way the construction industry works, before that Brexit had created a number of high barriers to be overcome. “It is six years since the UK voted to leave the EU, and Brexit is still a major thorn in the side of the Irish construction industry,” Brian Kavanagh comments. “We had challenges within the supply chain, initially because of Brexit, then Covid-19. There were also several other factors that played into this. The entire global supply chain has been disrupted. Many products traditionally used in Irish construction are sourced in the UK. Also, in general, British manufacturers have been slow to get their products EU certified. For some, the Irish market is a small part of their order book, and they may not sell into mainland Europe.” Getting goods from Europe and the UK onto the island of Ireland remains a challenge as well. “With the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the spiralling cost of oil will have a further profound impact on the cost of materials and transport.”

HOUSING FOR ALL

Brian Kavanagh points out that ‘Housing for All’ envisages a housing output of 33,000 units per annum over the next 10 years. “The Ukrainian refugee crisis will probably add a requirement for another 33,000 housing units onto that in the next year or so. The only way to go from the current 20,000 housing units to 33,000 or, dare I say, 66,000 units is by employing a multi-pronged approach. “One area that needs urgent action is the planning process. This, thankfully, looks like it will be addressed in the coming year, but we also need to look very hard at integrating modern methods of construction (MMC) into our operations and have assurances about the consistency and quality of products. “Offsite is being hailed as the only route to mass development of homes, but offsite construction has challenges with ensuring and maintaining quality control. Let’s not forget the Western Building System’s schools debacle. Offsite needs standards that can be systematically monitored and maintained. “The entire building sector is moving to a digital platform along with the integration of BIM and collaboration websites. This

Brian Kavanagh presents the ACEI Past-President’s pin to outgoing president, David McHugh. will drive productivity and quality, and consulting engineers are at the forefront, leading changes in these areas. “The future initiatives of the recently launched ‘Build Digital Project’ will also be a significant benefit to the industry. “Returning to a point I made earlier, many of the changes happening in the construction sector are being driven, and will continue to be driven, by the public sector and through stakeholder engagement. But for Housing for All and the National Development Plan to work, public sector clients need to make the space attractive and viable for consulting engineers. Otherwise, these plans will not be delivered.”

IN CONCLUSION

Brian Kavanagh says that during his term as ACEI president, he intends to focus on implementing the recommendations in the Bridging the Gap report; building further member support for Pledge to Net Zero; engaging with industry stakeholders to address challenges; and expanding ACEI membership. “Bridging the Gap has provided priority actions that we as an association plan to implement. Some of these will result in structural changes for the association, looking at our executive board and its constituent members. We will also be reviewing membership opportunities and

requirements for consulting engineers, as well as considering revisions to our code of conduct. “I will also be pushing engagement around Pledge to Net Zero and getting more consulting engineers to register for the Pledge and commit to setting out their programmes. “We will continue with stakeholder engagement meetings to find improvements that can be made in the sector. While we want to talk to stakeholders, we also want to listen to them and do what we can to address their concerns. “Finally, I want to meet with as many individual members as possible to discuss how they can become more involved in ACEI, as well as learn more about what we can do to help them. “We are an association with 102 member firms, representing about 4,500 employees. I want to see that number grow by 20%. Over the next year, I will be looking to recruit consulting engineers who are not already members and demonstrating that by joining ACEI, they will be better placed to overcome current difficulties and find new growth opportunities. By working together, consulting engineers will become stronger and be better positioned to help the construction and wider built environment sectors address the challenges that lie ahead,” Brian Kavanagh concludes.

irish construction news 25 April/May 2022

INTERVIEW

Sisk got involved in restoring 50 acres of peat bog on the Lackaduff Raised Bog Restoration Project in Co Mayo.

Sisk on target to be a carbon-neutral business without offsets by 2030 Wayne Metcalfe, Director for Health, Safety, Sustainability & Quality, John Sisk & Son, tells BARRY MCCALL that Sisk staff are driving change as the company makes rapid progress in its push to be Ireland’s first carbon-neutral without offsets contractor.

ohn Sisk & Son has set the ambitious target of becoming a carbon-neutral business by 2030. That’s a taller order than it might sound at first because it excludes the use of carbon offsets (carbon credits that organisations can buy on the market to offset their emissions). Sisk already achieved carbon neutral status - with offsets - in 2021. The challenge now is to eliminate the need for offsets over the next eight years.

SISK 2030 SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP

This is just one of the 21 ambitious targets Sisk set for itself in its 2030 Sustainability Roadmap - Building Today, Caring for Tomorrow, launched in 2020. The company is soon to publish its first Sustainability Report providing an update on these targets, covering 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The report is being prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. GRI is an independent, international organisation and the global standard-setter for sustainability impact reporting. Sisk’s sustainability commitments go far beyond climate action and emissions reductions.

26 irish construction news April/May 2022

“We are fully engaged in delivering on our commitments and in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” says Wayne Metcalfe, Director for Health, Safety, Sustainability & Quality, John Sisk & Son. “The SDGs are central to our ambition. They inform our actions and delivery and underpin our focus on the three pillars of sustainable development - environment, social and economical.”

ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS

Also, in 2020, Sisk signed up to the Irish Green Building Council’s (IGBC) Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) commitment. The EPD programme focuses on securing the commitment of businesses in the construction sector to support and enable Ireland to decarbonise fully. EPDs are a standardised way of providing data about the environmental impacts of a product through its life cycle. “The starting point is getting people thinking about the carbon consequence of the products and materials we put into the built environment,” says Metcalfe. “Once they understand that, they can start to think about addressing it. EPDs offer a structured way of understanding carbon consequence. They enable you to compare like with like by indicating the carbon consequence in tonnes or similar

INTERVIEW of the product.” He gives an example of how this can work in practice. “If there are three specification compliant materials, it is a way to make the right informed choice for the environment,” he says. Those choices are affecting the market. “We are seeing the supply chain responding with more and more products coming to market with EPDs,” he says. “The number is increasing year on year as more people make more informed decisions. Manufacturers and distributors are starting to think about product ranges. Sisk looks at EPDs to make more informed decisions. For Sisk, price and specification used to be the main drivers; carbon consequence didn’t really come in for consideration. But that has changed now.”

#BUILDINGLIFE CAMPAIGN

Wayne Metcalfe, Director for Health, Safety, Sustainability & Quality, John Sisk & Son.

For Sisk, price and specification used to be the main drivers; carbon consequence didn’t really come in for consideration. But that has changed now.”

But this all goes beyond products. The IGBC has launched the #BuildingLife campaign to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment across its whole life cycle. “We are seeing much greater thought being put into decisions by developers and asset owners around the carbon impact of buildings over their full life cycle,” Metcalfe explains. “They can use EPDs for this and make life cycle assessment much simpler. Without them, it’s a more complex analysis. We are definitely seeing people make more climate-conscious decisions in relation to the products they buy, the places they live, and the organisations they work for.” As part of #BuildingLife the IGBC has brought together representatives from across the sector to act as ambassadors and produce a science-based and industry-backed national decarbonisation roadmap for the built environment, and Wayne Metcalfe is one of those ambassadors. “BuildingLife Ambassadors is a great programme,” comments Metcalfe. “It’s a collective of people who have come together to make a real difference.”

NET-ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2030

Progress on Sisk’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 is going well, according to Metcalfe. “It’s a roadmap with a number of sequential milestones to get to net zero. We are really pleased to have reached the first one. In 2021, we became a carbon-neutral company with offsets. Now we are reducing the requirement for offsets by cutting the amount of carbon we produce. We are doing this by focusing on carbon and factoring it into all our decisions. We are also using data to much greater effect

Sisk plans to plant 1.7 million native woodland trees across Ireland, the UK and Europe by its 170th anniversary in 2029.

irish construction news 27 April/May 2022

INTERVIEW and taking progressive action to support sustainability, with Sisk operations conforming to the ISO 14001: Environmental Management System standard for over a decade. “When we started out with ISO14001, we were principally focused on environmental compliance. This has now evolved into a much broader approach to the environment, and we now have the Sisk Sustainability Management System, which goes a lot further than compliance. It covers a whole range of things from compliance at one end of the spectrum through to social value and delivering for communities in which we work at the other.”

SISK STAFF COMMITMENT

Sisk recently became the first construction and engineering firm in Ireland to invest in a JCB electric telehandler. to make further improvements. It won’t happen by accident. It will require relentless focus, leadership, and drive.” The plan is to reduce offsets to zero by 2030. “We will gradually reduce our dependency on offsets,” he adds. “We will look at every opportunity to sequester carbon. That will contribute in its own way to balancing the equation. We will do it in a sensible staged process. We want to make sure we are where we want to be by 2030.” Energy consumption is high on the agenda. “We are on a bit of a journey with energy. We are identifying opportunities to reduce energy-related emissions through enhanced consumption and efficiency monitoring,” Metcalfe explains. “We want to gain a more forensic understanding of where we are wasting energy. You often hear about zero waste to landfill. We want to do the equivalent with our energy usage and drive out all energy waste.” The data collected through metering and monitoring has thrown up some interesting results. “We found that a significant proportion of our energy consumption occurs when we are not actually building anything,” he notes. “We were using quite a lot at night and so on. When we got over the shock of that we started using the expertise of our mechanical and electrical engineers to address the issue. Our people love a challenge.”

ON-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY

The company is also working to bring renewable energy generation to its sites. “We are looking at wind and solar. Wind is a bit more complex. But we have cabins with big flat roofs on sites, and all of them offer big opportunities for solar. Within a year, we will be pushing out solar capability to all of our cabin stock. Solar PV has improved so much in the past few years, and these cabins will make a significant contribution to electrical needs on sites. We can use battery storage to balance demand as well. We have two batteries on trial at the moment. We also have a trial up and running looking at how we could use the cabin solar arrays to top up an EV battery that in turn could power site vehicles or equipment. However, there is a little bit of work to do on that. But within a year, we will have cabins available straight off the shelf for every site. This is all being driven by our teams, not by management. We have marvellous teams here in Ireland and overseas who enjoy responding to challenges like this.”

SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The management approach is also important. “Our dedication to sustainable operations is embedded in everything we do,” says Wayne Metcalfe. “Across our operations, we have led from the front in embracing continuous improvement

28 irish construction news April/May 2022

He emphasises the contribution of Sisk employees to that achievement. “Management sets out the challenge and the overall vision of going about our business in the most responsible way we can. We communicate that to the team, and they get on with making it happen. We give them ideas at times, but more often it is they who are coming up with the ideas that make a difference.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION WORKS

Its social and environmental commitment has seen Sisk get involved in restoring 50 acres of peat bog in Co Mayo. This is a partnership with Green Restoration Ireland (GRI) and a local farmer, which saw rewetting work on the bog at Lackaduff commence in November 2021. “This is a perfect example of what started as a conversation among a few of us on what we could do to make a difference,” Metcalfe recalls. “We started talking about peat and the sequestration capacity and acreage of bogs that have been dried out and no longer used. One of the team went away and came back with the idea of doing something about it at Lackaduff. It is making an immediate difference to the community through improved habitats, wetlands and so on. “The volunteering aspect is important as well. Our people have really enjoyed being part of this. It will take a number of years for the carbon effects to be felt, but it’s been a real win-win for all concerned. We are very proud of this project. It shows how our involvement can make a difference to a real-life problem.” Another significant environmental contribution comes from Sisk’s plan to plant 1.7 million native woodland trees across Ireland, the UK and Europe by its 170th anniversary in 2029. “In 2021, we planted over 110,000 native trees - alder, oak, and birch, in Ireland, and over 1,000 native species were planted in Sweden. We will continue planting in Ireland, and we will plant another 10,000 trees in Sweden this year. The positive approach at the highest level of government in Ireland to support tree-planting programmes makes it easy for organisations like Sisk to get involved. “Sisk received its 2021 CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) rating and achieved a B result, improving from a B- in 2020 and 2019. “When we drew up our roadmap, we knew it had to be credible and stand up to external scrutiny. It’s really, really important for us not to be accused of greenwashing, so we looked for international standards and decided to align with the CDP. We want to get to an A rating, and the next step for us is to move from B to A. We have a specific action plan to help us on that journey. The CDP process is very rigorous. It forces participants to be conscious of what they are doing all the time. It’s about being on a continuous improvement journey. If you stand still, you will ultimately go backwards.”

INDUSTRY CHALLENGE

Wayne Metcalfe concludes by calling on others in the industry to join in the decarbonisation journey. “I have been so impressed with the way the industry in Ireland responded to Covid-19. If we can respond to the climate crisis in the same way, the industry here can play a lead role globally. And, we can achieve this if we work together.”

irish construction news M A G A Z I N E

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S O C I A L

In the Next issue of Irish Construction News – “The Top Contractors” issue •

Ireland’s Top 60 Contractors

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Who are Ireland’s leading building contractors?

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Who are Ireland’s leading M&E engineering contractors?

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Who are Ireland’s leading exporters of building services?

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CASE STUDY

Off-site solutions facilitate rapid progress on Bray apartment scheme Townmore Construction’s decision to go the off-site route for many elements in its Southern Cross Road apartment scheme in Bray, as well as the early purchase of building materials, has insulated it to some degree against cost inflation and materials and labour shortages.

he Southern Cross Road apartment scheme on the outskirts of Bray, Co Wicklow, is the third phase of the fourphase Southern Cross Central development by Lioncor Developments. Designed by BKD Architects, this phase is being constructed by Townmore Construction.

SOUTHERN CROSS ROAD APARTMENTS

The Southern Cross Road apartments project comprises 160 residential units over four five-storey blocks, each approximately 15 metres in height. When completed, each block will contain 40 residential units Two of the blocks have a semi-subterranean basement area for parking. These two blocks are built on an in-situ reinforced concrete transfer slab above the carpark area, with the other two blocks being built off grade.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION

When brought on board in 2020, Townmore proposed including as many off-site elements as possible to facilitate fast and efficient delivery, reduce the number of workers required on site, and more easily achieve the airtightness and insulation required. At the pre-construction stage, Townmore also launched an initiative inviting local suppliers and subcontractors to get involved in the scheme’s delivery. The local recruitment initiative sought crane drivers, general operatives, groundworks, masons, concrete subcontractors, roofers, scaffolding companies, plasterers, partitioning contractors and suppliers for all critical materials needed. Project manager Eddie Connolly explains the contractor’s approach to the project in the pre-construction phase. “Before we came on board, the client had already explored the issue of bathroom pods, and they suggested we take this route. Rather than use a suggested Italian manufacturer, we sourced the units from Tipperary-based LMC Group, with whom we had an established relationship. “We also changed the original design specification from an insitu concrete frame to a precast concrete frame, as well as sourcing precast floor slabs and walls from another Irish supplier, O’Reilly Concrete. The precast elements include 215mm thick precast concrete wall panels and 200mm pre-stressed, pre-cambered hollowcore precast concrete floor slabs. Connolly continues: “All of this has helped with the speed of construction, particularly with the Covid shutdown between January and March in 2021 and the increased challenge of getting workers.”

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

“When we started on site in October 2020, the industry and how sites operate had radically changed with the introduction of the new CIF C19 Pandemic Standard Operating Procedure as well as additional measures we had introduced for our sites,” Eddie Connolly continues. “Our goal was to keep the numbers on site at any one time to a

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Artist’s impression of Southern Cross Road apartment scheme. minimum. By recruiting and procuring locally, in so far as we could, we were supporting the local community while reducing the carbon footprint of the development. By using precast structural elements and bathroom pods, we reduced on-site labour requirements, and we were able to move the project along quickly.” After the second industry shutdown in January 2021, when the site reopened in April, Townmore made rapid progress due to the decision to bring as much as possible of the project off-site. “Once we got the superstructure in place, because we were using precast floors and walls, we could turn a floor around in three weeks, instead of four or five weeks. We also had less labour onsite, which reduced on-site health and safety risks. For example, the risk involved in setting up formwork and working at heights was reduced significantly.”

CHALLENGES

Despite the reduced numbers on site, finding workers was the biggest challenge for the project. “One of the critical issues has been labour. This is obviously an industry-wide problem. When we first looked at this job, we were projecting a labour force requirement at peak of about 200 people. But we are managing to get the job done with a labour force of

PROJECT TEAM Architect: Burke-Kennedy Doyle Architects, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: PMEP Consulting Ltd, Structural Engineer: Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers, Health & Safety (PSCA): DCON Safety Consultants Limited, Fire Safety Engineer: Michael Slattery & Associates Landscaping: Kevin Fitzpatrick Landscape.

TOWNMORE PROJECT TEAM Project Manager: Eddie Connolly Key Townmore project personnel: Sean Reynolds, Paul McIntyre, Kevin Stanley, Jamie Riordan, Conor Brogan, Ciara Kennedy.

CASE STUDY

Aerial view of Southern Cross Road apartment scheme.

Aerial view showing full Southern Cross development. around 100 most days and everyone chipping in to move the project on. “We have had a reliable and solid core team from the start of this project, which has been hugely beneficial. For instance, as well as myself, the two site managers, and the quantity surveying team have remained the same throughout. “This core team has been essential for the smooth progression of the project. One of the reasons projects can easily go awry or get delayed is bedding in new people in the middle of the project, as they don’t have in-built knowledge of the job.”

BIM

The architect and design team developed BIM (level 4) models for the project. Eddie Connolly explains that BIM has facilitated smooth progress on the project, with the client and all team members working from the same framework. “The real benefit of the BIM Level 4 model for this project is that when completed, the client and end-user will receive a comprehensive digital model instead of a mass of manuals and documents, which they can use to maintain the building throughout its lifetime.

PROJECT COSTS

Materials cost inflation has impacted every project in the country since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Townmore’s scheme at Southern Cross Road was no different. Eddie Connolly explains that although the project was on a fixed cost basis, Townmore was able to reduce its risk by purchasing key materials early. “It was clear at the start of the project that there was going to be considerable price inflation. Our approach to addressing this was to try and get items such as steel, reinforced steel, and bricks bought in early and stored away until they were needed. By doing this, we were able to manage key project costs from an early stage. We also secured materials that have since been in short supply. “While we still have to manage costs, purchase and warehouse many materials early until they were needed, this has to be proven the right decision.

SUSTAINABILITY

Each apartment in the development is heated by ground-source heat pumps, and there is no gas supply in the building. The use of prefabricated walls and floors made it easier to achieve the required airtightness and insulation levels in each apartment. Sourcing prefabricated elements in Ireland also meant waste was kept to a minimum, and the carbon footprint of the scheme has been reduced. The scheme will include extensive planting of native species to the podium level, courtyard and shared spaces, as well as ‘living’ green

Southern Cross Road apartment scheme precast walls being assembled. walls to the perimeter of the car park. Eddie Connolly says that Townmore looks to recruit as much labour as possible locally on its projects. “This means that our developments contribute more to the communities in which they are located, and we are working to reduce the number of vehicles on the national road network.”

TOWNMORE CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENTS

Townmore is a long-established and highly regarded construction company with offices in Dublin, Cork, Tullamore and London. Having delivered many high-end projects across Ireland and the UK, Townmore has a strong reputation in the marketplace as a leader in the delivery of quality projects across numerous sectors in a safe, efficient and ethical manner. Townmore has embraced off-site construction and BIM as crucial elements of its projects. “We currently have around 1,000 residential units in planning or about to start,” comments Eddie Connolly. “In every one of these units, we will be installing bathroom pods, and precast concrete elements are being planned for over 50% of the schemes. We have also started to use plantroom pods on some jobs with great success. Our next step will be prefabricating entire rooms, which are an ideal solution for projects such as hotels or developments containing smaller apartments.” Eddie Connolly adds that the Irish off-site sector is producing a top-quality product. “Having worked across Europe and the UK, I believe Irish offsite products are as good as anything I have seen anywhere else. Townmore enjoys a good relationship with several key Irish off-site companies, and we look forward to working with these and new suppliers on our projects in the coming years,” he concludes.

irish construction news 33 April/May 2022

34 irish construction news April/May 2022

S E C TO R F O C U S

Does your company comply with the latest green public procurement requirements? LIZ CARROLL, Network Manager, Construction Professionals Skillnet, writes if Ireland is to meet its current EU commitments over the 2021-2030 period, it needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2% per annum.

ccording to the 2018 Global Status Report by Global Alliance for Buildings Construction, “Buildings construction and operations accounted for 36% of global final energy use and 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2017. Buildings and the construction sector, therefore, have the largest shares of energy and emissions, even when excluding construction-related energy use for transport associated with moving building materials to construction sites.” As such, the construction industry has a critical role to play in supporting the delivery of infrastructure and built environment that help address climate change. Similarly, government spend constitutes between 10% and 12% of Ireland’s gross domestic product (GDP). There is, therefore, an opportunity and a responsibility in government procurement to ensure that resource-efficient, less-polluting goods, services and works are purchased. To this end, all procurement using public funds will need to include green criteria by 2023.

GREEN PROCUREMENT TRAINING

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) partnered with the Construction Professionals Skillnet and Davy Horizons to develop a Green Procurement training programme, which, in tandem with CIF’s Guide to Supporting Green Construction, will work to support a sustainable construction industry. These initiatives strongly support government policy, align with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recently published Green Procurement Criteria and detail the practical steps members can take to deliver sustainable construction. “The continued emergence of green public procurement is expected to have an increasing impact on the construction sector, particularly around the contractor’s ability to demonstrate that they can meet the environmental standards specified by their clients,” according to Paul Sheridan, Director of Main Contracting, CIF. The one day course brings participants through the steps that their company needs to take to be able to comply with green procurement requirements. It also gets people to work through the life cycle cost of a project so they can see the application of what they are learning.

part of the estimating, purchasing and tendering process.

Liz Carroll, Network Manager, Construction Professionals Skillnet.

FIVE STEPS TO STRENGTHEN PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES

There are five steps for SME companies to take that will help strengthen procurement strategies already in place. 1. Update policies, management plans and risk assessments to incorporate new legislative changes 2. Measure baseline environmental performance data. This is a starting point for setting sustainability key performance indicators(KPIs) 3. Set wider sustainability KPIs for waste, water, biodiversity, diversity and inclusion, volunteering, social interactions and community development 4. Incorporate sustainable procurement requirements into existing processes 5. Carry out life-cycle costing assessments. This includes the whole life-cycle cost of items, including purchase price, use and maintenance, decommissioning and disposal. This should be included as

There are an additional five steps that will help create ambitious targets for larger contractors and align with current best practice: 1. Develop a sustainable procurement team 2. Prevent waste and promote re-use where possible 3. Create a sustainability section on the company website 4. Develop ambitious carbon-reduction KPIs and build them into the broader sustainability strategy 5. Set science-based targets and target A on CPD for climate change, water and forests. This is now seen as the gold standard for companies looking at corporate climate action strategies. The next Green Procurement Training course will take place on 16 June. Due to its practical nature, there is a maximum of 20 places on the course. The main objective of the course is to enable companies to be ready to respond to public tenders incorporating green procurement criteria. Areas covered in the programme are: • What is green procurement • Who is required to implement green public procurement (GPP) • The types of evidence you will need to provide in the public tendering process • The 10 steps your company needs to take to prepare for GPP • How to do a life-cycle cost analysis • How to set up a resource-efficient construction site • How to incorporate GPP into your existing policies and procedures. To book or for further information, contact Liz Carroll at cpskillnet@cif.ie or 087 932 3749.

Ellie Walshe, Senior Sustainability Manager, Davy Horizons; Minister Ossian Smyth; and Paul Sheridan, Director, Main Contracting, CIF; at the launch of the Green Procurement training programme.

irish construction news 35 April/May 2022

S E C TO R F O C U S

Element and Overall Award: Skate Bowl and Plaza at Le Fanu, Ballyfermot, Dublin.

Ballyfermot Skate Bowl and Plaza wins 39th Irish Concrete Society Award Excellence in concrete design and construction was celebrated at this year’s Irish Concrete Society’s Awards.

he Irish Concrete Society’s Awards event has returned after a threeyear absence. The awards recognise excellence in both design and construction in concrete and are adjudicated by a distinguished, independent jury of industry professionals. The main awards jury reviewed a total of 32 projects, nominated in three categories of main awards - Element, Infrastructure and Building. There were also nine projects nominated for the 9th International Award. In addition, the winner of the annual Sean de Courcy Student Award was announced.

Skate Bowl and Plaza project team accepting their award from Prof Roger West (Chair, ICS). (L-r) Robert Barry (Robert Barry Consulting Engineers), Thomas Holden (Roadstone), Prof Roger West, Alan Lowe (Roadstone), Enriqueta LIabres Valls (Relational Urbanism).

ELEMENT CATEGORY AND OVERALL AWARD: –

Skate Bowl and Plaza at Le Fanu, Ballyfermot, Dublin Client: Dublin City Council Project architect: Relational Urbanism Project engineer: Robert Barry Consulting Engineers Project contractor: C&A Build & Civil Major supplier: Roadstone The winner was chosen from a total of 13 element category entries and 32 entries for the overall award. The jury commendation stated: “This community-led project borne out of an international design competition has been carefully designed and executed almost entirely in concrete to provide a fantastic

36 irish construction news April/May 2022

International award winner – Paul Marshall Building, London School of Economics amenity to the youth of Ballyfermot. An extensive public consultation process has

resulted in a park that caters for a range of users of varying abilities, from BMX cyclists

S E C TO R F O C U S

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge project team members accepting their award from Prof Roger West. Back Row (L-r), William Wilson (Roadstone), Eamon Dwane (BAM), Peter Deegan (Banagher Precast Concrete), Adrian Cunningham (BAM), Prof Roger West (Chair of the Society), Geithin Owen (Banagher Precast Concrete), Marcos Sanchez (Arup), Aonghus Ó Dúnlaing (Mott McDonald, accepting on behalf of Client TII), Eamon Stack (Banagher Precast Concrete) Front row seated (L-r) Declan Roche (BAM) and Christy Hannon (BAM).

Infrastructure Category winner – Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, Co Wexford. to scooter users and skateboarders. “The jury was extremely impressed by the smoothness of concrete surface achieved across the three-dimensional skate-BMX plaza, skate bowls and skate transition area, a critical requirement of a skate park brief.”

INTERNATIONAL AWARD

INFRASTRUCTURE CATEGORY AWARD

–

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, Co Wexford Client: Transport Infrastructure Ireland / BAM PPP & Iridium Project engineers: Arup / Carlos Fernandez Casado S.L Project contractor: BAM Ireland in Joint Venture with Dragados Major suppliers: Banagher Precast Concrete / Roadstone

Techrete and Grafton Architects for ‘Paul Marshall Building, London School of Economics’

SEAN DE COURCY STUDENT AWARD

Aaron Lowe (Dublin Technological University): Simulating hydration of cement using PHREEQC

Building Category winner – UCC Student Hub, University College Cork. This annual Sean de Courcy Student Award was given to the best final year project on a concrete-related topic from the engineering faculties of higher education institutes. The winner was Aaron Lowe (Dublin Technological University) for his project, Simulating hydration of cement using PHREEQC.

BUILDING CATEGORY AWARD

– UCC Student Hub Client: University College Cork Project architect: O’Donnell + Tuomey Project engineer: Horgan Lynch Consulting Engineers Project contractor: JJ Rhatigan / DPPS Contracts Major supplier: Kilsaran

UCC Student Hub team representative Keith Goodwin (Kilsaran) accepting their award from Prof Roger West.

irish construction news 37 April/May 2022

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S E C TO R F O C U S

Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate holding first conference and AGM in Dublin Dermot Russell, the first non-UK based president of ICWCI, speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about the re-emergence of the clerk of works as an essential role in construction projects.

he Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI) annual conference, AGM and ‘Building on Quality Awards’ are being held on 14 May in the Castleknock Hotel, Dublin, after being previously postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the first occasion in its 140-year history that the annual conference is being hosted outside of the United Kingdom (UK), which can be very much down to the fact that two years ago, Irishman Dermot Russell became the first non-UK based president of ICWCI. Dermot Russell, a retired lecturer from TU Dublin, played a central role in setting up the Construction Site Management Programme as a post apprenticeship career path at the then Dublin Institute of Technology. He has been an active member of the ICWCI for many years, including in retirement. He says it has played a pivotal role in maintaining high standards and expertise amongst practitioners of one of the oldest roles in construction.

ICWCI HISTORY

He explains: “The institute was originally formed in 1882 as ‘The Clerk of Works Association’, so the institute has been in existence for almost 140 years. The origin of the clerk of works role is believed to come from the 13th century when clerics’, priests and monks, perhaps being considered ‘more learned’ than the regular builders of the day, took on the role of supervising the construction of churches and other religious properties.” He says that by the 19th century, the clerk of works role had extended to most building works where the role was and to a great extent still is, to provide advice and an inspection and reporting process for the design team and the building owner or client, with regard to quality and compliance with design, specification and building regulations. He adds the term chapters, still used today by ICWCI for its membership meeting centres, likely comes from ecclesiastical origins. “In the UK, Ireland and other countries, the clerk of works had a very prominent presence on construction sites up to the late 1960s and early 70s, when partly due to changes in construction contractual forms and other construction project delivery models, demand for the role began to diminish. In more recent times, however, partly due to some notable building failures, there has been a resurgence, particularly since the introduction of the Assigned Certifier requirement under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations. Since the introduction of the assigned certifier role in 2014, most local authorities throughout Ireland have increased recruitment and intake of personnel to undertake clerk of works duties.”

ROLE OF THE CLERK OF WORKS

A clerk of works who is a member of a recognised professional

Dermot Russell, President, Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate. institute, such as the ICWCI, is expected to perform their duties in accordance with the code of conduct and professional ethics of the institute and to develop and maintain professional working relationships with the broader team. “In a nutshell, the role is to advise, inspect and administer with regard to the quality of construction, including quality of materials and standards of workmanship, and compliance with design specification and statutory regulations. “With ongoing changes in building design and construction methodologies, developing technology, use of building information modelling (BIM) and so on, a practising clerk of works/inspector must be capable of keeping up to date with emerging trends, standards and regulations. Membership of a professional institute, such as ICWCI, assists and facilitates this in terms of continuing professional development, which is mandatory for members. This, in turn, provides comfort and reassurance for those who hire or employ a clerk of works.” Dermot Russell adds that today, because the role may be varied and wide, “We might see titles other than clerk of works, being used such as construction inspector, site inspector, quality control inspector and so on.”

ICWCI MEMBERSHIP

The ICWCI currently has approximately 1,600 members, with a network of 20 chapters across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, a chapter in Dublin and Hong Kong. Close links are developed between all chapter members, with networking, and sharing of knowledge and ideas, developing and contributing to improved standards of practice, procedures and competence. For many years the ICWCI Dublin chapter has had close connections with TU Dublin. Many of its members are graduates of the university. Monthly Dublin chapter meetings are held on the Bolton Street campus. Regular CPD activities are organised by the local Dublin chapter, in addition to the requirement for each member to arrange and partake in their individual professional development. Further details can be found at www.icwci.org

irish construction news 39 April/May 2022

Tel: 091 389020 Email:info@coshlaquarries.ie www.coshlaquaries.ie

40 irish construction news April/May 2022

S E C TO R F O C U S Coshla Quarries’ 72-acre limestone quarry in Athenry.

Coshla Quarries’ innovative approach sets it apart as a supplier of limestone products Coshla Quarries offers a broad range of concrete, stone and block products and service and always strives to exceed customers’ requirements.

oshla Quarries Ltd operates a 72-acre limestone quarry located at Cashla, Athenry. This highlyregarded company has been forging an outstanding reputation by consistently delivering quality concrete and stone products since opening for business back in 2007. Under the direction of John Flaherty and John Morris, Coshla Quarries has consistently raised standards, innovated, maintained premium customer service and put an emphasis on excellence when generating specialist solutions for customers. Its team of concrete experts is dedicated to helping customers achieve their desired goals by offering expert advice and value for money.

PROJECTS

The quarry has been heavily involved in the construction of major roads in the west of Ireland since it opened. Project highlights include the N6 Galway-Dublin dual carriageway in 2007 and the M17/M18 GortTuam motorway in 2015. The quarry has also supplied materials to key health projects in Galway, including University College Hospital – where BAM was the main contractor – and more recently to Medtronic and Boston Scientific in Parkmore, Galway.

Involved in both commercial and educational projects, Coshla also has experience in the construction of school campuses, such as Coláiste na Coiribe, Knocknacarra, Presentation College, Athenry, and Coláiste An Chlairín, Athenry. It was also a supplier on the construction of the new Garda headquarters in Renmore, Co Galway, and the Dean Hotel in Bohermore, Galway. The company is currently supplying concrete to Mid Cork Electrical on a wind farm in Moycullen and aggregates, blocks and concrete to Sisk on its Bonham Quay project in Galway.

HEALTH & SAFETY

At Coshla Quarries, safety and wellbeing is the number one priority. In line with the government protocols in relation to Covid-19, Coshla Quarries was quick to implement a suppression policy to ensure all operators, visitors and contractors meet the recommendations advised. Coshla Quarries also implemented social distancing, provision of hand sanitiser, along with contactless payment and designated points for customers, visitors and contractors.

PRODUCTS

Coshla Quarries supplies and manufactures fully certified high-quality concrete and stone products. It operates two concrete batching plants to ensure reliable delivery of all products. Every Coshla Quarries block carries the CE mark and is manufactured onsite by a dedicated team of concrete experts. Using GGBS from Ecocem, Coshla Quarries takes every measure to reduce its carbon footprint while increasing the strength and durability of its products. Always keen to meet the ever-evolving needs of their customers, Coshla can produce

specific concrete mix requirements to suit more niche demands.

CONCRETE

From footpath and pump mix to floor screed, Coshla Quarries offers a wide range of ready-mix concrete to suit the needs of every customer. Equipped with two fully operational batching plants to ensure delivery remains reliable at all times, rest assured that all concrete manufactured at Coshla Quarries comes fully certified and tailored to specified requirements. Coshla Quarries’ range of concrete products includes path mix, pump mix, airentrained, dyed concrete, exposed concrete and floor screed.

BLOCKS

Whether it’s a new build, renovation or refurbishment, Coshla Quarries has the product to suit all needs. Manufacturing low-carbon concrete blocks using 50% GGBS, all building materials from the quarry are environmentally friendly, strong and long-lasting. Block types that Coshla Quarries supplies include 4” blocks, 6” blocks, 4” soap bars, 6” soap bars and stock bricks.

STONE

Coshla Quarries produce a comprehensive range of stone products at its quarry as well as offering block-laying sand and plastering sand. Its stone-product range includes 505, 503, clause 804, 6N, T0, T1, T2, T3, 10mm chips and 20mm chips. For more details or to enquire about specific requirements, contact Coshla Quarries at 091 389020, email: info@coshlaquarries.ie or visit www.coshlaquarries.ie

irish construction news 41 April/May 2022

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For more information visit www.adfil.com 42 irish construction news April/May 2022

S E C TO R F O C U S

Property Industry Ireland announces Ivan Gaine as its new chairperson

roperty Industry Ireland (PII), the Ibec group for businesses working in the property sector, has announced the election of Ivan Gaine, Managing Director, Sherry FitzGerald New Homes, as its new chairperson. Following the announcement, Ivan Gaine said: “I am honoured to take on this role. The property and construction sector are still dealing with an ongoing housing crisis but is now facing new challenges to the supply of new homes and offices with increasing cost of construction and energy, at a time when the sector is committed to becoming more sustainable and environmentally conscious. The additional challenges emerging as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine highlight how a collaborative approach amongst stakeholders towards delivering impactful solutions is now more critical than ever. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the property sector and with the government in delivering the supply that Ireland needs and deserves.” PII thanked David O’Connor, the outgoing PII chair, for his commitment to the role during the challenging Covid-19 crisis and for coordinating PII’s contribution to the government’s key Housing for All strategy.

Ivan Gaine, Chairperson, Property Industry Ireland.

First all-island Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards launched

or the first time in the 36-year history of the Octabuild Builders Merchant Awards, the competition to recognise excellence in the builders merchant trade moves to an all-island stage for 2022. Speaking on behalf of the eight Octabuild members – Dulux, Etex Ireland, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan Insulation, and Wavin Ireland – Octabuild chairman Ray Molyneaux said: “We are delighted to launch in 2022 the first-ever awards to recognise excellence in the builders merchants trade across the island of Ireland. I would encourage builders merchants across the country, large and small, independent and part of a group, to enter and look forward to an exciting competition ahead.” In addition to the coveted Regional and Octabuild Awards, there are five specific category awards to recognise excellence in the areas of Business Management, Customer Service, Sales & Marketing, Community Outreach and Sustainable Business, while a Rising Star Award will recognise upcoming talent in the industry. The independent judging panel for 2022 comprises Liam O’Gorman, a former board member and chair of Octabuild; Joe Harlin, former business development manager,

Launching the 2022 Octabuild Builders Merchant Awards Liam O’Gorman, Chair, Octabuild judging panel; and Ray Molyneaux, Chairman, Octabuild. Wavin; and Mark McCaffrey, who has recently retired after 33 years as managing director of P McDermott & Sons (Omagh). Builders merchants can enter the Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards 2022 by going online to www. octabuild.ie/awards, where they can choose which awards categories to enter and tell the judges their story first hand, highlighting areas they believe the business excels. Entry can also be made by written submission through email or post.

The judging panel will assess the entries and then visit shortlisted entrants to carry out a 90-minute review of the premises. Winners of each category will be announced at an awards ceremony, which will take place in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday 13 October 2022. The closing date for entries is Friday 01 July 2022. To learn more or enter the Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards, visit www.octabuild.ie/awards

irish construction news 43 April/May 2022

OPINION

A government retrofit programme needed to get older offices up to standard AOIFE O’NEILL, Divisional Director, Offices, Lisney, writes that the retrofitting of older commercial building stock presents considerable challenges, but these need to be addressed if Ireland is to meet its 2030 carbon emissions reduction targets.

t is fair to say that the office market in Dublin is recovering well in the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic, and it is certainly not obsolete as some predicted. The market is busy, with some firms taking substantial office space in Dublin to cater for their growth projections in the coming years. The global climate crisis, compounded by the fact that competition for staff is at an all-time high in Dublin, has focused many businesses on developing cohesive environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies to attract staff and create a point of difference between competing companies. A growing number of businesses are participating in the UN’s Race to Zero campaign and signing up to its partner Pledge to Net Zero campaign, in which they are pledging to take rigorous, immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030. Real estate strategies will evolve as a result of this. Race to Zero directly affects the office market, with occupiers looking for new energy-efficient space. This demand will drive up rents for newly constructed office space, with occupiers vying for the most energy-efficient and technologically advanced new stock. This is all well and good for sectors like tech that are currently dominate the Dublin market, where revenue per employee makes the price of office space virtually insignificant. But it is concerning for other sectors and smaller businesses where margins are smaller. The gap is widening in the quality of accommodation in the market, which will make it harder for the other sectors to compete in Dublin’s already squeezed talent pool. New buildings offer best-in-class facilities that are attractive to staff. Features include gyms, showers and bicycle storage facilities, as well as access to outdoor space, which are all important, with an increased focus on staff wellbeing, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. Demand for sustainable buildings is not specific to the office sector. Industrial occupiers have the same requirements, and we see premiums being paid for best-in-class new developments. We are likely to see demand also grow in the retail sector soon. However, this has been somewhat delayed by the detrimental effect that the pandemic has had on the sector. Relatively new asset classes to the Irish market, such as private rental sector (PRS) and student accommodation, are also demanding better energy efficiency, with many investment funds that trade in these assets being obligated to meet minimum standards in sustainability.

ESG DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS

While occupier demand is focused on sustainability, the investment community has also shifted its focus, which is a vital driver for change. The UN Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI) have been widely accepted, with the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) used as a benchmark for the ESG performance of real estate assets. The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) introduced by the European Commission imposes mandatory ESG disclosure obligations for asset managers and other financial market participants, with substantive provisions of the regulation effective from 10 March 2021. This has changed what is considered an ‘institutionally acceptable asset’. From here on in, institutionally acceptable assets will need

44 irish construction news April/May 2022

Aoife O’Neill, Divisional Director, Offices, Lisney. to meet specific sustainability criteria, likely resulting in a two-tier market, with significant demand for sustainable and new net-zero buildings.

OFFICE RETROFIT CHALLENGES

With distinct gaps emerging in both the occupier and investment markets and the need for radical retrofitting of existing building stock to meet climate targets, there needs to be a clear plan put in place to prioritise retrofitting in order to keep buildings from becoming stranded assets. The idea of this scares most landlords. This change in the market appears to have come as a surprise to many who have to a substantial degree been guilty of burying their heads in the sand on the issue. Aside from the market demanding better accommodation, the devastating effects of climate change should be enough of a catalyst for change and drive the urgency of decarbonising existing commercial stock. All older stock, particularly buildings developed prior to the introduction of Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB), which mandates that all new buildings occupied and owned by public authorities shall be nearly zero energy buildings after 31 December 2018, and all other buildings by 31 December 2020, will need some form of retrofitting to reduce emissions. Ireland is legally

OPINION that is evolving fast, there is limited availability of knowledge and expertise. The nature of the beast that is the commercial property market is that it needs time for churn and change. However, according to a recently published Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, we are running out of time. It stated that now is the time for radical change, but, unfortunately, our industry is not well placed to deal with this quickly.

OFFICE RETROFITTING SOLUTIONS

The Brewhouse, Abbey Quarter, Kilkenny, where the old Smithwicks brewing facility has been transformed into a new Grade A sustainable office building.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out a number of measures to support and incentivise the increased energy efficiency and decarbonisation of commercial buildings. But there are no quick fixes or immediately effective interventions to change things at the rate that is required. The critical barriers to large-scale retrofitting identified in the government’s Long Term Renovation Strategy in 2020 were affordability, accessibility and appetite. Two years on, affordability remains an issue. The significant upfront capital cost of upgrade works isn’t possible for many, so increased low-cost financing options need to be made available to ease this pressure and increase appetite for upgrade works on a larger scale. Naturally, the focus is on the residential sector, given its significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. But a similar scheme to the Residential Retrofit Low-Cost Loan Scheme would benefit the commercial sector. There needs to be increased awareness of the available financial supports and incentives. For instance, the uptake of accelerated capital allowances (ACA), which allow 100% of the capital expenditure incurred on energy-efficient equipment to be claimed for the year in which the equipment is first used, will be a significant help to occupiers, but there is limited awareness of these supports. The Climate Action Plan 2021 states capital funding will be provided subject to exchequer resources. However, there is no detail on how this will be distributed. There is also the issue of who pays for these improvements in landlord and tenant situations with longterm lease agreements in place. Clearer guidance is required on these issues.

APPETITE FOR CHANGE

Block R, Spencer Dock, a Central Bank property currently on Lisney’s books presents an opportunity for the sustainable redevelopment of a building in Dublin’s International Financial Service Centre. obliged to become carbon neutral by 2050 and aims to reduce its emissions by 51% by 2030. The commercial sector needs to nearly half its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to meet our national targets. According to the Climate Action Plan 2021, the commercial sector, which includes all assets classes other than residential, was responsible for 900,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. The target is to reduce this to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2030.

CURRENT MARKET

So, what is the state of play at present? The market is in a period of transition. Larger landlords and developers are leading the charge and hiring expertise to implement sustainability policies and changes required in their portfolios. There appears to be an awareness in the rest of the market that change is happening, but the main question we are being asked is, “Where do I start?”. As decarbonising existing stock is a relatively new concept, but one

But all that being said, there is hope. We know that there is an appetite for change. Whilst upgrading the efficiency of buildings is the right thing to do in the face of the climate crisis, there are also significant commercial benefits to be gained. Rapidly rising energy costs will boost demand for more efficient buildings to curb rising operating costs. The most energy-efficient and advanced buildings outperform the rest of the market, attracting the best quality tenants and, in turn, increasing investment values. These performances will hopefully motivate others to upgrade their buildings to boost their performance. There are opportunities to be gained from getting a firm grip on the concept of retrofitting. The level of embodied carbon associated with new builds is typically about 60% of the overall carbon emissions from a building. These levels are unsustainable going forward. We are already seeing brownfield sites containing older building stock being refurbished into smart, energy-efficient buildings, one example of this being IPUTs plans to refurbish A&L Goodbody’s North Wall, Dublin, offices, to be “Ireland’s most sustainable building”. This trend will continue to grow in the coming years. Ultimately, the sooner that the required retrofitting skills and capacity are in place, as well as it being more financially viable to retrofit older stock, the better placed the commercial property sector will be to play a more substantial part in helping the country reach our emissions reductions targets by 2030 and 2050.

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OPINION

The impact of variations, what they are and how to protect yourself HENRY HATHAWAY writes that at this time, when the cost of procurement is increasing dramatically, it is essential to understand the nature of variations.

ne of the topics I get asked most about is variations, and it is such a popular topic that I regularly get asked to address it in seminars. Although discussed in much more depth at these events, there are a few salient matters that businesses will benefit from knowing. It would appear to be such a straightforward question, but usually, it will constitute an area of dispute between parties on a regular basis.

WHAT ARE VARIATIONS?

A variation is an alteration in the scope of works in a construction contract that will include substitutions, additions and omissions. They happen for two main reasons: events occur external to the contract, or there are changes in the design, scope or circumstances. They can include but are not limited to alterations to the design, quantities, sequence of work and working conditions, but they ought not make any changes to the fundamental nature of the works. In some instances, an employer will attempt to omit work from a scope in order to be carried out by another party. This most likely will cause issues surrounding repudiation of the contract entitling the innocent party to terminate and perhaps seek damages. Fundamentally, two questions will arise as to whether a claim for a variation is a valid one. Firstly, what works were contained within the initial agreement and does the contract have a mechanism to establish that it is a valid variation? And secondly, what is the correct way to value the change? These two points can be and regularly are

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misapplied and misunderstood.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF VARIATIONS?

There can be significant issues when the procedures surrounding variations are not considered properly. Changes to the types of products used to complete works can add vast sums to the final costs of the project, and changes to design can lead to delays and more costs. But fundamentally, a party may not, in fact, realise its true position in terms of value or time which also may need to be addressed on account of a change. Whether or not there is a disagreement over whether an item of work is a variation itself, most commonly, it will be the value of the variation that will cause the issue. Usually, the argument is on the price and effect on the works. Remember, the rules of valuation, if they apply, are mandatory. For example, JCT sets out a specific mechanism under Section 5. If in similar character to the work set out in the contract bills and carried out in similar conditions, the value of the variation will reflect those same rates as set out in the contract. If the variation is of a similar character but in different conditions or where quantities or quality are further considerations, then the rates and value will include a fair allowance for these differences. If, however, the additional work set out is not of a similar character, the work will be valued at fair rates and prices. This is a sequential approach to how the variation is valued and ought to be taken in order.

OPINION

“A party should be absolutely clear as to what is and is not included from the outset, as ambiguous language can often lead to delays, additional costs and disputes.” WHAT DO I NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Contactors are expected to be reasonable and competent when pricing work. The client is not bound to pay for things that a reasonable contractor should have understood to be done. One such example will be the risk of ground conditions unless expressly excluded. Standard contracts generally allow the contract administrator to instruct variations to allow the smooth progression and running of the works. However, a party should be very clear as to what is and is not included from the outset, as ambiguous language can often lead to delays, additional costs and disputes.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?

In general, there must be certainty as to what works are, in fact, included in the agreement to be carried out. If this is not readily available or understood, there will be considerable difficulty in understanding how the variation will exist. This is generally where a dispute will occur. Most likely, a party that finds itself in this position will suffer greatly when seeking to establish its right in the first place. Secondly, it is vital to understand the mechanics of how the variation is to be valued. These are specific rules and can be readily applied. In these particular times, when the cost of procurement is increasing, and this presents threats to the financial viability of a

Henry Hathaway, Principal, Henry Hathaway Solicitors. contract, it is essential to understand the nature of variations. If fluctuations are not allowed or provided for, then a party may easily be bound to what it contracted for, and there is no mechanism to correct a bad bargain. Henry Hathaway is a solicitor who practises in Ireland, England and Wales and specialises in construction law. He is a qualified civil engineer and spent 12 years working in the industry. He advises on contract formation and provides practical advice when entering construction contracts, and regularly provides training and seminar days to companies to assist knowledge and application in order to assist them in avoiding disputes in construction. If you require further information in relation to contract formation or would like to discuss training and development in this area, contact henry.hathaway@hathawaysolicitors.ie This is one in a series of articles by Henry Hathaway for Irish Construction News. To read previous articles, visit https:// constructionnews.ie/henry-hathaway-perils-of-beginning-workwithout-agreement/ or scan the QR code. Disclaimer: This content is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is provided to present information to the broader construction industry and provide awareness. Independent legal advice should always be sought prior to application, and no solicitor/client relationship is formed, and no duty of care nor liability arises from any of the contents of this article.

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

Opera Square’s sustainability programme giving old building materials new life Old stone, brick and other materials from the Limerick Opera Square development site that would otherwise end up as waste are now being reused across the city and county.

imerick’s Opera Square development is breaking new ground in the construction industry’s sustainability drive thanks to its unique reuse and repurposing programme that is giving new life to stone and brick that would otherwise go to landfill. In addition to the retention of 16 buildings deemed to be of historical importance on the site, conservation is also stretching to diverting huge volumes of materials from the demolition programme over the past 12 months into other projects elsewhere in the city and county. In a novel, three-way partnership overseen by the Southern Region Waste Management Office and in conjunction with Opera Square developer Limerick Twenty Thirty and demolition and works contractor John Sisk & Son, over 1,000 tonnes of stone and brick materials alone, which would otherwise have been destined for landfill, have been salvaged and are being put to good uses.

PRE-DEMOLITION AUDIT

The reuse programme commenced with the country’s first pre-demolition audit, which identified what materials could be reused in advance of demolition works. Among the projects, the materials have since been diverted to are the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, the Canal Harbour Buildings and bridge and old stone wall repairs around the county. Significant volumes also have been diverted to training programmes for young stonemasons, which have been supported by the Economic and Social Intervention Fund through Limerick City and County Council Regeneration programme. It’s not just brick and stone that’s getting a new lease of life as other ‘reuse’ materials include palisade fence panels, which have been sent to Richmond Rugby Club; the metal gate and stone pillars from the entrance to the Granary Building, which are currently with the Civic Trust and items such as the historic limestone doorcase at 6 Rutland Street and cobblestones retained on site for future use. Modern materials have also been segregated for reuse on the development, including carpet tiles, ceiling tiles, timber, and glass.

OPERA SQUARE

The materials have been drawn from the site since the demolition and enabling

L to r: Philippa King, Coordinator, Southern Region Waste Management Office; David Conway, Chief Executive, Limerick Twenty Thirty; and Marcus McCarthy, Apprentice Block-Layer and Stonemason, John Sisk & Son. works on the 1.62-hectare project last year. Limerick Opera Square is the largest single commercial property development undertaken outside the capital. The construction programme will see up to 500 people employed at peak output on the site. When fully developed, the site will have the capacity for up to 3,000 employees across a 550,000-sq foot campus accommodation, plus car parking and ancillary areas. The programme will take up to six years to complete at an estimated cost of €250m.

REUSE TEMPLATE FOR MAJOR PROJECTS

Philippa King, Coordinator, Southern Region Waste Management Office, said that the recycling and reuse programme has the potential to be a template for major projects involving large-scale demolition. “Outlets for construction and demolition waste are limited, so we had to explore alternatives to waste creation and did this from the outset with the Opera pre-demolition audit,” Phillipa King explained. “The focus has ultimately been about diverting as much as possible from waste, and we were not just talking about reuse alone, but also repurposing and remanufacturing as well. Our goal was to maximise resource recovery on site as the buildings were demolished, and I think we’ve achieved that. A key objective for Limerick today is to embrace international environmental best practice on the circular built environment and what’s happening at

Opera Square is a great example of that.” David Conway, CEO, Limerick Twenty Thirty, said sustainability is integral to all of its projects. “We have already set a new standard in terms of sustainable development with our first project, Gardens International, and we are going to maintain that standard with the Opera Square site and with the Cleeves Riverside Quarter and every single project we work on, big or small. However, what this project shows is that we are not alone going to have an environmentally-proofed finished product, but every step along the way is going to be as sustainable as possible.” Shane O’Donovan, General Manager – Special Projects, John Sisk & Son, said, “Pretty much anything we can reuse on site is staying here. Of the other materials, we’ve managed to recover over 1,000 tonnes. We’re delighted to see it being reused, and we’re also very happy that some are being used in training apprentices in the use of stone and stone masonry. The apprentices are cleaning and dressing the stone and preparing it for reuse on projects around the city and county, such as wall repairs and graveyards and the like. That’s a really positive output as well.” Scan QR code to watch video.

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y Kingspan manufacturing facility with PowerPanel installation in Kingscourt. Scan QR Code to watch the video.

Kingspan PowerPanel – The ultimate plug and play insulated PV roofing system The new PowerPanel from Kingspan combines high insulation levels and energy generation in a lightweight roofing system that is easy, safe and quick to install.

building thinking into all aspects of construction that its operations touch.

ccording to a 2019 World Green Building Council report, the entire construction process and operation of buildings are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions globally. Planet Passionate, Kingspan’s 10-year global sustainability programme up to 2030, aims to impact three global issues from a construction perspective. These are climate change, circularity, and protection of natural resources. Kingspan believes that advanced materials, building systems and digital technologies hold the key to addressing these in the construction sector.

IKON INNOVATION CENTRE

In 2019, Kingspan opened the doors of its IKON Innovation Centre at its headquarters in Kingscourt, Co Cavan. The goal of IKON is to research and develop advanced materials and digital technologies that will achieve a net-zero-emissions future, with any products developed in the centre being designed to ensure higher lifetime energy and carbon savings.

POWERPANEL

SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY

Kingspan has for many years been a recognised innovator in terms of the development of products that deliver improved building performance. The company started its first integrated sustainability programme in 2011 with its Net-Zero Energy programme. It committed to matching 100% operational energy with renewable energy by 2020. This target was achieved with a three-pronged approach of “save more”, “generate more”, and “buy more”. In practical terms, this meant insulating its facilities and buildings more; generating more renewable energy on site; and, where it

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Barry Sherry, Head of Energy Solutions, Kingspan. could not generate energy on site, it bought in power from renewable sources. As part of its Planet Passionate programme, Kingspan is working with its supply chain, clients and other construction industry stakeholders to integrate green

Kingspan PowerPanel is the first product to be developed in the IKON centre. The company’s work on insulated photovoltaic (PV) roofing panels started 10 years ago, but the launch of IKON gave it the focus and critical expertise to develop this advanced green building product. PowerPanel for pitched roof applications is a next-generation PV roofing solution that combines industry-leading QuadCore insulated panels with high-efficiency monocrystalline PV panels in a single, factory-manufactured component. The fully integrated PV and roofing solution can be applied on roofs with

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y pitches of 4° to 10° in lengths of 2.2 metres to 15 metres and a width of one metre. With thicknesses ranging from 76mm to 153mm, and u-values of 0.25 to 0.12W/m2K, respectively, PowerPanel is a lightweight (12.5kg to 14.9kg/ per sq metre) fastinstall alternative to traditional roof and PV systems. It can also be integrated with Kingspan QuadCore Trapezoidal Roof Panel and Day-lite Trapezoidal Rooflight, and other roofing systems. A Kingspan technical team is available to quickly calculate how much renewable energy roofs could generate based on the location and orientation of a building.

MARKET REACTION

Kingspan had an internal launch of the PowerPanel system late last year, and it was more recently brought to market in Ireland and the UK. Barry Sherry, Head of Energy Solutions, Kingspan, says that early interest in PowerPanel has been more than encouraging. “Since the launch of PowerPanel on the Irish and UK markets at the start of this year, enquiries have surpassed our expectations. Word has travelled fast, and we are delighted about this,” comments Barry Sherry. “Our technical service team can carry out very quick calculations to estimate the amount of energy a building can generate based on the location or the orientation across Ireland or the UK. We have found that architects like the product for its simplicity, and installers like it because it removes a lot of complexity

ROOFTRICITY™ Kingspan through its new business Rooftricity™ offers client and building owners the opportunity to maximise roof space to generate power for their own benefit, reducing energy costs and enhancing property value without any upfront capital outlay. Rooftricity™ enhances buildings by: • Improving the energy rating and in turn the future value of the property; • Reducing the building’s carbon footprint; • Safeguarding a business from unexpected energy price increases; • Protecting a roof over its lifetime with QuadCore® Assured Warranty For your new build or refurbishment projects, upgrade from a standard roof to an insulated PowerPanel solution, with no additional capital outlay as Rooftricity™ funds the PV system.

from installation and reduces the potential for mistakes. It is also less time consuming and safer than traditional roofing systems, as it requires fewer people on site. It can, for the most part, be described as a ‘plug and play’ system.”

INSTALLATION

Kingspan has already installed the system on two buildings, one being a Kingspan manufacturing facility in Kingscourt. 7,800 sq metres of roof panel was stripped and replaced with a combination of PowerPanel to generate the electricity, Kingspan Daylighting system to allow natural light into the building and Trapezoidal roof panel. The PowerPanel consists of 1,561 PV modules generating 380MWh of renewable clean power annually, which covers 8% of the site’s annual energy consumption. It has just started a large project in the UK, with several other projects in Ireland and the UK in the pipeline over the coming months. Barry Sherry explains that, in general, some manufacturing facilities opt for flat roofs and install pitched PV panel systems on these. “We expect that the product will impact design decisions around whether a roof should be flat or have a small pitch,” he comments. “Some industries prefer flat over pitched roofs. However, by introducing a slight pitch of 4° to 10° degrees, they can have an integrated highly insulated roof with PV, which can be more easily and safely installed. This will also considerably reduce the carbon footprint of the construction process and operation of the building. We have already come across a situation where a flat roof was changed to a pitched roof because the architect and client saw the benefits of using the PowerPanel system.” In terms of its weight, Sherry adds that the PowerPanel is up to 74% lighter than traditional PV systems. “From an installation perspective, the PowerPanel eliminates the need for mounting brackets, rails and other fixing elements that a traditional PV system would need, enabling us to make it as much as 74% lighter than traditional systems.”

PERFORMANCE

Barry Sherry says that each PowerPanel unit can generate up to 310 watts at peak. “A series of connected panels can generate anything from one kilowatt to one megawatt and beyond. The energy generation potential is dependant on location and orientation, but it can substantially offset energy demand for a building.” In terms of insulation performance and

panel thickness, the PowerPanel specs are also very impressive. “The thinnest PowerPanel that we manufacture is 76mm. This has a u-value of 0.25W/m2K. The thickest at 150mm has a u-value of 0.12 W/m2K. These come at weights of 12.5kg to 14.9kg per square metre, respectively.” If the facility is in place, any surplus energy generated by a PowerPanel system could be stored via battery technology and dissipated during the evening/night periods.

ROOFING CONTRACTOR ENGAGEMENT

Barry Sherry says that the roofing contractors that Kingspan has engaged with on the product are very excited about the system making projects safer and more efficient. The gains for clients in terms of meeting the sustainability goals are also substantial. “We’ve spoken to roofing contractors, and they are excited about PowerPanel,” he comments. “We’ve also brought a number of them to our training facility and manufacturing plant and shown them the PowerPanel installed and how to install it. Because it is very similar to the Kingspan Trapezoidal Pitched Roof System, they are already familiar with the installation process, so the buy-in is excellent. Also, they see the benefit of installing two products at once as there is less room for errors.”

NEXT-GENERATION PRODUCTS

PowerPanel is the first integrated roofing energy product to be introduced as a result of the research being carried out by Kingspan’s IKON Innovation Centre. It is also the first in a range of next-generation green building products to be developed at the centre. “We are also developing a range of advanced insulation products, and we are looking at thermal storage and energy storage products as well as the potential of digital construction technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Kingspan is excited about developments at the centre, and we look forward to bringing more innovations to the market over the coming years. These will allow us to contribute to reducing the impact of the construction process and operation of buildings on carbon emissions,” Barry Sherry concludes. To learn more about PowerPanel, visit: www.kingspan.com/gb/en-gb/products/ insulated-panel-systems/the-solution-iskingspan-powerpanel

For more details, contact rooftricity@kingspan.com

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

A roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment

In the second in our series of articles on whole-life carbon in construction and the built environment, MARION JAMMET, Head of Policy and Advocacy, IGBC, sets out mitigating measures that must be introduced as a matter of urgency. of the roadmap was launched on Friday 06 May 2022 at the Build Green Now conference and is now open for public consultation until Tuesday, 07 July. This article summarises the key recommendations included in the roadmap.

PROVIDING LONG-TERM CERTAINTY

Marion Jammet, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Irish Green Building Council.

he latest report of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights once again that immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors are needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The construction industry as a carbon- and resource-intensive sector has a vital role to play. As outlined in the previous issue of Irish Construction News, the built environment and construction sectors account for 37% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, the same as agriculture. Heating, cooling and lighting our buildings account for 23% of our national emissions, with the remaining 14% being accounted for by embodied carbon. These emissions result from mining, quarrying, transporting, and manufacturing building materials, in addition to constructing buildings. With 500,000 homes to be built by 2040, embodied emissions are likely to grow significantly if we don’t change the way we build – not to mention where we build and the impact of planning on transport emissions. To address this issue, the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), in close cooperation with key construction sector stakeholders, has developed a roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment and construction sector across its whole life cycle. A draft version

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The conclusions of the Whole Life Carbon in Construction and the Built Environment in Ireland – Today & 2030 report developed by the Building in a Climate Emergency (BIACE) Research Lab at UCD to inform the development of the roadmap and presented in the last issue of this magazine are clear. Ireland cannot reach its 2030 target of reducing its emissions by 50% if it does not address whole-life carbon in the built environment. Embodied carbon emissions must be tackled urgently. The inclusion of whole-life carbon targets for construction for the first time in the Climate Action Plan 2021 is a positive development, but industry needs certainty to invest in zero-carbon buildings across their whole life cycle. A detailed timeline for mandating whole-life carbon assessment with limits per square metre should be published. Similar regulations exist in some European countries – the Netherlands, Nordic countries and France already regulate whole-life carbon (WLC) – and the EU is moving in that direction. Given the exemplary role that must be played by the public sector in decarbonising Ireland’s economy, WLC assessment could first be mandated as part of public procurement. This, and the wider use of innovative procurement approaches, would support the development of an indigenous low carbon product sector – including biobased products, services, and supply chain.

THE RIGHT TOOLS, REGULATION AND FUNDING MECHANISMS

This clear, detailed pathway must be supported by appropriate regulation and funding mechanisms, as well as tools and guidelines. The greenest building is often the one already built. Supporting retrofit to improve energy efficiency and ensure buildings remain in use is critical. With 90,000 vacant properties across the country, streamlining building regulations and aligning all relevant policies and fiscal incentives to make adaptation and reuse of existing buildings easier is also crucial. Tools will need to be developed and improved to address WLC in the built environment and transition to a more circular construction industry. First, a database with generic information on the carbon impact of construction products used in Ireland must be developed. The development of product-specific environmental product declarations (EPDs) must also be encouraged. The methodology to assess WLC must be further refined. This should be aligned with Level(s), the European Framework for sustainable buildings, to ensure it is fully compatible with regulatory developments at an EU level.

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y We cannot reach carbon neutrality without transitioning to a more circular economy. For the built environment, this requires developing and mainstreaming tools such as building digital logbooks, building material passports, and exchange platforms to support reuse and recycling. Besides these tools, guidelines on the reuse of construction products, demolition, buildings reuse, and adaptability are also needed.

RAISING AWARENESS AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT SKILLS Halving our emissions in the next eight years is a huge challenge, which can’t be achieved if we don’t have the right skills or public support. Over the past few years, the number of training courses and CPDs on energy efficiency has increased significantly. This must be welcomed, but far more must be done to facilitate and incentivise upskilling. Training courses must remain free or available at a low cost and, if possible, delivered online, onsite or in a blended format. Public procurement may also be used to incentivise upskilling, using the energy efficiency training clause at scale. Alternatively, the use of a “sustainability pass”, similar to the “safe pass”, should be explored. New training courses on how to address WLC and support a more circular industry should be developed for building professionals and construction workers. Finally, training courses to improve the carbon literacy of procurers and the finance industry are needed. Given the scale of the challenge, upskilling in the industry won’t be sufficient. Campaigns are required to attract more people to our sector, and we must ensure people completing construction degrees and apprenticeships have the right set of skills when entering the industry. In the past few years, and with the recent energy crisis, people have become more aware of the importance of improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Retrofitting your home is a way to save energy, reduce your carbon emissions and improve comfort. A similar awareness of the impact of embodied carbon is needed to incentivise reuse and support the development of a low carbon materials industry in Ireland.

These actions should be supported through the development and sharing of high-quality case studies, showing how it can be done and the positive impacts it can have on our industry and communities. Additional research, in particular on the impact of user behaviour on building performance, would also be useful.

IN CONCLUSION

In the scenarios assessed by the IPCC in its current report, limiting warming to around 1.5°C is possible but requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest. This means that urgent action is needed. We must act now and cannot wait another five years. The draft roadmap launched at the Build Green Now conference presents concrete solutions that can be implemented now. However, absolutely everyone in the industry must get involved. As a first step, the IGBC invites you to review the draft roadmap and participate in the public consultation.

ABOUT #BUILDINGLIFE

The draft roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s construction industry and built environment has been developed as part of the #BuildingLife campaign. The campaign aims to achieve the mix of private-sector action and public policy necessary to tackle the wholelife environmental impact of buildings. The campaign is funded by the IKEA Foundation and Laudes Foundation. Similar roadmaps are being developed in seven other European countries and at EU level. Further information on the draft roadmap, the “Whole Life Carbon in Construction and the Built Environment in Ireland – Today & 2030”, and the public consultation is available at www.igbc.ie. The public consultation will be closing on Tuesday, 07 July 2022. To read other articles in this series, scan the QR code, or visit www. constructionnews.ie/buildinglifeconstruction-and-built-environmentemissions-must-be-addressed-together-toachieve-carbon-neutrality

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

Towards a net-zero carbon Irish construction sector IGBC #BuildingLife Ambassador and Head of Sustainability, CBRE (Ireland). Rachael McGinley speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about the need for Irish construction to systematically address whole-life carbon emissions in the built environment.

he Irish Green Building Council’s (IGBC’s) #BuildingLife campaign aims to achieve a broad range of private sector actions and public policy changes required to tackle the whole-life environmental impact of buildings. The appointment of #BuildingLife ambassadors is an integral part of the campaign. The role of these ambassadors is to champion #BuildingLife goals and help drive change around sustainability across the construction industry.

#BUILDINGLIFE AMBASSADOR

As Head of Sustainability at CBRE, and IGBC #BuildingLife Ambassador, Rachael McGinley works at the forefront of decarbonising our building stock by assisting investors, building occupiers and builders in becoming more aware of the whole-life carbon (WLC) impacts of the choices they make. “At CBRE, through our various teams, I advise clients and builders on how to reduce the carbon impacts of the buildings they are investing in or constructing. I also help the CBRE property management team reduce emissions associated with the buildings they manage. In practical terms, this means helping clients and colleagues view the decisions they make through a WLC impact lens.”

BACKGROUND

A structural engineer, Rachael McGinley has previously worked with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and for Australian sustainability consultancies. She is ideally suited to her #BuildingLife ambassadorial role, as she has both campaigning experience and technical know-how of the challenges involved in addressing the WLC of buildings. “I have direct experience of sustainability campaigning, having worked for the GBCA, and direct construction experience as a structural engineer. While I now work in the commercial sector, I appreciate the challenges that bodies like IGBC face in getting their message across and the constraints that designers and builders work under when trying to be more sustainable. “The #Buildinglife ambassadorship is a great honour for me. It allows me to engage

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Rachael McGinley, IGBC #BuildingLife Ambassador and Head of Sustainability, CBRE (Ireland). with key decision makers about the burning construction issue of today and for the next 10 years and share my knowledge about the solutions that are available or should be introduced.”

NET ZERO WHOLE LIFE CARBON ROADMAP

Rachael McGinley says that although the built environment is responsible for 37% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, the IGBC’s new ‘Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the Built Environment in Ireland’ sets out a route to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment. “Strong EU-wide legislation, such as NZEB for new builds, has laid the foundations for Ireland to move to a decarbonised construction sector with relative ease. The government’s National Retrofit Programme with a multi-annual budget has provided certainty to the industry about energy renovation. “The Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the Built Environment in Ireland proposes a gradual move to a position where the WLC of the built environment is regulated. This will first

involve mandated measurement of the WLC of developments before gradually introducing carbon reduction targets to move the sector towards carbon neutrality. Rachael McGinley adds that to reduce the carbon emissions of existing building stock and planned developments, there needs to be standardised WLC measurement with benchmarking, and all construction products must have environmental product declarations (EPDs). “More emphasis needs to be placed on making it beneficial for manufacturers and materials providers to provide EPDs for all of their products, as specifiers need product EPDs to make informed choices.”

A STANDARD METHODOLOGY

The new Roadmap proposes adopting a standard methodology to assess WLC in the built environment. There should also be a database with generic information on the carbon impact of all construction products, which would require the mandating of EPDs. “We need to have the right tools and a standardised way of measuring WLC, McGinley explains. “With existing buildings, getting energy data, benchmarking, or

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

IGBC #BuildingLife ambassadors include Ali Grehan Dublin City Architect; Wayne Metcalfe Director of Sustainability, John Sisk and Sons; John Maxwell, CEO, Lioncor; Steve Murphy, Managing Director, Conceptual Construction, Hines; Susan McGarry, Managing Director, Ecocem Ireland; Cian O’Callaghan TD; Frances Fitzgerald MEP; Ciaran Cuffe MEP; Jeff Colley, Editor, Passive House Plus; Sarah Ingle, Secretary General, ACEI; Eoin Ó’Broin TD; Eugene O’Shea, Managing Director, Walls Construction; Kathryn Meghen, CEO, RIAI; Ivana Bacik TD; Rachael McGinley, Head Of Sustainability. CBRE; Pat Crean, CEO, Marlet; Francis Noel Duffy TD; David Browne, Managing Director, RKD Architects; Oonagh Reid, Director, Arup; and Paul O’Neill, Head of Cost Planning, Cairn Homes. just finding a baseline before moving to energy improvement can be challenging. There is still a lot of work to be done with benchmarking around existing building stock before we find long-term operational savings for existing building stock.” She adds that a growing number of CBRE clients are looking at the all-of-life carbon of buildings. “This may be because they’re targeting a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) accreditation, but it’s encouraging to see, as it means that the tools to measure the WLC of buildings from raw materials to decommissioning are in place and working.”

HARMONISATION

Rachael McGinley points out that specifying should be made as simple and easily understandable as possible for everyone involved. “It would be ideal as a region [Europe] if we could harmonise all aspects of achieving WLC reductions. This should start with a methodology to assess WLC in the built environment based on the EU Level(s) framework, which should also align with the requirements of sustainability rating tools and carbon frameworks. There should also be a complete database of building materials and products with all the necessary EPD information, so specifiers can compare like with like and easily select the best option to meet their needs. “It should also be noted that having EPDs for all products means that if there is a supply issue with one, alternatives should be available. We cannot have a situation where

a project is tied to one product because it has an EPD, while an alternative hasn’t. Choice addresses supply issues and keeps the market competitive.”

SKILLS

The #BuildingLife campaign is also about providing training, and the IGBC offers a wide range of training modules in critical areas. “We need to improve carbon literacy amongst building professionals, procurers, and even in the finance sector. This can be done by upskilling building professionals and construction workers to address the environmental impact of buildings across their whole life cycle. For example, plumbers can be upskilled in heat pump installations, contractors in selecting lower impact materials and methods of construction and building professionals in life cycle assessment.”

INNOVATION

McGinley adds that the sector must become familiar with the concept of life cycle assessment before it can move to the next level. “We need to get the basics right first and know how the available tools work. There also needs to be a better understanding about why embodied carbon and whole of life carbon are essential. “As part of the familiarisation process, designers, contractors and suppliers should carry out comparative lifecycle assessments on competed projects to see how the tools work and what trade-offs could have been completed. For example, improving the thermal performance of a building is great from an operational energy perspective, but

what knock-on effect might it have had? Could this have increased the embodied body carbon of the building? “Rather than thinking about what’s the most cost-effective, carbon-effective way to construct a building and ignoring the operational carbon or the other way round, both can be assessed together.”

QUALITY DATA

“Currently, life cycle assessments (LCAs) are an integral part of new buildings achieving LEED certification. I would like to see this as standard for all new builds. “At CBRE, we are also looking at solving retrofitting challenges for older commercial building stock. We will be investigating the WLC impact and cost implications of retrofitting a building rather than knocking it down. “The CBRE UK and Ireland businesses will be net-zero by 2030, supporting our global 2030 targets. Critically this includes Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions and is verified as science-based. As part of this process, we will be offering a service to clients whereby they can start their carbon neutral journey. “While it is good that we have set this target for our operations, we will have a more significant impact by helping our clients to do the same. “As a #BuildingLife ambassador, I want to use the opportunity to help the Irish construction industry make the necessary changes to enable it move towards becoming zero carbon. I look forward to engaging with others in the sector on this to learn more and play a part in transforming construction into a net zero whole life carbon sector,” Rachael McGinley concludes.

irish construction news 55 April/May 2022

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

Sisk chooses Future Planet AI to accelerate sustainability

Pictured from left to right: Donal Sullivan, CEO, Future Planet; Donal Daly, co-founder, Future Planet; Sinéad Hickey, Head of Sustainability Ireland & Europe, Sisk; and Ingrid De Doncker, co-founder, Future Planet.

uture Planet, the AI sustainability transformation platform, has announced that John Sisk & Son has chosen the firm to support it on its journey to carbon neutrality. Sisk delivers projects in Ireland, the UK and Europe and has deployed the Future Planet sustainability platform to embed its sustainability ambitions and reach targets set by the company across its supply chain and in the community. Sinéad Hickey, Head of Sustainability Ireland and Europe, Sisk, commented: “The

Future Planet platform is such an important element of our sustainability transformation. It helps everyone to be part of the journey. The AI helps us establish our baseline across our 2030 roadmap and knows what we should do next to reach our targets on time. In essence, it is a one-stop-shop.” Under the theme of Building Today, Caring for Tomorrow, Sisk identified 21 targets for its 2030 Sustainability Roadmap. Future Planet is partnering with Sisk on its entire roadmap, including circularity, singleuse plastic, sustainable procurement, carbon

management, waste and water. Ingrid De Doncker, co-founder and Head of Research and Innovation, Future Planet, commented: “It has been hugely gratifying working with Sisk on their sustainability journey. We are proud to see how the Future Planet platform is guiding and automating their sustainability vision.” Since Sisk established its sustainability strategy in 2010, it has augmented its core principles of people, planet and performance, with themes around environment, communities, responsible business practices, tackling climate change and embracing innovation and digital technologies to deliver better projects for its customers, while taking care of the environment, its employees, and people in the community.” Future Planet makes it easy to embed sustainability as part of a business transformation, engaging all stakeholders on this critical mission. The AI platform makes it simple for everyone to collaborate and for businesses to build and execute on a clear roadmap that will help them define and achieve their sustainability targets while delivering their commercial goals.

Carbon Designer tool reduces construction sector emissions

he Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), with support from the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides a free online tool to assess the likely carbon impacts of different material approaches at an early stage in building design. Pat Barry, CEO, IGBC, says, “The Carbon Designer for Ireland tool addresses a gap in our decarbonisation strategy. It allows building designers to quickly assess and visualise the emissions linked to different construction techniques and materials choices at an early stage in a project. This is critical as the earlier the carbon is measured and optimised, the more reductions can be achieved”. The Carbon Designer tool is a simple way to estimate the carbon impact of your project at an early stage of building design. The tool is free and quickly shows the differences that can be made to overall carbon impacts by selecting different material build-ups of large elements such as walls, floors and roofs. This is key because it is at the earliest stages that many of the big, most impactful decisions are made. If the whole design team understands the approach at an early stage, there cold be better buy-in and cooperation. Addressing whole life carbon (WLC) is critical to reaching carbon neutrality, but WLC calculation is complex and often takes place later in the design process. At that stage, it may not be possible to change some of the design decisions that have the greatest influence on carbon emissions. IGBC worked with OneClickLCA to develop the Carbon Designer for Ireland tool to give good estimations of outcomes at the beginning when only a rough size and shape of a building are known.

56 irish construction news April/May 2022

The tool includes common build-ups in the Irish market and some alternatives. To learn more, visit www.igbc.ie/carbondesigner-for-ireland, or scan the QR code to watch a two-minute video about how the Carbon Designer tool works.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Framespace to hire 150 more staff to accelerate offsite housing supply

L to r: Declan Murtagh, CEO Framespace; Robert Troy TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation; and Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, at the official opening of the new Framespace facility in Co Longford.

ffsite housing supplier Framespace Solutions has announced plans to hire 150 more staff as it officially opens a new manufacturing facility in Longford. The company, which already employs 100 people, has invested €8m in refurbishing the former Cameron Willis engineering works in the midlands town,

with support from Enterprise Ireland and Longford’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO). The 120,000 sq-foot facility will initially allow Framespace to deliver 550 residential units per year, with the company expecting the adoption of offsite housing to grow as housing completions rise to meet social and affordable housing targets.

Framespace plans to double output over three years, with a target output of 1 million sq feet by 2025, equating to over 1,000 residential units. Framespace also plans to grow to over 250 staff over the next two years and is currently hiring for roles in design and engineering along with general operative and semiskilled positions. Longford town has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Consistent with its hiring strategy to date, Framespace plans to recruit as much as possible from the local area, providing continuous training and development. The Framespace building system allows for the manufacture of high quality and environmentally sustainable buildings in a factory-controlled environment. Prefinished floor, wall, and roof panels are manufactured in the facility in Longford and then delivered to site, where they can be assembled in a matter of hours. The system is certified for use in buildings up to seven storeys and can reduce onsite construction times by as much as 40% when compared to more traditional building methods.

Sisk driving change with Ireland’s first JCB electric telehandler

ohn Sisk & Son has become the first construction and engineering firm in Ireland to invest in a JCB electric telehandler. The JCB 525-60E electric telehandler is a 100% electric, zero-emissions piece of plant machinery. This is a significant step in the Sisk sustainability journey, as it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. With no diesel engine, this new electric JCB telehandler offers near-silent operations on-site combined with the health benefits of zero emissions and significantly reducing energy costs. It also has considerably lower operating costs than a conventional telehandler in its maintenance requirements. The JCB 525-60E electric telehandler model has two electric motors – one for driveline, the other for lifting operations – powered by a 96-volt lithium-ion battery. The hydraulic system is completely new, and it features ‘smart regeneration’ with power recovered during boom lowering and retraction fed back into the battery. JCB states this new innovative telehandler, charged by a 24kWh battery, powers a full day on a single charge. Ian O’Connor, Energy Manager, John Sisk & Son, said: “We are very excited to receive

Ian O’Connor, Energy Manager, and Jim Worth (both Sisk) and Denis Murray, Managing Director, ECI JCB, at a construction site in Dublin Docklands on the arrival of Ireland’s first JCB electric telehandler. this next generation JCB electric telehandler, the first of its kind in the country. By the end of Q1 this year, Sisk will have invested almost €2m in our plant renewal and expansion programme. Each investment includes a weighting to carbon output as part of our investment criteria. With the inception of our 2030 Sustainability Roadmap in 2021, Sisk has a clear vision aligned with United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. This investment is a major milestone towards achieving our goal to be carbon

neutral by 2030 while supporting clients and the wider community in achieving their own goals.” Denis Murray, Managing Director, ECI JCB commented: “It is fantastic to see Ireland’s leading provider of construction services embrace this pioneering technology as it continues its impressive sustainability journey. We are proud to support John Sisk & Son and see our first electric loadall in Ireland working on high profile projects in Dublin city centre.”

irish construction news 57 April/May 2022

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

ESS Group announces strategic investment From ISG

SS Group has announced that ISG has acquired a majority shareholding in the group. The investment underpins ESS Group’s ambitious growth strategy and further enhances ISG’s leadership role in transforming the construction industry through smart innovation and pioneering delivery approaches and methodologies. Incorporated in 1989, ESS Group, headquartered in Dublin and Manchester, employs more than 280 staff. The group, which includes the ESS Modular and Spatial Initiative brands, specialises in delivering innovative modern methods of construction (MMC) solutions for clients in the healthcare, commercial and public sectors. This latest announcement builds upon ESS Group’s 2020 acquisition of construction integration specialist - Spatial Initiative, bringing the significant resources, research and development capability, and financial backing of the £2bn ISG business to catalyse the group’s further expansion. Paul Tierney, Chief Executive Officer, ESS, said: “The ISG investment is a pivotal moment for the ESS Group, giving us a solid financial platform for our continued growth plans,” commented Paul Tierney. “We passionately believe in a better way and have been working for the last 30 years to bring a high-quality offering to our clients. We are looking forward to what we are sure will be an exciting time for the industry as we see MMC continue to transform customer outcomes and expectations in the drive towards a net-zero future.” Matt Blowers, CEO, ISG, commented: “Greater integration and

PGIM Ireland European headquarters in Donegal, fabricated by ESS Group. collaboration are two ways that our industry can accelerate its performance to meet the growing demand for net-zero construction solutions,” Matt Blowers said. “The ESS Group brings a wealth of expertise, talent and innovation into ISG and enables us to collectively fast-track our journey, developing and implementing leading-edge built solutions that are rooted in operational performance and the highest sustainable and ethical outcomes.”

McHale Plant Sales announces new board and management appointments

onstruction equipment specialist McHale Plant Sales has announced several senior board and management appointments, which its chairman Michael McHale says “will resource the organisation at senior level, reinforce capacity across our various and diversified fields of operation, enable us to capitalise on future growth opportunities that may present, and strengthen the service we give to our customers.” Four appointments have been made to the board of directors. Kevin Nugent has been appointed to the position of finance director; Liam Foley, commercial director; Denis McGrath, sales director; and Anthony Ryan, aftersales director. In his new position as sales director, Denis McGrath succeeds the late John O’Brien, a much-admired figure within the industry whose recent death was marked by tributes paid by colleagues across the sector. McGrath’s appointment as sales director recognises, in part, his long service to the company which he joined as an apprentice, graduating over recent years to frontline sales and general management. The appointment of Anthony Ryan to

58 irish construction news April/May 2022

McHale Plant Sales chairman Michael McHale (centre right) and managing director Tim Shanahan (centre left) are pictured with four senior staff members whose appointments to the board of directors were announced. They are (left to right) Liam Foley, Commercial Director; Denis McGrath, Sales Director; Anthony Ryan, Aftersales Director; and Kevin Nugent, Finance Director. the position of aftersales director gives a voice at board level to all facets of after-sales management. In particular, it recognises the increasing importance that McHale Plant Sales attaches to the broad issue of customer care, one to which Ryan will bring extensive experience in aftersales management. Other appointments from within the company’s ranks see Pat Shanahan promoted to the new position of sales manager; Keith Carey to the new position of parts manager; and Niall Culligan to the new position of service manager. Michael McHale, Chairman, McHale

Plant Sales, said: “Through these new appointments, an extra-strong foundation has been put in place on which the company can plan for future growth and expansion. Drawn from within the company’s own ranks, a team has been appointed that will plan and manage the company’s affairs into the future, all with the experience, product knowledge and market awareness needed to meet the demands of current and future trade, to deliver on the priorities of those we represent, and to satisfy the expectations of our customers.”

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Wolseley UK acquires Heat Merchants, Tubs & Tiles and Hevac businesses

olseley UK has announced the acquisition of heating, plumbing, tiling and bathroom businesses Heat Merchants, Tubs & Tiles, and Hevac Ltd, subject to clearance from the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The three businesses combined have revenues of circa-€150m and employ over 400 people in 47 locations in Ireland. All jobs will be retained, and it is also planned that the individual brands will be retained. Heat Merchants, which focuses on the heating and plumbing sector, has 31 branches across Ireland and a central warehouse and distribution hub in Athlone. Support services include technical design and specification, installer training, commissioning, warranty, and after-sales services. The commercial division manages a variety of light commercial and multi-residential projects. Tubs & Tiles is the largest tile and bathroom retailer in Ireland, with 12 showrooms nationwide and an established e-commerce channel. In addition to retail sales, it is a key provider to hotels, leisure, retail, and multi-residential developments in the commercial sector. Hevac Ltd specialises in heating systems for the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. Its capabilities include large industrial steam systems, underfloor heating, district heating, and renewable energy solutions. The transaction also includes the acquisition of other successful brands, including Tube Company of Ireland Limited, Polytherm Heating Systems Limited, Origen Energy Limited and Aluminox

Limited. Simon Oakland, CEO, Wolseley UK, commented: “This is a very exciting announcement for Wolseley as it acquires Heat Merchants, Tubs & Tiles, and Hevac, all well-known brands in Ireland providing a local and personal service, which Wolseley will further build on.” Shane Colleran, Director, Heat Merchants Group, said: “This transaction and change to Wolseley ownership couldn’t have been better timed. It will allow us to build on the momentum we have generated over recent years and enable us to invest in the significant market opportunities in Ireland.” Garrett White, Director, Hevac, added: “We are incredibly optimistic about the substantial opportunities presented by this acquisition by Wolseley. The new ownership will allow us to contribute the appropriate resources and skills to further invest in Hevac and leverage Wolseley’s broader operational capabilities.

‘Let’s get it done’ with Chadwicks

uilders’ merchants Chadwicks Group recently unveiled its first-ever television advert. Playing on the Chadwicks brand tagline of ‘Let’s get it done’, the advert showcases Chadwicks as a reliable partner to tradespeople across the country with everything you need to get the job done under one roof. Taking inspiration from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and the repetition of ‘donedone-done-done’, the advert dramatises how Chadwicks helps customers get it done in a series of different trade-focused scenarios. As well as professional actors, a number of Chadwicks’ staff took up roles as background artists. Commenting on the campaign, Tara Brennan, Marketing & Development Director, Chadwicks Group, said: “We were delighted to unveil the campaign. Chadwicks understands that our customers work under tight deadlines with many unexpected challenges along the way. With this advertisement, we aim to reinforce Chadwicks as the one reliable location where tradespeople can access all the material and expertise they require for any project, big or small. “We have worked with Tristan Sellen, the CMS Marketing team and Danann/H2 Films to tell the story of different scenarios that

A still from the Chadwicks advert.

Chadwicks’ customers find themselves in. Each issue or challenge is then solved within their local Chadwicks branch, to the tune of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Not only does this speak to our customer-first approach, but also our commitment to providing the best value coupled with an unrivalled range of products. “We at Chadwicks are also delighted to see our colleagues featured as part of the advertisement. Our teams work hard to provide their high-level knowledge and expertise on a daily basis, so it is very fitting to see them involved in spreading the word about our best-in-class service.”

Tristan Sellen, Creative Director, CMS Marketing, who produced the advert, said: “This was a challenging but creatively exciting brief. The world of construction, professional and DIY is a rich territory creatively. This is one of Ireland’s oldest indigenous brands, one with a proud legacy and standing. We felt privileged to be trusted with the brief and to bring Chadwicks first ever TV ad to life.” Scan the QR code to view advert

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T H E B A C K PA G E

A selection of recent online Irish construction videos

nline video is growing in popularity as a medium Irish contractors are using to engage with a wider audience, whether highlighting current job opportunities, bringing focus to a particular aspect of their business or giving input on a particular sector issue or initiative they are passionate about.

The editor has picked a selection of recent videos produced by contractors and others that may be of interest to readers. To view any of these videos, simply point the camera on your smart device at the relevant QR code and follow the on-screen instructions.

1 UNTYPICAL CAREERS

– JOHN SISK & SON

the construction sector as an exciting and rewarding place for young people to pursue careers. SCAN QR CODE TO WATCH VIDEO

Episode 4 of the Untypical Careers series by John Sisk & Son – This series features interviews with Sisk employees who discuss their jobs and the career paths that they have followed. The series not only draws attention to career opportunities in Sisk, it also presents

2 NEW CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PROGRESS APRIL ‘22

timelapse video from BAM Ireland shows progress on the hospital up to April of this year. SCAN QR CODE TO WATCH VIDEO

– BAM IRELAND

The construction of the new National Children’s Hospital (NCH) continues with the hospital due to open its doors in the second half of 2022. This

3 PROPERTY MATTERS – IPROPERTY

In this episode of the Property Matters radio show from Dublin South FM and iProperty podcast series, host Carol Tallon and guest co-host Susan McGarry, Ecocem, are joined by a panel of experts to discuss the theme of “construction productivity and sustainability”. The guest panel includes Karolina Backman (RKD Architects) Brian Cassidy (Cork City Council), Aisling Kehoe, (Sisk) and Pat Barry (Irish Green Building Council).

4 CELEBRATING ARDMAC’S WOMEN – ARDMAC

Ardmac used this year’s International Women’s Day as an opportunity to acknowledge the essential contribution that women make to its operations with its Celebrating Ardmac’s Women video. In addition to highlighting the contributions made, female members of staff discuss the early challenges they faced – including ill-fitting PPE

60 irish construction news April/May 2022

– in the sector, as well as their work with Ardmac and how the sector has become much more accessible for women. SCAN QR CODE TO WATCH VIDEO

The group examine the planned sustainability initiatives of the CSG Innovation & Digital Adoption subgroup and how barriers to the advancement of key objectives may be overcome through policy changes, culture changes, and further resourcing. SCAN QR CODE TO WATCH VIDEO

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