Construction Update - March 2020

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE March 2020

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Construction Update March 2020

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32 March 2020

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www.construction-update.co.uk @ConstructionUpd 04| Editor’s Choice 12| Buildings & Architecture 20| Industry News 24| Vehicles & Machinery 32| Home Improvements 54| Recommended Suppliers

EDITORIAL LUCY HARRIS LUCY@CONSTRUCTION-UPDATE.CO.UK

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR JODIE LITTLE JODIE@JETDIGITALMEDIA.CO.UK 01843 595818

PUBLICATION MANAGER JAKE PAGE JAKE@CONSTRUCTION-UPDATE.CO.UK 01843 595818

SHELL UK

INTERIORS creating inspiring spaces

MAKE IT MAGNETIC!

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Transform creative visions into reality with our magnetic wall system – allows walls to be functional, interactive and easily updatable Contact us: T: +44 (0) 114 256 4407

E:info@am-interiors.co.uk

www.am-interiors.co.uk

March 2020 Editor’s Choice

Creating inspiring workspaces with am interiors A good working environment with inspiring graphics can develop, encourage and stimulate productivity. Work environments are business critical, they should create and show the company “culture & identity” by being welcoming, engaging and inspiring for employees and their visitors.

IAC (in partnership with the British Council for Offices) survey found that 94% of the respondents believe that art and images makes their workplace more welcoming and that 61% agree it also stimulates creativity. It also plays an important role in staff happiness and retention.

As an example of business critical interiors Morgan Sindall, who project manage a wide variety of sites all over the UK, needed a professional, practical solution to update the interiors of their project offices and reflects their corporate brand. am interiors installed the magwall ® system which has the ability to hold stunning digifilm® graphics, using images of Morgan Sindall award winning buildings and instantly transforming the look of the interiors. Function and practical dry wipe panels plus printed planning, strategy and corporate graphics were then applied over the main background images to facilitate internal and client meetings.

These ferrous dry wipe panels are held magnetically to magwall® so when they start to wear they can be easily removed and replaced, keeping meeting rooms looking clean and professional.

Morgan Sindall continued to enhance their office with the inclusion of a map wall to allow site updates and ATTRACT ® frames with an elegant sleek profile to enhance promotional imagery. ATTRACT ® frames from am interiors are constructed in satin silver aluminium alloy frames, combined with a high quality magnetic panel to attract and hold multiple layers of digifilm ® printed media easily transportable and applied in seconds. Perfect for creating professional looking promotions. They are easy to use, instantly updatable by internal employee to enable proactive marketing. Lightweight digifilm ® graphics enable easy application and multiple layering. Working with the same magnetic principles as magwall ® , the ATTRACT ® system can be used in many ways.

With the inclusion of supacling ® Morgan Sindall truly took their offices to the next level. supacling ® is am interiors brand of vinyls for internal glass walls and external windows. A set of vinyl manifestations were used to enhance the corporate brand on the glass office walls. With options of finish, opacity and printability… am interiors have got it all covered.

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March 2020

Knee and body protection from Redbacks Cushioning Redbacks Cushioning Limited, developers of the award winning, ‘Leaf-Spring’ cushioning technology offers a range of products to help protect the knees and body from damage caused by kneeling

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he Redbacks Pocket Kneepad, specifically designed to fit work trousers, features a flexible leaf-spring held within a thermoplastic honeycomb matrix which unlike foam or gel ensures a high compression rate and 100% recovery to its original shape.

This combination and the inherent ‘memory’ aspect gives unique controlled weight distribution; the deceleration of pressure protects both the knees and body from potentially damaging impact forces and gives long lasting, anti-fatigue support; traditional foam or gel solutions create point-pressure which focus the force or energy to a point which is then transmitted back into the knee joint and beyond.

Easy to slide in and curved to fit comfortably around the knee, the water-resistant pads which conform to CE EN14404 Type 2 Level 1 help to protect against possible injury from sharp objects, wick away sweat and provide thermal protection from warm or cold surfaces; they are machine washable at 30°c and 100% recyclable.

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For more information or to become a supplier visit www.redbackscushioning.com email: sales@redbackscushioning.com or telephone: 01327 702104

March 2020

‘X-TREME’ 4-WAY STRETCH FLEXIBLE COMFORT FROM ENGEL WORKWEAR Recognised for its comprehensive range of well fitting, stylish and practical workwear, Danish manufacturer ENGEL build further on their reputation in the UK with the introduction of their new ‘X-Treme’ 4 - Way Stretch’ work trousers.

Designed to allow as much flexibility as possible whilst kneeling or bending, the slim-fit trousers feature a 4-way stretch ‘breathable’, cooling fabric which quickly absorbs and dries light perspiration.

The knee-pad pockets are reinforced with hard wearing Kevlar Teramid and have two options for pad height adjustment; in addition to the many useful pockets for keeping essential tools and accessories immediately to hand, some of which have either Velcro or zip closures, optional

hanging tool pockets can be attached to the waist; the trousers also have extra deep hems so that lengths can be increased if required.

Made from 73% nylon, 17% cotton and 10% elastine, the ‘Engel X-Treme 4-Way Stretch’ work trousers are available in a variety of colour combinations and in all popular sizes.

For more information contact Gareth Bladen – email: gbl@f-engel.com Telephone: +44(0) 7759 520034 or visit: www.engel.eu/en

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March 2020

PIXA Z1: the new lighting

standard for hazardous areas Compact, rugged headlamp for use in ATEX hazardous areas The PIXA Z1 headlamp meets the requirements of the ATEX zone 1/21 (II 2 GD Ex ib IIB T4 Gb IIIB T135° C Db) certification. Designed to keep the hands free for work in ATEX areas, it is rugged and versatile. The multi-beam makes the PIXA Z1 suitable for any situation: closerange work, movement, and long-range vision. 100 lumens.

May be worn on the head with the headband, attached to a helmet with the included mount or with the PIXADAPT (sold separately), or placed on the ground.

Several lighting modes adapt to each situation: • for close-range work: uniform flood beam • for movement: mixed beam includes focused lighting for moving around easily • for long-range vision: focused beam Lighting for professionals that is reliable, practical and durable: • storage position helps protect the headlamp lens and prevents inadvertently turning it on • automatically switches to reserve mode when batteries are almost drained (signaled by blinking light and red indicator) • rotating knob that is ergonomic, even with gloves • excellent resistance to falls (2 m), impacts, and crushing (80 kg) • comfortable and washable elastic headband • resistant to chemicals

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Multi-beam: multiple lighting modes available for close-range work, for movement or for long-range vision.

Excellent fall, impact and crush resistance.

Knob can be handled with gloves to facilitate use of the headlamp under any conditions.

For more information CLICK HERE

© 2019 - Petzl Distribution - Rémi Flament - SAS Michel Besson

PETZL EXPERTISE

TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS When the specialists from the SAS Michel Besson Company dig underground galleries, they know they can count on Petzl’s advanced headlamp technology to provide lighting that is best adapted to their work.

The Petzl headlamp range covers the full spectrum of professional needs, from intensive to occasional use, and for different work environments that require varying degrees of brightness. www.petzl.com

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Buildings & Architecture March 2020

Schöck Bole prevents punching shear problems at Tottenham Hale Tower Flat slab construction carries with it the inevitable risk of punching failure. When loads in the stress areas are increased, careful thought has to be given to criteria such as the quality of the concrete, additional reinforcement content, even enlarging the column heads.

These options are neither time efficient nor cost effective, and rarely solve the problem to an acceptable performance level. In addressing any potential problems of punching shear at the major new Anthology Hale Works tower needed to be cost-effective, easyto-install and certainly dependable.

At the heart of Tottenham Hale, one of North London’s most diverse communities, Hale Village is a multi-award winning urban development. It already includes a mixture of private and affordable homes, student accommodation and a range of non-residential uses including a gym, supermarket, community centre and church.

Hale Village has been voted one of the top 30 best regeneration projects in the UK and the most Innovative Affordable Housing Scheme. The last piece of land currently being developed is Anthology Hale Works Tower. This elegant 108 metre high, 32 storey tower offers 279 homes and over 12,000 sq ft of mixed commercial use. There is a selection of studios, one and two-bedroom homes with other features including a 24-hour concierge, resident’s sky lounge and garden, expansive landscaping and private balconies. The striking design of the tower will act as a landmark for Tottenham Hale and Hale Village, whilst simultaneously achieving the highest design and environmental standards.

The prevention of punching failure is critical though With flat slab construction and the increasing trend for thinner slabs, there is the inevitable risk of punching failure around column heads.

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March 2020 Buildings & Architecture So when loads in the stress areas are increased, consideration has to be given to issues such as the quality of the concrete, additional reinforcement content, even enlarging the column heads. These options are neither time efficient, or cost effective and rarely solve the problem to an acceptable performance level.

Construction at Anthology Hale involves a single-storey basement box, partly situated above a live London Underground tunnel and bordered on one side by Tottenham Hale station, and existing buildings to the other three sides. The 32 storey building has a jump-formed core and concrete frame, with the first six levels being acoustically separated from the basement structure, due to the adjacent London Underground line. First and foremost flat slab floor is an economical form of construction, but it offers other benefits as well. The minimisation of shuttering time for example, simplification of reinforcement work, ease of underslab work such as ducting and just as importantly, the optimum use of space.

However, with flat slab construction the risk of punching failure is always a critical issue. When increasing the loads in the stress areas, a great deal of consideration has to be given to variables such as the quality of the concrete itself, improving the reinforcement content and even enlarging the

column heads. None of these options is necessarily time efficient or cost effective. They rarely solve the problem to an acceptable performance level either. So the ideal solution to resolving any potential problems of punching shear needs to be cost-effective, easy-to-install and certainly dependable.

Increased shear force resistance of around 70% The reinforcement system used to prevent punching failure at Anthology Hale Works is the widely used Schöck Bole system. This reliable and trusted solution consists of double-headed studs and anchors, with spacing bars, which enable installation after the bottom reinforcement and before

the top layer. Two spacer bars are welded to the vertical studs, which ensure the correct distance between uprights; and the forged stud heads guarantee a perfect finishing bond with the concrete.

When compared with a typical stirrup reinforcement system, an increased shear force resistance of around 70% is achievable. It is a genuinely cost-effective and timesaving solution.

Other variants – plus Schöck design software too In addition to the standard Bole solution, Schöck has developed three other punching shear reinforcement variants. The type U is a solution designed for installation before the lower mat; the type O is for installation after the top reinforcement layer; and the type F is designed for use in element slabs at prefabricating plants. The entire range is supplied ready for installation and provides a totally reliable solution to the problem of punching shear in flat slabs. There is downloadable user-friendly Schöck design software available too, which enables fast and simple dimensioning of the product to British Standards and the export of CAD drawings with dxf-format.

For further information on the Schöck Bole system contact the company on 01865 290 890 or visit www.schoeck.co.uk

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Buildings & Architecture March 2020

Supreme Concrete launches new stockist guide for 2020 As part of its commitment to supporting the built environment, Supreme Concrete, the UK’s leading manufacturer of precast concrete products and fencing systems, has released its new stockist guide for 2020.

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The easy to use brochure has been updated to incorporate the latest changes to its extensive product offering following the addition of Anderton Concrete’s building and fencing products into its portfolio. In addition to its updated product offering, the newly refreshed guide provides customers with a simple pricelist to help streamline the planning and specification stages.

selecting specific products for each project they are working on. This can be easily done through the guide’s simple breakdown of the products’ attributes, including colours, textures and pricing.

Mark Swift, Director of Sales for Supreme Concrete, said: “Our latest stockist guide provides a handy catalogue for customers to refer to when

For further information on Supreme’s market leading offering, visit: www.supremeconcrete.co.uk or call 0333 999 2220

“2019 has seen a fantastic increase to our product range, including the inclusion of pre-blended packs of high quality Shearstone Walling Stone, all of which can be found in our new stockist guide.”

March 2020 Buildings & Architecture

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions has simplified its recycling scheme The pioneering programme is now even easier for contractors to use.

The pioneer of ceiling recycling schemes, Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, has fine-tuned its awardwinning* programme to make it as simple and as accessible as possible.

It is now even easier for contractors to reduce their environmental impact and divert waste from landfill which also saves them money from the subsequent taxes as well as from skips and transportation costs.

All contractors are now required to do is simply take down the old Armstrong acoustic mineral ceiling tiles** and stack them on pallets. In partnership with the local distributor, Armstrong will arrange collection free of charge*** and the old tiles will be 100% recycled into new ceiling tiles at the company’s production facility in Gateshead.

The scheme for the UK and Ireland, which has been in place since 2003, enables Armstrong to

minimise its impact on the environment by not only diverting its old products from landfill but also producing mineral ceiling tiles with even higher post-consumer recycled content, currently up to 82%.

As well as the support it gets from distributors, Armstrong has also developed a “green” branch of its Omega network of approved subcontractors, specifically for those installers with proven recycling expertise .. and they claim that as well as saving them landfill tax it also makes then more attractive for main contractors to use.

Armstrong’s recycling programme for demolition, construction and renovation schemes has saved 15 million m2 of old ceiling tiles globally and diverted 61,000 tonnes of waste from landfill. And with

2,000m2 of recycled ceiling tiles equating to 7.6 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill, that is a 14,000 kWh saving on energy.

Projects have included the headquarters of main contractor Kier Construction, the temporary beach volleyball venue at Horse Guards Parade in London, and the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

A member of the UK Green Building Council, Armstrong also a partner in the Ceilings Sustainability Partnership, a working party of the AIS (Association of Interior Specialists) technical committee, which delivers on the actions within the Mineral Wool Ceiling Tile Resource Efficiency Action Plan (REAP). The REAP plan is intended to help the sector reduce the amount of mineral wool ceiling tiles going to landfill.

Armstrong recycling case studies also feature as WRAP exemplars, including Birmingham University Hospital where almost 43 tonnes of ceiling tiles were diverted from landfill and an estimated 19.5 tonnes of embodied CO2 were offset.

A new recycling programme leaflet, which has all the criteria information and steps to follow, is available CLICK HERE.

*Awards include Sustain Magazine 2010; Green Apple 2011; AIS (Association of Interior Specialists) Eco Innovation 2011. **Dated after January 2000

*** Armstrong may apply charges in special circumstances, eg out of hours collections or multiple collections of small quantities.

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Buildings & Architecture March 2020

Scaffolding vs Platform Lifts: Which Should I Choose?

There has never been so much choice for trades people looking for equipment to help them work at height. And with the focus around health and safety more acute today than it has ever been, that is just as well.

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Most of the options available can be broadly divided into two camps - scaffolding or mechanised platform lifts, which include scissor lifts, boom lifts, spider lifts and hybrid varieties.

Scaffolding may be the traditional solution when it comes to working at height, but over the past couple of decades, the technology around lifting plant has developed significantly and soared in popularity (find out more here).

Ease of use

In recent years, a lot of the talk has been around platform lifts providing the better option for the modern construction worker. But is this really true? Let’s take a look at how the two options compare on three key criteria.

Platform lifts, on the other hand, are much more straightforward. Instead of having to erect a structure from the ground up, you simply roll your plant into position and activate the lift. With so many different types of lift available these days,

There is no doubt that scaffolding takes a considerable amount of time and effort just to get set up before you can start working. There are designs to be drawn up and/or compliance guides to follow, and putting up and taking down the scaffolding is a sizeable job in itself for a suitably qualified team.

March 2020 Buildings & Architecture

there is an option for every type of job, from low level access to spider, boom and hybrid lifts that are not only capable of reaching considerable heights, they are also perfect for situations where scaffolding would be impractical.

In general terms, then, platform lifts save time and labour compared to scaffolding. And what really matters to businesses is, they tend to therefore work out more cost effective.

Safety Claims are also made that platform lifts represent a safer option than scaffolding, based on the fact that they are designed to have very stable bases, aren’t prone to collapses or slippages in adverse weather and so on. But the key point here is that safety issues with scaffolding nearly always boil down to human error, whether that be incorrect installation or failure to inspect properly.

Scaffolding equipment hire is a highly specialised occupation that combines structural design expertise with a thorough focus on health and safety. The bottom line is, when designed and erected properly, scaffolding should be the equal of any plant lift in terms of stability and safety, and mistakes should not be made by certified contractors.

Scalability and site access It is often said that lifting platforms, especially spider and boom varieties, allow construction workers to reach those awkward places it is very difficult to access with scaffolding. But by the same token, a lifting platform only allows you access to one location at a time. There is mobility, but only in terms of getting down off the lift and moving the whole rig to a new position.

Scaffolding, by contrast, gives construction teams access to as large an interface as they like throughout a building at any one time. With scaffolding in place, it is easy to move from one position to another, to perform tasks in different areas. It is therefore no surprise that, while lifting platforms are ideal for quick, one-off tasks that can be completed by individuals or small teams, scaffolding remains the preference for larger-scale projects involving large work teams.

JPS Group provides a wide range of professional services to the buildings and construction trade, including scaffolding design and erection, tool and plant hire, environmental services and training. View more here.

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Buildings & Architecture March 2020

Gilberts louvres help double feed mill production capacity, safely The safety of feed processing at the largest UK farmer-owned dairy co-operative is being protected via a patented ventilation design.

United Feeds, part of the Dale Farm co-operative, has extended its mill at Dungannon, in Northern Ireland, to double its capacity.

Central to the development, built

by McKelvey Construction, is a new intake building to include eight rax material bins, plus an additional loading point and weighbridge, with 10 additional finished product bins for the company’s bespoke nutritional solutions for ruminant animals.

“It was crucial the ventilation was optimised, to meet the stringent health & safety, and fire, requirements necessary in such facilities, particularly above the weighbridge area,” explained Daniel McCrory of McKelvey Construction. “Health & safety is paramount to United Feeds, and the new building faced essential fire safety requirements.

We had to provide good ventilation because of the potential for dust, yet avoid any potential risk of water ingress as this could damage the stored feed.”

Optimum ventilation to the weighbridge and finished product bins to maintain safety inside is achieved via three-sided, 33m long louvre

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screens on each of the two silo towers, created from Gilberts’ patented WH75 series high performance ventilation louvres.

Each louvre façade was constructed on site, with each blade having to be cut to fit precisely to suit the raking head profile that graduated from 1.5m to 2.5m, and corners mitred for a flush fit.

Added Daniel McRory, “The patented design of Gilberts’ WH75 louvres gave us the ventilation and weather protection performance we needed, in a system that could be tailored to the project’s precise tolerances.”

Gilberts’ WH75 Series of ventilation louvres deliver a Class A weather rating, with low pressure loss and at least 50% free airflow area. The innovative design of the louvre blades

features an integrated channel to provide optimum efficiency in removal of water from the blade face, and subsequent discharge away from any façade opening.

The WH75 louvres are just part of Gilberts’ range of louvres, grilles and diffusers that have established it as Britain’s leading independent air movement specialist, with solutions for mechanical and natural ventilation in commercial applications.

Founded over five decades ago, Gilberts Blackpool is unique in its ability to develop componentswhether ‘mainstream’ or bespoke - entirely in-house, from initial design through tooling, production, testing and supply, at its 95,000 ft2 manufacturing facility. Its state of the art test centre, designed and built in-house, is one of the most technically advanced in the country.

For further information: Gilberts tel: 01253 766911 E: info@gilbertsblackpool.com

March 2020 Buildings & Architecture

RSS

delivered the below-the-hook equipment and services, and fellow Welsh company Davies Crane Hire Ltd. a 100t capacity Grove GMK4100L. The mobile crane was fitted with a 19.6t counterweight and operated with a boom length of 52m to meet Massey Cladding Solutions’ requirement for multiple lifts to raise its roofing products.

Neil Davies, of Davies Crane Hire, said: “A 100t [capacity] crane was required because of the main boom length and we needed the capacity at the furthest working radius when we were situated close to the building. The lifting frame provided control and support as the roof sheets were being raised into position.”

The equipment combined as 35m-long sheets were raised via 17 separate pick points to the top of the £29m secondary school in Neath Port Talbot.

Construction of the school started last September and is due to be finished by March 2021.

The beam was the centrepiece of the lift but also integral to its safe completion were shackles and a variety of slings. Jack Sleeman, health and safety coordinator / hire and sales at RSS, explained the rigging configuration, involving two 22m-long outermost wire rope slings and two 18m-long wire rope slings inside them. A 13m-long wire rope sling

was rigged in the centre with a two-leg chain sling beneath it to utilise two pick points on the lifting beam.

Six chain slings with shortening grabs completed connection to the lattice beam, while beneath it, 38 2t capacity allow bow shackles and 19 1t capacity, 4m-long synthetic slings were wrapped underneath the roofing sheets.

Sleeman said: “It was a challenging job and we had to remain patient before completing it because of the stormy weather we have been experiencing; the lift was delayed for two weeks. Once the winds had calmed sufficiently, we were able to rig our beam and sling configuration beneath the hook of the crane.”

Davies Crane Hire boasts a fleet of 45 mobile cranes, ranging in capacity from 8t to 400t. In addition to Groves, it also owns a variety of Liebherr, Terex and Tadano models. Combining with a fleet of specialised transport vehicles, it fulfills lifting and other contracts in a number of sectors including steel, petrochemical, wind, energy and infrastructure.

Davies added: “Business has generally been good recently, but we have endured storms and high winds in the last three or four weeks that have made it too dangerous for cranes to operate. We look forward to normalised conditions as spring approaches.”

The new school is due to open in September 2021.

Rope and Sling Beam for Welsh School Construction Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) has provided a 2t capacity, 36m-long lattice beam and rigging gear for lifting roofing sheets at the Cefn Saeson School construction project in South Wales.

Image: The crane and rigging gear combined as 35m-long sheets were raised.

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Industry News March 2020

Openreach extends free full fibre installation for developers to benefit additional 13k new build premises a year • Openreach extends its free full fibre installation offer to include smaller developments of 20 homes or more.

• Around 13,000 homes per annum nationwide set to benefit • Openreach urges Government to move forward with ambition to make full fibre mandatory for new builds.

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Thousands more new-build homes are in line for a broadband boost as Openreach extends the reach of its scheme offering Fibre-to-thePremises (FTTP) installation free of charge for new housing developments.

More than 13,000 new homes across around 600 small housing developments per annum stand to benefit from being connected to the cutting edge technology – which provides a faster, more stable service that’s ideal for families, home workers and small businesses.

Developers building smaller new sites of just 20 or more properties are now eligible to have full fibre connectivity built across their sites at no cost when they register with Openreach.1

The new threshold extends the reach of the company’s existing scheme to install FTTP free of charge to all new housing developments from 30 or more homes.

The programme has so far proved very successful with 99 per cent of plots on sites of 30 or more homes registering for future-proofed FTTP.

1. Applies to developments with 20-29 plots where, previously, developers would have made a contribution according to the size of the development.

March 2020 Industry News

New Sites Rate Card Comparison New Rate Card effective 1st April 2020

Existing Rate Card

New Rate Card (capped at 2k)

Plots

Contribution per plot

Contribution per site

Contribution per plot

Contribution per site

2

£3,172

£6,344

£2,000

£4,000

3

£2,337

£7,011

£2,000

£6,000

4

£1,851

£7,404

£2,000

£8,000

5

£1,527

£7,635

£1,800

£9,000

6

£1,291

£7,746

£1,600

£9,600

7

£1,110

£7,770

£1,400

£9,800

8

£965

£7,720

£1,200

£9,600

9

£846

£7,614

£1,000

£9,000

10

£747

£7,470

£747

£7,470

11

£662

£7,282

£662

£7,282

12

£588

£7,056

£588

£7,056

13

£524

£6,812

£524

£6,812

14

£467

£6,538

£467

£6,538

15

£415

£6,225

£415

£6,225

16

£369

£5,904

£369

£5,904

17

£328

£5,576

£328

£5,576

18

£290

£5,220

£290

£5,220

19

£255

£4,845

£255

£4,845

20

£223

£4,460

£0

£0

21

£193

£4,053

£0

£0

22

£166

£3,652

£0

£0

23

£140

£3,220

£0

£0

24

£116

£2,784

£0

£0

25

£94

£2,350

£0

£0

26

£73

£1,898

£0

£0

27

£53

£1,431

£0

£0

28

£35

£980

£0

£0

29

£17

£493

£0

£0

Above: changes to the Openreach Rate Card;

Since launching in 2016 – Openreach has connected 354k new build homes with full fibre technology. This financial year alone the company has built full fibre to 125k new build premises, reaching around 3.5k new premises with full fibre every week, and is on target to reach 175k by the end of the fiscal year in April.

By dropping the threshold for free eligibility from 30 to 20 homes – Openreach plans to drive take up of full fibre by developers on these smaller developments from its current level of 45 per cent to 100 per cent.

In addition, Openreach has capped the amount UK house builders contribute if they ask

Openreach to build full fibre to smaller-scale developments of just 2 and 3 premises – to help encourage further full fibre take-up.2 This is part of a revised rate card for developers – enabling them to upgrade broadband connectivity for new developments to full fibre by paying a set contribution for the size of the site.

The lower threshold for free FTTP for sites with 20 or more plots will take effect on April 1, this year.3 2 Developers’ contribution under Openreach’s rate card will be capped at £2k per plot for 2 and 3 plot sites.

3 Selective registrations for plots of 20 or more may be considered for free full fibre installation – where certain conditions/criteria are met – between now and April 1.

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Industry News March 2020

Kim Mears OBE, MD Strategic Infrastructure Development, said: “Our existing offer already provides huge benefits to both buyers and builders alike, but we want to go further and make sure everybody moving into a new build property can enjoy the advantages of Full Fibre broadband.

“The UK is a world leader in digital infrastructure and services today, but as the digital revolution continues at an ever increasing pace, and our demand for data grows, we need to make sure this country stays ahead of the curve by building fast, reliable networks that cater for all the activities we’ll want to do online in the decades ahead.

“We hope these new measures will provide the necessary incentive for housebuilders to adopt this future-proof technology across smaller developments so that no-one’s left behind.

“We urge the Government to push forward with planned legislation to ensure all new build homes have infrastructure to support gigabit capable connections, and we will work closely with government and housebuilders on how best to deliver this.”

Kieran Walker, Technical Director for the Home Builders Federation commented: “The HBF and its membership welcome this change to Openreach’s fibre offering and fully support Openreach in its strategic objective of providing full FTTP to all new dwellings.

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“The customer of today expects, in line with other utility suppliers to be provided with fast, reliable, uninterrupted service upon receiving the keys to their

new home. This further step improvement will assist housebuilders in ensuring their customers overall journey is positive one.

“This latest offering from Openreach allows housebuilders to further integrate FTTP to new developments that previously may have been financially constrained and is a demonstration of Openreach’s commitment to provide FTTP to all new dwellings.”

According to a London School of Economics & Political Science study of British homebuyers, a good broadband connection now tops off-street parking and access to local amenities as one of the vital deciding factors for people buying a new house. The study also finds that one in ten buyers have walked away from properties with poor internet connection and that broadband is generally connected even before gas. Home owners in London are willing to pay up to 3 per cent above the market price for properties in areas offering very fast broadband speeds.

Providing full fibre to new homes is an important part of Openreach’s commitment to invest in faster, more reliable broadband technology through its new ‘Fibre First’ strategy. The company is on track to reach 4 million homes and businesses with its Full Fibre network by the end of March 2021, and wants to reach 15 million by the middle of the decade if the right conditions are in place.

Developers can take advantage of the new pricing by registering their new sites here

Vehicle tracking that works for you

Find out just how much you can save with Quartix

No auto-renewal | Free mobile app | 1st class customer service

Visit quartix.net or call 01686 807 607 to schedule a free demo

Vehicles & Machinery March 2020

Tips for running a Operating a greener fleet reduces carbon emissions whilst saving costs and improving productivity for businesses of all sizes, but organisations have different ways of “going green.”

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ome employ a vehicle tracking system to help them improve their carbon footprint. This comes with the added benefit of reports and tools that allow them to measure driver performance, a key factor in reducing overall emissions.

Others rely on Eco-Driving, a style of driving behavior that can reduce fuel consumption and minimise vehicle maintenance which costs money and time.

Here are a few simple ways that you can run a greener fleet.

Improving driving styles Monitoring driving style across your fleet can help you lower instances of speeding and reduce harsh braking and acceleration.

If your system provides each of your drivers or vehicles with an overall score based on these three criteria, it’s easy to see where improvements need to be made, especially if the system displays the scores in a league-style table. Speed analysis reports let you see specific instances where a driver exceeded the speed limit or went above what’s considered a safe speed for that stretch of road.

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Improving your fleet’s driving style minimises CO2 emissions from your vehicles, helps save fuel and reduces the risk of accidents on the road, making your fleet safer and cheaper to run.

greener fleet

March 2020 Vehicles & Machinery

Embarking on an eco-driving initiative requires thought, planning, and awareness. The idea is for employees to drive smarter, better and to develop good driving practices. There are two points within a journey where simple actions will ensure that you and your employees are driving safely and efficiently.

When preparing for a trip and while on the trip, be sure to: Check your tyres – Check the pressure of your tyres at least once a month, and especially before long trips. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, resulting in up to 5% more fuel consumption.

Trip reporting & route maps Vehicle tracking shows you the total mileage for your fleet. Driving hours and idling times over a specified period are displayed in simple, easy to read reports, whether you need to see the data by driver or by vehicle. Acting on this insight can improve overall productivity and reduce employee overtime by up to 15%.

A good system shows you the routes your drivers are taking every day, letting you see where they overlap.

Armed with this knowledge, you can streamline your drivers’ daily routines, eliminating unnecessary vehicle usage and the emissions that go with it.

Reducing idling times Traffic is the number one source of idling, but live tracking with traffic information can help your drivers avoid areas of severe congestion, allowing them to take routes that will keep them moving. Instances where the engine is left running unnecessarily, for example when the vehicle is parked, can also be identified and corrected.

Knowing how your drivers are performing out on the roads can help you to decrease idling times by up to 30%. Identifying where your drivers can decrease idling not only saves fuel, it also reduces the emissions your vehicles are releasing into the atmosphere.

Eco-driving Eco-driving, or energy-efficient driving, is a way of driving that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while decreasing the risk of accidents.

For companies who adopt eco-driving, it can lead to significant savings, both in terms of fuel use and vehicle maintenance.

Avoid unnecessary loads – The heavier a vehicle is, the more fuel it consumes. Avoid carrying or storing unnecessary equipment in your vehicles; this can lead to higher energy consumption.

Check the overall condition of your vehicles – A poorly maintained vehicle can increase your fuel consumption. For example, a clogged air filter fills the engine with dirty air, leading to a loss in power from the internal combustion mixture. Regular maintenance of your fleet saves money on fuel and maintenance and extends the life of your vehicles.

Use air conditioning wisely – Limit its use to just periods of extreme heat and consider venting the vehicle before starting your journey.

At lower speeds, open the vehicle’s windows instead of using air conditioning. However, at higher speeds, it’s more fuel efficient to use the air conditioning.

Avoid over-revving – To avoid overloading your engine, change gears around 2,500 rpm (2,000 rpm for a diesel vehicle). By using your engine optimally, you can reduce your fuel spend by a significant amount.

Creating a greener fleet is a long-term commitment, but it won’t just be the environment seeing the benefit—your bottom line will see the difference, too.

With ever increasing guidelines on emissions and fuel efficiency, having a good vehicle tracking system or a policy of eco-friendly driving will help your organisation get ahead of the curve.

About Quartix The Quartix vehicle tracking system is installed in over 500,000 vehicles and helps more than 13,000 businesses cut costs and save on fuel every day. Providing commercial fleet tracking for cars, coaches and vans throughout France, the UK, US and Europe, the award-winning system offers a host of valuable features for fleet managers. Customer industries range from Construction, Security, Landscaping and everything in between.

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Vehicles & Machinery March 2020

Masters Spreading acquires UK’s first Yanmar V80 wheel loader Masters Spreading Ltd, an agricultural contracting business covering Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, has purchased the first Yanmar V80 wheel loader sold in the UK. An expert in start-to-finish fertiliser solutions, the company will use Yanmar’s new-to-market model to mix bespoke fertiliser blends for its clients.

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ollowing the retirement of its previous wheel loader, Masters Spreading required a more robust machine that would better suit its needs.

The harsh nature of working with fertilisers, combined with seasonal demand, meant that reliability and resistance were essential. Having tested a variety of equipment from leading manufacturers, purchasing the dependable V80 was an easy decision.

Rob Falkingham, co-owner of Master Spreading, explained: “I bought a Yanmar compact tractor a few years ago that really impressed me. When it came time to replace our wheel loader, Yanmar’s offering really stood out. The V80 is now an integral part of our business – we use it daily for loading and unloading, as well as mixing specific fertiliser blends to suit exacting client requirements. It puts its feet down well, joystick gearchange is great and we no longer need to exit the cab to change the buckets. It’s a real time saver!”

Ordered through Yanmar dealer MTS Plant, the V80 was delivered to its new owners at the end of November. Reliable and highly manoeuvrable, the Stage V-compliant model offers a unique combination of performance and efficiency.

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With a top speed of 20 km/h on the road (or 36 km/h in the highspeed version) and a tipping load of 3770kg, the V80 is a versatile machine. Compact dimensions in all aspects provide excellent manoeuvrability, including a turning radius of less than two metres. Parallel kinematics allow the operator to quickly

and precisely lift loads and the hydrostatic transmission delivers high power and smooth adjustment, with high rim pull and good travel performance – even on steep inclines.

David Cockayne, UK & Ireland Sales Manager at Yanmar Compact Equipment Europe, commented: “We are thrilled to be getting the new V80 into the hands of businesses across the UK and Ireland. Rob and the team at Masters Spreading now have an excellent wheel loader to deliver a core role in the business.

The V80 is low-emission and featurepacked, I would encourage everyone in the market for a wheel loader to try one out.”

Matthew Watson, Operations Director at MTS Plant, added: “At MTS Plant, we work with a variety of businesses – from national contractors and councils to hire firms and sole traders. When Rob at

Masters Spreading got in touch to find out more about Yanmar’s latest wheel loader models, we worked in close partnership to provide the perfect solution.

“The V80 has compact dimensions in all aspects; height (<2.7 m), width (<1.8m), length (<5.1m) and turning radius (track circle <2m) which contribute to high manoeuvrability.

Numerous controls have been redesigned and rearranged for fast operation and improved machine monitoring. The 3.5” display shows machinery and engine data while the modern menu guide is similar to a smartphone display.”

For more information about the Yanmar V80 wheel loader, contact MTS Plant www.mtsplant.co.uk, Yanmar dealers for Yorkshire, Lancashire and Southern / Central Scotland, or find your nearest dealer at www.yanmarconstruction.co.uk.

March 2020 Vehicles & Machinery

LGH Awaits 5,000th Order, Consolidates with Rotrex Lifting Gear Hire (LGH) will take its 5,000th order in the coming weeks, as the company aligns closer with sister business Rotrex Winches.

Further momentum has been gained via renewed Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) silver and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.

LGH has received over 4,500 orders for lifting, rigging and safety equipment since returning to the UK market three years ago. Winch specialist Rotrex was already part of the LGH portfolio but was strategically realigned with its parent company at the turn of the year.

Colin Naylor, managing director at LGH, said: “The companies are both part of the same group and even before LGH was sold to Speedy [Hire, in 2006] they belonged to the same family, so it represents a natural progression to align them back together. Upon LGH’s reintroduction to the market, the companies have advanced under the same leadership and share many personnel and other resources. Internally, they function similarly.”

However, Rotrex will retain its own identity as a long-standing company that boasts one of Europe’s largest hire fleets of winching equipment, ranging in capacity from 100kg to 200t.

LGH, meanwhile, offers a breadth of lifting and rigging solutions, including hoists, jacks, material handling and safety systems. Naylor serves both businesses as managing director, while

Phil Smith, operations director, and Bex Widdowson, national sales and marketing manager, are also bifocal; the leadership team assumed new responsibilities at varying points of 2019.

ISO 9001:2015, meanwhile, is based on several quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and application of top management, and continual improvement.

Naylor said: “We have had to be strategic with the adjustment because, while it makes sense given the crossover and extent to which a number of teams serve both companies, we have to continue to leverage the strength and history of the Rotrex brand. Further, both portfolios add customer value in their own right and we don’t want to dilute that.”

Smith said: “Given the nature of our product range, existing and prospective customers expect us to have the latest 2015 specification of ISO 9001.

Additionally, the accreditation offers them peace of mind that they are sourcing lifting and rigging equipment from a highly disciplined organisation.”

Driving force FORS accreditation drives best practice across the European fleet industry in terms of safety, efficiency and environmental protection. It also offers guidance and training to help operators attain the required standards. FORS membership provides progressive accreditation, enabling operators to achieve exemplary levels of best practice. It is gaining recognition as the transport industry’s go-to accreditation scheme but is already a prerequisite for any fleet operating in the London area.

LGH has a national rental and customer contact centre in Atherton, Manchester in addition to facilities in Aberdeen and London.

Holistically it represents an uplifting start to the year for LGH, as the wider Parkinson family-owned LGH brand prepares to mark its 50th anniversary.

Naylor said: “We feel like a 50-year-old company due to our global presence and long serving employees’ expert knowledge.

A lot of customers also know the name LGH from before the [Speedy] acquisition.

However, we feel like a three-year-old company owing to the rapid expansion and development that is constantly taking place. The mix is great for business—and customers—because we can harness the benefits of both stages of the timeline.”

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Vehicles & Machinery March 2020

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art of the Masterson Holdings Group, a family owned and managed construction business with a turnover of some £140 million, Glencoe Plant Services works from premises in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire.

The new 18-tonner was supplied

by S & B Commercials and is being inspected and maintained under a five-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract at the Dealer’s workshop in Welham Green, Hertfordshire.

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An Econic 1830L, the truck is powered by a high-torque, 7.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engine which generates 220 kW (299 hp) and drives through a fuelefficient, 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission. It is fitted with Hyva skiploading gear.

Glencoe Plant Services runs a fleet of a dozen other trucks, most of them eight-wheeled tippers and six-wheelers with cranes, in which a Swedish manufacturer holds sway.

However, the two 26-tonners it has purchased in the last couple of years from truck-mounted concrete pump specialist Schwing, are also

by Mercedes-Benz.

The company is a dedicated provider of plant and equipment to two fellow members of the Masterson Holdings group: carpentry and joinery business Atlantic, and Getjar, which specialises in groundworks and reinforced concrete frames. Both work predominantly in London and the Home Counties.

Damian Kilcoyne, Plant Manager at Glencoe Plant Services, explained: “Having previously put the skip work out to sub-contractors, we saw an

opportunity to gain more control and increase efficiency by purchasing our own vehicle for collecting construction waste material from sites and taking it to recycling centres.

“Given that this truck will spend so much of its time in and around London, an Econic was the obvious choice. Safety and compliance were our top priorities, and having driven and learned about the vehicle at an event hosted by the manufacturer we were confident the low-entry Mercedes-Benz represented the best way forward.”

Greater Safety is one of the three pillars of MercedesBenz Trucks’ all-encompassing RoadEfficiency strategy, and the fully air-suspended Econic comes with Active Brake Assist 4 emergency braking technology which incorporates a pedestrian recognition capability.

March 2020 Vehicles & Machinery

Glencoe Plant Services commissions first Mercedes-Benz Econic skiploader Glencoe Plant Services’ first skiploader is based on a lowentry Mercedes-Benz Econic, chosen for the five-star Direct Vision credentials which have made it a preferred truck for safety-focused operators working in busy urban areas.

The truck was awarded a five-star Direct Vision rating

by Transport for London, thanks to its deep, panoramic windscreen, and full-height, glazed folding side door. A seating position which is much lower than that of a conventional truck also allows the driver to make direct eye contact with cyclists and pedestrians at junctions or in traffic queues.

enhances health and safety because he can always choose the best side from which to exit.”

Like all new Econics supplied through the manufacturer’s UK Dealer Network the latest addition to the Glencoe Plant Services fleet is backed by a three-year/160,000 km manufacturer’s warranty.

Damian Kilcoyne added: “Safety was the key driver behind our decision to purchase a Mercedes-Benz on this

occasion, but we’ll also be looking to the Econic to provide the reliability we need to support our ‘sister’ businesses, as well as competitive running costs.

“S & B Commercials’ National Fleet Sales Manager Sam Setterfield was very helpful when we came to specify the truck, and I’m optimistic that the Dealer will deliver on its promise of timely, customer-focused back-up.” mastersonholdings.co.uk

These attributes have helped Mercedes-Benz to secure a string of high-profile orders in recent years for Econic-based mixers, tippers and tipper-grabs as well as skiploaders, and for fridge-bodied rigids and tractor units which are now in service with food sector operators.

Mr Kilcoyne continued: “The great all-round visibility offered by the Econic’s cab can only help to make the roads safer for vulnerable road users. The fact that our driver can see so much more means that time spent at the wheel is less stressful for him, while the vehicle’s low height and easy cross-cab access also

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SECTION NAME March 2020

Sussex to host South East Construction Expo 2020 Sussex will host its third annual South East Construction Expo in 2020 on the earlier date of 28th April 2020 at the South of England Event Centre in Ardingly.

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ver 2,500 delegates attended the Expo in September 2019, where 120 companies in the construction industry exhibited the latest technology, ideas and expertise and dozens of workshops and presentations were held on key topics for the industry.

The trade show, founded 12 years ago and previously held in Kent, showcases the region’s largest range of construction products and services and is a ‘must visit’ for anyone whose business deals in development, property and construction.

An exciting programme of speakers is being put together for 2020 and will be announced over the coming months.

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Delegates attending can sign up to one of the largest FREE ‘Meet the Buyer’ one-on-one sessions with business leaders and attend a range of useful workshops and networking opportunities.

Sussex Chamber of Commerce is supporting the event this year as well as the Institute of Directors.

Big name businesses as always will be involved.

SOUTH EAST CONSTRUCTION AWARDS 2020 South East Construction Awards 2020 now launched, with six categories, covering the sector, to be celebrated at a second South East Construction Expo to be held on 23rd September at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Esher, Surrey. Closing date end of June.

Gill Monk from All Health Matters who are one of the main sponsors of the Awards said, ‘These awards celebrate our heroes in this industry with an exciting panel of judges seeking entries for categories, ranging from best construction project to best architectural design, best contractor to best supplier. We are also looking to celebrate women in the industry and want to reward the best apprentice on a construction project in the South East.’

One of the main attractions will be the Expo networking breakfast. This will offer a superb networking opportunity as one of the largest in Sussex. A great way to kick off the day. Tickets £25 and tables of ten £225 and includes two speakers and full English Breakfast.

South East Construction Expo 2020 will take place at South of England Event Centre, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Tuesday 28th April 2020, 8.30 am - 4 pm.

Find out more, register your free place, how to book a trade stand, or become a sponsor www.constructionexpouk.co.uk Twitter @ConstructExpo or Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/groups/4530020/

Free conference and exhibition 28 April 2020 | 9am-3:30pm South of England Event Centre, Ardingly The Premier Concentration of Construction Professionals in the South East

Just some of our industry focused speakers

Register Free Tickets

Neil Edwards, Chief Exec of Builders’ Conference - who’s data is relied upon by leading construction organisations Cedrick Laurier, Chief Technical Officer at Gatwick Airport will speak about Pier6 Western Extension, Innovations, Northern Runway, plus construction highlights, and info about ongoing tenders and future contracts Ian Roadnight, Housing, Property & FM, talks you through the opportunities available over the next 12 months

Malcom Clarke, MD at Baxall Construction Why is Baxall Construction so keen on BIM? Could it be due to the fact that it has helped raise margins and help double turnover?

West Sussex, Haywards Heath RH17 6TH

2,500

VISITORS

100+

STANDS

30+

SPEAKERS

What you can look forward to •• How to capitalise on projects worth £billions •• Receive updates on major development and regeneration projects

•• •• •• •• •• •• ••

Building a digital future for the construction industry FREE ‘Meet the Buyer’ appointments – up to 600 Innovations within the construction industry Building a sustainable future for construction Health and safety Masterclasses with Google Plus, industry focussed workshops

Julia Gregory An update from Julia, Director of Projects at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation Google Digital Garage is a digital skills training platform to assist you in growing your business, career and confidence online

Also held 23 September 2020 | 9am-3:30pm Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Esher, Surrey

Masses of free parking

@constructexpo #constructexpo

info@constructionexpouk.co.uk

www.constructionexpouk.co.uk

01732 758 530 | 07768 067745

Home Improvements March 2020

Garden Trends 2020

living green walls

With careful observation and research, Global Stone provides the best natural stone and porcelain paving to meet current trends, for any type of garden within housing developments. Here, we discuss the latest trends to create a landscape any buyer would want.

Darker Coloured Paving Throughout 2019, grey was top of the list of trending colours. Fast forward to the 2020’s: darker paving such as earthy and black colours are leading the trend in the new decade. Within smaller development landscapes, darker paving can give the illusion of space and depth, especially when used alongside large format paving.

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Darker coloured paving within our natural stone collection include Old Rectory in Monsoon, Limestone in Midnight or, from the Slate collection, Carbon. For an earthy character, porcelain paving colours include Corten Steel from the Metallics range or Hudson and Westland from Siena. For even darker colours, wood effect porcelain Albero in Blackened or Twilight from the Context range are proving popular.

Slate Carbon dark paving

March 2020 Home Improvements

Living Green Walls for Small Spaces

Outdoor/Indoor spaces

In recent years, living walls (main image, left) have become increasingly popular. Green walls are proven to provide more oxygen and directly boosts wellbeing to those who are around it. As new build gardens are made smaller, it’s important to take advantage of all the garden space, including using wall and fence space.

Creating a seamless transition from outside to inside and vice versa have grown more popular in developments over recent years. Our natural stone and porcelain paving are perfect for creating this look.

Large format paving and finishing pieces Following on from green walls and smaller new build gardens, when it comes to hard landscaping, using large format paving can give the illusion of larger space. They also make for fantastic finishing pieces, such as seating areas. Premium Sandstone in York Green comes in a large single size 1140 x 570mm. Premium Sandstone is gently riven in texture, handpicked and cut, meaning that each piece is unique. Together they combine to make a beautiful blend of colours and overall hue.

Porcelain paving ranges such as Context, Toscana and Mixed Size Series are available in size 1200 x 600mm and come in a variety of beautiful colours and textures.

Natural stone really sets the tone in a kitchen, before leading outside into the garden. It can make for a striking floor in a modern home, which leads seamlessly into the garden, while in contrast, a colourful blend of sandstone or limestone finishes off a cottage look, creating a welcoming outdoor/indoor atmosphere.

Limestone Midnight exterior with Limestone Honey Blend interior

For up to date trends, porcelain leads the way; with matching exterior and interior products.

Internal porcelain has some different features to external: it is thinner than external porcelain at 10-11mm thick making it easier to accommodate specifications of the home. It is also smoother in texture, while maintaining anti-slip qualities, for a pleasant feel underfoot. Stepping into the garden, the texture of the paving changes to provide anti slip qualities more in line with outside factors.

Mixed Size Series Liquorice finishing pieces seating area

Porcelain Six Nine Series Calma outdoor/indoor space

Toscana Almond large format paving

Transform your developments garden, driveway, or create a seamless outdoor-indoor look with our ever-growing choice of Global Stone’s natural stone and porcelain collection. There is a paving for every development.

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Home Improvements March 2020

GenAir – A leading rental company specialising in air compressors and associated equipment Incorporated in April 2007, GenAir UK is an independently owned specialist rental company operating from three strategically placed depots; Motherwell, Slough and in the West Midlands. Their safety and quality is reinforced by their registration to ISO 9001 standards.

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enAir offers for hire a complete range of diesel powered, zero-emission electric and oil-free air compressors from 130 to 1600 cfm, with a pressure range from 0.3 Millibars to 155 Bar. In addition, the company also manages a fleet of low and high pressure desiccant dryers, including an oil-free model. GenAir believe that their hire fleet of air compressors and desiccant dryers is currently the largest in Europe.

GenAir equipment is ideally suited for use all across the world. GenAir air compressors and desiccant dryers can be found working throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and in South America.

In an acknowledgement of the stricter emission regulations in London and in other major towns and cities, GenAir has developed a range of noise and carbon emission free air compressors. They have invested over £1m from their own development funds to design a fleet of electric mobile compressors, each ideally suited to deliver clean, sound reduced compressed air in a range between 7 to 13 Bar. In November 2019 GenAir had the environmental qualities of their emission-free electric air compressors formally recognised by the internationally respected campaigners, The Green Organisation. They were rewarded in the ‘Environmental Best Practice’

category. Three senior representatives from GenAir were invited to a glittering presentation ceremony, hosted at the Houses of Parliament in November, where they received their award For contractors requiring compressed air in sensitive environments, such as an oil refinery, GenAir have compressors fitted with over-speed protection [Chalwyn valves] and spark arrestors making them completely acceptable in these situations.

GenAir compressors and desiccant dryers are used in a wide variety of markets. These include: • • • • • • • • • •

Petrochemical plants Refineries Highways and rail Pipelines Sewage treatment work Civil engineering Shot blasting Treatment and finishing Factory maintenance Aerospace

The GenAir management team has a collective 140 years’ experience in the compressed air markets, and they employ fully qualified service technicians and ADR drivers.

To learn more about the GenAir range of air compressors call +44 (0)8447750890 or visit www.genair.co.uk.

Email:sales@genair.co.uk

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GenAir - leading rental specialist of compressed air systems throughout the UK. GenAir have invested in a fleet of electric mobile compressors, each ideally suited to deliver clean, sound reduced compressed air up to 13 bar.

•Working pressure of 10 –190psi •Maximum free air delivery of up to 400cfm.

•Whisper quiet noise level of just 67dB (A) •Protected in a fully weatherproof canopy after cooler and water separator •Built-in - eliminates up to 70% of moisture.

These brand new units are ideally suited for use in all situations and particularly in areas governed by emission and noise rules.

GenAir are the experts in the hire and control of on-site compressed air and power.

•Flexible approach – long or short term rental periods •Electric Emission-Free Compressor Hire •London Emission Zone Compliant Compressor Hire •Oil-Free Diesel Mobile Compressor Hire •Desiccant Dryer Hire •Refrigerant Compressor Hire •All available to hire NATIONWIDE

C O N TA C T

Genair UK Ltd

Head Office: Unit 28 & 29 Prothero Works, Bilport Lane, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 0NT UK Tel: 0844 775 0890 • www.genair.co.uk • Email: sales@genair.co.uk

ISO 9001:2015

No.1 Choice Electric Radiator Collection EHC offer a comprehensive Range of Electric Products that are all controlled by our DSR Smart Technology which enables you to select different Heaters and mix and match them as a Hybrid Heating System for the various rooms within your property to suit your design style and budget – the choice is yours.

Hybrid Heating for the modern home Available for Android & Apple devices

•

Free APP

•

Control your heating anywhere and anytime

•

Adjust each room temperature separately

•

Geolocation Feature

•

Monitor electricity consumption.

Call us on

01698 820533

www.electric-heatingcompany.co.uk

March 2020 Home Improvements

Electric heating is continually becoming an increasingly viable option for heating properties in the UK.

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ew Government legislation heralds a change in how SAP determines a properties ERP Rating – to almost the same as gas. This change allows widespread use of electric radiators and electric boilers, which are widely understood as having low installation costs, no flue requirement, low maintenance, rapid heat up times and high efficiency. This modern method of heating is shaping up to be the future of home heating within the UK. Specifying an electric heating solution for housing, student accommodation, social housing and private rental properties can be a time consuming and difficult task.

Each project includes unique regulations, requirements, budget and time constraints – Which means there is no single solution which can cover all projects. With so many electric heating solutions available, it can be hard to choose the perfect heating system.

Whether you are specifying a heating system to meet building regulations or providing an energy efficient upgrade, the Electric Heating Company can provide an efficient and effective solution. Using vast levels of knowledge and experience, we have developed our product portfolio to accommodate almost any central heating and hot water requirement.

A combination of our range of quality electric heating products and our professional heat design service can streamline the specification process. Our Internal Specification Specialists provide comprehensive support to specifiers, architects, housebuilders and heating contractors. On receipt of scaled drawings, room dimensions, windows, insulations and construction U values, the professional design team will provide necessary heat loss calculations required for your project.

The detailed bespoke design outlines which specified products are required and all designs include costings, dimensions, weight, and warranty information. To quickly and easily upload your scale drawings click here.

The ever-increasing volume of property developer enquiries has urged the Electric Heating Company to develop our new Developer Collection Brochure. The brochure provides useful insights into the services that EHC offer, alongside our most popular products among property developers such as:

hot water outlets for sinks. With no flue requirements, the boiler rapidly provides heating and domestic hot water.

Comet Combination Unit The Comet Electric Combination Unit offers the comfort and convenience of wet central heating and domestic hot water for properties with no access to mains gas. It is a fully controllable unit housed within an enclosure, available in 9kW, 12kW and 14.4kW outputs with a 144L internal hot water storage cylinder.

SlimJim Electric Boiler The compact design of the SlimJim Electric Flow Boiler makes it ideal for heating applications where space is at a premium. The Slim Jim is a fully controllable Electric Flow Boiler which is designed to maximise cupboard space.

Comet Electric Boiler Comet Electric System Boilers are designed to eliminate unnecessary external plumbing and pipe work.

They are the ideal choice for wet central heating and underfloor heating systems.

Solaris Panel Heater The Solaris is a modern, slim, stylish and carefully sized Convector Heater which has been designed with a gentle curved front that will enhance any room within the home whilst providing a quick and responsive heating experience.

Edge Panel Heater The Edge is a traditional Convector Heater which has been designed with a gentle curved profile on each side of the Heater. It is manufactured using high grade 100% recyclable Aluminium.

It produces heat on demand and with the modular construction of the Heater it cycles airflow and emits heat throughout the room.

DSR Visage Panel Heater The Visage Panel Heater utilises the perfect balance of convection and radiated heat which in turn warms both you and the room. The aluminium heating element located within the Heater provides fast-acting convected heat, before warming the Magmatic Ceramic Tablets inside the Heater. It is available in any RAL Colour of your choosing.

Fusion Astro Electric Combi Boiler Fusion Astro Electric Combi Boilers are suitable for properties with a shower and

To view the new EHC Developer Brochure – Click here.

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Exhibits thoughtful, well-executed design and luxury

1ST FOLDING SLIDING DOORS • 26 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, UB6 7JZ | 141 Hook Road, KT6 5AR • marcus@1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk • T: 0208 997 2448 | F: 0208 997 0611

March 2020

Look After Your Hearing – With Proper Protection Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, owners of Snickers Workwear, Solid Gear Safety Footwear and Hellberg Safety PPE writes:

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ong term damage to your hearing can be caused by the noise from regular daily use of even the most basic hand tools – drills, angle grinders, disc cutters, circular saws, even hammers – if you don’t wear proper ear protection.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are designed to workers on site from the risks caused by noise.

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March 2020

dB 102 99 96 93 90 87 84 81 78 75

You need hearing protection!

8hr 4hr 1hr 30min 15min 8min 4min 2min 1min Daily exposure time

Noise induced hearing loss is the most commonly reported occupational disease with aover 800 million people around the world are affected by the condition.

Over 30% of all workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels and one in four manufacturing workers who are exposed to loud noise does not use hearing protectors.

Hearing damage caused by exposure to noise at work is permanent and incurable with research estimating that over 2 million people can be exposed to noise levels that are potentially harmful.

More often than not, hearing loss is gradual as a result of prolonged exposure to noise, but when combined with normal loss of hearing as you age it becomes a rapidly deteriorating condition.

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As an added hazard, exposure to unsafe noise levels can also result in tinnitus, a permanent sensation of background ringing or buzzing your ears. But in the most serious of cases, immediate damage to your hearing can also be caused by sudden loud noises.

Regulatory Protection As far as the health and safety regulations are concerned, the noise threshold for providing hearing protection is now a daily exposure of 85 decibels. More importantly, the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with risk information and training is now 80 decibels.

So, making the right, well informed decision is as important for the self-employed as it is for employers.

As an employer, you have to provide your employees with properly maintained hearing protectors if they ask for them and if their noise exposure is between the lower and upper exposure thresholds. You also have to make sure they use them properly and establish hearing protection zones where the use of hearing protection is compulsory.

Dont Take Your Hearing For Granted Too often we take our health and wellbeing for granted and probably never stop to consider what fantastic sensory organs

our ears actually are. As well as helping us communicate, our hearing helps to keep us safe. It is the link to our surroundings and is vital for how we communicate with others.

Aside from issues with your mobile phone, think how you’d cope in hazardous situations if you couldn’t hear an alarm bell, a car horn or someone calling to you. We rely on our hearing in so many ways, which is why we should protect it.

Unfortunately, for a significant part of the population, this ability is partially or entirely lost, because of exposure to loud noise. Hearing loss can never be restored but avoiding damage to your hearing is in most cases a matter of selecting and wearing the proper protection.

Our hearing isn’t designed for many of the sounds we are exposed to today especially the unwanted sounds - those that can potentially damage your hearing. So remember, if you need to raise your voice or scream to be heard when standing about metre from someone on site – then its more than likely that the noise around you is dangerous!

What is Noise and How Does It Relate To Working On Site?

Sites are noisy places. Not just your mates banter and the radio in the background, but the working environment. Machine tools and plant all make noise, so does the process of using tools and applying fixings. It’s constant, almost incessant.

Working on site all the day means that noise is constantly being poured into your hearing.

March 2020

But what many people don’t realise is that every noise source and the length of time you’re exposed to it has an exposure level measurement and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can reach the maximum daily safety exposure dose without proper protection.

For instance, drilling into wood at 92 decibels would only give you 10 minutes safe exposure against your full day’s allowance!

Drilling into metal creates 96 decibels of noise, a chain saw 99 decibels, a circular saw 101 decibels, drilling into concrete 108 decibels and an angle grinder 109 decibels.

So take a look at the chart here and you’ll see that if you haven’t got proper hearing protection, you shouldn’t be on site working and handling tools for very long at all!

Choosing The Right Hearing Protection Always use hearing protection when exposed to harmful noise and if necessary, choose a protector adapted to your work environment, ie a product with ‘level dependent hearing protection’.

Hellberg Safety recommends that the calculated level under the hearing protector should be around 75 decibels given that its real-life (attenuation) performance may be affected because of incorrect fitting, misuse and poor maintenance.

Performance protection can even be affected by anything that impairs the hearing protectors seal, such as long hair, facial hair and glasses!

Finally here’s some useful tips.

Choose hearing protection that fits correctly and is comfortable

the entire time you are exposed to noise at work and even if you’re mowing the lawn or strimming.

Make sure you’ve got 100% wear time in noisy environments and remember, the use of eyewear can reduce the hearing protector’s attenuation of between 3-8 decibels, so if possible, select thin eyewear frames.

Finally, your health and wellbeing on site is just as important as getting a job done quickly, efficiently and in comfort. So choose your PPE products carefully and with that in mind check out the Hellberg Safety website www.hellbergsafety.com where you’ll find all the information you need on choosing precisely the right kind of passive or active hearing protection whatever you’re doing or wherever you’re working on site.

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NEW

INTRODUCING THE ROYAL FLUSH

logik

S

™

Flush Sash Windows

Contemporary style now available in the UK’s favourite PVC-U window system.

Made & recycled in the UK

A WINNING HAND FROM EUROCELL. Call 0333 003 0736 for more information or visit www.eurocell.co.uk/logikS

March 2020

Eurocell announces 8% increase in annual PVC-U recycling figures EUROCELL PLC, the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U window and door systems, has announced that it processed the equivalent of 3.2 million PVC-U window frames during 2019 – a year-on-year increase of 8%.

Having invested millions over recent years in developing the capabilities of its recycling facilities, the company was able to stop tens of thousands of tonnes of PVC-U from ending up in landfill – approximately the same weight as 3,700 double-decker buses.

Eurocell has continuously upgraded the capabilities of its Ilkeston and Selby-based recycling operations since 2009. Eurocell Recycle, which employs 150 people, is the largest operation of its kind in the UK. The facilities allow the entire lifespan of a window profile to become more sustainable.

When windows reach the end of their life, they are shredded, granulated and micronised. Using the granulated PVC-U, Eurocell then extrudes new profiles. This process can be repeated up to 10 times using the same material, giving recycled PVC-U windows a lifespan of 350 years or more.

Eurocell’s recent eBook, SORTING IT: A GUIDE TO PVC-U SUSTAINABILITY - SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION, includes a wealth of information regarding the use of durable, longterm building products and the opportunity they offer for a more sustainable future.

Commenting on the announcement, Chris Coxon, Group Head of Marketing at Eurocell, said: “Operating in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way has never been more important – or topical. It’s something that we’re highly conscious of – and have been acting on - for more than a decade now. So it’s fantastic to have once again made significant progress in output.

“We’re working hard to ensure that Eurocell Recycle, our dedicated recycling division, continues to make a real impact.

We plan to consistently increase these figures announced today and lead the positive work going on within our industry.”

For more information on Eurocell and its recycling facilities, visit EUROCELL RECYCLE.

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The UK’s Best Solar & Mains LED Belisha Beacons High quality, fully tested and compliant: EC, EMC and Highways 3 year Warranty (solar) - 5 year extended available Super fast delivery Made by us in Somerset supplied nationwide and overseas Post Top or purpose made column versions inc. Flange Mount Illuminated Column - Belisha & Refuge (Retro-fit kit) with 2 year warranty

Feeder Pillars - EV Charging, Events, Leisure etc...

Standard sizes in stock for next day delivery Bespoke or made to specification - 2 weeks approx Galvanized steel, GRP, Stainless Steel range of powder coat finishes Styles and sizes for every purpose Pre-wired or shell only

Bespoke work a speciality - contact us for your next project, we'd love to hear from you!

Tel. 0333 666 2122 email: info@fisherandcompany.co.uk

www.fisherandcompany.co.uk

March 2020

First Mats are excited to launch a new range of quality Spill Control products, which are now available to order from their website. With the firm already established as one of the UK’s leading floor matting suppliers, they are now expanding their range to incorporate new industrial safety products which includes a selection of Spill Control solutions.

Amongst the new range are Spill Kits, which contain an array of fast acting absorbent materials to quickly respond to any accidents involving Oils, Chemicals and other industrial fluids.

For minor spills, these absorbent materials can also be purchased as Pads, Rolls or Socks which are cost effective and fast acting products.

“Our range of Evo absorbent materials is one we’re especially excited about” states First Mats Marketing Director Richard O’Connor, “They’re made from 85% recycled natural materials which is much better for the environment than synthetic alternatives, and the amount of Oil they can absorb is outstanding!”.

As with all products in the First Mats range, the Spill Control solutions are offered with free mainland UK delivery and in most cases, will arrive in just 2 to 3 days.

They have already been well received by existing customers of First Mats, whose extremely positive reviews have resulted in an excellent Trustpilot rating of 4.9 out of 5.

For more information about the new Spill Control range, or any of the other safety products from the First Mats range, please contact them by email info@firstmats.co.uk or through the website www.firstmats.co.uk

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March 2020

NEW EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ helmet certified to both EN397 and EN12492 with integrated eye protection The EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ helmet provides the perfect solution and protection for those needing both Head Protection for working at ground level and working at height combined with Eye Protection in the form of a lens or shield which is fully integrated and fully compatible.

Combining the new EVO®VISTA™ retractable eyewear helmet technology with the innovative DUALSWITCH™ chinstrap harness system, it is easy for the wearer to switch between working

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at ground level standard EN397 and working at height safety standard EN12492 by flicking a switch.

At the same time, the EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ helmet provides individuals with compatible integrated Optical class 1 eye protection which is fully retractable when not in use and cannot be lost by the user or damaged on site after issue. Wearers can wear their own spectacles under the lens or shield saving additional costs to companies for prescription safety eyewear.

The EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ Helmet offers the choice of either a VISTAlens™ or VISTAshield™ depending on the levels of protection and performance required.

Select the EVO®VISTAlens™ DUALSWITCH™ Optical class 1 overspec

for an unobstructed wide view lens conforming to EN166.1.FT.KN providing F rated impact protection - tested with 6mm steel ball bearing at speeds of up to 100mph (160kph), even at extreme temperatures with anti-scratch and anti-mist coatings. Or choose the EVO®VISTAshield™ DUALSWITCH™ Optical class 1 eyeshield which offers a clear panoramic view conforming to EN166.1.AT.KN providing A rated impact protection - tested with 6mm steel ball bearing at speeds of up to 425mph (685kph), even at extremes of temperature with anti-scratch and antimist coatings.

The EVO® VISTA DUALSWITCH™ range has been designed to be fully compatible with JSP respirators such as the Force™8 PressToCheck™ and the Sonis® helmet-mounted ear defender range. www.jspsafety.com

March 2020

Wellbeing in the construction industry Mental health and wellbeing are no longer corporate buzzwords. Businesses within the construction industry have a real duty to support the wellbeing of its staff. Not only does this foster a strong workplace culture, but can have a positive impact on business too. Happy staff are more productive, and more likely to stay loyal to their company (and, in turn, its customers).

Construction site workers are three times more likely to die by suicide when compared to the average male in the UK, showing the desperate need for more support in the industry. Construction professionals are exposed to long hours, demanding workloads, working away from home, financial uncertainty and physical strain.

Some professionals feel high levels of responsibility and a general lack of support, which leads to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The environment is also still primarily male, perhaps reinforcing unhelpful male stereotypes leading to some being unwilling or feeling unable to talk about their struggles.

According to UK Construction Week stats, over half of construction professionals have suffered from mental health problems… and they believe their employer could do more to support them.

Though stats show that absenteeism is decreasing, presenteeism and leaveism is on the rise. This means that employees

are coming to work ill, or using their annual leave entitlement when they’re working instead or should be off sick. For professionals in the construction industry this could be particularly dangerous, as mistakes can easily be made if someone isn’t fit to be at work. Employers should make sure that all members of staff, suppliers and contractors are able to take the time off they need to recover.

Stats from the Office for National Statistics show that employees take over for days off due to sickness each year, with many of these days off related to mental health problems.

Employers should prioritise improving wellbeing within the workplace. Healthy and happy employees are less likely to take time off work unless they are genuinely ill, in which case they should be entitled to rest and return to work when they are ready.

In the long run, implementing a wellbeing programme can produce high ROI thanks to increased productivity, less sick days and

higher employee retention rate.

Stats show that over a third of construction workers have taken time off work due to mental health problems. If this number can be reduced thanks to an effective wellbeing programme, this can ultimately save businesses money.

We Are Wellbeing is a strategic wellbeing partner that helps businesses develop a positive company culture where its employees can thrive. Part of the Romero Group, the complementary service offers businesses assistance developing and actioning a wellbeing programme. For those in the construction industry, this can help support staff through periods of stress. Where responsibility is high, hours are long and the pressure is on it’s important to be able to manage stress effectively and a wellbeing programme can help aid this.

Physical health and safety is prioritised in the industry, and it’s high time employers now put the focus on mental health too. Nurturing an open-minded culture where team members are able to open up and talk about their struggles is just the start of building better wellbeing within the industry.

To find out more about We Are Wellbeing, Romero Insurance Brokers’ recommended wellbeing partner, call 0113 281 8110 or visit www.romeroinsurance.co.uk.

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March 2020

How Houses Have Changed Over the Past 100 Years There’s no place like home, as the saying goes. But what makes an ideal home can be quite personal. The wide variety of houses available today in terms of design and architecture is a reflection of the huge shift in how the general population live. We’re not just talking about the caves our ancient ancestors used to live in, but just how much has changed over the last century.

Over the past 100 years, there have been huge changes in how houses are designed and built, from the introduction of indoor plumbing to luxurious extravagances like stained glass windows. There has also been a huge change in the construction industry as a whole, which has affected housing for everyone.

Join us as we take a journey through how homes have changed over the last century, explained by the experts at Build-Zone.

1901 The turn of the century saw the end of the Victorian era. This meant that many of the homes in the early 1900s were Victorian style. Railway travel became more accessible, while patterned bricks and roofing tiles became popular. During this time, it was common for there to be a fireplace in every room to keep the house warm, while stained glass windows and ornate ‘gable’ trim also became fashionable. More and more homes were also built with the addition of front porches. This ranged from fully enclosed concrete designs to partial coverings. They are still seen on homes built today.

But, one of the most revolutionary changes to houses during this era was the introduction of indoor plumbing.

Richer households even had indoor flushing toilets, rather than the traditional outhouses. This was not a requirement for poorer houses, and poor/affluent houses had different regulations back then.

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March 2020

1901-1918 Following the Victorian era came the Edwardian period, which brought different things to houses and the world of construction. The number of rooms in houses began to decline, but the rooms that were constructed were built to be more open and airy. Porches continued to be an important feature of a house, showing status and wealth. The very upper classes had large and opulent porches.

The simpler design is matched with wide hallways, bigger windows, and simple interior features.

This roomier design was achievable because these homes were often built in the suburbs, rather than inside cities. Arguably the most defining factor in Edwardian architecture was the desire to add handmade touches to the home, in response to the mass production seen in the Victorian era.

Post WW1 Up until 1918, the difference between living standards for the rich and the poor was vast. The class divide resulted in huge differences in housing, but, after WW1, the government made its first real attempt at restricting the gap between how the classes live. With the war, came the reminder of the value of human life, sparking the ‘Addison Act’ which was the beginning of what we know today as council housing.

The proposed houses were to have a parlour, living room and scullery. This age set in motion the right to access housing for all.

1930s In 1922, King Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered, and this, in turn, inspired the art deco style which echoed through to the design of houses at this time. New materials became more commonplace in house building, such as concrete and steel. This was an important era for houses because it’s when boxy semi-detached houses became very popular. It’s one of the most common architectural styles you see in Britain today. The semi-detached homes were designed with curved bay windows and hipped roofs.

Another particularly important part of the 1930s was the introduction of the precursor to the Structural Warranty. It was brought about to combat the lesser building standards of the post-war era. This was a revelation, and an invention which has been developed into the structural warranties we see today from companies like Build-Zone, providing comprehensive cover to housing developers and homeowners.

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March 2020

Post WW2 Just like after the first world war, the postWW2 era brought a resolve to build affordable housing for all. There were also lots of houses to be rebuilt. One of the most popular styles of housing of this time was ‘Airey Houses’, which were prefabricated buildings that could be built quickly, as the main material was concrete slabs.

But, this choice of material makes these types of houses difficult to heat - leading some councils to add more insulation in later years.

During this period, people also preferred their houses to be detached or semi-detached, rather than terraced.

The Building Regulations Act 1965 Change was afoot in the 1960s, as buildings were finally adapting to the times. To improve the standard of buildings throughout England and Wales, the first set of national standards were introduced in the Building Regulations Act of 1965.

These standards defined what qualified as building work and the notification procedure that must be followed when starting, carrying out and completing building work.

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It also outlined the structures that were exempt from the regulations, such as temporary structures, as well as requirements for specific aspects for building design. This regulation ensured that a proper procedure was followed when building a structure, increasing the quality of buildings throughout England and Wales. In other words, the Building Regulations Act was the first introduction of the 10-year structural warranty, something in which Build-Zone has offered to UK clients since 2003.

Housing Boom The popularity of terraced houses resurfaced during this time, as well as high-rise buildings. This was likely due to the fact that there was still a large amount of housing needed after the war. The terraced houses were thought to be more modern and radically new, reaching their peak during the 70s.

Although terraced houses were experiencing a resurgence in popularity, the previously mentioned high-rise buildings were replacing some of them. In fact, the demolition of seemingly outdated terraced housing became an issue in some areas, such as Leeds. Residents were against the demolition of back-to-back housing, claiming they were a great fit for older people or those with a low income. (According to The Place of Home: English Domestic Environments)

March 2020

The Building Act 1984 Two fundamental changes were made to the Building Regulations Act, which ultimately changed the industry.

Functional performance standards were introduced, set in terms of what was adequate, reasonable or appropriate, supported by statutory guidance in the Approved Documents.

Competition was promoted within the building control sector through the addition of private sector approved inspectors. (Such as Build-Zone.)

As a result, standards became flexible and supported innovation. This increased the efficiency of the construction industry, while also maintaining the quality that the original act intended. Lenders also started requiring structural warranties to protect investments.

Modernisation in the 90s The 1990s came with the need for a modern version of Victorian developments, which saw the trend for builds that were defined by their mock timber framing, rendered walls and cottage features.

Unfortunately, this housing development was stifled by the recession in the 90s, and it only recovered properly once the 90s ended. This recession saw house prices plummet, but that didn’t stop other styles, such as postmodernism, from flourishing.

Housing Today The houses of today display that modern architecture is on the rise. You’ll see an array of housing styles from modern developments with thatched roofs to sustainable, environmentally friendly builds.

So, the past 100 years has seen a lot of change in the housing industry and it’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for construction in the years to come.

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March 2020

Acoustics Academy by Quiet Mark. The new online building sector showcase for verified acoustic solutions A new online platform has been launched to showcase verified acoustics solutions for the building sector.

Acoustics Academy is the latest development from Quiet Mark, the international award for quiet high-performance technology and solutions to unwanted noise.

The online showcase provides insight on verified acoustic products, materials and technologies for architects, designers, contractors, builddevelopers, specification-buyers and the wider building sector along with science-made simple commentary and installation insights.

It promises to simplify the complex world of sound design by comparing the most reliable and best-performing products on the market. This is achieved through like-for-like comparisons and validation of products, which are organised into a directory for their performance, design, sustainability, suitability and cost-effectiveness.

Acoustics Academy will also further educate on the complex technical details of acoustic design solutions, making them more easily accessible, better understood and higher priority, while encouraging design responsibility for health and well-being.

Plasters and Surfaces and much more.

Developed in partnership with Quiet Mark’s expert acoustic teams including Anderson Acoustics, Head Acoustics and Intertek, Acoustics Academy uses leading sound measurement expertise to independently review all products equally and condense complex data to provide accessible market comparisons.

Poppy Szkiler, Founder and MD, Quiet Mark says: “Acoustics Academy is our new online platform to serve the Building sector by further equipping and empowering architects, designers and industry with expert-approved acoustic materials, products and solutions.

The platform includes every type of acoustic solution for all building application scenarios including; approved specialist Acoustic Glazing, Sound Barriers, Panels, Pumps, Acoustic Doors, Insulation, Commercial Ventilation, Acoustic

Example building application areas include, residential, commercial, industrial, schools, offices, healthcare, hospitals, restaurants and public spaces.

“Our buildings must evolve to embrace responsible sound-design to transform living spaces into harmonious soundscapes that deliver excellence in acoustic design and support our desire for quieter living. A property that has been designed acoustically creates a calm environment, reducing stress and supporting mental health.”

Quiet Mark confirmed sound measurement is complicated, saying It’s almost impossible to know how building or interior designs will sound if acoustics are not carefully considered with many foundational material elements involved. Professionals often don’t know enough about which acoustic products are best to meet the bespoke needs that each building project requires or aware of the latest solutions available to suit their project budgets.

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As a result, sound design can often be low on the list of priorities.

Products and materials are selected without full understanding of their acoustic performance or the important installation and

March 2020

specification process to make them effective. This leads to poor acoustics in buildings that do not support human health.

Quiet Mark also believe noise in our built environment can cause short and long-term health problems, including stress, sleep disturbance, increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as well as hearing impairment.

They say our bodies are not designed to cope with these constant intrusions and they take their toll. The World Health Organisation has defined noise pollution as the biggest threat to public health after air pollution.

As a result, the importance of acoustic design cannot be underestimated especially when open plan living means sound bounces around and quickly amplifies in the absence of absorbing surfaces.

Building products and materials that are in harmony with nature are vital for calm living, working and leisure environments.

They believe a quiet environment is essential to help us recharge from the noise of modern life, including the constant mechanical soundtrack from road and air traffic, which creates an assault on our senses.

Turning down the volume on our lives allows quietness to restore and rebalance our physical and mental rhythms, recharging our energy and creating clarity of thought.

This is especially true for those with autism, dementia and people of any age with sensitive hearing who need help to find solutions to protect hearing and prevent hearing loss.

Quiet Mark, associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation (est.1959), has been leading the Quiet Revolution for over eight years.

Quiet Mark engages directly with industry, manufacturers, consumers, retailers and influencers establishing noisereduction and acoustic design

as key considerations in product development.

Quiet Mark educates millions of consumers on the impact of noise in the home environment through new national retailer partnerships with Argos, ASDA, Currys Dixons, John Lewis, Very, Littlewoods and more, presenting a clear, easy way to identify quieter products.

Through its pioneering acoustic tests, and validation of manufacturers performance claims, Quiet Mark awards its distinctive Purple ‘Q’ Mark to products that are the quietest high-performance models in their category and noise reduction solutions to equip designers to build and design better buildings.

Quiet Mark emailus@quietmark.com Tel: 01273 823850 Quiet Mark: www.quietmark.com Acoustics Academy: www.quietmark.com/building/ building-sector

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March 2020

Hellberg SAFE Face Protection Hellberg Safety specialist PPE products include highly advanced hearing protection products, face protection and communication solutions for personal wellbeing on site.

Hellberg’s SAFE face protection range offers visor solutions to suit a variety of different internal and external work environments.

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With a standard product design across all the products, the visors and carriers can be combined with hearing protectors and safety helmets for more complete solutions, or be used as individual visor solutions. These stylish products give you a multiple

options that all fit perfectly together. Choose one of our readymade combinations, or select your own combination of carrier, visor and hearing protector.

technologies, modern design, comfort and quality together with great performance to appeals to all types of professional users in high-risk work environments.

Everything is really well made, comfortable to wear and delivers superb, practical protection for the hazards you’re likely to face - whatever job you’re doing.

The Hellberg Safety PPE range features the latest advanced

For more information on the Hellberg Safety product range, call the Hultafors Group UK Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website www.hellbergsafety.com or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

IPG congratulates MERLYN on turning 20 in 2020!

March 2020

With innovation and design at the forefront of MERLYN’s ethos, they celebrated this month with the launch at Kbb of an exciting addition to their beautiful Arysto Collection - The Arysto X a beautifully designed, virtually frameless, sliding door. And the new revo designer rail and storage solution. MERLYN also proudly unveiled their new Arysto Colour range as well as their frameless shower walls from their visually stunning MERLYN Black Range. These stunning touches are designed to offer a sophisticated and stylish alternative to the traditional chrome and bring a sense of wellness and revitalisation to your showering experience.

Additionally, MERLYN launched new Slip Resistant Level25 and Touchstone Shower Trays. Further complemented by their range of Truestone colour shower trays available in a variety sizes, providing the perfect accompaniment to any MERLYN shower enclosure.

Glenn Fisher, Managing Director at The IPG said: “It is a fantastic achievement to turn 20 in an industry which hasn’t been without its challenges over the last 2 decades. MERLYN’s success can be attributed to their ability to remain relevant and to continue to innovate and produce quality bathroom collections.

Kbb this month offered MERLYN an excellent opportunity to meet retail partners and launch their stunning mix of ‘on trend’ showering solutions and brand new, exciting innovations.”

Barry Hoyne, MERLYN’s Commercial Director says, “Kbb Birmingham is one of Europe’s leading Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom shows so it was the perfect event for us to gauge retailer/client reaction to our new products. We take so much pride and consideration into our product design that it was great to see how our retail partners respond first-hand.”

The IPG are thrilled to work alongside MERLYN, ensuring that independent merchants can purchase the companies’ products, along with access to marketing materials and distribution channels to better support their business.

The IPG was founded on the belief that independent merchants should have a stronger voice in today’s market, and the opportunity to offer their customers the best brands locally at great prices.

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March 2020

Composite polymers the key to a sustainable construction sector In 2019, the EU and the world witnessed the green movement gather momentum. The environmental agenda has become a global priority with activists like Greta Thunberg achieving international acclaim and new European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen stating that she wants ‘the European Green Deal to become Europe’s hallmark’ with Europe aiming to be the world’s first carbon-neutral continent.

Cheap construction comes at price in the longrun when lower quality materials are chosen over more durable options. Companies are investing in expanding the capabilities of tried and trusted epoxy resins in order to develop construction materials like the reinforced epoxy rebar. One example of this is the LITESTONE rebar, which has exceptional corrosion resistance and strength that can withstand extreme conditions like mechanical stress and weathering. The lifespan of an epoxy reinforced rebar is 100 years in comparison to the industry average of 50 years for metal reinforcement bars. The steel rebar, while being inexpensive is susceptible to corrosion caused by salts, moisture and chemicals. Swelling caused by corrosion increases the pressure on concrete which speeds up the deterioration of the structure, making expensive repairs necessary.

CC-BY-4.0: © European Union 2019 Source: EP

Institutional targets are aligning with the major shift in public opinion towards supporting a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Industries like the construction sector have also realised the importance of keeping their finger on the pulse of changing societal perspectives and have become tasked with finding sustainable and economically viable solutions.

To provide these solutions, companies are developing technologically advanced materials that have a long product life, high performance, and are versatile, like composite polymers.

Epoxy resins are reactive polymers that support sustainability in a variety of ways. They make products more energy efficient, durable, lessen maintenance needs, offer thermal insulation and increase the product life span. All while using more environmentally-friendly substances in comparison to their cheaper counterparts like concrete and metal.

Photo by SAMS Solutions

March 2020

Level (s) is the EU’s new voluntary reporting framework for buildings’ sustainability.

In addition to having a longer lifespan that reduces the amount of waste produced by the industry, LITESTONE technology is better for the environment than many other long-lasting reinforcement bars that incorporate more environmentally challenging materials like styrene into their product, which can leach out into the surrounding environment.

The rebar also provides thermal insulation, this reduces the movement of heat and vapour condensation within the concrete, reducing deformation, humidity and mould. Around 50% of buildings’ heat loss takes place through the exterior walls. Thermal insulation reduces this loss of heat and when applied properly throughout the building, can lower energy expenses by around 50%. Buildings are the largest single consumers of energy in the EU, prompting the European Commission in 2018, as part of its clean energy legislative proposals, to create a path to decarbonise buildings by 2050.

As green policy develops, architects and the construction industry overall need to develop a long-term sustainable perspective alongside it. One of the challenges that the composite industry faces is their initial higher cost in comparison to competitor materials. However, in the long-run these costs can be much lower when considering various savings like on maintenance costs.

In today’s rapidly changing environment and its harsh conditions, it can also be particularly

beneficial to be able to rapidly construct flexible and durable buildings. Modern building practices like modular construction with composite materials are utilised for quickly building temporary buildings that can be dismantled and reused at another location. These practices support reuse as part of the circular economy.

This contrasts with traditional solutions that would not support this flexibility. For example, in Brazil, schools that were destroyed by heavy rains were rebuilt within two months using modular building methods, whereas concrete foundations could take between 2 – 4 weeks to construct alone.

Investing in high-quality composite materials today will save time, energy and money, all while preventing excessive and unnecessary chemical leaching and construction waste. In 2019, the European Council concluded that maintenance and renovation of existing buildings can play a role in the green transition. They stressed the importance of funding research and commercialising research results to develop more sustainable construction products to reduce the lifecycle impact of buildings, increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

It is the composite industry, including epoxy producers, that are investing in creating environmentally-friendly economic solutions to construction problems like excessive energy use and high maintenance costs. Epoxy resins are an essential companion for the construction industry as it moves forward into the green era.

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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Recommended Suppliers

We design and supply bags and cradles globally that secure nonstandard loads ready for lifting to height using winches and cranes.

PafBag Limited Unit C14, Alison Business Centre, Alison Crescent, Sheffield, S2 1AS, United Kingdom

www.lifting-bags.co.uk 0114 3241224

Pool lock safety pool cover you will no longer have to worry about your loved ones.

PoolLock UK Ltd. Gatwick Business Park, Unit 2B, Kennel Lane, Hookwood, RH6 0AH, Horley, United Kingdom

www.poollock.com +44 1293 77 44 14 +44 1293 77 44 33

SAiGE Longlife Decking Ltd are proud of the high quality composite products that we supply to the UK, Irish and European Markets.

SAiGE Longlife Decking Ltd Vicarage Barns, Lower Quinton, Stratford-uponAvon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV37 8SG

www.compositedecking.co.uk +44 (0) 1789 721 576