Construction Update - March 2022

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE March 2022

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UK MEDIA BIAS IN ENERGY TRANSITION Rinnai’s Chris Goggin looks at some of the reasons why the UK media is favouring some energy vectors over others in the current era of transition to Decarbonisation and NetZero

is often treated with disparagement. A lack of manufacturing capacity, safety issues and consumer cost are the three main motivations behind this limited reportage. If this is the case what is being done to amend these concerns within the emerging hydrogen industry?

At present there are three prominent variations of hydrogen that are being manufactured: grey, blue and green.

This colour scheme correlates to production methods which themselves infer to the amount of carbon releases for each are responsible.

96% of currently globally produced hydrogen is generated through fossil fuels. The easiest form of hydrogen to manufacture is grey hydrogen which is produced via a process called SMR – steam methane reforming. Heat and pressure are applied in natural gas which then converts its methane properties into hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Blue hydrogen occurs when carbon collected during steam reforming is stored underground. This process is called carbon capture and storage (CCUS). In a generous light this variation of hydrogen can be labelled “carbon neutral” however a more accurate description would be “low carbon” as up to 10% - 20% of carbon, can be potentially released into the atmosphere.

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urbulent times produce added information which turns out to be not wholly true but more of a disguised agenda. We are all aware of the use and misuse of ‘Fake’ news and all of its companions.

But we need to unite in our efforts to achieve decarbonisation as soon as it is pragmatic and realistic. UK consumers – plus contractors, consultants and all big commercial sites - should be aware that a strong international preference towards hydrogen is evident by the sheer level of international investment and that it is under reported by mainstream media outlets.

Multiple major economies, distribution hubs and global companies are working towards future green hydrogen usage

with grey and blue hydrogen being used as decarbonizing stepping stones.

However, according to various UK mainline media outlets, heat pumps are the only viable tool of decarbonisation.

Although heat pumps will undeniably play a vital role in cutting harmful emissions, alternative avenues towards climate conscious energy usage are being overlooked by UK mainstream media outlets.

Instead of truly reporting on all feasible alternatives, mainstream media prefers to push decarbonizing technology that appears to be more financially compatible with their respective socio-economic audiences.

Extraordinarily little is mentioned of hydrogen and when cited the subject

Recent technological advancements in this area are responsible for CCUS potentially entering a new era. New hydrogen manufacturing plants will employ alternative technology Autothermal Reforming (ATR) which allows for capture of up to 96% - 97% of all emissions.

Carbon capture and storage is an area the UK government is keen to accelerate. Blue hydrogen projects that require funding can access government provided finances through the £240 million NetZero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF).

Additionally, a Carbon Capture Storage Infrastructure Fund (CIF) was first announced during the Budget, March 2020. Allocation of £1 billion of state funding for the CIF was confirmed at the November 2020 spending review.

Major international companies such as Shell are currently involved in multiple CCUS endeavours more notably in Canada, Norway and Australia. Shell

is a partner in the Australian Gorgon Liquefied Natural Gas Project. Once completed this will be the biggest CCUS operation in the world and will be capable of capturing up to four million tonnes of CO2 a year.

Shell’s Quest project in Canada is a fully operational CCUS facility. The governments of Alberta and Canada have invested $745 million and $120 million respectively. Shell hopes that the positive results yielded from this project will further encourage other CCUS technology to be implemented internationally.

Green hydrogen is 100% carbon neutral and therefore the preferred fuel of the future. Green hydrogen is produced when renewable resources like wind, hydro or solar power are used to power an electrolyzer that sits in a huge drum of water. This process is called electrolysis, which extrapolates hydrogen from oxygen atoms in water.

The only excess substance remaining is water zapped of its hydrogen content.

Because no fossil fuels are used in the creation of green hydrogen, carbon neutrality is completely feasible.

Individual sectors such as transport and home heating are aware of green hydrogen’s climate credentials and are keen to begin utilizing the alternative fuel source.

What is holding back green hydrogen usage then? Producing green hydrogen is dependent on earth’s natural resources. Some seasons yield more positive results than others.

Then there is cost. At present green hydrogen is not cost competitive

with grey hydrogen which is easier to manufacture. Six percent of global natural gas consumption can be traced to grey hydrogen production.

hydrogen gas blends to 100% pure hydrogen. Analysis will focus on gas behaviour and interaction within the constructed infrastructure.

Next generation electrolyzers are being designed with greater capacity for efficiency and the cost of renewables are declining. In coming years, with further advancements in these areas green hydrogen will become commercially abundant and viable.

All testing will be adjudicated by the Health and Safety Executive who will decide on the feasibility of domestic and commercial hydrogen consumption. Construction will potentially begin on the £10 million project in 2021 with tests being carried out later in 2022.

In making this possible an EU funding spree hopes to create a European value chain in green hydrogen electrolyzers.

Multiple funding projects will be cleared as part of the one billion Euros European Green Deal. It is believed that 25 – 30 million Euros will substantiate each individual project. Every venture must demonstrate a sizable energy and decarbonizing contribution to either the industrial, transport or domestic heating sector.

Advancing electrolyzer and ATR - CCUS technology will see the cost of blue and green hydrogen decrease, whilst manufacturing capacity and demand will increase. Grey hydrogen production and therefore any need for fossil fuel consumption will gradually shrivel away.

Aspects of health and safety are another issue which restricts hydrogen’s appeal in UK media outlets.

Hydrogen has been undergoing testing and re-testing for many years for commercial opportunities to become apparent. FutureGrid is a project set up to create a demonstrative gas transmission network which allows for a wide range of safety tests to be carried out and analysed.

Once constructed, FutureGrid’s transmission network will be capable of facilitating a range of tests on 20%

A vast amount of funding and proactive thought is being placed into the advancement of hydrogen.

Work is underway on producing next generation electrolyzers and CCUS technology that will help push hydrogen to the forefront of international energy options. Updated technology will assist in increasing manufacturing capacity whilst driving bulk prices of blue and green hydrogen down.

Major UK media outlets however fail to deliver this information and instead focus on either alarmist editorials designed to shock, or present only one technological decarbonizing option.

The entire world has set its sights on future hydrogen usage. Why we hear next to nothing is due to media bias that stems from potential advertising revenue aimed at a target demographic.

UK end users need to know that hydrogen is a global target not a conceptual ambition. In the coming years multiple decarbonizing technology options will be available.

The only reason this isn’t widely reported is down to current personalized media agendas held by mainstream media outlets.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

Construction Update March 2022

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March 2022

High Vis ‘Super Stretch’ Comfort From Engel Workwear A new range of high visibility, flexible workwear which stretches to follow the movements of the body giving maximum comfort in any work situation has been introduced by Danish workwear specialists ENGEL.

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alled ‘Safety - Super-Stretch’ the collection consists of a wide variety of garments with elastic fibres woven into a polyester and cotton mix; the strong yet extreme flexibility of the material allows each garment to return to its original shape thereby retaining all the inherent advantages of their design and style.

Comfort as much as durable practicality is important to any wearer as not only does the high visibility workwear provide protection throughout the day or night, it helps reduce tiredness, further minimising the risk of accidents.

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The ‘Super-Stretch’ collection, which includes high-vis ‘Safety’ work jackets, trousers, shorts and bib-overalls is also being offered during 2021 in an Environmentally

friendly, ‘Sustainable-Safety’ version which incorporates 50% regenerated polyester fibres made from recycled plastic bottles; This method of yarn production with the brand name of ‘REPREVE©’ has been developed by Unifi, one of the world’s most advanced recycling centres; waterproofs, T-shirts, sweatshirts and a zipped hoodie using the same material are also due to be added.

For more details contact Gareth Bladen at gbl@f-engel.com Telephone +44 (0) 7759 520034 or visit www.engel.eu/en & ENGEL Workwear - Catalogue (f-engel.com) Click here for more information. https://youtu.be/nc2se7xKKlE

Engel Workwear Experts in Textile Solutions

For more details contact Gareth Bladen at gbl@f-engel.com Telephone +44 (0) 7759 520034 or visit www.engel.eu/en & ENGEL Workwear - Catalogue (f-engel.com) Click here for more information.

March 2022

Challenges With Document L Net Zero Carbon Homes by 2050, a step too far? Well it certainly is a challenge for the Construction Industry and home improvement, but it is possible to achieve? Let’s first look at some of today’s facts: 27% of our carbon emissions in the UK comes from heating our buildings, with 18% coming from our domestic building stock. 80% of our homes that will be needed in 2050 have already been built and we are still building homes today that are not in line with net zero. So what do we have to do?

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urrently our homes range from 90 to 170 kWh/m2 energy usage per year, in 2050 we need to have our homes between 40 to 60 kWh/m2 per year. We will achieve this by taking a whole building approach, increasing thermal insulation whilst reducing air permeability and cold bridging. Obviously we will need to stop using fossil fuels such as gas as soon as practicable and move to heat pumps as the most accessible technology at the moment. Currently over 85% of homes in the UK have gas boilers. A gradual phase out of gas boilers and an increase in heat pump installations will allow the gradual increases required in the electricity grid, which continues to be decarbonised to use more renewable energy.

insulation in the building fabric, either internally or externally, one issue that our industry must tackle is that of cold bridging, especially around the installed windows and doors. With a high performance window or door frame typically 70mm in width, how do we ensure that the structure supporting the window increases in insulation from the frame U value to the full thickness of the wall which will typically be 0.15 W/m2.K without dipping and creating a cold bridge? Currently many replacement window installations ignore the need to continue the thermal insulation within the window to link into the surrounding structures insulation. Ignoring these thermal requirements around the window reveal can heavily reduce the purported gains of installing a high performance window or door.

To achieve our net zero target, our well insulated homes will require less zero carbon energy to run and it is only then when we can claim a ‘Net Zero Carbon’ balance for our building stock.

Basically no one element of the building structure can be looked at in isolation. High insulation building fabric goes hand in hand with high performance windows and doors, with the caveat of careful detailing around window and door openings. The ‘fabric first’ approach is key to achieving our net zero target, indeed, just opting for home insulation now will heavily reduce current carbon emissions by using less fossil fuels. Adding to a well insulated and airtight home, the installation of heat pumps, MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) and photovoltaic panels, will ensure we reach our goal.

As for windows and doors, it is anticipated that these should achieve 0.8 W/m2.K by 2025. Couple these lower values with increased insulation in walls, roof and floor and we will see space heating demand decrease to 25 to 50 kWh/m2/yr. Whilst it is challenging to increase

Who will pay? Over the last few decades we have strived as homeowners to improve our properties, especially by installing new windows and doors, I believe we will continue to improve our properties as part of our goal to have economic and comfortable places to live in.

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The landscape for the ‘home improvement’ market will likely change in the future,

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replacement windows and doors rated at 0.8 W/m2.K will be installed hand in hand with external or internal insulation to reach the future homes standard for walls of 0.15 W/m2.K. Furthermore, these improvements will likely go hand in hand with MVHR installations meaning that we will not need trickle vents through windows together, possibly with less opening vents in windows.

What seems certain is that over the next couple of decades the home improvement market will become very buoyant as these opportunities present themselves to a well established ‘trade’ supply chain.

Here at Aluprof UK we already have a range of very high insulation systems and we have new high performance products waiting in the wings. Our technical teams are well versed in offering assistance to architects to help detail and reduce thermal bridging on new and refurbished building envelopes. Traditionally, Aluprof UK offer commercial systems to the UK & Ireland markets, but we are now experiencing rapid growth in supplying the home improvement market.

Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their high-performance architectural aluminium systems.

Further expansion of the company’s headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view. With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in the East of the USA, the company has become a global player in facade supply.

Further information is available on the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005.

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March 2022

Gilberts serves science innovation A new, landmark location for science and technology is engendering a stimulating environment for workers, in part through the physics of the ventilation.

The 7-storey, 14,000m2 The Lumen represents the first component of the first phase in Newcastle’s Helix Innovation Quarter, regenerating the site of the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery. It is also the largest privately-funded office building in the city centre in a decade, financed

by Legal & General. With an EPC rating of A, the building has also achieve BREEAM “Excellent”.

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of lengths to provide a continuous, unbroken aesthetic. A unique design of air deflection vane enables each run to be finitely adjusted to the precise ventilation requirements within the space.

The open-plan, contemporary offices are ventilated throughout with diffusers from Gilberts Blackpool, delivering air throughout the workspace from a four pipe fan coil air conditioning system designed to provide a constant indoor air temperature. The Gilberts diffusers were selected by M&E specialist Integral UK Ltd, who developed the design from RIBA Stage 4 alongside M&E Consultant Desco. Integral completed the installation of the diffusers, supplied by Gilberts’ agent in the north east Angus Air.

Gilberts’ GSFA swirl diffusers deliver fresh air across the floor plate. To ensure the occupants below are not subjected to cold air dumping which is often a problem with exposed services where the incoming air has no surface- ceiling- to follow, each of the 250mm dia. GSFA features a coanda plate, on the advice of Gilberts and Angus Air. The additional surface of the plate at the entry of the air into the room allows the air to initially move horizontally and follow the plate. As the GSFA is designed to deliver 360° discharge, the coanda plate reduces the possibility of the air dumping and provides a neat solution to allow the conditioned air to mix with the room air before entering the occupied zone.

Each floor features a perimeter bulkhead, with exposed building services across the ceiling plate.

Gilberts’ GSL linear slot diffusers create an invisible wall of supply fresh air around the edge of the floorplate. Supplied in lengths up to 2m, the aluminium diffusers include a concealed alignment feature to enable a positive, seamless abutment

Angus Watson, Managing Director of Angus Air, elaborated, “The whole idea behind the design of The Lumen was to create flexible office space that allowed collaboration and exchange of ideas between the occupant, hence the open plan internal environment.

The correct ventilation is critical to productivity: being too hot, cold, or sat in a draught is a distraction. We

supported Desco in the selection of the most appropriate diffusers to create an ideal working environment, that also complimented the contemporary aesthetics. Gilberts’ products are at the cutting edge of air movement. We know too that the company has the capability and the knowledge to substantiate and validate any variation, such as the addition of the coanda.”

Faye Bennett, PR Manager for Legal & General Capital and LGIM Real Assets, added, “Legal & General is committed to regenerating brownfield sites, to create exciting urban places where people can live, work and play.

The Lumen is the first step towards achieving that aim in Newcastle. We’re excited about the potential the offices have to stimulate innovation, and hope that the attention to detail in creating a positive working environment- even down to the ventilation- will contribute towards that.”

Founded 55 years ago, Gilberts is Britain’s leading independent air movement specialist, and is unique in its ability to develop components. Be it ‘mainstream’ or bespoke - entirely in-house, from initial design through tooling, production, testing and supply, at its 85,000 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.

March 2022

Gilberts helps create the right ambience at the Metquarter Whether wanting American chicken and burgers to the delicacy of Asian cuisine, visitors to Liverpool’s newest and biggest food hall- GPO at Liverpool’s Metquarterwill be assured of a great atmosphere, thanks to the local air movement specialist with an international reputation, Gilberts.

Double deflection grilles from the Blackpool-based ventilation manufacturer have been fixed into the distinctive oval ducting running the length of the main food hall in the Metquarter. The grilles ensure a consistent flow of fresh air without draughts nor transfer of aromas from one zone to another from the 12 independent kitchens in the converted former General Post Office.

The strategy has been designed and installed by JD Engineering M&E contractor to the brief from development management company Queensberry and restauranteurs The Milestone Group.

The open plan 11,000 sq ft food hall with exposed building services limited available space into which to install the ventilation to ensure compliance with the diverse mix of needs.To balance ventilation, extraction and odour

control requirements within the space constraints, JD Engineering proposed flat oval ducting to run the length of the retail area, with Gilberts GHV double deflection grilles strategically positioned along the sides. Adjustable blade dampers, fixed horizontally to the front and vertically to the rear of the grilles circulate the conditioned air. The design delivers 70% free ventilation area, deflecting incoming air vertically and horizontally to optimise rapid mixing and entrainment without draughts. The separate dishwash area is addressed via Gilberts GECA removeable core eggcrate grille.

The WCs are served by Gilberts’ GX extract valves specifically designed for removing stale air from washrooms.

Explained a spokesperson for JD Engineering, “Having 12 kitchens on one area, all providing very different styles of cuisine, was a challenge for the ventilation, to

ensure the dining experience was pleasurable and not diluted by an influx of potentially conflicting aromas from other areas. The constraint in ceiling height added a further dimension to address.

Gilberts’ grilles matched the requirements in terms of the requisite throw and air distribution we needed, and provided the quality and appearance requirements.”

Matt Bigland, Founder and Director at The Milestone Group, added, “GPO will be a hub for Liverpool’s emerging food scene and will showcase the best in up-andcoming food and drink talent in the heart of Liverpool. It was critical therefore that we got the internal atmosphere right, and the ventilation has been a crucial component in creating a vibrant environment for diners.”

Founded 55 years ago, Gilberts is Britain’s leading independent air movement specialist, and is unique in its ability to develop components. Be it ‘mainstream’ or bespoke - entirely in-house, from initial design through tooling, production, testing and supply, at its 85,000 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.

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March 2022

Gilberts applies sustainability to value engineering

A win:win situation is available to building services designers and contractors with revisions to Gilberts’ ground-breaking MFS hybrid ventilation unit.

As part of the company’s commitment to continuous evolution to offer better, greener solutions, the stand-alone ventilation, heating and cooling system has been value engineered.

Not only is the new version cheaper whilst retaining its quality and performance, it uses less steel.

It also makes it lighter in weight, potentially reducing transport costs structural loadings (and potentially build costs).These make a positive contribution towards its embodied carbon. Being lighter in weight, the new MFS further requires less labour effort to install.

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These benefits compliment those eco-advantages already within the MFS concept. Gilberts’ MFS in effect works as a natural ventilation unit, only using its integral low energy fan to supplement airflow as conditions demand. MFS can be configured to run on 100% fresh air, using a LPHW coil to temper the air to provide Covid compliant ventilation without

compromising the internal temperature. Integrated into the heating system- including heat pumps- Gilberts’ MFS can utilise the warmth generated from LPHW systems to warm or cool the internal space as needed without the need for radiators and all associated ancillary capital costs. As a solus ventilation unit, MFS costs as little as £5/room/yearto operate.

Using it as the means of room heating adds just £2.19/room/year.

MFS has already been proven to help achieve BREEAM Excellent, contributing points towards Energy and Health & Wellbeing.

Installed through the external façade or window, Gilberts’ MFS mixes internal and external air to ventilate the internal space. A mixing damper within modulates airflow to allow the new, fresh air to mix with the warm exhaust air, thus extracting its heat without the need for an exchanger. The integrated low energy fan energises to blend the internal air, ensuring an even

distribution of airflow without stratification. It gives control over temperature and CO2 levels within and maintenance of a comfortable internal environment for occupants.

Says Ian Rogers, Gilberts’ Sales Director, “With the drive towards reducing our carbon footprint, MFS gives everyone involved in the building services supply chain, including the end customer/building occupants a benefit. It is a genuine ‘win:win’, whether new build, refurbishment, re-purposing. The new MFS typifies Gilberts’ place as the UK’s leading independent air movement specialist, engineering from concept quality products that meet or anticipate market forces and deliver for the environmental agenda.”

Full details of the MFS system can be found on Gilberts’ website www.gilbertsblackpool.com, where BIM calculations and CAD drawings are also available for download.

March 2022

Gesis FLEX now with DALI2 Gateway ®

Wieland Electric’s established gesis® FLEX series is expanded with the new KNX DALI Gateway

It allows direct communication between the two interoperable and well-known systems, KNX and DALI 2. As a result, it communicates with devices from other manufacturers that are certified in these systems on both sides.

The device covers practically the complete spectrum of lighting control in terms of capability.

It can be utilized for both simple office applications, such as grouping and regrouping connected luminaires in open office areas, and more complicated lighting situations with RGBW and Tunable White requirements. The device’s

broad parameter set includes scenes and time controls, as well as operational hours tracking.

Simple handling and easy implementation of the construction process criteria were prioritized throughout the device series.

The device is mounted decentrally, that is, without the use of a separate casing. All electrical

connections are pluggable, ensuring the quickest, easiest, and safest installation procedure for the most pluggable electrical installation available on the market. Because the manual operation works without prior KNX integration, the installation’s basic functionality can be evaluated immediately after installation. www.wieland.co.uk

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March 2022

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hether you need simple plants and trees that don’t need tending to or you’re going for a full artificial landscape with turf, hedges and more, we have existing products and the capacity to create custom designs for any need and budget.

We’ll offer a no obligation quote to help you plan your projects and we can tailor our service to ‘fir’ your needs.

Full Support Whatever your choices, we have the design experience and knowhow needed to make you stand out. We can work with your design to make your premises look incredible, whatever the space and whatever the industry. We can even help you develop the design, drawing on years of experience.

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centres, theme parks, colleges and schools, cruise ships, theatres… the list goes on! We have tens of thousands of satisfied customers in the UK, in Europe, and across the World.

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March 2022

Mark Wheeler interview

– restructure delivers ‘five-star service’ Commercial Director explains how formation of Guardtech Group will help to improve overall experience for cleanroom clients THE CLEANROOM design & build industry is faring well. Unlike many sectors, controlled environment construction hasn’t been torn apart by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laborator y shortages continue to prevail, control is now at the forefront of people’s minds and the need for appropriate ventilation and critical workspaces has become more important than ever before.

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Af ter acquiring another well regarded construction company in Cleanroom Solutions, the Directors at Guardtech Cleanrooms realised there was an opportunity to not only continue growing their business, but to compartmentalise all the different aspects of their offering

to ensure their clients received the best possible experience in dealing with them.

From this, the Guardtech Group was born – made up of Guardtech Cleanrooms (modular builds), Cleanroom Solutions (turnkey construction projects), Isopod Rapid Cleanrooms and CleanCube Mobile Cleanrooms.

The final piece of the jigsaw was the creation of Isoblok Pre-Fab Cleanrooms – a business which will continue to be developed over the coming years.

Mark Wheeler, the Guardtech Group’s Commercial Direc tor, believes the move towards five clear,

individual businesses will have a massive impact in helping his teams deliver excellent results for their customers going forward.

“It ’s about grow th, it ’s about opportunity and it’s about delivering the best possible service to all our different types of clients in the diverse range of industries we cover,” he says.

“Five distinct divisions all delivering a five-star service. That’s not to say we won’t continue to collaborate and pool resources across the companies, but this restructure provides a mechanism to differentiate between the variety of products and solutions that the Guardtech Group deliver, whilst celebrating the joint identity and culture that is at the heart of all these delivery formats.

March 2022 “The Guardtech Group is a collective of long-serving industry professionals that embrace problem-solving , innovative thinking and embody a determination to deliver the highest quality outcomes for a range of valued clients across the Life Science industries.”

Mr Wheeler explains how “at the heart of every decision the group makes” is their newly established GUARD Charter, which promotes the core values of: Guide, Understand, Adapt, Respond and Deliver.

“Each business within the group, and every employee working for Guardtech, is held accountable against this charter,” he continues. “We guide them to embody the values that have made our group strong over its history.”

Guardtech Cleanrooms will cater specif ically for the modular cleanroom market, while CleanCube Mobile Cleanrooms will continue to provide portable solutions for business all over the world.

Isopod Rapid Cleanrooms offers a quicker, more flexible and costeffective alternative for clients – including the option for ‘flatpack’ delivery and self-assembly installation.

Isoblok Pre-Fab Cleanrooms will be focused on pre-configured ‘plug and play’ cleanroom units and pods constructed offsite, while Cleanroom Solutions will deliver larger scale turnkey construction builds.

Mr Wheeler explains how Guardtech have grown “organically” over the past 20 years – and in that time, particularly recent years, product development and innovation had become core tenets of the firm’s philosophy.

“Those innovations have taken on a life of their own,” he adds, “developing in a way that they’ve become big enough to support their own divisions. We felt that this restructure was the clearest route to show our customers that there is a distinct outline in the way each element of the Group is run, yet with some central themes. These derive from the GUARD Charter I mentioned previously.”

Despite the restructure, the key elements of a Guardtech project will always remain the same.

“Across all the divisions, our approach is consistent,” says Mr Wheeler.

“Client-focused problem-solving. With any of the businesses, we’re always looking to deliver all the values that the GUARD Charter embodies.

“We’re tackling different types of construction using the same quality standpoint and intellectual property.

We wanted to compete with what was out there in the market without giving up the quality mark that’s a key component of our heritage modular builds.

“It was vital to us that Isopod and CleanCube enhanced the brand and did nothing to compromise it. The focus is on quality – we simply aren’t prepared to risk what we’ve established over 20 years of building quality cleanrooms.”

For more information, visit guardtechgroup.com, call 0330 113 0303 or email sales@guardtech.com.

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March 2022

Investment in Nottingham Increases Capacity and Improves Customer Service!

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March 2022

We recently installed a new production line at our Nottingham branch which is now fully operational.

Jason Byrne, Branch Manager and Deb Wardle, Assistant Branch Manager at our Nottingham branch, explain why we needed a new production line.

“As our business has grown considerably over the past 12 months, it became apparent that to continue to provide our excellent levels of customer service and efficiency, we would need to invest in restructuring our team and equipment.

“We decided that the most suitable long-term solution would be to create a space, within the right-hand side of the warehouse. This would allow us to install an additional production area, that could be used solely to produce hose kits and hose assemblies for our Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers.”

Once the area had been identified, the products and racking were

cleared to give a blank canvas to work with. The necessary machines and equipment were then ordered.

“Over the course of the next 2-3 weeks, we had many exciting deliveries that arrived. These included: two new cutters, plenty of hose rail and stands to create the two production lines, a H120 swaging machine and a brand new H60 swaging machine, with a 350-ton crimping force for hoses up to 4” diameter. We also installed a new turntable and crane lift.

“There was a lot of electrical work that needed to be installed, to enable both 240v and three phase machines to work, as well as a new extractor system. All machines and electrics were in place after about six weeks.”

The decision was made to paint the floor to finish off the new install. The team applied three coats of Epoxy Floor Paint over a weekend.

“Once this was cured, we were able to create areas for components,

kitting and completed orders prior to shipment. After 8 weeks we were finally set to make use of this fantastic new investment.

“The introduction of the lines has meant that we can use the equipment in the branch area purely for our walk-in customers at the trade counter, meaning that we can provide a fast, efficient and uninterrupted service.

“The production side of the business has continued to grow, and the new dedicated lines have been in constant use every working day since being installed.”

Jason added: “It has made the process of making hoses and hose kits faster and more efficient.”

Rebecca Galley, Managing Director added, “It has been great to work with the team on this project.

They have identified the need for dedicated production space and designed the solution themselves. The new facility gives more than double the capacity we had previously as well as meaning we can work safely and efficiently to serve our customers.

Well done to everyone involved!”

If you are looking for regular hose assemblies and kits, get in touch with us here: T: 0115 978 9759 E:️ info@hydroscand.co.uk W: www.hydroscand.co.uk

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SECTION NAME November 2021

ACADEMY

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March 2022

BESA welcomes Budget boost for green skills The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has applauded the Chancellor for setting aside £3.8bn for education and skills with particular focus on additional support for SMEs and the creation of new T-levels to help young adults take up vocational careers.

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he new funds announced in this week’s Budget back up promises made by the government in last week’s Net Zero strategy to create 440,000 ‘green collar’ jobs by 2030 to help decarbonise key sectors of the economy including heating and cooling of buildings.

The Chancellor also restated his commitment to the Help to Grow scheme, which BESA thinks could provide useful additional support to SMEs to help boost their productivity and business growth.

The Budget also contained news of a business rates reduction scheme for firms looking to install heat networks, solar panels, and battery storage. The Association said this would provide welcome impetus to technologies that will play a key role in reducing the 40% of global carbon emissions linked to the built environment.

The Association said employers should work with the government to finalise a more comprehensive national plan for low carbon skills to help create the two million jobs needed to help fully decarbonise the economy by 2050. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) only about 200,000 people are currently employed in sectors directly linked to decarbonisation including energy efficiency and renewables.

BESA welcomed the continued commitment to the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, which the government says could reach up to 11 million adults giving them the opportunity to gain a new qualification for free. However, the Association said it was important to target this funding at areas where there are key skills gaps including building services.

Comprehensive

“The government is clearly committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment but delivering that vision will require a huge expansion and upskilling of the workforce in key sectors like engineering and construction,” said BESA President Neil Brackenridge.

“UK vacancies are at their highest levels since records began at 1.1 million (according to ONS) but there are still thousands of young people, in particular, looking for work,” he added.

“Many now aspire to careers where they can have an impact on the climate crisis.

“However, this will require a considerable increase in the number of people guided towards technical training – like T-levels and vocational degrees – with a particular emphasis on STEM subjects. So, the additional funding announced today by the Chancellor is very welcome, but it needs to be backed up by a comprehensive skills plan to ensure it is spent wisely.”

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March 2022

What is a Heat Pump?

It is a direct expansion cycle (DX) that comprises of a Compressor, an Evaporator a Condenser and an Expansion Device.

It uses refrigerant as a media to transfer unwanted energy (heat) from inside to outside (cooling) or from outside to inside (heating). In the system there is a reversing valve that changes the evaporator to a condenser and a condenser to an evaporator (hence the reverse cycle term).

Why refrigerant? Refrigerant is a chemical gas that changes phase from gas to liquid and visa versa. It is extremely energy efficient and can carry more the 50 times energy per weight than air and 10 times more than water. It boils at as low as -50°C (water +100°C) and condenses at as high as 140°C. These characteristic makes it suitable for most habitable areas of the world, smaller inter connecting pipes and compact and very cost effective.

The refrigerant safety class for domestic use MUST be A1 class non-flammable. There are other classes A2, A2L flammables and can be explosive under pressure and A3 highly flammable and explosive. Classes are as defined by ISO817 & ASHRAE 34 standards The efficiency of cooling (EER) cycle or heating cycle (COP) can range anything between 250% (2.5/1) to 500% (5/1) (that is for every energy unit, say1 kW electricity consumed, up to 5 kW can be absorbed from inside (unwanted heat) to be rejected outside or absorbed from outside air or water or ground and transferred to inside to heat a house or domestic hot water).

There are mainly Air to Air (most common and cost effective), Water to Air & Water to Water systems. Systems can be compact (all components in one box) or Single Splits One indoor and One outdoor or Multi Splits where multiple indoor units connected to One outdoor unit.

The Indoor units can be a wall, floor, Ceiling or Ducted fan coils or a refrigerant to water heat exchanger to provide domestic hot water or medium temperature heating water for under floor heating or radiators. The interconnecting refrigeration pipe work would require specialist approved refrigeration engineers.

There are no extra safety control systems (provided the refrigerant is A1 class non-flammable) and no chimneys, extra builder’s work or electrical supplies.

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March 2022

Welcome Back Matt GEZE UK is delighted to welcome back Matt Gregory as Specification Manager for the north.

Matt will be responsible for assisting architects and specifiers with compliant solutions for all products in the GEZE range which includes automatic doors, window technology and manual overhead door controls.

In addition, he will produce detailed and risk assessed NBS specifications which are supported with BIM objects and present GEZE’s RIBA approved CPD to help architects and specifiers expand their knowledge.

Matt first joined GEZE in 2017 and

after a spell outside the industry he returns to the company bringing with him extensive knowledge of entrance systems and automatic doors from his time as Automatic and Industrial door engineer and previous sales management experience.

Said Matt ‘I am pleased to be back working with GEZE and their respected and varied product range, they have a strong brand and excellent reputation in the door industry. I look forward to working closely with architects and specifiers,

creating strong collaborations with them and providing a quality service.’

Richard Richardson-Derry, National Specification Manager added ‘It’s great to be working with Matt again, he brings enthusiasm and extensive experience to the team.

He will be an important part of the company’s continued growth.’

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door 2 I 2 and window control products visit www .geze.co.uk

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March 2022

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nauf welcomed Lucy Hall as Sustainability Leader in September.

Lucy will partner with all areas of the business from manufacturing to specification and sales to develop a robust sustainability strategy.

Lucy has a wealth of experience and awards in the areas of sustainability and innovation.

Her expertise will help Knauf to advance its sustainability agenda at a time when product manufacturers are shouldering increasing environmental responsibility.

As part of these ongoing sustainability endeavours, Knauf is making the move to recycled plastic packaging. The Company’s new packaging will contain at least 30% recycled plastics and is often also recyclable at the end of its life so the circle can be continued.

The Company has added easy to recognise logos to the packaging to identify when it has been made from recycled plastic, and if it is recyclable. Knauf will start by changing the packaging of key products within its portfolio and continue the move for other products over the coming months.

The Company is using Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics – materials which have been used by consumers, recycled and given a new life.

Lucy gives an insight into the importance of the new packaging: “Our Product Manager, Becky Newell, has worked collaboratively and consistently to achieve Knauf’s goal of improving the recycled content of our packaging. Realising her goal to make a difference on a bigger scale, the recycled content of plastic packaging will now also be high on the agenda of new product development. This is a fantastic achievement in Knauf’s drive to fulfil its sustainability goals.”

Greenhouse gas emissions are associated with single-use plastics, and the National Geography Society estimates that more than 40% of plastic is used just once and that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. This is a significant reason for Knauf adopting PCR plastics and a recognition of the Company’s commitment to Build for the World We Live In.

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This switch will see some small changes to the appearance of product packaging, such as a grey rim and base. This is simply due to a number of different coloured plastics being recycled to make a new product, and not adding in unnecessary dyes.

Knauf puts sustainability top of the agenda Knauf UK & Ireland is committed to a high standard of sustainability and has intensified its efforts over recent months with the appointment of a new Sustainability Leader and the implementation of several initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of its products.

March 2022

It is important to note that it is just the packaging that is changing, not the product, so customers can rest assured knowing they’re still getting the same, trusted Knauf product.

It is not just its product range that Knauf is reviewing. The Company has recently rolled out fourteen new forklift trucks at its Sittingbourne plant bringing improved safety, greater management control and cleaner operation.

Another change being made to the Knauf portfolio to lessen its environmental impact is on the GIFAbond flooring adhesives range. These products are used when installing Knauf GIFA FHB and Hugo floorboards.

From January 2022 the product range will be EC1 Plus Emicode certified.

In addition to having the latest safety features the new trucks are powered by Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).

This means they are much cleaner, producing far less particulate pollution than diesel and emitting much lower levels of CO2.

The Emicode certification rates flooring adhesives and installation products into three categories. Knauf has achieved the highest possible rating of EC1 Plus, very low emission, defined as ‘the limit of what is technically feasible today’.

To achieve this rating, the products must undergo rigorous testing with limits on VOCs, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other hazardous substances which can affect indoor air quality and health.

The Knauf EC1 Plus Emicode certified products will be GIFAbond Uno, a joint adhesive foil which is used with an application gun to the tongue and groove edge; GIFAbond Blue, a single layer joint adhesive in an easy to use bottle for hand application, and GIFAbond Duo, a surface adhesive used on two-layer systems.

Knauf is also working with its distribution partners to provide customers with a more environmentally friendly delivery option. One of its key distributors, Nicholls Transport, Winner of the Greenfleet Fleet of the Year award 2020, was among the first operators in the UK to use LNG trucks and has recently been recognised as an IVECO Ambassador for its Green Logistics Operation.

These initiatives are part of Knauf’s ongoing sustainability programme and tie in with its ‘people, planet, prosperity’ ethos. Sustainability considerations are becoming more prevalent across the construction industry and Knauf is keen to lead the way in meeting customers’ expectations for environmentally friendly products.

For further information visit www.knauf.co.uk

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March 2022

Monster Mesh

www.monster-mesh.co.uk

Their friendly and approachable nature, combined with expert design solutions tailored to individual needs means they have grown year on year, impressing customers with their quality of service.

The company specialises in the supply of large format print products, including custom designs for Heras fence covers, PVC & ACM hoarding panels, PVC and mesh banners, large scale scaffold wraps and more helping increase brand visibility in venues or construction projects. These products also have longevity, with the premium Heras fence cover proving popular for long projects as well as its potential for re-usability. Each is compatible to fit all brands of temporary fencing and include free delivery on fence covers.

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Much of Monster Mesh’s business comes from business exhibitions, venues, festivals, events and construction, with the later

booming in 2021, despite the reduction in many other outdoor events.

Monster Mesh has been working incredibly hard to maintain their high results, going so far as having their record year in 2021.

This has been down to a number of factors, including a focus on brand strengthening and continual digital marketing efforts. The business has also added several new products to their site, generating more interest and a broader choice for customers.

The business has proved to be a popular choice for clients since its launch, due to their commitment to ‘good old fashioned’ personal customer service. This personal service means that clients can be confident in their decisions, having the ability to browse online before speaking directly to one of the team to discuss any particular requirements.

Established in 2018, Monster Mesh has worked in the event and construction branding sector since inception and is now an established market-leader in this field.

Founder of Monster Mesh, Mark McLennan is committed to maintaining this service with all construction products, complete with a team that are always happy to help advising and talking through options.

This commitment to service also includes free design and artwork for products, ensuring the highest quality products and personalisation.

We spoke to Mark who stated, “2021 was our busiest year ever despite restrictions and we have grown our customers in the construction sector considerably. It’s great to see the construction industry to boom and the sector is certainly doing its bit to move things forward.

Our growth has been down to more customers with repeat business and recommendations, as well as increasing our focus on building the Monster Mesh brand and securing our place in the industry.”

March 2022

First of its kind - Diesel And AdBlue Bucket Bundie for J A Jackson

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stablished in 1967, J A Jackson Quarries & Recycling Ltd are a family run business who supply quarried and recycled aggregates. Providers of sustainable building materials, aggregates and ready-mix concrete, the company also provide domestic and commercial skip hire and have a fully licenced waste transfer station and facilities for inert tipping. J A Jackson operates a fleet of more than 20 tippers, artics, skip wagons and concrete mixers.

The company’s quarries in Preston, Leyland and Lancaster are all within easy reach of the region’s motorway network making access and distribution as efficient and effective as possible.

throughout the UK. Based on the same concept as the patented Bucket Bundie Fuel Bowser, Ace Plant’s Bucket Bundie Store was seen shortlisted in the Institute of Quarrying’s Excellence Awards in the knowledge and innovation category - a fantastic accolade for the ‘Bundie Bowser’ name.

Ace Plant have recently launched the first Bucket Bundie that is capable of carrying both Diesel and AdBlue at the same time. This capability can already be seen in Ace Plant’s static, site tow and road tow ranges but has finally been

made possible within the Bucket Bundie range.

J A Jackson first found out about the Ace Plant Bucket Bundie Bowser after searching the internet about fuel bowsers. They liked the fact that the Bucket Bundie can be transported by existing site machinery without the need for a tractor. These units remove the need for lifting chains as well as the need for the operator to leave the safety of the machine’s cab to attach any chains. It features a patented bucket loading system with special slots above the support legs that allow a wheel loader operator to easily pick up and move the bowser using the machine’s front bucket. With the loader bucket crowded back, the Bucket Bundie is held securely for safe transport across rough ground – this combination works much better than a towed bowser which can be difficult to move and reverse – particularly on rough terrain.

J A Jackson say that the Bucket Bundie will be a benefit to their business as the unit will result in “less risk of contamination and we no longer need to use the 5 gallon drums”. In turn, this also makes refuelling a faster and safer processes with less risk of spillage.

The Bucket Bundie Bowser is available in three different capacities: 450L, 1000L & 2250L. To find out more visit www.aceplant.co.uk or call 01908 562191.

J A Jackson have recently added the first combined Diesel / AdBlue Bucket Bundie Fuel Bowser to their fleet provided by manufacturers, Ace Plant.

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Ace Plant, home of the ‘Bundie Bowser’ fuel storage range, are a plant hire and sales company based in Buckinghamshire who utilise their engineering roots to manufacture Fuel Storage Solutions and Dust Suppression equipment for hire and sale

Images courtesy of Alison Miller – J A Jackson.

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March 2022

Data Centres Specify KPS High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Piping & Fibrelite Composite Access Covers To Safeguard 24/7 365 Operation In an increasingly connected digital world, data centres are critical. With 3.6 million m2 in use by data centres in Europe alone and over 70 projects (851,000 m2) in progress in 12 European countries (ResearchAndMarkets1), their growth continues to accelerate to meet the needs of cloud technology, AI, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) data storage and the shift to hybrid working.

This trend is mirrored globally, with investment in data centres projected to rise from $244.74 billion in 2019 to $432.14 billion in 2025 (ResearchAndMarkets2).

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Safeguarding Service.

Eliminating Downtime.

To ensure 24/7 365 operation and minimise the risk of downtime, data centres are constructed with the highest performance, highest quality building materials available, with every part of a facility meticulously planned. Infrastructure is an integral part, normally comprising of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), power distribution, cooling systems, fire systems and security systems, many of which have redundancies (2N+1 for Tier 4 facilities, guaranteeing 99.995%

Fibrelite’s FRP composite channel access covers installed at US data centre

uptime) including back-up power generators to prevent interruption of service. Two contemporary products being adopted by leading data centres across the globe are Fibrelite’s lightweight FRP composite trench access covers (to protect and provide easy access to underground infrastructure) and KPS’ HDPE piping (to fuel backup generators).

High-Performance Backup Generator Fuelling Systems.

A reliable fuel supply is key to backup generators’ smooth operation, connecting generators to fuel storage tanks and tanks to fill points. Nicolas Lefebvre, Generator Activity Manager at Flipo-Richir (France) commented “We regularly install generators to back up data centres in the event of a power cut. We have been using KPS double wall piping exclusively for more than 10 years to connect generators to underground storage tanks. KPS piping is easy to install, mainly thanks to the assembly by thermo-welding, and the range of products is very complete, which makes it possible to create any type of network, even complex.”

Corrosion-resistant, safe and easy to install (due to compact electrofusion fittings) the KPS HDPE piping

March 2022

KPS’ HDPE piping installed at major Parisian data centre

system helps fuel flow safely, even providing protection against ground movements (using the elasticity and flexibility of HDPE). Safety can be enhanced further by installing KPS’ conductive piping option, ensuring continuous conductivity between the tank and the end of the line (which can be earthed). This helps to prevent the accumulation of electric charges that could otherwise be created by the friction of the fuel velocity and the plastic inner surface.

KPS’ 4” (110mm) piping also delivers a 933 litre/minute flow rate, making it ideal for fill lines (KPS piping is available in 1” to 4” diameters in single or double wall). KPS will also soon be releasing a 6” double wall product range.

Simple, Safe Underground Infrastructure Access.

Another contemporary product line seeing widespread global adoption by architects, design engineers and specifiers to enable easy access

to underground infrastructure is Fibrelite’s modular FRP composite trench/channel access covers. These are now often specified at the outset of new build data centre projects.

Bespoke, modular and lightweight, Fibrelite covers are designed to be removed quickly and easily by two people using Fibrelite’s ergonomically designed lifting handles, even where heavier load ratings are required (e.g. channels running between buildings with vehicle traffic).

Due to their unique custom engineering capabilities, Fibrelite can manufacture access covers at all load ratings up to F900 / 90 tonne (A15, B125, D400, E600 and F900).

Traditionally, for the past 100 years, access covers have been made from concrete or metal which are 3-4 times the weight of Fibrelite covers, often requiring specialised lifting equipment to remove and replace.

Fibrelite covers are also impervious to corrosion and have a unique antislip walking surface.

KPS piping installed at Chinese data centre for leading tech brand

In many instances where Fibrelite access covers are adopted, companies choose to specify a bespoke option, custommanufactured to specific requirements including size, colour, load rating, fittings (e.g. securing systems) and moulded identification of below ground services. Fibrelite has also undertaken projects where they have designed and manufactured retrofit replacements for previously installed heavy concrete or metal access covers.

“We are proud to be involved in data centre projects across the globe, with our Fibrelite trench access covers facilitating easy safe access to below ground infrastructure, and our KPS piping providing a reliable fuel supply to backup generators. In many cases, we actually custom design and engineer bespoke products to fit each facility’s requirements.”

Jo Stott, Marketing Director, OPW Global (a Dover company and parent company of Fibrelite and KPS)

Explore KPS’ technical case studies here

Lightweight Fibrelite FRP channel access covers designed for safe manual removal and replacement

Explore Fibrelite’s technical case studies here

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March 2022

The age of the heat pump is now here If you’ve been paying attention to the news about carbon reduction targets, you can’t have missed mention of heat pumps, the main message is clear: Heat pumps are here now, and they offer a viable solution to heating our homes in a low carbon way that will help tackle climate change.

A major part is educating the homeowner so that they get used to the different way heat pumps work, but this is also where the best systems have automated controls to ensure they work correctly.

Upfront costs Heat pumps are still more expensive than gas boilers, but gas has been the dominant method of heating for over 70 years and heat pumps have been around just over a decade. The sooner we grow the installer base and produce ten times more heat pumps a year, then the costs will come down for installation.

But even before installation prices start to drop, there is one area where heat pumps win hands down, and that is over oil heating.

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he UK was the first major country to make it law that greenhouse gas emissions will be net-zero by 2050. When you consider 15% of our total emissions comes from heating our homes, it’s easy to see why this is a major focus.

Yet there remain questions about the carbon intensive production needed for this hydrogen technology and, if it can work on the scale needed, it’s at least 10 years away – we simply don’t have the time!

Stumbling blocks

To help achieve this, the government has announced that it is banning gas and oil-fired boilers in all new build homes from 2025.

The article focuses on three main stumbling blocks that are stopping heat pumps becoming mainstream: The upfront costs; the low levels of insulation; and bad press from faulty or lowquality installations.

And this is where heat pumps can really help!

Objective The Observer ran an article “Warmth from the earth and air: could heat pumps replace our gas boilers?”

Gas and oil lobby are fighting to show that they can remain viable in a low carbon economy and heat pumps are a real threat to their dominance in the heating industry.

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It’s also worth noting those parties pushing Hydrogen as part of the solution, also seem to be running an ‘anti-heat pump’ message.

When it comes to effective use of heat pumps, of course you need to choose a quality brand, but equally important is the design, installation, commissioning, and control of the system – and this is where training is the key.

The Heat Pump Association has set up a new programme to help train up to 40,000 installers each year and Mitsubishi Electric have also introduced online learning to make training easier, cheaper and more accessible.

Installation costs for electric heat pumps are comparable or even lower than a new oil boiler and the running costs offer a serious reduction in annual bills over oil.

Insulation Heat pumps will work most effectively in a highly insulated property; however, they can work well in even the most basic of homes.

Heat pumps can work alongside an existing gas or oil boiler with the intelligent control system able to work out when to switch over from the heat pump to the other system.

So, regardless of any plans the government may or may not have to help improve insulation in homes, heat pumps offer a viable alternative to the carbon-intensive systems that really are ‘costing us the earth’.

Russell Dean – Mitsubishi Electric’s Head of Residential Heating and Ventilation

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The switch to low carbon heating systems for our homes is critical to ensure the UK achieves its 2050 net zero carbon emissions target.

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March 2022

New Schöck thermally insulating wall connection in a class of its own Minimising linear thermal bridges at the wall connection to the floor, or floor slab, has been a perennial problem with reinforced concrete construction. However, a dedicated new solution – the Sconnex type W – has now been introduced by Schöck. It is a product that offers outstanding insulation performance, combined with an exceptional load-bearing capacity

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current high-profile project involving the new Schöck thermally insulating wall connection is Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, at Elstree in Hertfordshire. The school was founded in 1690 by a Royal Charter granted to the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and over the years has been located at various sites around London. In the late 1950s Aldenham House and sixty one acres of land were purchased from the BBC to develop the current Elstree school location, which was opened in 1961 by the Lord Mayor of London.

Haberdashers’ Aske’s is recognised as being one of the leading independent boys’ schools in the country and sets exemplary standards, not just in educational terms, but in its facilities as well. As demonstrated by the new extension to the Preparatory School.

A two-storey contemporary extension

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This is a standalone building within the campus and Hampshire based cube_ design architects were commissioned to produce a concept design for three additional classrooms, along with the relocation of changing facilities and minor alterations to the administration, staff and visitor entrance. Jane LockSmith, the founder of cube_design and a member of the CABE Design Review Panel and RIBA Client Design Advisor

Exterior project images courtesy of cube_design

March 2022 within the Building Schools for the Future programme, takes up the story: “The design is respectful to the style of the existing building, but offers a contemporary twist through the use of full height glazing and charred timber cladding. The use of a colonnade minimises the buildings footprint whilst enabling a sense of arrival that the existing building is lacking.

In our detailing we had to take into account that around 40% of all thermal bridges in a building are caused by walls and supports, which in turn are responsible for about 10% of heating energy losses. The Schöck solution offers an application-friendly, high-quality solution that contributes to a permanently sustainable building concept”.

A serious source of linear thermal bridges The construction of the Preparatory School extension at Haberdashers’ is of reinforced concrete and traditionally wall connections to the floor, or floor slab, have been a major source of linear thermal bridges. The result being not just serious energy loss, but also the high risk of condensation. This can easily lead to mould growth, resulting in possible structural damage and worse, posing a health risk to the occupants. As the market leaders in the development of Isokorb structural thermal breaks for balconies and other cantilever constructions, Schöck has now used this expertise to produce a thermally insulating wall connection that combines outstanding insulation performance with dependable load-bearing capacity.

Exterior project images courtesy of cube_design

losses are greatly reduced and the surface temperature in the room increases to considerably more than the critical dew point temperature. Heating costs are lower, a pleasant room climate is created and the PSI of the connected reinforced concrete wall is reduced by up to 90 percent. The outstanding insulation performance is combined with an excellent load bearing capacity, which transmits very high pressure, tensile and

shear forces, in the longitudinal and transverse direction. This is made possible by the use of a pressure buffer consisting of ultrahigh performance fibre reinforced concrete. A material which achieves compressive strength levels in excess of 175 N/mm2, but with extremely good flexural strength as well. A further important benefit is the generally significant cost reduction involved when compared to installing insulation beneath the floor slab.

Sconnex is a unique solution This new thermally insulating connection for reinforced concrete walls is unique in its ability to help meet various demanding criteria.

Sconnex type W minimises the thermal bridge between the exterior wall insulation and the insulation above the floor slab, increasing the energy efficiency of the entire building. Thermal

A graphic of the Sconnex type W in position

For further information on the new Sconnex type W product; contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or download the brochure at www.schoeck.com

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March 2022

Simpli Advanced® from XL Joinery brings style to apartment fire doors

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March 2022

Apartment entrance fire doors can now be visually stunning as well as safe and secure, following the launch of the new Simpli Advanced® range of high-performance fire doorsets from XL Joinery.

The Simpli Advanced® range combines the best in oak door manufacturing with hardware from the global leader in access solutions, ASSA ABLOY. This enables it to deliver formidable resistance to smoke and fire while visually enhancing any living environment.

Mark Kilbride, Technical Manager at XL Joinery, comments: “Fire doors are traditionally seen as more functional than attractive, but when it comes to living spaces, aesthetics are an important consideration – after all, no one wants an unsightly door in their home. That’s why we’ve launched the Simpli Advanced® range. It combines our beautiful FSC® certified doors with the highest specification safety and security components to create a solution that offers style and safety in equal measure.”

The doorsets in the Simpli Advanced® range are available in a stunning choice of styles for maximum elegance and integration into the home. They can be matched to XL Joinery’s wide range of internal door designs – including Suffolk, Palermo and Monza – and the oak, handle, viewer and intumescent seal are all available in an extensive choice of finishing options.

Available with either FD30 or FD60 fire protection, the doors offer exceptional protection against fire. Batwing® drop and perimeter seals from Lorient work together to prevent the passage of smoke and fire to other parts of the building, while the superior closing force of the ASSA ABLOY door closer ensures reliable closing every time.

As a range of entrance doors, Simpli Advanced® also provides

optimal security. The PAS24 and Secured By Design-approved Yale Platinum 3 Star Cylinder delivers first-class protection against the common attack method of locksnapping, and for added protection, the FD60 option features the Yale Lockmaster lock and deadbolt.

Mark continues: “The different components on the doors work hand in hand to maintain integrity during a fire and keep intruders out. As well as this, the fact that they all come pre-fitted means the doors can be installed in as little as 20 minutes – leading to considerable time and cost savings for installers, especially on quick-build construction projects.

“Another benefit of this is that it serves to reassure everyone in the

supply chain that the doorsets are fully compliant, since they have been pre-assembled by the experts and are third-party accredited.

“As with all our products, the Simpli Advanced® range comes with our 10year manufacturing guarantee, which means it will always be backed up by our dedicated support team, who are also on hand to help with any technical and installation advice that may be required.”

To find out more about the Simpli Advanced® range of apartment entrance fire doorsets from XL Joinery, please visit www.xljoinery.co.uk/simpliadvanced-apartment-entrancefire-doorsets.

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March 2022

Duravit No.1:

The complete bathroom range on a budget Living design that is ideal for any bathroom

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he complete bathroom series Duravit No.1 impresses with its minimalistic and contemporary yet timeless looks, a compact, clear and comprehensive product range, and excellent value for money in the entry-level segment.

Whether in your very first bathroom, in a rental apartment, in a hotel bathroom, or generally in the project segment: all products stemming from Duravit’s new inhouse design enhance the quality of daily life. Concentrating on what really matters, Duravit No.1 opens up a whole host of combination options, creating the perfect foundation for a range of bathroom plans and requirements.

Washbasins that simplify planning The rectangular shape of the washbasins and the narrow design of the side edge produce a large inner basin – with a generous, comfortable tap panel – that exudes elegant serenity. Bathroom concepts in the budget price range are usually dominated by round

shapes. With the new series, Duravit presents an unusual alternative in planning-friendly dimensions.

Washbasins, as well as handrinse basins can optionally be combined with pedestals, semi-pedestals, or vanity units. In addition furniture and built-in washbasins are available.

Practical furniture The minimal overhang from the washbasin to the bathroom furniture underlines the clarity and modernity of the Duravit No.1 design, as does the recessed grip, which is “seamlessly” integrated into the décor fronts and is pleasant to the touch. Available in White Matt or Graphite Matt, the furniture has been designed to enable easy retrofitting at a later stage.

Vanity units with a hinged door are available for the handrinse basins (450 and 500 mm), and furniture with a pull-out compartment and on request with an additional, practical internal drawer can be selected for the washbasins (550, 600, 650 and 800 mm). A semi-tall cabinet affords generous storage options. Matching mirrors and mirrored cabinets impress with long-lasting and energy-saving LED lighting and clever details. All furniture is supplied pre-assembled and fully adjusted, enabling quick and convenient final installation with minimal effort.

Universal faucets

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The stylish Duravit No.1 faucet range has a harmonious and balanced design. The handle, with its dynamic upward-facing position, feels pleasant in the hand and underlines the highquality aesthetics. The washbasin mixers impress both in terms of quality and function with their long-lasting ceramic cartridges, subtly integrated aerators, and sustainable product features:

March 2022

they are optionally available with FreshStart (energysaving cold-water start) or MinusFlow (throughput limited to 3.5 l/min).

Comfortable bathtubs A further highlight in this price segment is the trapezoid built-in bathtub made from sanitary acrylic, which is available in three sizes and with the option of corner left or corner right versions. The bathtub enables a luxurious bathing experience with a comparatively low filling volume even on smaller floor plans - two people can also lie side-by-side, depending on the size of the bathtub. Rectangular built-in bathtubs in all standard sizes complete the range; the 1800 x 800 mm model is available as a two-seater. With depths of 40 or 46 cm, the bathtubs are guaranteed to be comfortable whether sitting or lying. This experience can be enhanced yet further by the optional whirl function with its beneficial massage effect. Bathtub handles, which can be ordered separately and are installed at the factory, improve safety.

Simple, manageable, and good: Duravit No.1 has everything that a contemporary bathroom needs, in optimum quality and at an unbeatable price. The outstanding quality is reflected in its new lifetime guarantee, which Duravit offers on all the ceramic elements in the range for selected countries.

Successful toilet standards The Duravit No.1 toilet range features the designer bathroom manufacturer’s innovative Duravit Rimless® flushing technology and the successful DuraStyle Basic toilets, plus a wall-mounted toilet for children. Bidets and urinals complete the product range.

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March 2022

Leading Building Products Manufacturer Forterra Welcomes MP Christopher Pincher to Wilnecote Site Before Major Redevelopment Programme Begins Christopher Pincher MP - Minister of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and Member of Parliament for Tamworth visited Forterra’s brickworks in Wilnecote, Staffordshire to see the site before work starts on a £27 million redevelopment project.

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ith an expected product output boost of 20%, the modernisation of the 30-yearold facility, will see a new kiln, dryers and handling equipment installed, bringing the factory up to current standards of efficiency and sustainability. It will allow for creation of a wider array of highquality brick products, including increasing production of the famous Staffordshire Blue Brick.

The site tour was conducted by George Stewart - Operations Director at Forterra - who took the opportunity to discuss how the increase of brick production at the factory will contribute towards the Government’s goals of building

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116,000 new homes as part of its £624k housebuilding loan fund to support people on to the housing ladder, boost smaller building firms and create thousands of new jobs.

Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive at Forterra, said “We were delighted to welcome Christopher Pincher MP to our Wilnecote factory.

“Or redevelopment programme will soon be underway, and it will bring many benefits to our business, workers and the local region. It was a great opportunity to explain exactly what the investment means in relation to both of Mr Pincher’s Government roles as MP for Tamworth and Minister of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

“We hope to welcome Mr Pincher back to Wilnecote after the facilities’ redevelopment has completed.”

Chris Pincher, MP said, ”Factories such as Forterra’s at Wilnecote are part of the lifeblood of British manufacturing, providing the concrete products which are fuelling much needed housebuilding in Britain.

“It is always a pleasure visiting such important businesses in my Tamworth constituency, I wish them the best of luck with their redevelopment and I hope to visit again once work is complete” For more information about Forterra visit www.forterra.co.uk.

Christopher Pincher MP (centre) alongside Forterra’s Tim Sugden, Works Manager (left) and George Stewart, Operations Director (right)

March 2022

Zentia and Commercial and Industrial Interiors are the specials on the menu for a food bank charity Manufacturer Zentia and installer help the Washington Community Food Project.

A charity that provides emergency food parcels to people in need is expanding its operations with a little help with leading UK ceiling systems manufacturer Zentia and one of its installation contractors.

The Washington Community Food Project (WCFP), a food bank covering the whole of Washington and Springwell, Tyne and Wear, had taken on a second retail unit in The Galleries shopping centre in Washington, less than 10 miles from Zentia’s head office and production facilities in Gateshead.

The unit, one of now five operated by the charity, required a full refurbishment … which is where Zentia and specialist sub-contractor Commercial and Industrial Interiors, who are based in Prudhoe, Northumberland, stepped in.

Zentia provided 100m2 of its popular Dune Supreme dB tiles free of charge through the Dunston, Tyne and Wear branch of distributor SIG interiors, and Commercial and Industrial Interiors installed the 600mm x 600mm mineral tiles on

the same understanding, over two to three weeks.

way our suppliers and trades bought into this project.”

The 19mm-thick Dune Supreme dB tiles perform to Sound Absorption Class D, are manufactured from 39% recycled content, and feature light reflectance of 84% and humidity resistance of 95%.

WCFP secretary Maureen Bowman said: “I cannot express the enormous thank you for all the work and materials that have been supplied for Unit L. You have all done a wonderful job allowing us to continue supporting people in Washington and Springwell with our work as a food bank.”

Commercial and Industrial Interiors MD John Dunnage explained they had been approached by a volunteer at the WCFP. “We have a lot of customers in the Sunderland area and I decided this was a very deserving charity which could ill afford a £30,000 to £40,000 fit-out cost. So, I decided to approach my supplier network and see what I could do to help.

“The reply from almost all of our suppliers was very positive so we decided to carry out the project free of charge and pick up the bill for whatever our suppliers could not cover. So, all of the money the charity would have spent on the project is going to serve the Sunderland community. I am very proud of the

Zentia’s head of marketing Craig Dodsworth said: “We were delighted to be able to help one of our installation contractors with such a worthwhile local cause.”

To donate to the WCFP, please visit http://wcfp.org.uk/donate/.

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March 2022

180 Tonne Super Grid Transformers Delivered to Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm Following on from the delivery of two 160 Tonne shunt reactors for Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm, Collett complete stage two of the project, delivering two 180 Tonne super grid transformers to the onshore substation.

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s with the first stage of the project, Collett were appointed to provide a door-to-door service for both super grid transformers. Once again working with ttheir trusted partners, Collett transported the laods from the client’s factory to port ahead of their journey to the UK Shipping in to the Port of Sunderland, the two transformers were discharged from the vessel using a 550t strut crane and landed onto their 14-row flat top trailer with all works under Collett scope of responsibility.

Collett’s Projects Department chartered a Terra Marique ro/ro barge for the second stage of the transport project. Utilising the vessel’s hydraulic roadway, each of the loaded trailers were safely driven onto the vessel by the Collett Team and secured for the onward 20-hour voyage to the jetty at EDF UK’s Torness Power Station in East Lothain. On arrival, Collett were once again on hand to undertake the transport operations.

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Having rolled the two transformers from the vessel on day 1 of this stage of the operation, both units were transported out of the power station on consecutive days for the fivemile trip to the onshore substation site. Travelling under Collett private escort and with road closures in place on the A1 between 6am – 6:30am, Collett travelled the short distance North to the Innerwick junction. Here, with the permission of East Lothian Council and under a traffic management plan, both transformers were transported with rolling road closures on the minor roads to facilitate safe passage to site.

The trailers departed Torness and transited the A1 under the pull of a single 8x4 tractor unit. On reaching the Innerwick junction, Collett added a second tractor unit at the rear providing additional traction, travelling in a push/pull formation. This formation was then strengthened on final approach with a third tractor unit, effectively double-heading the combination along the two and a half mile internal challenging track to the construction site.

Delivering over two consecutive days, and with adverse weather conditions having an impact on the accessibility of the site roads, for the second of the transformers, the Collett Team employed a fourth tractor unit to complete delivery.

With one unit pushing the loaded 14 row flat bed and three to pull, provided the required traction to deliver the final 180 Tonne super grid transformer to the desired location.

Having delivered the super grid transformers to the substation site, both were offloaded and installed onto their respective bunds by Collett Heavy Lift, utilising specialist hydraulic jacking and skidding equipment and completing stage two of the project.

The Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm, jointly owned by EDF Renewables and ESB, will feature up to 64 turbines and with a planned capacity of 450MW, will be capable of powering up to 391,000 homes. www.collett.co.uk

March 2022

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March 2022

CPW Enter The Vintry For Next Bristol Growth Chapter INTERNATIONAL M&E consultancy CPW is kicking off the new year with a brand-new Bristol office, where it has ambitions to grow its team, presence, and service offering in the region.

With an open-plan workspace across a single floor, CPW’s new address is Vintry Building, Wine Street in central Bristol – a relocation from its previous office, where it was based for ten years.

Based near Castle Park and St Nicholas Market, CPW has taken on 1,000 square foot of office space. The move follows a business-wide rebrand and supports the firm’s long-term strategic growth plans across the South West and provide increased local support for clients.

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Dave Poynor, director at CPW, said: “After outgrowing our previous office, the Vintry was an attractive option due to its inner-city location, excellent transport links, and range of amenities. It has also undergone a recent refurbishment, to

offer a contemporary, industrial appearance – which is sure to support employee wellbeing, collaboration and innovation.”

The new office is looking to appoint additional building services design staff to complement its current team of nine engineers.

CPW has a strong pipeline of work secured in the South West and has recently been appointed for the design of 425 low-carbon homes in the £75m Parklands Village project near Westonsuper-Mare, the £3m University of Reading de-carbonisation project on its Whiteknights campus, and a number of healthcare commissions for various trusts in and around the South West region.

March 2022 Dave added: “We are experiencing particular growth in the healthcare, residential, industrial and logistics sectors in the region so it’s an exciting time to be based in the South West. As a result, we are looking to expand our team and currently have a number of vacancies, particularly for experienced senior and graduate electrical engineers.

“At CPW, we promote agile and flexible methods of working. We are delighted to present Vintry as a bright, modern, and high-quality workplace for our people to innovate and thrive - whilst strengthening our relationships across the team and in the city.

“As a people-led business, we are constantly evolving and looking for ways to enhance the employee experience. Following on from our re-brand, we are taking pro-active measures to further a positive work culture

and we believe the spaces in which we work will have a significant impact in our efforts to achieve this.”

Founded in 1978, CPW works across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, residential, education and more. The new Bristol office looks forward to bringing its wealth of international experience and expertise to its projects and clients.

With a team of more than 240 staff across nine UK regional offices and two international offices in India and Poland, the consultancy specialises in designing and integrating a full range of energy and decarbonisation solutions for new and existing buildings.

For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media.

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March 2022

Sherwin-Williams launches new fast-curing screed system for heavy traffic areas Sherwin-Williams, a leading global coatings manufacturer, has launched a new fast-curing cementitious floor levelling screed system for areas undergoing heavy traffic.

Sher-Crete® SLX and Sher-Crete® BU products provide underlay and floor screeds with thicknesses up to 50mm in a single application, making them suitable for any areas where an underlay or floor levelling screed is required including warehouses, production facilities and storage areas for diverse industries including the aviation and automotive sectors.

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strength formulation creates a monolithic bond to a substrate, while its protein-free properties make it suitable for biologically sensitive areas such as laboratories, pharmaceutical settings or biologically sensitive areas.

The Sher-Crete Topscreed range can be used with resin flooring products where a thick sub-screed is required to create a smooth or level finish to heavily textured substrates.

The fast-curing schedule of the product allows for light traffic in as little as two hours and forklift traffic in 36 hours. It can then be sealed with a resin coat such as Resuflor™ HB to create an aesthetically pleasing anti-slip floor which is resistant to chemicals and process liquids, creating a hygienic, cleanable finish.

Available to purchase in the United Kingdom and across Europe, SherCrete SLX is a powder product which requires the addition of just water. Applied by trowel or pump, its polymer-rich high-

Jeremy Waterhouse, Flooring Product Manager at SherwinWilliams, said: “Sher-Crete SLX and Sher-Crete BU screeds extend the underlay screed options we can provide for rough substrates.

The practicality of the products offers major time and cost-saving advantages for projects in the industrial and commercial sectors with quicker installation times and fast curing schedules.

“With this expanded product range, we offer contractors more options that are essential to complement our resin flooring finishes and provide complete flooring solutions.”

Sher-Crete SLX can be applied at thicknesses from 5 to15 millimetres as a wearing surface, while SherCrete BU base screed can be applied from 5 to 50 millimetres in thickness.

To learn more about Sher-Crete or other high performance flooring systems, visit the Sherwin-Williams website: www.resinflooring.sherwin.eu

March 2022

HOWDENS ANNOUNCES NEW SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONE WITH CARBON NEUTRAL CERTIFICATION FROM CARBON TRUST • • •

The UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier achieves carbon neutral certification for its manufacturing sites in Howden and Runcorn To achieve this, the company has demonstrated year on year reductions in relative Carbon emissions by 30% since 2015 From 2021, both sites use grid electricity from 100% renewable sources

Howdens Joinery Ltd, the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, has announced its commitment to maintaining carbon neutrality for its manufacturing operations at key sites in Howden and Runcorn by achieving carbon neutral certification from the Carbon Trust.

Established in 2001, the Carbon Trust works with businesses, governments and institutions around the world, helping them contribute to, and benefit from, a more sustainable future through carbon reduction, resource efficiency strategies, and commercialising low carbon businesses, systems and technologies. The Carbon Trust: works with corporates and governments, helping them to align their strategies with climate science and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement provides expert advice and assurance, giving investors and financial institutions the confidence that green finance will have genuinely green outcomes supports the development of low carbon technologies and solutions, building the foundations for the energy system of the future

Headquartered in London, the Carbon Trust has a global team of over 300 staff, representing over 30 nationalities based across five continents.

The certification Howdens Joinery Ltd has achieved confirms that its Yorkshire (Howden) and Cheshire (Runcorn) manufacturing sites meet the requirements of the internationally recognised PAS 2060 standard for carbon neutrality.

Manufacturing operations at both sites constitute 40% of Howdens Joinery Group Plc overall Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. In 2021, these sites manufactured over 4.2 million cabinets.

Rob Black, Director of ESG at Howdens said, “Our ESG vision to be the UK’s leading responsible kitchen business means that we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment in all areas. Carbon reduction has been embedded within our operational plans for many years and we are proud to have held the Carbon Trust Standard for carbon reduction for the last decade.

We’re delighted to have achieved our Carbon Neutral certification and can proudly say that we continue

to look for new ways that will contribute to our sustainability effort as a company.”

Hugh Jones, Managing Director at Carbon Trust Advisory said: “Howdens have been certified to the Carbon Trust Standard since 2012 and this year, we have worked with Howdens to verify their emissions at their Howden and Runcorn sites.

We are delighted to confirm the two sites have met the requirements of PAS 2060 for carbon neutrality. This builds on Howdens efforts in reducing carbon emissions year-on year and further demonstrates their commitment to progressing on their sustainability journey.”

For more information about carbon neutrality certification, please visit: www.carbontrust.com/what-we-do/ assurance-and-certification/carbonneutral-certification Find out more about Howdens’ commitment to sustainability, here.

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March 2022

MAGPLY A1 BOARDS SHEATH HYBRID ELEMENTS TO MODULAR HOTEL BUILD IN KENT The development of a 140 bed Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Ashford, Kent, is featuring the use of Magply A1 Euroclass non-combustible boards for sheathing vertical and horizontal sections around the six-storey modular volumetric structure, offering excellent strength and durability as well as Class O fire resistance and good acoustic properties.

The project is being undertaken

by Ashford based main contractor, Rees Mellish, while Bowman Riley was the architectural consultancy which gained the final planning consent and supervised work on site.

The high performance Magply boards from IPP were supplied by the local branch of Jewson builders’ merchants. In order to optimise the build programme as well as the use of factory manufactured bedroom and other modular units, the final design made use of in-situ reinforced concrete elements as well as steel and timber framing for the parapet wall at roof level, both of which have been sheathed using Magply boards.

Bowman Riley’s Associate responsible for the project: Roy Wilson, commented: “When we were brought in we revisited the planning application and gained consent for an extra storey, before completing the detailed design: including the cladding solution. The client has carried out a number of

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value engineering exercises, leading to the use of traditional reinforced concrete infill between some of the modules, in order to reduce the number of different types across the project and then again at high level around the parapet there is steel framing.”

The Project Manager for Rees Mellish, Mark Herridge , explained: “For the areas where the reinforced concrete frame separates the modules we needed a fire resistant board and therefore asked Jewson’s sales manager to recommend one. Fortunately, they had the Magply 12mm boards in stock which met all of the requirements and which our installers have found easy to cut and fix. As well as the vertical bands at several locations around the elevations, the boards are also used to cover the parapet wall which steps out just below the roof. It is secured to the steel and timberwork infill, while the ‘helping hand’ brackets for the cladding are then secured back through the boards. It’s a good product overall.”

Magply MgO boards, available in 9mm,12mm & 20mm thickness, it presents a fire-safe and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB products. Additionally, the unique production process minimises chloride content, enhancing both stability and long-term durability.

The different thicknesses of panel are also widely used as a substrate board for the direct application of proprietary render systems, as well as for flooring and flat or pitched roof build-ups.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: GORDON PIRRET, MD or JOHN MALONE, UK NATIONAL SALES MANAGER IPP LTD. BRADWELL HALL BRADWELL ON SEA ESSEX CM0 7HX. T.01621 776252 F.01621776688 EMAIL: gmp@intpetro.com or john@magply.co.uk www.magply.co.uk

December 2021 Case Studies

MODULAR HOUSING INSTALLED OVER MARMOX THERMOBLOCK BREAKS AT SELBY A Yorkshire based groundworks and civil engineering specialist is making innovative use of Marmox Thermoblocks in constructing the oversites across a development of over 100 affordable homes which are being craned into position as factory fabricated modules.

Alfa Site Services is experienced in working with all of the UK’s major housebuilders, as well as infrastructure specialists like Kier and has purchased 720 of the 600 x 100 x 65mm Thermoblocks from Encon Insulation of Leeds, with the merchant also supplying some 50 cartons of Marmox’s versatile highperformance 360 adhesive, used to bed the blocks and bond their overlapping joints. This well proven installation method helps achieve the accurate alignment and stability necessary for the modules to be craned into position.

Alfa’s Senior Manager Site Services, Rick Harrison, commented: “The site was originally a railway siding, with the made-up ground requiring 2.5 metres deep foundations and then levels are being built up by a metre to deal with flood risk: leading us to lay three courses of blocks.

Installing the Thermoblocks using the 360 adhesive is quite time consuming, but it is basically a very good product and there have been no actual issues.

Once the course of Thermoblocks is complete we hand over to the developer’s site management team to actually install the modules. This is a significant project involving a number of technical aspects which were new to us, but I think this could represent the way ahead for construction and we have been proud to be involved as the principal contractor.”

to ensure a good bond with the rest of the structure.

Marmox Thermoblocks are available in widths of 100, 140 or 215mm and are formed from sections of XPS (extruded polystyrene) encapsulating two rows of high strength, epoxy concrete mini-columns.

MARMOX (UK) LTD. CAXTON HOUSE 101-103 HOPEWELL DRIVE CHATHAM KENT ME5 7NP.

These are attached at either end to the top and bottom layers of glassfibre reinforced polymer concrete,

As well as combatting cold bridging where the inner leaf of masonry walls abuts the floor zone, Thermoblocks are also often utilised to support timber frame construction or at vulnerable upper floor junctions, including beneath parapet walls.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

TEL: 01634 835290 FAX: 01634 835299 EMAIL: sales@marmox.co.uk WEB: www.marmox.co.uk

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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Recommended Suppliers

OVER 4000 TRADE FOCUSED SOLUTIONS THE COMPLETE SOLUTIONS PROVIDER uk.milwaukeetool.eu +44 (0)1628 894400

We design and supply bags and cradles globally that secure non-standard loads ready for lifting to height using winches and cranes. www.lifting-bags.co.uk 0114 3241224

Techtronic Industries EMEA, 1st Floor, Unit 3 Globeside, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1HZ

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

We are the UK’s trusted Japanese knotweed treatment and remediation company with a proven track record in working successfully for local authorities, developers, construction companies and private landowners.

At ENGEL Workwear, we value being able to provide good advice and sparring to our customers and end users, which is why we constantly raise the bar for ourselves when it comes to product quality, innovation, creativity, flexibility and environmental awareness.

www.japaneseknotweed.co.uk contact@knotweed.co.uk T: 0333 2414 413

www.engel.eu/en (+44) 07759 520 034 gbl@f-engel.com

Mitsubishi Electric has introduced high quality products and innovative technologies into the UK for more than 35 years. gb.mitsubishielectric.com

For almost two decades, Bond It has been a manufacturer of high performance, high quality building chemicals such as sealants, adhesives, grouts, cleaners, expanding foams, fillers, decorating sundries, landscaping products and other similar products.

www.bonditgroup.com 01422 315 300 Head Office: Unit G16 River Bank Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland, West Yorkshire. HX5 9DN.

Health & Safety Update | MARCH 2022

Industry News - Safety & Security - PPE - Tools & Equipment

In-house manufacturing excellence drives quality at Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection

WELCOME March 2022

Contents

Health & Safety Update | MARCH 2022

Industry News - Safety & Security - PPE - Tools & Equipment

In-house manufacturing excellence drives quality at Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection

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Weatherproof Your Workday

EMPLOYEE WELLBEING?

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Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection

54 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

SNICKERS WORKWEAR – ISO COMPLIANT HIGH-VIS WORKWEAR A Superior Range of Working Clothes for Class 1, 2 and 3 protection.

Snickers Workwear has an extensive range of HighVis men’s and women’s workwear for all kinds of working environments and light conditions.

With Jackets, Trousers, Shorts, Toolvests, Shirts and Fleeces from Snickers’ LITEWork, FLEXIWork and ALLROUNDWORK families to choose from, there’s a host of different garments in the range to satisfy the

performance reflection specific requirements of Classes 1, 2 and 3 protection features, all the garments have durable colour-fast levels. protection that will last for These ‘outstanding’ wash after wash, retaining products combine with shape, comfort and Snickers Workwear’s protection levels throughout unrivalled hallmarks of the life of the garments. functionality and comfort to satisfy the ISO 20471:2013 Added to which, Snickers Workwear High-Vis standard for high visibility garments can be customwarning clothes. profiled to ensure ‘stand With advanced designs, out’ coverage for your high-tech fabrics and corporate brand.

For more information on the Snickers Workwear range of Hgh-Vis Workwea, call the Hultafors Group UK Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 55

COULD A FOUR-DAY WORKING WEEK IMPROVE EMPLOYEES MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING? A trial of a four-day working week has launched in the UK in a bid to measure whether employees who work less are more productive and have better mental health and wellbeing.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shift the global work model, potentially for good, there have been increased talks surrounding the benefits of a shorter working week.

With longer working hours, stress and anxiety damaging both our physical and mental health, it’s safe to say that many would likely welcome a shorter working week.

Around 30 UK companies will be taking part in a six-month trial of a four-day working week starting in June, where employees will be paid the same amount as if they were working their usual five days.

“We are excited by the growing momentum and interest in our pilot programme and in the four-day week broadly.

The UK companies taking part are understood to include software firms and a medical non-for-profit, with the number of employees ranging from 20 to more than 100.

“The four-day week challenges the current model of work and helps companies move away from simply measuring how long people are ‘at work’, to a sharper focus on the output being produced.”

The pilot scheme – run by the 4 Day Week campaign, think tank Autonomy and researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College – will measure whether employees can operate at 100% productivity for 80% of the time.

Similar trials are also taking place this year in Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, while the Scottish and Spanish governments are also set to launch pilot schemes this month.

Joe O’Connor, Pilot Programme Manager at 4 Day Week Global, argues: “More and more businesses are moving to productivity focused strategies to enable them to reduce worker hours without reducing pay.

As part of the pilot, researchers will work with each participating organisation to measure productivity, the wellbeing of its workers, as well as the impact on the environment and gender equality.

SHP recently conducted a poll on LinkedIn, asking readers if they believe a four-day working week would improve their overall mental health.

Of the 199 people who interacted with the poll within three days of it being live – 87% of respondents said yes, they do believe it would improve their mental health, and 13% said no.

Multiple studies have suggested that shifting to a four-day week would boost the wellbeing of employees.

From 2015 to 2019, workplaces in Iceland ran two large-scale trials of a reduced working week from 40 hours to 35-36 hours, with no reduction in pay.

Anaysis of the results was published by think tank Autonomy and research organisation Association for Sustainability and Democracy in July 2021.

The trials, involving 2,500 employees, were deemed an “overwhelming success”, with 86% of the country’s workforce now working shorter hours.

The report found that the wellbeing and work-life balance of employees had dramatically increased, with fewer instances of stress and burnout.

Graham Alcott, whose firm Think Productive in Brighton and Hove morphed the five-day week into four told ITV News: “What we’ve found over the last few years is that our people don’t burn out, we have a really good rate of growth within the business and, for me, that’s because of the four-day week.”

56 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

WEATHERPROOF YOUR WORKDAY Weatherproofed Workwear that combines all the functionality, comfort and temperature regulation you need on cold and wet workdays.

It’s said that rain can have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing and, if you haven’t got particularly effective rainwear, your mid-and base-layer clothes could get damp and uncomfortable which will affect your body’s own in-built climate control system.

Apart from wet clothes getting heavy, it’s also possible that you could get a rash from simple irritation through friction and then, moving around becomes much more tiring.

Your body can also lose heat - probably faster than you can generate it to dry your clothes out. That’s fine if you’ve been drenched by a sun shower when it’s warm, but if it’s cooler or even cold on site, your body temperature is going to drop.

Not only can stewing in your wet clothes chafe and irritate your skin, if you’re wearing damp or wet clothes for too long, bacteria, and fungus from the air can multiply in the wet clothes environment and then run rampant on your skin causing rashes and irritation.

Stay dry in the rain Staying dry and comfortable on site is all about choosing the right type of rainwear for the job. Your choice depends on a variety of factors, from the type of rainfall to how intensely you’re working and how many hours you spend outside – and whether or not the clothing you wear can to combine to create its own climate control system for your comfort and wellbeing.

Here’s what to think about when when dressing for wet weather work – not only jackets but trousers too :•

For 100% waterproofness for a full day’s high-intensity work– choose a breathable waterproof garment with taped seams for maximum protection and breathability.

•

For 100% waterproofness in low-intensity work in pouring rain – choose a PU garment with welded seams.

•

For a basic protection against water – choose a garment that is water-repellent. The garment will keep you dry if it’s drizzling but still offers breathability.

•

Don’t forget that what you wear underneath your outer layer really matters – think about Climate Control for your body.

•

Also sustainability in the clothing you choose is a major factor nowadays. Look for clothes that have a reputation for longevity and are made from environmentally friendly fabrics to reduce waste and pollution.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 57

58 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

For high- intensity work, make sure your base-layer clothes are made of breathable fibres and fabrics that keep you dry and ventilated by wicking moisture away from your body.

For optimum comfort and performance, you’ll then need a mid-layer fleece or gilet made from knitted or quilted materials to provide comfortable insulation by creating a pocket of air around your body. Then top it off with a third and final outer layer jacket to protect you from the elements like rain, hail, snow, wind, or cold.

What’s most important is that layering your working clothes properly will ensure that your energy and performance levels are as weatherproofed as you are.

There’s a big difference between ‘waterproof’ and ‘water-repellent’.

When it comes to ‘water protected’ workwear it’s important to know what’s behind each of the terms. They are different.

Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK says, “A waterproof garment – like our GORE -TEX® jackets - is the most effective 100% protection in rainy weather. This kind of waterproof fabric consists of an outer layer called the “face fabric”, usually made of polyester with a laminated membrane or a coating that prevents water penetration”.

It’s achieved by sealing the internal fabrics completely from external conditions. All seams and cut lines are taped or sealed to stop the water coming through the stitched areas of the fabric.

Water-repellent garments only offer basic protection against the effects of water, but at the same time can provide great breathability to ventilate your body when you’re active.

Water-repellent protection is achieved by using a hydrophobic fabric, which means that the water is repelled on contact. The fabric is treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish that causes the water to form drops on the surface of the fabric that run off or can be brushed off easily.

Choosing the right kind of weatherproofed workwear.

“How wet are you likely to get on site?” asks Peter. “Your answer will help you choose the right type of rainwear to wear. What does the weather forecast say? Is there a risk of heavy rain, showers or drizzle? Will your work be lowintensity or more active?”

“Finally, how long will you be exposed to the wet weather - minutes or hours? Hence, longer shifts will put more demands on your working clothes and the waterproof technology used in the garments. That’s why you need to consider whether you should be wearing waterproof or water-repellent clothing”.

“So, for longer exposure or, if you need 100% protection on site in the rain, look for our GORE-TEX® jackets. These highly technical garments are extremely durable with a membrane has over 1.4 billion pores per square cm. They’re

waterproof to keep you dry, windproof to keep you warm, and breathable to keep you comfortable all day long”.

For quick and reliable protection during when its raining or if your work is less active, choose our PU garments which, along with our other rainwear clothing have EN 343 certification for Protection against Foul Weather. This accreditation validates the garment’s performance in the rain through independent testing.

Also, don’t forget about ventilation! Your clothes’ breathability is as crucial for your comfort as the outerlayer protection against water, especially when you’re working really hard. Clothes with good climate control that transports sweat away from the skin.

So, make it a habit of checking the breathability features of the garments you buy. Breathability comes in two ways.

Either the breathability of the fabric itself, such as our 37.5® sports fabric, or built-in ventilation functionality such as zippers or meshed fabric areas at the sides and back of the garments.

Finally, whatever the rain may do to dampen your spirits, as far as your work clothes are concerned, by choosing the right workwear, you can work effectively and comfortably all day long.

Peter Dumigan is managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, which owns Snickers Workwear, Hultafors Tools, EMMA, Solid Gear and Toe Guard safety footwear as well as Hellberg Safety PPE and CLC Toolcarriers.

To get more information on the Hultafors Group UK range of workwear, safety footwear protective wear and PPE products email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk or call the Hultafors Group Helpline on 01484 854788.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 59

New code of practice for external wall fire risk assessment published A new code of practice for the fire risk appraisal of external walls and cladding of multi-occupancy residential buildings has been published by BSI.

and to decide whether, due to the specific circumstances of the building, remediation, or other mitigating measures to address the risk are necessary.

cladding removalThe code, PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal of external wall construction and cladding of existing blocks of flats – Code of practice, has been developed to support the changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, brought about by the Fire Safety Act 2021.

According to BSI, PAS 9980 applies where risk is known or suspected to arise, for example, due to the presence of combustible materials.

It is for use by fire engineers and other competent building professionals when undertaking a fire risk appraisal of external walls, however, it is expected that the key outputs of the assessment will also be useful to those for whom it is carried out, such as building owners, landlords, fire risk assessors, managing agents and premises managers.

The standard sets out a methodology which can be scaled up or down depending on the complexity of individual buildings.

It uses a five-step risk assessment process to assist in the identification of risk factors including the overall risk rating of a building, as well as mitigation steps that might improve the risk rating.

The purpose of a fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW) is to assess the risk to occupants from a fire spreading over or within the external walls of a building,

A spokesperson from the BSI comments: “The outcome of an FRAEW is intended to inform fire risk assessments of multistorey, multi-occupied residential buildings and other types of building, including student accommodation, sheltered and other specialised housing and buildings converted into flats, where the evacuation strategy will be similar in nature to a purpose-built block of flats.”

The new code of practice also offers advice on the competency of professionals undertaking such appraisals and aims to increase the number if competent professionals by providing the knowledge on fire risk arising from various aspects of wall construction.

The code of practice, sponsored by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office, does not alter the obligations of those carrying out building work on external wall construction, nor does it affect the compliance of past building worker, whether measured against Building Regulations or contractual obligations

Arco committed to keeping people safe wins prestigious award Arco has been awarded the prestigious Investor in Sales Award from the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP), recognising the commitment the company has made to ensuring its sales staff provide a professional and ethical service to its customers.

The award and Arco’s investment in training and development of its sales colleagues, ensures that the business trades ethically in what and how it sells its products and services.

Arco sales teams also gain safety credentials through the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, meaning they can support customers with expert knowledge and advice, making Arco the responsible choice of safety partner.

To achieve the team award, individual salespeople were required to pass a demanding exam in order to be registered on the ISP’s professional register, those on the register are required to pass a new exam after two years in order to retain their accreditation. Arco has also signed up to become a corporate member of the ISP.

Bryan Lawrie, Commercial Director at Arco, says: “Receiving this award is a fantastic achievement for Arco and is fitting recognition of the business’ efforts in developing a highly skilled sales team that is committed to providing the best possible experience for our customers, lives up to our ethos of being experts in safety and makes us the responsible choice of safety partner.”

Patrick Joiner, Managing Director of the Institute of Sales Professionals, concludes: “Congratulations to the hardworking and dedicated salespeople at Arco for achieving their first Investor in Sales award. Their commitment to professional development and ethical business behaviour sends a strong message to their customers that they are credible, trustworthy business partners. The Institute of Sales Professionals is delighted to be working with Arco to help them foster talented, dependable salespeople and we wish them every success.”

60 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

HOW TO GET YOUR CV READY FOR A CAREER IN HEALTH AND SAFETY A good specialist in their field will always be in demand. Moreover, even for such highly qualified professionals, there are specific rules when hiring.

We share information on how a professional should write their CV correctly; Do they need to write a cover letter and how to do it correctly? And also what blocks must be included in the resume.

Preparatory work To begin with, you should carefully read the immediate job description. In many cases, the employer initially describes all the requirements a specialist must meet to enter a particular position. If you have all the necessary qualities, you can safely submit your resume: It is crucial to study the direct employer carefully at the first stage. Find out if the company has a specific specialization, how many employees are there, and who works as the head manager. If possible, talk to the company staff. All these actions will give you a general understanding of whether you want to work in this institution. And what requirements are put forward for those who already work.

What should be the resume?

The tone of the resume should be purely businesslike. Since you are applying for leadership positions, you should not boast too much about your achievements. Be humble and describe your education and work experience.

Add a list of new skills you’ve acquired, especially while freelancing if you’ve already had one. For instance, if you have worked as a freelance medical writer, write about this opportunity and its benefits. Since I It would be nice to list this and other information from personal experience.

administrator is associated with significant risks, it is imperative that the health and safety manager inspires confidence and commands respect from the personnel themselves. It is recommended to attach a photo in a dressing gown at your desk to your resume. Don’t be too serious. You may have a slight smile on your face.

characteristics, thanks to which you will become a valuable employee for the company.

The main blocks in the resume •

Personal qualities. It is helpful for a health and safety manager to have such qualities as sociability, tolerance, leadership, goal orentation. financial smarts ethics, technicall skills etc. However, in no case should you copy templates from the Internet, describe your personality and go to task with creativity.

•

Professional skills and abilities.

This is the foundation for you as a specialist. Be sure to tell them that you know how to work with carrying out risk assessments and site inspections, determining ways of reducing risks, compiling statistics and writing reports, identifying potential hazards and so on.

•

Interests and hobbies. This is a way to show your individuality and prove yourself as a highly educated and intelligent person.

Covering letter Not every employer requires job seekers to write a cover letter. In this regard, such a document should rather be considered additional than the main one. At the same time, if such a requirement is present, its writing should be approached as seriously as the preparation of the resume itself.

The first thing to do is to think about the sections that will go into your cover letter. So, you can write about your education, work experience, personal qualities or motivation – in this regard, and all means are suitable. Remember that your primary task is to draw the employer’s attention to your candidacy, as he deals with a large amount of documentation that comes from dozens or even hundreds of applicants.

Final Words

Particular attention should be paid not only to the resume’s content but also to the very design of the document. It is essential to maintain a general business style, use a neutral font, and not use bright colors and shades.

When writing a cover letter, you should not go into details of your personal life or describe your biography in detail. It is important to note only those points that will be relevant at the new place of work.

An important part of the resume of any applicant is a photograph. The thing is that a health and safety manager spends most of their working time communicating with the employees.

And since the work of a medical

You don’t need to be formal about writing a cover letter. That is why you can write about why you decided to become a health and safety manager and give a personal story and examples from life. Here you can also talk about your individual qualities and

To get a job in health and safety, you need to draw up your resume correctly.

This document will help you stand out among the massive number of job seekers applying for the job and will also create the first impression of you in the employer’s eyes. Resume writing should be approached with great responsibility and attention, regardless of whether you want to work in a small provincial company or a highly specialized company in a major city.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 61

HOW TO KICK-START YOUR WELLBEING STRATEGY IN 2022 The start of a new year brings a renewed sense of optimism which many feel within their working lives, organisations would do well to adopt this as we look to make 2022 a year that is better than the last!

Many companies both large and small will be revisiting their health and safety strategies to try and find areas for improvement, and the way we manage wellbeing has fundamentally shifted since the advent of truly remote working with organisations.

Here we take a look at how you can kick start your health and well-being strategy in 2022 to give your employees the support they need and deserve!

Go beyond ‘bananas and bikes’ policies Banana and bike policies refer to smaller initiatives such as free fruit at work and cycle to work schemes which whilst wellintentioned and helpful, do not accomplish much unless they are part of a wider well-being strategy in the health and safety sphere. Make sure that policies like this fit in the bigger picture with mental health first aiders and other policies to ensure your wider well-being strategy is future proof.

Address absenteeism at work Absenteeism at work is a big issue. It occurs when workers do

not attend work, think sick days when an illness is not present.

Whilst you should not conduct a ‘witch hunt’ to find employees who are not working, you should monitor the situation as it is usually an indicator of poor well-being and will be seriously impacting business performance.

Address presenteeism at work Whilst absenteeism is a big issue, so too is presenteeism. This is where workers are struggling through the working day or shift when really they should be at home recovering from illness or issue, be it physical or mental. This can be a big issue if your company lacks proper procedures around sick days and compensation for them.

Try and improve health literacy, both physical and mental One of the cornerstones of your well-being policy should be health literacy, Whilst you should not try and patronise employees, you should try to educate them on how to work safely and manage their own personal health. It is the organisation’s responsibility to look after well-being when workers are at work, and this duty

of care should be considered when looking at your wider safety policy.

To find out more about how to create a robust well-being policy, take a look at our podcast with Kate Field of the BSI Group which breaks down the new framework around managing well-being in the workplace.

Make sure you develop a holistic strategy When it comes to well-being you do not want to put a plaster over a severed limb, and developing a holistic strategy that incorporates both preventative measures against burnout and managing well-being when things do not go right will help to improve the working attitudes and conditions of all employees.

If the work that employees are doing is fundamentally stressful, try and analyse why that is and how it can be improved. This will take the pressure off your more visible health and well-being policies and give them a chance to really shine.

62 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

High Vis ‘Super Stretch’ Comfort From Engel Workwear A new range of high visibility, flexible workwear which stretches to follow the movements of the body giving maximum comfort in any work situation has been introduced by Danish workwear specialists ENGEL. Called ‘Safety - Super-Stretch’ the collection consists of a wide variety of garments with elastic fibres woven into a polyester and cotton mix; the strong yet extreme flexibility of the material allows each garment to return to its original shape thereby retaining all the inherent advantages of their design and style.

Comfort as much as durable practicality is important to any wearer as not only does the high visibility workwear provide protection throughout the day or night, it helps reduce tiredness, further minimising the risk of accidents.

The ‘Super-Stretch’ collection, which includes high-vis ‘Safety’ work jackets, trousers, shorts and bib-overalls is also being offered during 2021 in an Environmentally friendly, ‘Sustainable-Safety’ version

which incorporates 50% regenerated polyester fibres made from recycled plastic bottles; This method of yarn production with the brand name of ‘REPREVE©’ has been developed by Unifi, one of the world’s most advanced recycling centres; waterproofs, T-shirts, sweatshirts and a zipped hoodie using the same material are also due to be added.

For more details contact Gareth Bladen at gbl@f-engel.com Telephone +44 (0) 7759 520034 or visit www.engel.eu/en & ENGEL Workwear - Catalogue (f-engel.com) Click here for more information. https://youtu.be/nc2se7xKKlE

Engel Workwear Experts in Textile Solutions

For more details contact Gareth Bladen at gbl@f-engel.com Telephone +44 (0) 7759 520034 or visit www.engel.eu/en & ENGEL Workwear - Catalogue (f-engel.com) Click here for more information.

14 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

“Equipped with comfortable temple arms for ease of wear”

MILWAUKEE ® enhances jobsite safety with expansion of Safety Glasses Range Milwaukee’s Safety Glasses range looks to increase safety onsite with new Anti-Scratch, Fog-free and New Lens coloured features.

Milwaukee ® has once again proven its commitment to ensuring safety and productivity for workers onsite with an expansion of its Safety Glasses product range.

Featuring anti-scratch, fog free, new lens colours and new magnification features, all new Safety Glasses are built for extended wear that doesn’t compromise on comfort.

Equipped with comfortable temple arms for ease of wear, all new glasses (aside from the magnifying safety glasses) are available with yellow, grey or tinted lens options. This superior safety enhancement is ideal for users who need glasses that are optimised to their specific working environment.

Milwaukee Performance Safety Glasses are equipped with fog-free lenses to ensure that users’ vision stays unobstructed on the jobsite. As a step up in productivity and durability, the Performance Safety Glasses feature anti-scratch lenses to them from challenging conditions onsite. The Performance Safety Glasses will now be available in yellow and grey lenses, in addition of the clear and tinted ones already available.

Grey lenses provide a brightness protection, they let a minimal amount of light passing through the lenses to provide the users good visibility while being protected from the sun. They are also ideal inside to reduce the intensity of indoor lights.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 65

Yellow lenses absorb the blue light, which can be harmful to the users, they absorb the UV rays from the blue light. This is ideal for workers indoor in a warehouse, with industrial lighting or with monitors.

Yellow lenses will provide them a clear vision while being protected from the blue light and offer more contrast.

Enhanced safety glasses feature a flexible nose bridge to add extra support for the wearer and a better fit over respirators. They will also now be available with clear lenses or grey or yellow tinted lenses.

For easy reading and clarity on the jobsite, the Anti-Scratch Magnifying Safety Glasses have an anti-scratch hard coat for lens protection and clear magnified lenses which allow users to read easily without sacrificing protection. The lenses are available in magnifications between +1.00 and +2.50 diopter.

This extended PPE range is proof of Milwaukee’s focus on creating innovative solutions that won’t slow users down, helping them STAY SAFE. STAY PRODUCTIVE ™ For more information of Milwaukee Personal Safety or to view the entire range, please visit uk.milwaukeetool.eu/range/ppe/

66 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

In-house manufacturing excellence drives quality at Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection Industry-certified processes, stringent quality control, dedicated workforce skills and the latest production technologies underpin manufacturing excellence at Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection. Comprising the Teledyne Oldham Simtronics, Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments and Teledyne Detcon brands, the company’s meticulously designed and controlled production operations help impart its core product attribute: safety.

Robust and quality-centric manufacturing processes ensure that products perform their designated function, be it site protection, area monitoring or personal protection, in a failsafe manner. At three highly-specified manufacturing sites in France, the UK and the US, Teledyne produces a market-wide range of gas and flame detection solutions to meet the requirements of customers across all industry sectors.

Product quality and reliability equate to customer trust.

But delivering these attributes relies on robust manufacturing processes. At Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection, production operations leverage the experience of a history in manufacturing that dates back more than a century. Of course, locations and facilities have changed over the years, but production capacity today is a global concern that embraces Teledyne Oldham Simtronics (Arras, France), Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments

(Renfrew, UK) and Teledyne Detcon (Cypress, US), with each facility supported by expert staff and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Made in Arras, France The Arras headquarters and manufacturing plant of Teledyne Oldham Simtronics is located in the Hautsde-France region. Market leader in France for gas detection, the brand is also strong across Europe, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, Africa and Asia.

Covering an area of 5,552 m2, the Teledyne Oldham Simtronics’ plant includes 3,379 m2 of workshop and warehouse space. Manufacturing class-leading products since 1948, the factory’s track record of production excellence centres on its accreditations, which include

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 67

ISO9001 for quality, ISO14001 for environmental management and ISO45001 for health and safety. The plant benefits from an advanced in-house manufacturing engineering team that creates the software, tools and machines required by production. With over 100 highly capable employees on site, some 75,000 gas and flame detectors and controllers are ‘Made in Arras’ every year.

Each one provides customers with highly capable and dependable performance to ensure complete protection.

The advanced site is ISO9001-certified and carries accreditations to IECEx and Intertek.

UK manufacturer

Proven design (and manufacturing)

Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is the number one supplier of gas leak detectors to the UK natural gas distributor sector, and a key player in the industrial portable gas detection market with over 300,000 high-quality instruments delivered. Ideal for use in challenging industries such as gas utilities, chemical, shipping, brewing, construction, defence, nuclear, petrochemical, papermaking, refining and telecoms Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is also prominent across Europe and North America. Producing trustworthy, proficient products is key to building further on the brand’s established reputation for providing customers with assured protection.

Each Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection manufacturing site houses its own customer service, technical support, engineering and R&D functions, all staffed by personnel with considerable industry experience and long service within the business. These employees nurture established professional relationships with customers, adding value with their know-how and market awareness. Furthermore, throughout the Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection business, inherent flexibility means the team can react accordingly to customer requirements as they evolve.

The company’s production facility is located in Renfrew, near Glasgow, where its portable gas detection and measurement devices have been manufactured in the UK since 1947. Spanning 2,230 m2, the site boasts ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001 accreditations.

Additionally, Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is an active member of many global gas associations, including the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (UK), the American Gas Association (USA) and the Canadian Gas Association. The company was also a founding member of the Council for Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM) in Europe.

There are around 80 knowledgeable employees at Renfrew including 35 fully cross-trained assembly operators. In particular, the site is notable for its high-end production technologies.

US manufacturer Teledyne Detcon has its 2,929 m2 headquarters in Cypress, near Houston, from where it manufactures over 15,000 industry-leading fixed gas detectors, control systems and analysers every year.

Extremely proud of its ‘manufactured in the US’ heritage, which extends back to 1983, the brand is well known in North America, the Middle East, CIS countries and Asia.

With 32 expert employees, Teledyne Detcon also has extensive experience in cell manufacturing and wireless technology.

Offering one of the most extensive gas and flame detection portfolio on the market, Teledyne has in-country approvals and certifications for most products. A proven range of accomplished and convincing measurement, detection and wireless technologies, alongside the unrivalled skills and innovation of employees, ensures Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection can meet the safety and protection requirements of all applications. The company’s rugged yet reliable and precise gas and flame detection products offer fast response times, durability and intrinsically safe instrumentation.

With excellence in manufacturing at the heart of its customer offer, Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection will continue providing products that support and protect workforces, assets, operations and the environment.

For more information, visit www.TeledyneGFD.com or contact gasandflamedetection@teledyne.com

68 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

COLD WEATHER WORKING WITH SNICKERS WORKWEAR’S SUSTAINABLE CLIMATE CONTROL Dressing right and staying comfortable when it’s cold and wet demands the best in Climate Control working clothes

Continuous work in cold weather produces body heat and sweat. But when your rate of work slows, the sweat cools and you’ll start to feel cold and damp. The solution is Snickers Workwear’s body-mapping Mid-layer working clothes that deliver advanced ventilation to control and regulate the heat from your body.

Made to last from sustainable fabrics such as micro fleece and recycled polyester, they’re great for both work and leisure activities. These garments insulate and keep heat around your body by effectively creating an air pocket inside your clothes.

They complement Snickers Workwear’s FlexiWork Base-layer undergarments that combine sustainable animal-friendly Merino Wool with polyamide for warmth and ventilation. As well as the Top-layer or ‘outer shell’ AllroundWork and Flexiwork Weatherproof Jackets and Trousers that will keep you warm, dry and comfortable all day long.

For more information on Snickers Workwear’s sustainability philosophy and it’s Climate Control garments you can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

70 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Data Centres Specify KPS High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Piping & Fibrelite Composite Access Covers To Safeguard 24/7 365 Operation In an increasingly connected digital world, data centres are critical. With 3.6 million m2 in use by data centres in Europe alone and over 70 projects (851,000 m2) in progress in 12 European countries (ResearchAndMarkets1), their growth continues to accelerate to meet the needs of cloud technology, AI, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) data storage and the shift to hybrid working. This trend is mirrored globally, with investment in data centres projected to rise from $244.74 billion in 2019 to $432.14 billion in 2025 (ResearchAndMarkets2).

Safeguarding Service.

Eliminating Downtime.

To ensure 24/7 365 operation and minimise the risk of downtime, data centres are constructed with the highest performance, highest quality building materials available, with every part of a facility meticulously planned. Infrastructure is an integral part, normally comprising of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), power distribution, cooling systems, fire systems and security systems, many of which have redundancies (2N+1 for Tier 4 facilities, guaranteeing 99.995% uptime)

Fibrelite’s FRP composite channel access covers installed at US data centre

including back-up power generators to prevent interruption of service. Two contemporary products being adopted by leading data centres across the globe are Fibrelite’s lightweight FRP composite trench access covers (to protect and provide easy access to underground infrastructure) and KPS’ HDPE piping (to fuel backup generators).

High-Performance Backup Generator Fuelling Systems.

A reliable fuel supply is key to backup generators’ smooth operation, connecting generators to fuel storage tanks and tanks to fill points. Nicolas Lefebvre, Generator Activity Manager at Flipo-Richir (France) commented “We regularly install generators to back up data centres in the event of a power cut. We have been using KPS double wall piping exclusively for more than 10 years to connect generators to underground storage tanks. KPS piping is easy to install, mainly thanks to the assembly by thermo-welding, and the range of products is very complete, which makes it possible to create any type of network, even complex.”

Corrosion-resistant, safe and easy to install (due to compact electrofusion fittings) the KPS HDPE piping system

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 71

KPS’ HDPE piping installed at major Parisian data centre

helps fuel flow safely, even providing protection against ground movements (using the elasticity and flexibility of HDPE). Safety can be enhanced further by installing KPS’ conductive piping option, ensuring continuous conductivity between the tank and the end of the line (which can be earthed). This helps to prevent the accumulation of electric charges that could otherwise be created by the friction of the fuel velocity and the plastic inner surface. KPS’ 4” (110mm) piping also delivers a 933 litre/minute flow rate, making it ideal for fill lines (KPS piping is available in 1” to 4” diameters in single or double wall).

KPS will also soon be releasing a 6” double wall product range.

Simple, Safe Underground Infrastructure Access.

Another contemporary product line seeing widespread global adoption by architects, design engineers and specifiers to enable easy access to underground infrastructure is Fibrelite’s modular FRP composite

trench/channel access covers. These are now often specified at the outset of new build data centre projects.

Bespoke, modular and lightweight, Fibrelite covers are designed to be removed quickly and easily by two people using Fibrelite’s ergonomically designed lifting handles, even where heavier load ratings are required (e.g. channels running between buildings with vehicle traffic).

Due to their unique custom engineering capabilities, Fibrelite can manufacture access covers at all load ratings up to F900 / 90 tonne (A15, B125, D400, E600 and F900).

Traditionally, for the past 100 years, access covers have been made from concrete or metal which are 3-4 times the weight of Fibrelite covers, often requiring specialised lifting equipment to remove and replace. Fibrelite covers are also impervious to corrosion and have a unique anti-slip walking surface.

In many instances where Fibrelite access covers are adopted, companies choose to specify a bespoke option,

KPS piping installed at Chinese data centre for leading tech brand

custom-manufactured to specific requirements including size, colour, load rating, fittings (e.g. securing systems) and moulded identification of below ground services. Fibrelite has also undertaken projects where they have designed and manufactured retrofit replacements for previously installed heavy concrete or metal access covers.

“We are proud to be involved in data centre projects across the globe, with our Fibrelite trench access covers facilitating easy safe access to below ground infrastructure, and our KPS piping providing a reliable fuel supply to backup generators. In many cases, we actually custom design and engineer bespoke products to fit each facility’s requirements.”

Jo Stott, Marketing Director, OPW Global (a Dover company and parent company of Fibrelite and KPS)

Explore KPS’ technical case studies here

Explore Fibrelite’s technical case studies here Lightweight Fibrelite FRP channel access covers designed for safe manual removal and replacement

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In-house manufacturing excellence drives quality at Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection