RCI Show 2020

Learn from the experts at the RCI Show

The Roofing Cladding & Insulation Show, returns to Coventry on 25th – 26th March 2020 and is now open for free visitor registration.

Visit the RCI Show and gain free access to a keynote conference and seminar programme featuring content from industry leaders and industry associations. The programme will kick-off with a 9:00am breakfast briefing from event sponsor Kiwa Building Products, including breakfast rolls and hot refreshments for all delegates. Further highlights on day one include the Scaffolding Association providing a best practise guide to commissioning scaffolding, Janice Tyler of Briggs Amasco will show how the roofing industry can mitigate the effects it has on climate change and Vivalda Chairman, Peter Johnson will discuss managing through tough times – Austerity, Grenfell and Brexit.

The opening keynote of on the second day of the show is being delivered by The Manufacturing Technology Centre’s Trudi Sully from the Construction Innovation Hub. Following sessions include Bauder’s Nigel Blacklock discussing fire in flat roofing, John Mercer will show delegates how to design and construct modern pitch roofs to be watertight & durable and Marley will discuss Making the Grade - BS5534 graded roofing battens: Are you roofing to standard?

To promote professional development within the industry, practical workshop and CPD seminar sessions are being delivered by Actis Insulation, Fixfast, Quin Global, Xtratherm and Mates in Mind. The Actis Insulation session will show how Building Regulation compliance of construction systems can be obtained. The module shows a manufacturer’s view on how compliance can be achieved by providing trusted products within building systems and robust laboratory and real-life testing of materials within construction systems. Alongside the conference and workshop programme the RCI exhibition of leading suppliers will feature live product and tool demonstrations as well as product application inspiration. Visitors can tailor their visit to meet their unique requirements by pre-booking their preferred conference and workshop sessions during the booking process.

The RCI Show is delivered in association with RCI magazine, is supported by sponsors, Fixfast, Kiwa Building Products, Xtratherm and DT Adhesives and key media partner, Fix Radio, who will be broadcasting live from the show floor.

For full details and to sign-up for a free badge, visit: www.rcishow.co.uk

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BAN ON FOSSIL FUEL HEATING TO IMPACT NEW HOMES FROM 2025

Last year the Government announced that it had introduced a new consultation to set out its plans for the Future Homes Standard.

This includes options to increase the energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 2020.

The aim of the new standard is to bring all of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, a target seen as one of the most ambitious in the world. New and existing homes account for 21% of emissions, and despite recent efforts to lower those emissions much more still has to be done.

With climate change now a major crisis and coinciding with the release of the CCC (Climate Change Committee) report last year, underfloor heating expert Wunda Group is raising awareness about what the standard means and how it’s over floor heating solution can help homes comply.

As part of the UK’s journey to the 2050 target, the Government has committed to bringing in its Future Homes Standard in 2025, and anticipates that an average home built using the new guidelines will have 75-80% less carbon emissions than one built using the current energy efficiency requirements.

It is expected that this will be achieved through very high fabric standards and a low carbon heating system. The standard was created to address the need to ban fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas boilers, from new homes by 2025 and how vital it is to replace them with low carbon heating systems. This means a new home built to the Future Homes Standard might also be fitted with triple glazing and walls, floors and roofs that significantly limit heat loss.

Chapter 2 of the Future Homes Standard discusses how the roll out of low carbon heating systems will lead to world-leading levels of energy efficiency. An excellent example of a sustainable heating system is Wundatherm, Wunda Group’s leading underfloor heating product.

Compatible with sustainable heat pumps, solar panels or any existing gas/oil boilers, the Wundatherm underfloor heating system can run at temperatures as low as 35°C and can be laid by any competent tradesmen including builders, carpenters and tilers. Once installed, Wundatherm only requires a plumber to connect the system to the heat source and an electrician to fit the simple controls, and is designed with a ‘fit and forget’ reputation that is reliable, durable, maintenance-free and future-proof.

Wundatherm is a new Rapid Response® system that’s extremely durable, incredibly easy to install and eliminates mess and drying time without the need to dig up floors. The lightweight low profile boards are just 16 or 20mm thick, heat up in minutes and are suitable for any floor finish including carpet, vinyl, Karndean, Amtico, laminate, wood, ceramic and stone tiles. Once installed, floor heating pipe is laid into the preformed grooves in the boards and the system is ready for immediate use. Wundatherm is extremely affordable and is virtually maintenance-free with a lifetime guarantee.

Wundatherm consists of pre-formed aluminium coated boards that deliver rapid response heating and are bonded instantly to the floor with spray adhesive. Once in place, high output 16mm floor heating pipe is laid into the pre-formed grooves in the boards, looping around to a heating manifold, with up to 150 sq. metres taking two people just two days to install. temperature, unlike screed which takes up to 48 hours, and creates a comfortable heat as the boards come factory fitted with thick aluminium for fast heat transmission and the continuous leak-proof pipes carry a lifetime guarantee. To complement the whole system, there is a range of matched traditional hard-wired thermostats, as well as wireless and smart controls via an app on mobile devices to offer users complete remote control of the system.

The UK needs to help the housing industry to be able to deliver in 2025, so by implementing an achievable change to the current energy efficiency standards in 2020, the economy is a step closer to making new homes more energy efficient and future-proof in readiness for low carbon heating systems.

Wunda prides itself on first class quality and customer service, providing free technical support six days a week, and provides the specialist service of detailed layout plans for all bespoke systems free of charge to trade customers. With these layout plans to hand, tradesmen can have complete confidence in laying the boards and installing the Wundatherm system.

For further information on the Wundatherm underfloor heating system or a free estimate, call 0800 083 2677, email plans@wundagroup.com or visit the website www.wundatrade.co.uk

Wunda Group is supported by Vantage PR

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BakerHicks trio selected for WorldSkills 2021 UK squad

Three employees from BakerHicks, the multi-disciplinary design and engineering company, are amongst the 137 young people named on the UK squad for WorldSkills 2021.

Darren Houston, Mona Nawaz and Connor Patterson have been selected for the UK Building Information Modelling (BIM) team following their strong performances at both the Regional and National legs of the competition series. They will now embark upon an 18-month training period, at the end of which one of them will be selected to represent the UK at the WorldSkills competition, which will take place in Shanghai on 22-27 September 2021.

Martin Lubieniecki, Managing Director at BakerHicks, congratulated

the three: “It’s fantastic to see BakerHicks employees taking up all three spots on the BIM squad. I know Darren, Mona and Connor have put a huge amount of work into this and their selection is thoroughly deserved. I look forward to seeing all three progress as a result of this experience.”

The WorldSkills series pits the best students from across the globe against each other in a competitive scenario, with the aim of promoting skilled careers and fostering excellence in trades.

The BIM competition tests competitors on their ability to produce, coordinate and quality check multiple 3D Project Information Models whilst working in a Common Data Environment, including configuring and inputting classification and asset information. Competitors are also judged on their ability to demonstrate a full understanding of and ability to use the BS/PAS 1192 suite and ISO 19650-1 and 19560-2 BIM standards in a range of situations.

Trevor Strahan, Head of BIM at BakerHicks, says the WorldSkills series is a great training ground:

“Through setting tests based on realworld industry challenges the series provides competitors with a real insight into what they can expect once they enter the industry. For us as employers this experience is invaluable.

“WorldSkills has a huge role to play in the development of future talent for our industry and we’re very proud to support the series.”

BAKERHICKS APPOINTED TO LSHTM FRAMEWORK TO DELIVER BEST-IN-CLASS STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SERVICES

BakerHicks, the multi-disciplinary design and engineering company, has been appointed to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Designers Framework to deliver Structural Engineering services.

The framework runs for seven years, and is open not only to LSHTM, but also the University of London, Birkbeck, SOAS University of London, The Royal Veterinary College, and UKRI MRC. It encompasses Architectural, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Structural Engineering. BakerHicks are one of four companies appointed to provide Structural Engineering.

The LSHTM is renowned for their research, postgraduate studies and continuing education in public and global health. Ensuring its facilities continue to reflect their position as one of the world’s leading global health institutions is a key priority. This ambition has resulted in their selection of partners through the Designers Framework to provide best-in-class services to refurbish their current estate. Key services to be provided under the framework include support to the planning, design, procurement, delivery and operational usage of capital projects and works programmes.

Andy Gotts, director of civil and structural engineering at BakerHicks, said: “We have a strong heritage in delivering higher education and life sciences projects, and it’s great to see this recognised through our appointment to the LHSTM framework.

“A high level of collaboration and close coordination with the LSHTM team and stakeholders will be required. At BakerHicks, we are leading exponents of using Building Information Modelling (BIM) to help our clients visualise the design and to coordinate solutions. And, we will look to bring this to projects within the framework to support LSHTM in achieving their vision within their specified budget.”

The LSHTM’s main campus includes the impressive Grade II Listed buildings in Keppel Street, which will require a sensitivity to the historic environment in all maintenance and improvement works. BakerHicks have a long and successful track record of carrying out structural alterations on heritage buildings, including projects such as the refurbishment of the Grade B Listed Perth and Kinross Council headquarters and the Grade II Listed Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. This expertise will be invaluable to LSHTM in the refurbishment of their estate.

Projects on the framework are awarded through either minicompetitive tender or direct appointment, depending on the specific project and skills required.