Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 by Lapthorn Media

January 2022

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Contents January 2022

Wates and Rother District Council to build 200 affordable eco EarthSheltered Homes in East Sussex

Peabody supporting residents through the energy crisis

Feature - Construction 2021: A year in review

Tilbury Douglas completes Halcyon Way – a new SEN School in Oldham

Willmott Dixon lands £11m Somerset Digital Innovation Centre

Winvic Tops Out 23-Storey BTR Project in Cardiff’s Capital Quarter

Schöck Isokorb for award winning ‘Sky-House’ scheme

Beard completes work on Crosfields School

Manx Healthcare move into their purpose-built headquarters at Tournament Fields

Show Preview: Build It Live

’Aluprof in the Antarctic’ - by Wojciech Brozyna - MD of Aluprof UK

Excitement builds for SPATEX 2022

Front cover image by Scott Webb

Lapthorn Media Ltd 5-7 Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6PB Tel: 01843 808 106 Editor Maria Lapthorn editor@constructionmaguk.co.uk Editorial Assistant Francesca Amato editorial@constructionmaguk.co.uk Features Editor Paul Attwood paul@constructionmaguk.co.uk

20 21

Production/Design Laura Whitehead laura@constructionmaguk.co.uk Sales Executive Hannah Marshall hannah@constructionmaguk.co.uk Accounts Richard Lapthorn accounts@constructionmaguk.co.uk Circulation Manager Leo Phillips subs@constructionmaguk.co.uk Website Content Russel Goldsmith russel@lapthornmedia.co.uk Website: www.constructionmaguk.co.uk

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Construction UK Magazine however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufactures or contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 03

Latest News

GALLIFORD TRY NAMED AS BUSINESS CHAMPION Galliford Try is pleased to announce that it has been named as an official Business Champion of the Construction Leadership Council’s CO2nstruct Zero programme. Launched in March 2021, CO2nstruct Zero brings together organisations that are demonstrating leadership in relation to carbon reduction, sharing their good practice with others from across the UK construction sector, and providing a set of metrics that enables the sector to collectively measure its progress quarterly to net zero. Galliford Try pledged to achieve net zero carbon across its own operations by 2030, and net zero across all activities by 2045, in June 2021. To provide a clear route to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Group committed to achieving a verifiable science-based target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, and the UN-backed campaign Race to Zero. The business is already well advanced on its carbon reduction journey across its own operations, having reduced carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (Scope 1, 2 and operational Scope 3) by 62% from 2012 to 2020.

WATES AND ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL TO BUILD 200 AFFORDABLE ECO EARTH-SHELTERED HOMES IN EAST SUSSEX Just days after being named as the best in the UK, a housing development in Rother has announced the contractor who will build the housing scheme. Blackfriars in Battle, an initiative led by Rother District Council’s housing company, Alliance Homes, to provide 200 new homes, has named Wates Residential - part of the Wates Group - as the partner contractor to build the development. The construction project – which includes the provision of 42 affordable rented homes and 28 homes for shared ownership – is due to begin in early 2022. The Inside Housing Award judges were won over by the scheme’s dedication to a sustainable and innovative design whilst ensuring people’s wellbeing is at its heart.

04 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

Latest News money, and 14% visiting a food bank in the past year. Some London boroughs are seeing over 20% of all households already in fuel poverty.

PEABODY SUPPORTING RESIDENTS THROUGH THE ENERGY CRISIS Peabody has partnered with energy advice provider AgilityEco to support residents as they face a challenging winter, struggling to heat their homes in the face of rising energy costs.

Our research suggests that in the last year, residents have found it difficult to pay for essentials including food and fuel with 23% of new Universal Credit claimants going without heating to save

Peabody has relaunched the free energy advice service to continue to support all its residents in these challenging times, with over 250 residents signing up so far to request help to save money on their energy bills. Many of the residents have already saved over £140 after signing up to the Warm Homes Discount scheme, which provides a one-off discount on their electricity bills. Peabody’s research has found that tailored energy advice will create a 1021% reduction in CO2 and save an average of £144 on residents’ fuel bills, by helping them switch tariffs, supporting them to access to energy grants, cheaper water tariffs and help with energy and water debt.

AMEY AND ETHSTAT CHANGE LIVES THROUGH DELIVERING 14,000 HAMPERS Social enterprise Ethstat is set to complete the delivery of 14,000 environmentally and ethically sourced hampers, bringing positive social impact to the local community. This project will benefit 53 disadvantaged people who live in or around Croydon – including both homeless and unemployed individuals and, support social enterprises across the UK who have fulfilled the large orders.

of the pandemic, it is clear that in order to improve lives, social value must play a key role procurement going forward. Amey’s partnership with Ethstat to produce the hamper in this way resulted in:

• • •

2,185 hours of living wage employment 53 disadvantaged people accessed work 2,140 hot meals for the homeless

• • • •

17 social enterprise delivery drivers employed 91.6% spend with a social purpose 2 full time staff employees 106 hours of certified training

The packing days have supported Evolve Housing, Lives Not Knives as well as the product suppliers for the hampers themselves.

Ethstat was enlisted by leading infrastructure services and engineering company, Amey, to put together a Centenary Hamper for each of its 14,000 employees that would honour the best of social enterprise and meaningful procurement whilst marking the companies 100th year. The products contained needed to give back to the communities they came from, be fully sustainable and support small businesses to grow. As a community interest company reinvesting profits to end homelessness, Ethstat firmly believes in the power of the pound in making positive change to people’s lives. As the country looks to build back from the financial and social impact

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 05

Feature

SOLUTIONS TO THE SKILLS SHORTAGE The chronic construction skills shortage in the UK was recently highlighted by a forecast that the construction sector needs to recruit 216,800 new workers by 2025 to meet demand. This daunting figure from the Construction Skills Network (CSN) brings into focus the challenges of realising the government’s post-Covid ‘Build Back Better’ mantra. It has been widely reported that the pandemic and Brexit have impacted upon on the UK construction sector in terms of supply of materials and labour. However, the skills shortage presents a particular challenge because the issues behind it go back a long way and will need long-term solutions. Recruitment in UK construction was under pressure even before the Brexit vote and the outbreak of Covid-19. This is because a large percentage of workers in building and allied trades are close to retirement, with over 20% in their fifties and 15% in their sixties. The result has been a perfect storm. At Beard we have some colleagues that have worked at the company for more than 30 years. While we like to think that this is a tribute to the way in which we treat our employees, we are also aware of the importance of recruiting new talent. With this in mind, we have been seeking to nurture local talent by developing school leaver and graduate trainee programmes, and then by supporting the career development of those young people who join us by investing in leadership coaching and development. As part of Beard’s proactive approach towards encouraging young people aspire to go from the classroom into a career in construction, the company is involved in an educational charity in the south east of England which promotes STEM subjects

with school groups, and we demonstrate these skills in action in a construction setting. Beard has worked with City of Bristol College to develop the Advanced Construction Skills Centre, which is a purpose-built annexe to the South Bristol Skills Academy in Hengrove. We believe that investment in centres such as the ACSC in Bristol is crucial in providing state-of-the-art training that will bring forward a new generation of skilled workers.

Our chairman Mark Beard and other directors of the company recently toured the ACSC, and as part of the visit, Mark joined a line-up of some of the region’s leading figures at Q&A panel event. We believe it is important to talk to young people about what a career in construction involves, and to change some of the out-dated perceptions about the building industry. One misconception that we regularly hear is that construction is a dirty job, but in fact there is a huge variety of roles. While some people automatically assume that the sector is all about bricklaying, the reality is that construction is a far more complex process than it was 20 or 30 years ago, and this is reflected in the careers available, ranging from surveying to project management to design, marketing, and finance. We are also keen to raise awareness among young people of the fact that the sector has signed up to the carbon net zero agenda, and is committed to reducing waste, emissions, and environmental impact. At Beard we are accelerating our sustainable practices by moving to electric cars and vans, using ground source heat pumps in one of our offices

06 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

and solar panels on another. We have recently put in place a carbon reduction plan and to help offset any residual emissions we are investing in forestry. We have also invested in Green Unit, an eco-modular company which uses sustainable building methods, and addresses the embedded carbon involved in constructing a building. Our aim in doing this is to support the work of Green Unit, and also to share expertise and to ensure that our projects use the latest environmental techniques. At Beard we are also committed to improving gender diversity in construction. While this has improved in recent years, recent ONS figures showed that women made up only 14% of those working in the sector so there is still a long way to go. As part of addressing this, we are constantly striving to be inclusive towards all our employees. This has meant ensuring that our policies, procedures, and ways of working are fit for the future and attract that diverse talent pool. In practical terms, this includes making sure to provide both male and female toilets on site, having protective equipment that includes smaller sizes and fits women properly, and supporting flexible working in terms of hours and location. The skills shortage in construction will not be solved overnight. However, attracting younger people into the sector – among them young women who might not have considered a career in construction – will be integral to providing a long-term solution. By Mike Hedges, Director, Beard Construction

Unfold the complexities Whatever your construction business size, you will need professional, tailored support if you want to chart a prudent and profitable path. To help you remain resilient in an industry characterised by high risk and great rewards, our specialist property and construction business advisers and chartered accountants can support you in achieving your objectives and planning for the future. The services our comprehensive business support packages can provide you with include: → → → →

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Speak to a member of our team 01242 237661 www.hazlewoods.co.uk We strongly recommend you take professional advice before making decisions on matters discussed here. No responsibility for any loss to any person acting as a result of the material can be accepted by us. Hazlewoods LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales with number OC311817. Registered office: Staverton Court, Staverton, Cheltenham, Glos, GL51 0UX. A list of LLP partners is available for inspection at each office. Hazlewoods LLP is registered to carry on audit work in the UK and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Feature

CONSTRUCTION 2021: A YEAR IN REVIEW Simon Rowland, Partner and Head of Construction and Engineering and Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, take a look at the events of 2021 and the potential challenges and opportunities that the sector could be presented with in 2022. There is no doubt that 2021 has been a tough year for the construction industry. Global disruption from the pandemic, Brexit and environmental disasters have left their mark on the sector. In the latest ONS figures, construction outputs fell for the third month in a row. Figures for July and August slumped back to their lowest point since February, hitting 58.7 on the UK index – a sharp reduction from the 24 years high of 66.3 in June. With the sector at an apparent impasse and sustainability increasingly high on the global agenda, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) look more and more likely to be a key part in addressing the struggles faced by the construction industry. In the face of such a dramatic drop in productivity, industry heavyweights are putting their stakes on MMC. For example, volume housebuilder Barratt has reported that 25 per cent of the 12,243 homes built by the end of its most recent financial year used MMC. As 2021 draws to a close, it’s time to consider new construction solutions for a new world. Brexit and supply chain issues In January 2020, we saw the UK finally leave the European Union almost four years after the Brexit referendum. While the UKEU Trade and Co-operation Agreement has protected trades from any further tariffs, additional red tape and border checks have inevitably slowed down the movement of construction supplies.

Given that 80 per cent of timber used in the UK is imported, wildfires and insect damage in supplier countries such as Canada and Sweden have also had a detrimental impact on stock. The shortage of materials has resulted in a price hike that cannot be underestimated. The Timber Price Index hit 92.13 in May 21 Trade Federation (TTF) reported that timber prices surged by 50 per cent between January and May 2021. Add to that, the October 2021 data from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showed that structural steel costs were 72.6 per cent higher than the year previous, and in November we saw steel prices increase for the seventh time in 2021. With these and other shortages across the board, it’s a perfect storm for disruption in an industry built on tight margins.

With the sector at an apparent impasse and sustainability increasingly high on the global agenda, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) look more and more likely to be a key part in addressing the struggles faced by the construction industry. In the face of such a dramatic drop in productivity, industry heavyweights are putting their stakes on MMC. While MMC is not the silver bullet to addressing the materials crisis and certainly not a short-term solution for everyone, MMC’s added benefits of less waste and less weather damage could clearly help the industry. Housing crisis The UK housing crisis is reaching fever pitch, with house prices rising faster than every other economic metric. The government itself has said that “a significant proportion of homes must be built using modern methods of construction (MMC) if we are to meet the target to deliver 300,000 homes annually”. Areas such as the South East of England in particular are in desperate need of housing, but lack the local skilled workforces required to carry out onsite construction. MMC presents an opportunity to tackle the housing crisis in key areas of the country, while at the same time supporting local communities in different areas of the country through investment in MMC manufacturing sites, thus aiding the “levelling up” agenda. Skills shortage

Michelle Essen

In June 2021, the ONS reported that the number of EU workers seeking jobs in the UK has dropped by 17 per cent.

08 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

But unlike the supply issues, the UK’s skills shortage began long before the UK’s departure from the EU. In 2018, the ONS reported that construction had fallen out of the list of top 10 jobs for people aged 22-29. MMC has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs for UK workers - it is estimated that if 75,000 modular homes are constructed per year it could create 50,000 new jobs. The challenge, however, lies in attracting new talent to the industry and keeping workers engaged. The solution to this may be to appeal to a younger, increasingly environmentally conscious workforce, who wants to make a positive contribution to society in a sustainable industry. MMC offers a route to greener buildings, and this could make the sector more attractive to younger workers. Move to sustainability 2021 has been the year of sustainability. As we strive for a green recovery, electric vehicles, plant-based industries, renewable energy technologies and more have been at the forefront of both government and industry objectives for the future. Momentum has grown throughout the year, gathering pace in the lead up to COP26. This represents a major global shift towards reducing CO2 emissions to protect the planet. As we embark on a decade of climate action, MMC has an opportunity to fill a gap in the housing market for homes that contribute to Net Zero targets. MMC enables geographical fluidity which then contributes to a reduction of onsite pollution levels and material waste. It bolsters the argument for focusing on a method of building with a lower environmental impact. Rowland Simon

Looking ahead to 2022 Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, PDL, Construction and Engineering, Womble Bond Dickinson What can we expect for the construction industry in 2022? 2022 for the construction industry is likely to bring the continued development of many of the themes mentioned above. MMC will remain high on the agenda, with continued investment and learnings by the industry. There will be further discussions around how to incentivise increased use of MMC, part of which will be driven also by the need to standardise MMC so it is more easily and more widely adoptable. Materials and labour and skills shortages are here to stay for the immediate future.

2021 has been the year of sustainability. As we strive for a green recovery, electric vehicles, plantbased industries, renewable energy technologies and more have been at the forefront of both government and industry objectives for the future. It will take time for the dust to settle on materials shortages, for the industry to work out how to increase efficiencies and reduce waste, and to find new or alternative supply chains or materials. For labour and skills shortages, it will take time for training to take place to increase the number of HGV drivers, for apprentices to become qualified, and for the industry to attract younger talent. While the conversations around these issues will continue, positive steps are being taken – but the pace of change will depend on how quickly we learn from each other around what works (or doesn’t work), and how we share those learnings. Net zero will increasingly be at the forefront of business’ minds, not just in the construction industry but across the board. Businesses which are not pure construction businesses will increasingly look to the construction industry to help them meet their Net Zero objectives. The conversation will also widen from Net Zero to ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance). Finally, we will be hearing a lot more about building safety, as the Building Safety Bill is likely to be given Royal Assent next year, the new Residential Property Developer Tax will apply from April 2022, and outcomes from the Grenfell Inquiry start to filter through. These will bring significant changes for the construction industry and difficult but necessary conversations will flow from these. All of the above are interdependent – building safety and Net Zero are all relevant to ESG. ESG will include looking at how our workforce is made up, for example from a diversity and inclusion perspective and the more diverse and inclusive the industry is, the more likely it is to attract young workers and new talent. This is turn will help address the skills and labour shortage. Skills and labour are needed to help physically deliver materials, to innovate solutions around materials shortages, and to deliver on MMC. MMC can then help businesses deliver on ESG through less waste, lower embodied carbon processes, and increased safety. While we know the last couple of years in the construction industry have been tough, we can see the virtuous circle here, and a lot of potential for the year to come. For more information on Womble Bond Dickinson’s rebuild Britain campaign, visit www.womblebonddickinson.com/ rebuild-britain.

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 09

Events & Awards News

SITE MANAGER IN OTHAM RECEIVES MAIDEN SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD A site manager delivering new homes at a development in Otham has received a prestigious housebuilding industry award. Darrell Wilson has collected his first-ever Seal of Excellence award from the National House-Building Council (NHBC) for his work at Bellway Kent’s Bicknor Wood development, off Gore Court Road. After taking over the reins at the development in January 2020, Darrell is one of just 14 winners in the NHBC’s South

East region to achieve the feat this year, after winning a Quality Award in June. The Seal of Excellence awards form the latest stage of the NHBC’s Pride in the Job scheme, which rewards site managers across the country for their commitment to delivering high-quality homes. When construction is complete at Bicknor Wood, Darrell will become the site manager at Bellway’s Parsonage Place development, also in Otham. The site will be a collection of one to four-bedroom homes and is set to launch in early 2022.

SOCIAL HOUSING EMPLOYEE WINS TOP APPRENTICESHIP AWARD An employee from one of the Midland’s largest social landlords has been honoured with a prestigious apprenticeship award.

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Ellie Steel from Platform Housing Group won Worcestershire’s Apprentice of the Year at The Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards earlier this month. The annual event organised by The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership held the virtual awards ceremony to recognise the hard work of both apprentices and their trainers. Ellie said: “I am absolutely over the moon to have won this award! I work at Platform as an Apprentice and Qualifications Administrator and thoroughly enjoy my job. I am motivated and mentored and am proud to work for Platform. I would like to thank everyone who continues to help me along my journey.”

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Platform’s apprenticeship strategy focuses on embedding apprentices into its core business, recognising their value and supporting and coaching them beyond the completion of the apprenticeship. It’s strategic recruitment process brings a huge range of apprentices into the business, from aged 16 up to 45, in both office and trades positions. The company works with 20 training providers with an overall aim of 10 per cent of its workforce working towards an apprenticeship. Platform Housing Group supports 58 apprentices in total, equating to 4 per cent of its total workforce.

I am absolutely over the moon to have won this award! I work at Platform as an Apprentice and Qualifications Administrator and thoroughly enjoy my job.

Latest News ACTIS-INSULATED COMMUNITY ‘SHED’ AIMED AT TACKLING LONELINESS IS UP AND RUNNING A new community building in Aberdeenshire, to which Actis donated more than 400 sq m of insulation materials, has recently opened its doors to a range of groups as part of a wider campaign to tackle social isolation. The 3,500 sq ft timber frame and blockwork Aboyne and MidDeeside Community Shed is part of the growing Men’s Shed movement - although this one is non-gender-specific - and is one of more than 400 such enterprises across the UK.

ECO-HOMES SET THE STANDARD FOR SHEFFIELD A regeneration partnership is setting the green standard for Sheffield, with a £5.5m project to construct 35 new ecofriendly homes. Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) is working with energy and regeneration specialist EQUANS to create the 19 three and four bedroomed houses and 16 two bedroomed apartments at Norfolk Park. The homes will be available for sale on the open market. EQUANS is the new brand for global energy company ENGIE’s regeneration and services-led activities. The properties will feature electric vehicle charging points and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to help residents live a modern and green lifestyle, whilst also contributing to Sheffield City Council’s target to be a zero carbon city by 2030. The Energy Saving Trust estimates a typical 3.5-kWp PV panel system could reduce the average energy bill by up to £310/ year. Norfolk Park has a rich history and has benefitted from significant investment in recent years, with its surrounding parklands and proximity to the city centre making it an attractive place to live. Work is due to start on site this month with the properties released for sale in 2022.

Actis was one of a number of companies offering their products or services free of charge to help reduce the cost of the £450,000 plus project, as part of its policy of giving something back to the communities in which it operates. The first two community groups began using the facility this autumn. More than 80 people have signed up to use the workshop element of the shed, which offers pursuits such as woodwork, metalwork, welding, car maintenance, small appliance repair, electronics projects and amateur radio. In addition to weathering an enforced delay both in construction and opening its doors to the public because of the pandemic, adjustments have been made to the original internal specification - which include the addition of clear acrylic screens on castors for maximum flexibility and Covid security. The upstairs floor, for arts, craft, music and keep fit groups is fully operational, with an artist in residence project in full swing. A social area provides facilities for small groups and general social interaction in line with one of the project’s principal aims - to combat loneliness and improve general wellbeing. And its large kitchen for teaching cookery and kitchen skills as well as on-site catering is also happily up and running. Actis donated nearly 150 sq m of insulating breather membrane BoostR Hybrid, more than 130sq m of 50mm honeycomb insulation Hybris and an identical quantity of insulating vapour control layer HControl Hybrid towards the project. Men’s Sheds are designed to encourage people to get together over a shared passion for making things, with the aim of encouraging friendships and reducing loneliness.

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 11

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Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 13

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CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT RENTAL MARKET SET TO EXPAND 1.6X, AMID HIGH PREFERENCE FOR EARTH MOVING MACHINERY: FACT.MR According to a recent study by ESOMARcertified market research and consulting firm, from 2021 to 2031, the global construction equipment rental market is anticipated to top US$ 115 Bn in 2021, expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% during the 2021-2031 forecast period. Expected valuation by 2031-end is US$ 176 Bn, as per the study. Historically, the industry experienced a moderate expansion rate, clocking a CAGR of over 3% from 2016-2020, reaching a value of US$ 110 Bn. as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, prospects did contract substantially. However, the construction equipment rental market was buoyed through with unwavering financial support offered by governments across major construction hotspots.

In the context of economic expansion, the construction industry has exhibited strong growth, with construction equipment leasing and profitability increasing exponentially. This growth is due to strong consumer demand and easy access to public and private investment. As of 2020, more than 2,000 public infrastructure projects were announced, representing a 5% incline compared to 2019. Consequently, major construction giants began looking for approaches to reduce procurement costs, which increased reliance on construction equipment rental services. Competitive Landscape The market for construction equipment rental is dominated by the top 5 service providers, who account for the majority of the market. During the forecast period, the competitive landscape is expected

WORK EQUIPMENT OWNERS: ARE YOUR 2022 PLANS IN ORDER? CFTS urges companies to review their upcoming inspection programme Following a busy Christmas period, work equipment owners are being advised to examine their maintenance and inspection schedules to ensure everything is kept at a safe and legal standard throughout 2022. CFTS – the industry’s accrediting body for Thorough Examinations – is aware that thousands of trucks and attachments

may not currently have a suitable Thorough Examination plan to ensure they fulfil all requirements under LOLER and PUWER. Geoff Martin, CFTS Chairman, explains: “A huge number of businesses have been working flat-out in recent months, so January is an ideal time to take stock and assess the condition of equipment. I’d suggest that your first step should be to check the truck’s paperwork for the last inspection date and see if there is a sticker on the equipment bearing the CFTS

to be shaped by acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and equipment procurements.

•

In May 2021, for instance, United Rentals Inc. completed the acquisition of General Finance Corporation. The acquisition, comprising of strong strategic and financial merits, was timed in order to enable the company to fulfil increasing demand across end markets, by expanding mobile store and modular office solutions Likewise, in August 2021, Herc Holdings Inc. completed the acquisition of all assets of CBS Rentals, a Texas-based construction equipment rental service provider. This addition has expanded the formers presence across the state to 38 physical locations to better provide general and specialty equipment rental solutions

Quality Mark. If you don’t know what you are looking for, talk to the person at your company who oversees the equipment.” Many companies also find themselves unclear over whose responsibility it is to book the inspections when trucks are leased or hired. It’s often assumed that any liability is with the company the trucks are hired from, but this is only sometimes the case. Speak to the hiring company if you are unsure of your obligations. When trucks are owned outright, the responsibility is yours and if you let the inspection period lapse, you could potentially leave yourself open to fines or worse — letting the equipment become unsafe. There is also a common misconception that the inspection is simply an annual undertaking, but in reality, it isn’t quite that simple. “There’s no one-size-fits-all rule,” says Geoff Martin. “It’s important that each piece of equipment is on its own schedule appropriate to its type and use. Your nearest CFTS-accredited member will be able to advise on the frequency of inspections required on a case-by-case basis. And with the ever-changing situation we find ourselves in, it’s always best to be fully prepared as early as possible.” For more information about CFTS Thorough Examinations, please visit www.thoroughexamination.org or call 01344 623 800.

14 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

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“We’ve been around long enough to know the ins and outs of the most complex of convoluted staircase designs, riser sizes recited in our sleep and helical designs dancing through our mind’s eye. The possibilities are vast and making individually designed staircases is our specialty.” - Eric Nicholls, MD

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Staircases may be functional but take the opportunity to create a feature that really makes a statement. You’ll no doubt use your main staircase every single day, so don’t let it be an afterthought – take the

Get a staircase expert involved early in a project so you can understand the time a staircase will take to design, manufacture and install. A bespoke staircase will take longer than a standard design and discussing price, design options and materials early on will save time later in the build. Crucially, structural requirements can be planned into the build as stability and strength of supporting walls and floors need to be taken into consideration before the house is built.

Whilst your choice may be budget dependant, there are advantages and disadvantages to different types of stairs other than their aesthetic value: SPIRAL STAIRCASES Defined by steps that turn consistently around a central axis, the advantage is they make excellent use of space and can be fitted in almost any location, the central pole meaning they don’t need to be attached to a wall. If you have a tall space to climb and limited floor space, they are usually the way to go with powder-coating or cladding customised to match your home. CURVED or HELICAL STAIRS Unlike spirals, helical designs do not anchor around a central point, instead curving through a space to dramatic effect. Curved staircases can have the most wow factor, but they do come at a cost, as they tend to have more structural requirements floating helicals are a feat of engineering. STRAIGHT STAIRS The standard, but you can style them up to stand out with intricate finishing touches or high-end materials – straight doesn’t have to be boring. Straight stairs can also be: DOG-LEG STAIRS A straight stair with a landing to change direction, an opportunity to create focal features as an alternative to a spiral.

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We’ve been around long enough to know the ins and outs of the most complex of convoluted staircase designs, riser sizes recited in our sleep and helical designs dancing through our mind’s eye. The possibilities are vast and making individually designed staircases is our specialty. Spiral.uk.com features case studies of residential, commercial and fire escape stairs for inspiration along with a price guide to give you ballpark figures of whether your favourites are achievable – but it’s always worth calling to discuss what would work best in your space within your budget. SPINE BEAM STEPS A central beam supports the underside of the steps, resulting in an open, airy feel that can be used in straight or helical designs that suits modern interiors.

Spiral UK also offer video calls, provide free samples, liaise closely with contractors and produce 3D images of designs so you have a better understanding of what your stair could look like.

CANTILEVER or FLOATING STAIRS This trend is staying strong with steps only attached at one end so they appear to be floating, the supporting structure usually hidden in the wall – an impressive aesthetic that for extra light to filter through or choose closed treads to create a feature – a more solid floating stair seems to defy physics.

To discuss your project and bring your dream staircase to life, call 0330 123 2447 or email info@spiral.uk.com

CONCRETE STAIRS Poured and moulded according to the required shape, it’s a versatile material that can be inlaid with other materials such as metal or wood, dyed or polished to create unique looks – but take weight into consideration. It is robust and durable, so a good investment that will not rot, fade or warp over time with very little maintenance. Inherently resistant to fire, they are also quiet with no creaks or echoes, helping improve soundproofing between floors. Contact an expert Stairs must comply with complicated building regulations, with different rules applying for small private stair, private stair, small semi public, semi public and public. Most staircase specialists will have a very good understanding of this but it is worth getting their commitment to ensure compliance (as not all do) - the regulations are there to cover your safety, protection, accessibility and escape. Find examples of stairs that you like, get some measurements and have a bespoke maker put their experience to good use coming up with a costed solution to suit your home, with a free, no obligation quote.

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 17

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Interview CONSTRUCTION UK MAGAZINE SPEAKS WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS ANN BENTLEY AND ELSPETH FINCH MBE ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK AND WHAT STILL NEEDS TO BE ACHIEVED IN THE DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION SPACE MOVING FORWARD ELSPETH FINCH MBE - CEO & Founder of IAND Firstly, how did you find Digital Construction Week? I was really sad not to be able to attend this year, but I was following all of the action on twitter! What were your favourite technologies you discovered there and why? It was great to see the scale-up and growth of some of the companies that I follow such as QFLOW and Converge. Having the information online with bios of all the exhibitors has helped me discover new companies with the potential to collaborate with in the future too. How vital are these events to promote and highlight the next technologies that can be discovered for the industry? It is so critical, not only to showcase the new technologies, but to give the confidence to clients on the value that can be delivered by working with established digital firms and innovative SMEs. In your opinion, what is the next step for digital construction? We need to have a portfolio approach to innovation to ensure we are focusing as much on scaling-up digital technologies, as we are on creating and testing new products for the first time. Without scale-up, we won’t achieve the potential of the new digital products to deliver the step change in productivity and net-zero. How important is new technology to the industry? All of us use new technologies every day, from the apps we use, to the way we shop and keep up with friends. For the Construction sector, new technology will continue to be embedded in the work we do every day but what I see as being increasingly important is not just what the new technologies are, but how they connect. This is critical to our ethos at IAND. Is digital innovation still very much present? Absolutely, and I think all of us have embraced new digital technologies through the pandemic

Elspeth Finch MBE

spanning how we communicate and work with colleagues to new digital project tools. At IAND, we’re excited by the opportunity to further leverage procurement to accelerate the pace of digital innovation, supported by both the procurement regulations on social value (including innovation) and the wider UK innovation strategy. How can further digital innovation to change the construction industry for the better? We are an exciting sector, and I see the opportunity for digital to not only help us achieve our net-zero and productivity goals but also excite the next generation of talent to see the opportunity for the Construction Sector to be a place where they choose to build their careers. After all, we are creating the cities and the places of the future, and embracing innovative digital ways of designing and creating buildings. What could be more exciting than that? ANN BENTLEY- Global Board Director at Rider Levett Bucknall and Advisor to the CLC Board Firstly, how did you find Digital Construction Week? With the last two years advancing digitalisation within the industry, it was good to discuss the present and future role of digital within the sector and explore new technologies and ideas. What were your favourite technologies you discovered there and why? What was clear throughout the event was how technology within construction has already progressed rapidly over the last few years. However, it is the advancements in robotics and scanning, allowing more data and information to be captured on sites in real time and provide data analysis to improve construction processes and monitoring almost instantly, that really caught my attention. It’s fascinating to see how the industry is already adopting these technologies, and it will continue to advance them in the future.

technologies and digital solutions to achieve better outcomes. The event provided some valuable information about the importance of information management, the role digitalisation is going to play in becoming more sustainable, and the advancements happening in technology which will lead in the construction industry. In your opinion, what is the next step for digital construction? I think the government and public sector will continue to drive improvements in digital construction. However, it will also be important to partner with other industries and large tech companies in the future to accelerate change and the adoption of technology. How important is new technology to the industry? It is vital to enable change in the industry. There are social, economic and environmental drivers for change and the industry 4.0 technologies will be important enablers to make it happen. Is digital innovation still very much present? Absolutely, I think businesses realise they must innovate, or they’ll no longer exist. However, we also need to ensure digitalisation and tech advancements are happening across the industry - not just on larger projects. It is only when the whole industry is adopting new digital ways of working will we really begin to see the benefits. How can further digital innovation change the construction industry for the better? There are digital innovations to improve the construction process, but also significant advancements in digital and data management that will deliver better outcomes. For example, the key areas of digital innovation are smart cities and smart buildings which will provide people with better places to live and work in the future, and create a built environment that is more sustainable to reduce the impact on climate change.

My favourite technology was the advancements in virtual reality and adoption of technology from the gaming industry. This technology could transform the way we work and collaborate through the design and construction process over the next few years. What is apparent is that as an industry we will be learning from other sectors when it comes to tech and bringing some of those digital advancements into the built environment in 2022 and beyond. How vital are these events to promote and highlight the next technologies that can be discovered for the industry? 100% vital. We need to continue to collaborate and drive the industry to adopt new

Ann Bentley

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Project News

GIANT NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTRE BUILT BY GMI FOR ASOS NOW LIVE State of the art 437,000 sq ft facility becomes the fourth fulfilment centre opened to date by the online fashion giant.

number rising to 2,000 over the next three years in order to serve customers in the UK and 150 other countries across the world.

GMI Construction Group PLC has heralded the official opening of a giant new state-of-the-art 437,000 sq ft fulfilment centre built for leading online retailer ASOS at a site at Fradley Park in Lichfield.

ASOS said it expects to ship over 30 million units in the site’s first year, and up to 4.5 million per week once the facility is fully operational and automation is complete.

The £90 million development which took 39 weeks to build features over 407,000 sq ft of warehouse space together with 30,000 sq ft of offices. More than 700 people have already been recruited at the facility, with that

It said it expects the facility to help it meet its goal of reaching £7 billion in annual revenue within the next three to four years. ASOS currently operates three other fulfilment centres, in Barnsley, Berlin and Atlanta.

TILBURY DOUGLAS COMPLETES HALCYON WAY – A NEW SEN SCHOOL IN OLDHAM Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fitout company, has handed over Halcyon Way, a new Special Education Needs (SEN) school for children in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The new facility provides places for 152 pupils, aged two to eleven, of which 12 will be early-years places and will be part of Kingfisher Learning Trust. The 3,231 square metre new building has been delivered using latest mixed reality technology and includes a two-storey building with a range of therapy and sensory spaces, as well as external play areas and car parking facilities. Phil Shaw, Divisional Director for the North West at Tilbury Douglas, commented: “We are proud to successfully handover this important educational project, which is integral to the learning and development of Oldham’s children.”

We are proud to successfully handover this important educational project, which is integral to the learning and development of Oldham’s children.

20 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

Project News WILLMOTT DIXON LANDS £11M SOMERSET DIGITAL INNOVATION CENTRE Willmott Dixon has been selected by Somerset County Council to deliver a £11m Digital Innovation Centre at Firepool, Taunton. Procured using the SCAPE’s construction framework, it will play a key role in Somerset County Council’s plans for the post Covid-19 recovery and transformation of the local economy, providing high-quality managed offices and workspace for home-grown start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises, while attracting new businesses and inward investment. The 2,613 square-metre building will feature office, workshop, collaboration and meeting space over four storeys, as well as innovation support services targeted at digital economy businesses. The project is funded by the county, the Government’s Getting Building Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, with further contributions from Somerset’s Business Rates Retention Fund and Somerset West and Taunton Council. The Digital Innovation Centre marks Willmott Dixon’s latest project in Somerset. During the Spring, the company handed over Somerset Energy Innovation Centre 3 near Bridgwater and the iAero Centre in Yeovil, which provides a research, design and innovation facility to support the growing aerospace sector. In May this year, the company also secured a contract to build Northgate Yard, a £16m mixeduse regeneration project in Bridgwater town centre providing a seven-screen cinema, eight-lane bowling alley and sports bar.

HELPING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing and Logistics Director explains how West Fraser is helping the construction industry to help the environment As the world becomes more and more aware of the effect we have on the planet, it is important for the construction industry to realise how it affects the world in ways it doesn’t intend to. At West Fraser, our products are net carbon negative. This means that we lock up more carbon in the products than we emit in the end-to-end production and distribution of them (delivery to our customers’ gates). Attaining net carbon negativity, as we have done, is a significant step and demonstrates the company’s determination to be a market leader in sustainable, climate-friendly products. As wood is the main component of West Fraser’s products, carbon is sequestered and locked up for the board’s lifetime. Particleboard products have the added advantage of containing 70-80% post-consumer recycled wood; this is also used in OSB. As a result, the company’s four European sites and three product ranges lock up a total of 1.18 million tonnes of CO2e per year, equivalent to the CO2 from 200,265 homes’ electricity. West Fraser’s net carbon negative products’ status benefits specifiers and users of the company’s engineered wood panel products. When used in construction, these products can move a project’s carbon count in the right direction assisting companies to meet net zero targets, which is good for reputation, compliance and the planet. In every SterlingOSB Zero board more carbon from the atmosphere is locked up than is emitted during manufacture, locking it up into long term storage. Per cubic metre, SterlingOSB Zero has sequestered 828kg of CO2e. The vast majority of the wood used is homegrown, minimising carbon emissions from transport while ensuring it is always available and offers a cost-effective building solution. For further information call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com

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06/12/2021 16:15:47

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IRIDIUM EDGE SOLAR Satellite tracking technology has become an invaluable asset for companies all over the world. The ability to quickly locate goods, vehicles, and staff is near-essential in the modern world of trading, especially for construction businesses that operate around the world. As satellite tracking software and equipment has become more popular, it has continued to be improved upon by market leaders. One such leading manufacturer is Iridium, which has brought to the market the excellent Iridium Edge Solar.

The Iridium Edge Solar marks the latest in satellite tracking technology and is a fantastic device for all companies looking to upgrade their equipment. As a global satellite communications company, Iridium has been providing quality access to data and voice services across the planet. The company’s extensive range of quality satellite tracking and communications equipment represents some of the best on the market. The Iridium Edge Solar is just the latest in a long line of quality products.

What is the Iridium Edge Solar? The Iridium Edge Solar has been built with longevity and convenience of use in mind. The device has military-grade durability, so it can withstand even the toughest conditions and still function without issue. Iridium is proud to boast that the device has MIL-STD-810G and IP68 ratings, meaning it is waterproof, dust-tight, and durable against shock and temperature damage. Such a piece of hardware is essential for construction companies making a long-term investment. It is vital for businesses in the construction industry to know that the device they’re investing in will work with their existing setup. It is for this reason that the Iridium Edge Solar comes complete with Bluetooth capability for wireless sensor integration and device connectivity with local IoT systems. You will be able to seamlessly integrate the Iridium Edge Solar with your current devices, thanks to its versatile software. One of the major benefits of the Iridium Edge Solar is that, as the name suggests, the device runs entirely on solar power. Having a range of solar-powered devices for satellite tracking and communications will go a long way to reducing your carbon footprint. What’s more, the best-in-class solar battery is self-charging and can last for up to a staggering ten years. Not only does this eliminate the hassle of changing the device’s battery, it also means the Iridium Edge Solar is a lasting investment. With the Iridium Edge Solar, you can begin using the device straight out of the box, with it being incredibly easy to set up. Iridium has ensured that the device is easy to install onto your assets, with no hard-wired connections being required.

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You may be wondering why you need a satellite tracker like the Iridium Edge Solar. The truth is that, in order for modern construction organisations to grow and improve, satellite tracking technology is essential. What’s more, two-way communication technology allows you to update reporting time and information delivery through your mobile device. Such ease of use means you can get started with the Iridium Edge Solar straight away and begin reaping the benefits. Why Do Construction Companies Need Iridium Edge Solar? Companies in the construction industry will find that there are many advantages offered by the Iridium Edge Solar. For a start, the device can be linked to your heavy machinery and used to track its movements. This is vital for construction companies that own expensive machinery that needs to be kept in check between projects. Your staff will find that managing the various machinery assets of your company will be far easier with the Iridium Edge Solar. Iridium has remained a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality satellite tracking technology, as they are the only organisation to offer truly global coverage through their satellite communications network. As such, investing in a piece of equipment like the Iridium Edge Solar means you’ll have far greater access than what is typically offered by other networks. This quick and vast coverage is essential if you’re to get the most out of satellite tracking technology. You may be wondering why you need a satellite tracker like the Iridium Edge Solar. The truth is that, in order for modern construction organisations to grow and improve, satellite tracking technology is essential. The ability to track your assets in real-time will allow you to calculate accurate lead times, better manage operations, and, most importantly, keep an open line of communication with staff. Having the Iridium Edge Solar in your arsenal keeps you ahead of the curve in the construction industry.

Contact the Experts for more Information If you’re interested in the Iridium Edge Solar and would like to learn more about this fantastic piece of tracking technology, be sure to reach out to the experts at GTC. GTC are an international organisation that supplies cutting-edge tracking technology to clients around the globe. Their team is happy to discuss the Iridium Edge Solar and other satellite-based tracking products suitable for construction companies in detail. Call them now on 0800 112 3919 or email info@gtc.co.uk to learn more.

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 23

MOBILE COVERAGE SOLUTIONS

FROM TEMPORARY COVERAGE DURING CONSTRUCTION TO PERMANENT COVERAGE FOR YOUR DEVELOPMENT TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE NEW LEVELS OF CONNECTIVITY & MOBILE COVERAGE

People On The Move

DAVIDSONS HOMES APPOINTS NEW ASSISTANT SITE MANAGER AT HANSLOPE DEVELOPMENT Two decades after entering the construction industry as a 16-year-old fitter’s mate, Tim Hill has taken a huge step towards achieving his ambition of becoming a site manager. Following a varied career working in a range of different trades, Tim has been promoted to Assistant Site Manager with Davidsons

SISK APPOINTS NEW UK FRAMEWORK DIRECTOR John Sisk & Son has appointed a new UK Framework Director, Rebecca Hartshorn. Rebecca has over 20 years’ worth of experience in both delivery and pre-construction roles, and has re-joined Sisk from Bowmer and Kirkland where she was Strategic Framework Lead. Rebecca previously worked at Sisk from 2017 for two years, when she held the roles of Bid Manager and Pre-Construction Manager. Rebecca will be based in our Solihull office and will work closely with the SCAPE team on our recently formed partnership with the public sector framework provider, where we have been appointed to work on projects worth £75m and above across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Homes after just two years with the company which he joined in 2019 as a customer liaison technician. Tim, who will be working at The Wheatfields development in Hanslope, said: “I feel very happy and proud to be promoted and delighted to be improving my prospects further within the company. I have been in the construction industry all my working life after leaving school at 16. I finished in the classroom on the Friday and on the Monday started a job as fitter’s mate helping install air conditioning in hospitals. Over the years, I got my NVQ 2 in multi-trade building which has seen me work as a plumber, a joiner, a tiler and a painter and decorator on various building sites. I now feel it is time for me to switch my career path within the industry and start out on a road that could see me progress to a role where I can use all my years of experience to be part of a team and maybe one day lead it.” Davidsons Homes is helping Tim with his career choice by funding training sessions. LEFT: Newlyappointed Assistant Site Manager, Tim Hill, stood outside the marketing suite at Davidsons Homes’ The Wheatfields development in Hanslope.

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Project

WINVIC TOPS OUT 23-STOREY BTR PROJECT IN CARDIFF’S CAPITAL QUARTER IM Properties Development will be handed over for Grainger plc’s Operations in Summer 2022 Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, has celebrated the topping out of a 23-storey, 307-home build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Cardiff with its client, IM Properties (IMP) and Grainger plc, the residential landlord that will own and operate the building. The project – located in the heart of the city on Tyndall Street and close to Cardiff Central railway station within Cardiff’s Capital Quarter development – is being constructed on a compact site, with just 1500mm space between the façade and boundary. In addition to the 307 onebed, two-bed and studio apartments, the scheme will also deliver a range of communal spaces for residents, including

a double height rooftop sky-lounge and terrace, and comprise commercial units on the ground floor.

We are delighted to have reached this major new milestone. It is such a complex scheme to deliver, we have all had to apply a lot of thought and ingenuity to get it to this point, which really shows the strength of our in-house project delivery team working in partnership with Winvic. To date, Winvic has undertaken the groundworks, piling operations, completed the reinforced concrete frame and are progressing with the two-tone grey and white Glass Reinforced Concrete

Cladding panels, including windows to the eighteenth floor. The complementary copper façade – one of the features which makes the building aesthetically unusual and striking – will be one of the final programme elements to be completed. The mechanical and electrical installation and fit out works are also well underway, with the benchmark rooms completed. Winvic’s Director of Multi-room, Mark Jones, commented: “This RC frame project – as with any scheme being constructed on a very compact site – has presented a significant number of challenges for our team. But our years of experience combined with the drive and tenacity to succeed has illustrated anything can be achieved. Having worked with IM Properties and Grainger plc previously, we’re working in partnership to be a solution and goal focused team and we’re proud to have reached the topping out milestone in Cardiff’s Capital Quarter.” Majella Lynch, IM Properties’ project director for the building, said: “We are delighted to have reached this major new milestone. It is such a complex scheme to deliver, we have all had to apply a lot of thought and ingenuity to get it to this point, which really shows the strength of our in-house project delivery team working in partnership with Winvic.” Michael Keaveney, director of Land and Development at Grainger added: “It’s great to reach this milestone in our first Cardiff scheme. Upon completion this will be an excellent development, delivering professionally managed, high quality rental homes in a vibrant area of the city. We look forward to seeing the scheme progress and come to life in the coming months.” Furthermore, last week the site team welcomed a Considerate Constructors Scheme assessor, and the project was awarded an ‘Excellent’ score.

26 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

DXC Homebuilder One: an end-to-end Microsoft-based homebuilding technology solution

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Events & Awards News

INNOVATIVE DIGITAL PROJECT CONTROLS SOLUTION SUPPORTING HS2 CONTRACTOR WINS GLOBAL AWARD LogiKal, in partnership with Eiffage Kier Ferrovial and BAM Nuttall (EKFB), has won the prestigious Global Award for Project Controls Innovation at the Project Controls Expo Awards 2021 for SmartCOST, a state-of-the-art 5D Building Information Modelling (BIM) solution integrating digital engineering, commercial management, planning and project controls. Iain Cameron, Director and leader of the BIM part of the Research and Development Group at LogiKal, was also a finalist for the coveted Global Project Controls Professional of the Year. The SmartCOST solution is now being championed as an industry-leading example of best practice. LogiKal is dedicated to sharing best practice in project controls and has shared the SmartCOST innovation with the industry through various presentations at the Project Controls Expo, the Project Controls Summit and events at Birmingham City University.

The SmartCOST solution is now being championed as an industry-leading example of best practice. LINDAPTER FIRE RATED DECKING FIXINGS Independently fire tested connection solutions for securing building services systems to composite metal decking

To provide specifiers with additional confidence, Lindapter commissioned BRE Global to run third party fire tests in accordance with BS EN 1991-12 on a range of Decking Fixings installed in concrete backed composite decking profiles. The BRE test report P116310 Issue 1 verifies load limits for 60 minute and 90 minute fire ratings. Lindapter’s extensive range of high quality, cost effective decking fixings are conveniently installed by locking inside the dovetail re-entrant channels of popular composite decking profiles. This innovative technique provides an adjustable fixing point for suspending mechanical and electrical equipment that is fast to install and does not compromise the strength of the deck.

MAC-GROUP NAMED CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR AT TOP INDUSTRY AWARDS Mac-Group, one of Ireland’s leading specialist construction companies, has secured three prestigious awards at Ireland’s Fit Out Awards, which celebrate excellence in worldclass design and installation of commercial interiors. The Newry-based group was named ‘Fit Out Contractor of the Year’ at the industry awards ceremony on November 24th, in Dublin for the third time in five years. Key projects noted in the accolade include 35 Shelbourne Road, Dublin, City Quay, Dublin, Paypal headquarters, Dublin and Zurich House, Blackrock for which mac-group were main contractors and which was also a winning entry for RKD Architects for the ‘Office New Build’ of the year. The construction company also took home awards for ‘Medium Fit Out Project of the Year’ and ‘International Fit Out Project of the Year’ for its fit out of Workday’s London office, winning all three of its shortlisted categories. Commenting on the entry the award judges said “This was a beautifully executed project with building finishes to a high quality, excellent use of materials

Lindapter’s decking fixings are manufactured from steel and iron which are listed in Commission Decision 96/603/EC as materials that make ‘no contribution to fire’ and are considered as Class A1 Reaction to Fire Performance without the need for additional fire safety testing. In addition to the above, Lindapter’s range of decking fixings are also considered to satisfy the requirements of performance Class A1 (non-combustible) for the characteristic Reaction to Fire, in accordance with the EC decision 96/603/EC.

More information on Lindapter products and their fire ratings can be found on the company’s new website: www.lindapter.com 07/12/2021 09:27:33 2022 28 Construction UK Magazine - January

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and finishes, very good lighting design and excellent execution of innovation’’ The winning submission for ‘Medium’ project of the year included a full office remodelling with M&E strip out, demolition of existing office installation followed by a full CAT B fit out of the new office in George’s Quay Plaza. For the winning submission of the ‘International’ project of the year, mac-group delivered a 22,000 sq ft contemporary workplace of the highest architectural merit for the American on-demand management software vendor Workday, Finsbury Ave in Central London.

This was a beautifully executed project with building finishes to a high quality, excellent use of materials and finishes, very good lighting design and excellent execution of innovation.

BAM SCOOPS PRESTIGIOUS ‘CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE’ AWARDS FOR LANDMARK CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BAM Construction is celebrating success at the 2021 Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards after two landmark projects delivered by its North East team were recognised with a number of awards.

the 1960s, providing engineering and physical sciences students and staff with an impressive range of specialised laboratory facilities and teaching spaces to support cutting-edge research and collaboration.

On what proved to be a very successful night for BAM, the Sir William Henry Bragg building at the University of Leeds was named Building Project of the Year and the Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire & Humber scooped the award for Integration and Collaborative Working, as well as the prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ award. Both construction projects were also Highly Commended or finalists in several other categories.

The 500-bed temporary Nightingale

Hospital Yorkshire & Humber was officially opened in April 2020 by the late Captain Sir Tom Moore. It was built through the collaboration of BAM’s construction, design, engineering, plant and facilities management businesses, along with the British Army, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, NG Bailey, Silcock Leedham, Roses Medical, Brebur and Harrogate Conference Centre. The annual Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards are organised by the Centre for Knowledge Exchange, part of the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at Leeds Beckett University.

Construction of the £96 million Sir William Henry Bragg building was completed in March 2021. The building is the largest single construction project that the University of Leeds has undertaken since

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 29

Company News

ENERGY ASSETS WINS GOVERNMENT GRANT TO DIGITISE UNDERGROUND UTILITY ASSET DATA Energy Assets Networks and Pipelines (EAN & P) have won grant funding from the Government’s Geospatial Commission to digitise their underground power and gas assets. EAN & P are one of two organisations operating in Greater London to have

received funding, which is being distributed and managed by the Greater London Authority (GLA). The funding will enable EAN & P to vectorize and digitally share the position of their electricity cables and gas pipes across London’s boroughs. This data

will help speed up residential and commercial development, reduce the risk of accidental pipe and cable strikes, and minimise the disruption to communities and traffic caused by new or emergency infrastructure works. The geospatial survey and data capture project will create a highly accurate digital map of the companies’ underground utility assets across the capital and will feed into the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) being built by the Geospatial Commission for the UK. The grant funding, won in a competitive bid process, will support the vectorization of existing EAN & P assets by specialist partner Graitec and the provision of geospatial technology and training by MGISS.

The funding will enable EAN & P to vectorize and digitally share the position of their electricity cables and gas pipes across London’s boroughs.

THE SOURCE OF CLEVER PLUMBING TYDE offers over 6,000 quality plumbing and heating products under the trusted Dudley, Epson and Beta brands from concealed and exposed cisterns and cistern components to flush pipes, brass fittings and drain rods. We are committed to UK manufacturing and our state-of-theart facilities produce innovative plumbing supplies that installers and end-users love and trust. The Dudley Turbo Edge® adjustable syphon is the World’s most compact syphon, guaranteed to fit more places than any others with absolutely no compromise on flush performance, offering plumbers and installers a versatile, easy-to-fit and easy-toservice solution even in the tightest spaces.

WIELAND ELECTRIC’S ‘INNOVATION BEHIND’ IS A CHARGING SOLUTION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES THAT IS FULLY CHARGED FOR THE FUTURE Wieland Electric’s podis® flat cable system provides an innovative and decentralized solution for supplying power to electric vehicle charging stations. Wallboxes can be supplied with energy easily and quickly, with significantly less effort and material consumption than a conventional installation, thanks to decentralized supply technology. The podis® energy bus system is ideal for supplying electricity to charging stations. A large number of charging stations can be connected to a single supply line using this decentralized power distribution system. This saves time during installation, reduces the amount of material needed, and significantly reduces the distribution cabinet’s dimensions. The feed-in or energy tap-off connection components can be placed at any point on the power bus. The podis® components’ piercing contacts enable quick and flexible positioning of the connection modules. As a result, traditional time-consumers like cutting, stripping, and terminating are rendered obsolete. The feed into the energy bus can be set completely flexibly and freely even centrally, allowing for an ideal load balance on the energy bus. As a result, the number of charging stations fed on a line section can be increased without overloading the flat cable. The power supply tap-off modules can be placed anywhere and at any time. This also allows for the installation to be easily and affordably expanded. The unique feature of these tap-off modules is that they are available in both fixed and pluggable configurations. When a charging station needs to be replaced, this provides significant benefits. The podis® cable is a 5-core flat cable system with a crosssection of 16mm2, rated at 63A, 600V. Connection crosssections of up to 16mm2 in the centre feed and up to 70mm2 in the end feed are possible.

For more information on TYDE products, visit www.thomasdudley.co.uk/tyde Follow us on Twitter @TYDE_Plumbing or Instagram @tyde_plumbing | Tel: 0121 530 7000 | Email: info@tyde.co.uk TYDE is a trading name of Thomas Dudley Ltd. 295 Birmingham New Road, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4SJ.

Tel: 01483 531213

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Web: www.wieland.co.uk

15/12/2021 10:34:51

Company News BOUYGUES UK SIGNS CONTRACT TO BUILD CARBON ZERO OFFICE DEVELOPMENT AT SWANSEA’S KINGSWAY

RIDGE CELEBRATES 75 YEARS WINNING ANOTHER MAJOR NATIONAL FRAMEWORK Winning key places on the framework of choice for Government

The highest potential value of the framework is set at £1.7billion.

Ridge and Partners LLP (Ridge) has once again been successful winning a coveted place on the new Crown Commercial Service (CCS) RM6165 Construction Professional Services Framework. Ridge is appointed on 4 key Lots for:

This is a huge achievement for Ridge on the national framework of choice for Government and the wider public sector across the UK and internationally. Key stakeholders include central government departments and all other UK public sector bodies, including local authorities, health, police, fire and rescue, education, housing, charities, not for profit, nuclear, devolved administrations, defence (DIO/MOD) and international (FCDO).

Bouygues UK has signed the contract with Swansea Council to build the city centre’s new high-tech, carbon zero office development that will provide space for 600 jobs.

§ Lot 1 - Built Environment & General Infrastructure § Lot 2 - Urban Regeneration § Lot 3 - International § Lot 5 - Defence

Bouygues UK will break ground in the coming weeks on the site of the former Oceana nightclub at 71/72 The Kingsway. Set for completion in the summer of 2023, the five-storey development will include 114,000 square feet of commercial floorspace, providing flexible co-working and office opportunities for innovative tech, digital and creative businesses.

PICK EVERARD AND WOOD FORM CONSORTIUM TO SECURE MAJOR CCS FRAMEWORK APPOINTMENT

The development – led by Swansea council - will be worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea’s economy and will also feature state-of-the-art digital connectivity, a roof terrace, greenery and balconies overlooking the city centre and Swansea Bay. The developments will include two underground levels with new links between The Kingsway and Oxford Street. As part of its work on the build, Bouygues UK will be working with and supporting local voluntary organisations, providing training, work placements and opportunities for local people, in addition to significant supply chain opportunities for local businesses.

Two leading construction consultancies have formed a brand-new consortium to add to their procurement portfolios with the appointment to one of Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) major public sector frameworks. Pick Everard and Wood hold reputations as being among the UK’s leading providers and working together will lead to greater success and greater benefits for clients. The formed consortium will bring together the firms’ collective expertise, resources, and skills to support the public sector throughout the whole of the UK – and internationally. Together, the firms have been appointed to five of the six available lots under the RM6165 Construction Professional Services framework covering:

• • • • •

Lot 1 – Built Environment and General Infrastructure Lot 2 – Urban regeneration Lot 3 - International Lot 4 – High Rise Lot 6 - Environmental and Sustainability Technical Services

The lot appointments will see the two organisations able to support public sector bodies in delivering a wide and varied range of major and minor building and civil engineering projects throughout the UK, as well as internationally under lot 3. This will cover projects that include infrastructure, urban regeneration, and high-rise accommodation typically more than 18m in height, along with the provision of environmental and sustainability technical services.

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Part of the ‘Sky-House’ development. Image courtesy of CODA Architecture

SCHÖCK ISOKORB FOR AWARD WINNING ‘SKY-HOUSE’ SCHEME The ‘Sky-House’ development, at Oughtibridge Mill to the north of Sheffield, comprises forty high-specification homes. The term ‘Sky-House’ being derived from the spacious feel of the properties, which benefit from unrivalled views and offer bright and airy living, complete with riverside balconies. Designed by CODA Architecture, it is built very much with sustainability in mind and minimising any risk of thermal bridging at the balcony detailing is critical. The load-bearing structural thermal break that easily achieves this; and most effectively helps

Graphic of the T type SK in position

the project meet compliance with the necessary Building Regulations (and the impending Future Homes Standard criteria) is the Schöck Isokorb. Specifically it is the Schöck Isokorb T type SK for concreteto-steel connectivity that is incorporated at Oughtibridge Mill. This is a complete system thermal break. It is unique in being the only formally UK approved product that satisfies the load-bearing and thermal insulation requirements for this type of application, providing assurance to the end-user that the safest product has been selected for their building needs. The avoidance of thermal bridging is extremely important for a number of reasons. Any local heat loss will result in more energy being required to maintain the internal temperature of the building. Also, low internal surface temperatures in the area of any thermal bridge can cause condensation and this in turn is likely to result in structural integrity problems. Mould growth too is a possible risk, which in a residential situation can cause asthma and allergies. Award winning scheme Oughtibridge Mill ‘Sky-House’ is an award winning scheme – recipient of the

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Development of the Year (fewer than 50 homes) at the Insider Yorkshire Property Industry Awards 2021. It is part of a wider scheme for 320 new homes that will enable the regeneration of this former industrial mill site. It had been a flourishing paper mill from Victorian times until its closure in 2007 and renovation of the old mill building for use as a mixed-use food hall, community hub and leisure facility is underway. To reference the industrial history of the area, a sensitive contemporary design style features saw-toothed roofs on the three and four-bed townhouses. All Isokorb products are fully compliant In addition to its comprehensive range of Isokorb solutions for concrete-to-steel, concrete-to-concrete and steel-tosteel – Schöck also offers a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets. All products meet full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations and have the security of independent BBA Certification, which provides NHBC approval. The temperature factor requirement (fRSI) used to indicate condensation risk, which for residential buildings must be equal to, or greater than, 0.75 is also easily met by incorporating the Isokorb.

Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or visit the website at www.schoeck.com for full details of the Isokorb range

Heating Feature

THE RACE TO NET ZERO: WHAT THE BOILER BAN MEANS FOR NEW BUILDS The UK government is on a mission to reduce carbon emissions. This has led to oil and gas being at the forefront of public discussion, as they make up to 20% of all carbon emissions in the UK. In an attempt to address this carbon crisis, the government has put forward a boiler ban, and carbon-free solutions are being tested and subsidised. As a result, some homeowners will need to consider buying a new boiler. To consider which homes will need to make this switch, we contacted Mark Glasgow, managing director of the Edinburgh Boiler Company: “It’s likely the boiler ban will affect a great many households in the next coming years. We’re lucky enough to have multiple options to consider, including green hydrogen boilers, as the government strives to improve renewable energy resources.” With some insights from Mark Glasgow, managing director of The Edinburgh Boiler Company we explore how the boiler ban will affect domestic buildings, particularly newly built homes. Firstly, let’s take a look at the different kinds of gas boilers being utilised in UK homes and the alternatives that are available. A brief guide to gas boilers Gas boilers distribute hot water throughout your home, providing you with warmth and comfort all year round. Here is a brief summary of the three types of gas boilers: regular, combi, and system.

take up a lot of room and are best suited for larger homes. Combi boilers Combi boilers offer all of the same benefits of a regular boiler, but they can be installed without cylinder tanks. This means they are more compact and suitable for smaller homes. However, if your home has more than the average amount of bathrooms, you should consider a regular or system boiler. System boilers System boilers are a hybrid between regular and combi boilers. They provide a constant flow of hot water through a water cylinder. Therefore, they are more powerful than a combi boiler and are best suited to larger homes. The boiler ban In 2019, the UK government announced a legally binding plan to prioritise carbon budgeting. Parliament pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero by 2050. Due to their reliance on fossil fuels, gas boilers have been at the forefront of this discussion, and parliament plans to restrict their distribution by 2025. The International Energy Agency (IEA) goes one step further by suggesting it should be illegal to distribute gas boilers after 2025. This comes amid new concerns that gas emissions will have to

Regular boilers Regular boilers, otherwise known as conventional or heat-only boilers, utilise cylinder tanks. Essentially, these tanks heat up the water that warms your home. Although regular boilers are reliable, they

half by 2030 in order to hit net zero by 2050, and in the hopes that all electricity will be emission free by 2040. However, this has not been confirmed, and for now, the boiler ban will only affect certain homes. Who will this affect? The boiler ban will not affect every UK household. Despite the IEA encouraging a full ban, it is still legal to buy and install gas boilers in your home, providing it is not a newly built domestic structure. This means that newly built homes, or homes built after 2025, will not be able to install gas boilers. The UK government’s Future Home Standard campaign will require new homes to be built with the environment in mind, opting for carbonconscious heating rather than harmful gas components. In fact, the campaign aims for new homes to reduce carbon emissions by 75–80% compared to ones built prior. Therefore, if you’re planning to build a home before 2025, you will be allowed to install a gas boiler. However, if you plan to build your home any later than 2025, you will not be permitted to do this. Alternatives to gas boilers If you’re considering building your own home, and it just so happens to be planned after 2025, you’ll need to start thinking about a new source of heating. There are many viable options, including electric boilers, heat pumps, and hydrogen boilers. Electric boilers Electric boilers heat water using electricity. This allows your home to be heated without the use of unnecessary fossil fuels. If you’re looking for an alternative to gas boilers, electric boilers are already in distribution, so they could be the best option for you. Although electric boilers are already in use, it would be illogical to assume they are the sole solution to the carbon crisis. It is unlikely that the electrical grid could facilitate every domestic gas user in the nation. Whole electrical networks would need a considerable amount of upgrading, and this would be very time consuming and costly for the UK government. Heat pumps Heat pumps extract heat from the air and the ground. This is then distributed

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Heating Feature around your home using electricity. To encourage people to switch to heat pumps, the government is subsidising the machines by £5,000. This will be a part of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme that will start in April 2022. Despite their many benefits, heat pumps can be expensive to buy, install, and run. Moreover, their efficiency is dependent on the level of insulation in your home. Therefore, if you do not plan ahead, you may need to undergo some construction to appreciate the benefits of heat pumps. Hydrogen boilers Hydrogen, a man-made gas, may be the carbon-free solution we are searching for. However, it is important to distinguish the difference between grey, blue, and green hydrogen.

•

• •

Grey hydrogen is made when natural gas, fossil fuels, are split into carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The carbon dioxide is then emitted into the earth’s atmosphere, and so it is not an environmentally friendly solution. Blue hydrogen is produced in the same way as grey hydrogen, but the excess carbon dioxide is stored underground. Green hydrogen is made when water is split into hydrogen and oxygen. This process is known as electrolysis, which

is powered by solar energy. It emits no carbon dioxide and is much more environmentally friendly than the other productions.

It’s likely the boiler ban will affect a great many households in the next coming years. We’re lucky enough to have multiple options to consider, including green hydrogen boilers, as the government strives to improve renewable energy resources. Overall, the hydrogen boiler seems to be the most logical transition from fossil fuel to green energy. Engineers would be partially equipped to deal with hydrogen boilers, and only a small amount of training would be necessary. As well as this, scientists within the UK have already explored the possibility that that hydrogen could replace fossil fuels. In 2016, Northern Gas Networks conducted a study into the possibilities that Leeds could be powered by hydrogen. They concluded that the transition would be

possible and would parallel that of the move to natural gasses in the 1960–70s. However, for this change to be successful, the UK would have to produce a large quantity of green hydrogen. To achieve this, the UK government would need 30 times more wind farms than are currently in use. Therefore, there’s a long way to go before hydrogen boilers will successfully replace traditional heating, but with the increasing interest in environmentally friendly energy, this seems possible. Therefore, if you’re building your new home after 2025, you won’t be able to install a gas boiler. The UK is fortunate enough to have multiple options for carbon-free energy, although none are suitable to completely replace fossil fuels as of yet. Electric boilers are already in circulation, but it is unlikely the whole nation could rely on this to heat their homes without devastating shortages. Heat pumps are also in circulation, although they are less developed and are an expensive solution for customers. As the government strives to improve renewable energy sources, green hydrogen seems to be the most promising option to lead us into a carbon-free future. There’s a long way to go, but the road ahead looks promising – and green!

ENERGY EFFICIENT, STYLISH AND EASY TO INSTALL ELECTRIC HEATERS FOR ANY ROOM Electric radiators are a convenient and environmentally-friendly heating solution for any space. Combining the latest energy-saving technology with sleek modern designs, they are easy to install and utilise an Intelligent Control System to precisely heat each room to the desired temperature. Electric heating solutions have moved on a long way since the days of storage heaters and cheap convector heaters, and now boast a wide range of advantages over gas central heating. Electric radiators are gaining popularity and becoming the first choice for many customers seeking a longlasting, energy-efficient heating solution.

Best Electric Radiators supply energyefficient and stylish wall-mounted electric radiators to homeowners across the UK. Everyone should be able to heat their home with a clean, green conscience and without compromising on style. We take the stress out of choosing and purchasing an electric radiator, by selecting only the very best quality products for our online shop, and advising each customer to ensure they get the right radiator for their needs. Many homeowners are seeking more energy-efficient heating solutions for their homes, prompted by the rising cost of traditional gas and oil central heating systems, coupled with environmental concerns about gas consumption. Combining the latest energy-saving technology with sleek modern designs, electric radiators are a convenient and environmentally-friendly heating solution for any room in your home. They are easy to install and utilise an Intelligent Control System to precisely heat each room to the desired temperature. Set your bedroom radiators to come on just before you wake, and get your living room to a cosy temperature for the evening.

If you’re working from home you can heat your home or garden office on its own, without wasting energy heating an empty house. We are proud to have the highest TrustPilot Score in the electric radiator market of 4.9/5. This reflects the quality of our products and also our level of customer service.

Website: www.bestelectric.co.uk

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 35

ELECTRIC HEATING COMPANY: HERE TODAY FOR YOUR TOMORROW In October the Government announced that from April 2022 households will be offered subsidies of £5,000 to help them make the move to low carbon heat-pumps when their boiler needs replacing. As a result of this news there has been an increased interest in Electric Heating, with many looking at it as an alternative to their gas heating. And with the UK setting a target of 2050 to be carbon neutral or netzero, the interest will only grow. COP26 has been on the mouths and minds of many in the last few weeks, with world leaders coming together to help inspire climate change. Net Zero is a term which has become more prominent and is something that the Electric Heating Company is helping to work towards. Governments are working towards a midcentury target of net-zero emissions, this means phasing out more traditional heating methods which involve burning fossil fuels.

proud to say that all of our products are designed with this in mind. Electric boilers can be powered from renewable energy resources e.g. solar power, resources such as solar power are completely free from CO2 emissions which are helping to move towards the target of net zero emissions! In the UK alone the government intend to generate emission-free electricity by 2050, only last year they pledged 40GW of windgenerated electricity in the UK by 2030. This is enough to power every single household in the United Kingdom.

EHC recognise the growing demand for heating and hot water solutions that are both sustainable and eco-friendly, and are

Moving to a renewable energy tariff with Electric Heating means that you’re moving to carbon-free heating which in turn helps towards a sustainable and renewable future.

Moving to a renewable energy tariff with Electric Heating means that you’re moving to carbon-free heating which in turn helps towards a sustainable and renewable future. EHC are a customer orientated business and all of our products are designed with both the installer and homeowner in mind. This means that each of our products is contemporary and user friendly. Further to this, we have a reputation for always putting the customer first and as a result have won National Customer Service awards in recognition of this. Along with this, electric boilers are easy to install as there is no requirement for a flue as there is no combustion process within the boiler. Owing to the ease of installation, it means that the overall cost of the installation is significantly less than other alternatives. EHC also provide Electric Heaters and Radiators which in term offer complete peace of mind for reliability, performance and safety that are available in a host of styles and outputs. The entire range of Electric Heaters and Radiators are 100% energy-efficient products and are Lot20 Compliant. They are usually installed by qualified electricians or simply plugged in using the 13A UK Plug supplied with the product. The Electric Heating Company are one of the foremost suppliers of electric heating and hot water products in the UK since 2005. Our product knowledge and support is unrivalled in the heating and hot water industry.

Website: www.electric-heatingcompany.co.uk

36 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

Project

BEARD COMPLETES WORK ON CROSFIELDS SCHOOL Family-owned construction firm Beard has completed work on a £5m building project at a leading co-educational, independent day school in Reading, which will extend its provision to children up to 16 years-old. The school formerly catered for pupils aged three to 13, but as a result of Beard’s work, Crosfields School now has a new state-of-the-art senior school building and will have its first cohort of Year 11 pupils to sit their GCSEs in 2023.

During the project, Beard created a new front entrance, nine new classrooms, a staff area, medical centre, library, flexible performance space and a new café. Having the best possible facilities available to all students is key to Crosfields aim to extend its exceptional education to pupils up to 16. The school also holds charitable status, and is committed to reinvesting funds back into its facilities with recent projects including an artificial turf sports pitch,

science labs, cricket pavilion, sports centre and swimming pool. Craig Watson, Headmaster at Crosfields School said: “Parents and pupils wanted the choice to stay at the school beyond year eight, and this fantastic new building for our Senior pupils will mean that we can offer our broad and thorough education to many more students for years to come.

We pride ourselves in offering the best environment for pupils to learn and develop in, and the new facilities will ensure that our students continue to thrive in an outstanding learning space. Jamie Harwood, director for Beard’s Swindon office, added: “One of the key aspects to this project was the close relationship with the client. Despite some hurdles to overcome, by working together and communicating openly, we delivered these exceptional new facilities in time for the children to start their new term. “This project fits firmly into the Beard ethos that buildings are spaces for living, working, playing, performing and connecting. “It’s unquantifiable the impact these new buildings will have, the friendships that will be forged in them, and the education that takes place within them.”

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 37

Company News

SNIPEF HAILS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED DIVERSITY AMONGST ITS MOST RECENT INTAKE OF PLUMBING APPRENTICES The Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, SNIPEF, the trade association for plumbing and heating businesses based in Scotland and Northern Ireland, has seen markedly increased diversity amongst its most recently recruited cohort of apprentice plumbers. Alongside a record number of new apprenticeships for 2021/22 - 400 compared to 150 in 2020/21 - the proportion of female apprentices rose to 2.24 per cent of the total, compared to 1.34 per cent in the previous year. Similarly, the proportion of apprentices of Black and Ethnic Minority (BAME) heritage has moved up from 0.67 per cent of the total, to 0.75 per cent. Dale Thomson, Apprentice Training Manager at SNIPEF, said: “Nine female

apprentices, compared to just two in the previous year and three BAME apprentices compared to only one in 2020-21 is a clear indicator that we are slowly but surely moving in the right direction to improve the diversity of our sector. There is clearly still a long way to go but we find it encouraging that women, in particular, are increasingly enthusiastic about training to become qualified plumbers. Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said: “It is highly encouraging to witness a clear trend towards greater diversity in our sector. “I am confident that as more and more individuals from diverse backgrounds elect to undertake a plumbing apprenticeship, they will act also as a spur to yet more women and people of BAME heritage to embrace the satisfaction and long-term earnings potential of becoming qualified to undertake such a socially responsible role.”

MANX HEALTHCARE MOVE INTO THEIR PURPOSE-BUILT HEADQUARTERS AT TOURNAMENT FIELDS

Less than six-months after construction began, Manx Healthcare are set to move into their 26,000 sq ft purpose-built facility. The move marks a considerable milestone for the Warwickshire based pharmaceutical supplier as they move into their brand new built to suit premises. The move to Tournament Fields offers Manx Healthcare an opportunity for continued growth with a considerably larger warehouse and storage space than their previous premises. Manx Healthcare have been based in Warwick for over 20 years and have built up a loyal work force. The move to Tournament Fields will allow the retention of valued staff whilst capitalising on the opportunity to generate more jobs through expansion.

The move to Tournament Fields offers Manx Healthcare an opportunity for continued growth with a considerably larger warehouse and storage space than their previous premises. [Right to left: Eddie Riley & Adrian Barron – Benniman Construction | Paul Shanley – Clowes Developments | Laurie Taylor – Manx Healthcare | David Postins – Postins Project Services Ltd |Brett Adams]

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Company News

SCOTTISH BORDERS COUNCIL APPOINTS BAM TO DELIVER PRIORITY SCHOOL CAMPUS REBUILD IN PEEBLES BAM Construction has been appointed by Scottish Borders Council to deliver the £46 million full-rebuild of Peebles High School in Peeblesshire. The state-of-the-art two-storey campus in Peebles will replace the previous school that was badly damaged in a fire in 2019. With an emphasis on sustainability, the new facility has been designed by Glasgow-based architects Stallan Brand. BAM will also be responsible for full external landscaping, internal paths, service access and supplementary car parking, the extension of the school’s existing sports block and provision of new external sports facilities including a 3G allweather sports pitch. Scottish Borders Council’s development partner, Hub South East, will oversee the project through the various development phases. Planning applications are due to be submitted next year before a period of further design development for the project. Construction work on the new campus is expected to commence in late 2022.

IT’S GOOD TO SHARE GEZE UK has made donations to three local charities as part of their focus on Corporate Social Responsibility. A total of £1,820.00 was shared between St Giles Hospice, Lichfield Foodbank and the Pathway Project – a charity that supports adults, young people and children who are experiencing or affected by domestic abuse. All of them are based in Lichfield not far from GEZE UK’s head office.

KIER IS THE FIRST UK CONTRACTOR TO TACKLE MODERN SLAVERY THROUGH ITS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS

The automatic door and window control company donated the money they received from Staffordshire County Council for carrying out lateral flow tests on staff during the Covid pandemic. Rather than keep the money it was decided to donate it to good causes or charities that can help people.

To take action against modern slavery, Kier is the first UK contractor to train its Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) to spot the signs of modern slavery and exploitation. With 900 colleagues having become MHFAs at Kier, this new training is being delivered through Jericho, a social enterprise based in the Midlands, which is an organisation that creates positive change in society including supporting victims of modern slavery.

A different director made a presentation to each of the charities; Rachel presented a cheque to St Giles Hospice, Service Director Adam Presdee to the Pathway Project and MD Kaz Spiewakowski presented the cheque to the Foodbank.

Kier is also introducing a Level 1 qualification that has been created with the GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority) and Skills and Education Group. This will teach people about basic employment rights provided by UK law, how to identify exploitation, how they should go about reporting it and will make them aware of signs to look out for to help them avoid being taken advantage of. The course will be delivered remotely by Boston College and Sheffield College.

GEZE UK’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy states that the company aims to create a positive impact in society and improve people’s lives wherever possible. The company supports local communities and encourages employees to become involved in local initiatives and fundraising events. For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door and window control products visit www.geze.co.uk.

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Craigavon high-tech security company Envision Intelligent Solutions won Innovation of the Year in the UK-wide Security & Fire Excellence Awards held in London. Pictured with award presenters at the event are the Envision team: (second left) Operations Director Graeme McCandless, Commercial Director Amanda Campbell and Managing Director Philip Murdock.

ENVISION WINS INNOVATION OF THE YEAR FOR COVID-SAFE TURNSTILE SOLUTION Craigavon high-tech security company Envision Intelligent Solutions won Innovation of the Year in the UK-wide Security & Fire Excellence Awards held in London. Envision won the coveted Innovation Award for the development of a new turnstile product developed during the first lockdown aimed at keeping staff safe on building sites. Now in its 22nd year, the Security & Fire Excellence Awards, supported by IFSEC and FIREX International, continues to highlight the very best people, projects and processes that the security and fire safety sectors have to offer.

“During the pandemic, our clients needed a bespoke security system in order to keep building site workers safe.

Envision Gateway allowed construction companies to operate within government guidelines and offered peace of mind for staff working on sites during this time. This system not only records the time and date of an employee coming onto a construction site, but it also takes their temperature and alerts management if an employee has a high temperature.

The Envision Gateway turnstile is manufactured in Craigavon and is currently in use on sites in the UK and Ireland to allow access control to sites using Biometric Facial Recognition Terminals. Commercial Director Amanda Campbell said: “We are delighted that the impact of the Gateway Turnstile on construction sites has been recognised in this UK-wide award.

40 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

The security turnstile also incorporates a new cloud-based software system that links directly to the company’s payroll and HR systems. Managing Director Philip Murdock added: “With so many head office staff working from home, this cloud-based solution offered a link from the site in real time. Our aim was to help keep everyone safe while ensuring smooth operations and overall profit maximisation.” The system has also been able to help with contact tracing as the employee’s attendance at work is recorded through the time and attendance modules within the software. www.envision-is.co.uk

Invest in yourself in 2022 IOSH membership is for anyone involved in keeping their teams healthy and safe on site. But being a member won’t just help you improve the health and safety of your construction projects. It will help you to secure the job you want today as well as the career you want tomorrow. Here’s why... IOSH is the largest professional organisation – and only chartered body – for global workplace safety, health and wellbeing. Membership gives you credibility and international recognition. It assures employers, recruiters, clients and peers that you’re dedicated to being the best you can be through our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. And IOSH post-nominals are the simplest way to showcase your competence and commitment. To help you achieve your goals, we will give you all the support and guidance you need, and our products and services – including qualifications and courses – progress with you as you build your career and move through our member grades.

We will keep you up to date with the latest occupational safety and health (OSH) news and developments, and help you upskill, through our range of member benefits. These include: • technical advice and expertise via online tools, resources, and our helpline (members can also access legal advice) • subscription to award-winning IOSH Magazine • networking with our wider global community of more than 48,000 members, industry groups and local branches • Future Leaders Community, providing content tailored to students, under-35s and early careerists • IOSH Mentoring, a safe, secure online platform for OSH professionals to connect

We welcome all new members at Affiliate level for a fee of £191 (£133 membership fee plus £58 joining fee) for one year. Once you have joined, we will assess your experience and qualifications to determine if you can be upgraded to another membership category.

To become a member visit iosh.com/resolutions

• wide range of webinars and events • employability support via our Career Hub and jobs site • network with your industry peers with IOSH’s Construction Group which has over 20,000 members What’s more, our research shows that you’ll be joining us at a time when the health and safety profession has never been more valued.

This is why we can confidently say that joining IOSH is a resolution you’ll want to keep year after year.

Safety, Security & Fire Prevention

SELECT ISSUES REMINDER AS FEBRUARY DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR LAUNCH OF NEW LEGISLATION ON HEAT, SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS With just two months to go until new fire safety legislation comes into effect, influential trade association SELECT is reminding homeowners to ensure they have compliant heat, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms installed. The campaigning body for the electrical industry in Scotland says it’s vital that preparations are made now before new Scottish Government guidance for all Scottish homes comes into effect on February 1 2022. Scotland’s largest trade association is also reminding the public to: • Employ a qualified electrician to install any hard-wired systems • Ensure the correct certification is issued on completion of any work • Check that any self-installed battery alarms comply with relevant standards • Report any rogue door-to-door traders offering to install cut-price alarms • Contact their home insurance provider to discuss any potential impact. Bob Cairney, Director of Technical Services at SELECT, said: “Our members are seeing a rise in requests for installation, but it is becoming clear that there is also still a great deal of uncertainty about what is required to be compliant. As part of our ongoing information campaign, we strongly recommend a hardwired interlinked alarm system, installed by a qualified electrical professional. “Self-installed battery systems are of course also permissible, but if choosing this option, homeowners should always ensure that they only use compliant products. They should also seek help if they are unsure how to install these alarms themselves, with SELECT able to put them in touch with their nearest professional. We’re also reminding the public that they should be given relevant certification for the installation of a fire alarm system as recommended in the industry Code of Practice BS 5839-6:2019 as amended, i.e. a certificate of design, installation and commissioning to

show that an installation complies with the standard.” Mr Cairney said the use of qualified professionals was a vital part of ensuring safety and would prevent householders being duped by rogue traders trying to take advantage of the looming deadline. He added: “Unfortunately, there are plenty of unskilled and unscrupulous people out there looking to cash in on the introduction of this new legislation. Our advice would be to always use the services of an accredited installer such as a SELECT Member who should be able to advise on design, installation and commissioning. Your local member can be found at www.select.org.uk and any issues with non-compliant products reported to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.” After recent uncertainty, the association is also advising homeowners to contact their insurer to check if the new legislation might affect their home insurance. Mr Cairney added: “We are regularly being asked how the new legislation will impact home insurance and we are currently advising that it will depend on the terms and conditions of individual home insurance policies. Homeowners should always contact their insurer to check if the new rules are included in their policy.” SELECT’s latest reminder came after it launched an awareness campaign in September which included an engaging and informative animation and a dedicated page on its new website. In October, it also joined the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) to warn that all heat, smoke and CO alarms being fitted under the new legislation must comply with the relevant product standards. The new standard requires that all homes in Scotland must have a smoke alarm on every storey including hallways and landings, a

smoke alarm in the most frequented part of the house, such as the lounge, a heat alarm in the kitchen and a CO alarm wherever there is a fuel burning appliance. In addition, all the heat and smoke alarms must be interlinked – either mains-powered with battery back-up – or be battery powered by a tamper-proof long-life battery to ensure there is an effective warning system.

BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT’S CLADDING ANNOUNCEMENT Commenting on an announcement by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing, in which he set out plans to raise £4bn to replace combustible cladding on buildings of heights between 11m and 18m, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council said: “Today’s announcement is a positive step forward as it will hopefully take the burden off many thousands of leaseholders facing large costs to replace unsafe cladding. It is also of course right that the construction industry continues to play its part in helping to resolve these issues. The Government must also shoulder its own responsibilities, having overseen the regulatory framework that led to Grenfell and other similar tragedies. We need to see all sides taking a positive and constructive approach to discussions between now and March. “The sad truth is the funds announced today may also not go far enough. They will not pay leaseholders’ costs for other issues beyond cladding that aren’t included in these plans, such as balconies on a building that have been built with flammable material. “The Grenfell fire showed how broad the building safety crisis is, spanning not just construction but design, manufacturing, fire safety and building management. However, there is no excuse for it having taken over four and half years to get to this point and these other issues also need to be approached with urgency.”

42 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

Safety, Security & Fire Prevention

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TRAINING, COLLABORATION AND COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY KEY TO TACKLING CONSTRUCTION SECTOR RISKS SAY INDUSTRY EXPERTS CM0421015 Applications Engineering Ltd Quarter Page.indd 1

Training, collaboration and collective responsibility are the three key ways the construction industry can tackle risk, according to recent research carried out by Etex. Etex asked 250 construction industry decision makers including contractors, project managers, procurement teams, asset managers, consultants and architects for their views on risk, including risks specific to their roles. The findings were then put to a panel of experts to get their take on the matter. Overall, the majority of respondents (63%) believed that the construction industry is good when it comes to identifying risks, with three quarters believing that the discussion around risk happens at an early enough stage in a project’s lifecycle. Confidence in their profession’s ability to identify risk was highest amongst project managers (76%) and contractors (70%). The research and panel discussions provided three core recommendations when it comes to risk across the board:

1. A focus on training and skills development is crucial to mitigate risk and increase quality. 2. Collaboration is essential from the start to identify risks quickly and throughout a project to prevent costly issues down the line. 3. Risk is a collective responsibility, but policy makers could be doing more. When asked about the top factors that create the most risk in the sector, a lack of quality control, unclear Government guidelines and a shortage of highquality materials all ranked top. A total of 73% of respondents said that they were concerned about liability issues when specifying building materials, with contractors stating this was their biggest worry (84%).

13/04/2021 13:43:17

However, the majority of respondents agreed that the government should determine the burden of risk for stakeholders, with 61% saying that it was up to the government to provide clear guidelines for construction sector stakeholders to be able to reduce risks. For more information and to read the research findings in full, please visit: https://etex-bp.co.uk/etexexperts/

Most respondents said that they worry regularly about the decisions they make and the risk implications, with architects and asset management professionals both stating it as a high concern (69%), followed by project managers (68%) and contractors (67%).

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 43

POLICING OF COMPLIANCE WITH ASBESTOS REGULATIONS COULD GET HARSHER FOLLOWING PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY With less than one per cent of all asbestos training being for the Duty to Manage course, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has raised serious concerns that businesses and individuals are not taking their health and safety responsibilities seriously. UKATA-approved training providers delivered asbestos training to 202,540 delegates between 2019 – 2020. Of that figure just 1,567 undertook the Duty to Manage course. Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of UKATA, said: “These figures have not been skewed by the pandemic, they are reflective of the wider picture, particularly in the public sector. As a leading authority on asbestos, we flagged our concerns in 2018 that the training numbers are just not stacking up. It is clear that there is a lack of compliance by dutyholders and we need to educate from the top down.” Regulations require the dutyholder to ‘be aware of any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) on the premises, to review and keep up-to-date records of said materials, assess and manage the risks of the materials and provide the necessary information regarding the materials to those liable to work on or disturb them.’ The policing of the regulations could now get harsher following a recent Parliamentary Inquiry to examine the current risks posed by asbestos in the workplace, the actions taken by HSE to mitigate them and how its approach compares to those taken in other countries. The UK death rate from asbestos-related diseases is the highest in the world with more than 5,000 people in the UK continuing to die each year.

Regulations require the dutyholder to ‘be aware of any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) on the premises, to review and keep up-to-date records of said materials, assess and manage the risks of the materials and provide the necessary information regarding the materials to those liable to work on or disturb them.’

Despite the legislation, compelling evidence and all we know about the danger of asbestos, even today, too many people are exposing themselves to asbestos unknowingly because of a lack of awareness of the material. More than 20 years on from the asbestos ban, this simply isn’t good enough. There needs to be substantially more people accessing approved asbestos training. Because of its resistance to heat, corrosion and electricity, asbestos was used widely in construction for 100 years prior to its ban in 2000. It is estimated that there are six million tonnes of the highly toxic material in around 1.5 million buildings in the UK today. The Committee for Work and Pensions raised concerns last year with the Government about the UK’s policy on managing asbestos in buildings, following the publication of a report by think tank Respublica. The report argued for the reform of the Health and Safety regime around the management of in-situ asbestos to accurately reflect the risk it poses to the people who work in and attend public buildings. It showed that the UK’s current asbestos monitoring standards fall significantly short of other European nations and called for parity with these standards to better protect teachers, nurses and other members of the UK public. The concerns prompted the Parliamentary Inquiry by the Committee of Work and Pensions to review the effectiveness of the regulations for managing asbestos. Taking place on 15 December 2021, the inquiry heard from asbestos industry experts, including Graham O’Mahony, Chair of UKATA.

Mr O’Mahony told the Inquiry: ”What we must do is better police the legal responsibility of the safe management of asbestos in buildings by dutyholders.” He added: “There is often the mistaken belief that the dutyholder is the chief executive. This is not always the case. The responsibility could be passed down in the chain of command.” The ‘duty to manage’ asbestos is contained in regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 and is directed at those who manage non-domestic premises. The dutyholder’s legal responsibilities cannot be delegated, but dutyholders can nominate others to do all or part of the work to assist in complying with the duties. Highlighting the need for increased training, Mr O’Mahony added: “Our experience is that when dutyholders attend an asbestos training centre, they have some idea of what they need to know but don’t fully understand what they need to put in place. Dutyholders need to use asbestos registers and plans and the information contained in them to protect the people using the building.” Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause a number of serious diseases most of which affect the lungs or pleura (the external lining of the lung). These include a number of forms of cancer and chronic conditions such as asbestosis and pleural thickening. All the diseases have a long latency, meaning it takes a long time – typically decades – for symptoms to occur following exposure to asbestos. However, for cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, cases are often rapidly fatal following disease onset, while conditions such as asbestosis may progress over time to seriously affect normal daily activity and lead to complications which can be fatal. Craig Evans added: “Despite the legislation, compelling evidence and all we know about the danger of asbestos, even today, too many people are exposing themselves to asbestos unknowingly because of a lack of awareness of the material. More than 20 years on from the asbestos ban, this simply isn’t good enough. There needs to be substantially more people accessing approved asbestos training.”

UKATA is a leading authority on asbestos training. To find a UKATA approved asbestos training provider near you, visit www.ukata.org.uk or for free advice call the UKATA team on 01246 824437.

44 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

Over 5,000 people die in the UK each year due to asbestos related diseases. It is a legal requirement that all who may come across asbestos in their day to day work have been provided with the relevant asbestos training. Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires dutyholders to identify the location and condition of asbestos in nondomestic premises and to manage the risk to prevent harm to anyone who works on the building or to building occupants.

Have you received duty to manage asbestos training? UK Asbestos Training Association “UKATA” set standards in asbestos training and ensures that its members meet those standards through quality assurance processes and audits. Book with a UKATA approved training provider using the nationwide directory online at www.ukata.org.uk or call 01246 824 437.

TRAIN SAFE. WORK SAFE. KEEP SAFE.

WWW.UKATA.ORG.UK

INFO@UKATA.ORG.UK UKATA is a not for profit association

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Company News

TILBURY DOUGLAS LAUNCHES NEW SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY: PEOPLE, PLANET & PERFORMANCE (PPP) Tilbury Douglas has today announced the launch of its new sustainability strategy called People, Planet and Performance (PPP). As a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit out company, this new framework will provide a comprehensive approach to carbon reduction, sustainability and social value outcomes across the business. Devised in line with current policy and legislation, including the Government’s Construction Playbook and the UK’s 2050 Net Zero Target, PPP aims to embed sustainability into ‘business as usual’ and ensures a joined-up approach to creating, recording and reporting on sustainable value.

RYE GROUP ON TRACK TO SLASH CARBON EMISSIONS BY EXPANDING HVO GREEN D+ FUEL PLEDGE TO ROAD VEHICLES Leading demolition, remediation and ground and enabling works provider, Rye Group, is on track to cut its carbon emissions by an impressive 90% over the next two years, by expanding its use of HVO [Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil] Green D+ fuel into all its road vehicles. Headquartered in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, Rye Group is committed to its own Sustainable Standard philosophy and took delivery of its first tank of HVO Green D+ fuel for equipment at the Kodak site, Harlow, in August 2021. Since this time, Rye have substituted the use of red diesel in all its site equipment and following a new contract with national fuel and lubricant provider, New Era Fuels, will also transition all road vehicles to HVO - with 600,000 litres of the green fuel to be delivered over the next 12 months. Rye currently operates a fleet of 30 vans, cars, and HGVs/low

The new strategy will directly benefit customers through a clear and measurable methodology that supports added value on projects. Commenting on the new strategy, Paul Gandy, Managing Director at Tilbury Douglas said: “We are delighted to launch our new sustainability strategy, People, Planet & Performance or PPP, which sets out our clear plan to deliver improved social and environmental outcomes for our business, customers and supply chain.

PPP represents a step-change in our sustainability programme and includes a significant investment in digital technology, MMC and a clear commitment to becoming carbon net-zero in our operations by the end of 2023.

loaders to move staff, plant and machinery around its sites. Replacing road diesel with white HVO will significantly aid additional emissions reductions across these vehicles, on top of the site machinery already operating on HVO. As a result, Rye Group have forecast an impressive 1,724 metric tonnes reduction in carbon emissions by autumn 2022, almost completing its target to slash all fuel emissions by 90% by the close of 2023. Made of used cooking oil and supplemented with an organic additive that reduces carbon emissions by 90% and NOx emissions by 30% when compared to diesel, New Era’s HVO Green D+ was chosen by Rye Group due to the sustainable nature of its production. In addition, the fuel is fully certified back to source to ISCC standards, in line with the Renewable Energy Directive.

SEE THE UNSEEN WITH STRUCTURECARE Technology brought to the industry through StructureCare’s technical team gives main contractors and building owners the opportunity to see the unseen within roofing structures. A member of CPG Europe, and one of the UK’s leading contractors in property maintenance, StructureCare now utilises sophisticated thermographic imagery to identify issues within roofing structures. Working closely with US sister company, Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. (WTI), StructureCare has invested in state-of-the art “midwave” cameras rather than the more conventional longwave cameras. The midwave cameras are much more accurate and enable StructureCare to carry out precise leak detection surveys. The midwave cameras used by StructureCare operate in the spectral range between 2 and 5 µm, and, whilst the thermographic surveys can only be carried out during evenings or night-time, the sensitivity of this camera will allow for the full extent of defects to be identified from a simple camera scan of the surface in question. Although it is important to note that a full understanding of the roofing structure is required, the latest offering from StructureCare does allow for identification of anomalies that would never have been seen previously. More information on the process can be found within StructureCare’s guidance notes which can be requested by emailing technical@structurecare.com. For further information on StructureCare’s services, visit the new website at www.structurecare.com

CM01021061- Structure Care-UK QP.indd 1 27/09/2021 Construction Magazine - January 2022 4713:21:14

Build It Live Show Preview

BUILD IT LIVE SHOW PREVIEW Make a success of a self build, renovation or extension project with a visit to Build It Live! in 2022

5 per cent together with a self-build mortgage from the lender, who will be registered with Help to Build.

Building your own home just got easier with the government’s recent launch of the new Help to Build loan scheme designed to encourage self and custom builds.

A visit to ‘Build it Live’ next year is the perfect way to explore how to make your next project a reality, as everything you need to know will be under one roof. See 1000’s of suppliers and meet with self build and renovation experts, who will be on hand to offer essential advice and helpful ideas for your own project. Visitors can book free one to one advice session with an expert who can help answer questions relating to your project whether it’s a renovation, extension or building your own home.

Aspiring homeowners in England can now apply for government funding to build their own dream home. Book a place at ‘Build It Live’ next year to explore how to make building your own home a reality. Under the help to buy loan scheme, the government will be offering loans of between 5 per cent and 20 per cent (40 per cent in London) to cover the purchase of land and build costs whether you manage the build yourself or choose a custom-built home which is overseen by a developer. Loans will be capped at £600,000, and a cash deposit will be required of at least

‘Build It Live’ will be offering a whole weekend of exciting self build inspiration at the Kent Show Ground on 5 and 6 February 2022 and Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire on 11 and 12 June 2022. The exhibitions showcase all the latest innovations and allow visitors to experience new technology first-hand. There will be dozens of daily FREE demonstrations, seminars and workshops including ecofriendly construction techniques and how to secure a plot for your build. Visitors to ‘Build It Live’ can participate in: Ask Our Experts Experts from Build It Magazine will be on hand all weekend giving FREE impartial guidance on any part of your own project whether it’s a self build, renovation or home extension. Don’t miss your chance to tap into the knowledge and experience of expert professional planners, architects, project managers, sustainability specialists and more. Their independent advice could save you £1,000s on consultancy fees! So, bring your plans, ideas and questions along and make sure you get to the show early to book your one-on-one appointment.

Extensions Clinic Find the answers you need to make the most of your budget and find inspiration on how best to add space, value and the ‘wow’ factor to your home at our dedicated Extensions Clinic. From planning permission through to design ideas, specification decisions and getting real value for money, an expert team of architectural specialists will be on hand to guide you through the process and help you identify the best ways to achieve your goals.

48 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

Build It Live Show Preview

SYSTEM3E 3HOMEE Ltd is offering eco-friendly Perlite and Expanded Clay. They are modern building products that are widely used in European Union, in the counties like: Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden and also in USA .

SYSTEM3E - Ecology, Economy and Energy efficiency System3E is an innovative perlite-block system that does not require cement bonds, instead it relies on high precision engineering that allows the building blocks to interlock. It is literally like building with large “Lego blocks”.

• • • • • • •

Very quick installation in all weather conditions (1m2/5min) Great sound insulation properties (Rw=45 Db) High thermal properties (U-value =0,198W/m2K for a single block) No plastic or chemical agents Moisture/frost resistant (water absorption 40 g/ms) Algae/ mould resistant Fire resistant (REI240 + M)

Our blocks are made from perlite, an expanded volcanic ash, which is eco-friendly and chemically inert. Perlite blocks comply with all EU construction regulations and can be used as a safe building material: Harmonized standard EN7113:2011+A1:2015 Eurocode 6 standards set. The products are extremely light and have high thermal insulation properties, minimising heat loss. In addition, they are very resistant to frost and moisture,

Heating Advice Clinic The Heating Advice Clinic helps you decide on the best heating system for your home. Do gas boilers still make sense? Are heat pumps lowcarbon? Can woodburning stoves be eco-friendly? Get the answers to all these questions and more. The Naked House The Naked House gives you unrivalled insight into what it takes to build your own home. Our firstfix cutaway home is inspired by the choices made for ‘Build It’s Self Build Education House’ (find out more and book a visit at www.buildit.co.uk/ ourhouse). See ICF blockwork to roofing, floor joists, windows and more. Basement Advice Clinic Building a basement is a cost-effective way to create high-quality space without eating up prized garden space. Yet it’s all-too-often overlooked in the UK. Head to our Basement Advice Clinic for impartial advice on what you need to know to successfully build, extend or convert a basement. Build Cost Clinic Get to grips with budgeting for your project by heading to the Build Cost Clinic to book an initial consultation with a qualified, experienced estimator who can help you better understand how much it will cost to turn your plans into the home of your dreams. Their advice will help you focus your design and specification choices, better understand builders’ quotes and could even save you money!

System3E is an innovative perliteblock system that does not require cement bonds, instead it relies on high precision engineering that allows the building blocks to interlock. creating unfavourable conditions for the development of fungi and mould. They are characterised by high acoustic insulation, which results in noise-absorbing walls. It is a versatile system which can be used in all weather conditions. SYSTEM3E works exceedingly well in the construction of carbon neutral developments.

Build It Live - Stand No. A11 Website: 3homee.co.uk/home-page

Where to buy tickets Tickets are now on sale from the website. The standard ticket price will be £12 per person. Children under 16 are admitted free with an accompanying adult. Open Saturday between 10am and 5pm and Sunday between 10am and 4.30pm. Tickets are valid on either day or can be used to attend on both days. For further information and to book tickets visit www.builditlive.co.uk When purchasing tickets, all paying visitors will have the opportunity to purchase a 12 month subscription to Build It Magazine for just £19.99. Tickets are now on sale for: The Kent Event Centre (Kent County Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF) which takes place on 5 – 6 February 2022 and Bicester Heritage on 11 and 12 June 2022 (Bicester Heritage Event Centre (ex RAF Bicester), Buckingham Road, Bicester. Please use postcode: OX26 5HA.

UK Magazine - January 2022 49 2022 xx Construction UK Magazine - JanuaryConstruction

JUWO EVOLVED SMARTWALL™ THE CLAY BLOCK BUILDING SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE

Thin bed mortar technology Single solid wall construction. Wide range of block sizes. Breathing wall construction. Completely vapour permeable

JUWO Evolved SmartWall™ is a Monolithic clay block building system for External Wall Construction that’s easy to build with, reduces construction time, has excellent thermal insulation qualities and requires no cavities, no additional insulation and no wall ties, to meet current and new Future Home standards. The system offers a full array of block types and sizes to meet any thermal requirement from 0.28 U Value through to 0.11 U value, all in a single block.

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The JUWO Evolved SmartWall™ system comes complete with all the necessary ancillary items such as Insulated Steel Box lintels, fixings and finishing plasters, renders and brick slips options. Full ‘on site’ training can be provided if required. Contact us for more information and discover the benefits of building with the JUWO Evolved SmartWall™ for yourself!

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Stand D25 Build It Live Kent Event Centre 5-6 February 2022 Enhanced Shell Scheme

Events & Awards News BRIGHT SPARKS CAMERON AND PATRICK ARE CROWNED APPRENTICES OF THE YEAR BY SJIB AND EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL

CIM ANNOUNCES WINNERS AT THE CONSTRUCTION MARKETING AWARDS GALA DINNER 2021 ADEY Innovation, Genuit with SLG Marketing and Fabrick were among the winners at the recent Construction Marketing Awards Gala Dinner. Endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG) and the Construction Products Association (CPA), the Construction Marketing Awards are the most sought-after accolade in the industry’s marketing calendar.

Two young electricians have been recognised for their exceptional talent in the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) Apprentice of the Year awards, sponsored by Edmundson Electrical. Cameron Wood and Patrick Henderson were presented with their awards and certificates in special ceremonies with their respective employers. Cameron proudly lifted the 2021 trophy, while Patrick received the 2020 award which had to be delayed due to lockdown. Both also received £500 from the SJIB and £500 from Edmundson Electrical.

The winners were crowned by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including James Ellis, chair of CIMCIG and head of marketing at Certsure, Ross Sturley, principal of Chart Lane and CIMCIG committee member, Steven Plimmer, head of marketing (commercial) at RIBA and Mike Leonard, chief executive at Building Alliance. The awards were held at Hilton London Bankside and hosted by multi award winning South African comedian, Loyiso Gola. This year’s awards featured 29 categories, including Best Use of Content Marketing, Best Distributor Marketing Campaign and Marketing Team of the Year. ADEY Innovation scooped the prestigious Marketing Team of the Year and Best Product Launch awards for its unrivalled performance in delivering marketing excellence for clients, whilst Genuit with SLG Marketing were awarded the Strategic Planning and Management award and Fabrick triumphed in the Agency of the Year category.

CONSTRUCTION FIRMS’ TRIUMPH AT NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS Two construction firms have been ‘highly commended’ at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2021. Essex based Higgins Partnerships, and McCarrick Construction from County Durham received the award in the SME Employer of the Year category, sponsored by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and RITTech. The overall winner was Birmingham based Lander Automotive, which manufactures products mainly for the automotive sector. Lucy Ireland, Managing Director at BCS Learning and Development, presented the awards and said: ‘Congratulations to all who underwent the rigorous judging process for this category. The finalists are fantastic examples of firms that run exemplary apprenticeship schemes for their staff.’

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22/11/2021 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 5113:10:49

CM01221017 Synergy QP.indd 1

Project News KIER HANDS OVER ROYAL BROMPTON HOSPITAL’S STATE OF THE ART DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE IN CHELSEA Kier, a leading provider of healthcare facilities, has handed over Royal Brompton Hospital’s new diagnostic centre (formerly known as the imaging centre) for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. This new specialist diagnostic facility provides MRI, CT, ultrasound, echocardiogram, interventional radiology, transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) and bronchoscopy scanning services under one roof for the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals estate, which makes up the largest specialist heart and lung centre

GRAFTONGATE CHOOSES GMI TO BUILD NEW £30M HELICOPTER LOGISTICS HUB New site in Yeovil will see the consolidation of eight existing warehouses into one allencompassing logistics hub. The project is being undertaken on behalf of aerospace giant Leonardo. GMI Construction Group PLC has announced that it has been appointed by leading real estate development company Graftongate to build a new £30M helicopter logistics hub in Yeovil on behalf of aerospace company Leonardo.

in the UK and is amongst the largest in Europe. The new centre, which was procured through the ProCure22 (P22) framework, will enhance patients’ experience, allowing patients and staff to effortlessly move between buildings and clinical departments via a convenient and secure route. The state-of-the-art magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) scanners installed are the most advanced clinical MRI scanners on the market and will help increase diagnostic capabilities, reduce scanning times and improve overall patient experience. Working within an extremely tight footprint, sandwiched between two existing buildings, Kier undertook extensive enabling works followed by the construction of a double basement while structurally supporting the existing occupied hospital buildings either side and the highway to the front. Throughout construction, movement of the existing structures were carefully monitored to ensure that there would be no disruption to the live hospital environment.

The 210,000 sq ft project in Yeovil, Somerset, will see the consolidation of eight existing warehouses into one allencompassing logistics hub. The state-of-the-art facility which is expected to be complete by Q4 2022 will support Leonardo’s global fleet of helicopters through the storage of components and tooling. It will be constructed with a strong focus towards sustainability with various eco initiatives ‘built in’ to include rainwater harvesting tanks for brown water services, full LED lighting throughout the facility and a heat recovery system in the main warehouse, which will be complemented by a modern office temperature control system. In addition, there will be a bank of electrical vehicle charging points Leonardo’s logistics partner, Kuehne + Nagel, will operate the new facility under a ten-year logistics contract.

IMPROVEMENT WORK STARTS ON WALTHAM FOREST INDUSTRIAL ESTATE The London Borough of Waltham Forest has confirmed that a £650,000 comprehensive programme of improvement works to the workspaces at the Lockwood Way Industrial Estate has now commenced. Work is being carried out by main contractor BRAC Contracts following a competitive tender process. Located within the Blackhorse Lane Creative Enterprise Zone, the Lockwood Way Industrial Estate is already home to an eclectic mix of local businesses including two craft breweries, a micro bakery, a vintage scooter specialist and a wine maker. The programme of improvement works is focused on both the industrial units as well as the surrounding public realm – all with the intention of attracting further businesses to locate in the area, whilst continuing to support those already based there as they grow and diversify. Specifically, work includes the installation of new frontages, business and estate signage, artwork, footpath widening, fencing, landscaping and road resurfacing. The project is due to be completed by Spring 2022.

52 Construction UK Magazine - January 2022

Project News

DEVELOPERS SECURE GREEN LIGHT TO DELIVER NEW LANDMARK FOR LEEDS’ INTERNATIONAL POOL SITE A £270 million development proposal to transform the former International Swimming Pool site at Lisbon Street in Leeds city centre has been granted full planning consent by Leeds City Council. The 2.8-acre strategic site, which has been used as a car park since the pools’ demolition in 2009, has been the subject of much scrutiny around

WILLMOTT DIXON APPOINTED FOR LATEST NET ZERO CARBON IN OPERATION SCHOOL Willmott Dixon has added to its growing portfolio of net zero carbon in operation school projects by being chosen to build a £21m ultra-sustainable learning environment for 750 pupils at Tarleton Academy in Preston. Procured using the Department for Education (DfE) construction framework, the new Tarleton Academy will be built on land adjacent to the existing school, which will remain in use until the new building is open in September 2023. Its facilities will include 36 classrooms as well as a range of sports facilities such as a 20m swimming pool for use by the school and local community, plus new fitness suite and multi-use games area. The academy will be net-zero carbon in operation and this will be achieved using an enhanced building envelope

to maximise air tightness, alongside triple glazed windows. It will also benefit from renewable energy generation comprising both ground source and air source heat pumps. Furthermore, the roof will feature an array of 1,500 sq m photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, harnessing renewable energy and offsetting all energy used on site. Tarleton Academy will further benefit from Willmott Dixon’s EnergySynergyTM process. This see a team of zero carbon specialists compare actual energy performance for a period of 2-3 years after handover with energy performance targeted at the design stage, ensuring there is no difference in operational use against that predicted when designed. The delivery of Tarleton Academy is the latest ultrasustainable education project by Willmott Dixon.

its development potential due to its gateway location. DLA Architecture has designed the muchanticipated landmark development on behalf of Lisbon Street Developments, a joint venture partnership between Marrico Asset Management and Helios Real Estate. DLA submitted proposals earlier this year, fulfilling a pre-requisite that the scheme incorporates strong public realm with strong linkages to neighbouring West End sites such as Wellington Place. Plans for Lisbon Street include two BTR residential towers of 33 and 22 storeys offering 629 apartments, a 24-storey student accommodation building with 548 bed spaces, a 15-storey, 120 key aparthotel with 22,000 sq ft of co-working office space

& 131,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, along with further retail and leisure provisions. Construction is ear-marked to commence in spring next year. The full project delivery team includes DLA Architecture, Re-form Landscape Architecture, Quod, CSD, Curtins, RBA, Turley, Brooks Ecological, Stroma Building Control, Jensen Hughes, Hydrock, Apex Acoustics, Windtech and AA Projects.

The 2.8-acre strategic site, which has been used as a car park since the pools’ demolition in 2009, has been the subject of much scrutiny around its development potential due to its gateway location.

BRETT MARTIN’S STORMCRATE55 PROVIDES ROOM FOR WATER AT NORTHWICH BUSINESS PARK Brett Martin has provided its new StormCrate55 modular crates for an underground attenuation tank designed to control stormwater and address surface water run-off as part of the redevelopment of a business park in Cheshire. Located in Wincham near Northwich, the Blue Group site at the New Cheshire Business Park features offices, a workshop and space for up to 20 waste handling machines. In order to manage surface water on the site during periods of heavy rainfall, Engineering Services, working on behalf of Blue Group, collaborated with Brett Martin on a design which incorporated the StormCrate55 system – an engineered Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), to create a 325m³ storage tank below a parking area. Due to space limitations and drainage layouts on site, Engineering Services found the dimensions of the StormCrate55 perfect for this project. With each crate capable of storing up to 237.5 litres of water, Brett Martin’s technical experts were able to offer technical guidance for the design of an attenuation tank and underground storm drainage pipe layout to suit both the site landscaping and tank storage requirements and allow stormwater to be managed on an area where staff cars and light goods vehicles are to be parked. With Brett Martin offering a complete package, the attenuation tank was installed in a short timescale by contractor Catalogue Engineering. As each crate weighs only 15.5kg they were easy to lift by hand and simple to connect together using connectors and shear pins in a brick bond pattern and at three layers deep in parts. To find out more about StormCrate55 or Brett Martin’s expansive range of rainwater systems visit: www.brettmartin.com

CM01021062- Brett Martin Plumbing Drainage- QP.indd 1- January 2022 28/09/2021 Construction UK &Magazine 5313:51:09

LEVIAT LAUNCH NEW THERMALLY EFFICIENT ANCON WINDPOST Following extensive research and testing, the patented Thermal Windpost (TWP2), part of the Ancon range of steel construction fixings, offers up to an impressive 70% reduction in thermal transmission through the span of the windpost. This guarantees it meets the BRE level for thermal performance provided in BR 443 as a minimum and offers opportunities for more stringent thermal specifications to be met. The Thermal Windpost features integral mineral fibre insulation to ensure continuity of insulation in the cavity, and its innovative design means the windpost sits level with the outside face of partialfill insulation so it can be taped to further reduce thermal heat loss. This provides the additional benefit of eliminating time-consuming cutting of insulation to fit behind/around the windpost, increasing the overall speed and consistency of installation. Manufactured from stainless steel with a teardrop fold for strength and engineered to minimise weight, the Ancon Thermal Windpost is up to 35% lighter than traditional windposts, making it easier to handle and install onsite. Again, this significantly improves speed of installation by reducing the requirement for complex manual handling procedures for longer lengths. Used largely in commercial and multistorey residential developments, and also increasingly in housing to provide more open-plan spaces, windposts provide lateral support to long panels of brickwork without piers or supporting walls, or as hidden support within piers adjacent to large window or door openings. Usually they create small voids in the insulation layer which can be difficult to properly fill, or be easily overlooked when installing insulation. Variations arising from inconsistency in cutting or omission of insulation in these small voids can often be overlooked when undertaking thermal calculations.

The new thermally efficient Thermal Windpost TWP2 is a game changer and a fantastic addition to our range This new product ensures proper continuity in the insulation layer, and makes installation of the surrounding insulation more consistent and straight-forward, helping both contractors and building designers realise the thermal performance aspirations of the detail. With UK housebuilders facing the ‘zero carbon ready’ Future Homes Standard from 2025, building design for new residential developments must change. The Ancon Thermal Windpost addresses one of the many thermal heat loss issues across a building’s fabric which contribute to the ‘performance gap’ between designed and realised thermal performance, and is part of Leviat’s continual drive towards innovation with products that improve performance to help create better buildings.

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Commenting on the launch of the Ancon Thermal Windpost, Leviat’s Lisa SherburneKilby, UK Commercial Operations Director (Masonry) said: “The new thermally efficient Thermal Windpost TWP2 is a game changer and a fantastic addition to our range. Windposts and other cavity intrusions have the potential to seriously downgrade the thermal performance of the wall, unless correctly specified, detailed and installed. Getting them right is important if we are to achieve the sort of levels of fabric heat loss now being considered in our race for zerocarbon construction.” Leviat, a global leader in connecting, fixing, lifting and anchoring technology, designs and manufactures Ancon stainless steel support and restraint fixings for masonry cladding, engineered concrete connections and reinforcement continuity systems.

For more information about the Ancon Thermal Windpost (TWP2) visit https://www.ancon.co.uk/thermalwindpost

Construction & Healthcare

CONSTRUCTION AND HEALTHCARE: HOW BUILDING ON RELATIONSHIPS IS KEY Dealing with the pandemic has brought the relationship between the construction and healthcare industries into sharp focus, sparking new and innovative ways of working – and the future is looking bright. That was the key message from national framework provider Pagabo’s latest ‘Building Blocks’ podcast, hosted by executive chairman Gerard Toplass. The construction industry was given a glimpse of how the future could look as a result of the government’s plans for major investment in healthcare over the next decade, thanks to a vastly improved, collaborative and well-integrated supply chain, which evolved during the pandemic. The ways in which the whole industry united and problem-solved on the hoof was nothing short of impressive, adapting rapidly to ever-changing guidance to ensure as much certainty and support for clients as possible. This was a point driven home by podcast guest Stuart McArthur, health sector lead at Sir Robert McAlpine, who was also joined by John Carson, head of capital development and planning at NTW Solutions (a subsidiary of Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), and Stephen Jenkins, director at Turner and Townsend. Throughout the conversation, the group discussed the ramifications of COVID-19, how their various projects were affected, the lessons learned, and how that all feeds into the future – particularly in relation to the benefits of frameworks. The challenges faced The number one priority for any and all businesses – no matter their industry – was the health and safety of staff. This was especially true within healthcare and its associated supply chains to be able to continue to deliver critical work and services. During the initial days of the first lockdown, many construction sites ground to a halt while clarity was provided on what work should continue. But when this clarity was provided from the government, the industry reacted with real agility, flexibility and innovation to find ways to keep schemes going, while introducing the necessary safety measures. Stephen Jenkins recalled the agility seen on construction sites, combining with a centralised and joined-up project management approach leading the way on solving the new problems thrown up each day. This attitude towards evolving

practises and procedures in a safe and sensible way is something that was echoed in the pre-construction phase as well and is something that will certainly benefit the wider industry moving to the future. John Carson, whose team was involved in creating the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East also reiterated the personal impact. There had to be a focus on wellbeing and looking after people’s mental health. People have very different tolerance levels, and the pandemic had a detrimental effect on everyone due to the combined uncertainty and personal challenges they were facing.

Certainly, one of the biggest changes we have seen in the industry is the impact COVID-19 has had on both designs and costings as clients look to ‘pandemic-proof’ hospitals and other schemes, as well as considering how more remote working of staff can impact capital costs. Knitting together relationships and futureproofing through frameworks The real power of frameworks comes from the long-term relationships that can be built, which are over time continually improved to form some of the strongest working collaborations in the market.

This is something particularly pertinent in the healthcare sector, where there are hugely complex clients. With the NHS and its entities there are multi-stakeholder environments that bring together clinical and technical expertise, and there are very rigorous and complex approvals processes to navigate too. Clients and the frameworks that projects are procured through have all evolved over time. All have evolved to put more focus on social value, wanting to demonstrate the wider benefits from schemes – particularly large-scale healthcare projects – in the wider society. They often provide the best value to clients, but it is important to remember that best value is about more than just costs. The benefit of frameworks is the overarching platform, broader objectives and a longer-term timescale they have, which allow behaviours to be built over time and focus to be put on values and outcomes. This bigger picture of best value brings together strands – such as technology and carbon - that have previously been looked at in silos until very recently, when they are inherently connected. The key to unlock all of this is digital and data. For example, the right digital construction techniques and toolkits will enable better and more adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC), along with the parallel assessment of carbon impact. The Construction Playbook - which was first published almost a year ago and has provided the whole industry with direction on a number of core best practice principles - focuses heavily on MMC and digital adoption. These methods will combine with ongoing learnings from the supply chain, such as the real value in repetitive design. For example, once a treatment room or seclusion suite has been designed, the knowledge is there and can be repeated – and through MMC methods like modular construction can be built much more quickly. Together, the construction and healthcare sectors continue to innovate and work together to tackle combined issues – and create a better future for everyone, knitted together by a data-driven approach. You can listen to the most recent episode of Pagabo’s ‘Building Blocks’ podcast on Anchor and YouTube, and for more information please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/

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Project News

AIPUT EMBARKS ON CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH-SPEC ADDITION TO ITS HEATHROW WAREHOUSE PORTFOLIO abrdn’s AIPUT fund (Airport Industrial Property Unit Trust) has announced the start of construction works on its latest airport-related warehouse development at Blackthorne Point, located immediately to the west of Heathrow Airport on the Poyle Trading Estate. The new warehouse represents a significant vote of confidence in Poyle’s strength as an attractive investment location for industrial real estate in close proximity to Heathrow Airport. The new, 27,760 sq ft (2,579 sq m) GEA building will occupy a 1.2 acre plot along Blackthorne Road in Poyle, just across from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 and close to Junction 14 of the M25. Located alongside AIPUT’s Blackthorne Point Estate, the new building will be a stand-alone facility, benefitting from its own dedicated access, parking and service yard facilities. AIPUT’s existing customers at Blackthorne Point include UPS Supply Chain, Horizon International and C H Robinson.

Development of the new building at Blackthorne Point also provides an opportunity for AIPUT to make improvements to the wider operational environment around Blackthorne Road, including a widening of the entrance to the estate to reduce the risk of congestion and improve security through the installation of a new occupiercontrolled access gate.

The building will aim to be operationally carbon neutral and therefore is expected to achieve BREEAM Excellent accreditation and a minimum of EPC A. Solar PV panels will be incorporated, together with electric vehicle charging points and rainwater harvesting, with recycled materials used wherever possible in the construction. The lead contractor for the expected eight month build programme, will be A&H Construction, reporting to project manager Northland.

VINCI COMPLETES THE CHRISTIE CANCER CENTRE VINCI Building has completed the new £14.5m two-storey building to house the proposed Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre. The plans for the new cancer centre were approved by East Cheshire Council in September 2019 and demolition started in February 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown. The main new build element of works started in July 2020 and were delivered through Pagabo’s Major Works Framework. The Christie at Macclesfield will transform cancer care in Cheshire, the High Peak area of Derbyshire and parts of North Staffordshire, providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 existing Christie patients a year. It will treat its first patient in December. More than 28,000 sq ft building offers outpatient care, palliative care, holistic support and information services. It provides staff with the ability to conduct 12,500 radiotherapy treatments a year. It will also enable 6,800 chemotherapy and haematology treatments as well. The Christie at Macclesfield has the ability to accommodate 46,000 patient visits a year.

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’ALUPROF IN THE ANTARCTIC’

BY WOJCIECH BROZYNA - MD OF ALUPROF UK With just a population of 2,000, Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest continent on earth, so why would you wish to be there? Well, with governments and society across the globe now coming to terms with the climate change crisis, work has been continuing in the Antarctic with some of the world’s top scientists who are identifying the damage we are causing to our only home. Back in the mid-1980’s it was scientists in the Antarctic who uncovered the hole in the ozone layer. Consequently, we managed to ban the use of gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in spray cans and refrigerants which break down ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere. The hole in our ozone layer continues to reduce due to the quick action taken across the globe, we now need to do the same for CO2, which is a much greater challenge. The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) continues to undertake groundbreaking research and maintains a Research Station located 67º south on Adelaide Island which was established in 1975. Known as Rothera, the busy station is used as a hub for other Wojciech Brozyna - Aluprof UK Managing Director

countries working in the area, offering a landing strip and wharf. The site has continued to develop over the years and in 2018 work began on the new Discovery Building, named to commemorate the discovery of Antarctica 200 years ago by the British naval officer Edward Bransfield in 1820. Designed by Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Partnership, which includes construction partner BAM and their team, Hugh Broughton Architects and design consultants Sweco, with Ramboll acting as BAS’s Technical Advisers, with their team NORR architects and Turner & Townsend. The new building replaces some of the current buildings on the site which are close to the end of their economic life.

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 is becoming 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.

Construction can only take place in the summer months with the next construction team due to travel to site from the UK in December 2021 and returning in Spring 2022. The construction team returning in March 2021 have successfully completed the groundworks for the new building. The new operations building will not only offer scientists a far better working environment but will help reduce costs by minimising maintenance and maximising insulation. The two-storey 4,500m2 building will contain preparation areas for field expeditions, a central store, medical facility, offices, recreational spaces, workshops and areas for plant. High thermal performance windows specified on the project have been provided by Aluprof. The MB-86 ST window and door system has been designed to offer outstanding insulation properties. Offered in three varieties, ST, SI and AERO the MB86 was the first ever aluminium system to employ silica aerogel, a nano-porous material that has a very high proportion of free void volume compared to conventional solid materials. Aerogel’s high pore volume, low solid content, and its ‘torturous path amorphous structure’ offer very low values of thermal conductivity. Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their

The MB-86 ST window and door system

Construction UK Magazine - January 2022 57

REFLEX-ROL U.K. – SHADING THE FUTURE BASED ON EXPERIENCES FROM THE PAST When it comes to Solar shading and glare control, unfortunately, sunblinds are often an ‘afterthought’ . The building will have been designed and build with so called Solar efficient glass only to find out that shading systems are still required as the glass itself often does not do what it says on the tin. By that time, most blinds will look like a ‘bolt-on-job’ and stick out like a sore thumb, destroying the clear lines the architect had intended. Most, but not all! At Reflex-Rol U.K., a division of De Leeuw Ltd, with experience going back to 1983, we pride ourselves in designing retrofit shading systems that blend in superbly with a buildings’ windows. Our blind materials/ fabrics ( more on those later) are thin, meaning we can accommodate a 3,4 metre drop in a cassette/headbox of a mere 55 x 54 mm. These cassettes can be powder coated or anodised to any colour specified so we can match window frames / wall finishes and make it appear as a fully integrated system with the building. The same size cassette/headbox can be used for either manually operated systems or electrically driven blinds.

Currently under construction are systems at 6,2 meters wide and trapezoidal in shape, also running at 14 degrees out of vertical.

Triangular & Trapezoidal shapes. Not every window is square, or rectangular! Triangular or trapezoidal shaped windows can pose a problem for most blinds – but not for Reflex-Rol, as our systems can be engineered to fit many different shapes and still remain fully controllable either manually or electrically driven. As an example, Reflex-Rol was installed in a horizontal triangular skylight with 4 meters wide at the base and 8 meters length. See our corporate video on our website www.reflex-rol.co.uk Trapezoidal shapes? Think air traffic control towers. An example is the tower at Heathrow with 48 systems installed. 2 metres wide at the top, 1.8 meters wide at the bottom, 5,5 meters high and all running under 14 degrees out of vertical without touching the glass. Currently under construction are systems at 6,2

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meters wide and trapezoidal in shape, also running at 14 degrees out of vertical. The secret of its thermal performance lies in the fact that the blind ‘fabric’ is build up from different layers of material, each with their own characteristics, yet not thicker than 0.2 mm. The ‘fabric’ is then micro-embossed on a flat-plate thermal press, giving it stability and much enhanced thermal performance with Solar heat reflectance up to over 80%, depending on which ‘fabric’ is used, whilst maintaining a clear view of the outside World! Further and more detailed information can be found on our website www.reflex-rol.co.uk and the group’s website www.deleeuw-ltd.co.uk

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SIKA SHOWS ABERDEEN’S FUTURE BUILDING SURVEYORS CUTTING-EDGE MOISTURE DETECTION TECHNOLOGY In a bid to help foster learning among the next generation of building surveyors, Sika Roofing recently visited students from Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University (RGU)’s Building Surveying BSc (Hons) course to demonstrate Tramex Meters, the world’s first non-invasive moisture detectors. Showcasing how manufacturers are using more technologically advanced ways of surveying a roof, Sika’s Richard Aldred, UK Roofing Market Manager, and Adam Hussain, Area Technical Manager - West Scotland, ran a practical demo on the equipment on one of the University’s flat roofs. Used for detecting, tracing and measuring moisture in the building envelope, Sika has been utilising the technology to identify

compromised areas of a roof build-up since summer 2021.

with the course leader Mike Dignan ever since.

“As technology improvements occur, it’s important to us at Sika that we are making the best use of it to reduce risk and add value for our customers,” Richard explains. “Tramex allows us to speed up the survey process on refurbishment projects and also gain a better overall picture of the roof build up we have been asked to survey.”

RGU’s Building Surveying BSc (Hons) course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of how to manage, maintain and adapt buildings to ensure the continued use of our built environment assets. In particular, it focuses on teaching a deep understanding of how buildings function by developing detailed knowledge of construction technology and building pathology.

While traditional core sampling is still required with Tramex to gain a ‘base reading’ for the machine to work to, the moisture detectors are able to reduce the number of core samples required and provide an image showing areas of moisture within the roof.

“Every year I visit the uni and do a free-ofcharge exercise with the students that are on the course – purely to try and help the next generation of building surveyors,” Richard adds.

The equipment’s main benefit is risk reduction. Previously, manual core sampling was required to not only understand a roof construction, but also its current condition, which affects refurbishment options. “It’s possible that a survey core sample could show an entirely different result one metre away from the core site. Tramex is a fantastic technology that solves that issue and I’m keen that future building surveyors are aware of this,” says Richard, who studied his Master’s Degree at RGU and has remained in contact

As feedback from the students was especially positive following the Tramex demo, with many enjoying the opportunity for hands-on experience with the equipment, Sika Roofing looks set to organise similar visits at other universities next year, while continuing the great relationship with RGU. If you’d like to find out more, visit our website www.sika.co.uk/roofing, call 01707 394444 or email enquiries@uk.sika.com.

Sika’s Richard Aldred, UK Roofing Market Manager, discussing how manufacturers are using more technologically advanced ways of surveying a roof

Sika’s Adam Hussain, Area Technical Manager - West Scotland, showing students from Robert Gordon University’s Building Surveying BSc (Hons) course how to use Tramex Meter

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ENGEL HIGH-VIZ WORKWEAR HELPS SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT A range of high visibility protective safety clothing with 50% of the material made from recycled plastic bottles has been introduced by workwear manufacturer Engel Workwear. Called ‘Safety Light’, each item of clothing can be verified to consist of regenerated

polyester fibres ultimately spun from a specific number of plastic bottles to make up 50% of its content. This is combined with 40% cotton and 10% standard polyester (245 g/m2) to produce a cool-to-wear, durable fabric. By using regenerated polyester which is equally as efficient as new, there are also significant consumption savings on energy, water and C02. The Danish firm has worked closely with Unifi, one of the world’s most advanced recycling centres which transforms the recycled bottles into a polyester yarn called ‘REPREVE©’ The smart, mix-and-match range includes boiler suits (containing 37 plastic bottles), work-jackets (20 bottles), trousers (19 bottles) with Cordura kneepad pockets and elasticated waistband, bib-overalls (23 bottles) and shorts (14 bottles). All have many practical pockets and comfort-design features. There is also a specific selection especially for women called ‘Ladies Light’, all with the same benefits. Commenting on the initiative, the CEO of Engel Workwear, John Engel said: “We are delighted to be able to make a positive contribution in helping to reduce the impact of the single-use global plastic waste crisis by putting many thousands of otherwise discarded bottles to further practical purpose. By doing so, we are able to not only do our bit to help improve the environment, but also be the first to use

this versatile fabric to produce a unique range of lightweight, hardwearing and comfortable high-visibility clothing which will help keep our customers safe” The Engel ‘Safety Light’ collection is being further extended during 2021 and for maximum comfort and flexibility, no matter what the work situation, the company is also marketing their high-vis ‘Super Stretch’ range; this 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 ‘Super Stretch’ workwear provide protection throughout the day or night, it also helps reduce tiredness, further minimising the risk of accidents. 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

ARCO DONATES £50,000 WORTH OF PPE TO THE HULL & EAST YORKSHIRE (HEY) SMILE FOUNDATION Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has donated over £50,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to the HEY Smile Foundation, a leading local charity working with organisations in the health and community support sectors. This PPE will be distributed to local groups and charitable organisations across Hull and East Yorkshire and will help support some of the most vulnerable people in society ahead of the challenging winter period. With the Government publishing its COVID-19 response plans for autumn and winter, it’s clear that continued vigilance is required as the winter months approach and COVID-19, flu and other seasonal viruses become more prevalent. The donation of PPE stock, including disposable face masks and aprons, will directly support local groups and charities to continue to provide critical services safely throughout this period.

delivery partner XPO Logistics and Men in Sheds, in Hornsea, has offered to store the 16 pallets of PPE to enable Smile to promote and distribute to groups where it is most needed. Andy Owen, Head of SectorHealthcare at Arco, said: “Arco is delighted to have made this donation of PPE to the HEY Smile Foundation to distribute for community use. Our core promise is Your World Made Safer. We know that this donation will help a number of charities and local groups to continue their work safely, providing support to some of the most vulnerable people in Hull and the East Riding over the coming winter months.”

The delivery to the HEY Smile Foundation was facilitated by Arco’s

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One hundred plus companies, including all the world’s major suppliers and manufacturers, cover every conceivable aspect of water leisure, for both the commercial and domestic sectors.

and guidance that affect all disciplines involved in the development of water leisure projects and CPD points and a certificate of attendance are available for all attendees. For example: Wednesday Feb 2 Arena 1 Protect yourself – Protect your Business – an overview of the types of insurance pool builders and engineers should consider including liability and professional risks, personal accident and tools.

EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR SPATEX 2022 Water features, spas, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools, enclosures, tiling as well as the more functional elements like chemicals and heating and ventilation – SPATEX 2022 is literally the best of water leisure under one roof. Free international showcase Held at the Coventry Building Society Arena from Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 February, it’s FREE to attend, and provides all building and construction industry supply chain professionals with ALL you need to know. One hundred plus companies, including all the world’s major suppliers and manufacturers, cover

every conceivable aspect of water leisure, for both the commercial and domestic sectors. Saving energy is high on the exhibition’s agenda and you can expect to see lots of new products supporting a low energy, low carbon footprint. Many of the stands will feature two years’ worth of launches as well as those making their 2022 debut. Free seminar programme Not just an exhibition, SPATEX hosts a double programme of free seminars on all three days. The technical workshops hosted by ISPE (Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers) in Arena 1 offer vital information such as new standards

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Free expertise for your projects Tap into a unique pool of free expertise for your projects. There’s no better place to seek advice from an expert, and all for free! Please come to the SPATEX Help Desk at the entrance to the exhibition hall, if you need pointing in the right direction. Registration is FREE here. SPATEX 2022 – Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 February. The Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry CV6 6GE is easy to get to - just 500 yards off the M6 and within two hours commuting time of 75 per cent of the population, it offers 2,000 free onsite car parking spaces. © Stoneworld

SPATEX represents all sectors of the water leisure industry from pools, spas, saunas to hydrotherapy, steam rooms and play equipment, in both the domestic and commercial arena.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR FREE VISIT:

WWW.SPATEX.CO.UK OR CALL +44 1264 358558

Feature

HOW TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION IS DRIVING NET-ZERO CARBON SUCCESS By Mark Coates, International Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Bentley Systems

an asset’s life cycle, bringing together different companies and their respective software/hardware and services and accessing their data can prove challenging. Skillsets from traditional AEC organisations are often only found in one domain—such as design or build—and do not widen to consider the much larger operational impacts that a true smart sustainable building must conform to.

The U.K. will not achieve its 2050 carbon emissions targets if it continues to follow the current stuttering path. Picking off the low hanging fruit—LED lighting, promoting electric cars, or changing energy provider—will be insufficient. The built environment seems a natural place to start, an industry that contributes to around 40% of global carbon emissions. Typically, over 80% of the emissions are found within the operational phase of a building’s lifecycle, and the remaining 20% are split across design and build phase and the decommission/end-of-life phase. If we take the example of a hospital from an operational perspective, many different asset fields contribute to its overall carbon footprint. They include catering, waste management, cleaning, transport, heating/ cooling, lighting, fridges, and medical equipment, which are spread across the physical hospital footprint of buildings, wings, ﬂoors, rooms, and theatres. In the case of the NHS, it is estimated that over 60% of its carbon footprint is within Scope 3: supply chain and partners. Although carbon emission figures may differ for other organisations, trends are generally similar, so our area of focus should be clear: the operational phase. We must also focus on ensuring that primary assets and services, as well as their supply chain, are appropriately measured, managed, controlled, and improved. Data, data, and more data All too often, static and active data from disjointed processes and disparate unconnected solutions are kept in silos or not maintained throughout the whole lifecycle. This disconnect prevents data from being used for continuous improvement. For new build capital projects, static data is usually held in CAD, BIM, CDEs (common data environments), and asset management (CAFM, CMMS) solutions. Active data usually comes from sources— such as IoT sensing, BMS, and SCADA solutions—predominately found once the asset is in use in the operational phase. But the importance of interoperability, or at the very least defining a migration roadmap to more modern systems better suited to an interoperable environment, must be stressed. Gap analysis can help us

Mark Coates better understand incumbent technology, people and processes, helping deploy and integrate a suitable smart building environment. Only when these projects are supported by an ecosystem of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for disciplines that share the same vision and objective of an interoperable environment generating re-usable data for the clients desired business outcomes can we hope to achieve Net-Zero Carbon (NZC) outcomes. Sharing and merging data from different solutions is critical. For example, why heat and light a room if it’s not being used? This scenario requires static data—such as room, dimensions, and location—and active data—such as temperature, energy consumption, and occupancy. The positive impact on NZC targets would be extremely significant if owner-operators and engineering, architect, and construction (AEC) partners adopted open interoperable solutions to ensure shared, non-siloed data can be used to achieve desired business outcomes such as NZC. Why do solutions need to work together? Simply put, data-driven decision-making opens up countless possibilities to reduce a carbon footprint, but we can’t get there by working as an island. We need to bring together static and active data to form part of smart sustainability algorithms targeted to reduce direct and indirect emissions. The right questions of who, why, when, and how assets and locations are being used must be asked and applied to merged data sources to obtain insights and drive actions and continuous improvement. Collaboration and skill sets But as different software and subject matter experts are needed throughout

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Addressing interoperability using open standards of key solutions used across the whole asset lifecycle will ensure that data is not lost or duplicated. It will also ensure that data can be augmented and shared as the project moves through the design, build, and operational phases. Using an ecosystem of organizations, each specializing in the different solutions needed across the whole asset lifecycle of a built environment project, ensures modular open interoperable solutions and that helps the client avoid the risk of falling into closed, proprietary solutions where they risk vendor lock-in. Interoperability enables “best in class” solutions that can be easily swapped in or out if deemed no longer fit for purpose. This approach also supports economic sustainability, as it allows multiple organisations to participate and contribute. The good news is that there are organizations undertaking this approach. Achieving net-zero Achieving net-zero emissions targets is going to be challenging for all asset intensive organizations. There is no silver bullet or easy fix, and the owner-operators and wider AEC industry need to take leaps and bounds or else fail for their organizations and the planet. But innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s also about how technology, people, and processes are applied to a problem. There are certain areas in which a change in mindset is needed to support these leaps and bounds - from collaboration and an insufficient digital skill set, to early operations engagement and the interoperability of solutions producing non-siloed data. NZC goals by 2050 are perfectly feasible. We have all the necessary technology and other pieces of the puzzle available to us. Collaborate, ensure interoperability across the whole asset lifecycle, and stopping Design-to-Handover-type thinking will be key in reaching these targets.