Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 by Lapthorn Media

July 2022

CONSTRUCTIONMAGUK.CO.UK

Bilco UK and Howe Green on the right track with the Elizabeth line CONSTRUCTION OF NEW OFFICE BUILDING AT TELEVISION CENTRE COMPLETE

Construction Costs Increase: Can a Fixed Price Contract be Renegotiated? POLYPIPE: OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION BENEFITS FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS The Aftermath of Grenfell: The Building Safety Act and What You Need to Know

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Contents July 2022

£6.2 million New Cross gains for Ameon

Willmott Dixon celebrates European double

Polypipe: Offsite construction benefits for drainage systems

Duct surveys prepare Hinkley Point C for National Grid link-up

Beard buys huge woodland in innovative carbon offset move

Bilco UK and Howe Green on the right track with the Elizabeth line

Construction Costs Increase: Can a Fixed Price Contract be Renegotiated?

Base Structures involved in the UK’s first ever dedicated drone port

New homes now launched at unique Newbury development

Secure your fuel to avoid increasing risk of theft

The Aftermath of Grenfell: The Building Safety Act and What You Need to Know

Construction of new office building at Television Centre complete

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 Production/Design Laura Whitehead laura@constructionmaguk.co.uk

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Accounts Richard Lapthorn accounts@constructionmaguk.co.uk Sales Executive Hannah Marshall hannah@constructionmaguk.co.uk Sales Manager Adam Jeakins adam@constructionmaguk.co.uk Circulation Manager Leo Phillips subs@constructionmaguk.co.uk Website: www.constructionmaguk.co.uk Twitter: @constructionukm

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 - July 2022 03

Company News

IWJS AWARDED CONTRACT EXTENSIONS WITH TWO LONG-STANDING CLIENTS IWJS, an operating business of M Group Services, has signed contract extensions to continue delivering essential works at Heathrow Airport and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. At Heathrow Airport, IWJS will continue in its role as Tier 1 drainage supplier, delivering corrective and planned maintenance on drainage systems in terminals 2, 3, 4 & 5. This will include maintenance on landside and airside

drainage systems across the airport, including petrol and oil interceptors, pump stations and all foul and surface water drainage systems. The contract includes 24-hour emergency response, with a two-hour response time commitment. The IWJS team at Iver has been servicing Heathrow every day for the past seven years. The team was recently voted as contractor of the month following the successful installation of a difficult repair to the fire main. We are also pleased to announce a five-year extension to continue delivering site drainage maintenance and repair services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. IWJS has been providing these services for the past eight years, bringing our

partnership to a total of 13 years working together when this contract ends in 2027. The core scope of works for IWJS will include planned preventative maintenance, site surface drain jetting, including foul drains and radioactive drains. Peter Maasz, IWJS Business Development Director, said:

We are delighted to have been awarded these contract extensions by two of our long-standing clients. The awards are testament to the continuous commitment of our people to deliver high-quality, essential works which are crucial to the successful operations of both Heathrow Airport and Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

£6.2 MILLION NEW CROSS GAINS FOR AMEON GMI Construction has awarded two Manchester city centre contracts worth £6.2 Million to building services engineering company, Ameon. The specialist M & E contractor, with extensive experience in Manchester’s high-rise sector, will be responsible for all building services infrastructure in a 144-apartment block on Oldham Road and a second 161 apartment development on Bendix Street, New Cross - one of the seven neighbourhoods forming the city’s Victoria North masterplan. The first contract to start is on the £3 Million Oldham Road development, where Ameon will install a CHP, serving heat interface units in each apartment, sprinkler mist systems, lighting and power, door access systems, CCTV, and security, together with data, TV, and satellite installation. The specification will also include a roof mounted solar PV unit for electricity generation. Ameon’s £3.2 million contract on the adjacent Bendix Street block is expected to begin in summer, with a similar specification to the Oldham Road block. Both contracts are due for completion in 2023.

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Company News

ENVIRONMENTAL TECH FIRM AWARDED PATENT FOR REVOLUTIONARY LOW CARBON CONCRETE SOLUTION

STEEL STOCKHOLDER BRINGS FORWARD PAY RISES TO EASE COST OF LIVING CRISIS AJN Steelstock Limited, one of the UK’s largest steel stockholders, has brought forward its annual inflationary pay review programme to help its staff cope with the growing impact of the cost of living crisis. Usually carried out in July, AJN has moved its inflationary pay review and is awarding a 10% salary increase to its 415 employees, effective from 1st May 2022. Courtney Bell, AJN Steelstock’s Finance Director, comments, “Our staff are the heartbeat of the company and our success is, in no small part, down to each and every one of them. We are all aware of the rising cost of energy, petrol and food, and as inflation continues to rise we want to offer some practical support to help with these escalating costs.” With steel processing sites in Kentford, Suffolk and Henstridge, Somerset, AJN Steelstock

supplies structural steel to the UK construction industry and is recognised as one of Britain’s leading mid-market private companies. In 2021, the company was identified as one of London Stock Exchange Groups ‘1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ (for the third consecutive year), and recognised as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK with a listing in the Sunday Times PwC Top Track 250 league table. “We have an amazing team at AJN”, adds Courtney. “Everyone plays their part and with their constant willingness to adapt to the changes imposed on us we’re fully committed to looking after them in any way we can.” “We carry out an annual performance and salary review as part of our employee support package but we felt the cost of living crisis that everyone is contending with was significant enough to do a little bit more during this time of need.”

North-east environmental technology firm, Recycl8, has been awarded patent status for its ground-breaking solution which supports both the construction and waste-to-energy sectors’ drive to reduce carbon emissions. It has the potential to save around 2.1 million tonnes of CO2 per annum in the UK alone. Recycl8 works in collaboration with the wasteto-energy and global construction industries to transform Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) - often destined for landfill - into a high-performing, lowcarbon concrete solution. The process allows IBA to make up to 60% by volume of the concrete, replacing high C02 emitting cement and other virgin quarried materials. The patent ensures that Recycl8 is the only company in the UK which is permitted to process IBA and transform it into concrete or use it as part of their concrete mix. It also means the firm can licence their process, creating an alternative revenue stream. The news comes shortly after the company received a six-figure grant from Innovate UK, which accelerated the product’s testing phase by twothirds. Recycl8 have recently been shortlisted for the Elevator Awards 2022 in the Innovation of the Year category, with the final set to take place at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa on 23rd June.

The news comes shortly after the company received a six-figure grant from Innovate UK, which accelerated the product’s testing phase by two-thirds.

Ian Skene, Recycl8 founder and director

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 05

Company News

FORTERRA LAUNCHES SAFETY SQUAD Forterra, one of the UK’s leading building products manufacturers, has launched a brand-new initiative designed to raise awareness of health and safety.

BELLWAY TO PAY £1M AS PART OF £10M INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITMENT IN MAIDSTONE Bellway Kent will pay more than £1 million to Maidstone Borough Council as part of a £10 million commitment to support infrastructure in the area. This final payment linked to Bellway’s development at Bicknor Wood in Otham will take the total contributions for the site to more than £6.3m. It marks the 230th occupation of homes there, off Gore Court Road. Bellway is also progressing construction work at its latest development in Church Road, Otham, which will be known as Parsonage Place. Almost £4 million in infrastructure payments will be made over the course of the development, taking the total figure to in excess of £10m across the two housing sites. Bellway paid more than £2.5 million to the local authority before starting work at Bicknor Wood and a further £1.5 million when the first homes were occupied. This was allocated for services

including public transport, community learning, highways, libraries, healthcare, open spaces, primary and secondary education, public rights of way, social care, and youth services. A payment of £1m which followed the 125th occupation, plus the money still to be paid, will fund improvements to junction 7 of the M20. Bellway will pay almost £2.8 million to Maidstone Borough Council under the Community Infrastructure Levy under the terms of its planning agreement for Parsonage Place. Local authorities can choose how to allocate this funding to meet the most pressing needs of the community. In addition, more than £1 million will go towards primary education and £100,000 will help to fund cycle routes. With work now underway at Parsonage Place, Bellway is building a new car park for St Nicholas Church in Church Road.

The Safety Squad is a schools engagement programme that highlights the importance of health and safety in the work place by linking it to the concept of hazard perception for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils. Schools that become part of the Safety Squad are invited to their local plant to see first hand Forterra’s Golden Rules initiative that is the guiding principle behind its own internal health and safety strategy. The first Safety Squad visit took place at Forterra’s Measham brickworks and Red Bank factory in Leicestershire recently. 30 pupils from Measham C of E Primary School took a tour of the factories. The pupils now have the rest of the year to complete the remaining three parts of the Safety Squad programme which includes a research project about the history of bricks, an art and design project to create a new factory ‘stop’ sign and a safety audit of their own class room or room at home. Helen Newberry, Head of Communications at Forterra said,

This is a unique project designed to link our internal health and safety programme with our local communities. Health and safety will always be our number one priority and it’s great to be able to share this commitment with the wider community. “Following the success of the inaugural visit, we hope to attract more primary schools to get in touch about becoming part of our Safety Squad.” Forterra is inviting primary schools close to its plants who would like to participate in the project to get in touch. There are brick plants in each of the following locations: Measham, Whittlesey, Accrington, Claughton, Cradley Heath, Kirton, Wilnecote, Desford, and Howley Park.

06 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

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People On The Move

BOUYGUES UK’S LEIGH HUGHES IS HIGHLY COMMENDED AT IOD WALES AWARDS Bouygues UK’s Business Growth and Social Value Director Leigh Hughes has been awarded Highly Commended at the IoD Wales’ Director of the Year Awards. The awards, which were held at the International Conference Centre at the Celtic Manor Resort, celebrate leadership talent, success, and highlights business excellence and significant contributions leaders can make to the social and economic prosperity in the community. Leigh achieved recognition for his work in helping Bouygues UK achieve its mission to deliver a sustainable built environment and demonstrate its social, economic and environmental commitment to support the communities it works in. Social value is a major strategic priority for Bouygues Construction UK and Leigh, who is also the Welsh chair of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Chair of the Employment and Skills Board and a member of the Economic Growth

PICK EVERARD APPOINTS ACCOMPLISHED HEALTHCARE DIRECTOR Leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has affirmed its commitment to supporting the UK healthcare sector with the appointment of new director and sector lead for management services Claire Lowe. Claire brings 35 years’ experience, having held positions within the NHS and

Partnership at the Cardiff Capital Region, has helped implement many social value initiatives around the UK. Bouygues UK has introduced many education construction initiatives, such as GoConstruct Education – a collaboration between industry and education partners to include construction resources into the Welsh school curriculum in a bid to get more youngsters considering a future career in construction. Bouygues UK also imbeds social value into every project it works on, such as Cardiff University’s Cardiff Innovation Campus which has so far provided nearly 190 weeks of work experience for local people, supported 3,099 apprenticeship weeks, created 545 local jobs and spent more than £74million in the local economy from the project. Leigh also spearheaded Bouygues UK’s sponsorship of the Wizard’s League in schools in Port Talbot to increase sports participation and health and wellbeing in students – a partnership which has now been going for six years. During the pandemic, Bouygues UK shifted its CSR and ESG focus to focus on people, particularly its student and community ambassador schemes around the UK, as well as supporting those most in need to deliver maximum benefit. It also targeted its social value activities around social groups who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, this included donating PPE to health care workers and the vulnerable and working with young people with little or no qualifications to help them into work, such as gifting laptops and desktop computers.

consultancies, including involvement on a prestigious new build private hospital in London alongside now employer, Pick Everard. As a healthcare sector lead, Claire’s core responsibilities include lead generation and winning bids, as well as authoring the healthcare sector business and action plan that is developed in conjunction with national directors and strategic development teams. While Claire’s impressive CV contains major healthcare roles such as director of estates and facilities at the NHS, wider built environment management expertise is evident having worked for brands including Marks and Spencer, Whitbread and Lend Lease on significant retail and leisure projects.

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HAMPSHIRE HOUSEBUILDER BOLSTERS MARKETING TEAM WITH TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS A Hampshire housebuilder has appointed two new members of staff to join its marketing team in Southampton. Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ Southampton division, which is building new homes across the county, has taken on Tamsin Nichols (22) and Rebecca Edwards (25) at its Hedge End HQ, and the new duo are already getting settled into their new roles. Appointed to help strengthen the housebuilder’s marketing team, both Tamsin and Rebecca are excited to learn more about the construction industry. Both Tamsin and Rebecca will be working with Barratt in its provision of brand-new homes for people across the region, and both are keen to be a part of this extremely important milestone for buyers.

PROTECTING WORKERS’ HEALTH FROM WORKPLACE DUST EXPOSURE WITH NEW AIR SAMPLING TECHNOLOGY Access to real-time sampling and monitoring data from workplace dust exposure is a game changer for workers, employers and Occupational Hygienists alike. Practical dust sampling and monitoring from DustCanary’s new light-weight wearable devices help to mitigate the risks posed by dust across a range of work environments.

change in surroundings, initiates action for workers to minimise their own dust exposure. Utilising advanced patented air sampling technology developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the University of Hertfordshire, DustCanary’s CPAM also allows inhalable dust to be monitored over an eight-hour shift in line with Health and Safety Executive requirements.

Compact with no sampling tubes or waist worn pumps avoiding catch hazards, real-time visual and audible alarms derived from an innovative optical particle counter, warn when a worker is being exposed to increased respirable dust including Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS). Instantaneous information on changing levels of exposure, particularly useful for varied work patterns and

Weighing less than 150 grams and small enough to be worn on a lapel in the breathing zone of the worker, DustCanary wearables are convenient to wear on a daily basis and therefore can provide continuous protection. Live data can be used to trend exposure over time and to understand hotspots including changes to exposure levels due to local exhaust ventilation (LEV) performance, change in dust creating process or in dust control processes. Will Averdieck, founder and Managing Director of DustCanary enthuses:

Our wearables are really valuable tools for providing protection to workers from dust exposure while also providing protection to employers through valuable incites and records of minimised exposure. Dust Canary – Personal Dust Monitoring Wearables for Protection

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Bathrooms & Washrooms News

OFFSITE SOLUTIONS WINS £4.2M BATHROOM POD CONTRACT WITH MIDGARD – ITS FOURTH AND LARGEST PROJECT FOR MODA LIVING Offsite Solutions, the UK’s leading bathroom pod manufacturer, has been appointed by principal contractor Midgard to provide 839 bathroom and shower pods for a new £260m buildto-rent neighbourhood now under construction for Moda Living in Hove, Sussex. The £4.2m contract is Offsite Solutions’ fourth and largest for Moda to date and brings the total number of pods ordered for this developer to more than 2,600. This latest project follows the successful delivery of bathroom pods for Moda communities in Manchester and Liverpool – and Glasgow which is currently in manufacture. Due for completion early in 2024 and designed by Whittam Cox Architects, the six apartment buildings that form part of a new intergenerational urban village at Sackville Road in Hove will provide

564 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments for rent to individuals and families.

James Stephens, Managing Director of Offsite Solutions, said,

“We will simply drop the pods into position for rapid service connections. We also expect quality to be better and more consistent because the bathroom fitout takes place under factory conditions.

We partnered with Moda and Midgard to engineer the pod solutions at the initial design stages of the Hove scheme. This early engagement maximises the benefits and efficiency of offsite manufacturing and standardisation, to the benefit of both the developer and the contractor.

“This is Offsite Solutions’ first project with Midgard, and I am pleased to report that our experience so far has been very positive.”

“Pod solutions work very well for build-torent developments, and we are delighted to be awarded our fourth project for Moda.

Commenting on the choice bathroom pods for Sackville Road, Ryan Newman, Project Manager at Midgard, said, “Having worked with Offsite Solutions previously, I fully appreciate the benefits of factory production for bathrooms. “Offsite manufacturing generates programme reductions and means less activity on site so there are fewer trades and interfaces to manage.

CGI image courtesy of Moda / Whittam Cox Architects.

10 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

Bathrooms & Washrooms News On completion of Sackville Road and their Holland Park neighbourhood in Glasgow, we will have manufactured over 2,600 bathroom pods for this client. “Our sister company, Deanestor, is also working on Sackville Road, providing kitchens and fitted wardrobes in a separate £3.7m fitout contract – a fantastic achievement for our family-owned group of companies.” Offsite Solutions will manufacture a total of 839 pods for Sackville Road in three configurations – bathrooms, shower rooms, and family bathrooms – all designed to Moda’s high interior design specification. There will be 588 shower pods with deluxe-sized rainfall showers, square wall-mounted hand basin, brushed steel accessories, colour-matched heated ladder towel rail, and stylish cabinets with open shelving, and mirrored doors. Wall tiles are porcelain in two contemporary colourways – light and dark grey.

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The bathroom pods follow the same modern interior design theme as the shower rooms and will have a steel bath, overhead and hand-held showers, and a pivot shower screen, all pre-installed before delivery to site.

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Some of the shower rooms will be adaptable and are designed to accommodate wheelchair access and the addition of a grabrail and shower seat if required.

All the pods will be supplied floorless. This solution avoids the need for a recess in the floor slab on site to minimise floor build-up for each storey whilst achieving continuous level floors throughout each apartment. In addition to the homes for rent, the new community at Sackville Road will have 50,000sqft of commercial and co-working space, shops, cafés, and there are plans for 260 community care homes, a new public square, and extensive public realm and green space. Residents in the apartments will have use of private dining areas, communal lounges, gym, roof spaces, open terraces, and a wide range of wellbeing services from classes, clubs, and events to a 24-hour concierge, cleaning and laundry services, and on-site maintenance.

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Offsite Solutions offers the UK’s largest range of pods to suit many different building types and applications. Options include steel-framed bathroom pods with porcelain-tiled finishes for high-end apartments, PRS, student residences and hotels; robust and low maintenance GRP composite shower pods for student accommodation, build-to-rent, care homes, social housing, and healthcare; hybrid pods for specialist projects, and award-winning demountable GRP pods for ease of installation in refurbishment schemes. Offsite Solutions has also developed steel-framed utility pods for apartments or studios for build-to-rent or build-to-sell developments. For further information, visit www.offsitesolutions.com, call 01278 780807 or email info@offsitesolutions.com.

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Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 11

Marmox Jan 2022 (Construction UK).indd 1

13/06/2022 16:54:58

Doors, Windows & Fittings Developers Dorchester Living have collaborated with Vicaima over many years, in their transformation of the former RAF and USAF Upper Heyford airfield.

VICAIMA DESIGN BOWLS THEM OVER AT THE HEYFORD HOTEL A new and stylish Boutique Hotel at the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside has specified Vicaima trend setting door designs to compliment the mood of its relaxing and entertaining interiors. With its select and elegantly appointed rooms, The Heyford Hotel provides a refreshing visitor experience in the picturesque and rural Oxfordshire location of Upper Heyford, yet less than 30 minutes’ drive from the City of Oxford. Situated at the heart of the famous former military

airbase and with a nod to its past American connections, the hotel includes its own bespoke bowling alley and themed bar for those wishing to enjoy tastes from across the pond. Developers Dorchester Living have collaborated with Vicaima over many years, in their transformation of the former RAF and USAF Upper Heyford airfield. Therefore, it was only natural that they should chose Vicaima for this jewel in their crown. With a reputation for close attention to design detail and ability to reflect the desired blend of contemporary decor, yet sympathetic to the project’s historic heritage, Vicaima were able to realise the harmonious interiors. Working in conjunction with partners ABL Doors on this phase, Vicaima products

12 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

included third party accredited and rigorously tested and certified FD30 Fire doors, which Vicaima supplied as popular Portaro® Door Kits. These completely matching door and frame assemblies; designed for easy and rapid installation, were factory finished in Crown Cut Ash veneer with a Marina Grey semitranslucent tone. This attractive face finish also included a final addition, with the inclusion of two vertical and parallel black inlays, positioned close to the doors closing edge. Supplemental to doors and frames, Marina Grey toned skirting boards were also supplied by Vicaima, thereby completing the overall theme. Portaro® door kits and Marina Grey finish from the Naturdor® stained range are just two examples from an extensive selection of imaginative ideas from the comprehensive Vicaima Design Collections. With performance and decorative solutions for a multitude of hotel and leisure projects, Vicaima offer everything from standard and ‘off-the-shelf’ to completely bespoke designs via their Infinity Brand. For more information visit www.vicaima.com or to request samples/ literature contact marketing@vicaima.com

Doors, Windows & Fittings

ACCESSIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE COMBINED GEZE’s TS 5000 ECline overhead door closer with guide rail combines accessibility and convenience in one innovative all-round closer. GEZE, a leading manufacturer of door and window control systems has called the product the TS 5000 ECline, pronounced EASYLINE, to highlight the ease of opening the closer offers.

Providing barrier-free, easy to open doors the TS 5000 ECline is suitable for right and left single action doors with a door leaf width of up to 1250mm. It also has integrated back check, hydraulic latching action, and the closing speed can be individually adjusted. In addition the closer offers flexibility in installation as it can be installed on the door leaf on the hinge side or on the transom on the opposite hinge side and all functions can be adjusted from the front of the closer. The L version of the closer enables it to be mounted on the push side of the door. It is part of the GEZE family of closers that have the same styling, perfect for when different closers are needed throughout a building, and it has the same fitting footprint as other GEZE closers allowing it to be fitted in place of other closers without having to re-drill the door. With a closing force of EN 3-5 with variable adjustment the TS 5000 ECline is suitable for fire and smoke protection doors. Andy Howland, Sales & Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said

The TS 5000 ECline is one of our most flexible closers and can be installed anywhere where the convenience of passing through a door easily is required and perfect for ensuring access for all. Add in that it is suitable for smoke and fire protection doors and you have a great all-rounder! More information is available by visiting the company’s website at www.geze.co.uk or for a brochure to be emailed or posted out email info.uk@geze.com.

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xx Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 13

Events & Awards News

ESSEX’S BEST IN HOUSING TO BE CELEBRATED AT ANNUAL CEREMONY

MINISTER PRESENTS INDUSTRY-LEADING PEOPLE AWARD TO CITY BUILDING Scotland’s skills and training minister visited City Building to present the Glasgow business with a historic accolade for developing its young workforce. City Building is the first ever construction firm, and only the fourth business in Scotland, to achieve the Investor in Young People (IYP) Platinum accreditation. The new Platinum award is the highest level that can be attained within the acclaimed (IYP) training and development framework. It was launched to encourage employers to prioritise areas including mental health, financial wellbeing, fair work practices and meta skills. City Building, which has more than 2,000 staff, is Scotland’s largest employer of apprentices with around 200 apprentices on its books. It is also the industry’s largest employer of female craft trade apprentices, and it has one of the highest pass-out rates for apprentices at 94%. In recognition of the firm’s success, Jamie Hepburn, MSP, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training Minister visited the business to present it with its latest accreditation and meet with some of its young people.

Essex Housing Awards, in association with Birketts, is returning for 2022 – once again highlighting the best housing companies, projects and partnerships across the county. This year there are 12 categories open to entry, focusing on developments of any size, design, partnership projects, action to tackle climate change, skills and supporting the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, and much more. Entries are open now and close on 8 July. Following the nomination deadline, an expert panel of judges made up of housing practitioners and advisors from the public and private sector will examine every entry, deciding the winners of each category, ahead of a glittering Awards Ceremony, with up to 200 guests anticipated to attend, at Greenwoods Hotel in Ingatestone on 3 November. Nominations are sought from house builders, housing associations, local authorities, contractors, agents in Essex, as well as voluntary sector organisations delivering housing and related services across the county. Entering the Awards gives applicants the opportunity to enhance their profile and gain recognition for their contributions to housing in the country.

The awards categories open to entry are: • Excellence in Development Small (fewer than 25 homes) • Excellence in Development - Medium (26-50 homes), sponsored by Close Brothers • Excellence in Development Large (50+ homes) • Excellence in Design • Building Garden Communities • Construction Skills • Meeting Housing Need, sponsored by CHP • Climate Action, sponsored by Scrutton Bland • Delivering Services for Vulnerable People • Supporting COVID-19 Recovery • Working in Partnership, sponsored by Birketts • Housing Professional of the Year Mark Curle, Chair of the Essex Developers Group, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Essex Housing Awards back after a two-year absence.” Visit: www.housingessex.org/ essex-housing-awards-2022

MC CONSTRUCTION HONOURED BY NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH Salford-based MC Construction has been honoured for its fundraising efforts in aid of North West Cancer Research. The company won the charity’s Corporate Supporter award at a gala dinner and ceremony held at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Liverpool. North West Cancer Research is an independent charity dedicated to tackling cancer across the north west and North Wales. Its team aims to tackle the causes of the disease and prevent it, to improve the care of those who are diagnosed with it and, ultimately, to find a cure.

Staff at MC Construction voted for North West Cancer Research as the firm’s charity of the year for 2021, which was the company’s 50th anniversary year. They undertook a variety of fundraising activities, including a skydive, the National Three Peaks Challenge, the Great Manchester Run, Tough Mudder, the company’s annual Golden Trowel golf tournament, raffles and a Bake-Off.

detection of prostate cancer, the most prevalent form of male cancer in the region.

The company smashed its target of £10,000 to raise a total of £11,169. The money is being used to fund a year’s laboratory costs for research into early

In addition, MC Construction undertook an extensive campaign to raise awareness among staff, their families and friends and the company’s supply chain.

14 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

Events & Awards News

IG LINTELS WINS BRADFORDS SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR 2021 IG Lintels, the UK’s largest steel lintels manufacturer, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded ‘Bradfords Supplier of the Year’ at the Bradfords Awards for Excellence, in recognition of its exceptional customer service.

WILLMOTT DIXON CELEBRATES EUROPEAN DOUBLE Willmott Dixon is marking a European double after the Town House and The Box became the only UK projects to gain international recognition in two prestigious awards. Kingston University’s Town House followed up its 2021 Stirling Prize by being crowned Europe’s best new building after winning the Architecture Prize at the world renowned Mies van der Rohe Awards. Judges singled out its “remarkable environmental quality that creates an excellent atmosphere for studying, gathering, dancing and being together. The building creates an emotional experience from within and through the multilevel façade colonnade that creates a domestic atmosphere on different levels. The Willmott Dixon-built Town House is Kingston University’s centrepiece, blending higher education library services with performing arts facilities,

IG Lintels is proud to have won the highly competitive ‘Supplier of the Year’ award, at the prestigious Bradford’s Award for Excellence 2021, demonstrating its outstanding professionalism and commitment to its customers. The leading steel lintels manufacturer is honoured to have been nominated for this prestigious accolade after being voted for unanimously by all branch and support staff.

breakout areas, places for students to gather and exhibition space – all designed to be accessible to everyone. This award was followed by The Box in Plymouth being commended at the 2022 European Museum of the Year awards, the only UK project to feature in the prestigious event. Judges hailed The Box for being “a remarkable regional museum with strong ambitions for its cultural, educational and social effects. With outstanding exhibitions and easy access for all, it has created a new cultural asset for its city and region and is an active advocate for the social change it can bring to its communities.” The Box is a museum, gallery and archive space under one roof, featuring over two million items that capture local history, from a two-and-a-half tonne ship’s figurehead, King Billy, to a feather-winged beetle, the size of a full stop.

13/04/2021 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 1513:43:17

CM0421015 Applications Engineering Ltd Quarter Page.indd 1

Drainage & Plumbing

OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION BENEFITS FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS Andy Cullum

The methods for delivering commercial projects have pretty much stayed the same since the 1960s, while in other industries offsite construction has become a significant growth area. As the government pushes for wider adoption of modern methods of construction and prepares to invest in it, Polypipe Building Services UK managing director Andy Cullum explains how the company is adapting its drainage systems to meet this growing market.

Offsite construction is part of a move toward a more manufacturing-based process in the construction industry. This should come as no surprise given the significant advantages it offers, including cost certainty, leaner project times, less people are needed, it reduces waste, and guarantees scales of delivery and quality. Other sectors have seen nearly three times the growth in this area - partly because other industries have changed their processes to take advantage of technological developments. Today offsite fabrication makes up a relatively small part of our business at Polypipe Building Services. However, we anticipate this to be one of the fastest growing areas for us in the next couple of years. Offsite construction is a proven approach to solve many challenges the construction industry is facing, increasing labour shortages, rising material costs, changes in building regulations and the push towards net zero. These factors combined are all fundamentally driving innovative approaches to construction. It allows significant amounts of construction to be performed in a controlled environment, and depending on project needs, on a near assembly-

16 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

Drainage & Plumbing

on in the project so we can collaborate more effectively with specifiers and contractors to create offsite solutions. If we understand the site, and their building requirements we can understand their specific challenges and meet them. Recently we made some non-vertical stacks for a customer for example, because they had back-to-back toilets and needed something six metres long and horizontal. We made them to this exact specification, and the bespoke stacks were dropped straight in and installed in hours. line basis. Offsite manufacturing has been a specialist service supplied by manufacturers for some time because it simply solves design issues and allows products to undergo robust testing before they get to site, reducing risks of costly mistakes. We’ve invested heavily in infrastructure at our manufacturing facility in Kent and now have the technical capabilities to fully fabricate both our Terrain drainage stacks and Mecflow water supply systems to individual project specifications on site. This minimises the need for jointing and saves valuable installation time. We also ensure each stack is fully air tested before being delivered to site. This fabrication process, which we call Polypipe Advantage, allows contractors to make progress with a made to measure drainage or water supply system that is efficiently installed. Because the systems are designed to meet exact specifications of a project, this removes the need for specialist teams to be present on site to undertake significant work to install them. Our Terrain drainage pipes, which are manufactured from high density polyethylene (HDPE) and Mecflow water supply systems, made from polypropylene

(PP), are much more versatile than traditional materials when it comes to offsite construction and allows us greater flexibility to adapt and create designs to address specific customer challenges. And because all our products are 100% recyclable, at the end of a buildings’ life – however long that may be – during the deconstruction phase the plastic drainage can be recovered and reprocessed or recycled and used to manufacture further products.

In another flagship project we’re currently working on in Manchester the customer wanted fabricated stacks so the bathroom pods could go in pre-built before going to site. We went to their office, mocked up a stack for them which they could then take to their pod manufacturer to make sure it was the right fit. With about 20-bathroom pods per floor, this meant considerable time savings, because if these were done the traditional way those would have taken a week to install, but this way an entire floor can be connected in about half a day.

Offsite construction is a proven approach to solve many challenges the construction industry is facing, increasing labour shortages, rising material costs, changes in building regulations and the push towards net zero. These factors combined are all fundamentally driving innovative approaches to construction.

Offsite and modular construction is also much better for the environment and helps us contribute to our company ambitions to advance the circular economy with our manufacturing process. We also have Genuit group wide targets – we’re aiming for 62% of our products to be manufactured with recyclable materials by 2025. Our manufacturing site also operates with a zero-waste policy. For example, all wooden pallets used to deliver our products to site are returned and reused or recycled. While any offcuts generated on site are brought back and reprocessed inhouse and used to manufacture new plastic products on site with nothing going to landfill.

We create off-site fabricated products for example, for installation into healthcare, education, multi occupancy residential, commercial high and midrise, student apartments and hotels. One of the challenges which I’m sure other manufacturers face, is to get our customers to engage with us earlier

The benefits in terms of efficiency, quality assurance, health and safety and our environment mean there’s really no limit to offsite methods of construction, and it’s why we’re recruiting more engineers and increasing our fabrication facilities so we can expand within this sector. It will be adopted more and more and will soon become the norm.

For further information visit www.polypipe.com/this-is-our-terrain

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 17

Drainage & Plumbing

PREPARATION IS KEY TO LONG LIFE OF DRAINAGE NETWORK Handing over the best drainage network Once a new site has finished completion and is handed over to local authority, there’s no better piece of mind than a drainage network that is robust enough to last for up to 50 years. At Jet Aire Services, they have a team of skilled engineers who use the latest technology to undertake this drainage protection without the need to complete any digging on the brand new residential site. This ‘no dig’ approach minimises the amount of time on site to undertake the work and reduces disruption as it can be undertaken in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. A significant investment in new equipment ensures that Jet Aire are market leaders and can undertake trenchless proactive treatment and repairs on all pipework. This trenchless technology is a technique that is preferred by many businesses across the construction sector, the best example being housebuilders when a new network has been installed in a residential area prior to be handed over to the relevant local authority. A proactive application of lining can be made to the drainage ensuring any blockages are dealt with and slight misalignments of piping are negated by the enhanced lining.

Fully skilled and equipped to resolve unique problems

Rehabilitation of aging pipe networks For the more established drainage networks, some problematic issues include root intrusion, fractured pipes, voids and displaced joints and Jet Aire specialise in UV cured liners, patching and robotic cutting.

Jet Aire work with some of the biggest construction and utility companies in the UK to offer a full service from problem identification to regeneration, rehabilitating pipes to a life expectancy of 50+ years. They can offer a complete service from initial site investigation identifying all defects generating detailed drainage reports through to sewer rehabilitation from cleaning to CIPP lining. In addition, they can undertake a thorough site scoping service to identify any potential health and safety issues and traffic management requirements. Jet Aire undertake detailed manhole analysis and investigation to ensure problems are identified prior to works commencing.

Jet Aire has a range of tools including jetting, vacuum suction, picote cutting, IMS bladder cutter or large Prokasro cutter to prepare pipes prior to the start of work. The tools we have also include a wide range of jetting attachments designed to maximise our preparation efficiency. Our teams are trained to the Water Jetting Association specification and undertake Streetworks training to ensure they are adequately trained to set up traffic management where required.

CIPP lining and drainage rehabilitation Once the defect has been identified, the method of repair agreed and the site set up our teams will install the CIPP trenchless repairs in line with WRC requirements. Installations include patching and lining use various techniques. Our fleet includes a small UV lining system for repairs from 70 to 250mm diameter and we have several large UV lining systems capable of lining pipes from 150 to 1200mm diameter. We also have the capability to install ambient or hot cure lining, but our preference is to install using UV light. Light is used to cure the liners speeding up cure times and minimising the risk of further damage to the existing pipe. The work we undertake reduces the amount of waste removed from site (spoil excavated and sent to tip). It reduces the health and safety risk as projects ultimately are completed at a much quicker speed reducing the interaction between different construction trades. Our team record the finished pipe rehabilitation project detailing the new condition of the pipe. On previous projects this has been used by commercial property developers/ architects to get building work signed off by the local authority for new developments.

Contact Jet Aire today to discuss your drainage networks and planned construction projects to see how we can help. www.jetaire.co.uk

18 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

Drainage & Plumbing

DUCT SURVEYS PREPARE HINKLEY POINT C FOR NATIONAL GRID LINK-UP

a parachute. A powerful pneumatic compressor was then used to inflate the bag and push it through the duct. The rope could then be attached to a plunger mandril, which was pulled through the ducting to force water and debris out of the pipe. A 166mm-diameter proving mandril was then pulled through each duct to ensure there were no deformities that could hinder the later installation of the power cables. The proving mandril was combined with a brush mandril to remove dust from each pipe at the same time. Another key solution for the 700m bundles was to carry out all the work before the final 100m of each 700m duct was installed.

Buried ducts that will hold the high voltage cables connecting the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station to the National Grid have been surveyed and cleared of water by drainage engineers from Lanes Group plc. A team from the Lanes Bristol depot has carried out the CCTV survey and cleaning project so the 12 cable ducts are ready for 400 kilovolt power cables to be installed. Hinkley Point C, being built by EDF Energy on the Somerset coast, is Europe’s biggest single-site building project. When completed, it will generate about 7% of the UK’s total energy needs. Lanes worked closely with engineers from the Kier BAM joint venture, working for NNB, part of EDF Energy, to devise the best methodology to clean, prove and survey the ducts. Lanes Area Development Manager Jamie Commons led a team of four drainage engineers who completed projects over six months. He said: “Our drainage expertise and equipment were ideal for the

task. Working with our Kier BAM colleagues, we devised a methodology that safely met the access challenges associated with the project and completed all works in the required timescale.” Three bundles of ducting, each with four ducts - with lengths of 190m, 300m and 700m - were worked on. All were circular, with an internal diameter of 185mm. The project involved four key tasks: removing water and debris from the ducts; prove their condition; carrying out CCTV surveys; and make them watertight. The biggest challenge was cleaning and survey the 700m bundle because the ducting was so long. A key part of the solution was the creation of a novel miniparachute, powered by compressed air. The first task was to send a pull rope along the duct. This was needed to pull mandrils along the pipe to clean it and prove it. This was achieved by attached a tough polythene bag to the rope, creating

This meant the Lanes CCTV crawler camera, which has 300 metres of cable, could be used to survey the 600m pipes from each end, recording HD quality images inside each duct along its entire length. The final 100m sections were then installed and surveyed with the crawler camera. The Lanes team then inserted bungs at both ends to stop more water or debris getting into them. The same methodology was used to clean, prove, survey and secure the two shorter duct bundles, but from one end only. Enabling work for Hinkley Point C began in 2008 and construction on the 430-acre site began in earnest in 2016. Around 22,000 people across the UK are now working on the project. The 3,200 Megawatt nuclear power station is central to the government’s strategy to meet the UK’s long-term energy needs, and its commitment for Britain to be carbon neutral by 2050. It is due to start generating energy in 2026. Lanes Group: www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 19

Drainage & Plumbing

ASBESTOS IN PLUMBING: PROTECTING YOUR WORKFORCE

•

Asbestos was renowned for its insulating, heat-resistant and fire retardant properties. Coupled with it being a relatively affordable material, it is not surprising that asbestos was commonly used within plumbing and heating materials such as boilers, water tanks, calorifiers, pipes, gaskets and valves.

domestic and commercial properties to heat water and prevent condensation. Brown asbestos (amosite) was most commonly used within water insulation products due to its high resistance to heat. Furthermore, chrysotile (white) asbestos was used in pipes, gaskets, cement sheets and asbestos cement for its durability.

•

Workers within the plumbing industry have been identified as one of the highest risk groups for being exposed to the fibrous mineral, so arming your workforce with the knowledge of where asbestos can be commonly found in plumbing and heating materials will help to protect them from the health risks associated with exposure to Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs).

Present in both residential and commercial properties, asbestos in plumbing can vary significantly in terms of its overall appearance and texture, making it more challenging to identify. In particular, water pipes that are insulated with asbestos are usually covered in a protective coating, which is often painted and therefore even harder to distinguish. There have also been occasions where paint has been found to contain asbestos, too.

•

This does not just stop at heating and plumbing materials, either. Asbestos exposure also includes other ACMs in areas that plumbers may be exposed to, such as debris on floors, asbestos insulating board (AIB) walls that pipes may be screwed to and AIB boxing that requires unscrewing to get access to the pipes. When was asbestos used in plumbing? In the early 20th century, asbestos was used within pipes and insulation in both

Common locations of asbestos in plumbing materials include: • Insulation – asbestos was often applied to water pipes, on boilers, calorifiers, on tanks and to flue pipes. These can be located in plant rooms, loft spaces, ceiling voids, riser cupboards and floor ducts. The asbestos insulation is either hand applied directly to the pipework, boilers, water tanks or calorifiers, or in the form of pre-made sectional pipe insulation

Water pipes that are insulated with asbestos are usually covered in a protective coating, which is often painted and therefore even harder to distinguish.

20 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

• •

wrapped in a textile ‘plumbers wrap’. Asbestos insulation (lagging) was applied wet, so residue can be found on brackets and other surfaces near to pipe runs (even when the original pipe lagging may be removed) Pumps, valves and gaskets – asbestos compressed gaskets have been used extensively Heat shields – installed around hot water heaters (often made of asbestos millboard) Joint compounds – used around pipes due to its insulating properties. Asbestos cement – used to make products such as flue pipes, toilet cisterns, water tanks and rainwater goods, as it was resistant to internal and external corrosion. Bath panels – older bath panels were often manufactured using asbestos cement or asbestos-insulating board.

What is the recommended course of action before starting works on asbestos in plumbing? The duty holder is responsible for managing asbestos risk within the property, and contractors must review the asbestos register before starting their work. As long as asbestos is in good condition and is not disturbed, it will not pose any risk to health. However, exposed asbestos-containing pipes and wraps can easily admit airborne fibres, as can any asbestos that has been left to deteriorate and become friable (is brittle and flakes easily). In the event of discovering or accidentally disturbing asbestos, work should be stopped immediately, the area should be cleared and the issue reported to the relevant individuals as soon as possible.

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The duty holder should then organise a qualified surveyor to sample and test the asbestos, as well as providing information on location, amount and the type of ACM/s. If it has been confirmed to contain asbestos, an asbestos management plan should be implemented on the premises locating the presence of ACMs and assess the condition, type and risks.

asbestos-related illnesses. Friable asbestos is particularly dangerous, given that the fine asbestos fibres are even more likely to be released into the air and inhaled.

How are plumbers exposed to asbestos?

The Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012) identify who is responsible for managing asbestos and sets out the steps that duty holders must carry out to reduce the level of risk. In line with Regulation 10 of CAR 2012, organisations must ensure that anyone who may be liable to disturbing asbestos during their work receives the correct level of information and training to carry out the plumbing work safely and competently.

According to the HSE, asbestos exposure kills four plumbers every week. Furthermore, the HSE’s Mesothelioma mortality by occupation statistics in Great Britain, there were 415 deaths from asbestos-related diseases from plumbers, heating and ventilating engineers in 2021. The risk of asbestos exposure is significant within the plumbing industry given the requirement to drill, join, grind, cut and repair plumbing materials, as well as handle, remove and replace parts such as pipes, pumps, gaskets and valves. Plumbers have also been known to handle asbestos cloth, which is placed behind pipe joints to heat them up prior to soldering. All of these activities increase the chance of damaging/disturbing the asbestos and releasing fibres into the air, increasing the risk of mesothelioma and similar

What legislation is in place to protect my workforce against the risks of asbestos in plumbing?

Plumbers must be properly trained in asbestos awareness and must know how to report findings prior to undertaking work around asbestos. Employers/duty holders should ensure that plumbers are well informed as to where ACM/s are located on the premises so that they do not accidentally disturb or remove it. In addition, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on every employer to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work for all employees and nonemployees who may be affected by the employer’s activities. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 further expands upon these duties by requiring employers to assess health and safety risks to their workforce.

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 21

Drainage & Plumbing

DRAIN JETTING SAFETY AND QUALITY GET TRAINING BOOST Improvements are being made to water jetting training to help contractors enhance the quality and safety of drain and sewer jetting services they deliver to the construction industry. The Water Jetting Association, the UK trade association for the water jetting industry, is strengthening its mandatory refresher training by introducing a significant new element of practical tuition. It is upgrading the way delegates attending the City & Guilds accredited courses are examined, with digital click pads that make learning more engaging and testing more rigorous. The WJA is also introducing a new workbook for its safety awareness course that improves engagement and provides delegates with a reference guide. WJA Training and Safety Committee Chairman Darren Hamilton said: “We’re always looking to improve our training. These changes reflect the vision of our committee has to improve outcomes for operatives, contractors and their customers. “By upgrading our courses, making them as up-to-date as possible, with the most relevant content and learning techniques, we will improve the quality and safety of water jetting, which is our ultimate aim.” The WJA is the largest provider of water jetting training for surface preparation, hydrodemolition, drain and sewer cleaning, pipe cleaning and pressure washing. Courses are also delivered around the world, notably in the Middle East.

To obtain their WJA cards and certificates, operatives must pass the class-based one-day WJA Safety Awareness course and one of four practical modules, with refresher training undertaken every three years. Darren Hamilton said:

The new refresher process allows us to check that operatives are using the correct water jetting techniques and their skills are developing as we’d expect. We’ll also include regulation updates and technical changes introduced by the WJA. The WJA is also introducing a new pressure washing code of practice, the first of its kind in the UK, to allow contractors and service users to benchmark safe and effective operational standards. Website: www.waterjetting.org.uk

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22 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

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Drainage & Plumbing PREMIER TECH IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ITS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL REWATEC SOLIDO SMART Premier Tech Water and Environment has upgraded its 3,000 L and 4,000 L range of Rewatec Solido Smart sewage treatment plants, to provide a peace of mind wastewater treatment solution for its customers and installation partners. By utilising proven sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology to provide wastewater treatment and clarification in a single, durable tank, the Rewatec Solido Smart delivers exceptional reliability and efficiency, with a small footprint.

A new super reinforced polyethylene shell structure means that Premier Tech can extend its level of warranty cover for the new system from 10 to 25 years for the shell itself, whilst also extending the pump warranty from 1 to 3 years. The warranty for all electro-mechanical parts will remain at 3 years. Design changes such as a complete pre-assembly of internal componentry, a combined inlet and desludge pipe which can be rotated to align with underground pipework, a 50% wider access turret with simple on-site height adjustment, and the incorporation of pump lifting chains are all ways in which the new Rewatec Solido Smart is significantly easier to install and service. In addition, each Rewatec Solido Smart is equipped with an electronic control panel to ensure that pre-determined outflow values are maintained during operation. When the number of habitants for a property are entered into the panel, the pre-set control parameters are automatically loaded to ensure that wastewater treatment and energy usage is optimised.

For periodic usage, or periods with no usage such as holidays, “economic mode” can be selected to reduce aeration by 50% of the set value for a maximum of 30 days. This again maximises energy efficiency whilst also reducing cost and carbon footprint. Ian Wake – Sales and Marketing Director commented on the upgrade by stating: “Premier Tech prides itself on providing sustainable local solutions that protect our planet, and the upgrade to our Rewatec Solido Smart range is no different. We have listened to the feedback from our customers and implemented design changes that have enhanced our overall solution, whilst maintaining the core offering of highly efficient wastewater treatment. By manufacturing the Solido Smart so that is it has more features and benefits and is quicker to install and easier to service, we truly believe we will continue to make a lasting and positive difference to the lives of our customers and the planet we all share.” CE and UKCA marked, and fully tested and certified to EN12566-3, the new Rewatec Solido Smart is suitable for properties of up to 10 people. To find out more about how this innovative sewage treatment plant provides the next generation of domestic wastewater treatment, visit: https://www.premiertechaqua.com/en-gb/ wastewater-treatment/sequencing-batchreactor-sbr

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NEW WOODLAND PLANTED FOR KIRTON AS PART OF THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS The first 150 trees of a new woodland in Kirton, Nottinghamshire, have been planted by building products manufacturer Forterra to mark the Queen’s Jubilee. The site, which is on agricultural land owned by Forterra close to its Kirton brickworks, will form part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC). A further 1,350 trees, consisting of rowan, oak, hawthorn, blackthorn, cherry and silver birch, will be planted at an event in October when the tree planting season begins again. The QGC is a nationwide movement encouraging individuals, groups and companies to sustainably plant trees across the country, in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Intended to encourage the planting of new trees and vegetation, the QGC will also aid the regeneration of ancient woodland. For the woodland site, Forterra has commissioned Greenfields Countryside Ltd, a countryside management company, to prepare and carry out maintenance upon the land between each planting. This will ensure the trees are well cared for and given the best opportunity to grow as quickly and healthily as possible. These trees will eventually grow into a natural, biodiverse woodland, which Forterra is naming ‘Jubilee Wood’. To commemorate the occasion, Forterra has also commissioned a specially made plaque that bears the name of the woodland and the dates of the planting. The ecological benefits of a whole woodland of trees will be significant in a multitude of ways. Tree planting is a simple but highly effective way to reduce air pollution, at the same time creating havens for wildlife and improving the respiratory health of the people living nearby. Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive of Forterra, said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a brilliant initiative. We’re excited to join the nation in celebrating the Platinum Jubilee, while also contributing towards Britain’s natural heritage. We are always looking for ways to contribute and improve, especially in terms of sustainability. Our involvement in the Queen’s Green Canopy campaign complements several other investments we have initiated over the past few months, including investment in a solar farm which by 2025 will generate 70% of our electricity needs.”

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 25

CLIMATE CHANGE, THE COST-OFLIVING CRISIS AND WATER In the UK water conservation has been almost treated with derision. Excepting the summer of 1976, water restrictions are limited to occasional hose pipe bans. However, the wider impact of excessive water usage is now becoming recognised. At the 2022 Waterwise conference, Prof Liz Sharp, University of Sheffield, explained that research had shown that the water efficiency message in itself had little impact on behaviour. The relative cost of water

is low, so monetary savings in not a good incentive. Conversely, links with wider issues of interest to a particular community could. “Water is the primary medium through which we will feel the effects of climate change.” 1 - United Nations, Water Facts Even in our ‘green and pleasant land’ the change in weather patterns due to global climate change have resulted erratic rainfall

patterns, leading to (mostly) short term supply issues, which can impact on our green spaces and countryside. In addition to these ‘direct impacts’, the process of cleaning, processing, and heating water accounts for 6% of CO2 emissions in the UK.2 To date few people have made the link between the water coming out the tap to local environment. However, the connections between water, the environment and energy costs are being highlighted by organisations as diverse as the United Nations through to local conservation groups. “The energy used to heat water for devices and appliances emits an average of 875kg of CO2 per household per year. This is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from driving more than 1,700 miles in an average family car.” 3, 4 - Energy Saving Trust To many the more immediate issue is energy prices. Heidi Mottram, CEO, Northumbrian Water highlighted the fact that on average 25% of energy used in the home is to heat water. Whilst water efficient appliances, i.e. dishwashers and washing machines, can reduce domestic water and energy usage, much of this hot water used in ‘time critical’ usage e.g. taking a shower or running the tap to rinse dishes.

26 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

Customer education can help as can water meters, but both have their limitations. Our water companies are regulated to provide a minimum standard of pressure and flow of water, but in many areas due to network structure and gravity fed systems supply is much greater. So, run a hose for five minutes at the bottom of the hill, and your lawn will be greener that the gardener that does the same at the top. These ‘time controlled’ uses, e.g. teeth cleaning, taking a shower, running a tap to rinse dishes could be standardised down if all households received the same acceptable, ‘standardised’ supply.

Defra’s target is an average reduction of 33L per person per day. Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo is a surprisingly simple method of working towards that target. Independent research carried out by WRc, showed a theoretical reduction of 2-4% of typical water usage. However, recent field trials by a major UK water company are showing reductions in excess of 37L per day per household (for one or two person households) – a saving in PCC in excess of 10% . NRv2 LoFlo regulates the level of flow entering customer premises – regardless of network pressure, meaning a reduction in the level of water used by customers when ‘variable use’ appliances are used. As the flow of water into the premises is limited, then the amount used by the customer is also limited – but without providing a degradation of service, and more importantly not requiring any intervention or behavioural change on the part of the customer, leading to ‘natural’ reduction in per capital consumption.

A number of flow modulation ranges are available which enable the perfect balance between usage reduction and service provision. As an added benefit, the NRv2 LoFlo can also provide whole site protection against contamination by back flow. The NRv2 LoFlo can be easily and simply retrofitted to any meter installation, or meter exchange when upgrading or remediating underground meter chambers. Thus, allowing Water Companies to manage demand with little or no impact on consumers and at minimal cost to the water undertakers - effectively a 3 in 1 solution.

A simple solution at approximately £20 per household, fitted on the normal meter exchange/upgrade cycle could achieve in excess of 20% of our consumption target in 10 years. By Steve Leigh FIWater, Managing Director Groundbreaker Systems

Groundbreaker Systems won the HBF’s ‘Utility of the Year’ in 2018. www.groundbreaker.co.uk 1. https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/climate-change/ 2. Environment Agency (2008): Greenhouse gas emissions of water supply and demand management options, Science Report – SC070010 3. Ref: An average passenger car (any fuel) emits 0.311 kgCO2 per mile. Source: 2012 Guidelines to Defra/ DECC’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting. 4. https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports/ AtHomewithWater%287%29.pdf

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 27

Company News

BEARD BUYS HUGE WOODLAND IN INNOVATIVE CARBON OFFSET MOVE Beard Construction has bought 180 acres of stunning woodland near Bristol in a ground-breaking move to offset its environmental impact with carbon sequestration. Biological carbon sequestration takes place when carbon is stored in natural environments.

The process sees carbon dioxide binding to plants during photosynthesis, where it is purified and converted to oxygen. Woodland is considered one of the best forms of sequestration as it stores twice as much carbon as it emits. Early calculations suggest that the vast area – the size of more than 102 football

pitches - could offset Beard’s entire annual carbon footprint. Known as Wrington Warren, the woodland is a rolling expanse of trees, bowers and pastures which nestles under the Mendip hills. Beard is investigating the possibility of using it as a peaceful environment for staff and company activities, as well as a space for “wilding” activities for schoolchildren as part of the company’s on-going commitment to corporate social responsibility and community engagement.

The purchase of Wrington Warren is the latest move in Beard’s long-term strategy to minimise its environmental impact, not just in terms of its processes but also for the life of the buildings it creates. Beard’s commitment to sustainable, lowcarbon construction is mandated by the board. The company, which already invests in UK forestry, has pledged to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

GLENCAR CONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCES LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH BERKHAMSTED F.C Agreement sees Glencar enter a 6-year sponsorship deal with the Southern League Division One Central team and include the stadium naming rights, which will be renamed ‘The Glencar Community Stadium’. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has signed a 6-year sponsorship deal with Southern League Division One Central football team Berkhamsted F.C. The agreement which will see Glencar receive the stadium full naming rights, is a long-term collaboration with Glencar investing in the club, known as the Comrades in tribute to the returning servicemen who founded the club back in 1919, as part of the club’s next phase of growth. It fits squarely within Glencar’s commitment to invest in local causes and communities close to its roots and dear to its heritage.

being supporters as an active and supportive partner working in close co-operation with the club and making some much needed investment across multiple areas”. Also commenting Berkhamsted F.C Chairman Steve Davis said: “Since reestablishing the club in 2009, we have made great strides both on and off the pitch to build the club up to the level it is at now. Commenting on the agreement, Glencar Chief Information Officer Ricky Levenston said: “Berkhamsted Football Club finished second in the league last season with a young squad and manager, narrowly missing out on promotion through the play offs. So, the potential is there for all to see with the club looking to make further progress in the 2022/23 season. Glencar is committed to investing in the communities in which we are present and helping the future generation. Our ethos is firmly aligned to that of the club and developing opportunities for young people throughout the community. We see our role over the next few years as well as

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“We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with Glencar which will help to take the club a stage further as we continue to build for the future. “We are 100% focussed and committed to invest in our youth players within the club, as demonstrated by our national champion U15 team, and we’re keen to provide opportunities for development which we are seeing now with young players coming through to the first team. We look forward to working in close partnership with Glencar and continuing along our football journey together. Up the Comrades!”

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Editor’s Choice

WANT TO BOOST YOUR MARGINS? COSTCUTTING DOESN’T WORK Mark Worrall, CEO of BBI Services, explains why common approaches to cutting costs on construction projects are often counterproductive. Business, even when conducted with the best of intentions, is ultimately about making money. You can be passionate, driven, dedicated to quality, and committed to providing your customers with the very best customer service, but if you’re not turning a profit, then you very quickly find yourself in trouble. That’s why so many firms up and down the construction supply chain are so fixated on the cost rather than the value it brings. Lower costs equal higher margins, which means more profit, and a healthier, more successful business. So, on the surface, at least, it’s a no-brainer – why wouldn’t you strive to minimise cost in every aspect of what you do? The real trick is being able to identify and eliminate anything that doesn’t add value. But in reality, more often than not, an excessive focus on cost-cutting can often lead to the opposite effect. For instance, research has identified that productivity in the construction sector has flatlined for 20 years even though other sectors have dramatically improved. While another investigation has identified that more than a fifth (21%) of project costs are wasted because of poor quality. Therefore, tackling both productivity and quality will have a dramatic impact on costs, but also programme and client satisfaction.

Following a productive and right-first-time process will create a safer site. This is supported by research which highlights 39% of safety issues were quality related, with injury more likely to occur when performing rework.

productivity, value, and safety – which, if you solve them, mean that cost will take care of itself. When it comes to thinking about cost, we drive the businesses we work with to not just think about the money they spend up front, but really explore, challenge, and streamline all operations to remove waste and embed value right first time, every time.

Focus on what adds value

So, when you think about it, it’s quite simple – do you ask procurement to find the cheapest quote? Or would you rather pay slightly more for a better company that gives you a trouble-free process, products and who engage with you collaboratively?

Most companies focus their cost-cutting efforts at the start of the project – on cutting or squeezing the money spent on materials, hiring of contractors and so on.

A common response we receive to this line of argument is “if we can’t competitively tender, then how can we get a competitive price?”

But much of the cash that’s wasted is often found during the build process, when errors and delays created by poor planning, productivity, quality or implementation have been affected and need to be remedied.

But it’s not as black and white as that. It’s perfectly possible to work with a supplier to collaboratively improve productivity, streamline processes, drive quality, and optimise logistics.

So, if your cost-cutting attempts are solely focused on reducing the initial outlay earlier on in the project – getting materials more cheaply, hiring cheaper contractors etc – you actually run the risk of increasing these costs, not cutting them.

In doing so, you will drive value up and remove unnecessary wastes, which in turn cuts costs and allows you to reap the benefits of working with more reputable and professional organisations.

If you get material that’s of a lower quality, delivered by less reputable suppliers, and fitted by tradespeople with less experience and professionalism all because your overriding objective has been to cut costs, the quality of the finished project is going to suffer – which means cancelling out any savings you might have made when costly rework is required. Let cost take care of itself At BBI Services, we believe that a totally different approach is required. It’s not about obsessively focusing on cost. It’s about rigorously tackling issues around quality,

Mark Worrall, CEO of BBI Services

If you really want to cut costs, think of productivity, quality and health and safety as a triangle, with cost in the middle. Work to get the tangible three aspects right, and costs will automatically be reduced. And don’t forget to implement lessons you’ve learned on previous projects to maximise performance on the next one. All too often, we see businesses who’ve been doing things the same way for twenty years, missing vital opportunities to streamline their processes – but the truth is we need to make small steps everyday to create real change. We can help you At BBI, we help some of the construction sector’s biggest and most established businesses do better. By rigorously honing their processes, driving sweeping cultural change, and ensuring that best practise is common practise in every sphere, BBI supports world-leading organisations become more streamlined and effective. We can do the same for you – and ensure you become more sustainable than ever before. Interested in learning more? Call 01608 664589 today.

To find out more about how you can make a real difference to how your business and team operates visit: www.bbiservices.com

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Editor’s Choice NEW INSTRUMENT ACCELERATES SOIL ANALYSIS WHEN LAYING UNDERGROUND CABLES Labcell is launching the VARIOS instrument for automatically generating thermal dryout curves for soil samples. Manufactured in the USA by METER Group, the new VARIOS offers substantial benefits to companies laying underground high-voltage electric cables. It saves time and cost during planning and construction, as well as improving reliability and energy efficiency when cables are in use. A cable’s electrical resistance causes heat to be generated when a current flows. As the cable’s temperature rises, its resistance increases further and causes more heat to be generated. Ultimately, the cable can suffer from thermal runaway and fail catastrophically. To avoid this situation, it is vital that heat is conducted away from the cable to stabilise its temperature. With underground cables, heat dissipates through the backfill material and soil around the cable, so it is imperative to understand the soil’s thermal properties. Traditional laboratory methods for analysing soil thermal properties have been time-consuming, costly and prone to human error. The new VARIOS instrument offers a cost-effective alternative that delivers higher-quality data more quickly and easily, while eliminating the risks associated with human error. The VARIOS comes as a complete, ready-to-use kit that includes software for data acquisition and analysis. Contact Labcell Website: www.labcell.com Phone: 01420 568150 Email: mail@labcell.com

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Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 31

Editor’s Choice © Crossrail Ltd

When we embarked on this project back in 2016, it quickly became apparent that no other manufacturer could match the calibre of Howe Green’s expertise and superior product excellence.

BILCO UK AND HOWE GREEN ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH THE ELIZABETH LINE Bilco UK and Howe Green, manufacturers of high quality access solutions, have been specified as part of the construction of the Elizabeth line to provide engineers with safe and secure access. Throughout the construction stages of the central section, which spans from Westbourne Park to Plumstead and Pudding Mill Lane, over 350 of Bilco UK’s innovative aluminium Ladder Up® Safety Posts were specified by Crossrail’s systemwide contractor Alstom TSO Costain Joint Venture (ATC Systemwide). Weighing just seven kilograms due to their milled aluminium construction, the resilient Ladder Up® Safety Posts provide engineers with unobstructed access to the walkways when conducting essential maintenance throughout the tunnels.

The specification process, managed by Construction & Rail Contractors McNealy Brown, focused on the requirement for durable yet functional access solutions that would consistently provide a safe and direct step through onto the walkway, without impacting on the surrounding electrical services. The unique and high quality construction of the Ladder Up® Safety Post fulfilled each requirement of the brief. This includes features such as the innovative telescopic post, which mounts permanently to the top two rungs of any fixed ladder to provide a

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secure handhold that enables the user to enter or exit the opening in an upright and balanced position. Clive Burfoot, Contract Manager at McNealy Brown, said: “When we first began researching potential access solutions for the central section, it became clear quite quickly that the Bilco UK Ladder Up® Safety Post was the only product available on the UK market that would fulfil our extensive list of requirements. “The telescopic extension was one of the main benefits that secured its specification for this project, as it enables the Ladder Up® safety

Editor’s Choice to provide secure and concealed access to under-floor services.

Conor McCann, Director at DMC, said: “Due to the nature and sheer magnitude of this project, it was imperative that we worked in tandem with Howe Green from the initial design and specification stages through to site installation to ensure the successful flooring completion of all the Elizabeth line stations. “When we embarked on this project back in 2016, it quickly became apparent that no other manufacturer could match the calibre of Howe Green’s expertise and superior product excellence. By working together from the very beginning, we have been able to ensure the flooring of every station has been installed to the highest possible standard and will withstand the heavy footfall of passengers with ease.” post to be both retracted and extended, a key function that wasn’t available with any other access solution.” Over 1,500 Howe Green floor access covers have also been installed throughout seven stations by one of the UK’s leading fit-out contractors, DMC Contracts. Howe Green’s 7500 Series stainless steel Floor Access Covers have been installed throughout the ticket halls, walkways and main concourses of each station to provide engineers with secure and concealed access to underfloor services, whilst the tamper proof construction also prevents unauthorised access. This is due to the cover’s unique design, which features unobtrusive barrel cover lifting points that can only be accessed with specific lifting and securing keys. As only the securing bolt and barrel edge are visible, the covers provide the highest standards of security, without impacting on the overall design scheme or presenting a potential trip hazard.

Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22, the 7500 Series provides resistance to fire and smoke for up to two hours, providing the highest standards in safety, performance and compliance throughout all seven stations. With each floor access cover withstanding up to five tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads, the 7500 Series provides unobstructed access to rodding points and winch systems and electrical pits throughout all areas of the stations. As the lifting blocks are anchored to the inner frame, the floor access covers can be handled easily and safely by contractors, reducing any potential disruption to passenger’s travel as the maintenance can be conducted quickly and safely. At Whitechapel Station, 900 Howe Green’s 7500 Series Floor Access Covers in standard and bespoke depths have been installed in single, duct and multipart configurations throughout all areas of the station, including the new ticket hall and station concourse,

200 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series Floor Access Covers have also been installed at Farringdon Elizabeth line station. The floor covers were installed throughout the entire 25,596 square metre station, including two new ticket halls, which are connected by an underground central concourse, in addition to the 244 metre long passenger platform. Chris George, Business Development Manager for Howe Green, said: “Over the last 15 years we have developed a successful and close relationship with DMC, which has been fostered and maintained through our combined dedication to achieving the most successful specification for every project.

It has been a real privilege to work together throughout the construction of the Elizabeth line and I know I speak for both parties when we say we’re extremely proud of the level of work that’s been achieved. Bilco UK and Howe Green, together with their sister company, Profab Access, form Access 360, which provides a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products to the construction industry.

For further information on Access 360 and its range of access solutions visit www.access-360.co.uk.

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 33

Opinion Piece

CONSTRUCTION COSTS INCREASE – CAN A FIXED PRICE CONTRACT BE RENEGOTIATED? Construction cost inflation in 2021/2022 is unprecedented, after decades of price stability in the supply of materials, labour and plant, construction costs have skyrocketed together with shortages of all resources. Construction cost increases and shortages bring two problems; firstly, trading losses as contracts become under-priced, and secondly, costly delays to the works. That inevitably leads to demands for more money, which might be ignored, and walkouts by contractors, which is repudiatory breach of contract, and it follows a liability to crippling damages. Most construction contracts are fixed price ones with no provision for price increases, indeed standard forms have optional clauses such as the JCT fluctuations clause which is an option only and rarely used. How can a claim be made when faced with a strict fixed price commitment to a contract that is no longer tenable on price? Each case will have different circumstances and merits, an analysis of the case will hopefully reveal a strategy. That outcome might be a claim for loss and expense if the payer is culpable for delays or there may be an opportunity to recover losses in the valuation of variations. There might also be a case for price adjustment based on an argument on mistaken contract intention. However, the easiest solution is to renegotiate contract prices and get an amicable outcome, but any financial pressure must not amount to economic duress as this will make any price increase void. Renegotiation is not likely to be straightforward if an alternative contractor can be found easily after walkout/ repudiation or a refusal to continue.

The payee should also beware of any ‘supplement the labour’ clause, which is legal and likely to be fatal to any profits. If the works are specialised, where there is no choice but to continue with the contractor, that might amount to economic duress, which if held will mean the price increases will be unenforceable and the agreement set aside. It might be that certain normal materials are in short supply with a long lead time, the threat of walkout and no hope of engaging others for months might leave the payer with no choice but to agree to the price increase. Again, this could be held as economic duress.

Most construction contracts are fixed price ones with no provision for price increases, indeed standard forms have optional clauses such as the JCT fluctuations clause which is an option only and rarely used. So, what amounts to economic duress? One of the most familiar situations is Carillion Construction Ltd v Felix (UK) Ltd (2000). Felix were a cladding subcontractor engaged in the design, manufacture, and supply of cladding for an offices construction project. Disputes arose in the contract on the prices for the works and variations. Felix proceeded to refuse to make deliveries until an agreement was reached. Carillion were worried about significant liability for liquidated damages that could result from the delay. Carillion valued the work as £2.75m, after Felix’s demands the parties agreed the

sum of £3.2m in full and final terms. On completion, Carillion reverted to their original figures. Felix brought an action to enforce the settlement agreement and it was held that it was unenforceable as the pressure applied by Felix was illegitimate and without justification. However, now consider the case of Williams v Roffey Bros & Nicholls (Contractors) Ltd (1990), where a carpentry subcontractor under-priced the works, part way through the work, the subcontractor ran into financial difficulties and threatened to stop work unless an increase in price was agreed. The main contractor considered that engaging a replacement would cost considerably more so there was an agreement to pay the extra. The contractor then reneged on the agreement, proceedings were issued, but this time the Court held that the agreement was enforceable as the contractor had derived a benefit by avoiding paying more to finish the work. In this case it is financial pressure but not economic duress. The principle in this case is important where an alternative can be obtained and it would cost more to complete. Each case thus turns on the facts and merits involved. In summary, financial pressure leading into a negotiated price increase agreement must be illegitimate to be void, meaning where the paying party has no choice nor a practicable alternative but to submit to the financial pressure. What are the options if you are affected by construction cost inflation? Faced with a seriously under-priced contract due to the unprecedented construction cost inflation, the payee should not walkout or put their business at risk without professional consultation. If the payer has not been approached yet, there are politics involved or the payer has refused to negotiate there will be a strategy. If the payee has not been progressing the works and suffered threats to engage others or others have been engaged, the payee needs to act quickly to check on the options and to see if there is a repudiatory breach of contract. Employing others without a ‘supplement the labour’ clause is normally repudiation. If there is repudiation by the payer, the payee will be entitled to the sums due for all work done to that point in time, plus all retention and damages for losses and expenses incurred, including loss of profit.

Explore the strategies and negotiation options with Arbicon who can then provide a solution, hopefully steering clear of economic duress!

34 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

Editor’s Choice

DO YOU CLAIM LAND REMEDIATION COSTS? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

Do you claim Land Remediation costs? If not, why not?

Land Remediation Tax Relief is one of the best kept secrets in the UK construction and building industries.

It is available to recover costs of carrying out remediation work prior to receiving planning permission to render the landunused useable forthe new and Remediation Tax has remained from developments. Relief is one of the earlier of 1st April 1998 or date best kept secrets in of acquisition can also form the Qualifying criteria are few. You must basis be a registered UK corporate the UK construction and of a claim, especially if it entity and the owner of the land. You cannot claim if you own the has suffered tipping and illegal building industries. land and caused the contamination. From this point most costs waste disposal over the years. associated with the clean-up measures, disposal of waste and It is available to recover costs making good the finished projects form the basis for cost evaluation Since Land Remediation must of carrying out remediation and submission of the claim. be undertaken before any work prior to receiving planning construction worksland begin, it is permission to render the land Known contaminated land can be claimed for. Derelict that advised consider useable for new developments. has remained unused from the earlier of 1st to April 1998 remediation or date of early. if it has acquisition can also form the basis ofpreparations a claim, especially Qualifyingtipping criteriaand areillegal few. waste disposal over the years. suffered All contributory costs should You must be a registered UK Since Landentity Remediation must be undertaken before be identified and any recorded. corporate and the owner construction works begin, it is advised to consider remediation These are wide and include of the land. You cannot claim if preparations early. your own company costs of you own the land and caused labour, management, subthe contamination. From this All contributory costs should be identified and recorded. These are contractors, suppliers, travel point most costs associated wide and include your own company costs of labour, management, subsistence costs, surveys, with the clean-upsuppliers, measures,travel andand subcontractors, subsistence costs, surveys, tests, replacement disposal of waste and making tests, disposal and replacement of soil anddisposal makingand good. of soil and making good. good the finished projects form the basis for cost evaluation Generally, brown field sites and land that has existing buildings will Generally, brown sites submission of the claim. be contaminated, especially where older buildings arefield suspected and land existing of containing asbestos in any form. Used landthat canhas contain old buildings be contaminated, foundations, utility services, andwill chemicals whatever. Known contaminated land canhydrocarbon Ifberemediation gas emissions, Japanese especially where older buildings claimed for. surveys Derelict discover land that radon

The definition of what is contaminated land is peculiar to land remediation relief legislation and is broader than for planning purposes as in Environmental Protection Act 1990. It is beneficial to are suspected of containing know land remediation relief Knotweed any other species and contaminants asbestos in and any form. Usedinvasive land plant is available before purchase deposited through earlier occupier activities, these too can be can contain old foundations, of buildings land. Thiscontain reducesasbestos, possible included in remediation costs. Where utility hydrocarbon uncertainty risk. costsservices, of removal and either demolition or insituand encapsulation and and chemicals If sealing of the whatever. asbestos elements is a claimable cost. remediation surveys discover MCS Corporate urges its clients The definition of what is contaminated land is peculiar to land radon gas emissions, Japanese to consider all possible sites for remediation relief legislation and is broader than for planning Knotweed and any other invasive development and planning. We purposes as in Environmental Protection Act 1990. It is beneficial plant species and contaminants can givebefore early assurance to know land remediation relief is available purchase of ofaland. deposited through earlier likely claim and work with you This reduces possible uncertainty and risk. occupier activities, these too to identify, prepare and submit MCS its clients to consider possible sites for can beCorporate included inurges remediation claims asallthe remediation development and planning. We can give early assurance of a likely costs. Where buildings contain proceeds. claim and work with you to identify, prepare and submit claims as asbestos, costs of removal the remediation proceeds. Contact and either demolition or inContact T: +44 (0)1926 512475 situ encapsulation and sealing T: +44 (0)1926 512475 charlotte@mcs-corporate.com of the asbestos elements E:E:charlotte@mcs-corporate.com W: www.mcs-corporate.com W: www.mcs-corporate.com is a claimable cost.

Land Remediation Tax Relief MCS CORPORATE STRATEGIES

To qualify for Land Remediation Tax Relief your company must have incurred costs on cleaning up land or buildings considered to be in a contaminated state. The scope of costs allowed is generous. You must be registered as a limited company in the UK and be the owner of the land or building at the time of the remediation work. In addition, the land or building must be owned either as a freehold or longer-term leasehold. Common examples of qualifying contamination:

Land remediation is a tax relief available to property developers and landowners.

01926 512475 charlotte@mcs-corporate.com mcs-corporate.com

• • • • • •

Asbestos Ground and landfill gases Japanese Knotweed Sulphate contamination in soil and concrete Arsenic Removal of redundant utility services and concrete foundations

Qualifying costs can include surveys, excavations, soil and groundwater treatments, staff costs, materials and subcontractor costs. Claims can be made for categories of derelict land. This can be advised with relevance to time periods when land could be considered for derelict status. Regardless of the industry you operate within, if you’ve acquired land or buildings in a contaminated or derelict state for intended commercial use, you could claim.

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 35

News

BASE STRUCTURES INVOLVED IN THE UK’S FIRST EVER DEDICATED DRONE PORT Base Structures are proud to be a key part of this ground-breaking project to design and construct a dedicated drone airport in Coventry – the first ever in the UK. The project sees multiple partners working together to create ‘Air One,’ an ambitious fabric structure that hosts a moveable hydraulic FATO platform (final approach and take-off area) in the structure’s centre. The 45m diameter structures was clad with PVC coated polyester fabric and included a fabric lining incorporating clear visual panels to the internal drum wall. Andy Traynor, Director of Base Structures, said: “As a blueprint for the first of many urban drone airports, there’s an ambitious target to roll out as many as 200 Vertiports out around the world in the next five years. We’re proud to be to provide and apply our fabric knowledge and skills in a totally unique way.”

Although we’re at the forefront of such technology, it’s widely believed that drones will play an increasing transportation roll across the world and may be a more familiar sight in the skies above us. UK company Urban Air Port look to grow such an industry, with one day hosting electric and Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft from their Vertiports that could be used to transport paying passengers.

For more information about Base Structures, visit www.basestructures.com and have a look at their extensive portfolio of tensile fabric solutions and canopies for outdoor areas. For any questions or to chat through some options with the team, ring +44 (0) 1179 115250 or email sales@basestructures.com For more information about this project, visit: https://www.urbanairport.com/ or contact sales@basestructures.com

SIKA COMPLETES REDEVELOPMENT OF WISHAW MANUFACTURING PLANT Sika UK is pleased to announce the completion of a large-scale redevelopment of their Wishaw plant near Glasgow, acquired in 2019, and one of four sites within the UK which is dedicated to manufacturing a range of mortar and render product lines. As a result of this redevelopment, the Wishaw site is projected to allow the production of up to 35,000 tonnes of mortars and 12,000 tonnes of Sika’s market leading single coat render, Monorex per year - bringing the combined total for all Sika UK sites to over 100,000 tonnes of both mortars and façade products annually. Previously dedicated to the manufacture of Enewall products, the site will now focus on the production of SikaWall; a range of renders and systems from the trusted Sika brand. Incorporating Sika’s renowned high levels of customer service with a quality product, the newly rebranded SikaWall range is one which customers and applicators can have confidence in. The redevelopment of the Wishaw site further strengthens Sika’s capability to manufacture market leading products within the UK and consequently improves our ability to mitigate supply chain issues which have affected the building industry over the last two years. Commissioning of the Wishaw site was carried out at the beginning of April with production scheduled to commence later in the month. For more information please call 01707 394444, or visit www.sika.co.uk

xx Construction UK UK Magazine Magazine -- July July 2022 2022 36 Construction

WILLMOTT DIXON NAMED ONE OF TOP 50 BEST EMPLOYERS FOR WOMEN Willmott Dixon has been listed by The Times as one of the UK’s top 50 companies for women to work at in its report out today. It’s the fourth successive year the company has featured in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2022 guide, which is the UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers striving for gender equality in the workplace. The Times Top 50 Employers for Women is run by the charity Business in the Community (BITC) – The Prince’s Responsible

Business Network in conjunction with The Times and involves a very competitive process to identify companies that make gender equality part of the way they do business, working to embed it at all levels. Applicants were closely assessed on the work they do to remove the drivers that enforce gender inequality, from flexible working and family-friendly policies to pay, reward and progression. This year BITC included further assessment by asking women employees what areas they feel need to be improved.

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Project News

NEW HOMES NOW LAUNCHED AT UNIQUE NEWBURY DEVELOPMENT BY DAVID WILSON HOMES Following a recent launch, property seekers are now able to check out a selection of newly released homes at an exciting neighbourhood beside Newbury Racecourse. Five-star developer David Wilson Homes – which is building a collection of three and four bedroom properties at The Chase at Newbury Racecourse off Home Straight –has released an additional 79 homes as part of the third phase on the growing community of 1,500 homes. The launch this month gave property seekers an insight into what life could be like at the development in one of the new homes. Guests also enjoyed a barbecue and views of a picturesque sunset setting over the racecourse. House hunters can now enquire about the new homes available and take a tour of the show homes after booking an appointment with the David Wilson Homes sales team. Newbury Racecourse is ideal for commuters, with close links to the M4, as well as being under an hour away from London Paddington Station via the onsite train station. Residents can also make use of the onsite Nuffield Health Centre and Gym, and the Rocking Horse Nursery, in addition to the number of primary and secondary schools nearby.

CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES ON NEW 113,000 SQ FT SPECULATIVE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN WALSALL Ground has been broken on the development being marketed as Parallel 113 with the Grade A specification warehouse logistics unit expected to be complete and available by January 2023. St Francis Group a leading UK-based property development and investment group, and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration, today announced that it has broken ground and commenced construction of a new 113,000 sq ft unit - branded as Parallel 113 - being developed speculatively in Walsall. Parallel 113 will create a high-quality warehouse/logistics unit which will be

38 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

available for occupation from January 2023. The development will remediate a brownfield site of just over 2.5 hectares close to Junction 10 of the M6 which is currently undergoing a £78 million enhancement by Highways England to increase capacity and reduce congestion. When occupied the scheme will provide up to 200 new jobs. MCS Construction has been appointed as the main building contractor. St Francis Group also acknowledges the support of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in bringing this development forward.

Project News

WILLMOTT DIXON COMMENCES ON RANGEFORD VILLAGES’ £43M LIFESTYLE INTEGRATED RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

with underfloor heating, double-glazed picture windows and an all-electric energy system to help lower bills and reduce the environmental impact.

Willmott Dixon has broken ground on a state-of-the-art new retirement living community called Homewood Grove in Chertsey, Surrey, for Rangeford Villages. Joining Willmott Dixon and Rangeford Villages was investor Octopus Real Estate at a project start event on the 4.7-acre brownfield site that will be transformed into a best-in-class retirement community for the over 60s.

Once complete, Homewood Grove will comprise of 116 one, two and three bed apartments along with community facilities for residents that include a wellbeing centre (pool, steam room and sauna), gym, dance studio, bistro and bar/coffee shop, a members lounge, village hall, activities room and a hair and beauty salon. Sustainability is at the heart of the village, with each apartment being designed

Joining Willmott Dixon and Rangeford Villages was investor Octopus Real Estate at a project start event on the 4.7acre brownfield site that will be transformed into a best-in-class retirement community for the over 60s. Other electric initiatives include photovoltaic array to the flat roof, air source heat pumps for the swimming pool, electric car charging points, electric pool car as well as communal transport will all be available for residents’ use. The integrated retirement community is due to complete in Spring 2024.

LAND & WATER STARTS WORK AT THE BIRTHPLACE OF POLO Land & Water has started works at The Hurlingham Club in Fulham after having undertaken investigations into water loss from the club’s ornamental lake. This prestigious, private member club, which dates back to 1869 and is known to have been the birthplace of polo, is situated within 42 acres of landscaped grounds adjacent to the River Thames and has a 6,000m2 ornamental lake that is home to a wide variety of fish and bird species. The leading wet civil engineering firm undertook intrusive and non-intrusive surveys to address the water loss through the bed of the lake and is now

starting works which includes dewatering the lower section of the lake by installing a porta dam and then using specialist plant to remove silt and bed material to stockpile on site. A new bentonite clay liner will then be installed across the bed of the lake with the excavated material being replaced over the liner. This ensures that waste from the project is minimised as part of Land & Water’s environmental commitment which also sees the firm using HVO fuel, which is up to 90+% carbon neutral, in its machinery throughout the works. Land & Water Project Manager, Tim Stickland, says: “It is great to be part of a project that looks to maintain the grounds

of such an iconic piece of British history. The ornamental lake is home to a range of wildlife and is enjoyed by many visitors to the club, making its preservation important for not only biodiversity but its surrounding landscapes too. “As always, Land & Water is committed towards safeguarding the local wildlife and so all fish and birds will be relocated to safety during the works.”

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 39

Project News WORK AT NEW TOWCESTER DEVELOPMENT SET TO BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER Work on the new houses at Bellway’s new development in Towcester is set to be completed this summer. The housebuilder is delivering a total of 90 new homes at Farriers Court, comprising 73 houses for private sale and 17 affordable properties available for local people through rent or shared ownership.

With construction nearing the final stages, just eight houses – including the three-bedroom Lichfield showhome – are now for sale. There is one three-bedroom property remaining and the rest are four-bedroom homes. Work on the houses at the site, which is just a short walk from Towcester town centre, started in 2019 and is expected to finish in July.

WAIN HOMES BREAKS FIRST GROUND IN WEST MIDLANDS Housebuilder Wain Homes has broken ground on the first development for its new West Midlands region. Wain Homes West Midlands’ Managing Director, Andy Peters, was joined by Executive Chairman Will Ainscough to officially begin construction at the Shropshire Heights development on Eccleshall Road in Loggerheads, Staffordshire. Wain will develop 128 new two, three, four and five-bedroom homes at Shropshire Heights on predominantly remediated brownfield land and the site will see the first homes being built by Wain Homes in the West Midlands following the region’s launch in January 2021. Wain Homes recently received planning consent in the West Midlands for 110 new homes at The Green in Shirley, Solihull and 49 homes at Bordesley Manor in Rowney Green in Alvechurch, Worcestershire. With groundworks now underway, Wain expects to open a show home at Shropshire Heights towards the end of summer with the first people moving in by the end of the year.

WORK STARTS ON SITE AT RUGBY SCHOOL’S WHITELAW BOARDING HOUSE Significant extension and alteration works have begun on the collection of Grade II Listed and historically significant buildings which form Whitelaw, a boarding house at Rugby School, one of the oldest independent schools in Britain. Dating back to the early 19th Century, Whitelaw House is one of Rugby School’s largest and first purpose built boarding houses, with the first dormitory block constructed in 1874 and another prominent block added in 1887. With a breadth of experience working with historic independent schools, GSSArchitecture have worked with Rugby school to develop plans to help its boarding accommodation to continue to provide one of the best boarding educational environments in the country. Primarily, the internal works are to increase room sizes and to improve the flow and use of the building so that it can perform most effectively. The extension within the courtyard is to have a modern aesthetic and will be detailed to contrast with the existing structures, allowing for visually appealing interactions while also enabling the building’s history to be easily read.

40 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

This remodel will allow for inclusive usage, as an accessible bedroom has also been included to the ground floor to enable students with different needs to be able to live easily amongst their peers. This project has also presented an opportunity for GSSArchitecture to work with the school to establish how sensitive upgrades can be made to the building fabric. This will involve lining external walls, upgrading existing fenestration and increasing the presence of insulation throughout. An understanding of how to increase buildings environmental performance in a heritage context is an increasingly important aspect of working with Independent Schools. GSSArchitecture are working alongside main contractor, Steele & Bray, on this scheme, which is the second project that the Practice have been involved in at Rugby School, having previously worked as Architects, Principal Designers and Quantity Surveyors for the construction of a new boarding house at the school in 2019. Andrew Vallis, Project Lead and Associate at GSSArchitecture, said, “We are so pleased to have been invited back to work as Architects on this exciting scheme. Our aim is to preserve the building and respect its heritage whilst enabling the continual usage of the building for its original intended purpose by sympathetically upgrading and repurposing the existing spaces, making it suitable for use as a boarding house as part of a modern, important, school.”

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Roofing & Cladding

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTENSIVE FIRE PERFORMANCE TESTING As architects, clients, building control and other specifiers are rightly insisting on fire test certification that directly reflects the exact roofing system being installed, Dean Grady, Senior Product Engineer at Sika, discusses the role of Extended Application Assessments (EXAP) testing and how industry leaders can help.

Sika has invested heavily in testing facilities in the UK

Far from an easy way out of testing, the process is demanding because it still involves physical testing to CEN/TS1187 and of course this must still be passed.

Without question, today’s roofing industry is experiencing a greater focus on the fire performance of roofing systems than ever before. This is partly due to regulatory changes but also down to improved standards and expectations across the industry, with clients, building owners and insurers wanting to satisfy their own criteria. The regulations are reasonably clear stating that, in general, roof systems must be classified to BS EN 13501-5 BROOF(t4); the exception being ‘attachments’ on buildings over a certain height (18m in England and Wales, and 11m in Scotland), where the insulation must be non-combustible. However, it is easy to see where the waters can be muddied by an almost infinite amount of possible build ups. Specifiers and architects are, rightly, concerned whether different membranes, deck types, insulation, thicknesses, technologies and finishes will complicate the fire performance of a particular system. While the industry is currently in consultation through its trade bodies and associations to seek clarity with a simplified and unified approach, this isn’t likely to be a fast process. In the meantime, Sika has sought to anticipate and meet this challenge by providing assurance through an evidencebased certification, spanning the entire breadth of its single-ply range. That way, whichever system, product, or technology was being proposed, there would be proven evidence that it met with approved industry standards.

Sika Sarnafil roof systems are classified as BROOF(t4); the highest external fire performance for roofs

Dean Grady

As a result, Sika made the decision to take its already extensive fire testing to another level with the use of Extended Application Assessments (EXAP). Whilst achieving this level of range-wide certification involved significant time and financial investment, Sika chose to play an active role in demonstrating fire performance for the greater good of the industry.

Uncovering the role of EXAP No-one should offer a view on fire performance without direct test evidence to back it up. Evidence has to be provided that a proposed roof system will comply with regulatory requirements from a thirdparty certification body. Working with Warringtonfire, Sika embarked on a project to cover entire ranges of system permutations. With tests and test data extrapolations only able to be done by accredited fire test houses, it became clear that there was already an established and recognised solution to cover the myriad of roofing systems that Sika offers. Fire tests on individual roofs/roof coverings are now carried out in accordance with CEN/TS1187, the results from this testing are then classified in accordance with EN13501-5. CEN/TS 16459 External fire exposure of roofs and roof coverings - Extended applications of test results from CEN/TS 1187 provides bodies like Warringtonfire with methodology or ‘rules’ for optimising the number of tests required to cover the maximum field of application. This methodology is what’s commonly termed as ‘EXAP’ – Extended Application, while CEN/ TS 16459 provides the means to classify a range of permutations to EN13501-5.

42 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

However, it does allow for tests to be done in increments and to then cover the range in between. Sika already had a large body of test data available, which has been a huge advantage in what has been a mammoth undertaking spanning more than two years.

Sika Sarnafil single ply and beyond As a result, Sika now has test certification from a third-party test body to demonstrate that any Sarnafil PVC single-ply membrane with 50mm+ insulation on steel, timber and plywood at any degree of pitch under 70⁰ achieves BROOF(t4). Consequently, Sika can demonstrate and facilitate regulatory compliance for fire safety and satisfy current market demand for fire test certification that directly reflects the exact permutation of system being installed Having this comprehensive BROOF(t4) classification - which indicates the highest external fire performance for roofs - means that specifiers and other stakeholders can use Sika Sarnafil on their roofing projects with a very high degree of confidence, assured that they are complying with fire regulations. Not only is it a clear way forward in terms of mitigating roof fire risk, but it is also a great step towards helping support those with the heavy responsibility of ensuring people’s safety by increasing the confidence and reassurance specifiers are looking for. Continuing to strengthen Sika’s position as an expert and leader in testing and compliance, the same accreditation is currently underway for all Sika roofing systems.

If you would like to find out more about Sika’s roofing solutions and services, call 01707 394444, email enquiries@uk.sika.com or visit www.sika.co.uk/roofing.

Roofing & Cladding much the focus of Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year takes place between May 9th and 15th. As well as producing insulation products for the creation of interior spaces that optimise comfort levels for occupants, Gradient is extremely aware of the need to nurture its employees’ mental health and wellbeing. We have a number of dedicated mental health first aiders at our manufacturing site in Staffordshire. Team member Paul Rogers explains why such initiatives are important to the workplace.

ROOF TERRACE INSTALLATION FOR CREATING HAPPY, HEALTHY LIVING SPACES By Paul Griffiths, Business Development Director at Gradient Creating homes which are as desirable as they are practical is crucial to the longterm mental wellbeing of occupants, particularly for those living in densely populated urban areas. For developments in built-up towns and cities, optimising limited living space has become a priority for designers. Hence, roof terraces and balconies are increasingly seen as ideal access points to fresh air, interesting views and a happier domestic situation for occupants. However, there is much to consider when creating a roof terrace. Insulation build-up is a key issue in roof terrace applications. The system needs to be thin enough to meet regulation height issues for windows and doors, but offer a sufficient thermal performance to ensure requisite U-values are met. An innovative VIP panel such as Deck VQ® fulfils each of these requirements. Despite its ultra-slim composition, Deck VQ®’s superior thermal credentials – it has a lambda value of the core of 0.006 W/mK - come to the fore in enabling even the most complex terrace projects to be carried out without the need for structural changes. Prior to ordering a VIP solution it is recommended to arrange a site survey, as the initial take-off drawing/ specification of a project will differ from the on-site reality. This should take into account potential obstructions or openings such as rooflight and drainage

outlets, which would affect the layout of a vacuum insulation panel scheme. Pre-installation, it is advised to make the contractor aware of the insulation technology being used in a roof terrace application, particularly in relation to VIPs which cannot be cut or altered on site. When specifying a VIP panel for roof terracing, use a protected panel. Deck VQ®, for example, is fully-encapsulated within a high-density PIR protective shell. This better safeguard’s the panel against puncture, which will lead to the VIP’s insulation value degrading to that of a conventional PIR material. Always use the design layout provided. By working with Gradient, a full project design package and survey is supplied. This will create a scheme layout in conjunction with the product delivery and ensure the quantity of material delivered is optimised to eliminate or reduce site waste. It is therefore vital that the design scheme is followed exactly, in order to avoid installation difficulties and product shortfall. As reliable as Deck VQ is, good practice in relation to its installation remains key to its performance. However, its correct implementation as part of a built-up felt or single-ply membrane waterproofing system, will safeguard roof terracing and balconies’ value as areas of welcome alfresco escape for residents in the long term. Being mindful of mental health Individual spiritual wellbeing is very

44 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

A happy workplace is a productive workplace, therefore it’s in a company’s interests to safeguard their employees’ peace of mind. At Gradient, we’re in the midst of creating a breakaway room, a quiet space for staff to escape to the hustle and bustle of the workplace during moments of stress. It’s one of many initiatives we hope to introduce over time in order to increase staff comfort levels. “The manufacturing environment can be a very busy, noisy place to be. Indeed, the same can be said of the construction industry as a whole. This can increase an employees’ stress levels, hence the importance of having trained people onhand to talk things through and help make sense of the feelings they’re keeping.” “Mental wellbeing is not only essential to an individual’s overall health, it’s also very good for business,” Paul continued. “A happy workplace is a productive workplace, therefore it’s in a company’s interests to safeguard their employees’ peace of mind. At Gradient, we’re in the midst of creating a breakaway room, a quiet space for staff to escape to the hustle and bustle of the workplace during moments of stress. It’s one of many initiatives we hope to introduce over time in order to increase staff comfort levels. Their health is our priority because our employees are the greatest asset we have.” For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week, visit: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

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Safety, Security & Fire Prevention

SECURE YOUR FUEL TO AVOID INCREASING RISK OF THEFT A major UK fuel supplier is advising construction companies to review their site security to avoid falling victim to fuel thieves. Rix Petroleum, which is headquartered in Hull but has depots stretching from Aberdeen to Essex, said the recent ban on red diesel is fuelling a spate of thefts due to the high price of white diesel and the fact it can be used in road vehicles. “Whereas thieves once risked being caught with rebated diesel in their vehicles, which acted to some degree as a deterrent, now it is incredibly hard to detect stolen fuel,” Rix managing director Duncan Lambert said. “We are already receiving reports of increased thefts across the country from our customers, and sadly, that trend is likely to continue.”

Mr Lambert added that risks come in different forms, from individual employees syphoning off diesel for personal use, to criminal gangs targeting a business’s entire fuel stock to sell it on. Although the level of loss is hugely different in both cases, robust action should be taken to prevent theft of any kind, Mr Lambert said.

Many businesses will have all these measures and others in place, but they’re not checked to ensure they’re being implemented every night. Complacency, or not making it clear who’s responsibility it is to keep on top of fuel security can lead to some big losses which are so easily avoided with effective management. “There is a huge difference in potential losses at the different ends of the scale,” he said. “That said, one or more individuals regularly stealing a small amount of fuel for personal use, if not stopped, can soon add up to a large amount. We’re seeing this starting to happen more as prices at the forecourts have skyrocketed. Of course, this is much easier to deal with than organised gangs, which can clear out a business overnight. Although this is thankfully relatively rare, incidents like this are also on the increase.”

Mr Lambert said the classic ways to deter thefts such as high quality locks, motion sensor lighting, CCTV, alarms, security fences, and remote security monitoring, all played a valuable part in keeping fuel stocks secure. But he urged businesses to double check these were in place and were fully utilised every day as often, this isn’t the case. He said: “Many businesses will have all these measures and others in place, but they’re not checked to ensure they’re being implemented every night. Complacency, or not making it clear who’s responsibility it is to keep on top of fuel security can lead to some big losses which are so easily avoided with effective management.” An extra security measure to consider, Mr Lambert added, are fuel dyes. Dyes work well to deter employees from stealing fuel as it is easily detected in their vehicles, and help to identify a batch of fuel that is stolen en masse. “Dyeing fuel might be one of the most effective ways of protecting it, which is ironic when you consider the change from red diesel to white,” Mr Lambert said. “But whatever methods you choose to secure your valuable fuel stocks, now is the time to ensure they are as robust as they possibly can be to deter the growing threat of theft.”

Duncan Lambert, Managing Director of Rix Petroleum Ltd, which is urging construction companies to step up fuel security.

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 47

Safety, Security & Fire Prevention

THE AFTERMATH OF GRENFELL: THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - BY SCARLET LEWITT The safety of buildings is paramount. In recent years, we’ve seen the devastating effects of poor management and regulation come to nightmarish fruition in the form of the Grenfell Tower disaster. However, tragic as it was, Grenfell was but the tip of an iceberg that has long since been lurking under the surface.

of 18 metres or higher - and it is designed to ensure maximum adherence to safety, transparency and information standards across the board.

For decades now, many buildings have been subject to enormous risk through a variety of chemicals, materials and design choices, not least asbestos, fire and structural hazards. With the new Building Safety Act 2022, an amendment and extension of the Architects Act 1997, the government has set out to improve existing measures in a variety of ways beginning April 2023. So, what are they?

Part 4 of the Act identifies new ‘dutyholders’ for high-rise buildings. These accountable persons will be the organisation or person who owns or has responsibility for the high-rise buildings, and may also include those who maintain the common parts of the building such as corridors and lobbies. These APs will have a duty of care to prevent building safety risks like the spread of fire or structural failure, and, in the event of an incident, take all measures possible to ensure that damage is minimized.

Building Safety Regulator (BSR) The core of the building safety reforms is the creation of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) in England. The Act names the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as this regulator, and it will encompass three main functions: to oversee the safety and standards of all buildings, to encourage excellence in every faculty of the building process and to implement new regulations for high-rise buildings. This will be the BSR’s purview – 7 storey plus buildings

New Roles and Responsibilities - The Accountable Person (AP)

Naturally, fire safety is absolutely paramount in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. - The Principal Accountable Person (PAP) Some buildings may of course have more than one AP. In this case, the one responsible for the structural integrity

and exterior of the building will become the principal accountable person (PAP). In addition to the aforementioned duties, the PAP will be obliged to register all existing and new buildings with the Building Safety Regulator (from April to October of next year). - Design and Construction On the construction end of things, dutyholders such as clients, (principal) designers and (principal) contractors will be compelled to plan, manage and monitor their activities in relation to all new building regulations alongside their previous responsibilities as part of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Planning Applications When planning to put together a new build, it will be necessary to show consideration for fire safety needs relevant to land use from inception to application. This includes things like site layout, water supplies for fire fighting and easy access for emergency services. Naturally, fire safety is absolutely paramount in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. For this reason, the HSE has drawn up a comprehensive list of guidelines for planners to minimise any and all risk. To ensure that plans are compliant before submission, consider their Fire Safety Guidelines and Fire Safety and Planning Advice. Any plans will need to be submitted to the BSR before building work can begin. In order to receive a pass, the design will need to meet building regulations, manage change control, be safe to use or live in and equally, safe to build. Furthermore, even while construction is already underway it will be necessary to pass site inspections at key milestones, report incidents as they occur and keep meticulous accounts of every step of the process (the ‘golden thread’). Once construction is completed, the BSR will assess adherence to regulations, undertake a final inspection and then process the paper-trail of everything that has gone on during the build. Then and only then will a completion certificate be issued, and the building finally be registered. No occupation or usage is allowed until the conclusion of the registration.

48 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

Safety, Security & Fire Prevention ‘Occupation’ refers to people living in at least 2 residential units, such as a flat, bedroom or halls of residence. At this stage, responsibility for the upkeep of the building will fall to the aforementioned AP. Complaints procedures, liaising with residents and setting up a reports system; the BSR will make sure that each of these duties is being met to a satisfactory standard.

Information for Residents The primary purpose of each of these new changes is to ensure the safety of residents. Residents will, however, be obligated to refrain from anything that risks the building’s structure, of causing or spreading a fire or removing any fire safety measures implemented. This includes tampering with smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire extinguishers as well as blocking emergency exits.

forum for addressing current concerns. Until both groups are set up, issues may be addressed with the Housing Ombudsman, Local Council or Fire and Rescue Service.

Criticism Whether the new legislation will be sufficient to prevent another catastrophe like that of Grenfell remains to be seen. Critics have suggested that the Building Safety Act doesn’t go anywhere near far enough: focusing only on high-rise buildings doesn’t address the wider picture, that fire has no jurisdiction, and, with a one-dimensional emphasis, there’s a risk of creating a two-tiered safety system.

- Research Group and Resident Panel

Moreover, others still have argued that the government has underestimated the overall costs of ensuring compliance. For instance, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ August 2021 data release highlighted 473 buildings that featured aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding - the same form that came under heavy scrutiny at Grenfell Tower - and are now unlikely to meet the new Buildings Regulations standards. The cost estimate in solving this is a staggering £15 billion.

The BSR will soon be looking to recruit a whole host of volunteers for both their research group and resident’s panel Aimed at those living within high-rise buildings, the former will be used for gathering information, while the latter will be a

A proposed Building Safety Levy and Residential Developer tax aims to cover some of these expected costs by leveraging industry resources, but the government itself has admitted that this will still fall well short.

However, along with these ‘do-nots’, there’s also a substantial ‘do’ for residents: get involved. High-rise residents must keep in contact with APs and PAPs; it is integral in keeping up-to-date with the current status of the building.

Mike Robinson, the British Safety Council’s Chief Executive, commented, “If the new regulations are to secure public confidence, they need to be transparent. A good example is on the testing of building material. The tests themselves must be rigorous to prove fire safety but the results must be publicly available, particularly where materials have failed to meet regulatory standards. “We have said, on many occasions, that it is unacceptable for leaseholders to be presented with huge bills to fix existing fire problems not of their making or be unable to sell or insure their homes due to new requirements.

The Government must commit to funding the cost of fire remediation and leaseholders should not have to foot the bill. While it could well be a step in the right direction, the Building Safety Act 2022 is perhaps just the first step in creating a more expansive solution to Britain’s current residential safety concerns.

Scarlet Lewitt is a consultant for Healthscreen UK

Construction UK Magazine - July 2022 49

Project Tomoo Nakamura, Managing Director, Mitsui Fudosan UK said: “We are delighted with the progress made in the construction of 1 Wood Crescent at Television Centre and the ‘Topping Out’ ceremony highlights the great progress towards final completion of the works in early 2023. Mitsui Fudosan are proud to support this project and the ongoing development of a growing innovation district in West London.”

Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and some of their clients. The building is designed by architects Morris+Company and is being constructed by Laing O’Rourke.

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW OFFICE BUILDING AT TELEVISION CENTRE COMPLETE Following commencement of works in March 2021, the structural construction works to 1 Wood Crescent at Television Centre are now complete, with remaining works underway in readiness for a scheduled final completion in Q1 2023. Forming part of the ongoing redevelopment of Television Centre in West London, 1 Wood Crescent is being developed by Stanhope on behalf of investors Mitsui Fudosan and Alberta

1 Wood Crescent is a new nine storey building comprising 112,247 sq ft of prime office space located on the west side of the Television Centre campus which will include multiple terraces and a café, all with views over Hammersmith Park and the surrounding White City area and beyond. PVH Corp., parent company to brands including Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, is relocating its U.K. headquarters to the top five floors of the brand-new building, totaling 50,000 sq ft of office space. Jonathan Trout, Property & Commercial Director, Stanhope said: “The completion of the construction phase of 1 Wood Crescent is another key milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of the Television Centre site and the overall regeneration of White City. We are delighted to welcome PVH Corp., one of the most admired fashion and lifestyle companies in the world, upon completion, adding yet another creative giant to this growing innovation district.”

Rupert Wingfield, Real Estate Head, Europe, AIMCo said: “Having commenced construction of 1 Wood Crescent in 2021 with Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan, it is pleasing to see the building approaching completion. Television Centre continues to attract global leaders in creativity and innovation, and the delivery of 1 Wood Crescent will offer these occupiers Grade A, BREEAM Excellent accommodation. We look forward to the full completion of the building next year.” Paul McNerney, Director of UK Building, Laing O’Rourke said: “Laing O’Rourke is proud to be delivering 1 Wood Crescent for Stanhope. Our digitally enabled use of modern methods of construction has been instrumental in achieving today’s milestone. It’s also helped us minimise the impact of construction for residents and businesses in the area. “The involvement of the specialist businesses in our integrated supply chain has reduced complexity and helped keep the project on programme. We look forward to successful completion of the project next year.” Polina Pencheva, Associate, Morris+Company said: “It has been a pleasure working with Stanhope Plc, Laing o’Rourke and Arup in delivering One Wood Crescent. By embracing lean design principles and DfMA from the start the team has strived to minimise the building’s environmental impact, whilst creating a best in class piece of architecture inspired by White City’s rich and varied context.” PVH Corp. will be the latest in a growing list of existing fashion and creative occupiers at Television Centre and White City Place, including the BBC and ITV Studios, BBC Worldwide, Publicis Media, Ralph & Russo, Yoox-Net-A-Porter, Soho House and the White Company.

50 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

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Tools, Plant & Equipment

NEW RANGE OF GALVANISED AND BLACK SQUARE CLAMP FITTINGS LAUNCHED BY ONLINE METAL AND STEEL SUPPLIER, THE METAL STORE Online metal and steel supplier The Metal Store has launched a new range of galvanised and black square clamp fittings for a wide range of building applications. The square clamps provide an alternative to the tube clamp fittings. Used to connect steel box section, they can enable the creation of a variety of temporary or permanent structures Whilst most popular for use to create handrailing and for safety guardrails, tube clamps are also commonly used for a wide range of applications. These include signage, shopfitting and displays, playground equipment, industrial furniture, sports grounds and film sets. The versatile square clamp range includes an array of fittings including tees, elbows, floorplates, hooks and fixing brackets.

STEELWRIST EXPANDS THE TILTROTATOR RANGE WITH X02 FOR EXCAVATORS UP TO 2,5 TONNES The installation ratio for tiltrotators on the smallest excavators is starting to grow globally and in response Steelwrist is now introducing the new X02, a tiltrotator suitable for 1,5-2,5 ton excavators. The X02 is accompanied by a complete range of work tools resulting in increased efficiency and versatility which convert also the smallest excavators into true tool carriers.

The X02 tiltrotator has a number of innovative design solutions and comes with either a Direct Fit or an S30 top for the connection to the excavator. The coupler side (bottom) of the tiltrotator is available in a mechanical locking version as well as hydraulic locking for S30. The hydraulic lock version with the integrated Front Pin Hook is probably the only tiltrotator in this class that has work tool safety to support CE requirements.

The Metal Store offers both galvanised and black powder coated box section to complement its square clamps. The box section is 2mm thick as standard, with 25mm or 40mm diameter options available to match the chosen clamps. The hot-dipped galvanised square clamps have a corrosion resistant finish suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The black clamps feature a powder coated finish, making them more appropriate for indoor use. The square clamps have also been specifically designed for simple and fast assembly, requiring nothing more than an Allen key to connect the box sections. This means rigid structures can be created without any pre-fabrication or specialist tools, and without any extensive training or experience. Commenting on the launch of the new range, The Metal Store operations director, Leigh Start, said: “We are entirely committed to ensuring our customers always expect more from The Metal Store in terms of products, service and support. “Launching our galvanised and black square clamp fittings provides our customers with another versatile, easy-to-use, cost-effective solution. The range has already proven extremely popular, and we expect demand for it to continue to rise.” The Metal Store offers free standard delivery on all orders over £70 + vat in England, Wales and Central Scotland and on orders over £160 + vat to the Scottish Highlands.

52 Construction UK Magazine - July 2022

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DEFENDER CABLE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ®

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DEFENDER® is a brand of the Adam Hall group.

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