Construction National Spring 2017 (1CHM)

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COVER STORY

Innovations with SuDS The front cover of this issue shows a new sustainable drainage system (SuDS) installed at the civic centre in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The installation demonstrates how concrete block permeable paving can help to combat the risk from flooding and water pollution in an urban setting, as well as helping meet regulatory requirements for SuDS. Chris Hodson, consultant to trade association Interpave, tells the story on page 60

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NEWS 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13

Housing inactivity puts brake on construction growth HS2 seeks designers and a development partner New clarity given for use of air admittance valves externally Affordable and robust site service solutions Getting along with the neighbours: most considerate sites named Refurbishment works move forward in Ancoats Crossrail project uses Cygnus wireless fire alarm system at seven stations Ecobuild forges ahead towards the industry of the future CAI adapts to the changing way we view

DEMOLITION 15 For the greater good – collaboration is the driving force in commitment to training TRAINING & EDUCATION 16 Budget measures attract favourable comment 16 Apprenticeship figures show unprecedented growth 17 New government levy: guidance is available 18 Students urged to Craft Your Future with Minecraft 18 CITB adopts new teaching methods for English and maths 19 Open Doors 2017 inspires record number 20 Chartered Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Wolverhampton

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE 23 Cullum retunes its project planning to drive a high performance business SAFETY & HEALTH EXPO 2017 25 Health and safety professionals gather to showcase products, learn and network 27 New mobile app can help reduce workplace injuries 28 Half construction workers lose sleep over work 28 Casella announces 2017 noise monitoring course

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THEME PARKS 30 Get ready for take-off to Fantasy Island!

ZOOS 31 31 32 33 35 37 37 38

ENQUIRIES: Advertising

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Editorial

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Subscriptions

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Architecture and husbandry learn from each other It’s a hoot as Parliament convenes on Birdworld From penguins to wallabies – new zoological society aims to promote education and conservation Good outcomes depend on initial design considerations Elizabeth meets Elizabeth at jumbo opening ceremony Tropical House contains its own energy source How to produce a model design Nautilus showcase unique approach on Marwell Zoo project

For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company Plc www.magprint.co.uk

1CHM

CONTENTS NEW PRODUCTS 39 New Alto MD 250 Tower brings extra versatility and safety to UK market 39 MSA Safety launches new fall protection range

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WORKING AT HEIGHT 40 NASC launch 2017 Safety Report 41 CISRS CPD pilot course success 42 NASC & CISRS support AIF Working Well Together event 43 TG20:13 price revision 43 Falls from height continue to cause most injuries 43 Conference sees association step up a rung CARE HOMES 45 Middle-size providers drive care home expansion 45 One success leads to another for innovative care provider 48 National provider expands in its own grounds 49 Rebuild adds energy efficiency to a caring environment 51 Fitness guru sets new home’s wheels in motion 52 Success means good management – from commencement to completion 53 Historic Minster overlooks latest in care facilities

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ROOFING 57 Staying in the ZONE 58 Take the guess work out of guttering 59 How to ensure your green roof thrives SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (SuDS) 60 Innovations with SuDS 61 New meets old CONCRETE 62 Structural Concrete Alliance offers education for all 63 Oscrete introduces new generation superplasticiser 63 Concrete and composites: a powerful partnership

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WATERPROOFING 64 The clear solution to waterproofing – preventing dampness with an invisible wall treatment 65 Alumasc waterproofing system protects new community care and treatment centre ON THE ROAD 67 New Amarok sets a new standard for pick-ups 69 NEC sees UK launch of VW’s new super-van PEOPLE 70 Thompsons’ Chris Dobson adds MARMI to his extensive credentials 71 Margaret bows out at 80 after 27 years 71 Midlands Asset Finance makes key appointment to its team in Yorkshire LEGAL ISSUES 71 Legal wordplay has serious intent FINANCE 72 The self-employed contractor – what’s the benefit to me?

HOUSING 74 Women and young people can plug housing skills gap 74 Brownfield developers need asbestos awareness, says UKATA 74 Environmentally-friendly new build homes launched in Tibberton

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Constructive

comment

[

SO THERE’LL BE no general election before the scheduled poll in 2020, the date set in stone by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 and made absolutely clear by current PM Theresa May just a few weeks ago. ‘Cept we know different.

The sudden announcement of the ‘snap’ election took just about everyone by surprise, giving political parties little time to set out priorities. We know what Mrs May’s theme is going to be: strong government and a strong bargaining position on Brexit. The opposition parties are gunning for her on schools, the NHS, pensions and tax.

There hasn’t, at the time of writing, been any mention of that great campaigning issue of the past couple of years – the one all politicians had a view on – the housing crisis. Maybe it’s just too big an elephant.

Brownfield development is seen as crucial to providing the space needed for the million new homes the government has set as a target by 2020, but issues surrounding pollution and asbestos need to be addressed if that is to happen. According to figures from both Markit/CIPS and the Office for National Statistics, housebuilding is not thriving in the way it should be, putting a brake on construction output generally.

The NHBC sees one route to helping fill the widening skills gap in the housebuilding industry to be to make the industry more attractive to young people and women. A theme that has been running in this publication has been that of education and training in the industry – the other core issue. Whether that be apprenticeships or degree courses, there is a wealth of opportunity for young people to thrive in construction.

• Another issue giving rise to much political debate has been the disjoint between the NHS and the social care system. In this magazine we have been showcasing some of the most impressive new care facilities – for the elderly, those with dementia and younger adults with specials needs. This issue is no exception, with some notable innovations. One such is the construction of a privately-run care home in the grounds of a NHS hospital. Could it be the beginning of a closer relationship?

• Whatever branch of the construction industry you work in, safety and health in the workplace should be a primary consideration. Every year the whole range of professionals, manufacturers, suppliers and practitioners associated with health and safety in all workplaces converge on London’s ExCEL for the Safety and Health Expo – the biggest showcase of its kind in the country. As well as showing off the latest innovations, the expo offers those working in all industries the opportunity to learn from those who know: RoSPA, HSE, BOHS, IOSH and many more. Construction National is proud to be acting as a media partner to this most important of events.

• Safety at work is also the theme of a number of initiatives in the access industry. The industry’s umbrella trade body, the Access Industry Forum, has established a campaign in association with the Working Well Together organisation. It takes the form of a series of half-day seminars on various safety-related topics.

Following that the NASC, which speaks for scaffolding companies, has published its Annual Safety Report.

Based on compulsory reporting by its members, the report shows that those members enjoyed a year free of fatal accidents for the fourth year running.

Meanwhile, the Ladder Association held its first annual conference, at which it debated forthcoming changes to standards in its industry.

• Talk of ladders puts one in mind of Johnny Morris in his zookeeper’s hat climbing up to hose down an elephant during an episode of Animal Magic. This month saw real royalty, in the persons of The Queen and Prince Philip, opening a new home for the Asian elephants at Whipsnade Zoo. The story forms the centrepiece of our third special feature on the specialist activity of zoo construction. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Housing inactivity puts brake on construction growth [THE Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

for March has revealed a slowdown in growth across the UK construction sector, led by a weaker rise in residential building activity. The latest survey also pointed to only a marginal increase in new work, which contributed to slower employment growth and a slight decline in input buying.

The seasonally adjusted figure dropped from 52.5 in February to 52.2 in March, to signal the joint-slowest upturn in overall construction output since the current period of expansion began in September. Softer growth primarily reflected a loss of momentum in housing activity, which offset a rebound in both commercial and civil engineering activity. The latest increase in work on civil engineering projects was the fastest so far in 2017 and the strongest of the three sub-categories monitored by the survey in March.

Duncan Brock, director of customer relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, said: “Where the housing sector acted as the main engine of growth over the last four years, this month it was slower and stuttering, while overall purchasing activity in the construction sector was disappointingly tame, shackled by a lack of new orders and rising costs.

“This downbeat effect took a small bite out of any strong rises in employment levels, as the increase in staff hiring was at a three-month low.

But as the sector showed strong optimism for future business, concerns over the skilled labour availability are likely to persist in coming months.”

Survey respondents noted that reduced Brexit-related anxiety and the resilient economic backdrop had a positive impact on new invitations to tender. This helped underpin an improvement in business confidence regarding the growth outlook. Almost half of the survey panel expect

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a rise in business activity during the year ahead, against only 9% that forecast a decline.

Said Duncan Brock: “Now the trigger has been pulled to propel the UK out of the EU, the construction sector must keep an attentive eye on how the UK Government’s negotiations will play out and whether consumer and business caution returns to hamper further progress.”

Construction companies remain relatively upbeat about their near-term growth prospects, partly reflecting a stabilisation of client confidence from the post-referendum lows seen in 2016. Optimism regarding year-ahead business activity picked up in March to its second-highest since December 2015.

Tim Moore, senior economist at analysts IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI, commented: “Despite a relatively subdued rise in new work during March, UK construction firms reported a more sanguine assessment of their year-ahead growth prospects. Business confidence was among the highest seen since the end of 2015, which construction companies linked to upcoming tender opportunities, plans for increased marketing expenditure and hopes of a sustained recovery in clients’ willingness to spend.”

The report came just before figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for construction output in Great Britain in February showed a fall, decreasing by 1.7%. That drop was driven by a fall in all new work, said the ONS. After growing in January by 0.7%, all new work fell by 3.3% in February.

Despite that month-on-month fall, however, the rolling three-month time series exhibits considerably stronger consistent growth. Construction output grew by 1.5% in the three months to February, driven mainly by strong growth of 2.2% in infrastructure and 0.6% growth in repair and maintenance. q

HS2 seeks designers and a development partner [

HS2 LTD HAS begun a search for world-class architects, designers and developers to deliver four ambitious and iconic new stations. The winning bidders will work with HS2 to develop and refine the detailed plans for three brand new stations – at Birmingham Curzon Street, Birmingham Interchange and London’s Old Oak Common – as well as a major expansion of London Euston.

A separate contest will seek a ‘Master Development Partner’ to advise on and take forward development opportunities for new homes, offices and retail space above and around the revamped London Euston. The winner will work with HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, the station design contract winner and local authorities to deliver a unified plan to unlock the full potential of the area.

Bidders for the station designs and the Euston master development partner are expected to be shortlisted in the summer, with contracts signed early next year.

HS2’s commercial director Beth West said: “We’re looking for the brightest and the best from across the industry to help us deliver one of the most tangible legacies of the HS2 project - three brand new stations and a major expansion of London Euston. All four present unique challenges and opportunities for the winning bidders. Together we will deliver world-class designs that help unlock wider local regeneration opportunities and provide unparalleled levels of accessibility, ease and convenience for the travelling public.”

The company’s commercial development director Tom Venner said of the Euston project: “Euston has been the gateway to the nation and the nation’s capital for over a century. HS2 provides the opportunity for it to continue that role into the next century – and for the local community to be proud of that role. Together with our development partner we aim to redevelop Euston in a way that will make it not just the nation’s hub, but London’s as well: the heartbeat of both the nation and the capital, fit for the 21st century and beyond.” q

New clarity given for use of air admittance valves externally [

DRAINAGE VENTILATION EXPERT STUDOR has responded to market confusion about Air Admittance Valves (AAVs) and whether they can be used externally.

“There does seem to be confusion in the market and we’re frequently asked whether AAVs are suitable for exterior use,” comments Studor’s technical director Steve White. “Both our own Studor Maxi-Vent, as well as the Wavin branded OsmaVent 110, can be used externally. The latest BBA Agrément Certificates clarify this and specifically refer to their external use.”

The BBA certificates verify that the AI rated valves perform in extreme temperatures, from -20°C to +60°C in accordance with EN12380. However, it should be noted that the independent testing actually carried out exceeded the requirements of the standard and proved that the valves operate in temperatures down to -40°C without the insulating cap. In addition, the ABS plastic which the valves are made from includes a UV stabiliser to protect against any degradation effects from ultraviolet radiation.

The certificates note that these external AAVs should be installed with the Aluminium Cover (Alu Cover) and insulating cap which fits on top of

the valve to protect the unit from birds, wildlife and accidental damage. The Alu Cover, which can also be painted if there is a need to match a particular RAL colour, can be purchased independently of the AAVs as needed and is very easy to fit.

“Our company has over 40 years of specialist knowledge in drainage ventilation” explains Steve White. “Installing an AAV externally protects against pressure fluctuations due to ‘wind effect’ which can lead to traps self-siphoning.

“Another key benefit of using an AAV externally is that it allows a vent pipe to be terminated close to a window or other opening – removing the need for additional pipework to locate it further away. It can also improve the aesthetics of a building by allowing the soil stack to be terminated below the roofline, avoiding the need for the protrusion of an ugly vent pipe above the roofline.”

Studor has been selling AAVs for external use for more than 10 years, each comes with a lifetime warranty and requires no maintenance. q • For more information call 0845 601 3292, email info@studor.net or visit www.bystudor.com. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Affordable and robust site service solutions [

AVANTGARDE FM ARE AMONG the UK’s leading security service providers, with a capacity to protect multiple market segments from the threat of intrusion, injury, damage and theft.

Since 2010 Avantgarde FM have steadily expanded their deployed manned guarding and technical security solutions to now supply services nationwide, addressing the security needs of clients in the utility, infrastructure, construction, refurbishment, demolition and void property sectors.

In early 2016 the company expanded its operations to develop further trade and facility based services targeting those markets seeking specialist labour, reactive maintenance and facility cleaning.

In the same year they opened a new office in Sale, Manchester which improves the direct support provided to those security operation teams and service hubs key to the English and Welsh markets.

By mid 2016 Avantgarde FM’s construction security division were delivering their security services to over 20 of the UK’s 50 largest construction contractors. Their widespread and continued success across the construction sector, throughout 2016, is demonstrated by the varied client base which continues to actively select Avantgarde FM as their security specialists.

These include contractor led projects linked to swathes of regional house building, higher education modernisations, new and upgraded public sector schools, hospitals, facilities and broader infrastructure, along with specialist security

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protection at flagship developments such as the V&A Museum in Dundee (pictured).

Since early 2016 the National Grid’s transmission line decommissioning, modernisation and construction framework have prioritised Avantgarde FM for their security provision thanks to their capacity to deliver secure solutions among such dispersed sites.

Essential to playing an effective supporting role is the company’s national spread of regional security hubs. These hubs enable local, qualified and BS7858 vetted guarding operatives to be deployed from locations approximate to sites across the country. Throughout 2016, Avantgarde FM continued their security provision for aspects of the renewable energy sector across Scotland, protecting both transmission stations and wind farm construction as they have since 2013.

In 2016 Avantgarde FM developed specific trade and facility services for the provision of both cleaning and maintenance, initially to supply a more holistic service among existing construction clients.

The popularity and success of these additional services has enabled the company to target and supply new market segments within the established university accommodation, council property and lettings market sectors.

Consistent, reliable and strong, Avantgarde FM’s meticulous delivery of its services continues to draw clients seeking affordable and robust solutions to a multitude of bespoke facilities management and security issues. q

Getting along with the neighbours: most considerate sites named [ SIX CONSTRUCTION SITES have

been named as Most Considerate Site in the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2017 National Site Awards.

The awards are among the most revered accolades in the UK construction industry.

They recognise sites registered with the scheme that have demonstrated the very highest level of consideration in respect of the community, environment and workforce. This year sites were eligible to win the top accolade of Most Considerate Site in six ‘project value bands’: under £500k; £500k to £1m; £1m to £5m; £5m to £10m; £10m to £50m; and over £50m.

The winning sites are: • King Edward Skate Plaza, Nottingham, by Robert Woodhead Ltd (Value Band 1) The project involved the construction of a new skate park at the King Edward Park in Sneinton, a short distance from Nottingham city centre.

• Marks and Spencer, Dulwich SF, by Wates Smartspace (Value Band 2) This work involved the creation of an 800m2 food hall within a retail unit on a busy high street in Dulwich, south east London.

• Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales Phase 2 – Post Occupation Works, by Interserve Construction Ltd (Value Band 3) Located on the outskirts of Cardiff, the project comprised external works to complement the recently-completed Children’s Hospital for Wales.

• Discovery Academy, Tameside, by Carillion Construction Ltd (Value Band 4) The construction of a new school in a residential area on the outskirts of Hattersley, near Hyde in Greater Manchester.

• Foyle College and Ebrington Primary School and Nursery, Northern Ireland, by Heron Bros Ltd (Value Band 5) This on-going contract involves the construction of a new college, primary school and nursery on the site of a former army barracks in a residential area of Londonderry.

• Ulster Hospital Phase B2 – General Ward Block, by Graham Bam Healthcare Partnership (Value Band 6) Located in the grounds of a large operational hospital in Dundonald, near Belfast, the work involves the on-going construction of a new sevenstorey ward building.

The awards ceremonies, which attract over 3,000 guests from construction sites of all different sizes across the UK, were held from 20

March to 7 April in Edinburgh, London and Manchester. They involved the presentation of 848 National Site Awards to winning sites selected from the 8,000 or so that were eligible. In addition to the six Most Considerate Site Awards, there were 337 Bronze, 319 Silver and 156 Gold awards, together with 30 Most Considerate Site runners-up.

Considerate Constructors Scheme executive chairman Isabel Martinson said: “Congratulations to all 2017 National Site Award winners. Winning an award with the Considerate Constructors Scheme is a huge achievement, as only the topperforming sites are eligible for such an accolade.

“The successes of award-winning sites demonstrate the importance of embedding the core principles of the scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice, creating a positive long-term legacy for the local community, environment and workforce.

“Special congratulations to the Most Considerate Site award winners, who represent considerate construction at its very best. Each of these sites is a beacon of best practice for the industry, having clearly shown exceptional effort and commitment in pursuit of improving the image and reputation of the construction industry.” q • For more about the Considerate Constructors Scheme and to search the database listing all this year’s winners, visit www.ccscheme.org.uk.

Refurbishment works move forward in Ancoats [ WORK IS UNDERWAY to refurbish one of

Ancoats’ iconic buildings, paving the way for 20 luxury apartments.

WM Dyer Electrical are forging ahead with the project on George Leigh Street. In its heyday, the property was originally the residence of the local priest and connected to the local school.

Behind this rejuvenated façade, work to the 20 luxury apartments is ongoing with completion programmed for July 2017.

WM Dyer Electrical will be undertaking all landlords power distribution, lighting, fire alarm, door access, CCTV, TV distribution and power distribution to the apartments.

Now the scaffolding has been removed, you can see really some of the results of their endeavors and those of their partners in the project. Work also included repairs and restoration of the masonry, as well as fitting new ‘period style’ windows in line with the building’s character and style.

Retaining the style of the original building was important, whilst also bringing an enhanced energy performance to meet today’s high building standards.

WM Dyer Electrical are based in the North West and cover the whole of the UK. They specialise in design, project management, installation, testing and commissioning, maintenance and energy reduction solutions. q • For more information please email info@wmdyer.co.uk or visit www.wmdyer.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Crossrail project uses Cygnus wireless fire alarm system at seven stations

[BULL PRODUCTS’ Cygnus wireless

fire alarm system has so far been specified and installed on seven Crossrail projects in London and several miles of track. The installations include bespoke solutions such as emergency exit signal systems mostly operating underground.

Developed and designed specifically for use on construction sites, the Cygnus wireless fire alarm system is ideal for the Crossrail project as it has the most effective radio of any wireless fire alarm system.

The new Elizabeth line, which will emerge from the Crossrail project, unlocks its doors to central London in 2018. From the end of 2019 it will run from Heathrow through the new tunnels, providing a direct link to central London destinations including Bond Street, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf.

The Cygnus system is able to link no less than 480 alarm devices in 15 zones. The CE marked system is used in conjunction with a selection of units including fire alarms, smoke detectors, heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, first aid call points and combined call point and first aid alerts.

On the Crossrail project the Cygnus system is operating at stations, access shafts and ventilation shafts across many of the key stations on the line.

At Paddington Station, which is experiencing the most substantial makeover since the completion of the original build in 1853, there are 10 Cygnus units incorporated along with a Cygnus control panel. There is also a Cygnus interface unit which connects the Cygnus units to 19 radio-link heat detectors.

Located within the heart of the West End, Tottenham Court Road Station is undergoing a significant renovation. The Crossrail project is providing a new underground station and ticket hall at Dean Street in Soho and a second integrated ticket hall below St Giles Circus on Oxford Street. Here over 80 Cygnus fire call points and first aid alarms are installed and are linked to two main Cygnus control panels.

There are also four Cygnus input/output units which connect four bespoke safety signal lights with the Cygnus alarm units. In the event of an evacuation the light signal stays green to indicate the exit is safe to use, if not, it turns red. As mobile phones are not allowed on

Developed and designed specifically for use on construction sites, the Cygnus wireless fire alarm system is ideal for the Crossrail project as it has the most effective radio of any wireless fire alarm system. The Cygnus system is able to link no less than 480 alarm devices in 15 zones.

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Bull Products’ Cygnus wireless fire alarm system has been installed on seven Crossrail projects in London and several miles of track.

The installations include bespoke solutions such as emergency exit signal systems, mostly operating underground. site, a paging system is also connected to the Cygnus control panel so that when an alert is raised, the pager system panel sends a text message to a hand-held pager device that is worn by site managers or first aiders.

At Liverpool Street Station numerous physical constrictions made this project the most complex to interweave with the existing urban fabric, including existing tube lines and a post office railway, not to mention a maze of sewers. Some 30 Cygnus units are installed on the Liverpool Street project including a Cygnus control panel and 29 Cygnus fire call point and first aid alarms.

For Whitechapel Station the design approach will see the new Elizabeth line weave between the existing transport services to an elevated station concourse which will act as a bridge above existing lines and incorporates a new ticket hall for all services.

Over 25 Cygnus fire alarm call point units are installed on this project which are linked to a Cygnus control panel. q • Further information on the Cygnus wireless alarm system is available from Bull Products on 01432 371170, by emailing info@bullproducts.co.uk or by visiting the website at www.bullproducts.co.uk.

Ecobuild forges ahead towards the industry of the future [OVER 20,000 forward-thinking industry

professionals descended on London’s ExCeL in March for Ecobuild 2017. They were there to explore the latest innovations from more than 450 leading exhibitors, to join in the Redefining Sustainability debate and discuss the key issues currently facing the built environment. Construction National was proud to be among its supporters as a media partner.

Taking on an immersive cityscape format – to reflect the show’s overarching theme of Regeneration – Ecobuild 2017 featured a series of ‘districts’, each with dedicated seminar programmes covering key topics, including green infrastructure, off-site construction and the circular economy.

The Arena, home to the show’s conference programme, welcomed an impressive roll of high-profile speakers. They included Berkley Homes chair Tony Pidgley, former Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo, Lord Foster of Bath, RIBA president-elect Ben Derbyshire and Jules Pipe, deputy mayor of planning, regeneration and skills at the Greater London Authority.

Sustainable housing topped the agenda for day one, with Tony Pidgley calling for government to slash more red tape to avoid clogging up the planning system. Day two saw transport and affordable housing take the lead, as Ben Derbyshire pledged his support for a building programme that would create 70,000 new homes in the outer suburbs of London.

The final day delved into the impact of Brexit on the construction industry, autonomous cars and the future of urban transport.

Alongside the busy Ecobuild conference and seminar programmes, visitors to the show witnessed a long list of industry firsts, exclusive product launches and live demonstrations from a wide range of exhibitors and partners. They included WorldGBC’s plan to launch a Homes Wellbeing Lab in the UK, Freiraum Kollective’s showcase of its

Pallet Homes Project to create homes in Kenya and the Structural Timber Association’s new guide on the Robustness of CLT Structures. Also unveiled was the Good Homes Alliance’s Charter for Responsible Housing and Saint-Gobain’s UK Homes, Health and Wellbeing report.

Martin Hurn, managing director of Ecobuild, commented: “A lot has changed in the 14 years since Ecobuild began, so it’s important that we maintain a strong focus on updating and refreshing the agenda to meet the latest industry priorities, challenges and developments. From the feedback we’ve received so far we’ve certainly succeeded in doing that this year. It was inspiring to see so many in-depth conversations about what’s next for sustainability in the built environment; conversations that I’m sure will continue to develop well into the future.

“On the exhibitor floor, there’s been a good balance of sharing existing products, solutions and initiatives, and discussing emerging concepts and ideas. Something new was happening every day at the show, whether it be virtual reality testing or live demonstrations – there really was something for everyone.”

Plans are already well advanced for next year’s show, which will take place at the same venue from 6-8 March. q

CAI adapts to the changing way we view [

RECEIVING TELEVISION AND radio content used to be a relatively straightforward process. Now it’s become extremely complex and that’s affected members of the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI). “We’ve grown to be an association representing all kinds of signal distribution around the home, which includes all means of relaying moving pictures, audio and data,” states senior executive Tim Jenks.

Education programme The industry has faced several challenges since the CAI was formed, starting with the introduction of satellite broadcasting that now claims about 11 million households. The more recent move to digital meant the whole of the UK’s households had to rethink their approach to television, requiring an education programme for everyone including CAI’s members.

The confederation’s education and skills programme was central to that and is one of the main services it provides, with sixteen specialist courses available from its custom-built Watford base and other centres around the UK. Ten of the CAI’s training programmes are now accredited by City & Guilds.

The CAI also supplies information to keep members in tune with the way broadcasting is moving although Tim believes the biggest reason members join is for the accreditation: “They want our logo on their van and letterhead to prove they’re competent and part of the national body representing their industry. The consumer may not necessarily know everything that means but members get jobs because they carry the CAI logo.”

Conciliation service Standards are kept high, he adds, by repeat audits and providing a conciliation service for customer complaints: “If people feel they have been badly treated, they can contact us and we’ll give the member an opportunity to answer for what’s gone wrong and put it right,” explained Tim. “One of the biggest problems in the industry is the use of cheap cable that adversely affects frequencies. It’s something members don’t do and the

confederation helps ensure only good quality products are used. We run certification processes for antennas and coaxial cable.

We certify that cables reach certain British and European standards and attach trade mark logos to equipment, which are therefore recognised by broadcasters and national trading standards.”

Broadband world The latest challenge is adapting to a broadband world and the advent of smart TVs. Tim says: “It’s no longer just people watching pictures picked up through an aerial or dish; they’re downloading content through a broadband connection. Internet protocol is how we receive some moving pictures so we have to make sure we can network a system to carry broadband round the home. It’s not just one cable going into every TV around the house, it can be several cables depending on the source of your moving pictures. So we’re adapting as quickly as we can and upskilling to broadband protocol.”

Next on the agenda and allied to that, he continues, are further changes: “There are more plans to shrink the TV spectrum we use to receive through aerials, pushing things into the lower end of that band to make room for mobile broadband. So we’re having to sacrifice spectrum that was once for TV use only.

“We don’t need as much spectrum as we did, because programmes are broadcast in a very economical way and the aerial doesn’t need to have such wide capability – it will receive interference if it does. So we’re re-adjusting how we receive TV through the air and the challenge will be how many people have to change their TV aerials to receive standard broadcast TV services. We may all be driven down the broadband and satellite route one day, so we need to deal with internet protocol around the home.” q • For further information call 01923 803030 or visit the website at www.cai.org.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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atoz construction national website

Welcome to our A to Z guide of the websites of some of the industry’s leading players.

If you are one of our many online readers simply click on any of the logos listed below and you will be automatically directed to that company’s website.

To get your company’s website listed on this page just give us a call on 0161 710 3880 or email ian@dmmonline.co.uk

Asta Powerproject BIM – affordable 4D planning

Cable Management Systems

Saving Time, Saving Money

Innovative Manufacturers of Adhesives, Grouts, Cements and Coatings

New & Used Portable & Modular Building Sales.

• Alteration • Refurbs • Installation • Relocation

Online Tradesman Search Facility & Directory

Suppliers and Distributors of Scaffolding and Access Equipment

Construction Finance Specialists

Think Roofs, Think NFRC

High Speed 4G Wireless Broadband Routers

Working within the Construction Industry • Health & Safety Training • Roofing Training

Your partner for working safely at heights

www.astapowerproject.com/bim

www.competentroofer.co.uk

www.cotacabin.co.uk

www.scaffoldingsales.co.uk

www.nfrc.co.uk

www.nimrod-training.co.uk

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www.skyhook-gb.com

www.rotafix.co.uk

www.stockporttradesmen.com

www.ultimatefinance.co.uk

www.4grouter.co.uk

www.xsplatforms.com

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Budget measures attract favourable comment [ THE NEW ‘T-level’ qualification for 16

to 19-year-old technical students announced in Chancellor Philip Hammond’s 2017 Budget, which are due to be introduced from autumn 2019, brought forth much comment from the construction industry. Construction is one of the principal subject areas to be included. As part of the course, all students will take part in an industry work placement.

There was also a pledge to provide maintenance loans for students doing higherlevel technical courses at national colleges and institutes of technology: similar to those available to university students.

Eddie Tuttle, associate director for policy, research and public affairs at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), said: “We welcome the £500m increase in funding for technical education, though it is unlikely this will help reduce existing pressing skills shortages. Achieving greater parity between academic and vocational education and providing ‘work-ready’ employees is particularly crucial in construction.

“The offer within these ‘T-levels’ of a high quality work placement is vital; alongside further education institutes and employers, we as a professional body look forward to

Apprenticeship figures show unprecedented growth

[CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICESHIP STARTS are at a record high, according to figures

released by CITB in March. Figures published during National Apprenticeship Week showed that almost 25,000 people started a construction apprenticeship in 2015/16 across England, Scotland and Wales.

That represents a 25% increase in the past two years as apprentice starts have shot up from 19,973 in 2014 to 24,899 in 2016. It is the highest figure since the present way of recording apprenticeships began in 2003. CITB funded over 8,400 employers to support 24,600 of those apprenticeships with £57m in training grants.

According to CITB, one of the reasons behind the improved figures is the success of Shared Apprenticeship Schemes. They have enabled SME employers, which dominate the construction sector, to recruit over 500 apprentices last year, which they would otherwise have not been able to do.

CITB chief executive Sarah Beale said: “These figures show that more employers than ever before are taking on apprentices. These record numbers are made possible by increased awareness of the opportunities available, including through the industry-led Go Construct website.

“We are also working to improve the quality of apprenticeships, with CITB supporting construction employers to develop 31 new Apprenticeship Standards to meet the changing needs of our industry.

“I would encourage all employers to consider taking on an apprentice – it’s good for the sector and great for growing their businesses. And CITB is ready to provide them with the funding and support to make new apprenticeships possible.” q

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working with the Government to develop these qualifications.

“The importance of skilled trades and the construction industry need to be made clear. While other industries, such as manufacturing, have shed skilled workers, the construction industry maintains a third of all employment in this occupation group, and this is predicted to only grow further in the future. Skilled trades not only provide solid earnings in themselves, but provide many with an opportunity and a platform for progression within their career through to management and professional roles.”

The chief executive of City and Guilds Group, Chris Jones, also welcomed the technical education measures.

He said: “It’s good to see training and technical education front and centre of the Budget. The £500m pledged to enhance the amount of training available for 16 to 19-yearolds on technical programmes is certainly a step in the right direction and I hope this level of funding will be sustained in the future.

“For too long, the FE sector has suffered from a lack of investment or focus – even though improving the UK’s skills base has to be a top priority if we want to improve the UK’s productivity and competitiveness.

“It’s also encouraging to see an emphasis on a robust work experience element in ‘T levels’. Employers consistently tell us that real-life experience of the workplace is vital in preparing young people for the workplace.

However, delivering a work experience programme is a serious undertaking for employers – particularly if we want to ensure all placements are high-quality. This can only work if businesses are supported by both the Government and the FE sector, so that offering work experience placements is a benefit, not a burden.” q

New government levy: guidance is available

Construction training courses and/or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges: Activate Learning

T: 0800 612 6008 E: enquiries@activatelearning.ac.uk W: www.activatelearning.ac.uk Oxpens Road, Oxford OX1 1SA

Barking & Dagenham College T: 020 3667 0294 E: admissions@bdc.ac.uk W: www.bdc.ac.uk

Rush Green Campus, Dagenham Road, Romford RM7 0XU

Basingstoke College of Technology T: 01256 354141 E: information@bcot.ac.uk W: www.bcot.ac.uk

Worting Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 8TN

Bath College

T: 01225 328729 E: apprenticeships@bathcollege.ac.uk W: www.bathcollege.ac.uk City Centre Campus, Avon Street, Bath BA1 1UP

Central Bedfordshire College T: 01582 477776 W: www.centralbeds.ac.uk Main Campus, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 4HG

[ FROM 1 MAY 2017, employers with a wage bill of more than

£3m have to pay the new Apprenticeship Levy. Employers paying the levy will be able to access the funds they have paid for the cost of training apprentices through a new digital account.

Employers who do not pay the levy will receive funding for 90% of apprentice training costs, with the cost of a 16-18 year old apprentice or 19–24 year olds with an Education, Health and Care Plan fully funded for employers with fewer than 50 employees. Until the digital account is introduced for those employers in 2018, they will be expected to pay the provider directly for training if relevant.

As apprenticeships are a devolved policy, authorities in each of the UK nations manage their own apprenticeship programmes, including how funding is spent on apprenticeship training. The apprenticeship service of the Department for Education only supports the English apprenticeship system, so funds in an employer’s account will depend on how many of their employees live in England. That is called the ‘English percentage’.

Comprehensive apprenticeship funding guidance has been published by Build UK and CITB to assist employers in getting to grips with the new system. The Apprenticeship Funding Guide details the changes to the Government Apprenticeship Levy and how they affect employers.

According to the guide: “The Government has set funding bands to determine the maximum you can spend on each apprenticeship training course through your digital account. Employers will pay in full any amount they agree with the training provider above this maximum level. The new funding bands will vary by apprenticeship occupation and level, but will not vary by age as they do at present.”

The guide also stresses that the Government Apprenticeship Levy and the CITB Levy are not the same. q • The guide is available to download from the Build UK website at builduk.org. Further information is also available from the government website at www.gov.uk.

Blackpool and The Fylde College T: 01253 504 343 E: info@blackpool.ac.uk W: www.blackpool.ac.uk

Bispham Campus, Ashfield Road, Bispham, Blackpool FY2 0HB

Bolton College

T: 01204 482000 E: info@boltoncc.ac.uk W: www.boltoncollege.ac.uk Deane Road Campus, Deane Road, Bolton BL3 5BG

Boston College

T: 01205 313218 E: info@boston.ac.uk W: www.boston.ac.uk Skirbeck Road, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 6JF

Bradford College

T: 01274 433333 E: information@bradfordcollege.ac.uk W: www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk Great Horton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1AY

Business Solutions Bury College

T: 0161 280 8650 E: business.solutions@burycollege.ac.uk W: www.burycollege.ac.uk Enterprise Centre, Market Street, Bury BL9 0DS

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Students urged to Craft Your Future with Minecraft [

AS PART OF its campaign to attract the next generation of constructors, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has released its Craft Your Future lessons on all versions of Minecraft. The initiative was timed to coincide with International Construction Management Day on 13 March.

It has developed ‘vanilla’ versions of the lessons so that teachers, construction professionals and young people can learn about the value of construction management and the exciting career choice it offers through using Minecraft.

Bridget Bartlett, deputy chief executive of the CIOB, said: “There are 16 hours of lessons freely available for teachers, CIOB members and other professionals to use in the classroom. We want as many people as possible to have access to these lessons and have worked hard to develop a solution that works on all Minecraft platforms – not just Minecraft Education.

“The beauty of Minecraft and our lessons is that they are open source. Anyone wanting to teach them can and has access to all the supporting tools they will need. We are already seeing a mixture of construction employers and schools in the UK and the US using these lessons to inspire the next generation of construction managers.”

The CIOB lessons are aimed at 12-14 year-olds and take place in Newtown, a specially created virtual city in Minecraft. Students can design, plan, collaborate and develop a sustainable future for all its citizens. Exercises also include real-life scenarios like the challenge of restoring Battersea Power Station.

Such is the impact of Minecraft it was announced by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Northern Ireland) that it will provide free licenses to over 200 schools, with circa 50,000 children, and 30 libraries in Northern Ireland to inspire creative writing and engage young people in city planning. RIBA has been using the tool to inspire budding architects and teach the principals of, among other styles, Palladian architecture.

Working with The Gameworkshop from Denmark and the Danish Architecture Centre each CIOB lesson runs between 3-6 hours. Groups of students, usually in teams of three or four, collaborate across the lessons. The lessons cover four areas of construction – maintenance, restoration, new build and refurbishment. q • For more information visit www.ciobmc.org.

CITB adopts new teaching methods for English and maths [ CITB APPRENTICESHIPS is changing the

way it teaches maths and English in a bid to reduce the number of apprentices who either drop out or fail their courses. Apprentices who have not attained the minimum standards in maths and English while in school must undertake additional qualifications in those subjects as part of their apprenticeship.

For those apprentices requiring additional learning, successful completion of these qualifications is a mandatory requirement to pass their apprenticeship. In England, one in five apprentices fail to pass the qualification in either maths or English.

The aim of the scheme is to boost attainment by making the teaching more relevant and accessible, and empowering the learner.

The new approach will initially apply to the 15,000 apprentices trained by CITB Apprenticeships, with a roll-out across other training providers later in the year as part of

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its commitment to raise standards across the entire sector.

The way the subjects are taught will change in three ways: • By using a new online diagnostic tool to assess learners’ level of knowledge. Based on that assessment, resources will be provided so that each apprentice has an individual learning plan tailored to their specific needs. That is being piloted now.

• Creating a series of videos showing how maths is used in a real-life, construction context. The videos are being created now for roll-out in the summer.

• By creating informal, pod-based learning environments, alongside partners in FE, where apprentices can work together and problemsolve in small teams.

One of the reasons some apprentices drop out is because they feel they are returning to the classroom, where they may have had a negative

experience. By changing the environment in which they study, they should feel more empowered and therefore perform better. This is due to begin in September.

Steve Hearty, head of CITB Apprenticeships, said: “Most apprentices currently do very well on their courses and go on to have successful, rewarding careers in construction. But too many are dropping out or failing their course because of a weakness in English and maths, which is a terrible waste of talent.

“There are many reasons for this, which is why we are introducing big changes not just to how students learn, but the environment in which they study. We hope this will boost the number of apprentices passing their courses, so these young people can make the most of their skills. It will also offer value for construction employers, who need workers with the right training and qualifications alongside sound knowledge of English and maths.” q

Open Doors 2017 inspires record number [BUILD UK HOSTED the biggest Open Doors event to date in March, with 200 sites opening their gates to over 5,000 visitors to inspire them to find out more about construction and the extensive range of careers that the industry has to offer. Former Premier League footballer and painter and decorator Jimmy Bullard launched the event at Willmott Dixon’s Alexandra Palace site in London The event, delivered in partnership with CITB and with support from the Considerate Constructors Scheme, CSCS and Go Construct, featured fantastic involvement as Build UK members and non-members opened a range of high profile and locally significant sites, as well as company offices, to showcase what the industry is all about.

A record number of sites from across England, Scotland and Wales were involved in Open Doors including London’s Battersea Power Station, a whisky distillery in Scotland and the Colwyn Bay Promenade Enhancement which will

transform 1km of waterfront in Wales. Also taking part in the event for the first time was a boat tour, hosted by Tideway, which gave visitors the opportunity to learn about the major new sewer being installed along the River Thames.

Open Doors is an exclusive opportunity for those considering a career in construction to go behind the scenes of some of the most innovative and engaging projects currently in development, and have a closer look at the inner workings of a ‘live’ construction site.

With construction set to create around 31,000 new jobs every year for the next five years, and the issue of skills and recruiting the next generation of workers high on the agenda, the event was the perfect platform to promote the diverse and exciting nature of construction and encourage visitors of all ages to explore the vast range of career options available. q • For more information visit www.opendoors.construction.

Construction training courses and/or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges: Cambridge Regional College

Leeds College of Building

Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2QT

North Street, Leeds LS2 7QT

Croydon College

We are the North West’s number one approved centre for AAC and AM2 refresher/assessment testing

T: 01223 418778 E: training@camre.ac.uk W: www.camre.ac.uk

T: 020 8686 5700 E: info@croydon.ac.uk W: www.croydon.ac.uk

T: 0113 222 6061 E: info@lcb.ac.uk W: www.lcb.ac.uk/higher-education

Find out more at:

http://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/AM2.aspx

College Road, Croydon CR9 1DX

College information: 0151 252 3000

Derby College Apprenticeships

The Manchester College

The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, Pride Park, Derby, Derbyshire DE24 8JE

Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WH

East Coast College

Wakefield College

T: 01332 387421 E: apprenticeships@derby-college.ac.uk W: www.derby-college.ac.uk

T: 03333 222 444 E: enquiries@tmc.ac.uk W: www.tmc.ac.uk

Lowestoft Campus, St Peter’s Street, Lowestoft NR32 2NB

T: 01924 789789 E: apprenticeships@wakefield.ac.uk E: s.black@wakefield.ac.uk W: www.wakefield.ac.uk

Great Yarmouth Campus, Suffolk Road, Southtown, Great Yarmouth NR31 0ED

Wakefield City Campus, Margaret Street, Wakefield WF1 2DH

Eastleigh College

North Warwickshire & Hinckley College

Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 5FS

Nuneaton Campus, Hinckley Road, Nuneaton CV11 6BH

Hertford Regional College

Weymouth College

Broxbourne Campus, Turnford, Herts EN10 6AE

Cranford Avenue, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 7LQ

Kendal College

City of Wolverhampton College

Milnthorpe Road, Kendal LA9 5AY

Paget Road, Wolverhampton WV6 0DU

T: 0800 085 8860 W: www.eastcoast.ac.uk E: Apprenticeships@eastcoast.ac.uk

T: 023 8091 1000 E: goplaces@eastleigh.ac.uk W: www.eastleigh.ac.uk

T: 01992 411400 E: info@hrc.ac.uk W: www.hrc.ac.uk

T: 01539 814700 E: enquiries@kendal.ac.uk W: www.kendal.ac.uk

T: 024 7624 3000 E: the.college@nwhc.ac.uk W: www.nwhc.ac.uk

T: 01305 761100 E: igs@weymouth.ac.uk W: www.weymouth.ac.uk

T: 01902 836000 E: mail@wolvcoll.ac.uk W: www.wolvcoll.ac.uk

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Chartered Degree Apprenticeships

The University of Wolverhampton’s £100 million purpose-built Springfield Campus is a centre of excellence in construction with state-of-the-art facilities for the study of architecture, built environment and civil engineering courses

[DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS at the University of Wolverhampton offer

relevant and cost-effective work-based learning tailored to the real world.

The programmes are structured in such a way that will allow apprentices to achieve a university qualification at Degree or Master’s level. Employers will, on the other hand, benefit from high quality learning and maximise the potential of the Government’s new funding regime.

Current provision at the university is growing to include a Construction Management Degree Apprenticeship and a Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship from September 2017.

Both programmes include a BSc (Hons) degree qualification and accreditation from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), supporting applications towards achieving full chartered member status (MRICS).

Apprenticeship courses are designed and developed in collaboration with employers and professional bodies. To access either apprenticeship, students will need to be currently employed within the built environment industry and typically the employer will fund the apprenticeship.

The usual duration is five years and requires one day of attendance per week (24 weeks a year) and studying other days through a work-based learning mode. All modules on the courses must be completed in order to achieve successful completion.

Construction Management Higher Apprenticeship Built environment management includes the ability to plan, co-ordinate and monitor on-site construction works in order to successfully manage the safe and cost-effective delivery of a wide range of construction projects.

Trainee managers in the built environment are part of an extensive team responsible for the planning, erection and function of buildings.

As trainee managers, students will develop a wider understanding of the built environment processes and development required to become a built environment professional/practitioner as well as the opportunity to progress through higher levels of study.

Course content includes elements of work-based learning, precontract studies, on-site construction works, project control and on-site decision making, management and liaison with clients, construction professionals and operatives.

Job roles/occupations – Successful built environment management trainees will be appropriately skilled and knowledgeable to meet the job profile of a technical, supervisory manager within the

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built environment sector and able to specialise in many fields of construction management, quantity surveying, building surveying, property development and real estate management.

Some of the roles for progression include construction site manager, assistant construction site manager, site manager, sub agent, assistant site manager, construction planner, building surveyor, quantity surveyor, real estate developer and investor, and construction project manager.

What skills will be learnt? – As a Construction Management Degree Apprentices, students will develop an awareness of the environmental impact of construction activities, including the use and re-use of land for development and regeneration, and the need to minimise negative impacts during all stages of a project. They will also learn about the current legal, political and social issues in the industry, plus the procurement and contractual products and processes used in the sector.

Apprentices will acquire the skills to manage resources and stakeholders, and an appreciation of the roles of those involved in the project management of built environment products and services including the planning, budgeting, project funding and payment processes that lead to effective project delivery.

Throughout the apprenticeship, they will also develop the knowledge and understanding of the construction process and of the materials and technology that comprise best practice, including obligations for health, safety and welfare issues on-site, how to identify potential hazards and manage the risks.

at the University of Wolverhampton Chartered Surveyor Higher Apprenticeship Chartered surveyors are highly trained and experienced property professionals who offer diverse services and impartial, specialist advice on a variety of property related issues.

As Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprentices, students will be part of an extensive team responsible for the planning, development and valuation of built environment projects. They will develop a wider understanding of built environment processes required to become a built environment professional/practitioner and have the opportunity to progress both professionally and academically.

Through the Degree Apprenticeship programme, students will develop the skills and an appreciation to address a wide range of issues and will be supported by their employer and academic sponsor to work with others to deliver successful projects.

Job roles/occupations – Successful apprentices will have the ability to liaise with clients or employers to provide professional services in roles such as building surveyor, commercial property surveyor, residential property surveyor, planning and development surveyor, valuation surveyor,

consultant quantity surveyor and consultant project management surveyor.

What skills will be learnt? – Through the combined use of practical and educational experience and support, the aim of the Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship course is to enable students to gain the essential core skills and knowledge of all aspects of built environment management, focusing on the technologies, law, information management, finance, health and safety, sustainability and consultancy skills needed to deliver projects to professional and quality standards.

They will gain optional skills in the areas of valuation and appraisal, building surveys, land, property and planning law, tendering and procurement, costing and cost planning of construction work. They will also develop transferable skills of team working, independent learning, decision making and problem solving.

In addition, they will enhance their awareness of, and consider the impact and solutions to, current management issues in their organisation and the built environment sector and improve skills in construction and built environment related projects, management of people and resources, leadership and project management. q

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Cullum retunes its project planning to drive a high performance business

[CULLUM DETUNERS LIMITED is a world-leading engineering company

with a proven track record in providing advanced solutions to the aerospace, energy, marine and nuclear sectors, in the form of high-specification noise control equipment, turbine support for power generation and other solutions.

Careful project planning and on-time customer delivery is as critical to its business as engineering excellence – and when the company decided to focus on improving that capability even further, it turned to Elecosoft to advise it on how to switch out MS Project and deploy Asta Powerproject as a strategic business tool.

Putting planning at the heart of the business The company had already recruited an expert planner in David Brinklow, and expanded the planning team to include project co-ordinator Hannah Whitmore. This team was tasked with exploring how planning could be brought closer to the heart of the company and its culture.

Hannah explained the challenge: “Although planning was always a factor, we needed to become far slicker and deepen everyone’s understanding of what we were doing and how we were doing it. To create a more projectfocused business we needed to create cohesive project teams, regardless of disciplines. We needed to be able to see exactly where time was being taken at every stage, from reviewing suppliers to working with manufacturing lead times, to managing where we were waiting on information, and to balance out any customer changes that could cause delay.”

Planning at Cullum had not been done in a consistent way in the past.

Some individuals in different departments created plans, using MS Project, while some planning was outsourced when a need for a fully worked project plan was required by a customer. When David arrived, he was already an experienced Asta Powerproject user – but, to avoid bias, did not lead the software research project, handing the responsibility to Hannah.

Hannah said: “The challenge we set out to meet was to enable programmes to drive projects. To do that, we needed a tool which was

fit for purpose. We undertook a review of how we programmed currently, and looked at MS Project, Primavera P6 and Asta Powerproject. I did a lot of research, paying particular attention to the case studies, and built a business case for moving away from MS Project. I found Asta Powerproject to be more intuitive, personally – but it was more that it would meet the business objectives.”

Creating control, raising responsibility and reducing risk The previous planning model used programmes more as a presentation tool for customers than for internal control and progress management.

As Hannah put it: “Asta Powerproject now enables us to question things internally and generate a clear percentage of progress on each project. Now we can ask more clearly for statements of progress.”

Asta Powerproject is not just helping Cullum to keep projects on track, but also to mitigate risks that can have financial consequences. Hannah continued: “It’s common for contracts to state deadlines for the delivery of documents, such as acoustic calculations and so on, that are on the vendor documents list. These usually carry a percentage of contract financial penalty and, in these tougher economic times, customers will often state that they will exercise their right to levy those penalties. These can be heavy, especially on a multi-million-pound contract. Asta Powerproject enables us to see on the programme whether something is likely to be delivered late.

Because we can see the delay we can turn that into a clear cost to the business, so people understand the impact of those delays.”

Hannah summed the position up nicely, concluding: “I think we have a really good foundation with which to work from now. We’ve increased the visibility and understanding of planning in the business. People aren’t afraid of planning anymore.” q • For further information visit the website at www.elecosoft.com/ astapowerproject. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Health and safety professionals gather to showcase products, learn and network [SAFETY & HEALTH EXPO will return

to London ExCeL on the 20-22 June as the only place in the UK where all key health and safety associations, manufacturers, distributors, consultants and renowned experts come together under the same roof.

Showcasing a collection of top health and safety solutions from over 300 UK and international suppliers – including BAM Construction, Berkeley Homes, Laing O'Rourke and Skanska – health and safety professionals will be able to source a range of PPE, working at height, behavioural safety, risk management and occupational health solutions, with many suppliers offering exclusive show-only discounts and deals.

As well as showcasing the latest products and services on the market, Safety & Health Expo will also offer CPD accredited seminars covering the latest legislation updates. There will be practical guidance on protecting lone-workers, leadership, risk management, improving mental health and wellbeing and much more.

A free educational programme will run across three-days in four theatres: keynote theatre, lone worker theatre, operational excellence theatre and the professional development theatre.

Speakers include John Green, HSE director at Laing O’Rourke and Steve Hails, director of health, safety & wellbeing at Tideway who will discuss different approaches to safety culture. Martin Coyd, head of health & safety – construction at Mace and Clive Johnson,

group head of health, safety and security at Land Securities will also be speaking, as well as many more.

Visitors will also hear from leading associations HSE, RoSPA, BOHS, NEBOSH, British Safety Council and IOSH in the operational excellence theatre and will be inspired by a new set of high-profile, celebrity speakers in the keynote theatre.

Safety & Health Expo is a celebration of the great work health and safety professionals do, with events such as SHP Women in Health & Safety, the SHP Rising Star Awards and SHP Most Influential in Health & Safety Awards recognising up-and-coming talent and diversity in the profession. The exhibition will also play host to a number of industry awards ceremonies and exclusive networking events including the RoSPA Awards.

Safety & Health Expo is part of UBM EMEA’s Protection & Management Series, running

alongside five other events and giving visitors access to over 16,000 exhibitors showcasing 20,000 products across facilities management, service management, professional clothing, fire and security.

Last year, Safety & Health Expo was a massive success, welcoming over 13,000 attendees across the three days. Commenting on the show, a senior H&S advisor from Thames Water Utilities said: “Safety & Health Expo has all the products you need in health and safety – if you were setting up you would be able to source it all at the show.”

In 2017, Safety & Health Expo will continue its legacy as the largest global gathering of health and safety professionals in Europe, introducing new features such as the 1:2:1 legal clinic, offering tailored legal advice and the wellbeing for work area to continue to draw visitors.

Whether you’re looking to source new products, learn or network there’s plenty on offer at Safety & Health Expo. q • For more information and to register FREE for Safety and Health Expo 2017 visit the website at www.safety-health-expo.co.uk.

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New mobile app can help reduce workplace injuries

[

THE HSE REPORTS the total economic cost of workplace injury and new cases of workrelated illness in construction for 2013/14 at £0.9 billion, split into £0.5 billion for injury and £0.4 billion for work-related illness. This makes up around 7% of the total £14.3 billion cost across all industries.

In the construction sector the noticeable difference is that workplace injuries account for more than half of the cost – in other industries it is around one third – and that added up to an estimated 0.4 million lost working days annually in 2015/16. It did not include musculoskeletal and stress-related absences which in construction add 1.2 million and 0.2 million more absence days respectively.

There has been a steady downward trend in workplace injuries in construction since the start of the millennium, and it’s getting harder to keep them going down. Construction is booming, and likely to stay that way for the next few years if the government’s housing aspirations are to be realised, so there is an even greater need to ensure that everyone is doing all they can to avoid accidents.

The importance of good systems to help keep your team safe and ensure projects don’t get held up is undeniable, yet quite a few organisations are still working with paper forms, word documents and spreadsheets – too busy to make the change even if they know they’ve reached their limit in usability.

It’s sometimes a difficult call to know when to make the investment to start using a more sophisticated health and safety management system. Nobody wants to spend money unnecessarily, but it’s no good waiting until the

bad accident happens with all the grief, cost, loss of reputation and, now in the UK, very high fines. Good systems are very cost effective in the long run.

Nearly everyone has a smartphone today and increasing numbers of mobile apps are appearing to cover every conceivable task.

Some are brilliant – others never take off. One of the most obvious uses for the phone is getting it to record near misses (hazards). It has been well documented that more hazards reported and acted upon leads to fewer incidents and injuries occurring over time.

The Mirasnap mobile app is an addition to Mirashare, a cloud based health and safety management system that helps you record all the information about things that need fixing, actions to be done, incidents, near misses, risk assessments, changes and much more. Mirasnap makes it super easy to log an incident, a near miss, or even a good save.

Everyone in an organisation can have the ability

to upload details about a near miss or other event directly from their phone.

The things that’s so great about this is that, between them, the phone and the software can prefill nearly all of the information regarding who is reporting, time and date, location and a google map – all without the person reporting having to lift a finger other than hitting report an incident. All they have to do is take a photo or two, tap in or voice record a few words about the incident, and press send. 30 seconds later and its done. The person reporting can get on with what they were doing, safe in the knowledge that their report will be uploaded into the main system as a permanent record and the appropriate people will be notified straight away, so they can decide what, if any, action should be taken. Mirasnap offers the perfect vehicle for upping your near miss or hazard reports on site.

In 2015/16 43 workers died in construction related industries as a result of a workplace accident – that’s 43 too many. With construction work now at record levels we have to find more ways of helping people keep themselves safe. Hopefully prefabrication will help – meanwhile working at height, slips and trips, lifting and handling heavy loads, and vehicles all contribute to the death toll. Near miss reporting with rigorous action follow up is one of the many things we must keep doing more and better if we are to keep those death and injury numbers going down. q • For further information tel 01304 382410, email info@elmstonesystems.co.uk or visit the website www.mirashare.com. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Half construction workers lose sleep over work [ A NATIONWIDE POLL, carried out by international safety barrier manufacturer A-SAFE, has

revealed that people working in the building, construction and architecture industry lose sleep as a direct result of workplace worries.

The company polled 1,000 people working in industries including automotive, food and drink, logistics and transport, retail and government, and found that nearly half (48%) of building, construction and architecture workers lose sleep over their job. The data showed that around 16% of workers regularly lose sleep, with a further 32% experiencing occasional loss of sleep.

The poll, which found that some building, construction and architecture workers are losing more than 10 hours of shuteye a week, identified workload (35%), client demands (25%) and budget concerns (24%) as people’s biggest worries at work. Line management (25%), workplace politics (18%) and salary (14%) were also revealed as factors contributing to loss of sleep.

In addition to loss of sleep, the poll also discovered that workplace worries result in employees feeling especially drained and tired after work (23%), while one in five (19%) reported a loss of their sense of humour, and 23% of those working in the sector also claimed their job caused issues in their personal relationships.

James Smith, co-owner of A-SAFE said: “Everyone will come across workplace stress or worries at some point in their career, and it’s really interesting to see the various factors affecting people working in the UK, to help inform how to best address the issue.

“We wanted to see how employees in different industries cope with workplace stresses, and what impact this might have on Health & Safety. The results suggest that worries at work can have a negative impact on life outside the office, leading to actions that could affect work performance.

“We hope the findings give insight into exactly what contributes to work-related stress, and help employers ensure these factors don’t impact on the health and wellbeing of employees and the day-to-day running of their business.” q • To find out more about A-SAFE visit stand Q210 at the Safety & Health Expo where they’ll also be showcasing RackEye, a new real-time racking detection device, and explaining more about PAS 13 – a code of practice for safety barriers used in traffic management, sponsored and coauthored by A-SAFE. For further information visit www.asafe.com.

Casella announces 2017 noise monitoring course [DUE TO HIGH industry demand, Casella’s popular noise monitoring

course returns on 23rd May at its headquarters in Bedford.

Attending the one day course enables individuals to gain critical knowledge on Noise at Work regulations, ensuring compliance and saving a business time and money in the long run. It encourages the learning of new skills around occupational noise monitoring and demonstrates how vital this process is for employee wellbeing. After successful completion of a test at the end of the day, individuals are awarded with a certificate, showing their ability to monitor noise in the workplace.

The event is run by Casella’s leading noise expert, Shaun Knott, a regular speaker and panel contributor at leading health and safety events, with twenty five years experience of encouraging best practice in monitoring systems and training individuals.

During the course, guidance will be given on using dosimeters (personal noise monitoring devices). Insight will also be provided on turning the dosimeter readings into meaningful values that will help to determine the most appropriate form of hearing protection for specific workplace environments. Attendees of the course in 2016 said it was, ‘interesting and enjoyable’, as well as being ‘extremely helpful, covering more than expected’.

This year’s course confirms Casella’s inherent commitment to reducing occupational health risks through innovative monitoring systems. Recent product launches have included the introduction of the intrinsically safe

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Apex2, a personal device, monitoring an individual’s exposure to dust in high risk industries, with new all encompassing monitoring solutions expected to launch imminently.

To book your place on the noise monitoring course, please contact Sam Roy on SamRoy@casellasolutions.com. q • For further information please visit www.casellasolutions.com, featuring a new live chat function, or follow @CasellaUK on Twitter or Facebook.

Visit Casella at Stand No. N170 at Safety & Health Expo.

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Get ready for take-off to

Fantasy Island!

[

SKEGNESS, on the Lincolnshire coast, is the epitome of the traditional English seaside resort. It provided the site for the first of Billy Butlin’s pioneering holiday resorts back in the 1930s and has been entertaining families and couples ever since.

Nowhere is that sense of traditional holiday entertainment more evident than at Fantasy Island – a busy theme park just outside the town at Ingoldmells.

Last year the park was acquired by event specialists the Mellors Group in the form of Mellors Group Fantasy Island Holdings Ltd. The new owners

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immediately set about bringing back the ‘wow’ factor to Skegness, firstly by re-introducing a 50m high ‘extreme’ ride.

They then announced a major investment programme, starting this year with a £3m investment in a number of new attractions. They include a themed indoor mini golf course, an American style 10-pin bowling alley and six new junior and family rides, all of which were completed in time for the park’s opening for the new season in March.

Finance director Claire Draper explained: “The significant capital investment that we have committed this winter is the most the site has seen in nearly two decades. It is a huge undertaking, with numerous projects to be completed in a short time-frame.”

Fantasy Island is also home to Europe’s biggest seven-day market, with over 250 traders.

That element of the attraction is also benefitting from a significant upgrade– due for completion in March next year.

Andy Mayne is a relationship director with Barclays. He supported the Mellors Group with their purchase of the park last year and has worked with them over the winter to provide funding for the new rides.

He commented: “This new programme of investment will not disappoint visitors, with exciting new rides for all ages.

The Mellors Group is a well-managed and ambitious company creating jobs and supporting the local economy. We look forward to seeing the company go from strength to strength.”

Company director James Mellors said of the investment: “We have had a fantastic first season at Fantasy Island. Announcing a significant investment for 2017 is our vote of confidence in our great management and staff team, in Fantasy Island as a visitor attraction with amazing potential and in Skegness and Lincolnshire as a fabulous holiday and day-trip destination and as a place to live.”

His brother and fellow director Edward added: “This is not a one-off investment, it’s the first. Our commitment is long-term. Developing Fantasy Island, continuously improving the customer experience and attracting more visitors is a big and important part of our ambition to grow the Mellors Group for future generations.” q

Architecture and husbandry learn from each other [ THE SPECIALIST EXPERTISE involved in building homes

for the world’s wildlife, to enable them to thrive in the protective environment of zoos, is constantly developing; and the on-going acquisition of that expertise by contractors is also a developing theme, as we find out in the following pages.

Another area of expertise where the zoo architecture is learning from the cutting edge technology of design is in the use of building

information modelling, or BIM. Zoos aren’t just for exotic animals, however. There are species closer to home that need protection, such as the owls beloved of the late Terry Pratchett.

In this latest feature we also look at the special facilities needed to cater for bird species from such disparate environments as the Antarctic and the Australian outback. q

It’s a hoot as Parliament convenes on Birdworld

THE TERRY PRATCHETT OWL PARLIAMENT - BIRDWORLD

[

THIS SPRING SAW the opening of the latest exhibit at Birdworld in Surrey: the Terry Pratchett Owl Parliament. The beautifully-crafted display – created in collaboration with the World Owl Trust – has been named in honour of award winning author Sir Terry Pratchett in recognition of his well-known love of owls.

Many of the elements of the exhibit have been carefully designed to incorporate references to his fantasy Discworld novels.

As well as showcasing a wonderment and diversity of owls, from the magical snowy owl to the reputedly wise long-eared owl, the Terry Pratchett Owl Parliament will be an interactive space where visitors can learn fascinating facts about Strigiformes – the order to which owls belong.

For the most avid of owl fans, Birdworld also offers the unique opportunity to join the keepers with a Birdworld ‘owl handling experience’. The lucky participants will be given the chance to get up close and personal with the park’s owls as well as receiving a memento as a reminder of their day.

Birdworld manager Mark Anderson commented: “We’re very excited to reveal our brand new Owl Parliament. It will feature a whole host of owl species, many of which are threatened with the loss of habitat in the wild.

Behind a grand wooden entrance – itself reminiscent of a scene from AnkhMorpork – the aviaries are constructed from timber, with knotted mesh roofs open to the sky and glass viewing panels. The nine aviaries cater for owl species from a number of different habitats and climates and the design of the interiors reflects that.

As curator Duncan Bolton explained: “The design of each has more to do with appropriate landscaping. For example, snowy owls come from the tundra, where there are no trees. Other species come from tropical areas, where there is lush vegetation.”

Similarly, the nesting and roosting boxes are set at appropriate heights and in the correct siting. Some owls even nest in tunnels in the ground. The roosting boxes are left open at the bottom, mimicking a hole in a tree. The positioning means visitors can observe the birds while they are roosting – which is during the day, as owls are nocturnal! It also allows for ease of cleaning.

Even the size of the aviaries was worked out according to calculations related to the size and wing span of the species of owl to be housed – from the tiny burrowing owl, which weighs just 150g, to the larger snowy owls which weigh 2,500g. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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From penguins to wallabies

new zoological society aims to promote education and conservation PENGUIN FALLS & THE OUTBACK TRAIL - PARADISE WILDLIFE PARK

Penguin Falls is the new home for the African penguins at the wildlife park

[ A NEW ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY was launched in Hertfordshire on

1 April. The Zoological Society of Hertfordshire (ZSH) is a registered charity, founded to help promote the educational and conservation work of the Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne.

Guests from the world of conservation, film, music and TV rubbed shoulders with many of Paradise Wildlife Park’s friends, family and supporters – and, of course, the animals.

The charity’s director Lynn Whitnall said: “We were delighted to welcome so many friends and supporters to our launch event. As a zoo we’re crucially aware that our purpose will always be questioned so it’s great to experience the goodwill we all felt today.

“At Paradise Wildlife Park, we’ve always made the well-being of our animals and the preservation of the wider natural world our prime focus. The creation of ZSH will help us to continue this work and, we hope, to expand our conservation and educational work, making clear the valuable role zoos can play in protecting the lasting freedom of species throughout the world.”

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Part of that work involves the zoo being one of only two in the UK recommended for the breeding of African penguins and the launch of ZSH was marked by the unveiling of a new home for the penguins: Penguin Falls.

Based on their homeland in the South of Africa, the penguins’ amazing new home was a great hit with guests at the launch and residents alike.

Said Lynn Whitnall: “We have recently completed the new build and redevelopment of our exhibit for our critically endangered African penguins, which are part of the European Breeding Programme.

“The penguin habitat looks very natural and will provide our penguins with much needed space for quality of life and breeding.

Paradise Wildlife Park is one of only two zoos in the UK allowed to breed African penguins.”

Claire Bacon, a bird keeper at Paradise Wildlife Park, has been a volunteer at the South African seabird conservation charity SANCCOB, assisting in their work with the African penguins. While there, Claire helped the team with the rehabilitation of wild chicks, feeding,

The new Outback Trail where visitors can feed the wallabies and emus medicating and then eventually releasing the penguins back into the wild at the famous Stoney Point nature reserve.

The event also saw the opening of the zoo’s Penguin Experience area, which allows up to four people to feed the penguins on an exclusive experience day. Paradise Wildlife Park and ZSH raise over half a million pounds per year from their various animal experiences. They are a fantastic way to get close to the animals, learn about them and raise much needed funds for conservation projects.

Far away from the aquatic surroundings of Penguin Falls, the Australian Outback was the model for a second new exhibit unveiled recently by Paradise Wildlife Park. The Outback Trail is a walkthrough exhibit housing wallabies and emus roaming free in an enclosure that is double the size of both species’ previous enclosures and with natural Australian theming.

Visitors can purchase a ‘feed bag’ from the zoo’s animal feed stall on entering the park to feed both emus and wallabies, and get really close to them. q

Good outcomes depend on initial design considerations [

THE WATER TREATMENT and filtration system for Penguin Falls at Paradise Wildlife Park was designed and supplied by Zootech, specialists in aquatic environments and life support systems (LSS) for zoos and aquariums.

The company stresses the importance of addressing the filtration needs of an aquatic exhibit at the early design stage.

Few of the many superb guidelines on the correct care of aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, reptiles and mammals detail the filtration requirements for maintaining a healthy, species-specific and aesthetically pleasing aquatic environment in a cost-effective manner, the company says.

Client services director Jay Rooney explained: “Expertly crafted rockwork and considered horticulture are key features in creating truly wonderful natural animal habitats, but water has the potential to enhance that environment – both audibly and visually – above all other elements.

“By the same token, half-full pools, waterfalls not flowing and, particularly, murky water have a devastating impact on the positive experience we intend the public to have.”

As part of an ‘immersive experience’, zoological venues often incorporate viewing windows into habitat development projects, as well as VIP areas where visitors have the opportunity to ‘get up close’ with the animals, in the animals’ own environment.

Jay used viewing windows as an example: “When individuals report their zoological experience on social media – which impacts on revenue – they will take for granted the quality of the acid etched granite backdrop and the magnificence of the fargesia: they will, however, express disappointment or delight on how well they could see the animals underwater.”

The public correctly assume, he said, that clear water means healthy, happy animals. So, whether an organisation is adding a pool for the tigers, a stream for short-clawed otters or a poolside penguin VIP experience, it is imperative that filtration considerations are established at the construction design phase to achieve that.

Local drainage, initial bio-load, feeding habits, keeper resources, seasonal changes (both in the animals and the environment), future animal numbers, energy consumption and, in particular, gravity are all basic factors that influence filtration requirements. By properly considering those factors at the beginning of the development, issues do not become problems, project outcomes aren’t compromised and, ultimately, it saves money. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Elizabeth meets Elizabeth at jumbo opening ceremony CENTRE FOR ELEPHANT CARE - ZSL WHIPSNADE ZOO

HM The Queen feeds a banana to Donna, a seven year old Asian elephant, and Lee Sambrook checks Lucha the elephant’s teeth

[THE BIGGEST RESIDENTS at the UK’s largest zoo packed their

trunks and moved into a brand new home in April, with the opening of a £2m Centre for Elephant Care at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. The new centre was given the royal seal of approval on 11 April when HM The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, performed the official opening.

With ZSL Whipsnade Zoo leading the way in elephant care, the new Centre provides more than 700m² of indoor space for the herd of nine Asian elephants. Visitors to the Centre can now witness the herd at rest from a balconied viewing platform – and also get a unique insight into the daily attention lavished on the pampered pachyderms by their zookeepers.

Custom-designed by award-winning architects, the new building comprises a host of elephant-friendly features. They include a one metredeep soft sand floor to provide maximum comfort, while other exciting details include timed feeding pods which release food regularly during the night and six giant oak trees for the elephants to use as scratching posts.

The Centre is set amidst 30 acres of rolling paddocks. Outside, there are interactive displays, which inform visitors about the endangered species and allow them to try their hand at a jumbo pedicure on a life-size model elephant foot.

The latest addition to the herd is 10-month-old calf Elizabeth, who was named by zookeepers in honour of Her Majesty as she was born the day before The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations last year.

The Queen, who is Patron of international conservation charity ZSL – which runs ZSL Whipsnade Zoo – enjoyed a private tour of the Centre, where the couple met assistant curator of elephants Lee Sambrook and watched the elephants receive a pedicure.

She then unveiled a commemorative plaque during a special ceremony where Her Majesty and His Royal Highness each fed Donna the elephant a banana.

The new Centre was built by Milton Keynes-based Sutton Construction, whose managing director Robert Lake was proud to be at the opening to meet the royal couple.

The design and build project proved to be a steep learning curve for the company, whose first zoo project it was. Robert explained: “We had to talk to a lot of people at other zoos with an enormous amount of expertise in caring for elephants.”

The information amassed enabled the contractor to design the building to suit the elephants’ every need. That included 30% roof lighting to mimic sunlight – which is dimmable to simulate night-time – and the automatic feeders hung from the roof that lower to just the right height.

“Previously the zookeepers had to come in during the evening to feed the elephants, whereas now it’s done automatically,” explained Robert.

And the trees have been set in concrete to prevent them from being broken down when the elephants scratch themselves.

Care was also taken to minimise the environmental impact of the project. The huge amount of material excavated to provide the space for the sand floor has been re-used in other parts of the zoo, and the old shelter is used for the daily bathing of the elephants.

Even the sand for the floor had to be exactly the right consistency with the right grain shape, to ensure it did not cloy and become damp.

All-in-all, the company were delighted with the result.

“The new Centre sits very well and perfectly complements the herd’s outdoor paddocks,” said Robert, adding that the company would be delighted to utilise the expertise they have gained on other projects in the future. q

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Tropical House contains its own energy source

TROPICAL HOUSE - MARWELL ZOO

[WORK HAS STARTED on a new Tropical

House at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire. At a cost of £7.8m, it will be the largest exhibit ever built at the zoo and marks the second phase of a £17m investment programme over the next 8-10 years, creating improved habitats for animals and more immersive experiences for guests.

The new Tropical House is being constructed on two levels and will offer vantage points across a lush, tropical canopy and the opportunity to experience the captivating life of the forest floor.

The plan of the building is that of an elongated S-shape, over 1,200m2 in area over the two levels, with entry at the higher level and the exit below.

According to architects Terence O’Rourke: “Entering at high level you are taken along a meandering boardwalk and path through a tropical themed environment of vegetation, waterfalls, rock faces and aquariums populated by animal species that will interact with the visitor such as sloths, monkeys and lizards.”

Marwell Wildlife is also committed to promoting sustainable living through initiatives such as renewable energy generation.

That commitment finds a direct and practical expression in the incorporation of an energy centre in the Tropical House project, using sustainable energy to power both the new building and other exhibits within the park.

The heating system will be powered by Marwell’s animal waste (dung, soiled bedding and leftover hay) and wood chip from their woodland management operations. That will significantly reduce the zoo’s carbon footprint and take it a big step closer to the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2020.

In addition, the building is being constructed using ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene (ETFE), a new high-tech material which allows natural daylight to shine through. ETFE is 100% recyclable and is a popular product for green, sustainable construction, having previously been used in the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Terence O’Rourke continued: “The enclosure of the building will also serve as the defining element of its architectural identity, which is a

lightweight curved roof clad with a translucent ETFE membrane, supported by an exposed curved steel structure.”

The new exhibit is planned to open in time for Easter next year. q

How to produce a model design The base of the exhibit will be sculpted to reflect an uneven forest and desert floor with water features, with the various environments reflecting the living environments of the species housed. The back of house space serves as animal housing and planted areas.

Guests will be free to share the habitat and enjoy uninterrupted, close-up views of new, colourful and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects while learning about the flow of energy through life.

The new Tropical House will replace the existing Tropical World exhibit.

The zoo is run by Marwell Wildlife – a charity dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and other natural resources which undertakes a broad portfolio of conservation activities.

[

ONE OF THE stand-out aspects of the design of the new Tropical House was the extensive use of BIM throughout the process.

In a presentation, architects Terence O’Rourke explained: “This complex architectural form, in terms of the curved roof and S-shaped plan, suggested early on that using 3D BIM with Vectorworks 2015 and 2016 was the most rational and efficient method to document the building.

“The initial setting out of the building was established by a 2D plan grid in a regular arrangement, dividing the building into a series of bays, which meant that it could be easily extended or reduced through the design process to meet performance requirements and cost limits.”

By using a 3D model from a very early stage in the process the architect could easily present and explore design options with both the client and other members of the design team. Walkthroughs and 3D views could be produced, while other software allowed a level of ‘softness and sketchiness’ to be applied.

The architects continued: “The new project sharing facility of Vectorworks 2016 allowed several members of our design team to work on the project at the same time, enabling the deadline to be met.”

They concluded: “Marwell’s Tropical House has enabled Terence O’Rourke Ltd to develop an understanding of complex modelling techniques and the importance of collaborative working with BIM models both in-house and with consultant teams.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Nautilus showcase unique approach on Marwell Zoo project [NAUTILUS ATTRACTION DEVELOPMENTS

can draw on years of extensive experience in a highly specialised field to offer their clients a unique ‘turnkey’ service.

Zoo and aquarium exhibits have been the copmany’s core focus since its launch 19 years ago. An unprecedented level of expertise has allowed this unique, innovative and creative company to continue to grow and flourish.

Nautilus successfully demonstrated those skills most recently by providing the creative design for Marwell Zoo’s ‘Energy for Life’ project. This high profile development presented Nautilus with some unique opportunities to develop a truly immersive design.

“We were delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the zoo and showcase our specialist skills in designing and building animal exhibits.

This is our pedigree and we have been working primarily in this field for nearly 20 years,” said Nautilus’ Paul Bullimore.

“Working in partnership with Deadwalk Designs we put together a design that perfectly answered the brief – delivering great visitor experiences and high quality creature displays.

This was the first project we presented in virtual reality. It was a first for the zoo team and something that really enabled them to get a realistic impression of the project before it was built,” he added.

The design process was crucial to successfully managing such a multi-faceted, specialist process. The team have unsurpassed levels of experience in not only designing and building zoo and aquarium projects, but also operating them; setting them apart from other companies in the industry. As a result Nautilus was able to work closely with the zoo team every step of the way.

Gordon Campbell, Tropical House project advisor at Marwell Zoo, said: “We used the virtual reality presentation to show our board of trustees what they can look forward to next year when our Tropical House is complete.

“Their enthusiasm was evident as they were able to see the space complete with animal exhibits and plants in a way which simply can’t be demonstrated in two dimensions.

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“For the zoo team, who are familiar with the project, we use it regularly to work out design solutions for those challenging spaces which are very hard to imagine. The potential is very exciting.”

The new development is a particularly complex and rewarding project for Nautilus as it includes a highly diverse scope of works – including terrestrial animal exhibits, free flying birds, and insects as well as a substantial aquarium. As with any project of this type communication and accurate programming is essential.

Featuring more than 1000m2 of hand sculpted theming, there were lots of opportunities for the in house theming team to really showcase their skills in producing highly naturalistic rock and mud bank displays.

In addition to the specialist visitor facing elements of the project, the team will also be managing the supply and installation of the ‘back of house’ fixtures, including the high quality stainless steel animal containment elements.

The aquarium life support system is also being designed and installed by Nautilus and incorporates specific elements requested by the zoo’s specialists. This innovative approach to the aquarium filtration will further underpin the core aspects of the zoo’s ‘Energy For Life’ project.

A proactive approach to project design and delivery has meant Nautilus are able to continually build their client base, enabling them to work on some truly inspirational projects. As a result they are also constantly on the look out for talented individuals to join the team.

Through careful selection of key individuals the company has developed over the years to become a ‘one stop shop’ offering turnkey projects.

The Nautilus team is extremely proud to be helping a range of major zoo and aquarium clients to realise their ambitious projects.

Recent and current clients include Chester Zoo, Banham Zoo, Zurich Zoo, SEA LIFE London Aquarium and the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.

Clients come to Nautilus for a number of services such as theming, life support system design and installation, tank and pool design and construction as well as, increasingly, creative design services.

There has been a major shift in the style of immersive, themed exhibits over recent years enabling the team to really push their design approach.

Nautilus continue to relish the challenge of creating truly unique concept designs for their clients. q

New Alto MD 250 Tower brings extra versatility and safety to UK market [

BUILDING ON THE market leading strength and durability of the Alto product range, this new product gives more options to reduce risk of falls from height and manage hire stocks more effectively.

Alto MD 250 rung frames bring new versatility to the Alto MD range. Entirely compatible with existing MD products, the new 250 rung frames allow construction of a tower without using ladder frames and permit the insertion of extra guard rail braces, giving even more fall protection for operatives at platform level by reducing the apertures to a mere 250mm. The new frames also permit platform height to be even more finely adjusted to suit working conditions.

Maintaining the Alto reputation for durability and safety, the Alto MD 250 rung frames continue to provide greater strength and versatility than any lightweight tower on the market today.

Its 2mm thick extruded tube and fully welded joints gives the Alto MD Tower the reliability that customers have come to expect from the Alto brand. The MD tube’s distinctive ribbed exterior easily marks it out from other tower brands on site. q • For further information on the Alto MD 250 Tower or any of the Alto range call 01527 500577, email sales@lakeside-industries.co.uk or visit www.lakeside-industries.co.uk.

MSA Safety launches new fall protection range [

MSA SAFETY IS launching a new and simplified range of safety harnesses and self-retracting lifelines to offer its customers the full circle of fall protection solutions – from engineered lifelines to permanent guard rails and full body fall arrest harnesses.

The new V-Range is named after the iconic V-Gard® safety helmet developed by MSA in 1962 and trusted by tens of millions of personal protection users across the globe. The range, when used in conjunction with MSA’s Latchways® engineered lifelines, offers the highest specification of fall protection available on the market.

Two types of harness with the V prefix will be available to offer customers a comprehensive choice. There will be a lightweight and durable V-FORM™ and a padded and tailored V-FIT™ option. Both models feature fully adjustable straps, comfort features and dual load indicators to alert the user when the harness has been involved in a fall event. The V-FIT has shoulder and leg padding for increased comfort.

The V-Range of self retracting lifelines (SRLs) features the innovative engineering synonymous with MSA Safety fall protection, thanks to their New Product Development and Centre of Excellence in Devizes, Wiltshire. The V-TEC™ SRL features the award-winning design first seen on the Personal Fall Limiter with

at-a-glance checking for peace of mind while the V-SHOCK has a rubberised casing for tough environments.

A patented radial energy absorber to control energy is at the heart of every V SRL and additionally, the 6m version has a designed-in retraction dampener. This reduces retraction speed to eliminate any risk of the cable causing injury to the user or equipment.

Customers can choose from a variety of lengths, in both stainless steel and galvanised versions, and each range will include a leading-edge variant. The V-TEC SRL’s radial energy absorber means safety is assured with zero calibration required prior to use.

Gavan Duff, vice president at MSA Safety, comments: “It has been our goal, since acquiring Latchways’ engineered fall protection expertise, to develop our fall protection range so customers have a trusted and innovative range of engineered lifelines, PPE and mechanical products in our fall protection base that they can trust. I think we can genuinely lay claim to our new products, systems and solutions owning this space now.”

The new MSA Safety V-FORM Harness, V-FIT Harness and V-TEC SRL range is available from the end of April. q • For further information please call 01380 732700 for your local MSA affiliate or visit www.MSAsafety.com. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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NASC launch 2017 Safety Report [ THE NASC HAS published its highly-regarded 2017 Safety

Report, documenting and analysing accident and injury statistics for its full contracting members in 2016. The confederation represents over 17,000 UK scaffolding operatives, which constitutes a significant percentage of the country’s total scaffolding workforce.

For the fourth year running the NASC is able to report a fatality-free year, with the incidence rate almost half what it was five years ago – this is despite a 14% rise in the number of NASC member operatives over the period.

The report reveals the lowest incidence and frequency rates recorded by NASC full contracting member companies and also showed a 16% decrease in the frequency of manual handling injuries. Additionally, no members of the public were injured around NASC member scaffolds.

NASC full contracting members are required to submit a completed annual accident return as a requirement of membership, and the NASC Safety Report is based on data generated by this exercise.

The 24-page report covers injuries and fatalities to operatives, members of the public and third parties; accident causes and types; detailed analysis of accidents; comparison of HSE/NASC accident statistics; and what the NASC does to support safe scaffolding practice.

NASC president Alan Lilley said: “Once again, the NASC Annual Safety Report has highlighted how successful our members are at reducing accidents through compliance with industry safety standards and adherence to NASC guidance. No doubt the release of SG4:15 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations was a major factor in achieving this reduction in accidents.

“And the fact that there's been a marked reduction in the number of accidents – despite a record-level of NASC membership and a 14% increase in operatives – shows what we do for our members in producing quality safety and technical guidance.

“It’s not all great news though. For the 12th consecutive year, slips, trips and falls were the major cause of accident and injury – representing a third of all reported injuries. And although there was a marginal reduction in incidents from 2015, this still represents a major

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issue for the scaffolding industry and is something we will investigate.”

NASC managing director Robin James added: “The Annual Safety Report clearly highlights what we are doing to drive up safety standards in access and scaffolding, with reliable data to back it up. NASC members are strictly audited to maintain the highest possible standards, helping to keep their contracted operatives safe on construction sites right across the UK.” The 2017 Safety Report will be officially launched at the Health & Safety Scotland event held at Glasgow SEC, May 3-4.

Printed copies of the report will be sent to all NASC full and information members, as well as construction and health and safety industry professionals.

Further copies can be posted to interested parties by contacting NASC via enquiries@nasc.org.uk. A digital reader/PDF version will be available on Issuu and via the NASC website at www.nasc.org.uk. q

CISRS CPD pilot course success [

CISRS HAS RUN two fully-funded CPD refresher pilot courses at NCC Midlands in Birmingham during February and March. Both of the courses, delivered by lead Instructor Tony Barry, received very positive feedback from the course delegates.

There was a wide range of age and experience amongst those attending the courses with one scaffolder who had gained their card via ‘grandfather rights,’ others who qualified over 20 years ago, and some who had completed their training only five years previously. The pilot courses were specifically designed to road test and fine-tune the course content.

Tony Barry said: “I was a little uncertain as to how the course would go having both older, more experienced advanced scaffolders mixed with younger scaffold cardholders – but it actually worked well and created more discussion within the group. Other than the inspection module which required us to split the group into basic and advanced inspection, with another of our instructors supervising one of the groups, all other information passed on was relevant to both grades of cardholder.”

Adding diversity of experience and opinion, Rob Nicholls, lead instructor at Safety and Access, and Neil Gray, lead instructor at LTC, both sat in on the first pilot in February – taking notes on the course from a delivery point of view, assessing content, analysing the length of some course areas and providing feedback on timings and other aspects of the CPD course content and application.

After considering delegate feedback and comments, along with the findings of Rob and Neil, the first course was very well received, with only a few tweaks needing to be made to the Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS), Manual Handling and Anchors/ Ties sections.

One of the delegates on the first pilot had initially asked if the course could have been completed in one day.

However, with the practical Scaffold Inspection and Mobile Aluminium Tower session and associated theory tests taking up around six hours alone, combined with the rest of the CPD/ Refresher programme, it necessitated the full two days. The course covers a lot of ground with the pilot courses running from 8.30am to 4.30pm on both days.

Following feedback from the first course, all relevant changes were implemented prior to the second course taking place – which was again very well received. All delegates were required to complete a course evaluation form which asked them to rate all aspects of the course including centre facilities, course content, course materials and instructors. Other than one delegate rating the catering

‘average’ all other aspects of the course were rated as ‘excellent’ or ‘good.’

CISRS scheme manager Dave Mosley and CISRS representative Bob Whincap attended the second CPD course to monitor it in action.

Dave Mosley said: “The pilot schemes have proved to be a huge success and have given us the opportunity to fine tune the two-day course content before the July roll-out.

“I asked the delegates if they felt that the course was beneficial and the group were very positive. Some had initially been sceptical due to comments made on social media and the internet about costs, duration and content. But having attended, they felt it was worthwhile and that they had been reminded of information they’d forgotten since they last attended a centre, whilst also being brought up to date on current industry guidance. They also enjoyed

the opportunity to mix with other scaffolders from different companies” Eligible delegates who took part in the pilot courses will receive their updated CISRS card with CPD, Inspection and Aluminium Tower module endorsements free of charge.

A pilot course for CISRS approved instructors is taking place at NCC Midlands towards the end of April. CISRS are considering offering a few more funded pilot courses in May, to enable a final phase of fine tuning prior to the scheme going live on 1st July, after which time all CISRS Scaffolder and Advanced cards can only be renewed by completing the CISRS two-day Scaffolder Refresher Course. q • For further information email enquiries@cisrs.org.uk or visit the website at www.cisrs.org.uk.

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NASC & CISRS support AIF Working Well Together event

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[BOTH NASC AND CISRS were pleased to have taken an active role in the recent roof work and work at height training event, organised by the Access Industry Forum (AIF) as part of the Working Well Together campaign.

The free half day event was aimed at offering small construction companies and self-employed builders, support, advice and up-to-date industry guidance. It was hosted by NASC member and CISRS approved training provider, LTC Training Services at their centre in Plymouth on Friday 31st March.

The event attracted lots of attention from the construction sector, including several representatives from the HSE, and consisted of talks and demonstrations covering work at height, roof ladders, powered access, scaffold inspection, prevention of internal and external falls, and tower scaffolds. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions of the industry experts present, including an HSE inspector.

Neil Gray, lead scaffolding instructor at LTC Training, delivered the basic principles of scaffold inspection session. He said: “I’m delighted that LTC were chosen to host this important event and its great to see so many people were interested in the various topics discussed. The feedback we have received to date has been extremely positive. I delivered the CISRS/NASC demonstration and was delighted by the interaction of the visitors.”

NASC director of training and CISRS scheme manager, Dave Mosley was in attendance. He said: “Both CISRS and NASC, as active members of the AIF, are always keen to support the Working Well Together initiative – particularly an event aimed at safer working at height.” q

TG20:13 price revision [ FOLLOWING A CONSULTATION exercise

in the of summer 2016 an NASC working group was formed to review feedback and agree modifications and amendments to TG20:13 at time of next revision.

A consultation document was circulated to all NASC member companies and also to purchasers of TG20:13. Users and purchasers were invited to propose amendments to TG20:13 which they would like to see incorporated.

Suggested amendments included varying the number of boarded lifts, production of basic drawings and calculations, and increased leg load information.

It was also suggested that modifications might be made to the TG20 compliance sheet, for example incorporation of postcode, unique scaffold number and seasonal information.

The principal purpose of the consultation exercise was to enhance TG20 guidance with a view to improving safety and efficiency.

Unsurprisingly the exercise generated a considerable number of responses, many of which were quite detailed.

Working group meetings took place in September and November of 2016 to consider the merits of suggestions received,

based on consolidated feedback prepared by the technical authors of TG20:13, Computer and Design Services Ltd. A third working group meeting is scheduled in March 2017.

In the first instance the aim of the working group was to classify suggested amendments

and modifications to TG20 on the basis of desirability and ease of implementation.

It was agreed that ‘quick wins’ should be incorporated to a software upgrade for issue free of charge to existing users of TG20:13.

It is envisaged that the upgrade will be issued in the spring of 2017.

More substantive changes will then be agreed for incorporation to an updated version of TG20:13 at time of full review.

The timescale for this review has not been agreed, however it is unlikely that a fully updated version of TG20 will be published for at least two years.

In addition, as TG20:13 has been widely adopted throughout the UK scaffolding industry and the wider construction sector both in the UK and increasingly abroad, it has been agreed that now would be an appropriate time for NASC to announce a review of the existing TG20:13 publications pricing structure.

Accordingly, NASC has announced that as from March 2017 all TG20:13 publications will be half price, with the exception of the TG20:13 pocket user guide. This price reduction will apply to NASC members and also to non-members. q

Falls from height continue to cause most injuries [

DESPITE A CONSISTENT downward trend in the number of fatal accidents resulting from falls from height – with the NASC reporting a fatality-free year among its members in 2016 – it is still the largest cause of fatalities at work, accounting for 26% of the 144 fatalities in 2015/16.

Sadly, these kinds of accidents still occur: the latest being the tragic case of a father of two who died following a scaffolding collapse in Cricklewood in February. Other cases, thankfully not usually fatal, crop up in local papers around the country.

In December two men were injured following a collapse in Reading.

Other instances of falls from height involve falling from or through roofs – often because of insufficient precautions being taken.

Prosecutions can take up to two years to come before the courts. In March Coventry Magistrates Court heard how a worker suffered life-changing injuries in December 2015 and required surgery to install metal rods into his back following a fall through a skylight onto concrete flooring.

A HSE investigation found that the principal contractors had failed to have effective management systems in place to control the risk associated with working at height and on fragile roofing.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Edward Fryer said: “This incident could have been fatal; the worker has suffered life changing injuries due to the company failing to properly

plan and supervise work at height.

“This case highlights the importance of proper planning, supervision and implementation of work at height especially on fragile roofing.” q

Conference sees association step up a rung [

THE FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE of the Ladder Association – with the theme Stay one step ahead in your industry – took place at The Midland Hotel in Manchester on 10 March.

It followed the Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM), at which members received reports from the technical and training committees, together with a marketing presentation announcing a major advertising and PR campaign for 2017 – the biggest in the association’s history – designed to promote safety through training.

Members were also given a first glimpse of the new ladder app which will be officially launched later this year and promises to be a groundbreaking resource for ladder owners and users alike.

The conference began with a panel session which explored and explained the reasons for the changes to international ladder standard EN 131, what the changes are and – most importantly – their implications for the ladder industry. Reference was also made to the new, first-time roof ladder standard BS 8634, which is due for publication in 2018.

Over lunch delegates viewed the premier of the association’s new animated video highlighting the essentials of safe ladder use. A launch date will be announced shortly.

Summarising proceedings at the end of the conference, association chairman Martin Brooke said: “We wanted to add value to the traditional AMM, but more importantly to inform and educate people about what is happening in our industry.

“Judging by the numbers and the reaction of delegates so far, this has been our most successful event to date and one which sets a welcome precedent for next year’s conference in Bristol.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Middle-size providers drive care home expansion [ IN THIS THIRD FEATURE focussing on the latest in care

home construction we concentrate on the increasing demand for high quality care in later life – whether that be a ‘home-fromhome’ for those who need a bit of extra help or specialist care for those living with dementia.

There has been a move in recent years towards a greater involvement of multi-site providers, with the economies of scale that allows. As well as the major PLCs and charities, a number of

medium-sized regional and national providers are thriving and this feature looks at some new facilities being built by a number of them – including a celebrity opening.

There is also the beginning of the long called-for move towards ‘joined-up’ provision between the NHS and social care providers, with the building of a new home in the grounds of a NHS hospital.

Plus, the universal move towards energy efficiency is evident in the sector. q

One success leads to another for innovative care provider

ENCORE CARE HOMES LTD

[ ONE CARE PROVIDER based in the South of England that is

certainly making progress is Encore Care Homes, part of the Quantum Group of companies. The latest addition to the company’s portfolio is Great Oaks (pictured) – a brand new, purpose-built home in Bournemouth. Due to open in the summer, the 80-bed facility will offer the very best nursing, dementia and residential facilities in a private woodland setting, replacing a derelict clinic.

Designed to reflect its surroundings, with 180º views, the secluded home is the epitome of peacefulness and designed to enhance residents’ well-being while preserving the landscape’s charm. The design reflects an arts and crafts influence. As it is an isolated site with rich landscaping and tree coverage on its boundaries, the design had no real constraints as to appearance. As environments full of light and space are known to be health-giving, the architecture of Great Oaks incorporates large windows in its façade.

The construction is of a traditional build method, with cavity block and brick walls, man-made ‘slate’ roofs, timber joist intermediate floors and a beam-and-block flooring system for the ground floor.

That choice of materials allowed the development to accelerate in its construction schedule, with completion only a few months after the start of demolition of the old clinic in May last year.

All the bedrooms at Great Oaks are generously sized and feature private en-suite wet rooms, with movement-triggered lighting and adaptable lighting levels. The building is fitted with underfloor heating for efficiency and the well-being of residents.

The interiors are designed to ensure residents feel relaxed and safe within a homely ambiance, while still providing an environment to facilitate first-class care. The internal planning of spaces allows generous, light-filled, communal areas on every floor, which are subdivided to create aspiring, comfortable and engaging spaces that enhance health and well-being.

The home has been designed to exude a welcoming and homely atmosphere, as well as providing the essential elements that enable staff to deliver the high standards of care required. A significant feature is the positioning of staff areas in close proximity to one another: enabling carers to operate effectively with minimum impact and disruption to residents.

To enrich the lives of residents living with dementia, special consideration has been given to the collaboration of finishes, signage, artwork, furnishings and lighting. For example, to assist with navigation the bedroom wings are separately themed and colour coded with contrasting walls, doors and handrails. There are plenty of internal www.constructionnational.co.uk

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windows through to adjacent spaces, providing visual clues both to help wayfinding and – more importantly – to put residents at ease and in control of their journey.

Bedroom entrances have double-sided memory boxes, providing better visibility from a distance to help prevent residents from becoming disorientated. There is a choice of six bedroom colour schemes. In a statement of opposition to the idea of ‘one size fits all’, Great Oaks provides residents with the option to have dementia-friendly designed furniture which appeals to their own tastes.

With opening day just a couple of months away, care home manager Ian MacDonald is looking forward to welcoming the first residents.

The design of Great Oaks has been modelled on another development

by Encore Care Homes Ltd just along the coast in Christchurch, which opened in December. Fairmile Grange is a purpose-built, private home in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital and marks a groundbreaking collaboration with the local NHS Trust. The 80-bed care home offers the highest quality nursing, dementia and residential care.

Five years ago the management and board of Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals (RBCH) NHS Foundation Trust set out to find a way to retain services on the hospital campus. The subsequent partnership between RBCH NHS Foundation Trust and Encore Care Homes is a pioneering approach to care and the first of its kind in the UK. The hospital site has now become an exciting health hub: in addition to the home there are brand new and improved hospital patient services and facilities and 35 luxury senior living apartments.

Richard Renaut, chief operating officer at the trust, said: “The partnership helped us to conceive and deliver an innovative solution at half the cost we could have achieved by ourselves. Together, we have secured a healthy and sustainable future for Christchurch Hospital.”

Fairmile Grange is located next to Grove Surgery and the new pharmacy at the hospital. The build phase took just 18 months to complete and the official ‘grand opening’ in February was a true celebration by the partners, the care staff and the residents of Fairmile Grange.

The site is next to a conservation area, surrounded by mature protected trees. Due to its location on a main arterial road that feeds Christchurch, a high-quality design was required.

The architectural style took inspiration from the redundant, historic H Wing of Christchurch Hospital, which was proposed for demolition as part of the NHS regeneration project for the site. The use of red facing brick with buff brick string courses provided architectural details reminiscent of the previous historical design, while the gabled wings addressing the road provided a formal frontage. With the use of high-quality finishing materials and a timber frame construction over a beam and block ground floor, the 80-bed care home was constructed quickly and efficiently.

Large, light-filled communal spaces are centrally located on each floor, providing the heart of the home. The shared spaces are cleverly sub-

divided using alternative floor coverings, lighting and furniture styles to create more personal spaces. The interior design focused on recreating typical environments associated with a domestic home in order to help to empower residents and give them choice of their environment.

Off the central communal hub are two bedroom wings. The corridors have been themed by seasons, which symbolically expresses transition, journey and hope.

In order to continue its success, Encore Care Homes is actively looking for more sites in the South of England for future care home developments. q

Fairmile Grange is a purpose-built, private home in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital and marks a groundbreaking collaboration with the local NHS Trust

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National provider expands in its own grounds

THE LAKES, DUNCOTE HALL CARE HOME, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

[

A NATIONAL CARE PROVIDER that is actively expanding its facilities is Minster Care Group. Based in Middlesex, the company operates around 60 homes across England and Wales – from Yorkshire to Cornwall. Part of the group’s expansion has involved the construction of a brand new home in the grounds of an established residence.

Duncote Hall, in Northamptonshire, is a former stately home that has been providing care for elderly residents since 1987. The extensive grounds boast a lake and that feature has given its name to a new build facility to care for residential clients with dementia.

The Lakes is a 47-bed home that offers facilities to enable residents to be cared for but at the same time maintain their independence. Its location enables it to provide stunning views across the open countryside for the residents to enjoy.

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It has been built by specialist contractors Pacy and Wheatley, one of the UK’s leading healthcare construction companies.

According to the contractors: “The project consists of a basement area for staff facilities, a ground and first-floor area that accommodates an entrance and reception, admin, open and welcoming day spaces, together with residents’ bedrooms and facilities.”

All bedrooms have en-suite shower facilities and residents enjoy peace and tranquillity as well as the views of the gardens. Both of the residents’ floors have their own facilities and are staffed separately.

The communal rooms are light and spacious and overlook well-kept gardens which residents are able to enjoy in the good weather.

The Lakes opened in November last year and is managed by the former manager of Duncote Hall, Janice Knock.

Ms Knock said: “A person-centred approach has been adopted for all our residents and relatives to have an input into the service delivered. This enables us to facilitate a purpose for the residents’ day-to-day living and in turn increase their self-worth and self-esteem, which not only enriches their lives, but those of their friends and family.” q

Rebuild adds energy efficiency to a caring environment

WESTHAVEN CARE HOME, HOYLAKE

[

THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT of Minster Care Group has included the complete redevelopment of its existing Westhaven Care Home in Hoylake on The Wirral. The new building is a 52-bed care home offering high specification facilities for its residents. The £3.15m redevelopment represents a new and exciting phase for Westhaven, which for over 60 years has achieved an excellent reputation in care of the elderly and end of life care.

All the rooms have en-suite toilet and shower facilities, all finished to a high standard. Each of the three floors has a tastefully decorated lounge and separate dining room. There is a garden to the rear of the property with raised flower beds, patio areas and walkways for the residents and family members to enjoy. Car parking is available on site for visitors.

The reconstruction of Westhaven was carried out by Seddon Construction, who employed expert processes for monitoring subcontractors throughout the project, resulting in expressions of satisfaction from the client.

Seddon co-ordinated weekly subcontractor meetings to review progress of the 64-week construction programme. These were held alongside monthly team meetings, where performance was reviewed against key performance indicators comprising service delivery, communication, innovation, quality, health and safety, environmental and other commercial factors.

A spokesman for the contractors said: “Another vital part of keeping things on track was working directly with the client through the pre-construction stage to develop the brief and specification. Exact details were drawn out of a value engineering exercise which looked at the best ways to meet Minster Care Group’s budget and manage costs effectively.”

A key feature of Seddon’s offering is a commitment to exemplary health and safety while carrying out work. While on site at Westhaven, Seddon promoted safe working practices for its direct workforce, subcontractors and visitors.

The spokesman explained: “This involved long-established procedures, including the instigation of morning black hat safety co-ordination meetings, which brings together site safety supervisors and encourages the whole team to take a proactive approach to managing health and safety.”

This dedication to health and safety proved highly effective, with Seddon

achieving an average health and safety score of 3.7, well below the company benchmark of 7.

Seddon also employed a range of energy efficiency and active waste management strategies to reduce the building’s environmental impact in the short and long term.

That resulted in a 93.5% average recycling rate by using Circle (Liverpool) Ltd and segregating materials at source – from timber and plasterboard to inert, hardcore and mixed resources.

The company also installed solar PV panels on the roof to generate electricity for the home and feed power back into the wider energy network, resulting in the home achieving an EPC rating of B, which surpasses the minimum benchmark for care properties.

The building was completed in July and is performing exactly to the client’s requirements, providing a warm and comfortable building for residents to live in and staff to work in. q

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Fitness guru sets new home’s wheels in motion THE AMWELL, MELTON MOWBRAY

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A NEW LUXURY care home in Leicestershire has the health and fitness of its residents at the heart of its being; so it was entirely ‘fitting’ that Leicester-born health and fitness celebrity Rosemary Conley CBE was on hand to perform the opening ceremony.

The slimming club legend cut the ribbon at The Amwell care home, an 88-bed residential, nursing, dementia and respite care home in Melton Mowbray. The Amwell has taken a year to build at a cost of £6m and is filled with elegant designs across three floors.

The home was built by specialist contractor Wynbrook and has been created to provide exceptional levels of care and a ‘home-fromhome’ for residents in luxurious surroundings. The brief was to create a care home that offers exemplary standards of care and comfort to all residents and day guests whilst enabling residents to keep socially active and retain their independence.

Fitness celebrity Rosemary Conley CBE at the official opening (top) and being shown round The Amwell’s state-of-the-art gym www.constructionnational.co.uk

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It sits in its own private wooded area overlooking the River Eye, taking in the beautiful views of the town and its parks. Facilities include a cinema, beauty spa, riverside bistro and even a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz!

The pièce de résistance, however, is a low-resistance gym with specialist equipment, allowing residents to keep fit and healthy.

Wynbrook’s managing director commented: “The completed home is comparable to a luxurious hotel; the site itself provides an enriching environment with views overlooking the River Eye.” Those views can be enjoyed from a spectacular cantilevered terrace with full-height glazed windows, or from the beautiful landscaped courtyard garden.

At the opening event in March the home raised £200 for Loughborough-based kids’ charity STEPS, of which Rosemary Conley is a patron.

Care home manager Chris Batty said: “We would like to thank Rosemary Conley for taking the time to officially open The Amwell care home. It was a

fabulous day and great to meet so many people and their families who were interested in finding out more about The Amwell. I think many were blown away by the fantastic facilities we offer at The Amwell and we look forward to hearing from them again soon.

“The launch event was fantastic for residents, families and friends and it was made even more special by the donation we were able to make to STEPS. We are extremely proud of everybody’s fundraising efforts here for a very worthwhile charity, which improves the lives of children and their families coping with motor disorders.” q

Success means good management – from commencement to completion [

A KEY FACTOR in the successful delivery of a complex project such as The Amwell was the appointment of a strong, cohesive project manager/quantity surveyor, especially when facing a challenging site and complex funding mechanisms. In this case that function was carried out by Edward Cooper Young Chartered Surveyors (ECYCS).

Senior partner Ashley Cooper explained: “Structuring the professional team and generating robust documents – contracts, appointments, warranties, etc – from the project’s outset was essential in facilitating ‘smooth landings’ from a funding perspective and maintaining that the project would be delivered on time and on budget. With the involvement of a specialist funder and countless lawyers, complex documents were required and it was the project manager’s responsibility to guarantee this all came together.”

The design and build main contractor was appointed once a comprehensive set of employer’s requirements, including room data sheets, had been approved by the whole professional team and reflected in the contractor’s proposals – right down to the interior design package.

To balance the precision of the contract documents with an accelerated start, a limited letter of intent was entered into initially.

That was promptly superseded by the fully executed contract soon after commencement.

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A further and significant feature of ECYCS’s involvement in steering the successful delivery of The Amwell came from a philosophy of retaining open dialogue and working closely with the main contractor post-contract.

Having a clear and infallible change control procedure, which kept transparency between the client and main contractor, meant the client was able to instigate positive changes to the scheme, while ECYCS’s measures warranted that the final account was agreed no later than practical completion.

Similarly, the process of snagging the building commenced six weeks before practical completion, with the main contractor closely involved, to ensure the efficient management of defects and ultimately achieve a snag-free building at handover.

Said Ashley Cooper: “Understanding the unique features of any project and having a flexible, professional approach to managing and dealing with them is what a project manager/quantity surveyor needs to be able to offer, to steer the success of the project. At ECYCS this knowledge and approach is at the heart of our business.” q

CLAREMONT HOUSE, BEVERLEY

Historic Minster overlooks latest in care facilities [

THE HISTORIC MINSTER town of Beverley in East Yorkshire is making history once more with the opening of a high-end home for nursing and dementia care. Claremont House – a new, 73-bed home – has been described by operators Crown Care as the ‘jewel in our crown’ and was already experiencing high levels of demand for places ahead of its opening in April. It has been built on the site of a former public house and one of its first tasks has been to try and offer accommodation to residents of two other homes in Beverley that have been forced to close.

Crown Care’s managing director for Yorkshire, Denise Stephenson, said: “Of course, we are saddened to learn of the closure of any care home and will do everything we can to try and help – whether it be taking on staff who lose their posts or providing a home for displaced residents.

“Crown Care is confident in the business model we have for Claremont House having done a detailed analysis of the area’s needs, and the level of interest we have seen backs this up.”

Claremont House’s 73 bedrooms are equipped with en-suite wet rooms.

Other facilities include a rooftop café and terrace, a licensed bar, cinema, beauty therapy and hair salon.

There are a number of lounges and three restaurants, with residents able to invite family and guests to dine with them. Experienced chefs have created menus to provide nutritious meals to suit all manner of tastes, appetites and special dietary requirements.

Speaking ahead of the home’s opening, Denise explained: “Residents will be individually assessed to provide the best and most appropriate personal care for their needs.

“Our medical centre will be equipped to accommodate people with high levels of health and personal care needs. The memory impairment facility will provide accommodation that has been tastefully and sympathetically designed to offer a safe, secure and stimulating environment for people who may have varying degrees of memory impairment.

“Most importantly of all, we are looking to deliver the best quality environment the region has to offer while providing the highest possible standards of care to ensure those who come to live here, or stay with us for a short time, get the care, attention and lifestyle they deserve.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Staying in the ZONE As the UK’s roofing industry continues to contend with unpredictable weather events and challenging economic conditions, PHIL SINGLETON of Icopal offers an insight into how roofing contractors can conform to the latest revisions to British Standards in a practical and cost effective manner.

[THE BRITISH STANDARD BS 5534 – Code of Practice for Pitched

Roofs and Vertical Cladding was updated and published two years ago to introduce a number of key changes. These were designed to improve the weather performance of conventionally built properties and to safeguard them against wind damage.

Fixing requirements for roof tiles were increased, while hips or verges had to be mechanically fixed rather than just bedded in mortar. However it was changes to the regulations for the testing of roof underlays that, arguably, set the biggest challenge for manufacturers as opposed to contractors or installers.

This is a challenge that Icopal has confronted in full through extensive product testing, enhancements to its already well established Monarperm range of membranes, and the availability of comprehensive new technical literature, as well as on-line and other support.

The key aspect to the changes in the revised Code of Practice was the stipulation that the build-up of the test rig must now include a lap in the underlay, rather than having a continuous piece of material.

However BS 5534 still recommends the use of a lap batten on site or to adjust the underlay so it coincides with the nearest tile batten. It also states that laps may be sealed using proprietary means in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

There are numerous concerns to take into consideration regarding taping the overlap. For example, practicalities on site during wet and windy conditions around a natural drape in the underlay and the associated extra cost of integrated tape products and labour time to install them. Then there is the greatest concern of them all – heightened risk of condensation.

Many studies carried out over the years for the BRE suggest that laps in the underlay provide a great source of natural ventilation, so by sealing the laps, the risk of condensation will undoubtedly increase.

The ballooning phenomenon, which is when varying pressures cause uplift, effectively increases the wind load on the tiles or slates themselves and can lead to them breaking or being blown off. As a result, all testing laboratories have had to adopt the new regime,

while manufacturers have in some cases had to radically change the construction of their membranes.

BREATHE easier with advanced Monaperm membranes Icopal’s response to the changes has been to develop an advanced and straightforward solution. This is important to both busy contractors and specifiers.

Breathe One, Breathe Two and Breathe AllZones offer the industry a three step solution to complying with BS 5534 for any pitched roofing or vertical cladding situation anywhere in the UK, including Northern Ireland and the Scottish Islands where the storm force winds often result in trees growing sideways.

Importantly, Monarperm Breathe underlays consist of highly vapour open, microporous film that is sandwiched between two outer layers of spun-bonded polypropylene. Their formulation and thermally bonded construction enables them to resist stretching while remaining highly wind and watertight in the worst of conditions. Meanwhile the microporous film acts as a one-way valve permitting water vapour to be released from inside the building, but preventing surface moisture from penetrating.

The Breathe range of underlays is therefore suitable for use in either warm or cold, and ventilated or non-ventilated installations; leaving the customer merely to decide which exposure category their project comes under.

Breathe One is suitable for use in Zone One with 345mm batten spacings, without the requirement of taped laps. Breathe Two is suitable for use in Zones 1 and 2 at the same batten distance again, without taped laps, while Breathe AllZones can cope with any wind conditions anywhere across Zones 1-5 at the maximum batten gauge of 345mm without taped laps.

Shown to be fully compliant with the requirements of the code by an accredited industry testing house, and endorsed by numerous specialist contractors, Monarperm Breathe can save both unnecessary work and expense, while offering specifiers peace of mind regarding durability and use anywhere in the UK. The map of the British Isles, which marks out the Zones 1 to 5 for exposure conditions, divides up the country from the comparative comfort of the oval covering the Home Counties and most of the Midlands, graduating northwards with the same severity as the difference in topography from the South Downs to the Highlands of Scotland.

Roofing contractors nationwide, however, can be confident in the performance of their installations by selecting the correct membrane for the location or situation. This is complemented by choosing a manufacturer with the experience and track record to provide accurate advice and technical support when necessary. q

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Take the guess work out of guttering [RAINCLEAR SYSTEMS has been providing customers with high

quality metal guttering for over a decade now. At the same time the company’s friendly, knowledgeable team have been offering advice, free quotations and a ‘take-off’ service to its customers.

But what is a take-off service and how does it take the guess work out of buying your guttering? A take-off refers to: • creating a complete list of the rainwater system components illustrated on the architect’s drawings • or, if not already specified, working out a ‘flow calculation’ based on the roof area, pitch and number of ‘drops’. Drops are the number of suitable locations for downpipes – based on the house design and subsurface drainage plan (read more at bit.ly/flowcalc). It also includes recommending the required size of the guttering/downpipes for efficient management of the rainwater to effectively protect your property and foundations.

For Rainclear to undertake a take-off, customers simply need to send their architect’s drawings and select the metal and profile they prefer from the huge range of cast iron, cast or modern aluminium, or contemporary galvanised steel or copper available on the website at www.rainclear.co.uk.

The expert team at Rainclear perform the take-offs themselves in-house, printing off your emailed plans on their own plotter, so you know you can discuss your project with somebody who has seen and shares your vision.

The team can then send you a quotation based on the information you have supplied and the material and gutter profile you have selected.

Some profiles are more suitable for areas of the UK with high rainfall, like the contemporary aluminium dflow and half-round galvanised steel.

Others, like the cast iron Victorian Ogee, may be specified by your conservation officer if you live in a designated conservation area. q • Call the Rainclear team now to discuss other metal and gutter profile options on 0800 644 44 26 or send your plans and preferences to sales@rainclear.co.uk. If you are a professional, why not ask about an account and your own trade terms too?

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How to ensure your green roof thrives Green roofs can look vibrant and exciting without high maintenance, says MAGGIE FENNELL, Boningale GreenSky’s leading plant expert.

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ACCORDING TO MAGGIE, manager of the innovative Shropshire-based company that pioneered the development of SkySuperstrates and SkyPlugs for green roofs, because so many colourful and hardy plants can survive the harsh conditions of a green roof, there is no longer an excuse for boring planting schemes.

She explained: “When green roof designers use 150mm deep substrate, it opens up the types of suitable species that can be planted because there is room for extra root growth and more capacity for water storage.

“Extensive green roofs are traditionally dominated by sedums because they are extremely drought tolerant, or by wildflowers because they are a good support for biodiversity. These are natural candidates for any green roof because they can cope with extreme weather conditions and poor soils.”

However, she cautioned that some clients are reluctant to use wildflowers because they are mostly deciduous and can get large and unsightly when they have finished flowering. The subsequent removal of dead material can create a large maintenance burden, and requires good access to the roof.

Sometimes this leads people to opt for a sedum roof with poorer species diversity and a shorter flowering period, even if they are attracted by the idea of the longer-flowering wildflower option.

Instead, Maggie says planting a range of lowgrowing, evergreen plants with a wide variety of forms and flowering times would provide the best aesthetic and biodiverse performance with the lowest maintenance requirement.

She recommends a number of low-growing native wildflowers, including Bellis perennis, Helianthemum nummularium and Dianthus

deltoides. Evergreen Sedum specimens can work well alongside these, such as Sedum oreganum, Sedum reflexum and some Sedum spurium varieties. Sedum spathifolium ‘Cape Blanco’ has a striking foliage colour for highly visible schemes.

Hardy and drought-tolerant alpines and cultivars, such as Petrorhagia saxifraga and Delosperma and Mesembryanthemum species thrive brilliantly on extensive green roofs, too.

“More recently, I’ve been excited about the beautifully structured Saxifraga paniculata, the Sempervivum species and Alyssum montanum, too, because they add further interest on living roofs,” added Maggie.

“Of course, herbs and bulbs should also be planted to boost seasonal and all-year colour. With all this choice, there’s certainly no excuse for a boring green roof.” q • For more information about the Boningale GreenSky substrates and the best planting schemes for roof gardens, visit the website at www.boningale-greensky.co.uk or follow the latest news on Twitter @boningaleroofs. Boningale GreenSky is the green roof division of Boningale Nurseries, a member of BALI and GRO.

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Innovations with SuDS CHRIS HODSON, Consultant to Interpave, discusses how innovations with concrete block permeable paving help meet regulatory requirements for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) while cutting costs, optimising land use and enhancing external space – demonstrated at a recent civic centre development in Bromsgrove.

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SUDS AND TECHNIQUES such as concrete block permeable paving are essential tools in the fight against flooding and pollution – particularly with overloaded sewers, urbanisation and climate change. The National Planning Policy Framework prioritisation of SuDS in areas of flood risk, and requirements that developments should not make flood risk worse elsewhere, apply to developments of any type or scale. Localised planning policies are also appearing, spelling out what local authorities expect from sustainable drainage on the ground.

Multi-functional paving By its very nature, concrete block permeable paving is uniquely placed to help meet the multi-functional requirements for SuDS on developments. Of course, hard surfaces are necessary anyway – whether for traffic, parking, cycling, walking or play. But permeable paving also provides an inherent drainage system, addressing both flooding and pollution issues by attenuating and cleaning water run-off at source.

Concrete block permeable paving can simply infiltrate to the ground where conditions allow or, more commonly, collect water for transmission to other SuDS features along the ‘management train’ or to conventional drainage and watercourses. And, after more than two decades of use, it has proved to be a predictable, reliable and low-cost SuDS technique requiring little maintenance.

Controlled sub-catchments Its capability to attenuate water flow during rainfall for gradual discharge is well known. But this principle is transformed by considering distinct storage ‘sub-catchments’ or compartments of permeable paving – importantly, using simple orifice plate flow control chambers for each compartment. This enables water storage to be strategically deployed around a site, with the flow controls demonstrating straightforward compliance to local authorities as part of the SuDS design approval process.

Dedicated water storage on valuable land and associated excavation and construction costs are avoided, and this technique can help satisfy SuDS requirements on high-density urban schemes without expensive storage structures. It is also useful for controlling flows within the pavement construction, maximising storage on sloping sites and increasing treatment times to optimise removal of pollutants. And it can be applied to infiltrating systems as well, exemplified by the comprehensive SuDS scheme at the Parkside civic centre re-development in Bromsgrove.

Parkside Bromsgrove The listed Parkside School building and surrounding landscape has been redeveloped into a civic centre and library for the town. Its location on generally free-draining sandy soil suggested fully infiltrating SuDS, although affected by several site factors. Accessible and useable permeable paving and landscaping,

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together with a series of flow control chambers to ensure full infiltration potential, define the SuDS solution designed by Robert Bray Associates.

Parking to the north of the access road is on contaminated ground and so required a liner beneath the permeable pavement to protect it. Water is collected, cleaned and stored in the pavement, with each compartment having an orifice plate flow control chamber, with internal overflows in case of exceedance rainfall conditions. The flow from the car park passes down the western boundary in solid pipes next to buildings, then through perforated pipes and stone trenches where infiltration can be achieved.

Infiltration blanket The main courtyard is designed as an extensive, wall-to-wall infiltration blanket using concrete block permeable paving and flags with spacers, grass surfaces and free draining plant beds. A tarmac access road is laid over open graded crushed stone for water storage, linked to the rest of the courtyard surfaces.

The central grass lawn is slightly lower than its surroundings, acting as a detention basin in very heavy rain. A perforated pipe at the lowest part of the site provides a flow route, via a control chamber, to the western boundary as calculations suggest water may not soak away quickly enough beyond the one in 30 year return period. There is a final pipe link to the storm sewer that may also receive water from the library entrance.

Roof water from the western elevation is collected by downpipes and conveyed to a stainless steel spout that pours water down a granite sett cascade into a wetland rill. Some water is diverted to a tank and re-circulated down the cascade by a solar pump when the sun shines. The infiltration rate for the site, together with the storage provided within the pavement profiles, almost meets the one in 100 year return period including a 30% allowance for climate change.

Accessible attractive surfaces Of course, paving will help to define the design and character of any development. The growing choice of concrete block permeable paving products available from Interpave manufacturers – with numerous shapes, styles, finishes and colours – allows real design freedom. At the same time, they can provide completely level, well-drained, firm and slip-resistant surfaces that are accessible to all, without the need for cross-falls, channels, gulleys or other interruptions. Rainwater ‘ponding’ is eliminated, reducing the risk of ice forming on the surface and preventing splashing from standing water. q • A new case study covering this and other innovative SuDS projects is freely available to download via www.paving.org.uk. You can also find definitive guidance on SuDS with concrete block permeable paving and request regular e:Bulletin updates from Interpave.

New meets old [RESIN DRIVEWAYS was recently

commissioned to undertake the refurbishment of the pathways for St John’s Church in Upper Church Road, St Leonards-on-Sea. This 18th century church is surrounded by well manicured gardens so it was imperative that the company brought a in new concept in the design of pathways and access points into the church with thought and consideration for the overall appearance.

Working closely with church members and chartered architects RDP, Resin Driveways’ design team arrived at a colour scheme

Mock-up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

using natural stone to give a fresh look to the church’s surrounding area.

Resin Driveways trades under the banner of SUDwell, which has been working in the field of resin bonded and resin bound surfacing for sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) for over 15 years. They cover many different aspects of resin bound and bonded systems, ranging from large country houses and stately homes to high use walkways and public areas.

Over the years, Hastings-born managing director Roy Potter and his highly trained team have undertaken and had input into projects such as Alexander Park and The Sea Life Centre. They have worked on numerous properties in the Hastings and Bexhill-onSea area as well as projects throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East, where SUDwell were chosen as industry leaders in resin bound surfacing. They have, in fact, recently returned from Qatar after producing mock-ups for the 2022 World Cup stadiums and the country’s new metro stations.

The company has always set a high standard in its working practices and prides itself in turning the visions and dreams of

St John’s Church in St Leonards-on-Sea its clients into reality. They can turn an area of concrete or tarmac into a stunning new access point, complementing any building and transforming the external appearance.

Many of the company’s projects along with commendations from clients can be viewed on their website. q • For further information or a free quote call 01424 839734 or visit the website at www.sudwell.com.

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Structural Concrete Alliance offers education for all

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THE STRUCTURAL CONCRETE ALLIANCE has announced the dates and locations for its free to attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars and demonstration days during 2017.

Designed to provide delegates with an introduction to structural asset protection and repair, the half-day CPD seminars offer an introduction to corrosion as well as techniques for repair, protection and strengthening.

This year’s CPD events have been fully revised and will feature new presentations, offering an introduction to each of the key protection and repair techniques. Each event will cover causes of corrosion; electrochemical systems; concrete repairs and coatings; carbon fibre strengthening and sprayed concrete; as well as inspection and testing techniques. Recent case studies will be offered to demonstrate the application of each technique.

Following the success of its first practical demonstration day, held in September 2016, the Alliance is planning two such events during 2017. These free CPD events run from 9am-3pm and offer delegates an opportunity to witness interactive demonstrations of key repair, protection, strengthening and sprayed concrete techniques.

Following an initial welcome and introduction, the delegates are divided into groups to visit five separate demonstration stations. Each station will feature live displays highlighting the key preparation skills and techniques involved in concrete repairs, carbon fibre strengthening, concrete testing, sprayed concrete, and cathodic protection and monitoring systems.

Delegates will also be given an opportunity to discuss their queries with members of the Corrosion Prevention Association (CPA), Concrete Repair Association (CRA) and Sprayed Concrete Association (SCA) who will be exhibiting at the event.

Four CPD seminars and two demonstration days are scheduled during 2017: • Bristol – 28th March • Newcastle – 25th April • Central London – 3rd October • Birmingham – 7th November • Demonstration Day South, Leighton Buzzard – 10 May • Demonstration Day North, Leigh, Lancashire – 6 September For those unable to make the seminars or demonstration days, the Alliance also offers CPD presentations which can be delivered on-site to interested parties. CPD presentations are available which cover concrete repair, structural strengthening with fibre reinforced polymers, principles of corrosion prevention and sprayed concrete techniques.

The programmes are specifically designed to give an insight into corrosion prevention, concrete repair procedures and allied refurbishment techniques.

They have been produced for the benefit of specifiers, contractors and owners of structures and buildings containing concrete components who need a brief explanation of the methods and critical matters to be taken into account when looking at specific projects.

Each presentation lasts for around an hour. The programmes are 45 minutes in duration, with 15 minutes set aside for questions. To enable both technical and practical queries to be dealt with, the programmes are normally presented by a specialist contractor and a specialist product manufacturer member of Alliance associations.

The Structural Concrete Alliance is an umbrella organisation which brings together the Concrete Repair Association (CRA), Corrosion Prevention Association (CPA) and Sprayed Concrete Association (SCA) to provide a single co-ordinated voice for the structural concrete refurbishment and repair industry.

The Alliance offers a single point of contact for major clients and a definitive source of information and advice for all involved in the repair, refurbishment and management of concrete infrastructure and the protection from corrosion of a wide range of structures. q • For further information, or to book, visit the website at www.structuralconcretealliance.org.uk.

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Oscrete introduces new generation superplasticiser [SPECIALIST CONSTRUCTION chemical supplier

Oscrete has commenced trials of Alphaflow 620, its new generation superplasticiser for concrete, with excellent results.

Based in Bradford, Oscrete supplies concrete admixtures, reinforcing fibres, mould release agents, concrete treatments and speciality additives to all sectors of the concrete and mortar production industry.

Alphaflow 620 is based on a modified synthetic carboxylate polymer blended with a viscosity modifying agent (VMA). It has been specifically designed for use when producing self-compacting concrete (SCC) in a precast environment where exceptional placing performance and a high-quality fair faced finish is required.

Alphaflow 620 during recent trials Superplasticisers are used to disperse the agglomerated cement particles by steric hindrance and electrostatic UK manufactures a range of high repulsion. This in turn releases the bound water, allowing water reduction and performance super-plasticising improvements in the flow characteristics of the concrete. The VMA is used to admixtures, waterproofing agents bind the water allowing controlled flow and an improved water tolerance. and efflorescence controllers that Alphaflow 620 is designed to allow substantial water reductions and thereby consistently deliver high value offer increased early age strength through the low water to cement ratios whilst technical solutions to clients across the concrete industry. Its range of still producing homogeneous concrete. This significantly improves the overall quality, innovative products makes Oscrete one of the UK’s leading specialist performance of the hardening cement paste giving faster demoulding times and construction chemical suppliers. more efficient and cost effective use of the precast moulds.

Results of recent trials can be viewed in the You Tube clip which shows “We are delighted with the recent trials,” commented Oscrete operations self compacting concrete using the new Alphaflow 620 at https://youtu. director Danny Kilgallon. “Results at a major precast manufacturer were be/711rtIyZ9EQ. q excellent and we hope that this new additive will offer our customers improved finish and durability.”

• For further information visit the website at www.oscrete.co.uk.

Formed in the late 1970’s, the Oscrete Concrete division of Christeyns

Concrete and composites: a powerful partnership [

AT THE END of 2016, the UK government unveiled a record infrastructure spend pipeline of over £500 billion, £300m of which will be invested by 2020/21, and composite materials play a growing role in this.

Precast concrete trench systems are used extensively to provide protection for, and easy access to, underground services. As composite adoption grows, many manufacturers are extending their product lines to offer GRP covering options by partnering with Fibrelite.

Precast concrete trenches are used extensively to carry cabling and piping, protecting them from external factors like damage and adverse weather conditions, while allowing access for maintenance. They are frequently favoured over concrete cast in-situ

to reduce installation time and skilled labour required on site.

Historically, precast concrete trenches have only been covered with concrete or metal covers. Where high load ratings are required covers can weigh hundreds of kilogrammes.

Over time environmental factors can cause covers to crack, fracture, crumble or corrode.

As specifications are changing to favour GRP access covers, precast trench and composite cover manufacturers are working together to bring joint offerings to the market.

GRP composite cover pioneer Fibrelite serves as strategic partner on a number of large-scale developments specifying composite covers.

Their UK design and manufacturing teams

work with contractors, architects and endusers to create custom covering solutions for each trench layout.

Fibrelite covers weigh a fraction of concrete or metal alternatives and offer load ratings up to F900. This means all trench covers can be safely removed manually by two people no matter what the load rating. The composite material is inert, eliminating deterioration from corrosion and extreme temperatures in service, including freeze-thaw.

Fibrelite has formed a number of strategic partnerships with major precast manufacturers in Europe and the USA to provide a range of covers to fit each company’s trench layouts. q • For further information visit www.fibrelite.com

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The clear solution to waterproofing preventing dampness with an invisible wall treatment [

FREQUENTLY, EXTERNAL WALLS are exposed to rain and adverse weather conditions, allowing water to enter the porous masonry surface and penetrate into the internal walls, creating damp areas.

Dampness also encourages mould growth, as condensation on internal walls builds up, deteriorating the walls even further and posing potential health risks. In stone buildings that predate the introduction of cavity walls, damp problems are particularly commonplace. In the winter months, external walls can also be affected by freeze-thaw cycles, where water penetrates the masonry and freezes, creating cracks and gradually eroding the wall.

Evidently, to protect walls from external and internal degradation for the long term, they need to be shielded from water penetration whilst simultaneously letting internal moisture escape.

Some commonly used waterproofing materials permanently seal the external wall, trapping existing moisture within, and making the wall susceptible to cracking during freezethaw cycles. An alternative to sealing would be to impregnate the substrate with a clear waterproofing treatment. This method lets the treatment penetrate deep into the building fabric, allowing any moisture to evaporate, while keeping the water out.

The difference between sealing and impregnating can be seen in the diagram below. An additional benefit of a clear treatment is its absence of colour, so the appearance of a treated building can remain as it was intended.

Belzona 5122 can be applied by brush or hand operated spray system A range of waterproofing treatments is Going by the name of ‘Clear Cladding’, Belzona 5122 forms an currently available on the market with varying expected lengths of invisible, micro-porous, water repellent barrier that allows the service. One of the more enduring materials has been developed passage of air and water vapour, ensuring that moisture is not

by Belzona, a UK based global chemical company specialising in trapped in the substrate. This single component material is supplied protective coatings and repair composites. as a concentrate, for dilution with water prior to use and can be brush- or sprayapplied.

In addition to waterproofing the building, clear cladding also reduces dirt retention.

This water repellent treatment for masonry protection can be applied onto concrete, limestone, brick, sandstone and other natural materials and dries within two hours under normal climatic conditions.

Em Robinson from Anglesey, North Wales, commented on her experience with clear cladding: “We first used this product 19 years ago and have only needed to re-apply after some ingress of water last winter, which was an exceptionally bad one. We are especially pleased with the finish as it is invisible, not altering the look of the stone or mortar in any way.

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Belzona 5122 applied onto a swimming pool wall and revisited after seven years in service The only noticeable difference is, when raining, the stone retains its dry colour and you can see the water ‘beading’ off the surface. The other advantage of this product, as opposed to other waterproofing methods, is that you can see when it is no longer working by splashing water onto it and only have to re-apply the areas no longer repelling water. Also you only need one application.”

This breathable and impermeable treatment has been used to protect commercial, industrial and private buildings and structures against dampness whilst reducing the effects of erosion and efflorescence. q • For further information call 01423 567641, email belzona@belzona.co.uk or visit the website at www.belzona.com.

School in Wales waterproofed with Belzona clear cladding

Alumasc waterproofing system protects new community care and treatment centre [

THE PRESTIGIOUS NEW Banbridge Community Treatment & Care Centre (CT&CC) in County Down, Northern Ireland, has an effective long-term waterproofing solution, after 2,500m2 of Alumasc’s Hydrotech waterproofing systems, covered by Intensive Alumasc Blackdown green roof and Derbigum, was installed on the roofs, balconies and terraces.

Run by the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, Banbridge CT&CC is part of the new £16m Banbridge Health & Care Centre, and combines a range of health services from adult day care and community outpatient departments, to therapy services for children, young people and mental health patients.

Approved local Alumasc installer Jameson Roofing Services was appointed to install 1,000m2 of Alumasc Derbigum, with an extended warranty of 40 years, and 1,500m2 of Alumasc Hydrotech waterproofing, which has an extended warranty of 50 years.

After the concrete deck had been primed with bitumen, a layer of Euroroof Mastergold vapour barrier was applied and covered with Euroroof PU Insulation adhesive. 120mm Alumasc BGT Rigid Polyisocyanurate Insulation was then laid, to achieve a target u-value of an average 0.20W/m2K, before Mastergold underlay and finally the Derbigum Cap Sheet.

Jameson Roofing then applied the Hydrotech Hot Melt waterproofing system, which comprised a Hydrotech MM6125 membrane incorporating a Hydrogard 40 protection sheet, onto which an intensive Alumasc Blackdown Green Roof was installed. q • Further details about Alumasc’s full range of waterproofing systems can be found at www.alumascroofing.co.uk or by calling 0333 5771 500. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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New Amarok sets a new standard for pick-ups [ THE NEW VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK has just raised the bar for

site pick-ups with the addition of a new V6 turbo diesel engine. The premium level pick-up will be the only model in its segment with such a high-performance engine, generating up to 224PS output and 550Nm of torque in the 3L version.

Robust and reliable, the new engine for the Amarok meets customer requirements for high torque at low engine speeds, making it ideal for off-road and on-site applications. In fact, the powerful six-cylinder engine produces its maximum torque at only 1,500 rpm. At 550 Nm, this maximum torque is also 130 Nm higher than in the previous model.

The highest gear’s long gear ratio in the manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox reduces revs and fuel consumption during consistently fast driving, and thus helps ensure low noise levels and CO2 emissions. The combined NEDC fuel consumption of the new Amarok with 224PS and 8-speed automatic gearbox is around 37 mpg. This corresponds to a new top level of 199 grams CO2/km, and all the engine variants comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard.

Three different drive-system versions are available: a traditional rear-wheel drive and a 4MOTION version with either rear-wheel drive with an engageable front axle in combination with a manual gearbox, or with a permanent all-wheel drive system and a Torsen differential with the 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The Servotronic steering system is new in the Amarok. It is standard equipment in Europe and is one of the reasons why it can be driven very precisely. New 17-inch brake discs on the front axle of the 165kW Amarok and 16-inch discs at the rear ensure that the powerful pick-up always comes to a stop quickly and safely. The automatic post-collision braking system, which has won numerous awards, is also included as standard.

With a length of 5.25 metres and a width of 2.23 metres, the Amarok delivers everything you would expect from a classic pick-up. The new bodycoloured sports bar in the launch model – marketed in Europe as the Amarok Aventura – visually shifts the double cab rearwards and also extends over a small part of the 2.52m2 load platform. Various additional styling bars, covers, cargo area coatings and hardtops are also available for the cargo compartment.

In addition, the load platform in the four-door Amarok can accommodate a Euro-pallet loaded sideways and a payload capacity of more than one tonne is possible, depending on the equipment features. It is envisaged that some variants will also boast a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes in the future.

The wheels in the various equipment levels offered with the Amarok are now larger, which makes for an even more powerful and sporty appearance. The Amarok Aventura, for example, features 20in alloy wheels and the ‘Park Distance Control’ parking assistant, which utilises a rear-view camera. The overall impression of the Aventura is enhanced by bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED number plate lights.

With entry level prices starting at just over £27,000 plus VAT, and attractive contract hire deals available, the new Volkswagen Amarok can offer to make trailblazers of all of us! q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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NEC sees UK launch of VW’s new

super-van [ THIS YEAR’S Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in April saw the

UK launch of the new Volkswagen Crafter – the latest addition to the company’s range of vans. Described by the manufacturer as ‘crafted by you; engineered by us’, the new development of the popular panel van claims to be more practical, economical and innovative than ever before.

In September the vehicle was declared winner of the International Van of the Year 2017 award. That follows the triumph of the Transporter the previous year – making Volkswagen only the second marque to achieve back-to-back successes in the award’s history.

Accepting the award at a ceremony in Hanover, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles chairman Dr Eckhard Scholz (pictured, right) said: “After the T-series last year, we are delighted to now receive this special award for the new Crafter as well. We are very proud of our latest product and of our team whose hard work has made the Crafter the best large transport van. We will be using this award to spearhead a successful launch.”

Among the innovations making it a van driver’s van, the dimensions of the new Crafter are optional. For example, maximum cargo capacity has been combined with minimal external dimensions, making it extremely manoeuvrable. There are also up to three different vehicle lengths and heights depending on chosen variant.

The Crafter also claims to set new standards for assistance systems in the large van sector. Passive safety systems include reversing camera, parking distance monitor and rear traffic alert. In addition, the comfort seating, practical open storage compartments and standard USB port for charging mobile devices create a desirable workplace.

Safety features include the Servotronic electromechanical steering system fitted as standard. It provides a speed-sensitive operation with active return, improving the steering feel around the mid-point and providing improved levels of steering precision. In addition, the new Crafter offers a number of optional state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, including trailer assist, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

A range of new engines combine high levels of power and torque with low fuel consumption and CO2 figures, offering reliability and low running costs.

For economic peace of mind the vehicle comes with a three-year, 100,000 mile warranty, which also covers any factory-fitted add-ons.

For those expecting to exceed the mileage limit an optional unlimited mileage warranty is also available. Every new Crafter also comes with three years unlimited-mileage Volkswagen Roadside Assistance. Cover is 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year and is available across the UK and most of Europe. The cover includes both fault and non-fault issues like flat tyres, battery problems or even filling up with the wrong fuel!

Plus, the new van carries with it Volkswagen’s better-than-average residual value.

Recognising that maximising a vehicle’s operational uptime is important, Volkswagen offers flexible servicing at its network of 72 van centres and 24 authorised service centres, allowing vehicles to be in the garage when they’re not needed on the road. q

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Thompsons’ Chris Dobson adds MARMI to his extensive credentials [HUGE CONGRATULATIONS ARE due to Chris Dobson, group health,

safety & quality manager at Thompsons of Prudhoe, for satisfying all the criteria and interview requirements of the Asbestos Removal Management Institute (ARMI). Chris was accepted as a Member of ARMI on 20th January 2017.

To add to his membership of the Institute of Demolition Engineers, Institution of Occupational Safety & Health and Chartered Quality Institute, Chris can now add the letters MARMI to his extensive credentials.

As at the end of January 2017, there were 11 Fellows, 19 Members and 3 Affiliates of ARMI. In order to achieve MARMI status, a person must have an approved asbestos competency qualification as well as a leadership or management-related qualification at, or equivalent to, NVQ Level 4, and pass an interview to demonstrate not only their detailed knowledge of asbestos removal, but also their commitment to professionalism in the industry.

Only two months earlier, in November, Chris became the very first person in the UK to be awarded the ARCA ILM Level 4 Certificate in Leadership and Management.

The ARCA ILM qualification, developed jointly by the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association and the Institute of Leadership and Management, was specifically aimed at new and aspiring managers in the asbestos removal industry to develop the knowledge and skills they need to manage, motivate and lead others; enabling them to improve their own performance and that of their workforce and business.

To gain the ARCA ILM Leadership and Management qualification, Chris passed four units which took the form of classroom sessions and

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Chris Dobson MSc BSc CMIOSH MIDE ACQI MARMI assignments covering communications management, risk management, developing people and managing people in the workplace.

John Thompson, joint managing director of Thompsons of Prudhoe, said of Chris on hearing the news: “I am very pleased for Chris and his enrolment as a Member of ARMI is totally deserved – but no surprise because he is a very talented person.

“He has kept on top of the daily demands of his operational role at Thompsons whilst making the time to study for professional exams to add to his qualifications. This reflects Chris’ ability to get things done in his usual calm and efficient way. The Asbestos Removal Management Institute is enhanced with members of Chris’ ability.” q

Margaret bows out Legal wordplay has at 80 after 27 years LEGAL ISSUES

serious intent

By NICHOLA VINE, partner at Wright Hassall

Margaret with members of FWB’s founding family, Andrew Key, Anthony Key and Josephine Scragg

[IN FEBRUARY supply chain partner FWB announced the

retirement of Margaret Sant, their switchboard operator, at the age of 80 after 27 years of loyal service.

Margaret joined the company in 1990, and since then has been the first point of contact for many of FWB’s customers. Her commitment to the role, and her friendly and caring approach will be greatly missed.

Margaret celebrated her retirement at a farewell lunch with her friends and colleagues at FWB, and was presented with her parting gifts by members of the company’s founding family. The day was concluded with a final announcement by Margaret over the company tannoy – a voice that has been heard around the business every day for nearly three decades. The end of an era!

All of Margaret’s friends and colleagues at FWB would like to wish her a very happy, healthy and restful retirement. q

Midlands Asset Finance makes key appointment to its team in Yorkshire [

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES BROKER, Midlands Asset Finance, has enhanced its support for SMEs with the appointment of Paul Delaney as business development manager for Yorkshire.

Paul (pictured) will be responsible for building new customer relationships in Yorkshire and will arrange funding transactions for real estate, invoice and asset finance working with the company’s extensive panel of High Street and Challenger Banks.

Joining a 20-strong team with banking and asset finance expertise across all market sectors, Paul is an experienced banker, having spent most of his career with NatWest and latterly with Stopford Associates.

Commenting on his new role, Paul said: “After a career spanning 31 years with NatWest as a senior relationship manager, I am delighted to now be working with Midlands Asset Finance across Yorkshire and I am looking forward to providing great service and building quality relationships with our clients.”

Managing director, Sue Chapman commented: “As a business we are committed to talent development and to giving the very best training across our product range.

“There are some amazing talented individuals who’ve worked in banking for many years with vast expertise and skills which we can harness. Paul will add strength and depth to what is already a highly-regarded team and help us meet the needs of a growing client base.” q

[ LAWYERS LOVE TO ARGUE. To many people, they argue over

points which seem pedantic and lacking in real life application, but to ignore them can have real life consequences.

A significant number of matters which reach courts and adjudicators fall into a broad band of cases where one party believes ‘x’ means ‘x’ and another argues that it is clearly ‘y’. Much money can be spent on these arguments and occasionally the answer given by the court is that, in fact, it means ‘z’.

Obviously, no one wants to incur costs over an argument that in reality could have been avoided. A recent series of decisions provide some useful reminders for anyone drafting, using or interpreting contracts.

(1) Say what you mean. Despite our best intentions, it is not always clear what particular words or phrases in a contract mean.

When interpreting a word or a phrase the courts will look to the language used. So, don’t rely on stock words and phrases such as ‘loss of profit’ or ‘loss of use’ – if there are certain costs you need covered by the other side on breach, or certain liabilities your insurance won’t cover, then make it absolutely clear what those things are.

(2) Don’t assume that just because you have an argument, you have an enforceable contract. In Wells v Devani [2016] EWCA Civ 1106, which concerned a contract for payment of commission to an estate agent, the Court of Appeal decided that in the absence of clear agreement as to when the payment was triggered there was no contract at all. The Court was very clear that it could not ‘fix’ the problem by adding expressly agreed terms and implied terms together, to create a binding contract from an incomplete bargain.

(3) Implication of terms and interpretation of terms are two very different things. In Marks and Spencer v BNP Paribas [2016] UKSC72 the Supreme Court confirmed that first it was necessary to interpret the meaning of the express terms of the agreement before considering whether or not it was possible (or indeed necessary) to imply a term into it. If there is no contract then there is nothing to imply terms into. If there is a contract and it can be operated (no matter how poor the bargain is for one side) then generally (and in the absence of, for example, fraud or abuse of bargaining position) it will be operated as it was drafted.

(4) Put it in writing. Although oral construction contracts can now be adjudicated upon, putting things in writing (and applying those written terms when carrying out the project) can ensure clarity, avoid disputes and reduce costs. q • Nichola Vine is a partner at Wright Hassall in the firm’s construction and engineering team. She can be contacted on nichola.vine@wrighthassall.co.uk or 01926 884673. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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The self-employed contractor what’s the benefit to me?

There are many reasons to want to work for yourself – Alison Ensor of Foremans LLP outlines a few of the advantages.

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THE MEDIA IS currently full of the tax changes affecting the independent contractor. Whilst the financial implications are, obviously, of interest, it is also worth considering the life style benefits involved. So let’s start with the financial side.

Increased income Your customer/client will pay more to an independent contractor than to an employee. Why? Your client benefits from using contractors in the following ways: • Through saving costs incurred from hiring an employee – including • employers’ NI, pension and payroll administration • Through gaining the advantage of a flexible skilled workforce available • as and when they are needed.

Maximise your take-home pay You are in control of how you organise your business and how to extract funds from it. The choice of how to trade, and therefore receive income, is yours. Options availalble include: • an employee of an umbrella company • a sole trader • a director and shareholder of your own limited company • or any combination of the above.

All are taxed differently giving a choice to suit your circumstances.

Even with the recent tax changes in the world of contracting you are still financially better off working for yourself with the added benefit of controlling your own life.

Be taxed efficiently and correctly Many people fail to claim tax allowances and tax free expenses to which they are entitled. As a contractor you can organise your income to suit your situation. Depending on your personal circumstances there will be a fully compliant way of maximising your income and minimising your taxes.

Control your own finances Whatever way you decide to trade you are ultimately in charge. A limited company will allow you to separate your business finances from your personal monies. The company is a separate legal entity and has its own liabilities. In most situations we recommend restricting your personal liability by trading through a limited company. You can then decide what you want to do with your funds, whether that is reinvesting to grow the business or increasing your income.

Whatever the financial outcome, we are all becoming increasingly aware of balancing our lives outside work with work. Being self employed puts you in control of your own destiny and allows you to prioritise what is important to you.

Be your own boss Follow your own interests. You can decide the hours and days you work and also what you work on. So, if you have a particular interest, you can choose a contract doing something you find enjoyable rather than mundane. We all spend most of our week working, so why not choose to enjoy what you do?

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Manage your own time You decide when and how you work. You will negotiate the contract for use of your services with your client taking into account both your requirements. So if you only want to work four days a week you can include that in the contract. This flexibility allows you to organise your work around other equally important commitments, such as family, friends and hobbies. You are in control of your work/life balance.

Increase your marketability As you increase your skills and vary the types of contract you undertake, your CV will become more marketable. You will be able to exploit areas where your skills are in demand and grow your business in the direction you want.

Grow your skills Changing roles within a variety of other businesses will help to improve your skill set and your expertise within your chosen industry. Exposure to different business environments and working practices will broaden your horizons and help open up new exciting opportunities. You can choose the training and development that interests you whilst benefitting from tax allowances on the expense.

Ready to start contracting?

Interested, but daunted by the administration that might be involved?

Foremans LLP offer a full administration, bookkeeping and accountancy service to allow you to concentrate on providing your specialist skills while they look after your business – all for a set annual fee so you can budget your costs. Call for a free, no-obligation chat about your ideas for your new business. q • Alison Ensor is Senior Partner at Foremans LLP, Chester. For more information call 01244 625 500 or email ContactUs@foremansllp.com.

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Women and young people can plug housing skills gap [

HOUSEBUILDERS NEED TO do more to attract women and young people if the industry is to avoid a workforce crisis, according to research published in February by the NHBC Foundation.

The report, The gender and age profile of the housebuilding sector, warns of a significant shortfall in workers caused by an over-reliance on an ageing, male-dominated workforce and potential restrictions to migrant labour following Brexit.

Estimates show that the sector needs to recruit 700,000 more people to replace those retiring or moving on, plus an extra 120,000 if the government’s aim to build one million THE UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has launched two new courses aimed at new homes by 2020 is to be achieved. The those involved in developing the brownfield sites that are expected to play a significant role in NHBC Foundation has therefore called on solving the housing crisis. government and housebuilders to recognise The Asbestos in Soils Awareness course is for those working on brownfield sites. The course the seriousness of the problem and to act will assist employers in meeting legal obligations – highlighting how to avoid risks from asbestos now to address the shortfall. containing materials (ACMs) in soil in both planned work and emergencies.

Just 12% of the UK’s housebuilding The Asbestos in Soils course delivers an understanding of action that must be taken in the workforce is female: the majority are in event notifiable and/or non-notifiable ACMs are identified and explains the emergency procedures secretarial or administration jobs, with less than to be implemented in the event of on-site ACM in soils.

4% having a skilled trade. The report also finds The UK is short of housing, with three million new homes needed by 2030, and PM Theresa that young people, especially girls, are put off May has targeted building a million homes by 2020. Greenfield building is mired in controversy, working in the industry because of the negative, says UKATA, so the key will be brownfield redevelopment and asbestos in soils training will be an stereotypical image of a male-dominated houseessential requirement. q building industry. q

Brownfield developers need asbestos awareness, says UKATA [

Environmentally-friendly new build homes launched in Tibberton [

AN AWARD-WINNING house builder who has launched two brand new ‘eco homes’ in Tibberton, Newport has sold its first property within weeks of completion.

Environmentally-friendly house builder Tesni Homes, with awards for both sustainable development and building excellence, has developed two creatively designed homes on the fringe of the sought after village of Tibberton, five miles from Newport, in a stunning setting close to the banks of the River Meese.

River’s Edge offers exclusive four-bedroom detached properties, designed not only to fill living spaces with light, fresh air and warmth, but with a host of features aimed at maximising energy performance and reducing household bills.

The homes include vaulted ceilings to the entrance hallway, a galleried landing and generous glazing throughout. The main living space is warmed by a dual-fuel log burning stove set on a natural slate hearth, while the fully-fitted kitchen comes with painted ash doors, solid oak work tops and integrated appliances, as well as a stunning island unit complete with wine cooler. Sustainably-sourced

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River’s Edge by Tesni Homes offers environmentally-friendly homes with a conscience in a stunning location Accouya solid wood – a natural product with the highest environmental credentials – has been used to create the windows and doors.

Eco features include solar panels to generate electricity and a heat recovery ventilation system which brings air in from the outside without letting heat escape. High standards of insulation also contribute to the energy efficiency and lower environmental impact of each home.

Tesni’s construction manager Paul Roberts, who has personally notched up more than

40 years in the industry, said: “Our aim is always to build impressive and practical homes with a conscience that meet the needs, while exceeding the expectations, of the families that live in them. Our designs offer a high finish and a top level EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) ‘A’ rating, setting them apart from other less environmentally friendly developments.” q • For more information, or to arrange a viewing, call Tesni on 01352 748300 or visit www.tesnihomes.co.uk.

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