Construction National Spring 2018

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COVER STORY

SkyWalk’s safety system is a towering success

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The cleaning and maintenance work being carried out on the viewing platform of Blackpool Tower – featured on the front cover of this issue – is a shining example of the critical need for safe practices when working at height.

Operatives on the dizzying project were kept safe using equipment manufactured by MSA Safety and installed by specialist contractor Eurosafe. Without such sophisticated systems the work would be impossible today.

Read how this job employed the latest techniques on page 37

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NEWS 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 15 17 17 18

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Construction activity drops as ‘snow stops play’ in March Ministers should recognise housebuilders’ successes Institutes’ collaboration to continue Regeneration of Glasgow takes a pace forward Edinburgh set to become Virgin territory Firms urged to check two way radio coverage on site Javid takes action on local plan feet-draggers FMB: EU workers are highly-valued Londoners back ballots before demolition Bristol set for historic regeneration Addagrip STARPATH – lighting the way Let the light flood in! Glass Juliet balconies Crossrail links east and west for the first time Flood defences to be repaired Onwards and upwards for Peritus Security

HEALTH & SAFETY 19 NHBC identifies safety hazards ahead of awards announcement 21 Safety industry heads to ExCeL for annual meet 21 Awards recognise H & S excellence CARE HOMES 23 Care sector continues to develop 23 Latest retirement and care facility marks a step forward for partnership 25 Wessex sees the launch of a new concept in social care 29 Yorkshire’s traditional values are brought up to date in Brighouse 31 Creating bespoke care environments for residents 32 New care home brings a touch of glamour to Suffolk

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WORKING AT HEIGHT 33 Success for NASC members at Specialists Awards 33 Health & Safety award finally presented 33 Membership growth continues 34 First female completes CISRS OSTS training 35 MPs’ inquiry hears oral evidence on falls from height 35 No Falls Foundation launched 37 SkyWalk’s safety system is a towering success 37 Guide explains changes to ladder standards

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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.

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CONTENTS FINANCE 39

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A sub-contractor’s guide to a healthy cash flow during trying times

GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS 40

The road to decarbonising heat

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Ground source pumps provide heat for all seasons

ZOOS 43

Something old, something new: zoo projects span nearly a century

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Snow leopards are up-sizing in Dudley

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Newest zoo takes a step closer to reality

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Years of experience results in a ‘turnkey’ service

MODULAR AND PORTABLE BUILDINGS 48

Modular buildings lead the way for offsite

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TRAINING, EDUCATION AND APPRENTICESHIPS 50

Act now to tackle skills shortage

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Record numbers for Open Doors 2018

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Keepmoat announces pioneering collaboration with colleges

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Starting gun sounds for skills competitions

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Building a modern construction industry

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Safety & Risk Management qualifications at the University of Strathclyde

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Higher and degree apprenticeships give alternative option

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BIM at University of Wolverhampton

LANDSCAPING 55

Low maintenance landscaping with perennials

MUSEUMS 56

New museum buildings reflect a love of gardening

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Biggin Hill Memorial Museum set to become a reality

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ROOFING 58

New zinc rainwater range from Rainclear

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Added green roof protection for former WWII bunker

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Alumasc’s green roof systems protect Cambridge Assessment’s new HQ

FOCUS ON NORTHERN IRELAND 60

Brexit woes abate for NI construction industry

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Family firm offers a specialist service – or two

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New build developments mark culmination of 25 years of expansion

ON THE ROAD 63

Crafter Chassis Cab – it’s whatever you want it to be

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Business packs add up to a great deal

ON THE RAILS – TRAINSCANNER PROJECT 65

Second predictive maintenance scanner takes to the rails

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Constructive

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THERE IS A THREAD of history running through some of the projects we have looked at in this issue of Construction National. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the RAF. Of all those 100 years, its defining period was, of course, its ‘finest hour’ – the Battle of Britain.

The iconic site from where that battle was fought was Biggin Hill in Kent; and it is also the site of the RAF’s St George’s Chapel of Remembrance. That chapel is now being restored and a new memorial museum developed alongside.

• Another new museum project is of a very different kind. The Garden Museum is housed in the deconsecrated Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth in London, which was saved from demolition in the 1970s. Noted as the resting place of famed 17th-century gardeners John Tradescant and his son, the site has been developed to include a stunning new museum building and education centre dedicated to that most British of pursuits.

• Flora is traditionally linked with fauna, and the latter is again represented in the list of projects covered in this issue.

In Fife a new zoo taking shape, representing the fulfilment of a dream for two graduates in wildlife biology. They are putting their education and experience into practice in the effort to conserve wildlife species from around the world and it is hoped the new zoo will open later this year.

• Scotland is also to be the location of the first Virgin Hotel outside of the Unites States. The new venture will be housed in Edinburgh’s listed India Buildings – part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It will feature the Virgin brand’s trademark Chamber-style rooms and suites, together with all the other trappings of a luxury stay in the Scottish capital.

• Luxury in later life is the theme running through the collection of care homes that continue our series on new facilities in the sector. Despite challenging times there are a number of stunning new establishments being constructed around the country, offering older people the best in care coupled with the opportunity to enjoy life.

• Being able to live a full life with disabilities, while remaining in one’s own home, is another important element of a caring society. Making that possible is one of the specialist subjects of a Northern Ireland-based contractor, profiled in a spotlight on the region. Adapting homes for disability living sometimes involves complex conversions.

The same firm also specialises in restoration projects. It is one of the many small, family businesses that are thriving there, despite recent concerns over the post-Brexit border.

• While the question in Ireland is one of linking north and south, in London it was east and west that were brought together in the past couple of months, with completion of track-laying on the Crossrail project to link the Elizabeth Line with the national rail network. Trains can now complete the journey across London for the first time.

• Trains on the West Coast Main Line, meanwhile, can now be maintained more efficiently and effectively, thanks to a revolutionary new predictive maintenance tool called TrainScanner. Developed by Alstom in Spain, it is housed in a special building completed by a British construction company.

• Innovation in the field of safety is very much a UK strong suit. That is amply demonstrated at the annual Safety & Health Expo at ExCeL, which this year is on 19-21 June. Construction National is proud to be associated with the event as a media partner.

And when it comes to carrying out maintenance on very high structures it is particularly crucial to have a safe working system. Such is definitely the case with the viewing platform at the top of Blackpool Tower, which requires regular cleaning and maintenance. The cover of this issue demonstrates that in spectacular fashion. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Construction activity drops as ‘snow stops play’ in March [

MARCH DATA FROM the Purchasing Managers’ Index for construction revealed a setback for the sector in the UK, following five months of marginal business activity growth. However, it is thought that unusually bad weather conditions had been a key factor behind the drop in construction output, with snow-related disruption having a particularly negative impact on civil engineering projects.

Business activity expectations and job creation both picked up in March, which provides a clear signal that construction firms anticipate a rebound in activity during the months ahead.

The seasonally adjusted figures, compiled jointly by HIS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply (CIPS), fell sharply from 51.4 in February to 47.0 in March, to register below the 50.0 ‘no-change’ threshold for the first time in six months. Moreover, the latest reading signalled the fastest overall decline in construction output since July 2016. Where a drop in work was reported, survey respondents noted that unusually bad weather had disrupted staff availability and activity on site.

Tim Moore, associate director at HIS Markit and author of the report, said: “The construction sector continued to experience subdued business conditions during March, but snow-related disruption was a key factor behind the marked decline in activity on site reported by survey respondents.

“Total construction output fell at the fastest pace since July 2016, driven by the sharpest reduction in civil engineering activity for five years and a renewed fall in commercial work.”

However he noted that housebuilding increased slightly during March, although the rate of expansion was still softer than at any time in 2017.

Duncan Brock, CIPS group director, added: “Snow stopped play in March, as the unseasonal weather restricted overall activity,

Ministers should recognise housebuilders’ successes [

THE HOME BUILDERS FEDERATION (HBF) has called on ministers to recognise the achievements of the industry in delivering the government’s housing commitments and meeting every challenge ministers have laid down.

Speaking at the annual HBF Policy Conference on 21 March, its executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: “Government has quite rightly recognised the social and political need for them to address the chronic housing shortage we face. Housebuilders have risen to the challenge and delivered huge increases in supply, while providing increasing contributions to local infrastructure, amenities and affordable housing.

“The constant criticism of the industry often fails to recognise the huge progress being made. Negative perceptions also make further increases in supply more difficult by encouraging and providing excuses for the anti-development lobby and local authorities who don’t want to build. It also makes attracting the brightest and best young people more difficult. Housebuilders across the country face huge challenges getting sites agreed and recruiting skilled workers: issues made more difficult by negative perceptions of the industry.

“The big increases in supply we have seen in recent years are on the back of successful policy introductions and private sector investment.

We are calling on government to continue to work with the industry constructively to deliver further mutually beneficial goals.” q

lengthened delivery times and triggered the fastest drop in new orders since July 2016.

“There was some good news as purchasing levels increased slightly, sustained by the respite of pressure from cost increases which were the lowest since June 2016, and where the worst impact of the weak pound on prices may have dissipated.” q

Institutes’ collaboration to continue [THE Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Chartered

Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) have announced the renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The alliance between the institutes – which has been in place since 1997 – maintains and continues its principal aim of strengthening the links between construction management and architectural technology.

It recognises the shared roles of the chartered institutes in ensuring that the science and practice of built environment professionals benefits society. Through the memorandum, the institutes are committed to providing joint events across the world, collaborating on consultations where views are shared, and promoting career paths and disciplines in the built environment.

Over the past 20 years, this commitment has also benefited the professionals within their memberships. The MoU encourages joint networking and personal development events.

Chris Blythe OBE, chief executive of the CIOB, said: “By working together we can help to improve the skills, knowledge and professionalism of our members to ensure that the highest standards are met in the built environment. We look forward to continuing this close relationship with the CIAT to promote the work of our members and the industry throughout the world.”

His sentiments were echoed by Francesca Berriman MBE, chief executive of CIAT. “I'm delighted to see the renewal of our memorandum, which embeds and strengthens further the relationship we have built over the past 20 years,” she declared.

“Our members work collaboratively in practice across the UK and globally and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to improving the professional lives of our respective members, and communicates our dedication to the promotion, support and recognition of architectural technology and construction management.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Regeneration of Glasgow takes a pace forward

[ GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL has signed an agreement with

Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and Keepmoat Homes to deliver more than 800 new homes at the Sighthill Transformational Regeneration Area (TRA) in the city.

The £250m Sighthill TRA is the biggest regeneration scheme of its type in the UK outside London. The new residential development will feature 826 new homes, comprising 628 for sale and 198 for midmarket rent, as well as retail units and a commercial development. It will take shape over the next decade.

The mid-market rent homes will be built by Glasgow Housing Association and let and managed by Lowther Homes – GHA's partners in the Wheatley Group. The private homes, retail units and commercial development will be delivered through a development agreement between Keepmoat Homes and Glasgow City Council.

Cllr Kenny McLean, Glasgow City Council’s convener for

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neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, declared: “The signing of this agreement is another milestone in the regeneration of Sighthill.

The transformation of the area will serve as an example of what can be done in urban regeneration, with the creation of a fantastic neighbourhood immediately beside the city centre.

“We can now anticipate this work starting and being able to watch the skyline of both Sighthill and Glasgow change over the years. I look forward to working with all our partners on the Sighthill TRA on this exciting project for Glasgow.”

When complete, the regeneration of Sighthill will deliver almost 1,000 new high-quality homes for sale and rent – indeed 141 new GHA homes are already built and occupied. It will also include a new community school campus, a new footbridge across the M8 connecting Sighthill to the neighbouring city centre and a new road bridge across the railway to link Sighthill and Port Dundas. q

Edinburgh set to become Virgin territory [

THE FIRST Virgin Hotel outside the USA is to be sited in Edinburgh, the company has announced. The hotel will occupy the Grade A-listed India Buildings on Victoria Street – part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Announcing the move on 1 February, Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson said: “My grandparents were from Edinburgh and my wife Joan is also Scottish, so the country has always held a special place in my heart. The people of Edinburgh have been so great in welcoming us to their great city; we can’t wait to open our doors to people across the country and, indeed, the world.”

According to the announcement, the design team will work to preserve the buildings’ notable elements while adding a sense of style and sophistication. The property will offer a stunning mix of old and new, offering 225 rooms – or Chambers – plus a number of bars, restaurants and Virgin’s trademark Commons Club.

The hotel is expected to provide a £5m boost to the local economy every year, as well as support hundreds of jobs during its construction.

The project will be delivered in partnership with owner Flemyn and developer Jansons Property.

“Flemyn is proud to have our first capital investment in Edinburgh with an amazing brand like Virgin Hotels,” said Luigi Gatti Bonati, cofounder of Flemyn. “We couldn’t be more pleased with this partnership and look forward to the journey ahead.”

Andy Jansons, managing director of Jansons Property, added: “Edinburgh is a city rooted in tradition with an energetic spirit – we’re delighted to do our part in restoring a unique property such as this. With numerous investments in Edinburgh, we are so thrilled to bring another incredible project to this city.”

The project was given impetus in March with the appointment of

global construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson as project managers and quantity surveyors.

Thomas & Adamson will oversee the refurbishment of the three existing listed buildings and a new-build pavilion extension housing guest rooms, landscaping and public realm works.

Brian Donaldson, partner at Thomas & Adamson, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to work on such an iconic project as the country’s first Virgin Hotel, which has attracted such international interest. We have some fantastic hospitality projects under our belts across the UK and Middle East, in particular.

“This sector, despite the widely anticipated challenges of Brexit, has continued to develop. We have a strong pipeline of hospitality projects coming through this year and expect growth to continue.” q

Firms urged to check two way radio coverage on site [

CONSTRUCTION FIRMS are being advised to keep tabs on how their two way radios perform on site as a build progresses.

The majority of construction companies rely on two way radio to help coordinate work and maintain safety and security. But according to two way radio vendor Brentwood Communications, the closer a project gets to completion, the more likely it is that personnel may start to experience difficulties with poor signal and calls not getting through.

A spokesperson for Brentwood said: “It’s a problem caused by the types of material that are favoured in construction nowadays. When a build starts, construction sites tend to be wide open places that are ideal for radio signals to transmit freely.

“But as a build progresses, more and more obstacles are put in the way. When you are using large quantities of very dense, hard material like steel, you can start to see a deterioration in call quality as two way radio handsets struggle to pick up signals clearly.”

Brentwood advises that considering how a build might affect two way radio use is not just a matter of ensuring the project can be completed smoothly, but also thinking about how it will affect future owners and tenants.

“In commercial premises, retail parks, schools, hospitals and many other types of large public building, two way radio is commonly used by security personnel and facilities management operators,” the spokesperson said. “Following a rebuild or renovation project, you might find that your client experiences problems with their existing two way radio once the project is completed.

“We recently supplied a new fleet of two way radios to a school in Basildon which had undergone a £26 million rebuild. The new building won awards, but school staff and management found the radios they were using were no longer fit for purpose because the steel frame was hampering signals.”

Planning ahead Brentwood says that potential issues with two way radio coverage can be spotted in the planning stage once design and materials are finalised.

“The key is choosing flexible two way radio options which have the capability to handle the added obstructions,” said the company’s spokesperson. “One option is to upgrade from analogue to digital two way radio, which gives you more power and extra signal range.

“But lots of construction firms are happy with analogue models, especially with cost considerations in mind. Models like the Kenwood TK2000 (left) are popular in the construction industry because they represent good value, they are lightweight yet durable, and they offer excellent audio quality.

“One thing to do is to opt for dual UHF/VHF handsets. VHF performs well in wide open spaces, so is a good option on a construction site in the early stages of a build. But the longer wavelengths struggle once they have to bounce around obstacles, and this is when many problems start to occur. Being able to switch to UHF counters this.” q • For further information on Brentwood Communications visit the website at www.brentwoodradios.co.uk, call 0808 159 9271 or email info@brentwoodradios.co.uk www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Javid takes action on local plan feet-draggers [HOUSING SECRETARY Sajid Javid has written to 15 local

authorities in England to inform them of decisions on intervention following their continued failure to produce a local plan.

The Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government describes local plans as a key part of the government’s ‘comprehensive programme of planning reform and targeted investment’ and the councils had been given until 31 January to explain why they hadn’t yet published a plan. It follows confirmation in November that the government would consider intervention in 15 local authorities where there had been a failure to produce a local plan.

Of those 15 local authorities, four have since published their plans.

Sajid Javid has written to them to welcome the progress, but has made clear that should there be any further significant delays to their timetable to submit the plan, the government will not hesitate to act.

In the cases of three of the remaining 11 the government’s chief planner and a team of experts will be sent in to assess if the government needs to take over the process of producing the local plan, while in Northumberland the government has instructed the council to produce their plan earlier and to make the timetable clearer.

In the other seven cases, which have all committed to publishing draft plans before the end of September, the government has made clear it will monitor their progress and that any further significant delay to meet this timescale will lead to the case for intervention being reconsidered.

Sajid Javid commented: “While most councils rightly recognise their responsibilities and most have worked hard to meet the housing challenge, some have failed. I expect those authorities we identified in November to continue to make progress. I’m also stepping it up with three councils in particular, sending in a team of experts to make a direct assessment, ensuring they plan properly for the future or we’ll have to do it for them.” q

FMB: EU workers are highly-valued [

ON 29 MARCH – exactly one year before ‘Brexit Day’ – the Federation of Master Builders published the result of a member survey demonstrating the extent to which construction SMEs value workers from other EU countries.

The research found that 94% of firms describe the quality of EU workers they employ as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, 85% said that EU workers are important in allowing their business to maintain and expand its workforce and three quarters say it would have a negative impact on the health of their business if any of the EU workers they employ returned to their country of origin.

FMB chief executive Brian Berry commented: “The UK construction sector is more reliant than most on migrant workers from Europe: at present, 9% of our construction workers are from the EU. In London that rises to nearly one third. Given the severity of the skills shortages we already face, retaining these workers is business-critical.” q

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Londoners back ballots before demolition [

A SURVEY CONDUCTED by YouGov has found that 64% of Londoners support the Mayor of London’s proposals for resident ballots to be a condition of funding for redevelopment that involves the demolition of social housing.

The research was commissioned by London Assembly member Sian Berry. Just 13% were against consulting residents, while 24% of respondents did not know or didn't have a view.

Said Ms Berry: “If you live on an estate it makes sense that you get a say in what happens to your home. My research shows a majority of Londoners think this is fair. Importantly, my sample was representative of all Londoners, not just people who live on estates whose homes are directly threatened with plans for demolition.”

Support for the proposals also came from the National Housing Federation in its response to the

consultation on the issue, which closed on 3 April.

The NHF said: “In our response we indicate our support for the principle that, in order to access GLA funding, large regeneration schemes which involve significant demolition of social homes should have to demonstrate they have the support of residents via a resident ballot, as recognition of the importance of ensuring existing residents benefit from estate regeneration.” q

Bristol set for historic regeneration [

A MAJOR mixed-use development is planned for Bristol’s Historic Quarter, with extensive regeneration plans being put forward by Artisan Real Estate Investors. The 140,000ft2 Natwest Court building is to be the focus of the extensive regeneration. It is in the heart of the Old Town, nestling along the site of the original city wall. The site also includes the art nouveau building formerly known as Everards Printing Works, which is planned to become the grand entrance of a new hotel.

Other buildings next to the hotel will be regenerated for commercial and residential uses.

A block of one-bedroom and studio flats will be created, along with retail and food outlets – adding a substantial amount of accommodation and employment opportunities in the city centre. The development plans have been created in partnership with Bristol architects Alec French, who originally designed Natwest Court.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to redevelop such a historic area that is currently under-utilised,” said Clive Wilding, property director of Artisan. “Bristol is a unique city with a fantastic story to tell and we look forward to bringing this site back to life.” q

Addagrip STARPATH – lighting the way

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ADDAGRIP STARPATH is a new innovative light-emitting resin bound surfacing, incorporating the latest photoluminescent technology, from leading resin manufacturer Addagrip Terraco Ltd Addagrip STARPATH transforms the company’s resin bound surfacing systems – Addaset, Addabound, Terrabound and Terrabase Rustic – into light responsive, sustainable pathways. By harnessing UV energy during the day, the surface includes charged composite granules which emit ambient lighting for up to 10 hours during the night.

The natural appearance of bound aggregate pathways observed during the day is transformed with a captivating soft blue or green luminescent glow by night. The greater the concentration, the more vibrant the glow.

Addagrip STARPATH surfacing provides cost effective, sustainable lighting for those areas requiring illumination – without adding to light pollution. It is ideal for rural location walkways, parks and areas with street light saving schemes. By increasing the concentration of the granules, bespoke patterns,

signs and logos can also be incorporated into the resin bound surface. It is also suitable for domestic use, providing decorative ambient lighting for garden pathways, patios and pool surrounds.

Addagrip STARPATH is a UV powered, cost effective, sustainable and low maintenance solution with all the benefits of the company’s quality resin bound surfacing systems.

And if you are looking for sustainable, way-finding lighting options for unlit roads, commercial sites, civic and public areas, Addagrip ECO-DISC offers concentrated luminescent discs that can be installed into the resin bound surfacing systems to provide self-generating light markers for decorative and practical use – ideal for cycle paths and extending light coverage to all-hours without an electricity supply. q • For further information visit the website at www.addagrip.co.uk, email sales@addagrip.co.uk or call 01825 761333. 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

Let the light flood in!

Glass Juliet balconies

By GARY DEAN, Managing Director, OnLevel UK

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ADDING A glass Juliet balcony to a building is a great way of getting loads of natural light into a room.

Typically, they consist of a safety rail, fixings and ‘balustrade’ constructed from a glass panel. Glass Juliet balconies are extremely popular at present, due to the minimal ‘all glass’ look and ease of installation. A Juliet balcony doesn’t protrude very much from the wall and provides a safe and secure barrier, allowing double doors to be opened for fresh air and unobstructed views.

Our Juliet balcony solution – entitled SKYFORCE – encompasses all of the benefits associated with a tradition glass Juliet system as well as a few more key benefits. As a business we want to develop products that add value, that provide innovation or at the very least improve existing solutions.

Our SKYFORCE Juliet balcony system was designed with two core elements in mind – ease of installation and having the most discreet fixing solution possible. The system dispenses with unsightly top and bottom rails, meaning the building owner gets all the benefits of the view without it being obscured by a thick handrail in the eye line.

Additionally, SKYFORCE is tested and certified to BS 6180:2011, and because of its simplicity and varied application possibilities it can be fitted to uPVC, aluminium, stone and timber, making the system extremely cost effective.

Feedback has been fantastic, it is rightfully earning its reputation as an exceptionally quick and easy Juliet balcony system. The dedication we showed in product development to produce a fixing system that doesn’t distract the eye from the sleek design has really paid off.

SKYFORCE is also compatible with any window profile, thanks to our unrivalled ‘slide & click’ technique, and can be mounted directly onto the window frame or masonry. Best of all, you can cover all glass thicknesses, heights and widths with only one profile.

OnLevel are the innovation specialist for high-quality balustrade profiles in all shapes and sizes, providing aesthetically pleasing, safe, tested, independently certified, highly durable balustrades for living or work spaces.

We supply certified dry-glaze frameless glass balustrade systems in 0.75kN, 1.5kN and 3kN performance standards, and Juliet balcony solutions up to 3m spans – with unique, patented, fast installation solutions. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Crossrail links east and west for the first time [

THE FIRST THREE MONTHS of the year saw a series of major milestones in the Crossrail project, with Network Rail completing further railway upgrades along the Elizabeth Line route.

At Pudding Mill Lane, where the Elizabeth Line tunnels emerge and meet with the national rail infrastructure, Network Rail has completed track work to allow trains to enter and exit the new tunnels from the existing above-ground railway. As well as new track, it required new overhead power lines and signalling equipment. It means that all three Elizabeth Line portals – Plumstead, Westbourne Park and Pudding Mill Lane – are now connected to the existing railway.

Further up the line, Network Rail has finished work to re-model the sidings at Gidea Park.

Over a period of 10 weeks teams of engineers worked around the clock to upgrade overhead lines, signals and track to enable the sidings to accommodate the 200m-long Elizabeth Line trains which will be stabled there.

The work involved the renewal of over 3.2km of track, placing 8,000 tonnes of new ballast and 45,000 concrete sleepers and replacing five life-expired sidings with four new longer sidings. The teams also installed new overhead line equipment and signals using 37 steel piles, built driver walkways and installed lighting and track drainage.

Ben Wheeldon, the Crossrail programme director at Network Rail, said: “Making the ANGLESEY IS TO receive in excess of £150,000 towards repairs to flood defences, the Welsh final connection between the national rail Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn has announced. network and the Crossrail tunnels links east Extreme rainfall last November resulted in widespread flooding across the island. As well as and west for the first time. The completion of flooding to properties, a large number of drainage and flood-risk management assets which reduce these huge pieces of work, including the final flood risk were also damaged. signalling commissioning on the eastern section Announcing the funding, Hannah Blythyn said: “As weather patterns continue to change, of the Elizabeth Line route, is a significant step flooding is likely to become more frequent. We want to do all we can to reduce the flood risk to our towards ensuring that the railway infrastructure communities, while helping them to adapt to the risks they face. Repairing these damaged assets and is ready for the introduction of the Elizabeth drainage is essential to ensure the communities they serve remain resilient to future storms.” q Line and is an important part of our railway

Flood defences to be repaired [

upgrade plan.” q

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Onwards and upwards for Peritus Security

[ THE SUCCESS THAT Peritus Security experienced in 2017 is set

to carry on into 2018 and beyond.

With two firmly established offices already in place in Glasgow and Aberdeen, the company were in an excellent position to open a new Midlands office in Stafford during 2017.

The creation of this new office means the copmany have created an excellent network to provide a stable platform for security services up and down the country for years to come. In 2017 the Aberdeen office had a turnover of over £2m for the year, and the new Stafford office already looks set to match those figures soon.

Peritus Security have been tasked with overseeing the security of two massive, long term construction projects in Aberdeen spanning at least five years.

In 2015 they were selected to manage and operate the security provisions across an entire major road improvement project, covering around 150 satellite sites over a total distance of 58km.

In addition there is the ambitious Aberdeen Harbour expansion scheme – a £350m project at one of the UK’s busiest harbours.

Peritus Security will manage and operate the total security solution including the infrastructure of the harbour, breakwaters and quays along with the roads, buildings and other developments in the surrounding area.

This year, Peritus Security are continuing to provide solutions for many ongoing projects up and down the country, including: • Paisley water quality project, January.

• Bathgate local housing project, February • Lesmahagow industrial build project, March The new Midlands office in Stafford has already seen several new large-scale projects start at the tail end of 2017, and throughout 2018 they are gearing up to get going with the launch of many more.

There was also a pretty significant product launch in 2017 with the introduction of the LGM CCTV pod. The LGM is a breakthrough in site security technology, showcasing some amazing features that will make it an industry leader for the foreseeable future.

The stand-alone unit has features such as a rugged armoured body and tamper proof system, long life rechargeable power cell, 4G Data SIM, 360° omnidirectional coverage and direct communication with an Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) monitoring station.

All of this means the LGM can be used throughout most of the UK – even in some of its most remote and unmanned locations. q

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NHBC identifies safety hazards ahead of awards announcement [ ON 23 MAY the NHBC will announce the ‘Commended’ winners in its annual Health and Safety Awards – the first stage on the journey to being crowned National Winners and Runners-up.

Now in its 8th year, the competition is primarily designed to recognise and reward the very best in health and safety and to help drive up safety standards in the industry by showcasing and sharing best practice.

Many homebuilders have invested heavily in their health and safety systems, processes and procedures. There’s a lot of good practice in the industry and these awards provide the perfect opportunity to showcase best practice and give industry-wide recognition to those leading the way.

However, every year several thousand construction workers are injured working on building sites. Effective management of working areas and access routes could prevent some of those injuries. NHBC has highlighted the most frequently reported items in the final quarter of 2017. They are: • Workers working on scaffold with no guardrails in place • No fall protection on open stairwells • Access routes blocked with site materials • No eye protection being worn when using a nail gun • No respiratory protection being worn when using a disc cutter or saw • No pedestrian/traffic segregation in place, with operatives and • members of the public walking in the road with the site traffic • Scaffold not being erected correctly in accordance with TG20:13 NHBC health and safety services manager Stephen Ashworth said: “Over recent years we have seen big improvements with regard to safety on site and the number of injuries to construction workers has reduced.

Here at NHBC we’ve seen the importance given to health and safety on

housebuilding sites across the UK, with record levels of entries for the NHBC Health and Safety Awards and higher levels of take up for our health and safety services.

“One way to avoid injuries on housebuilding sites it to make sure a safe work environment is provided and taking a proactive approach to safety on site helps keep workers safe.” q

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Safety industry heads to ExCeL for annual meet

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SAFETY & HEALTH EXPO, the UK’s largest health and safety event and conference and the biggest event in Europe for end users, takes place from 19-21 June. Key professional and trade associations, manufacturers, distributors and industry leaders will come together at London’s ExCeL to discuss how to change the perception of health and safety and continue to successfully keep workers and environments safe.

The event will showcase health and safety solutions from over 300 UK and international suppliers, enabling health and safety professionals to source a full range of behavioural safety, risk management, training and occupational health products and services.

As well as the latest solutions on the market, Safety & Health Expo will offer CPD accredited seminars covering the latest legislation and guidance updates. Plus, there will be tips on creating a positive safety culture and successfully embedding health and safety within organisations of all kinds.

With the importance of employee health and wellbeing featuring as a major focus of the public policy agenda, anyone involved in the promotion of safety and health in the workplace can join the conversation at a brand new Occupational Health and Wellbeing Zone, with its own dedicated theatre, a relaxation zone and an area showcasing best practices of workspace designs.

The show will also feature a lively PPE and professional clothing fashion show, and will play host to a number of industry awards ceremonies and exclusive networking events.

Safety & Health Expo is part of the Protection & Management Series – the UK’s largest event dedicated to protect and manage property, people and information. Those who register for Safety & Health Expo will have free access to the Professional Clothing Show, IFSEC International, FIREX International, the Facilities Show and Field Service Management Expo.

For those exhibiting at Safety & Health Expo, there is the opportunity to exploit over 13,500 networking opportunities – reconnecting with familiar faces and making new connections in the health and safety industry.

Effectively navigating a way around thousands of potential leads can seem daunting, so to give exhibitors a head start the organisers have created a comprehensive summary of the various visitors they can expect to meet. Each profile includes the personality traits, objectives, intentions and interests of each visitor, so exhibitors understand how their business can help overcome the challenges they face. q

Awards recognise H & S excellence [ RUNNING ALONGSIDE the Safety and Health Expo at ExCeL in

June will be the annual RoSPA Health and Safety Awards – the first of three events around the country. The awards ceremonies and gala dinners offer the perfect opportunity to celebrate an organisation’s achievements and commitment to raising the standards of health and safety management. There is no better way to recognise the efforts of all who have contributed to a company’s success.

The longevity and undisputed reputation of RoSPA – its predecessors date back over 100 years – is just one of the key reasons it has been recognising and celebrating excellence in safety performance longer than any other in the industry. The scheme has continued to evolve and the 2018 Awards are set to be bigger and better than ever.

The events are truly international affairs, with award winners and guests representing organisations not just from the UK, but from around the world. This year the after-dinner entertainment will be provided by renowned comic Ed Byrne (pictured). q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Care sector continues to develop [

ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES we continue to showcase the blossoming of the very best in social care around the country. All the featured homes are new builds offering the latest facilities – not only in terms of luxurious living for older residents, but also the level of nursing and care available.

So, alongside the restaurants, salons and landscaped environments,

there are thoughtful designs to the staffing areas, allowing fast access in an emergency and high levels of interaction when needed. That is particularly true of units caring for those with dementia.

The ever-increasing need for care in an ageing population is a recurrent theme of public debate. Despite challenging circumstances, the sector is rising to that challenge. q

Latest retirement and care facility marks a step forward for partnership STRATTON COURT, CIRENCESTER

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IN OCTOBER last year a traditional topping-out ceremony took place at Aura Care Living’s latest retirement village and care home: Stratton Court, just outside Cirencester.

The national provider and its in-house construction company, Aura Care Construct, then began the process of bringing to completion the retirement village – comprising a total of 31 apartments with one, two and ‘two-plus’ bedrooms – and an associated 61bed care home. The home is equipped with full on-site lifestyle facilities that include its own café-bar, library and an IT suite.

“It has been an incredibly quick and efficient build,” said Aura Care Construct’s managing director John Penn, “we started here in November 2016.”

There have been around 180 operatives on site at any one time and tens of thousands of Cotswold stone and blocks have been put into place.

The topping-out ceremony was led by Lyth Watson of Octopus Healthcare, the investment partner in the huge project – he is pictured below left, with John Penn.

Lyth described how proud he is of the development: “This a true bestin-class retirement and care development,” he declared, “meticulously designed with the customer at the heart of every aspect of the development. The care home, luxury retirement apartments and the range of care services available have all been carefully considered to support the demands of the local population and changing needs of the care community. The team at Octopus Healthcare is excited to be working with the visionary team at Aura Care Living on a number of other care environments across the country.”

John Penn added: “It is the first of a new generation of luxury retirement neighbourhoods, planned in response to major market demand by those wishing to retire in the Cotswolds. It will create an innovative, stylish and vibrant community for over 55s who wish to plan and shape their retirement to exact needs and standards, while continuing to live autonomous, purposeful lives.

“In over 30 years in the building industry, this is the first time I have delivered a project that we will be part of for many years to come as we look to construct more of these for Aura Care Living. The vision of Aura has been instrumental and inspirational and we are already looking at other projects.”

The development was completed late last year and showcased its many facilities at an open day in February. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Wessex sees the launch of a new concept in social care

KIMBERLY WEST CARE CENTRE, SALISBURY

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LAST MAY SAW the opening of the first phase of a multimillion-pound development programme that is set to transform the delivery of social care in the Salisbury area.

Kimberly West Care Centre has been seven years from concept to completion and is the first of a series of new facilities planned by locallybased provider Wessex Care. It has been constructed in the grounds of the company’s existing Kimberly House Care Home, which will be demolished and redeveloped as a second care centre.

The five-year development programme across all of their existing homes

will see Wessex Care double their total number of beds to 250. It will enable them to provide central, residential, day and community service access to a range of support services – from high-end nursing through to dementia, mental health and challenging behaviour – in six cutting-edge care centres.

The Salisbury community will also benefit from 150 new employment opportunities and the extensive additional revenue for the local economy from the group’s spending power.

The new centre represents a vision for 21st-centrury care created by Wessex Care’s founding directors Matthew and Pauline Airey.

Said Matthew Airey: “The opening of Kimberly West has been the culmination of several years of planning and hard work and it’s very exciting to see our vision for the future of care provision come to fruition.

Work will now begin on the rebuilding and refurbishment programme scheduled across the rest of our homes.”

The new care centres will not just be care homes; they will be ‘physical facilities with residential capability’ in the heart of the community that deliver a range of specialist in-house and outreach services. They are designed to be ‘smart’, efficient, flexible facilities, utilising the latest advances in technology to support care provision, control cost and increase contact time.

Matthew Airey explained: “To achieve this, the design specification was essentially created from a customer and employee perspective. We asked: ‘What would help customers to be as enabled as possible and have their health and welfare efficiently supported; and what would assist the nurses and care staff to work as efficiently and effectively as possible?’ www.constructionnational.co.uk

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“That culminated in a ‘central hub’ design concept, placing duty staff at the middle of each floor, minimising the time taken to respond to customer needs and bucking the trend for the large, multi-roomed, ‘hotel-style’ care homes. Our new care centre layout limits the accommodation to no more than around 30 residents, allowing more quality nursing and care time to be spent by staff with the residents.”

Among the many features of the care centre are: • Fire suppression system, fire evacuation lift and generator back up • Full CCTV with overt recording system, electable for individual • bedrooms • Ergonomically designed to increase • staff and resident contact time • All specialist en-suite rooms, with • overhead built-in hoists • Bariatric and ‘couple care’ • capability • Telecare, tele-health and NHS • system link capability • Health and rehabilitation, social • club and activity centre • Relatives’ and community support • accommodation • Day-care and meal delivery services • Computerised ‘smart’, integrated • care planning, communication and • recording systems The opening ceremony of Kimberly West marked a double celebration for the group. It was announced that Wessex Care had won a significant new contract for social and health care in Salisbury and South Wiltshire.

Funded by the Better Care Fund, the contract will see Wessex Care working closely with Wiltshire Council and the Wiltshire Care Commissioning Group (CCG) to support and develop intermediate care (I/C) services within the care centres and residential and care homes. The two key objectives of the contract are to provide alternative

specialist services and beds for GP referrals – helping to reduce hospital admissions – and provide specialist rehabilitation beds as a ‘stepping stone’ for adults and older people, enabling them to leave hospital and recuperate safely before returning home.

Wessex Care will supply a total of 22 dedicated I/C beds across the group: eight at Kimberly West Care Centre for GP referrals and a further 14 for rehabilitation care across the group. That is in addition to the 45 nursing and 25 mental health and residential support beds already contracted to support the hospitals, NHS and Wiltshire Council.

Ted Wilson, joint commissioning director at Wiltshire CCG, commented: “Having specialist services and beds which GPs can refer people into, based in our communities rather than hospitals, is absolutely key to our strategy for healthcare in Wiltshire.

“The service particularly helps older people, who are able to be cared for closer to where they live without the need for a hospital stay, and also helps them recuperate for a time once they leave hospital and before they go home. We know this type of care reduces the numbers of people being admitted to hospital, while at the same time relieving pressure on hospital discharges, and we very much look forward to Kimberly West Care Centre welcoming patients in Salisbury.”

Matthew Airey added: “We have partnered with Wiltshire Council and the NHS for over 15 years to provide high-quality, effective services at an accessible cost to meet the financial challenges of the council and Clinical Commissioning Groups for the benefit of Salisbury residents, and look forward to providing that public service for many years to come.” q

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Yorkshire’s traditional values are brought up to date in Brighouse BRIDGE HOUSE, BRIGHOUSE

[ FEBRUARY SAW THE completion of a new 66-bed care home in

Brighouse, West Yorkshire. Bridge House is the latest addition to the stable operated by Fisher Care Group, a privately-owned company based in Harrogate.

The home was built by Marshall (Building Contractors) Ltd of Elland, which had up to 50 operatives on site during the build, to a design by S+SA Architects of Harrogate. With an opening planned for April, the new home is expected to employ up to 75 people.

Announcing the completion of the project, S+SA Architects said: “A fantastic client with a clear vision for delivering the highest standard of care, a fantastic contractor delivering truly excellent build quality and a dedicated support team of consultants have combined to produce this important latest addition to the Fisher Care Group’s portfolio.

“The collaboration has realised a scheme which maximizes the potential of a challenging but spectacular site, with the incorporation of roof gardens providing innovative amenity spaces for residents to enjoy.

“It’s been a real pleasure to work with the other members of the team on this exciting project and we look forward to our next collaboration.”

The site itself, on top of a ridge in a protected wood, offers spectacular views to residents from the roof garden and terraces.

Taking as its inspiration the textile mills that were once the

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The kitchen, as shown in the above render, was designed and installed by Harrogate-based Roomroom Interiors trademark of the area, the design is spectacular and makes best use of its hilltop location.

The home is built on four floors, with the ground floor housing a café with a glass frontage that looks out over the surrounding countryside. The café is intended for use by the local community as well as the residents. There is also a salon, games room, cinema and large day room with a balcony. There is even a music room dedicated to the chart-topping Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band!

On the other floors the facilities are equally comprehensive and the whole has been designed to offer considerably more space for users than is currently the norm. In addition to the residents’ rooms, there is a day room on each floor.

The residents’ rooms are fitted out with the latest in care facilities, including en-suite wet rooms. The second floor is solely given over to residents needing nursing care.

In tune with the drive towards low-carbon energy consumption, the design incorporates solar panels and a ground source heat pump feeding underfloor heating.

The home is complemented by a day care centre, integrating Bridge House firmly into the community it serves. q

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Exterior images courtesy of S+SA Architects

Creating bespoke care environments for residents Shackletons specialises in bespoke, handmade furniture designs for UK care homes, working with architects, builders and specifiers to create the perfect home away from home. SARAH THOMPSON, Sales Director at Shackletons, explains how her team works with care groups to create comforting environments for residents.

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SHACKLETONS HAS MORE than 50 years’ experience creating homely environments that meet the needs of care home residents. From our factory headquarters in West Yorkshire, we produce high-quality, handmade furniture for care home clients across the UK – from our bestselling riser-recliner chair to beds, cabinets and even furnishings to complete a home.

We offer a complete package for a variety of care settings and work in partnership with care homes to create series of bespoke seating, bedroom and dining furniture that give residents as much independence as possible.

When appointed for a project, we work hard to build a trusted relationship with our clients to really understand their requirements and offer tailored solutions aimed at the particular residents they serve. Above all, we use our expertise to create a homely feel which is equally practical and stylish. We cover every element of a home’s furniture, working with our network of interior designers to help create the vision, to the hand-stitched finish on our fabrics.

When working on the Fisher Care Group’s new build Bridge House home in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, we understood the importance of creating furnishings and fittings to match the state-of-the-art facilities and environment of the home. Such a high-end home required high-end designs, materials and finishings to complement the home’s luxurious setting.

We worked closely with operations director Jenny Fisher to get under the skin of the home’s requirements and understand how our furniture would work with the home’s design features to complement its surroundings, with features including a library, rooftop terrace, hairdressers and café.

We provided consultations on how we could best make use of the space to accommodate the excellent views of the woodland around the home we wanted to showcase. We were keen to bring the outdoors in on this build and create an open space for residents. The chairs are a focal point for the rooms in order for residents to spend their days appreciating the views.

The home was developed with a community focus, with the café and certain rooms available for local community groups to use, meaning it was important to create an inviting, community feel that could be shared by residents and local groups alike.

With every single luxurious furniture item made to stand years of everyday wear and tear, our high-quality finishes leave a very longlasting, invaluably comforting impression. q • To find out more about Shackletons’ bespoke interiors offering, visit www.shackletonsltd.co.uk

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New care home brings a touch of glamour to Suffolk [MENTION CALIFORNIA and we think

of bright vistas, luxury homes and lavish surroundings. Now, that kind of luxury is available in another California – the suburb of Ipswich that is the location of a new care home from Sohal Healthcare.

The Willows provides care for the elderly and those with dementia and has been built to a very high specification – with facilities including a coffee shop, cinema room and salon built and designed especially for the elderly.

There are a number of lounges for the residents to use for reading and relaxing, as well as a library, courtyard and numerous dining areas.

The new home has been created by locally-based Gipping Construction. The £3m project involved a

THE WILLOWS, IPSWICH significant extension and alterations to an existing care home, doubling its size to 66 beds.

Externally, a major extension was built, with a brand new roof. Inside, a complete new interior has been constructed, with a new floor and ceilings – together with new mechanical, electrical and plumbing services.

The home is set in large grounds, with fully secured gardens for the peace of mind of both residents and relatives. At the rear there is a

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beautiful, professionally landscaped garden; plus there is a tranquil and relaxing courtyard sited in the middle of the home, and accessible to all.

The location of The Willows is a major plus point. The beautiful town centre of Ipswich is a five-minute drive away, with lots to explore in its historic heart and stunning waterfront.

Sohal Healthcare is based in Essex and operates a number of homes across the East of England, in Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. q

Success for NASC members at Specialists Awards

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THE NASC HAS has congratulated new member PHD Modular Access Services Ltd on winning the Access & Scaffolding category at the 2018 CN Specialists Awards. This category was sponsored by the NASC. The team from the company are pictured with NASC president Des Moore (left) and comedian Russell Kane (right), who compèred the event at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on 8 March.

GKR Scaffolding Ltd were also warmly congratulated on winning the Innovation of the Year (Contractor) category for their virtual reality working at height safety training entry.

Other member finalists in the awards included Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding, Controlled Scaffolding, Interlink Scaffolding, QFS Scaffolding and TRAD Scaffolding.

NASC managing director Robin James said: “It is pleasing to note the continuation of a fine tradition of member company involvement and success at the CN Specialists Awards. We would encourage all members to consider submitting entries for the corresponding awards in 2019.” q

Health & Safety award finally presented [TONY MCDONALD, managing director of Complete Access

(Scaffolding) Ltd, was unable to attend the NASC AGM last November when the confederation’s biennial Health & Safety awards were presented.

The company won the Highly Commended award in the 1-66 employees category and Tony is pictured (right) finally receiving the certificate from Wayne Connolly, newly elected chair of NASC Northern & North Wales, at their regional meeting held in Barnsley on 13 March. q

Membership growth continues

[MARCH SAW YET another new

addition to the NASC’s growing SME membership in the form of Glasgowbased Check It Scaffold Services Ltd. The company’s Steve DeMarco and Chris Austin are pictured with their NASC membership certificate, presented

by Kevin Fitzpatrick (left), chair of NASC Scotland and Northern Ireland, at their recent regional meeting. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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First female completes CISRS OSTS training [ CISRS ARE DELIGHTED to announce that Miss Hien Pham,

safety officer with Black Cat JSC Ltd, has successfully completed both OSTS Level 1 Scaffolder and Basic Scaffold Inspection courses at the AIS/Black Cat CISRS approved training centre in Vang Tau, Vietnam.

Miss Pham became the first female to attend the CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme and it is hoped that she will be the first of many.

The Level 1 course – which includes both theoretical and practical sessions covering general health and safety, working at height guidance, prevention of fall from heights, component recognition, understanding basic drawings, and safe methods of erecting and dismantling basic structures such as towers and independent scaffolds – is the ideal starting point for anyone operating in the scaffolding sector.

Miss Pham said: “The first time I went on site and witnessed scaffolding operations taking place I realised I wanted to learn more about how these structures where constructed.

“Participating in the Level 1 course has highlighted to me the correct way to build scaffolding. I think the information on fall protection and avoiding falls from height is especially important for everyone involved in the sector.

“The scaffold inspection course is essential to me as a safety officer. It has given me a lot more in depth knowledge of scaffolding and will help me to spot hazards, either with defective equipment or poor construction, and allow me to identify corrective actions. I am really happy and proud to have completed these two courses.”

The partnership with north east training provider AIS and Black Cat JSC Ltd gained CISRS OSTS accreditation in October 2017, with the aim of upskilling and improving the competencies of its own employees as well as servicing the training requirements of the

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lucrative Indo-China oil and gas and construction markets.

David Adams, lead instructor for AIS Training (pictured above with Hien Pham), said: “Black Cat has invested a huge amount into the development of scaffolding training and safety in Vietnam and AIS will continue to help them achieve that aim.

“It’s great to see CISRS OSTS promotes equality and diversity, both AIS and Black Cat are committed to delivering high quality training to all within the region and worldwide.”

The drive and dedication of Mr Ho Kha, the chairman of Black Cat JSC, to improve the levels of scaffolding safety and competence, and that of his employees, is evident from the quality of centre he has established and the training programme he has put in place.

Mr Kha said: “Hien is the first female scaffolder in Vietnam, her passion and commitment to the industry is fantastic and she is a highly valued member of the Black Cat team. We will continue to invest in the whole of our workforce for the benefit of our organisation and our client base.” q

MPs’ inquiry hears oral evidence on falls from height [

THE RECENTLY-FORMED All Party Parliamentary Group on Working at Height has held an oral evidence session as part of its inquiry into the number of serious injuries and fatalities which occur as a result of falls from height.

The APPG, which is chaired by Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss (pictured), welcomed over a dozen witnesses with expertise in the field, including two survivors of falls from height.

The MPs took part in a wide-ranging discussion about the key issues for preventing falls from height – including education, culture, planning and the greater use of technology. In 2016/2017, 18% of those who died at work were killed as a result of a fall from height.

The session was opened by survivors Paul Blanchard and Jason Anker MBE, both of whom spoke about their experience. The remainder of the session was broken into three sections: cause and aftermath of falls, improvements in working at height to date, and education, culture and innovation.

The APPG will now consider both written and oral evidence to develop a report and recommendations on how the frequency of serious injuries and fatalities can be reduced.

Alison Thewliss MP commented: “Deaths and serious injuries caused by falls from height cause irrevocable damage to victims and to the people around them. As part of the APPG on Working

at Height’s inquiry into the reasons for falls from height, we heard harrowing stories from survivors about some of the consequences of a fall, as well as what diverse stakeholders are doing to prevent these occurrences.”

One of the organisations that has sponsored the APPG from its inception last year is PASMA. Its managing director Peter Bennett said: “While a lot of work has been done by government and industry to reduce the number of falls from height, too many incidents still occur. Falls from height can happen in any sector – from agriculture and construction to an electrician working in a home – making it the leading cause of fatalities and life-changing injuries.

So we are delighted that, at long last, the issue is now receiving the attention it deserves.

“We welcome the opportunity to support the work of the APPG for Working at Height. It was an honour to attend the oral evidence session and to feed into the APPG’s inquiry.” q

No Falls Foundation launched [

THE No Falls Foundation – sponsored by PASMA and supported by the Ladder Association and all member organisations of the Access Industry Forum (AIF) – was officially launched in The Health & Safety Event's BSIF (British Safety Industry Federation) Theatre at the NEC on 11th April.

The new charity has three distinct objectives: • Advancing safety and the saving of lives through understanding and reducing the likelihood, • impact and risk of falls from height and injuries sustained from objects falling from height • Researching the causes of falls and falling objects • Supporting people facing the consequences of falls For further information visit the charity’s website at www.nofallsfoundation.org. q

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SkyWalk’s safety system is a towering success [THE SKYWALK at Blackpool Tower is an impressive 380ft

high, glass viewing platform. The floor is five centimetres thick and from the platform there are spectacular views into the Irish Sea and over the famous Blackpool Promenade. It is the highest observation deck in North West England.

Visitors can look right through the glass below their feet for an exhilarating sense of how high they actually are. To make sure they can enjoy this to full effect, the floor of the platform has to remain transparent with the underside being cleaned at least twice a year.

This is not a job for the faint-hearted, but it is one that the facilities team at Blackpool Tower are committed to making as risk-free as possible. With that in mind they called on installer Eurosafe Solutions, working closely with MSA Safety, to provide the most innovative and easy to use solution available.

The project raised several challenges. The most obvious was the height at which the installation team would be working. One of the reasons that Eurosafe was a good fit for the job was because the team had experience of working on similar projects, including at the O2 in London.

Not only did Eurosafe have to overcome the risk to the installers and the cleaning team, they also had to put in place safe working practices in terms of securing the tools they used. If they dropped any of their tools it could cause serious harm to people on the ground below.

The shape of the tower was also an issue that had to be overcome.

Modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the angular steelwork created a challenge when it came to installing the fixings for any fall protection system.

The MSA solution Eurosafe chose the MSA Latchways’ overhead system as the most practical and safe solution, especially when used in conjunction with MSA’s V-Series range of PPE equipment. MSA and Eurosafe enjoy a strong relationship, having worked closely together since 2001. Together they have been able to provide the most effective solution for a variety of bespoke environments – and Blackpool Tower was just such a challenge.

The team installed a single overhead line, 10 metres long, directly below the glass walkway; the system utilised a heavy duty end anchor and navigated the existing structure using intermediate brackets. The exceptional engineering behind the development of MSA’s components ensures that the system can resist being exposed to the extremes of weather at such a height.

The system was fitted in a single day, with another day for all relevant

safety checks. The tight timeframe was made even more acute as the installation team could only access the walkway by using the passenger lift, which was only in operation when wind speeds were low. All the team’s tools were secured using lanyards.

The recently launched V-Series range is perfectly suited for accessing MSA’s overhead system. Light and easy to use, the V-FIT harness combines simplicity with safety. Its intuitive design ensures correct fitting first time, while the streamlined harness can be fastened securely and released quickly.

Used in combination with the V-Gard 900 helmet and V-FORM energy absorbing lanyard, this approach provides a highly reassuring level of PPE for any maintenance workers on the SkyWalk.

All around the world, people work safely at heights thanks to MSA fall protection systems. With nearly 100 years of experience at the cutting edge of fall protection, MSA sets the standard for innovation, performance and quality.

MSA is trusted to ensure worker safety on a wide range of buildings and structures, as well as throughout industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, and energy and utilities. q • For further information visit MSAsafety.com

Guide explains changes to ladder standards [OVER THE YEARS there have been many advances in the

development of safe methods of working at height – from sectional scaffolding to the latest in powered access. However, for many basic short-duration tasks the access method of choice remains the humble ladder. Even in this area there have, however, been numerous advances in ensuring safety when in use. The latest of was the publication last year of a substantially revised BS EN 131 safety standard covering portable ladders.

The new standard was described by the Ladder Association as the most important changes to portable ladder standards since BS EN 131 was first introduced. Now the not-for-profit industry body dedicated to height safety has published an eight-page guide explaining the changes.

The association’s free guide highlights the key changes for specifiers, users and health and safety professionals, as well as for managers and supervisors responsible for the safety of employees using ladders in the workplace.

Highlights include essential information on how and when the

changes will affect users, advice on how to ‘shop smart’ when replacing existing ladders because they are damaged or unfit for further use and details of changes to design requirements, together with the two new classes of ladders Through its membership of the European standards committee for ladders CEN TC93, the association made a crucial contribution to the development of the new standard, which improves product strength, rigidity and durability and – most significantly – enhances safety.

The Ladder Association’s technical manager and chair of its technical committee, Don Aers, commented: “The changes reflect the collective experience and expertise of many contributors over an extensive period. They improve ladder design and safety and are therefore to be welcomed.”

The guide emphasises that, while ladders may not always be the first choice when working at height, they are often a sensible and practical option for low-risk and short duration tasks – and there are many situations where a ladder is the only practical option.

For a free copy visit www.ladderassociation.org.uk/en131. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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A sub-contractor’s guide to a healthy cash flow during trying times

With house and public building slowing, possible rising interest rates on the horizon and increasing labour costs putting builds on hold, sub-contractors in the construction industry need a helping hand to keep their finances out of the red.

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HOUSE BUILDING in the UK is showing a downward trend in recent months and the construction industry is feeling the impact. Public building has also slowed down, which has hit construction output further. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that productivity fell by 3.9%.

This annual decline is the worst seen since March 2013, so naturally it is a cause for concern for those working within the industry. Monthly figures also made for concerning reading, falling 3.4% between December and January, while new orders decreased by 25% in the fourth quarter.

The root of the issue appears to be in the threat of higher interest rates and rising labour costs. This is discouraging building firms from starting new projects until the picture becomes clearer. There is, of course, the danger that when the mist clears, there will be a sudden rush in demand for sub-contractors – and this demand could well outweigh the availability of skilled workers.

The collapse of Carillion has not helped the industry or sub-contractors either, but it does seem that the contractors who are taking over the projects appear to be reinstating many of the sub-contractors where possible. But all of this takes time, and time is not a luxury everyone has.

When times are tough in any industry – and each and every one will have one at some point or another – it is important to become familiar with what support is available.

Late payment in the construction industry is all too common – and it is no surprise that the sub-contractors can often bear the brunt of an ongoing cash flow issue.

Peter Vinden, managing director of the Vinden Partnership, said: “Subcontractors have had a tough time of late and it is now more important than ever that they pay attention to the contracts they are being asked to enter into. Crossing your fingers and hoping for the best is a sure recipe for disaster. If you are not sure what you are signing up to it is imperative that you seek advice before you start any work and/or sign on the dotted line.”

Managing your cash flow during these times can be more challenging, so here are some ideas to help you stay ahead of the game.

Get organised If you don’t already, then get to know your finances like the back of your hand. Examine every payment you make and look out for any imbalances where you might be paying bills before you need to, or not receiving your payments when you need them.

Prompt and accurate billing Ensure that you understand the procedural elements of your contracts and the timings of the billing process. Make sure that every bill includes all of the information required by the customer, along with an accurate value of which bill you are expecting to be paid to reduce potential delay in payment.

Release value tied up in unpaid billing Sometimes businesses can find themselves struggling to pay suppliers and purchase materials despite plenty of forward planning. When this happens, a finance solution such as offered by Aldermore Construction Finance may be able to offer some relief by helping to unlock the capital tied up in unpaid billing.

Aldermore Construction Finance This gives you a safety net for your finances, so you don’t have to rely on payment from your customer before you can make staff and supplier payments, or take on new projects. It allows you to work with an expert who understands the construction industry thoroughly and who can give you the most informed advice based on your circumstances. They will provide you with added peace of mind by identifying any potential issues with contracts before they arise. q • You can contact the Aldermore Construction Finance team on 0333 999 3378 and download their free guide ‘5 Steps to Construction Success’ at www.aldermore.co.uk/constructionfinance www.constructionnational.co.uk

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The road to decarbonising heat BEAN BEANLAND, vice-chairman of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, discusses how ground source heat pumps offer the solution to low carbon, cost-effective heating – with many benefits to homeowners, including lowering inflation exposure and enhancing fuel security.

[ IN JANUARY the Department for Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published its 2017 update to the Energy and Emissions Projections (EEP), covering UK energy demand and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions up to 2035. The report contains projections of performance against GHG targets under existing policies and reflects legally binding carbon budgets, which are set for five year periods and are aimed at reducing emissions by at least 80% by 2050.

The Clean Growth Strategy published in October recognises the demand for massive reductions in carbon emissions to combat climate change, together with a need for cleaner air, because: “…poor air quality remains the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK.” The document states that heating our homes, businesses and industry accounts for nearly half of all energy use in the UK, and a third of our carbon emissions. Meeting the 2050 target of reducing emissions by at least 80% implies decarbonising nearly all heat in buildings. Reducing the demand for heat through energy efficiency will be a factor, but that alone will not hit the 2050 target.

This is the national challenge and it makes sense to start by displacing the highest carbon factor fuels first, with the lowest carbon factor alternatives. According to DEFRA data, the carbon factor for coal and oil both exceed 300gCO2e/kWh at 89% efficiency. By comparison, the carbon factors of natural gas and grid electricity are 184gCO2e/kWh and 352gCO2e/kWh respectively.

However, the DEFRA figure for the carbon factor for grid electricity is based on 2015 data, which does not reflect the actual current trajectory, as wind and solar generation capacities increase and coalfired generation is withdrawn. New projections from 2016 and 2017 data are set out in the BEIS graph (below).

emissions intensity data set and graphic contained within the report and reproduced (below).

Grid emissions intensity (BEIS 2017 updated EEP)

Generation by technology (BEIS 2017 updated EEP) Zero-carbon grid electricity remains some way off, but even SAP is likely to recognise the scale and pace of change when the outcomes of the current consultation are published. The BEIS projections suggest parity between the electricity grid and natural gas being achieved around 2020, but even this could be beaten as demonstrated in the grid

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On that basis, a retro-fit ground source heat pump with a seasonal performance factor (SPF) of 3.4 is already 70% more carbon efficient than a gas-fired boiler operating at 92% efficiency. Against an oil-fired boiler operating at 89% efficiency, the carbon saving is 80%.

For a ground source heat pump operating at an achievable SPF of 3.8 in a new-build property, the carbon reduction against oil increases to 82%.

Heat pumps are also zero-NOx and zero-particulate emitters at the point of use.

The reality is that a ground source

heat pump deployed in 2018 will be progressively more carbon efficient over its anticipated plant room life cycle of 15-25 years. The average projected grid emissions factor between now and 2031 is 150.25gCO2e/kWh. Based on that figure, average emissions reductions to 2031 would be 80% and 87% against gas and oil-fired boilers respectively.

The Clean Growth Strategy identifies a number of short to medium-term options for heat decarbonisation. They include the electrification of heat, an expansion of district heat networks, improvements to the existing boiler stock under the Boiler Plus programme, the roll-out of smart metering and investment in the development of new, low-cost, low-carbon technologies.

The latter could include bio-oils, but OFTEC has not yet managed to bring a commercialised product to market – despite reported successful field trials in 2010 – and suggests that supplies, as yet uncosted, may not be available until 2023. By contrast, heat pump technology is mature and has an immediate part to play.

In the new-build sector, houses are already heat pump friendly by virtue of Building Regulations and extensive use of underfloor heating. However, high

Ground source pumps provide heat for all seasons [A GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP makes use of solar energy stored

in the ground to provide one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating buildings. They are suitable for a wide variety of buildings and are particularly appropriate for low environmental impact projects.

According to the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, they can be installed anywhere in the UK, using a borehole or shallow trench. Less commonly they can extract heat from a pond, a lake or the sea. Heat collecting pipes installed in a closed loop containing water (with a little antifreeze) are used to extract the stored energy, which can then be used to provide space heating and domestic hot water. An added advantage is that heat pumps can also be reversed in summer to provide cooling.

The only energy used by a ground source heat pump is electricity to power the compressor and the circulation pumps, which transfer heat energy from the ground into the building. A well-designed ground source heat pump installation will deliver three or four times as much thermal energy (heat) as is used in electrical energy to drive the system. For a particularly environmental solution, green electricity can be purchased.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the ground stays at a fairly constant temperature under the surface, so the heat pump can be used throughout the year.

“Longer loops can draw more heat from the ground,” says the trust, “but need more space to be buried in. If space is limited, a vertical borehole can be drilled instead.”

One of the most high-profile organisations to have embraced ground source technology is the National Trust. A notable installation is at Croome in Worcestershire.

At Croome the Trust has a large network of pipes, approximately 6km long, under an area of the south park. They describe the system (pictured) as ‘a bit like a domestic refrigerator in reverse’.

Interestingly, unlike a domestic house where the heat is controlled by temperature sensors, at Croome the heat supply in each room is controlled by a humidity sensor.

In a historic building humidity levels are much more important than actual heat levels; the fabric of the building or its contents cannot be allowed to become either too dry or too damp. The aim is to keep the building between 45% and 65% relative humidity (RH). When the humidity reaches the National Trust set point of 58% RH, the sensor turns the heating on to control the humidity inside the house, keeping the building at the optimum level. q

levels of insulation and UFH are not pre-requisites for heat pump efficacy, and the retro-fitting of heat pumps to the existing housing stock can be highly successful if industry best practice is applied.

The deployment of smart meters will provide opportunities for ‘demand-side response’, shifting electricity consumption to times when it is plentiful and cheap; equally beneficial to heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers.

However, the decarbonisation of the national grid could be a double-edged sword. The heating industry now eagerly awaits the outcome of the current SAP consultation. If SAP continues to recognise just building fabric and emissions, the default and lowest capital cost option for developers will eventually be electric panel heaters and immersions, even when displacing natural gas in the urban environment.

It will, therefore, be vital that some form of additional recognition is introduced to the new-home building sector which addresses the operational cost of ownership. It would be highly damaging for new-home buyers in general, and for those in fuel poverty particularly, if the outcome of the necessary drive for low carbon emissions was to be an increase in heating and hot water costs from a current domestic gas price of less than 4p/kWh to an electricity price of 12-16p/kWh. The only mature heating technology currently available which can deliver the required carbon emissions reductions and resulting clean air health benefits, together with manageable operational costs, and which will not be dangerously inflationary, is a ground source heat pump. A range of creative financial approaches to managing the capital cost of deploying ground source will be necessary, but various models are already being actively investigated which recognise the true long-term value of the in-ground assets and which would provide for extended amortisation of the investment.

In a geopolitical world, where imported energy supplies are increasingly open to risk of interruption, pulling resources back on-shore enhances fuel security and would benefit the UK balance of payments. So the decarbonisation of heat could deliver rather more than the simple headline suggests. q

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Something old, something new: zoo projects span nearly a century [ OVER THE PAST few issues we’ve looked at a broad cross-section

of zoos in this country – from the iconic establishments that trace their history back to Victorian times, to small family-run enterprises that reflect the devotion to conserving nature of their owners.

In this issue we feature two establishments close to each of those ends of the spectrum. Dudley Zoo was founded in 1937 and its 80th anniversary celebrations signalled a number of new developments. That programme has continued this year and has included a new enclosure for its snow leopards.

Fife Zoo, on the other hand, is still under construction and hopes to open some of its exhibits later this year. It is being built on the site of a former wildlife park, which was purchased by a conservationist couple to realise their dream of furthering wildlife conservation and education.

Building work is being part funded by a café and play centre at the site and involves an army of volunteers.

Some projects can only be carried out by highly-experienced professionals. Aquatic specialists Nautilus remind us why they are at the top of their particular tree. q

Snow leopards are up-sizing in Dudley

[ LAST SUMMER we reported on the celebrations to mark the 80th

anniversary of Dudley Zoo in the West Midlands – together with some of the developments carried out there. This year the zoo is continuing to plough ahead with its redevelopment programme, to update the site’s enclosures and provide improved facilities for its animals and visitors.

Recently, Dudley unveiled an extended snow leopard enclosure, which has proved a hit with its occupants and visitors alike. Snow leopards Taïga and Margaash are enjoying exploring every nook and cranny of the impressive wooden and glass construction, which has increased the cats’ outdoor space by around 60%.

The new £50,000 enclosure, which incorporates established foliage and newly-planted donated trees, also includes a variety of enrichment devices to keep the cats stimulated. They have been designed and built by the keeping staff and include high wooden platforms, scratching posts and rope toys.

Large glass viewing areas allow visitors to get even closer to the popular pair.

Curator Richard Brown said: “We’re really pleased to finally have the work finished after the build was hindered by the recent weather. It was great to see the cats inside and exploring and they both seem really happy with their new home.”

The new exhibit was funded with the help of a number of events organised for last year and involving the zoo’s visitors. They included a Onesie Walk and a Tea with Santa event, in addition to individual donations.

The completion of the extended snow leopard enclosure follows on from the creation of a £10,000 exhibit for naked mole rats in the chimpanzee indoor viewing area. It houses a colony relocated from Chester Zoo. The newly-built burrow system features glass-fronted panels so visitors can get a clear view of the weird and wonderful creatures.

As for the future, the zoo has recently been granted planning permission to start work on demolishing three parrot aviaries and replacing them with a large, single aviary. Work is also underway to provide a residence for a species new to Dudley: the binturong, or bearcat.

The zoo’s director Derek Grove said: “Throughout 2018 we’re continuing to carry out improvements to the zoo which will hugely benefit our animals and visitors, and we’re looking forward to bringing in brand new and interesting species. We’re confident they will be popular additions to our collection.” q

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Newest zoo takes a step closer to reality [

A JOURNEY THAT began back in 2015 is set to reach a major milestone later this year when Scotland’s newest zoo aims to open its doors to the public.

Fife Zoo is well on the way to becoming a reality for the young couple who bought the former wildlife park after it closed back in 2014.

Briony Taylor and partner Michael Knight set up the new venture with Michael’s parents. After graduating together in international wildlife biology in South Wales they studied wildlife in South Africa and Indonesia. Now they are putting their expertise and experience into the conservation of endangered species and the education of the public on conservation issues.

Building work has been underway at the new zoo for nearly three years and has involved the construction of everything from education classrooms and a veterinary hospital, to purposebuilt animal housing and exhibits. It is now hoped that part of the zoo will be open by the summer.

The biggest job has been to create purposebuilt, natural habitats to promote natural behaviour in the animals. They will include mixed-species exhibits, together with walkthrough and immersive exhibits, where visitors

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can embark on a series of mini-safaris, with people and animals brought together in the same habitat.

The zoo will be split into geographic zones, allowing people to explore a variety of habitats – from the African savannah to Asian rainforests and the South American pantanal.

Last year was a big year for Fife Zoo. They were granted their zoo licence and are now temporary members of European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Once construction work is complete the screening team from EAZA will visit and they will be applying for full membership. They will also be looking to expand their network and knowledge by seeking membership of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).

A number of species are already being looked after behind closed doors, including a pair of endangered Grevy’s zebra. They were brought to the zoo from West Midland Safari Park in March last year as part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), after a team of dedicated volunteers and local people had built a new zebra house. Even Briony’s parents made the journey to Scotland to lend

a hand with the building work! They joined Michael’s parents, who live nearby, with Ann doing the home baking in the kitchen and Reg working outside on site.

Everyone at the zoo has worked hard to ensure that the impact of the development on the environment is as small as possible and they have planned for future developments to be sustainable – from LED lighting and renewable technologies to sourcing products sustainably and reducing waste. The zoo has its own Green Team, which meets regularly to help improve environmental practices and policies.

That means they’re always looking at ways they can act more sustainably to minimise their impact on the environment.

As a result of all that hard work they have been awarded Silver Green Tourism status, aspiring to the highest standards of sustainability.

While work is going on to create the zoo, a number of facilities are already open, allowing visitors to experience some of the thrills of a visit to the zoo, while generating income for the development.

Situated at the entrance is Africafé, an Africathemed and environmentally-friendly coffee shop.

All the products available are certified as being ethically-sourced, including a range of Fairtrade products. It also uses only certified palm oil and no single-use plastics.

What’s more, from 14 May – the start of National Vegetarian Week and in support of No Meat May – all food establishments on the site will be going fully vegetarian. There is already an extensive vegan/vegetarian menu – much praised by Green Tourism – which will be adapted and diversified for the launch.

An outdoor play area sits alongside Africafé, allowing youngsters to let off steam in full view of the café’s seating area. Indoors there is a soft play area, which also acts as an adventurous party venue for children.

Sloth Play focuses on the biodiversity of South America and the Amazon rainforest.

The children can: “Explore the forest floor with giant anteaters; climb through the canopy with capuchins and fly with macaws; discover the Amazon River with giant otters – but be extra careful at the piranha crossing!”

As with all zoo experiences, Sloth Play has a serious side. It raises awareness of current conservation issues, including deforestation and the use of palm oil. The zoo’s stated mission is: “To promote the conservation of biodiversity through education, research and our own passion for the natural world.”

Indeed, education is one of the core

objectives of Fife Zoo. To that end they are currently developing a multi-purpose education building for people of all ages – from nursery to university. The bespoke classrooms and meeting space will support the education department in delivering workshops and education programmes available to everybody, from everything on biology and environmental science to sustainability and Fairtrade.

They have also been developing an educational programme for teachers wishing to visit the zoo once it is open. It includes a lesson for before the visit, a workshop at the zoo and a lesson to do as a follow up. The programme will tie in to the ‘Experiences’ and ‘Outcomes’ sections within the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence initiative and is intended to provide children with an active learning experience.

The zoo also aims to become a member of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

With the LOtC Quality Badge, Fife Zoo will be recognised as meeting schools’ learning needs and risk management requirements.

Not all of the effort goes into conserving exotic species: at Fife Zoo they also like to take care of the local wildlife. Since moving onto site they have created a number of wildlife ‘biodiversity hotspots’, in the form of bug hotels, wildflower gardens, ponds, hedgehog boxes and bird boxes.

There is a resident bat roost, which they believe houses over 80 common pipistrelle bats. q

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Years of experience results in a ‘turnkey’ service

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ZOO AND AQUARIUM exhibits have been the core focus of Nautilus since its inception over 18 years ago. The company takes great pride in offering a unique, ‘turnkey’ service, drawing on years of extensive experience in their highly specialised field.

A high level of expertise has enabled the unique, innovative and creative company to grow and flourish – and Nautilus has now embraced VR technology, expanding the possibilities of project design even further. That has enabled clients to experience their planned projects virtually, before they’ve even been built!

“Some exciting new projects have enabled us to look at some really nice design ideas, including building several new zoo exhibits,” said director Paul Bullimore. “That has involved the design and construction of new buildings, bridges, over 200 metres of glass balustrade and endless amounts of themed rockwork and murals.

“Three new clients have contracted us in the past few months alone. That has enabled us to stretch our wings and get involved in

some really exciting projects – including exhibits for creatures not displayed anywhere else in Europe. We thrive on being given the opportunity to offer creative input and work best when we are given a concept to develop. As a team of thinkers and problem solvers we love an excuse to get creative.”

Those many years of designing and building zoo and aquarium projects have seen Nautilus continuously develop extensive in-house skills.

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

The team have unsurpassed levels of experience, not only in designing and building zoo and aquarium projects, but also in operating them. That sets them apart from other companies in the industry. It is that operational experience that has enabled them to offer unique support to clients in designing and building a range of world-class exhibits.

Said Paul: “We offer integrated and seamless services: design, project management, construction, technical services, glazing,

theming and planting. This comprehensive approach makes projects a lot less stressful for clients, while offering far better value for money and a high-quality product without having to manage several different contractors.”

As a result of consecutive years of steady, controlled growth Nautilus are extremely proud to be helping a range of major zoo and aquarium clients to realise their ambitious projects. Recent and current clients include Marwell Zoo, Chester Zoo, Banham Zoo, Zurich Zoo, Longleat Safari Park, Liverpool Museums and the Eden Project.

Paul explained: “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.”

Meanwhile, the team at Nautilus continue to relish the challenge of creating truly unique concept designs for their valued clients. q

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Modular buildings lead How do manufacturers and installers of volumetric offsite construction ensure sustainability and compliance when the key priority is time? JACKIE MAGINNIS, CEO of the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA), shows how the industry has been leading the way longer than you think.

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OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION has become a hot topic in the last few years, and sustainability has been the buzzword of the decade (other than fake news of course) but there is still an element of ‘catch all’ with both words.

In 2018 the MPBA will celebrate 80 years of representing modular and portable building manufacturers and installers, innovators in offsite

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construction. To our members, offsite means simply: built in the factory and transported to the final destination site where it will be assembled for final occupation. Built, and in most cases fit out, is completed in the factory where a high standard of quality can be achieved.

Manufacturers drive quality in the product through ISO9001 accreditation and BBA approvals, and its due to these high standards that,

the way for offsite when it comes to thermal bridging and air permeability, tests show that on average a factory built modular or portable building achieves air leakage of between two and three m3 per hour per m2 at fifty Pascals. There are many more examples of where exemplar quality increases carbon performance, leading to a more sustainable building.

That brings us nicely to sustainability, where volumetric construction has long since lead the charge. Back in 2006 as an association we introduced communities and local government to the embodied energy, particularly within the hire and refurbishment markets. When a modular building is constructed as an alternative to traditional methods to be a permanent building, it is built to the same standards required for all construction – and with the added benefit that the ‘as built’ performance will match the ‘as designed’ performance.

The speed of manufacture and construction is so impressive it can even keep up with the demands of fast growing markets, such as retail coffee shops. Only with modular construction can a drive-through coffee shop be available and operational on your favourite motorway services, where it wasn’t there a month ago!

It’s the hire and refurbishment market however where there is an even greater embodied energy benefit. When a module is manufactured it could be for a single storey or a double storey school classroom. As it fits on the back of a lorry, it could start the year as a classroom in York and finish the year as an office in Manchester – a huge benefit of this is the savings made through not having waste and not having two construction projects, two set of building materials and so on. q • More information can be found at www.mpba.biz giving examples of good practice in the industry.

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Act now to tackle skills shortage Solicitors KARA PRICE and SARAH WALES from law firm WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON look at the background of the new Apprenticeship Levy from the point of view of the construction industry, and outline ways the industry can engage with colleges and young people to avert the impending skills crisis.

[FROM 6 APRIL last year, changes in

apprenticeship funding were introduced and implemented, meaning that funding of new apprenticeships will now come from an Apprenticeship Levy rather than taxpayers. The government’s objectives when implementing the levy were to boost productivity by investing in human capital, develop vocational skills and increase the quantity and quality of apprenticeships.

The levy is set at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s wage bill and is collected monthly via the PAYE mechanism. The levy applies to companies of all sizes with an annual payroll bill of £3m or more: less than 2% of UK employers. All levy contributions are paid into an employer’s online digital apprenticeship service account and the government also contributes to the levy with a 10% top up. Employers in England – those in Scotland, Wales are Northern Ireland are currently excluded – can reclaim their levy contributions as digital vouchers to pay for training apprentices.

Smaller employers who do not pay the levy are also able to access the digital apprenticeship service.

Is the Apprenticeship Levy working?

The initial figures haven't been too promising. Between August and October last year there were 114,400 apprenticeship starts – comprising 21,400 in August, 28,600 in September and 34,300 in October. These figures are significantly less than those reported at the same time in 2016, when there were 36,500, 74,400 and 44,800

starts respectively. This sharp decrease in apprenticeship starts highlights the need to reform the Apprenticeship Levy system, according to the Federation of Master Builders.

Its chief executive Brian Berry stated: “The lack of flexibility in the value of vouchers which large employers are able to pass down the supply chain to smaller subcontractors who work for them is a key issue. At present only 10% of vouchers are able to be passed down. Larger construction firms do not tend to directly employ large numbers of on-site tradespeople. This means that there is a real danger that these vouchers are not being spent on training the key skills that the industry so desperately needs.”

How will the Apprenticeship Levy work alongside the CITB Levy?

Around 1% of employers registered with the CITB will need to pay the Apprenticeship Levy. The CITB already collects a levy from construction employers with a wage bill of £80,000 or more and the funds collected are invested back into the construction industry through training. Therefore, for the 2017/2018 financial year, employers with a payroll over £3m who are within the scope of the CITB Levy will have to pay both levies.

Given the overlap between schemes, the CITB has commented that it is for the construction industry to decide what type of support they want for skills and training in the future.

A new forecast from the CITB has revealed that over 150,000 construction jobs are set to be created over the next five years, with 15,350 carpenters and 9,350 labourers

needed. There will also be a significant growth in a range of professional and managerial roles. While it is imperative that the apparent issues with the Apprenticeship Levy and the uncertainty around how the system is going to coincide with the CITB Levy are addressed and resolved, more needs to be done so that the UK construction industry can continue to grow in the future.

So what can employers do?

There are a number of reasons why young people are not drawn to a career in construction. It is often seen as an uncertain sector; the demise of Carillion has reinforced that perception. In addition, school pupils are generally not aware of the variety of jobs available in the sector.

A key way to address these perceptions and to encourage more new talent into the construction sector is for people and businesses within the industry to engage with schools and colleges. More needs to be done to educate pupils – and their parents and teachers – about what options are available and what a career in construction looks like.

That will allow students to adapt to shortages in a particular skill set. It is also important to promote the industry to girls and students from STEM subjects.

There are many organisations who are linking businesses with schools and colleges, such as the CIOB and the CITB. This is a national crisis which is impeding the growth of our sector. But it is also an opportunity to shape the future of the construction sector and the next generation of talent. q

Record numbers for Open Doors 2018 [

THIS YEAR’S Open Doors took place on 19-24 March and was one of the biggest yet.

The campaign led by Build UK in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), aims to inspire young people and career changers to consider and explore a dynamic and exciting career in the construction industry.

Supported by Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), Construction News and Go Construct, Build UK members and non-members opened up a fantastic 277 live construction sites across England, Scotland and Wales to the general public – including ISG’s project at Imperial college London (pictured).

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Open Doors provides the opportunity to view the fantastic modern construction projects that are changing our urban landscape as well as the buildings that are being refurbished to allow its history to shine through.

Over 5,200 visitors took advantage of the opportunity to see for themselves the insights into the projects in their local communities as well as seeing the diverse range of skills and professions which make up the sector.

With the latest Construction Skills Network report concluding that 158,000 jobs will be created in the sector from 2018 – 2022, Open Doors is an ideal chance for the industry to highlight the number of dynamic and exciting careers there are in the construction industry. q

Keepmoat announces pioneering collaboration with colleges [

THE COLLAB GROUP – a collaboration of 37 leading colleges – has been selected by Keepmoat Homes to manage its apprenticeship and training provision across the UK. The partnership, announced in March, is the first of its kind between Collab Group and a major housebuilding company. It will act through Sheffield College to create bespoke apprenticeship and training programmes to bring new talent into the construction and housebuilding sectors.

The tie-in with Keepmoat highlights the opportunities for FE colleges to work collaboratively, to deliver high-quality skills training that meets the needs of both employers and learners.

Ian Pretty, Collab Group’s CEO (pictured), said: “I am delighted that Collab Group, alongside our key member Sheffield College, has formed a partnership with Keepmoat Homes to support their talent attraction and retention strategies. Keepmoat recognises the importance of investing in people to identify emerging talent and shape the leaders of the future. Further education colleges will play a key role in helping the construction and housebuilding sectors to address their wider workforce development needs and I am excited about the opportunities to work together.”

The announcement was made at the Keepmoat Homes annual Trainee, Apprentice and Graduate (TAG) Awards. Collab Group and Sheffield College were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of new and emerging talent.

Keepmoat CEO James Thomson declared: “Through our exciting partnership with the Collab Group and Sheffield College we can offer training that is based around the skills required by employers in the construction industry. This will ensure students are equipped with all the knowledge and skills needed to take on fulfilling careers and will help to reduce the ever growing skills gap faced by the industry. We are committed to providing young people with new opportunities and quality experiences and through this attracting the best talent to work with us as we continue to grow our company.”

Andrew Hartley, commercial director of Sheffield College, echoed his enthusiasm: “We welcome the opportunity to work with Keepmoat Homes and build skills for the future in the construction industry. The Apprenticeship Levy provides large employers with a great opportunity to invest in and mould new talent to meet their business and skills needs.” q

Starting gun sounds for skills competitions [ENTRIES CLOSED ON 5 April for this year’s SkillBuild competition.

Delivered by CITB, SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.

A number of competitions in various trades see the best young people compete to be crowned the winner in that trade. There are 10 craft occupations in total, with the winners having the opportunity to be chosen for international competitions such as EuroSkills and WorldSkills.

Also in April the team was announced to represent the UK at EuroSkills 2018, which will be held in Budapest in September.

Said a SkillBuild spokesperson: “We'd like to congratulate everyone who successfully secured a place in Squad UK and wish them all the best in their training programmes.” q

Construction training courses and/or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges: Bridgwater & Taunton College T: 01278 655111 E: business@btc.ac.uk W: www.btc.ac.uk

Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4PZ

Chichester College

T: 01243 786 321 E: info@chichester.ac.uk W: www.chichester.ac.uk Westgate Fields, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1SB

Croydon College

T: 020 8686 5700 E: info@croydon.ac.uk W: www.croydon.ac.uk College Road, Croydon CR9 1DX

Kendal College

T: 01539 814700 E: enquiries@kendal.ac.uk W: www.kendal.ac.uk Milnthorpe Road, Kendal LA9 5AY

Leeds College of Building T: 0113 222 6061 E: info@lcb.ac.uk W: www.lcb.ac.uk

North Street, Leeds LS2 7QT

The Sheffield College T: 0114 260 2600 E: info@sheffcol.ac.uk W: www.sheffcol.ac.uk

City Campus, Granville Road, Sheffield S2 2RL

South Thames College

T: 020 8918 7777 E: info@south-thames.ac.uk W: www.south-thames.ac.uk Tooting Centre, 71 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0TQ

West College Scotland

T: 0300 600 6060 E: info@wcs.ac.uk W: www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk Paisley Campus, Renfrew Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire PA3 4DR

Weymouth College

T: 01305 761100 E: igs@weymouth.ac.uk W: www.weymouth.ac.uk Cranford Avenue, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 7LQ

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Building a modern construction industry [

CONSTRUCTION AND CIVIL ENGINEERING are sectors that have long offered the combination of academic study and on-the-job training that is now becoming the norm across education.

Formerly known as ‘sandwich courses’ after the tradition of inserting a full year of work experience into the middle of the university course, they have formed the pattern for modern higher and degree-level apprenticeships.

Higher apprenticeships offer a combination of study and employment leading to a qualification at Level 4 or above. They take between one and five years to achieve and involve part-time study at a college, university or training provider.

Degree apprenticeships have been on offer since September 2015 and offer students the opportunity to achieve a full bachelor's or master's degree as part of their apprenticeship.

The advantage of this kind of pathway for the apprentice/student is evident: the opportunity to earn a wage while studying and training.

For the employer it offers a route to a more highly-qualified workforce – essential in today’s construction industry.

Many universities in the UK now offer these kinds of apprenticeships, and the range of subjects is expanding almost daily.

The following pages give a taste of the kind of courses to be found around the country. q

Safety & Risk Management qualifications at the University of Strathclyde [ THE UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE offer a postgraduate

programme in Safety and Risk Management, designed to develop highly effective occupational safety and health practitioners capable of operating across the full spectrum of working environments.

The programme is delivered through part time, online distance learning, enabling those with full time work commitments to participate and study in their own time, from any location, and achieve a valuable qualification to benefit both the individual and the organisation.

Written and supported by a dedicated team of tutors and practitioners engaged in health and safety practice across a variety of workplace settings, this course offers a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge and expertise in a highly practical context. Each student is supported by a personal tutor throughout their studies.

The postgraduate certificate is recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) for Graduate Level Membership (GradIOSH). For those who already hold GradIOSH membership, direct entry to the postgraduate diploma is available, meaning students can achieve their MSc in just two years. They can exit at any level of the programme – postgraduate certificate, diploma or MSc. Overall, the programme offers: • A practical and work based approach to the subjects • Individual guidance from dedicated personal tutors • Progress based on continuous assessment of study unit activities, • without the requirement to attend an examination centre • Recognition by IOSH for Graduate Membership.

In addition, the university offer continuing professional development courses, including IOSH Managing Safely and a Professional Certificate in Radiation Protection. q • To find out more about the University of Strathclyde’s Safety and Risk Management Programme email scosh@strath.ac.uk or visit the website at www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/centreforlifelonglearning

“My main reason for applying for this course was for personal development.

The course content at Strathclyde was exactly what I was looking for, with the content being applicable across a range of environments” Shamsul Huda, MSc Safety & Risk Management student

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BIM at University of Wolverhampton [ THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON has a long

heritage in teaching advanced technologies for the construction sector. From the mid 1990s, it pioneered postgraduate courses in Computer Aided Design for Construction and in 2012 the university established a highly successful MSc BIM for Integrated Construction, bringing together theory and practical applications of BIM and building on their enviable reputation of collaborative research and development in the field.

The School of Architecture and the Built Environment has successfully operated a number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) supported by Innovate UK and investigating areas such as HD laser scanning for BIM, use of games engine technology in the BIM process, BIM for prefabrication and offsite construction, effective BIM implementation for manufacturers and the development of BIM based DFMA processes for nuclear ductwork design.

Additionally, they have published world-class research in the field of 4D BIM for enhancing the construction process and are currently engaged in collaborative research projects around the effectiveness of 5D BIM with QSI. The MSc BIM course provides students with the ability to gain understanding of the BIM process through theoretical classes covering underlying BIM concepts, BIM implementation and heritage BIM. The courses also develop practical skills supported by a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities in the BIM laboratory, including Faro HD laser scanners, a 5m active stereoscopic wall for BIM visualisation, multi-touch tables for collaborative working and plastic and paper 3D printers for physical model creation. The university’s relationship with local and national industry also features heavily in the course, with a wide range of guest seminars from companies including HS2, Aracadis, Atkins, Kier, Severn Partnership, Autodesk and Tweedale.

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Collaboration is a key factor of all courses and the MSc BIM for Integrated Construction engages students in a multidisciplinary team based module to develop a ‘virtual’ Level 2 BIM project. This year the project is running in parallel with their own flagship brownfield development of the Springfield Campus in Wolverhampton city centre (pictured). Students engaged with the local authority and community stakeholders to develop a heritage BIM of this key historic site prior to the redevelopment work commencing.

The course continues to evolve as the topic of BIM and digital construction develops. Current developments are focusing on establishing a research cluster in smart cities, supporting the flagship £1m Brownfield Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) and looking forward to the upcoming International Conference on Construction Futures to be held in December 2018. The university is also planning on launching the course as part of an online portfolio of postgraduate courses in September 2018. q

Low maintenance landscaping with perennials MAGGIE FENNELL, Boningale’s Product Development Manager, discusses the creation and maintenance of healthy, environmental, attractive landscapes in the face of reduced budgets – a subject that was examined at the Green and Blue Infrastructure seminars at Ecobuild this year.

[ AT ECOBUILD exciting tools such as CEEP’s Natural Capital Planning Tool and the new Building With Nature certification to be awarded by the TCPA were unveiled. They show that scientific analysis and industry consultation are combining to create something that is practical and usable, to ensure clear landscaping quality objectives can be achieved. In other words, the implementation now matters as much as the design.

There is now a real need for plants and horticultural products that will prove that they meet these demands. This has inspired planting innovation and collaboration, particularly in the field of perennial planting which has been installed successfully on a large scale in Germany already.

Perennial planting can include native wildflowers, and be adapted to a variety of different situations.

Costly problems with meadow establishment and weed invasion can be avoided – provided the ground is cleared to start with and overlaid with the specified type and depth of gravel mulch.

The glory of the wildflower meadow summer display is seldom matched in the winter months, but the addition of evergreen perennials and structural grasses to a designed planting system can incorporate wildflower species and transform wilderness into year-round beauty.

Biodiversity benefits are maintained, as scientifically tested communities of perennials and

wildflowers can include UK native wildflowers and non-native species or cultivars which are proven to support British insects and wildlife.

The combination of environmental and aesthetic excellence adds real value to a development, without extra maintenance or effort. The careful species selection and clever packaging of plant mixes ready for easy installation allows for a structured intermingling of plants which evolve over time while remaining attractive.

Michael Livingstone at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Landscape, supervised by recognised perennials expert Professor James Hitchmough, is developing a stunning designed perennial planting system called Floratopia. This is easy to install, enabling landscape professionals to offer a high value ecological landscape with minimum fuss. q • To find out more about Floratopia perennial planting visit www.boningale.co.uk/floratopia/, contact Maggie Fennell at Boningale on 01902 376500 or email maggie.fennell@boningale.co.uk.

Boningale Nurseries, with its award-winning green roof and environmental planting specialists, has developed a range of market-leading horticultural products for the commercial landscaping industry in partnership with the technology experts at the University of Sheffield.

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New museum buildings reflect a love of gardening

[

MAY LAST YEAR saw the opening of the greatly extended Garden Museum in Lambeth, following an 18-month, £7.5m redevelopment project, aided by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Garden Museum is Britain’s only museum dedicated to the art, history and design of gardens. It is a celebration of gardens and gardening, and a quiet place for reflection in the hustle and bustle of London.

The museum is housed in the deconsecrated church of St Mary-atLambeth, which is the resting place for the famous 17th-century plant hunters John Tradescant and his son, also John. Gardeners to Charles I, the pair scoured the world for plants and other curiosities, bringing them back to their home in Lambeth.

The collection of curiosities, bequeathed to Tradescant’s neighbour Elias Ashmole at his death, became the core collection of the Ashmolean Museum. Ashmole was also buried at St Mary’s and his tombstone has been located. It was unveiled at the opening of the museum last year, the 400th anniversary of his birth.

The museum’s director, Christopher Woodward, said: “Britain is often said to be ‘a nation of gardeners’ and it now has a museum of its gardening heritage. This project, supported by the National Lottery, has enabled us to put our collection on display for the first time. The ancient church of St Mary’s has been restored, and inside our architects have built a playful, surprising wooden structure which contains seven new galleries.”

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The award winning design includes a new courtyard extension, built without foundations because of the 20,000 bodies buried on the site – some dating back to before the Norman Conquest.

The building-within-a-building design preserves the ancient body of the church, while creating a new gallery for the permanent collection.

The innovative design means that visitors can take in the spectacle of the building while viewing the collections.

St Mary’s was saved from demolition in 1977 by Rosemary Nicholson, who was interested in the lives of the Tradescants. She discovered their grave there and raised funds to turn the building into the first museum in the world dedicated to the history of gardening.

Since then, the Garden Museum has become a hub of learning for gardeners, amateur and professional alike, and was described by Alan Titchmarsh as ‘the spiritual home of gardening’.

A key element of the redevelopment is the Ark Gallery, designed as a recreation of the Tradescants’ famous Ark – one of the wonders of 17th-century London. It is built around a small number of very precious items on long-term loan from the Ashmolean Museum’s Tradescant collection.

The oldest part of the church of St Mary-at-Lambeth is the medieval tower. Now, following the insertion of a viewing platform, it is open to the public for the first time. From the top it provides a unique view of London and the river Thames. Wenceslaus Hollar is believed to have stood on the tower in 1647 to draw his Prospect of London and Westminster.

A striking installation in the courtyard, at the heart of the museum, is the Garden Wall. Over 200 people sent the museum a picture of their favourite garden, each of which was then fired onto a tile. The spectacular installation reflects the individuality of gardens and gardeners.

At the heart of the courtyard itself is a new garden.

Designed by Dan Pearson as an ‘Eden’ of rare plants, it reflects the Tradescants’ love of unusual plants.

The Garden Museum also houses the country’s first archive of garden design. The majority of gardens vanish with changing times and fashions. Photographs, plans, drawings and books can preserve those gardens for the future.

Christopher Woodward explained: “Our aim is to keep a record of how our great garden-makers think, imagine and create – and to be able to show people, 20 or 100 years from now, what beautiful gardens they made.”

The museum’s educational function is reflected in an extension for learning: a unique resource in the centre of London. It includes a learning space for schools and a second space where art and cooking can take place.

Two-thirds of residents in central London live in homes without gardens and green space per head is decreasing each year. For many children who come to the museum it is their first chance to plant a bulb or get their hands muddy. q

Biggin Hill Memorial Museum set to become a reality [WORK TO CONSERVE St George’s RAF

Chapel of Remembrance in Biggin Hill and build a new Biggin Hill Memorial Museum is now underway at the famous Battle of Britain airfield, having begun in September.

The project is being carried out by Kentbased Building Associates Ltd, to a design by Robin Lee Architecture.

As well as the new museum, the work will enhance and preserve the chapel so that it can remain open for future generations.

For over 30 years there has been a wish to honour those who served at Biggin Hill during wartime, together with the community who supported them, and now that aspiration is getting close to becoming reality.

The museum will open for visitors later this year to tell the human story, remembering The Few and honouring The Many.

The chapel will reopen in November, as part of the commemorations marking 100 years after the end of World War One and RAF 100 – the centenary of the founding of the service.

Weekly worship will resume then, with both Catholic and Church of England services taking place as they have done historically. Access to the main chapel will remain free to visitors when the museum site opens; the St George’s Room itself will be visible through a glass screen which can be opened to provide additional seating space at large services during the year.

The news that work could progress followed the granting of planning permission in April last year and a Heritage Lottery award of £2m, meaning that the £5.3m project could go ahead. As well as the construction and exhibition fit-out costs, the grant also includes a £1.5m endowment fund to support the future management of the museum.

Bromley Council is continuing to work in partnership with the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Trust, which is responsible for the future of the museum. The trust’s chair, Bruce Walker, said: “There has been a long standing wish to see the heritage of Biggin Hill protected and shared, this is a much anticipated museum made possible by the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.”

Built in 1951 using funds raised from the nation, the Grade Two-listed St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance is a lasting memorial to the

aircrew who gave their lives in aerial combat during World War Two. The plans include the removal of the side annex constructed in 1990, with the museum providing a visual frame around the chapel.

New museum exhibitions, visitor and learning facilities on site will ensure that the heritage has a secure future. Volunteers will help to record, protect and reveal never-before-heard personal experiences of war. q Artists impressions courtesy of Robin Lee Architecture

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New zinc rainwater range from Rainclear

[

ZINC IS PROVING to be a popular building material and, in response, Rainclear have added the Quartz Zinc rainwater system to its stock for next day delivery.

Over time, zinc forms a thin layer called a ‘patina’. This patina covers the material and protects it from weather elements such as sun, wind and water – the change is practically invisible and is immune to the harmful effects of UV rays.

The main advantages to the customer of a zinc rainwater system are: • Sustainability: It is a green/eco product. There is no shortage of zinc

as a resource and in addition it can be 100% recycled at end of life. Many customers today want to lower their carbon footprint and reduce their impact on the planet.

• Stunning aesthetics: Choosing zinc as a rainwater solution is a stylish statement for those after a different, unique finish that will maintain a striking appearance. The ‘quartz’ zinc Rainclear have chosen to stock has the colour and texture of pre-weathered zinc. It has a similar appearance to lead but does not have a toxic run off and will not stain adjacent materials – great for water harvesting systems.

• Durability: With a lifespan of nearly 100 years, it is completely unaffected by water, temperature changes and UV rays. A fundamental advantage zinc has over other materials is that it’s a highly corrosion resistant material, which is ideal if you live in an exposed location or by the coast. Its hard-wearing properties mean zinc will last up to 50 years even in this most testing environment.

• Low maintenance: Zinc requires no decoration or cleaning, just the removal of debris that may fall into the guttering, making it ideal for commercial, civic and residential buildings.

• Lightweight and easy to install: Stop-ends simply glue in. Gutter lengths can be glued together or Rainclear’s EPMD lined union-connectors can be used, so there is no welding, soldering or messy silicone involved.

Wrap-around gutter outlets offer downpipe positioning flexibility and swaged-necked downpipes and fittings simply slot together.

• Great value: Over the life cycle of a building zinc is generally one of the most competitive building materials available. uPVC gutters and downpipes are chosen over zinc mainly due to the initial outlay, but when you look at the ‘whole-life costs’ (once plastic’s job is done it just becomes a nuisance) spread the cost out over the system’s and building’s expected life, and zinc performs really well on cost.

For generations, European architects have specified zinc as a building material for all types of buildings because it would last and endure harsh weather conditions. It is predicted that more and more homes will feature zinc in the future because: • it is an attractive, durable and green building material.

• more homeowners are choosing quality and sustainability over initial cost in home renovations, so they are choosing zinc over other materials.

• they are using zinc elsewhere in the build or simply prefer grey-tocharcoal shades to match the windows and doors. q • Get in touch with the friendly, knowledgeable team at Rainclear or send them your architect’s drawings and they will supply you with a detailed list of components and a quotation. Call 0800 644 44 26, email sales@rainclear.co.uk or visit the website at www.rainclear.co.uk for further information.

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Added green roof protection for former WWII bunker with Blackdown green roof and Derbigum waterproofing [ ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1941 as a

special decoy target for German bombers, the decoy bunker is tucked away in the rolling hillsides of Monmouthshire and has been fully restored as a unique holiday home.

As the bunker had to blend directly into the hillside, a highly durable waterproofing system was needed to provide full protection against water travelling down from the surrounding landscape: a green roof waterproofing solution that would provide the desired ‘camouflage’ effect by using the existing soil and grass from the surrounding landscape.

Alumasc’s registered contractors Span Roofing installed Blackdown green roof drainage layers, intensive substrate and washed pebble ballast to finish the green roof. A Derbigum black anti-root built-up system sits below the green roof and provides a highly reliable waterproofing solution and maximum peace of mind for the future, as the Derbigum system holds 40-year durability certification with the British Board of Agrément (BBA). q

• To find out more about Derbigum waterproofing membranes and further green roof information visit www.alumascroofing.co.uk or call the Alumasc technical team on 03335 771 500.

Alumasc’s BluRoof and Blackdown green roof systems protect Cambridge Assessment’s new international HQ [

THE TRIANGLE, Cambridge Assessment’s new international headquarters, brings together all the company’s Cambridge-based staff under one Alumasc-protected roof.

Designed by HLM/Sidell Gibson Architects, all flat roof areas utilise Alumasc Roofing Systems’ Hydrotech Hot Melt and Alumasc XPS insulation, offering a total system solution. All upper main roof areas drain onto three single storey podiums that have the patented, single-source Alumasc BluRoof drainage system, along with Blackdown green roof to provide a habitable space for people to enjoy.

Alumasc’s BluRoof system reduces and controls the peak rate of storm water discharge from roof

areas. Detention of storm water up to a prescribed maximum hydraulic head occurs, with subsequent discharge controlled over an elongated time period.

The BluRoof drainage strategies were introduced at design stage to help meet SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) requirements, and Alumasc worked extensively with Capita to achieve the required reduction in rainwater run-off.

Wayne Farrington from Cambridge Flat Roofing, the Alumasc-registered approved contractor which carried out the installation, acting as subcontractor to Bouygues UK, said: “This has been an excellent contract to be involved in, one of our first major BluRoof projects. The level of service and input from Alumasc’s technical department,

both internally and on-site, along with Alumasc’s customer services team, have been outstanding.

“Combined with the Hydrotech BluRoof structural waterproofing system, a system we have significant trust and experience in installing, we feel we’ve delivered a project we can be proud of. The feedback we’ve received from our client has been extremely positive and we look forward to our next Alumasc BluRoof.” q • For further product information about Alumasc’s BluRoof drainage system and their full range of waterproofing systems visit www.alumascroofing.co.uk or call Alumasc’s technical team on 03335 771 500. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Brexit woes abate for NI construction industry [RECENT MONTHS have seen a great deal of attention paid to the

position of Northern Ireland, as the six counties have taken centre stage in Brexit negotiations. The situation vis à vis a ‘hard border’ between Northern Ireland and the Republic has become an overarching concern for politicians and industry figures alike.

For the construction industry the issue is possibly even more significant. According to research last October by the Federation of Master Builders, over half of construction SMEs in Northern Ireland

said a hard border with the Republic would have a negative impact on purchasing products and materials there, while nearly 40% said it would have a negative impact on their ability to employ people from across the border.

As months have worn on and both sides in the negotiations have declared themselves opposed to a hard border, the industry in Northern Ireland has perked up. It is a resilient industry and is thriving – as the two following profiles demonstrate. q

Family firm offers a specialist service – or two

[

MORE THAN JUST your average builder – that’s how Frank Ferry describes D V Ferry Building Services of Derry, adding that they are more of a specialist contractor. And specialist is the right word to describe what the company does. In addition to a wide range of damp-proofing, dry rot and timber treatment, the company offers expertise in the restoration

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and remediation of heritage buildings and extensive experience in the conversion of homes for people with special needs.

D V Ferry was founded in 1969 by Frank’s father, Dennis ‘Vincent’ Ferry. Frank took over the business in 1995, having been general foreman.

Frank’s own son Eamon currently acts as contracts manager.

The firm’s latest project was part of the Lottery-funded restoration of a number of shop premises in the centre of the city – part of the ReStore

programme. It involved stripping out the unwanted ‘modernisation’ elements in two shops – including PVC windows, artificial roof tiles and plastic rainwater goods – and their replacement with natural slate and timber and cast iron guttering.

Other restoration projects have involved lath work, plasterwork with hydraulic lime mortar, cob and flint work and much more.

Another sought-after expertise the firm boasts is the conversion of homes for special needs. That sometimes involves comprehensive alterations to the structure of the home to provide ground-floor bedrooms with specialist beds, creation of bathrooms or wet rooms on the ground floor and providing disabled access lifts. Some essential alterations may not be obvious, such as the widening of doors to accommodate wheelchairs or the resiting of plug sockets at a level a wheelchair user can reach. Others, such as the installation of ramps, are more familiar to the general public.

It is testament to the firm’s reputation that they carry out such work on a weekly basis, often funded by Disabled Facilities Grants. They also carry out projects in association with Western Health and Social Care Trust.

D V Ferry are nothing if not flexible, however. As well as offering specialist contractor services, the firm provides the full range of damp, dry rot and woodworm treatments. They offer a 30-year guarantee ensuring a lasting solution to any problem. What’s more, they use non-toxic products that are environmentally friendly when completing any work, and are certified to the NViroCert scheme for Northern Ireland.

Other accreditations include the Safe-T-Cert health and safety scheme and ISO 9001 quality standard. In fact, they could be said to be the most highly qualified practitioners in the area. Frank himself has both Certified Surveyor of Remedial Treatment (CSRT) and Remedial Damp and Timber Treatment Surveyor (RDTTS) qualifications.

Being a family-run company means that this high level of expertise comes with a very personal touch and a high level of service. q • For more information contact D V Ferry Building Services Ltd, 1 Academy Terrace, Derry City, Londonderry BT48 7LB. Tel: 028 7126 2788, email: info@dvferry.co.uk or visit www.dvferry.co.uk.

New build developments mark culmination of 25 years of expansion

[ONE OF THE keynotes of success for the industry in Northern Ireland has been the development of small-scale building companies into developers in their own right. One such is L R Kennedy Building and Joinery of Craigavon.

The firm was started around a quarter of a century ago by Linton Kennedy, who still owns the business. From small beginnings in the domestic joinery and building extension field Linton has grown the business into the busy homebuilder it is today. The firm typically has two developments on the go each year – ranging from 15 to 30 homes. One current site has sold all 16 units off-plan and a larger site of 30 units is due on site.

The trademark of L R Kennedy is the use of timber frame for their homes.

This renewable way of building is becoming more and more popular and looks stunning.

Over the years L R Kennedy have created many individually designed homes to a very high standard. As Linton Kennedy says: “The beauty of a new build is that we can incorporate your personal touches into the design.

This will make the new build personalised to your tastes and requirements.”

So what of the future? Over the past year or so Linton’s son Christian has started to become involved in the business, and there have been invitations to expand across the water into England. q • Contact L R Kennedy Building and Joinery, 20 Lagan View, Donaghcloney, Craigavon BT66 7GJ. Tel 028 3882 0722, email accounts@lrkennedy.com or visit www.builderscraigavon.co.uk

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Crafter Chassis Cab it’s whatever you want it to be

Business packs add up to a great deal

[ THE VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER Chassis

[EVERY BUSINESS has its own unique set of needs from a commercial vehicle – from a

straightforward panel van to a vast array of specialist plant mounted on a mobile platform. In the case of the construction industry the variations are almost limitless.

That kind of need for versatility is catered for in an award-winning format by the Volkswagen Crafter Chassis Cab. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is able to work with a wide range of approved converters to turn a Crafter Chassis Cab into a tailor-made commercial vehicle.

Available in three wheelbases, the new Crafter single and double-cab variants form the perfect base for a wide range of specialist applications and conversions – from a tipper with crane loader to a mobile work platform to a mobile construction crane. With a sturdy ladder frame chassis at the heart of all models, as well as numerous task-specific factory options and extensive wheelbase, payload and engine combinations, the new Crafter enables virtually any kind of body to be mounted.

Flexibility in carrying the personnel needed for the job is another area in which the new Crafter excels. While the basic chassis cab seats up to three including the driver, the double cab seats seven, with all seats featuring three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints as standard.

And with the Crafter having won multiple awards, including Auto Express Van of the Year for 2017 and Best Van in the Parker’s New Car Awards 2018, choosing any new Crafter single or double cab means you’ll be building on a firm foundation.

All the standard variations are available to configure online with Volkswagen’s ‘configurator’, plus some conversions are available off-the-peg. For those that aren’t, the company offer a helping hand in choosing a convertor from their own database, or a set of online specifications for bespoke bodybuilders.

And if there is a requirement for a body with extra power or cooling equipment, the new Crafter chassis can be fitted with extra electric generators or air conditioning compressors. Plus, for those really ‘au fait’ with the latest technology who want to control their units with their smartphone, the chassis can be fitted with a customer-specific function control unit.

The full range of Volkswagen vans is available from their van centres and can be viewed online at www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk. q

Cab is one of the models that can be ordered with a new high-value specification business pack, tailored to suit the needs of businesses large and small. Other models to which the packs can be applied are the Caddy panel van and kombi, Transporter panel van and Crafter panel van.

They are available to order now from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, ahead of their UK debut at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham from 24-26 April, with delivery to customers from May. The packs add items of specification which business customers most frequently specify – at a competitive combined price.

Not only have Volkswagen worked with customers to establish what they need on their vans, they’ve also collaborated with influencers, resulting in a residual value uplift of up to £450 on models with such business packs.

The Caddy business pack can be added to the Startline model for £950 (ex VAT) and adds an alarm, rear parking sensors and air conditioning. That saves £520 if the options were to be added individually.

The Transporter – Volkswagen’s bestselling van – is also available with a business pack on Startline models for £975, saving £510 compared to adding the options individually. In this case an alarm, rear parking sensors and air conditioning are also added, and are joined by a bulkhead.

In the case of the Crafter a business pack with alarm, front and rear parking sensors and air conditioning can be added to Startline and Trendline panel vans for £1,250. The pack for the Crafter adds two remote folding keys with the alarm and an overhead storage compartment in the cab to store documents and other items. That saves £1,320 over adding the items individually.

The addition of the business packs is another example of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles bringing its ‘Working With You’ promise to life, demonstrating the ways in which it partners with customers and its van centres to become the manufacturer of choice for commercial vehicle operators. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Second predictive maintenance scanner takes to the rails

[ THE BUILDING TO house the second TrainScanner installation for rail production and

engineering giant Alstom has been completed by RCA Construction – part of the Rawlings Group. The installation will represent a significant upgrade in Alstom's high-tech maintenance capability on the West Coast Main Line and demonstrates that their predictive maintenance tool is ready for mainstream deployment across train fleets worldwide.

TrainScanner is part of Alstom's HealthHub predictive maintenance solution, which makes it possible to determine the status of rolling stock, infrastructure and signalling automatically.

It then identifies any components that need to be repaired or changed, together with the replacement date. The right quantities of materials are delivered at the right time and maintenance staff can operate quickly – increasing fleet availability.

TrainScanner automatically analyses the data gathered by laser or 3D camera measurement systems, using a diagnostics portal through which the train passes. It collects information on the condition of certain equipment and then predicts its remaining service life.

RCA developed a more modular design for the second TrainScanner – the design that is to be rolled out to Alstom's customers worldwide. The system has been upgraded to be much easier to repair and allows the laser and camera units to be calibrated at the factory before delivery, thus reducing installation time. It also allows the creation of lighter and simpler ground-level boxes, to improve reliability, and has a rail-mounted system – reducing the civils work required to build the TrainScanner at the depot by 50%. q • For design and build queries please contact Michael Burnside on 0161 393 8416 or email michael@rcaconstruction.co.uk

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