Construction National by DMMonline

constructionnational summer 2011

Cover Story Focus on Construction Training: The National Construction College (NCC) launches a series of Occupational Health and Wellbeing for Construction modules read more on p11

CONTENTS

NEWS 4 7 7 9 9 21 25 27

New guidance from CIRIA on ‘designing out’ crime and disorder Marley Eternit’s ruby rainscreen cladding creates a real gem for shoppers Firestone EPDM chosen for Arboretum Eco Centre Panther drops in to help RNLI project in Cornwall F. Ball launches iRAG Smart Phone ‘App’ Work begins on Wiltshire’s first MBT plant Mountain bike starting hut moves up a gear with British larch Asbestos in buildings

TRAINING

10 11 11 13 15 15 17 18 19 20 20

The UK leaders in trowel trades training NCC helps construction firms to profit through good health Apprentice Plant Mechanic of the Year for the second year running Löfstedt Review: access industry meets with the professor New scaffolding erection guidance issued by NASC New videos help working at height training Plant industry card scheme retains its individuality while fitting the CSCS pattern CSCS is changing: your views are needed SmartCard in running for prestigious awards Apprentice Jay makes the most of new whg scheme Training and assessment dedicated to our historic built environment

CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES 21

Classified supplies listing

CONCRETE

23 23 23

Concrete welcome for Govt’s IGT response Cost models show concrete is cheaper Award-winning concrete from South West’s leading supplier

PORTABLE SANITATION EUROPE LTD 29

National Sanitation Qualification maintains high standards

31 32 33 34 34

Acceleris and HQN search out hot topics in social housing NHBC awards showcase best practice in site health and safety The leaders in the health and safety field Davies Developments adopts Insulslab SFRC as preferred foundation technique FLOORMATE 300-A in Passivhaus milestone

CONSTRUCTION HOUSING

CONTACT: Phil Wharton Advertising Development Manager Tel: 07854 799043 Email: phil@dmmonline.co.uk

All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 850 1680 Fax: 0161 850 0918 Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW 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. CHN

constructionnational summer 2011

Construction National has been serving the construction industry within the UK now for over 10 years. Since its conception it has grown in stature, visibility and presence in the market and is a voice which is listened to and respected by it’s readers. For our next issue, to be published in November, we are undergoing a bit of makeover to coincide with our recently redesigned website. For a sneak preview of our new look and all the new features and sections we will be carrying go to...

www.constructionnational.co.uk ...and click on the ADVERTISE button, where you will also find our full media pack and rate sheets for both the magazine and the website.

New guidance from CIRIA on ‘designing out’ crime and disorder

ith recent events on England’s streets still painfully fresh in the memory, timely new guidance has been launched by CIRIA – the Construction Industry Research and Information Association. Addressing crime and disorder in public places through planning and design (C710) is aimed primarily at planners, architects and other designers responsible for planning and designing the external built environment. The guide discusses the concept that simple measures, including good lighting, can be introduced into the design to discourage crime such as theft, vandalism or anti-social behaviour, and encourages designers to consider their designs within the environment for which they are intended. Crime, including terrorism, and disorder are high on the public agenda, with such issues causing great amounts of damage and distress when they occur. Although crime cannot be completely prevented, it can be ‘designed out’ to reduce the risk of its occurrence. Often the consideration of how to deal

Civil disorder in Croydon, August 2011 (picture by Raymond Yau, from Wikipedia/Flickr) with such issues is only thought of after construction is complete, however if issues are considered earlier in the design stage they can be incorporated into the design to avoid costly and disruptive changes being introduced later. Michael Woods, head of operations and management research at the Rail Safety and Standards Board, said “Designing our living and working spaces to make crimes more difficult to commit is a huge challenge. Some quite simple, and often obvious, actions early on in a development can make a big difference.

“This can apply to any part of the ‘public realm’ – shopping centres, railway stations, hospital complexes – and to places where people live and work. This guide will help designers and users to focus on useful solutions and avoid some of the mistakes of the past.” Addressing crime and disorder in public places through planning and design (C710) is published by CIRIA, ISBN 978-0-86017-712-8; price £70 (£35 for CIRIA members). For further details or to order visit www.ciria.org or tel 020 7549 3300. q

constructionnational summer 2011

Marley Eternit’s ruby rainscreen cladding creates a real gem for shoppers

arley Eternit’s Natura fibre cement rainscreen cladding has helped give a distinctive appearance to new retail units built as part of the £16m Fieldhead Estate Regeneration project in West

Yorkshire. Architects Michael Hyde Associates (MHA) specified Natura with a pro coating in ruby for the retail units. This warm, rich colour provides an appealing contrast to the render finish used on the surrounding residential and community buildings. Natura has a tactile, smooth and semi-translucent surface, which allows the natural variegation of the fibre cement to show through, creating a practical and visually engaging building. The optional pro coating provides good protection against many types of staining, including graffiti produced by common aerosols. Natura panels are easy to fit and in the case of this project were screw fixed to a timber substrate mounted on the block built cavity walls. In addition, fibre cement has one of the lowest levels of embodied energy of any cladding material and this development has achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

Firestone EPDM chosen for Arboretum Eco Centre

irestone RubberGard® EPDM waterproofing from Alumasc has been used on the new eco-friendly visitor centre at the worldfamous Batsford Arboretum. The Arboretum, near Moreton in the Marsh, Gloucestershire is home to the largest private collection of trees and plants in the country. The new visitor centre is part of a £2m project coordinated by main contractor BEAM Construction (Cheltenham) Ltd and funded by the Batsford Foundation. The scheme incorporates a number of environmental features including a ground source heat pump, sheep’s wool insulation and a low-profile roof which will reduce volume and minimise energy consumption Following careful consideration of the surrounding landscape, John Falconer Architects presented a unique and challenging ‘wave’ roof design to emulate the rolling Cotswold Hills, thus minimising the visual impact of the Centre. Firestone RubberGard® EPDM waterproofing was chosen for the project due to its eco-credentials, ability to form clean edge detail and its life expectancy of up to 50 years. Alumasc worked closely alongside Firestone authorised contractor Cardiff Single Ply Roofing for the duration of the project, providing full technical support on all of the roof details. q

David Mirfin, a Director at MHA, said the practice had specified Marley Eternit’s fibre cement products successfully on several previous projects and had been impressed by their quality and durability. He added: “We specified Natura in Ruby colour because we wanted the retail units to create a warm, welcoming impression with shoppers.” The project was led by the Kirklees Community Association working in partnership with social housing specialist Keepmoat and Kirklees Council. Keepmoat’s associated company Bramall Construction built the new retail units and the Natura panels were installed by Leeds based Compass Northern Ltd. q

• To request literature on Alumasc Waterproofing, please contact Alumasc on 0808 100 2008. Alternatively, visit the website www. alumascwaterproofing.co.uk.

constructionnational summer 2011

Panther drops in to help RNLI project in Cornwall

n the Cornish south coast’s Lizard peninsula, Panther Platforms is working towards an October 2011 deadline to help contractor BAM Nuttall finish building the new £7.5 million Lizard Lifeboat Station. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is replacing the existing lifeboat station so the site can accommodate new Tamar class lifeboats, which are much larger than those currently in use. Panther, part of the UK’s largest powered access operation, Lavendon Access Services, also donated £500 to the project. The project has used various forms of powered access, including specialist machines such as the CTE 135 tracked machine and the Skyjack TK46 sub-zero machine. The CTE 135 is compact and easily transportable but still offers 13.5m of working height. It was brought onto the work site by a crane and used in the initial construction process of the building that will actually house the new lifeboats. The Skyjack TK46 was used from a work platform in conjunction with a crane to assist the building of the lifeboat station’s slip way. The TK46 is one of the only articulated telescopic booms that provides access below the machine offering a down or ‘negative’ reach of minus 6 metres, a feature that was particularly relevant on this project. BAM Nuttall’s Glen Martin, general foreman on the project, said: “Panther supplied us with some excellent mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP’s), some of which are very hard to find. Our project

Lightweight & compact – Panther’s CTE 135 specialist machine was brought on site by crane was constructed from sea using a jack-up barge. We needed access below the barge to place 23 ton concrete transoms and fit slipway sections. After a lot of searching, I made contact with Jessica Tune from Panther Liskeard who suggested we used a TK46. “The second part of our construction project was to build a lifeboat station at the bottom of a cliff some 60m below. Access was by a tower crane using a 70m jib section. Using such a crane made it very hard to deliver any machine weighing more than 2 tonnes on to the structure. Again with some input from the Panther Liskeard depot, we went for the CTE 135, which was easily transported by the crane to provide the access required for our team to work on the lifeboat station. My thanks go to the Panther Liskeard team, especially Jessica who made life a lot easier for me.” q

F. Ball launches iRAG Smart Phone ‘App’

he UK’s leading manufacturer of flooring adhesives, F. Ball and Co. Ltd., has launched a smart phone app version of its comprehensive Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG). The iRAG is now available for the popular iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile platforms, making it easier than ever for users to gain quick and convenient access to the most up-to-date adhesive recommendations on the move, or while on site. The industry’s most trusted guide to adhesive and floorcovering compatibility, the F. Ball RAG features over 5,500 adhesive recommendations for floorcoverings from

over 200 leading international manufacturers. Traditionally available in A4 and pocket-sized editions, the RAG is now accessible through a range of digital and interactive formats, including the brand new smart phone app. The new iRAG app is free to download and is available from the iTunes app store, Android Market and Windows Marketplace. Enabling the latest in live search technology, the iRAG app enhances the experience of viewing the guide in its traditional booklet form by offering the user the added benefits of being able to search the live RAG database whilst on the move or on site.

Ongoing testing at the company’s headquarters enables F. Ball to continually update the iRAG app and the interactive version of the RAG, which is available on the F. Ball website, www.f-ball.co.uk, to assist specifiers, flooring contractors and distributors in the selection of flooring adhesives. The comprehensive and meticulous testing of F. Ball adhesives with every type of floorcovering listed in the RAG means the company can guarantee the quality and performance of its products, and ensure that there is a specialist adhesive available for use with all floorcovering products on the market. q

constructionnational summer 2011

The UK leaders in

Trowel Trades Training E

stablished as the UK’s leading provider in trowel trades training, Romford based Goldtrowel Ltd offer a wide range of courses led by professional and highly motivated plastering, tiling and bricklaying instructors with both onsite and domestic experience. Offering full-on hands-on courses, Goldtrowel firmly believe that they are the best in what they do, ensuring that all students achieve their aims during every course. Their training facility is designed to be more than challenging and their courses offer intense real life scenarios which give trainees the confidence, knowledge and ability to work within the construction industry.

Courses from Goldtrowel include: • Plastering Courses – including training ranging from City & Guilds courses to NVQ courses, all of which offer practical hands-on training from the start.

From 5 day courses teaching basic plastering skills, to 10 day courses providing more advanced knowledge and 15 day NVQ plastering courses, Goldtrowel’s plastering training is second to none. Other courses include City & Guilds plastering 2, 4 and 6 week courses, advanced plastering training, K Rend courses and external rendering courses. • Tiling Courses – tiling courses are available at Goldtrowel for those people wishing to learn new skills in tiling or to gain a qualification. The company offer 5 day, 10 day and 3 week NVQ tiling courses to those wishing to learn to tile, which then can lead to NVQ qualifications in the subject. The company’s purpose-built tiling training premises boast full size tiling practice rooms up to 24 square metres. These rooms have walls which are not square and plumb, but are very realistic with real-life type problems to overcome, thus ensuring realistic training. • Bricklaying Courses – Goldtrowel’s bricklaying courses offer so much hands-on training that students progress more quickly than with any other training provider. The company’s dedicated bricklaying training centre ensures that trainees have the space and facilities to produce outstanding work. Courses range from those for beginners to advanced level and can lead to a City & Guilds bricklaying qualification. Weekend bricklaying courses are also available. Goldtrowel offer every form of bricklaying training possible. Whatever the training requirements the company is confident that they can cater for every need and deliver the skills to the standards required. • Venetian Marble Plastering Courses – these courses offer the best training and facilities, again offering real life experience. It has taken 10 years to develop what Goldtrowel class as a top branded course, with an Approved Italian Applicators Certificate, for those students completing the 5 or 10 day training. q For further information visit: www.goldtrowel.co.uk

10 constructionnational summer 2011

NCC helps construction firms to profit through good health

o further help businesses in the construction and built environment sector improve their bottom line, the National Construction College (NCC), Europe’s largest construction training provider, has launched a series of Occupational Health and Wellbeing for Construction modules. The six, half day ‘Dying to Work’ modules, which have been designed for managers, HR professionals, directors and individuals who wish to improve occupational health in the workplace include: · Lifestyle · Noise · Vibration · Take a deep breath – respiratory · Protecting the largest organ – skin · Musculoskeletal disorders At the end of the modules delegates will be able to appreciate the physiological functions and limitations of the human body, as well as considering the principals of effective management and control for improving health and wellbeing in the workplace. They will also be able to identify the support mechanisms available to actively improve occupational health and recognise the critical nature of occupational and personal health. “The construction sector is very much aware of the importance of keeping the workforce safe, however, many companies are failing to look after the health of their employees, not recognising or understanding the impact on their business,” says Janine Sibson, Health and Safety Product Manager at the National Construction College. Recent research suggests the UK economy lost 190 million working days to absence last year, costing employers £17bn, with 3.3m of these lost days occurring in the construction industry due to workplace injury and work related ill health. Janine continued: “According to recent research 1.3 million people who

worked during the last year were suffering from a long standing or new illness they believed was caused or made worse by their job. We are urging businesses in the sector to become more aware of occupational health issues affect employees and how this could impact on their business. Andy Walder, Director of the National Construction College (NCC), said: “As the largest provider of health and safety training for the construction industry, the NCC designs and delivers bespoke and specialist training programmes to meet the needs of your business. “We work closely with employers to meet their training needs, and pride ourselves on delivering specialist training that will give businesses a competitive edge to help them succeed and grow.” With a long-standing reputation and experienced staff, the NCC is well placed to deliver the skills training needs of the construction and built environment sector. As the training division of CITB-ConstructionSkills, the college delivers quality and affordable courses at eight sites and additional training venues for up to 25,000 learners each year. The Dying to Work – An Introduction to Occupational Health and Wellbeing for Construction workshops can be delivered as stand-alone sessions, as a complete three day programme or mixed and matched to suit your organisation’s needs. To find out more, book your place or to find out more about other courses available please call 0344 994 4433 or visit www.cskills.org/coursebooker. q

Apprentice Plant Mechanic of the Year for the second year running

or the second year running, Jonatan Cwiecek of Nationwide Platforms has won Apprentice Plant Mechanic of the Year at the National Construction College South and London Awards. Jonatan, 21, has been with the company since 2009 and is based at the Nationwide Platforms’ Barking depot. Featured on the Lavendon Access Services website, Jonatan says: “I enjoy working for the company because they allow me to take pride and pleasure in what I do.” Regional Director for the South East, Marc Johnson said: “The Lavendon Access Services’ apprenticeship scheme is excellent and something I would encourage anyone with an interest in the construction/access industry to investigate. Lavendon has made a substantial commitment to this scheme and have confirmed that commitment by continuing to invest during the downturn, with an intake of seven new apprentices across the UK for September 2011.” q

(l-r) Jason LakeNCC Newham instructor, Jonatan Cwiecek - winner, Geoff Miller - guest speaker

constructionnational summer 2011 11

12 constructionnational summer 2011

Löfstedt Review: access industry meets with the professor

n July representatives from the Access Industry Forum – the umbrella body for trade associations involved in the specialist access industries – met with Professor Ragnar E Löfstedt, the chair of the Government’s review of health and safety regulations. AIF chairman Peter Bennett, who is also managing director of PASMA, and AIF director Neil Tomlinson held an hour-long meeting with Professor Löfstedt to explain the industry’s position regarding primary legislation affecting working at height. Work at height continues to be the biggest cause of injury and accidents in the workplace. According to HSE, 34 of the 72 deaths in construction in 2007/8 (the latest year for which figures are available) were caused by falls from height, as are around 4,000 injuries annually. The AIF therefore has a special interest in any review of health and safety legislation. At the meeting in July, some time was spent discussing the Work at Height 2005 and the Construction Design & Management 2007 regulations, but the AIF spelt out

that there is currently insufficient industry reporting from these two items of legislation to factually determine their effectiveness. The biggest challenge since the introduction of these two pieces of legislation, the AIF says, has been ensuring that dutyholders are informed correctly to ensure accurate compliance. According to a statement issued by the AIF, the professor was keen to see factual evidence to supplement his review and the AIF supplied a detailed submission on the activity not only of itself, but also of its respective members, with regard to the continuing efforts being made to reduce accidents and incidents when working at height. Speaking after the meeting Neil Tomlinson commented: “It was reassuring to know that this review will be based on factual information. The Professor was receptive and supportive to our views in a number of areas that were discussed, and was notably impressed by the level of activity undertaken by the AIF and its members”.

Professor Ragnar E Löfstedt

Following the meeting a formal statement from the AIF was sent to the professor. Professor Löfstedt was appointed in March by Employment Minister Chris Grayling to review the approximately 200 statutory instruments and associated ACoPs that inform and govern health and safety in the workplace. The review is being carried out in consultation with ‘professional health and safety bodies’, including the AIF, whose membership consists of the nine leading trade bodies specialising in the work at height sector. q

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14 constructionnational summer 2011

New scaffolding erection guidance issued by NASC

his year saw the publication of a major revision to the guidance issued for the erection of scaffolding, SG4. Such is the fundamental nature of the changes that the HSE head of construction Philip White stated in the foreword: “This revision represents a step change in the way scaffold contractors should erect their scaffold structures. The guidance is straightforward and comprehensive and represents best practice within the industry.” In its own introduction to its explanation of the new guidance, the NASC states: “Since its introduction in the mid-nineties, Safety Guidance Number 4 (SG4) from the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has become the established minimum standard for fall prevention in the scaffolding industry. SG4 rose to prominence following the major revision in 2000 (SG4:00) as it represented a significant change and challenge to the established methods of working that had been practiced for decades.” In 2000 a new methodology was introduced that was known as the ‘tunnelling principle’, where the scaffolder’s priority on any working platform was to create progressively a safe working platform, with guardrail protection and correctly supported working platforms, analogous to a miner shoring up a tunnel as it is excavated. It was also the first occasion where scaffolders were expected to wear safety harnesses at all times, as standard. The priority then was to provide a ‘safe zone’ utilising collective measures before resorting to personal protection. However, it was still recognised that there was an inherent risk of a fall in scaffolding operations that could not be completely avoided. Scaffolders would therefore need to be clipped on whenever exposed to a risk of a

fall and not traversing themselves and materials. The tunnelling principle made an allowance for scaffolders to traverse unprotected along a boarded lift for the maximum length of materials they were guardrailing. In 2005 SG4 was again revised and updated to reflect the requirements of the new Work at Height Regulations (WAHR), introduced that year. Innovations included new collective protection methods that could remove the unprotected traversing element of the tunnelling principle, and new anchor devices that enabled scaffolders to attach their harnesses to higher points above the working platform, thereby reducing fall distances. The new SG4:10 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding, will see more emphasis on the creation of a ‘safe zone’ by scaffolders, covering a variety of safe methods. The revision will also see the removal of the practice of the ‘unprotected traversing element’ from the tunnelling principle. Philip White has stated: “The HSE will no longer accept the unprotected traversing element of the tunnelling principle that featured in previous versions of the guide [SG4:10].” A video explaining the new guidance is available from the NASC website. It was filmed at the Safety and Health Expo at Birmingham in April (pictured is the NASC stand) and posted on You Tube. q

New videos help working at height training

he Access Industry Forum (AIF) has recently launched a series of short videos to aid training in the use of access equipment. This series of ‘video toolbox talks’ are available to download from the AIF website at www.accessindustryforum.org.uk and have also been posted on You Tube. The subjects of the videos are: • Mobile Access Towers: frequently asked questions. • Scaffolding: SG4:10, preventing falls in scaffolding. • Ladders: frequently asked questions. • MEWPS: choosing the right MEWP for the job.

• Scaffolding: pavement licence criteria. • Scaffolding: TG20:08, Technical Guidance on the use of • BS EN 12811-1. • MEWPS: Best Practice guide for people working in restricted • overhead spaces. • MEWPS: the dangers of not using spreader pads with • outriggers. Following showing of the videos, there is an online test to demonstrate understanding of the content, the results of which can be downloaded and printed. Nick Johnson of the HSE slips, trips and falls from height team said: “The AIF toolbox talks are an innovative way of getting key messages and guidance about how to work at height safely out to a wider audience.” The new VTT’s stand alongside the AIF’s Knowledge Base – a series of longer videos that can also be downloaded from the website. Such is the pace of change in the industry, however, that the video on SG4:10, preventing falls in scaffolding, has already been superseded by new guidance from the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC). q • The Access Industry Forum comprises the nine leading trade associations in the working at height industry: ATLAS, EPF, FASET, IPAF, Ladder Association, NASC, PASMA, SAEMA and WAHSA.

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16 constructionnational summer 2011

Plant industry card scheme retains its individuality while fitting the CSCS pattern

Picture courtesy of JCB

nlike other trades in the construction industry, the plant sector operates its own card scheme alongside the CSCS. The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) is a competence-based card scheme that meets the guidelines outlined in Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations (2007) ACoP. To qualify for the card an operator must pass both a theory and practical test and the ConstructionSkills health and safety test, plus achieve Level 2 S/NVQ in plant operation or its equivalent within two years. To keep the card – a blue skilled operator card – the operator must re-take the health and safety test every five years. The CPCS was founded in 2003 and is operated by the plant sector itself, including the Construction Plant-hire Association. It was based on the former Certificate of Training Achievement and also incorporated the Lantra Awards and the Construction Plant Operators Registration Scheme. According to the CPA: “The original CTA scheme itself was adopted by industry as the standard-bearer. Its purpose was to provide safe operating skills and site safety knowledge through training and was a leading player in adopting the health and safety test.” The creation of the CPCS meant that the plant industry could fit in with the template of the CSCS but with its own special requirements and competencies. The driving force was the requirement to improve safety, led by initiatives such as Rethinking Construction and Revitalising Health and Safety. There was also the drive to unify qualifications so that they could be recognised universally, a movement exemplified by NVQ. The CPA again: “This was bolstered with the formation of organisations such as the Confederation of Construction Clients and the Major Contractors Group, who set minimum safety standards and fostered the implementation of a single card scheme for the industry under the umbrella of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).”

After three years of work the industry members of the CTA scheme management committee unveiled the CPCS. It was the result of extensive consultation with trade organisations, employers, operators and other stakeholders. The transition was completed by the dissolution of the CTA. In common with other such schemes, however, the CPCS is not set in stone, but moves with times. After five years a second consultation was embarked upon. The process took 8 months and involved an online questionnaire and email facility, a mail-out to over 10,000 employers, consultation with industry associations and face-to-face interaction at SED and 24 roadshows. The result was an updated scheme which will itself no doubt be adapted over time as circumstances change. The core of the scheme remained the same however, including the health and safety test and S/NVQ elements, the red and blue card structure and the use of a log book to record competence. A new technical test was introduced. The essence of the scheme remains the same. It is of and for the plant industry. The CPA stresses that point: “It is vitally important that people in the industry understand that representatives of the industry run the scheme and continue to support and promote it, which can only be of benefit to the industry itself and its customers. “A management committee [is] made up of representatives from all types and sizes of plant operator employers, associations and federations, as well as trade unions and the Health and Safety Executive. It does not stop there. The CPCS management committee also consults with the people who work in the industry to find out what they want from the scheme.” q • To find out more, and to learn about the Construction Plant-hire Association, visit www.cpa.uk.net. To apply for a card or find out about courses and training, visit www.cskills.org/education/cpcs.

constructionnational summer 2011 17

CSCS is changing: your views are needed

SCS is undertaking a consultation exercise across the construction industry to gather evidence to support development of a revised card standards strategy and structure, in order to drive forward competence of UK site-based construction workers in line with industry requirements. It is intended that the new structure will provide a clearer series of levels focused on achievement and in particular recognise ‘labourer’ and ‘semi-skilled’ as occupational levels. It is also intended to provide greater assistance for sites to manage and police the ‘Right Card for the Job’ concept.

The CSCS ‘green card’: a new category for construction labourer may be introduced A new strategy will also allow a widening of what could be recognised and accepted to obtain certain levels of card beyond S/NVQ or qualifications credit framework (QCF) equivalent, to reflect industry requirements within set guidelines. The consultation form is accessible from the CSCS website, at www.cscs.uk.com. One of the issues addressed by the consultation is that of the ‘green card’. The green card is available to operatives who carry out basic site skills only – labourers, for instance. The ‘green card’ is currently seeing a big increase in applications. One way to address that would be a separate accreditation for labourers. Contributions to the consultation process should be submitted online by Friday 9 September. In the meantime, CSCS is also responding to the Löfstedt review being undertaken by Government. It has been asked to provide data about general awareness levels among those who visit the CSCS website and/or receive its eNewsletter, regarding some of the regulations in place. Again, respondents should complete a short online survey, which is completely anonymous and no responses can be referenced back to the respondent. q

For the latest up to date training news visit

www.constructionnational.co.uk 18 constructionnational summer 2011

SmartCard in running for prestigious awards T he CSCS SmartCard has been shortlisted for two categories in the prestigious Sesames Awards, which will be presented at the card industry’s annual conference and exhibition, CARTES, in Paris in November. The CSCS SmartCard is a contender in the Software and ID Cards categories of the Sesames. The SESAMES have been described as “an unchallenged seal of approval in innovation” and are recognised as setting the standard for global card based applications. They represent a real promotional springboard and give the winners a reputation and credibility guaranteeing their project’s success. The CSCS SmartCard is a high capacity card that is gradually replacing traditional CSCS cards. It stores the data carried on a traditional card on a chip, in a similar way to information stored on a credit card. It can also be used for a multitude of purposes beyond just storing CSCS data, which potentially allows contractors and clients to access relevant data such as training records, time and attendance reports, occupational health reviews and other information electronically. In February the £250m project to revamp Tottenham Court Underground Station became the first all-SmartCard site in the country. Joint venture contractors VINCI and Bam Nuttall now require the 150 workers currently on the site – which will rise to 350 by April – to hold the new cards, which can be quickly checked using

Tottenham Court Road Underground Station: the first all-SmartCard site (pic by ARC Gritt)

a handheld card reader or via the user’s own computerised system. They can also interact with the company’s HR, finance, training and occupational health systems. IOSH’s Safety and Health Practitioner magazine quoted CSCS as saying the cards are “virtually impossible to forge”. q

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Apprentice Jay makes the most of new whg scheme

Walsall teenager has taken a step on to the construction career ladder with help from leading Midlands housing provider whg, who have announced an exclusive wage subsidy scheme as part of a campaign to support local construction firms and the next generation of tradesmen and women. It will pay half an eligible apprentice’s wage for six months and 17year-old Jay Gunn is the first to benefit. Employers are invited to get in touch to take advantage of this limited offer, funded by Visionary Investment Enhancing Walsall (VIEW). Jay has been learning a trade at whg’s Skills Centre for nine months and has now been taken on as an apprentice plasterer by Walsall company J M Renderwall. He said: “I’m really pleased to have got this apprenticeship – it is a great opportunity for me and I’m learning so much every day.” Audrey Clarkson, Work Based Learning Mentor at the Skills Centre, said: “Jay is the first apprentice to be taken on under this scheme but we are currently in the process of signing up additional apprentices with several different companies. “In the current financial climate, a lot of companies are reluctant to take on new employees because they are not sure where their next job is coming from. “This scheme will help young people into employment while encouraging employers to realise the importance of apprenticeships and how they can benefit their business.” His new employer, Jason Wall, said: “Jay is keen to learn and doing well. The scheme is a good idea because it helps employers and enables

Plastering apprentice Jay Gunn apprentices like Jay to get valuable day-to-day experience of the job.” Jay has already achieved a City & Guilds qualification in basic construction and will continue to study part-time at the Skills Centre for an NVQ Level 2 in plastering. The wage subsidy initiative covers apprenticeships in plumbing, electrical skills, bricklaying, plastering and carpentry. q • For further information call the Skills Centre on 0845 155 0310.

Training and assessment dedicated to our historic built environment

he core business of Yorkshire based Heritage Craft Alliance is training and assessment for the country’s heritage skills workforce. From their training centre in Bedale they can reach

out across the UK to deliver focussed training programmes. These can be to enhance the general knowledge of the adult heritage workforce or deliver short bespoke interventions, where this is needed to underpin the achievement of the heritage skills qualifications. The company also work with schools and colleges, delivering hands on craft training and knowledge based interventions. They can prepare and deliver craft training and CPD in a wide range of skill areas such as stone, brick, wood, glass and others including accredited vocational qualifications. Through assessment for heritage skills level 3 diplomas and conservation qualifications, Heritage Craft Alliance are able to prepare craftsmen and managers to apply for the CSCS heritage card. q • To discuss your training or assessment needs, or to ask about their short course programme, call us on 01677 422289 or e-mail heritagecraftalliance@gmail.com. Alternatively visit www. heritagecraftalliance.co.uk

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Work begins on Wiltshire’s first MBT plant

he two-year construction project by Hills Waste Solutions to build Wiltshire’s first state-of-the-art waste treatment plant has formally begun. The £20 million Northacre resource recovery facility is a significant investment by Hills which will help underpin its expansion into new markets. It is also a key element in Wiltshire Council’s strategy to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. Once complete 60,000 tonnes of household waste can be processed using mechanical biological treatment (MBT) in the facility located on the Northacre trading estate in Westbury under a 25 year contract agreed between Hills and Wiltshire Council. The facility will increase the proportion of Wiltshire’s municipal waste diverted away from landfill to more than 80 per cent, from a current performance of about 63 per cent and a total of less than 20 per cent a few years ago.

INTERIOR FURNISHING & SUPPLLIES

SURVEYS

On site are (l to r) Cllr Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Waste, Property and Development Control Services, Mike Hill, chief executive of the Hills Group Ltd and Simon Ohlenschlager, director infrastructure at Interserve Construction

TRAINING & ASSESSMENT

Alan Pardoe, Hills Group chairman, said: “I’m delighted that construction is ready to start on the Hills’ Northacre facility. This is a significant milestone in both the company’s development and the way Wiltshire handles its household waste. “In the coming months we’ll see innovative technology installed on the site by our contractors which will open up new markets for our company.” Toby Sturgis, cabinet member for Waste, Property and Development Control Services, said: “This is one part of a package of measures Wiltshire Council is rolling out that will hugely reduce what we send to landfill. “These measures, of which the construction of the Northacre facility is a major part, not only make environmental sense but financial sense for residents.” The Hills’ Northacre facility will receive 60,000 tonnes of municipal waste from households in the county and, in doing so, help the county’s taxpayers avoid landfill tax, which will cost £80 per tonne by 2014. It is estimated that the Hills’ Northacre facility will save significant council lorry miles per year as waste from the west of Wiltshire will no longer need to be transported to Hills’ landfill site at Lower Compton. By reducing the miles that these refuse collection vehicles travel, the facility has the potential to make a reduction in Wiltshire’s carbon footprint. Initially the refuse derived fuel (RDF) produced will be transported by road to port and then shipped to Europe for use in renewable energy plants, but it is anticipated that the production of RDF will encourage the creation of a more local market. MBT specialist, Entsorga Italia, is providing technology for the plant and Interserve plc has been awarded the design and build construction contract. q

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Concrete welcome for Govt’s IGT response

he concrete sector has welcomed the Government’s acceptance of many of the recommendations of the Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) Low Carbon Construction Report as evidence of support for its own sustainable construction strategy. Launching the Government’s response to the report, Business Minister Mark Prisk outlined how Government and the construction industry will work together to decarbonise the built environment by 2050 and called for a new level of co-operation. He focused on the need for clear leadership and transparency and announced the establishment of a new Green Construction Board that will direct the necessary regulatory and financial frameworks, to support industry action in enabling the Government to achieve its ambitious carbon reduction objectives.

Responding for The Concrete Centre, a constituent member of the Mineral Products Association, its executive director Andrew Minson said: “The concrete sector is already demonstrating that it is fully able to meet the challenge of climate change and has the capacity to turn that challenge into an opportunity. We have developed and implemented a far-reaching, pan-industry sustainability strategy that leads other material sectors and already includes and compliments many of the recommendations of the IGT report.” In particular he welcomed the report’s recognition that sustainability is more than just carbon, that operational carbon must be considered alongside embodied and that industry, together with government, must rise to the challenge of the low carbon agenda. q

Cost models show concrete is cheaper

he British Ready-mixed Concrete Association (BRMCA) has published three cost-model studies – on commercial, hospital and school buildings – examining ready-mixed concrete design options versus steel and precast. The studies highlight the cost advantages of ready-mixed concrete, the programme advantages of ready-mixed concrete and the benefits of ready-mixed concrete in terms of cost in use, acoustics, fire, energy efficiency and sustainability. The studies show that, in terms of overall construction costs, in situ reinforced concrete is 5.1% cheaper than the equivalent steel option for commercial buildings and post-tensioned in situ concrete is 7.2% cheaper for hospital buildings and 6.8% cheaper for schools. q • The full studies are available to download from the BRMCA website, at www.brmca.org.uk/news.

Award-winning concrete from South West’s leading supplier

ased at Carne Cross, near Par, Cornwall – just over one mile from the Eden Project – Fahey’s Concrete Ltd is a truly independent ready mixed concrete company with depots at nearby Camelford, Cornwall and Okehampton, Devon. The company have been producing ready mixed concrete for over 40 years and have been members of the Quality Scheme for Ready Mixed Concrete (QSRMC) since July 1993. Fahey’s Concrete believe in being as self sufficient as possible and has its own fabrication, workshop and vehicle maintenance facilities, giving the company the ability to build, repair and maintain their production plants and the large fleet of vehicles required to operate efficiently and economically. Their varied fleet is used to collect the products required for production as well as delivery of the finished ready mixed concrete to site. Being so close to the Eden project, meant that the vast majority of the concrete on the site was supplied by Fahey’s with the concrete used for the construction of the Biomes being recognised by an award from the Concrete Society. In August last year, Fahey’s Concrete achieved accreditation for its Environmental Management System to BS EN ISO 14001:2004 the Environmental Management Standard. q

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Mountain bike starting hut moves up a gear with British larch

SW Timber’s British larch has been used to create a striking starting hut for the famous mountain bike trail at the Nevis Range on Aonach Mòr, one of Britain’s highest mountains, which rises to 4,006 ft at its peak. Designed by the Forestry Commission’s Civil Engineering team, the start hut showcases locally sourced larch and is a focal point for all competitive mountain biking at Fort William, including the recent world championships. Designed in the shape of an eye, out of which the riders launch themselves onto the downhill course, the start hut was created using vertically laminated timber. This innovative technique has been developed by the Forestry Commission in a number of their award winning designs. It allows the eye-shape to be created using straight pieces of larch, no longer than a metre, which are then staggered and screwed to each other to create the upper and lower curves. Eve Johnson, marketing manager, BSW Timber, said: “This project perfectly illustrates the versatility of larch timber. The stunning design of the start hut shows how the product can be used in innovative ways and, what’s more, the materials are locally sourced. “British larch is an ideal option for a wide array of purposes. From residential property, to restaurant frontage and sporting facilities, larch creates a durable and attractive finish. “As a fully sustainable and durable timber, which is FSC certified, our larch products come with the assurance that they will be long lasting and maintain their striking look in years to come. The Nevis Range start hut supports the natural environment, utilises local materials and will be enjoyed for many years to come.” Graeme White, Senior Project Engineer, Forestry Commission, added: "We like to specify larch for our projects due to its natural durability and quality of its appearance. We recently won an award for the Best Use of Home-grown timber at the Wood Awards for a bridge built from larch. Larch’s versatility is clear to see in the mountain bike start hut on the Nevis Range and we’re delighted with the result.” q

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Asbestos in Buildings R

ecently the Health and Safety Executive launched their ‘Hidden Killer’ campaign to highlight the danger of exposure to asbestos fibre, particularly to maintenance and other tradesmen when working in buildings. This high profile campaign graphically indicated that around 20 tradesmen per week die as a result of exposure to asbestos and that tradesmen are still being exposed to these risks, even today, mainly due to the fact that they are unaware of the presence of asbestos in their workplace.

At around 4,000 deaths per year, asbestos is still the country’s biggest industrial killer. Any building constructed or refurbished between 1890 and 1999 could contain asbestos in one or more of its many forms and uses. From the 1930’s asbestos was hailed as the ‘wonder building material’ and in terms of its use, reached its height in the UK in the mid 1970’s. Asbestos was used for many applications including fire protection, thermal insulation, anti-condensation and acoustic coatings, wall boarding, boxing, panelling and roofing to name but a few. In churches it has been used as pipe and boiler insulation, boxing and casings to organ blowers, permanent shuttering over pipe trenches, behind radiators, under radiator shelves, in rain water goods and as sprayed coatings to the underside of roofs. The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006 places an explicit duty on those responsible for buildings (The Dutyholder) to manage the risk from asbestos in their property, not only for their own employees and visitors but anyone who may come into contact with it including, of course, any tradesmen who may be working in it. A major requirement of CAR 2006, and subsequently any asbestos management plan, is to inform anyone who may come into contact with it, of the presence of asbestos containing materials within the property and to give those people adequate training in how to recognise asbestos containing materials and manage the risk of exposure. The starting point of any management plan is to find out if the building contains asbestos materials by an asbestos survey. A survey will provide an asbestos register, record its location, extent and type and assess the risk of exposure on the long term health of anyone who may come into contact with it. This will generally mean that, as a minimum, a ‘management’ asbestos survey will be required in order to comply with the regulations and if any work is planned within the premises a more in-depth ‘refurbishment/ demolition’ survey may be necessary. To avoid confusion, these survey types are fully detailed in HSE Guidance HSG 264 which describes the scope and content of the survey types, how they should be undertaken

and the competency requirements of UKAS Accreditation for those undertaking them. Training is the next important criteria, as unless the survey information is imparted to those likely to be exposed it has very little value. Similarly, tradesmen need to be aware of any asbestos materials they may encounter to prevent unintentional disturbance leading to exposure, not only to themselves but to anyone else in the vicinity. Companies you choose to undertake asbestos surveys should be accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) to ISO/IEC 17020 to undertake inspections and to ISO/IEC 17025 to undertake bulk sample identification and testing. This accreditation ensures that you will get the best possible survey in accordance with HSG 264. Training requirements are also regulated and described in Regulation 12 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. Asbestos training organisations are accredited by UKATA the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association. q • For more information on asbestos management, surveys or training contact Tersus Consultancy Limited on 0121 244 1828, via their website www.tersusgroup.co.uk or by e-mail to info@tersusgroup.co.uk

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National Sanitation Qualification maintains high standards

ortable Sanitation Europe Ltd, or PSE as it is generally referred to, is the UK’s foremost and most respected trade association acting on behalf of members who are all in the business of providing welfare and sanitation facilities, primarily to the construction industry and the general public, at outdoor events and festivals. It has long been advocated from within the ranks of the association that they could benefit from a dedicated training schedule allied to the portable toilet business, as well as integrating with the construction industry, in order to maintain the high level of standards relating to all aspects of Health and Safety that have been set within this industry. To this end PSE approached the training facilitator Human Focus for assistance in setting up an ‘on line’ training program which would give the necessary basic instruction and training to the service operators who, when all said and done, are the back bone of this industry, and without whom there wouldn’t be the number of service companies currently in existence in the UK. A set of five training modules was presented to PSE, the sixth module being their own in-house training DVD, which was made on location some years ago and was fully acceptable to Human Focus as a most valid training asset, so much so that the complete six modules now make up the National Sanitation Qualification scheme which has been accepted by the National Core Competence Benchmark (NCCB), with which most of the UK’s training and qualification standards are now associated. A number of the larger contracting companies already have in place a means by which any operator on site can be instantly verified by an electronic scanning system which shows his personal details and the training programs that he or she has undertaken, which should legitimately give them the right of access to the site. This is carried out by means of a credit card style ID card on which there is a chip and pin carrying all the relevant information relating to the owner’s training qualification and from the relevant issuing authority. In the case of PSE this is Human Focus who are also fully accredited by RoSPA. The five basic modules encompass Basic First Aid at Work; Health and Safety in Construction; PPE Safety in Industry; Manual Handling in Construction; Slips, Trips and Falls in Industry. The sixth module, only applicable to PSE membership – Servicing of Portable Sanitation Units – is, of course, the primary training module for any service operator within this industry. If it is later deemed necessary that further training is required for access to any construction site, then other modules are available. The ‘on line’ training, which can be undertaken by the service operator or the management staff, is fully available 24 hours a day through a secure web site link to the training facilitator, with each operator having their own unique ID and log in details. So, if they have a spare moment at the end of the day, they can undertake any of the six modules, the longest of which is around 20 minutes and, on successful completion, (80% marks and over) they can print off their own Certificate as proof of having undertaken and passed that particular module. On successful completion of all six modules, Human Focus issue the trainee with the NSQ Certificate as well as the Credit Card style ID card, which in turn gives the service operator the necessary identification to gain access to the sites that already employ the chip and pin verification system. In time more and more construction sites will employ the same system both for security and safety reasons. The UK Contractors Group, who represent the majority of the major construction companies in the UK, have welcomed the PSE’s endeavors to offer this training facility to their membership and to maintain the high standards that are expected of all staff who undertake any form of work on construction sites.

The PSE will continue to work closely with Human Focus to further develop other training modules that are pertinent to the portable toilet and welfare industry. In time, the NSQ scheme will become an industry recognised standard that all who operate and service welfare facilities on construction sites will have to adhere to. The NSQ scheme is in its infancy at present but will become more prominent as more companies take up the opportunity to gain this recognised qualification available free to all members of Portable Sanitation Europe Ltd. q

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Acceleris and HQN search out hot topics in social housing ENER-G Switch 2 shows it’s switched on to the burning issues

ominic Mathias, from Yorkshire-based energy management services provider ENER-G Switch 2, has been named the winner of a competition to find out industry opinions on the big issues affecting the housing sector. The prize of an iPod Nano was presented to Dominic by Acceleris and HQN earlier this month. During the recent Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Harrogate, the UK’s leading PR agency for the social housing sector, Acceleris, and housing training and consultancy company HQN filmed delegates’ responses to the burning questions in the housing sector. This included asking what the biggest opportunity in housing is and getting delegate views on what they would do first if they were housing minister. The videos were uploaded to YouTube and professionals within the sector were invited to vote for their favourite. Dominic’s comments highlighted the importance of continuing the industry’s commitment to investment in solar photovoltaic energy sources. He describes how there are a lot of government incentives for installing this equipment, which can help reduce residents’ electricity bills, give opportunities to make money back on initial investments and are good for the environment. Acceleris Marketing Communications Managing Director Peter Davenport said: “It is very important for those in power to listen to the opinions and ideas of the people working on the ground within any sector. The social housing sector employs a great number of people who work

hand in hand with residents and know what issues are important to them. By asking delegates their opinions on issues within the sector and encouraging those in power to take note of them, Acceleris, along with our colleagues at HQN, hopes to highlight the issues which are proving Dominic Mathias being presented important to those who may with his iPod Nano otherwise go unheard.” Lydia Dlaboha, Deputy Chief Executive of HQN, said: “We’re really pleased with the interest that this campaign has generated. It’s helped to demonstrate the sector’s commitment to protecting the environment and investing in alternative power sources. It’s also been a really fun way of getting to meet delegates and engaging with people using social media.” q • The videos, which have attracted almost 1,500 views since the conference began, are still available to view at http://www.youtube.com/ user/HQNAMC?feature=mhee.

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NHBC awards showcase best practice in site health and safety

n what is becoming one of the most keenly-awaited events in the housebuilding diary, four site managers were honoured in May at the second annual NHBC Health and Safety Awards. The event, at Birmingham’s ICC, was hosted by Dan Lobb of ITV’s Daybreak programme. The awards were presented in four categories – mirroring the categories in the NHBC’s Pride in the Job competition: Small Builder, Medium Builder, Large Builder and Multistorey. The awards ceremony was the culmination of a four-month judging process which identified site managers who have demonstrated exceptional health and safety best practice in the housebuilding industry. Their sites scored the highest marks across a variety of criteria including staff welfare, traffic management, emergency procedures, security and public safety. They are held out as examples of best practice that can be replicated across the industry. The award winners were: • Small Builder: Frank Claridge of Vanderbilt Homes, for Stonemason House in Oxford. • Medium Builder: Greg Freeman of Frank Haslam Milan West Midlands, for Pannel Croft in • Birmingham. • Large Builder: Danny Conetta of Linden Homes Chiltern Ltd, for Orchard Grove in Ruislip. • Multistorey: Marcus Blake of St George (South) London Ltd, for The Tower at One St George • Wharf. The NHBC’s group health and safety policy manager Simon Mantle said: “With a challenging economic climate continuing and many site managers feeling pressured to finish projects to tighter timeframes and budgets, the NHBC Health and Safety Awards assess the importance housebuilders place on the protection of their operatives and the general public, and the effectiveness of their measures for keeping people safe. “Entries for this year's awards increased by 52% from our inaugural year and the high level of health and safety practice displayed has been very encouraging. Our winning entries clearly show that health and safety is now well established as a fundamental area of serious consideration during the UK homebuilding process.” In addition to the overall winners, two other regional winners were announced in each category. They were: Small Builder: Nick Bateman of Devonshire Homes Ltd, for Moorhayes Park in Tiverton (South) and Mike Loughran of Mactaggart and Mickel Homes, for Hillpark Brae in Edinburgh (North). Medium Builder: Aaron Symonds of Fairview New Homes Ltd, for Thames Waterside at Greenhithe (South) and Garry Izatt of Stewart Milne Central Scotland, for Wallace Gardens in Stirling (North). Large Builder: Tony Bird of Barratt Bristol, for Kings Green in Gloucester (Central) and John Mather of Lovell Partnerships Ltd North West, for The Way in Manchester (North). Multistorey: Shaune Hicks of Crest Nicholson South West, for Dockside Block ‘K’ in Portishead, Bristol (Central) and Gary Williams of Frank Haslam Milan, for Great Union Street Hostel in Hull (North). A further 30 site managers were ‘highly commended’ from a total list of 66 ‘commended’. Assessment was carried out by an independent panel of experts, which included Philip White, chief inspector of construction at HSE, Michelle Aldous, chief executive of Constructing Better Health, and Kevin Fear, head of health, safety and environment at ConstructionSkills. In their citation the judges said: “The four national winners all showed great leadership, creativity and innovation in addressing the particular challenges of their sites. They all demonstrated that they had exceeded usual best practice. To win the ultimate award is a huge achievement and we congratulate them all.” Company Recognition Awards were also presented at the ceremony to organisations or groups of organisations which have actively promoted, encouraged and supported health and safety best practice. Special awards were given for ‘Best Occupational Health Initiative’, ‘Best Health and Safety Worker Engagement Programme’ and ‘Exemplary Health and Safety Leadership’. Nominations for next year’s NHBC Health and Safety Awards will open in the autumn. q

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WINNERS GALLERY

Frank Claridge – Small Builder

Greg Freeman – Medium Builder

Danny Conetta – Large Builder

Marcus Blake – Multistorey

The leaders in the health and safety field

he NHBC’s system of categorising sites meant the winners’ sites represented the full spectrum of residential developments and developers, building for the private market, social housing and educational residences. The Small Builder category was won by Frank Claridge of Vanderbilt Homes – a local developer based in Oxfordshire. Frank’s site is Stonemason House, a development of 44 student rooms on Magdelen Road in Oxford. The site is on an established road, in the midst of existing properties. The panel of judges commented: “This site manager had to cope with limited storage on the site and introduced a ‘just in time’ method of ordering materials. He also, upon each inspection, has demonstrated ‘the tightest site possible’! “All trades are enthusiastic and engaged and want to be seen as delivering the best. In return, this site manager has made good use of internal space to provide excellent welfare facilities for the trades.” In the Medium Builder category the prize was scooped by Greg Freeman of Frank Haslam Milan West Midlands. Greg’s site is Pannel Croft, a retirement village in the Newtown area of Birmingham. The judges said: “The winner in the central region has prohibited the use of stepladders on site – only podiums, working platforms and hop-ups are allowed. On visits an excellent site set up and compound was observed, with operatives genuinely talking to each other and to the site management team to find solutions.” The winner in the Large Developer category – where, arguably, the competition is fiercest because of the large number of developments involved – was Danny Conetta, who works for Linden Homes Chiltern Ltd. Danny’s site is the Orchard Grove development in Ruislip. Orchard Grove is a charming collection of one and twobedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom houses in a desirable residential area on Bury Street in Ruislip, Surrey, just minutes from the pretty High Street. A dozen house types and two apartment buildings are on offer, with prices starting at £190,000. The site is being developed in association with Ashill Developments Ltd, which specialises in bringing brownfield sites into development. The 36 houses and 30 apartments are timber framed, which fact raises its own particular issues. The judges said of Danny: “This winning site manager has put considerable effort in to developing a fire plan on this timber-frame site, which is independently monitored by a third-party organisation. “A site-wide gloves policy is in force and all subcontractors’ foremen have attended the ConstructionSkills five-day site manager safety training scheme. There is a great deal of respect felt from the workers and pride in what they are doing. The biggest winning site was the Multistorey category winner of Marcus Blake. Marcus’s site is The Tower at One, St George Wharf, a

52 storey building being developed by St George (South) London Ltd on the banks of the Thames by Vauxhall Bridge. Everything on the site is to a different scale, as is the health and safety policy, and the judges’ comments reflect that fact. “Here we see a site that has a weekly visit from the occupational nurse! Every Friday, management hold their own educational toolbox talks and safety briefings, where the previous week’s activity is reviewed and the team look ahead to the coming week. “This site manager also insisted on early involvement from the fire brigade and the HSE with regards to fire Danny Conetta is pictured receiving his award safety and tall from ITV’s Dan Lobb. Looking on is NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi building safety”. q

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Davies Developments adopts Insulslab SFRC as preferred foundation technique

aving realised significant time and cost savings by using Insulslab SFRC at its new Parc Aberaman housing development in Aberdare, South Wales, Davies Developments will now be adopting the super insulated and fully integrated foundation system for all future projects where ground conditions allow. While phase one of the development utilised standard strip foundations, the more challenging ground conditions of phase two demanded a raft foundation. Aware of the proven performance benefits and efficiency gains Insulslab SFRC could deliver, Davies Developments looked to use this innovative raft-based system in place of a traditional raft technique. In consultation with the technical support team at Insulslab SFRC, Davies Developments undertook a careful cost comparison exercise, which confirmed the revolutionary system would facilitate overall cost savings on foundation construction. Once on-site, this also translated into tangible time savings, with concrete slabs for the three, four and five bedroom homes being cast and delivered up to ground floor level in half the time of standard methods. Matthews Davies, Director, Davies Developments, explains: “We were extremely impressed by the responsiveness and accuracy of the technical team at Insulslab SFRC. Their structural engineers were exact in their calculations, which meant the cost savings we were promised on paper were realised once the foundations were constructed on-site. “These savings were further increased by the time saved – Insulslab SFRC took only one week to construct a slab compared with the two weeks it would take to build a traditional raft. As well as helping us to complete the build ahead of schedule, Insulslab SFRC ultimately

halved the labour cost on the foundations. We will definitely be considering Insuslab SFRC in future wherever site conditions permit.” Constructed of interlocking expanded polystyrene (EPS) pods with steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) poured on top to deliver the foundation up to ground floor level, Insulslab SFRC offers a highly efficient system that integrates superior levels of thermal insulation into its design. Achieving very low Uvalues (typically 0.10 – 0.13W/m2K depending on P/A ratio), Insulslab SFRC makes it easier to achieve Part L compliance and facilitates greater flexibility in the overall building envelope. As the system requires minimal ground excavation and preparation, time and cost savings are realised even before Insulslab SFRC is constructed. Moreover, the lightweight pods minimise manual handling and the reduction

in traditional steel reinforcement contributes to health and safety on-site. Based on the successful implementation of Insulslab SFRC at Parc Aberaman, where the system will also be used on phases three and four, Davies Developments will now specify its use on all future developments where a raft foundation is necessary or ground conditions allow. Suitable for use as a cap on piles, Insulslab SFRC also offers a cost effective alternative to traditional piling techniques. Mark Gray, Technical Manager, Insulslab SFRC, concludes: “Insulslab SFRC is now widely adopted by all types of developer – from self build and regional through to national housebuilders. Whether the specification is cost driven or because more stringent sustainable standards need to be met, Insulslab SFRC continues to provide a cost effective and highly efficient solution.”

FLOORMATE 300-A in Passivhaus milestone

he UK’s first rural affordable housing accredited Passivhaus scheme is complete – and the housing association behind the project has cited below-slab insulation as key to achieving its very high levels of energy efficiency. The scheme in Wimbish, Essex, features Dow Building Solutions’ FLOORMATE 300-A STYROFOAM insulation as a continuous layer beneath the concrete floor slabs to help prevent thermal bridging. According to Hastoe Housing Association, “by creating an envelope of insulation outside the waterproofing envelope, FLOORMATE 300-A has helped to minimise heat loss in the homes, a key feature of – but not exclusive to – Passivhaus. “We were pleased to learn that its compressive strength and moisture resistance make it a durable product, suitable for our rural homes that will be lived in by future generations for many years to come,” the Association continued. FLOORMATE 300-A is available in a range of thicknesses: 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 125mm and 150mm, and has a design load of 130 kN/m2. The material is manufactured using CO2 as a blowing agent giving it a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than five. q

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