7 minute read
Building Magazine Roundtable
MMC CHAMPION VISITS TIMBER FRAME FACILITY STA ROUNDTABLE: PLOTTING THE ROUTE TO NET ZERO CARBON
Delivering quality has always been ‘up front and centre’ for the construction industry. The emphasis on producing buildings that are well built, using appropriate materials and which are fit for purpose, whether they are commercial premises, offices, schools or housing, is at its very core.
But while the industry strives to deliver the highest possible quality product it is also having to work with other demands. It is being called on to carry out its activities in a more environmentally-friendly way, both in terms of the way it works and the materials it uses. The requirement to reduce net carbon emissions to zero within 30 years, for example, is having a huge impact on the sector. There is also the pressure to innovate, since innovation can result in better products, better techniques and, ultimately, better rewards for both the corporate world and society.
It was with these themes in mind that a group of industry figures gathered in London before the COVID-19 restrictions, to discuss the implications for the industry. Hosted by the STA in association with Building Magazine, the roundtable discussed the drive towards net zero, what the industry and individual companies were doing and could do to assist in that effort, and how innovation could deliver the improvements which those within the industry and beyond wanted to see.
Attendees:
Andrew Carpenter - STA, Lynne Sullivan - Good Homes Alliance, Kevin Riley - Stora Enso, Christiane Lellig - formerly of Wood for Good, Geoff Arnold - Pinewood Structures, Mark Stevenson - Kingspan Timber Solutions, Alex Goodfellow - Stewart Milne Group, David Fleming - Walker Timber Group and Francesca Berriman - Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.
MMC CHAMPION VISITS TIMBER FRAME FACILITY
At the end of 2019 Mark Farmer accepted a new role as the independent champion for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). His mission, to modernise housing delivery, has seen him become a major figure in the offsite sector.
Mark Farmer accepted our invitation to come along to Pinewood Structures and take a guided tour of their manufacturing facility. Mark spent time observing the manufacturing process and learning about a new partnering approach. Discussions focused around quality, safety, capacity and sustainability. The structural timber sector has the ability to upscale to help achieve the 300,000 homes per annum requirement and as a natural sustainable resource, decarbonisation of new housing stock can be achieved through the use of offsite manufactured timber systems.
The meeting offered Andrew Carpenter and Mark Stevenson from the STA the opportunity to discuss in more detail, the Association’s industry leading STA Assure Membership and Quality Standards Scheme. Focusing on the levels of in-house quality procedures, management systems and product Left to right: Tom Fairlie, Walker Timber; Mark Farmer, Andrew Carpenter, STA; Mark Stevenson, STA; Geoff Arnold, Pinewood Structures; David Fleming, Walker Timber. performance standards – the independently assessed STA Assure Scheme includes a bespoke Site Safe audit and a Timber Frame Competency Award Scheme, which ensures that quality and safety are an end-to-end process throughout the design, manufacture and installation process.
Andrew Carpenter said: “We would like to thank Mark Farmer for taking the time out to visit Pinewood Structures and his valuable input. Following the Hackitt Review the direction of travel is shifting and construction is moving towards factory-based systems and processes rather than products and components. Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) is going to play a vital role in the future. As it currently stands with traditional approaches only 40% of the build process is carried out in well managed factory environments. The use of a closed panel timber frame system can increase this to circa 55% but a volumetrically pre-assembled approach using a timber framed chassis can achieve 75-80%. So it is clear the Government’s ambition to make the housing sector more productive can be achieved through pre-manufactured building systems.”
Timber industry bodies such as the STA have a major role to play in connecting the offsite sector supply chain to collectively work to demonstrate safety through robust testing and better exploitation of timber technology to reduce carbon emissions to achieve net zero targets by 2050.
PROJECT INSPIRATION - JP I THINK DPS MONTAGE OF MEMBER PROJECTSLET US INSPIRE YOU!
Speed of Construction
The high degree of factory prefabrication enables a rapid build process, which will not be adversely influenced by inclement weather.
Cost and Programme Certainty
Offsite construction for onsite installation makes scheduling and costing more predictable than with traditional building methods.
Quality Assurance
Stringent factory quality control enhances the manufacture of buildings, ensuring a modern, high performance structural envelope for your scheme.
Energy usage
Thermally efficient, highly airtight structures vastly reduce energy consumption across the life of the building.
Design flexibility
With a wide range of innovative products and cladding solutions, timber systems can meet the aspirations of both architects and developers.
Sustainability
All Structural Timber Association members use timber from PEFC or FSC certified sources, ensuring responsible management of the world’s forests.
Scotframe - Rainings Stairs
Cygnum - Goldsmiths Street, Sterling Prize Winner
SIPCO - Hill Road
KLH - William Perkin Academy
Innovare Systems - Three Rivers Academy
Kingspan Timber Systems - Hanham Hall
Frame Technologies - The Hen House
Lend Lease / Stora Enso - King Street, Brisbane
Oakworth Homes - Bramcote Development
Stewart Milne Timber Systems - Greenwood Manor
B&K Structures - Banyan Wharf
CCG - Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village
WHY USE AN STA MEMBER?
Representing over 700 competent members supplying quality structural timber systems
The STA’s mission is to evidence quality and drive product innovation through technical guidance and research, underpinned by our members’ quality standard assessment – the STA Assure Membership and Quality Standards Scheme.
STA Members
• Undergo the independently audited STA Assure Membership and Quality Standards Scheme • Operate to the Site Safe scheme to ensure timber construction is both safe and sustainable • Receive regular updates on the latest building regulations and legislation • Have access to dedicated technical support service, advice notes and technical documents • Fully support sustainable construction, quality standards and adhere to our Code of Conduct
Timber Frame Competency Award Scheme
The STA now manages the STA Timber Frame Competency Award Scheme requirements with CITB, to improve timber frame erectors’ skill levels and acknowledge the competencies of existing timber frame erectors. The training programme can support the achievement of gaining an SVQ or NVQ in Timber Frame Erection, allowing erector/installer companies to access sites that require CSCS cards. The scheme sets industry-wide standards for erectors and installers of structural timber frames. As part of the STA Assure quality initiative, members are required to complete three workbooks and an online test to examine practical and theory-based knowledge, which will take up to one year to complete.
Site Safe Policy
The Offsite Award winning Site Safe Policy applies to all structural timber building system members, including offsite manufacturers, fabricators, contractors and installers who work with principal contractors. Members are audited to ensure they are achieving the functional requirements of the Site Safe Policy. Both the policy and the audit process have been developed over many years to support members and provide professional building system provider services. By following the policy, members can engage with customers and enable the best project outcomes.
As the largest UK trade association within the structural timber sector, there are a host of reasons why construction professionals should choose one of our members, for more information go to: www.structuraltimber.co.uk
