Creative Build Magazine - November Issue

November Issue 89% of builders having to delay jobs

Steel Spiral from Brewdog

Respiratory protection crackdown

Pages 4

Pages 20-21

Pages 44-45

creativebuildmagazine.com

Contents 5

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Fall in construction output highlights impact of material and labour shortages

Mayfair Park Residences, a prestigious development in the heart of London

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Schöck Isokorb meets a number of challenges at Lots Road

Kawneer glazing systems score a hat-trick

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Merinolam – the creative new laminate brand for the UK market

A robust approach to industrial protection system specification

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Gold at former Olympic village

Mecalac MRail-Series

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89% of builders having to delay jobs A shocking 89% of local builders have reported having to delay jobs due to a lack of materials or skilled tradespeople, according to the latest State of Trade Survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Adding to the pressure facing the industry, 97% of builders have reported skyrocketing material prices and expect this to continue into the last quarter of 2021, with 78% passing this increased cost on to the consumer.

Workload in Northern Ireland remained stable in Q3 2021, compared to Q2.

However, there was an indicative sharp decrease in the number of enquiries over the same period with only 47% of builders who responded to the survey saying they had seen an increase in enquiries compared to 93% last quarter, possibly reflecting the start of a return to normal market conditions.

The FMB State of Trade Survey, which is released quarterly, is the only survey of its kind to track the experience of small to medium-sized (SME) construction firms in the UK. It found:

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Delays and cancellations

Price rises

- 82% of builders have delayed jobs due to a lack of materials

- 97% of builders are facing material price rises, with 93% expecting this to continue into Q4

- 60% have pressed pause due to a lack of skilled tradespeople - Combined, 89% of builders have faced delays due to either materials or skills shortages - 8% of builders have been forced to cancel jobs due to a lack of materials - 12% have been cancelled due to a lack of skilled tradespeople Skills shortages - 42% can’t get hold of general labourers, up 6% on last quarter - 37% can’t hire plasterers, a rise of 6% on last quarter - 47% of builders are struggling to hire carpenters/joiners, down 6% on last quarter - 45% are struggling to hire bricklayers, a fall of 2% on last quarter

- 77% of respondents have been forced to raise their prices in the past quarter Gavin McGuire, Northern Ireland Director at the FMB, said: “The survey findings reflect what is a complicated situation for the industry here in NI. From a positive perspective it’s great to see that enquiry levels and workloads remain high.”

McGuire continued: “However the continuing pressures to find skilled tradespeople and crippling price increases have caused many contractors and clients added stress. We need to see a period of stability to help deliver the infrastructure and social value society demands” McGuire concluded: “The Department for the Economy’s skills strategy urgently needs to encourage apprenticeships in construction to develop a pipeline of key tradespeople.”

Fall in construction output highlights impact of material and labour shortages The fall in construction output, most notably in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector, provides a warning about the impact the current materials and skills shortages are having on post-pandemic recovery, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to recent Construction Output figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) .

These effects have been particularly hard felt by the repair, maintenance and improvement sector, the backbone of the industry, where output has fallen 4.7% over the last three months. The Government should use the upcoming

Budget to introduce a national skills strategy, that ringfences the necessary funding for future skills, enables greater numbers of builders to train, and also allows for sufficient HGV drivers to maintain robust supply chains.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “The continued fall in construction output this month, at 0.2%, signals construction’s recovery from the pandemic to be at risk.

Activity within the sector has been hampered by severe material and skills shortages, which are delaying and preventing work.

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Autumn Budget and Spending Review missed opportunity to unleash potential of rail The Government has today published the Autumn Budget and Spending Review, setting out its investment plans for the coming three years.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “Whilst it is positive to see confirmation of what looks like an additional £1.5bn of funding for regional transport projects, including in rail, this Budget appears to be a missed opportunity to unleash the potential of the railways in helping the country to build back better.

“There was no indication in the statement of whether long-term day-to-day funding of the railway network will be maintained at least at current levels in the years ahead. We still don’t know what is in the Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands & the North, we still have uncertainty over major projects, such as HS2 Eastern Leg, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands

Rail Hub, and we still await an update of the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline, now more than two years since it was last published.

“With COP26 just around the corner, too, this would have been a good time to set out the Government’s plans to reach a net zero railway, including a rolling programme of electrification and fleet orders of hydrogen and battery trains. These plans would have not just shown UK leadership in decarbonisation on a global stage, but would also significantly boost green jobs and investment, as the UK moves to a cleaner, post-Covid economy.

“It is clear that UK rail can play a leading role in the UK’s economic recovery, but to do this the railway industry really does need greater sight of, and input into, the Government’s investment plans. Visibility of these plans is vital to supporting effective, reliable and clean world-class railway infrastructure and rolling stock in the coming years, boosting the UK economy and its connectivity not just now, at this critical time, but also for the years ahead as we move on from the pandemic.”

“There could also have been some clarification on areas like digital signalling, with 60% of traditional signalling needing replacing in the next 15 years. Our rail exporters need to know whether Tradeshow Access Programme budgets will be reinstated or replaced, so that they can play their part in helping the country deliver on Global Britain ambitions.

Not the green Budget households needed, says FMB Despite welcome announcements on funding for skills, business rates and housing, it’s disappointing that the retrofit challenge to make our homes greener and more energy efficient has not been grasped by the Government, just four days ahead of the COP26 conference, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to today’s Budget and Spending Review.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “The Chancellor has missed the opportunity to give householders peace of mind about how they can tackle the net zero challenge. With nothing on retrofit for owner occupiers in last week’s Heat and Buildings Strategy, I’m struggling to see how the country will reach its legally binding net zero targets by 2050 if it doesn’t fix the UK’s 29 million leaky homes.”

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Berry continued “I do, however, welcome the investment for skills and training confirmed at £3.8bn over this Parliament. Long-term skills shortages are delaying jobs for builders, with 60% reporting paused jobs in the latest FMB membership survey. I’m also glad to see further investment in housing, and warmly

welcome the grant funding for local authorities to free-up small brownfield sites for housing given that land availability is the major obstacle to SME house builders. Relief for businesses by reducing the burden of the business rates system will be well received by some firms.”

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Fibrelite Provides Bespoke Covering Solution To Multi-Event Stadia Without Disrupting Operations This London stadium approached Fibrelite to replace their damaged trench covers with a retrofit solution.

The London stadium primarily hosts football matches; however it is a multi-event stadium also hosting music concerts, American football (NFL) and athletics. The client needed a lightweight and durable solution to replace the damaged trench covers. A solution that incurred minimal upheaval to the functionality of the site was also required, so cover dimensions needed to be customised to suit the existing trenches.

Problem: Key issues surrounding the previously installed covers and requirements for a replacement: - Previously installed covers were in poor condition causing a potential trip hazard and manual handling issues - The trench must be accessed every time the stadium hosts an event, meaning heavy duty equipment had to be hired to remove the heavy existing covers and trench covers each time resulting in higher costs

Fibrelite’s GRP trench access covers were installed and fully operational within 2 days

- Whilst replacement of the covers was essential, the client also sought a solution that would not disrupt the day to day running of the facility – any replacement covers had to fit directly into the existing trenches Solution: Key features of the Fibrelite’s retrofit installation once it was accepted by the London stadium’s Head of Technical Services: - Fibrelite’s site team attended to install and walkthrough the new ‘fit and forget’ covering arrangement - The composite trench access covers provided can be easily removed by two people using the ergonomically designed and Fibrelite supplied FL7’s

Fibrelite site team attended to install and walkthrough the new ‘fit and forget’ covering arrangement.

- Thanks to the coordination and planning between the client and the Fibrelite technical team – the new covering arrangement was installed and fully operational within 2 days Results: Following this successful installation, Fibrelite hope to gain further replacement cover work on the numerous pits and trenches located around the stadium.

The customer has now achieved an aesthetically pleasing finish as well as getting the technical benefits of Fibrelite’s GRP trench access covers.

For more case studies, click here to visit the Fibrelite website

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Covers can be removed manually using the FL7 lifting handles supplied by Fibrelite

Works start on new £4.3m first school in Uttoxeter Construction works have started on a new first school on the Bramshall Meadows estate on Ivinson Way in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

external facilities and the school represents the first pupil places to be constructed in Uttoxeter in response to growth.

Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson is leading on the construction of the school, which will offer 150 school places for pupils aged four to nine years old, as well as nursery places.

The school, which will be completed in the summer next year in time for the start of the new school academic year starting in September 2022, will comprise a nursery, classrooms, a multi-use hall, catering space, outdoor sports pitch and play areas and car parking.

A ground-breaking ceremony took place on site on 24th September to celebrate the start of works.

The £4.3 million scheme is being delivered through the Staffordshire County Council’s Capital Framework and has been designed and project managed

by Entrust. The Uttoxeter Learning Trust, which will run the school, held a public consultation earlier this year with the local community.

The new, single storey 1 form entry (1FE) first school is being developed as part of a wider plan to expand first school provision in Uttoxeter in response to an increased demand for places generated from new housing in the local area.

The 12,000 sq. metre site will accommodate the first school and its

This is one of two school projects that G F Tomlinson has recently started works on in the county – with a primary school in Lichfield also underway also to be delivered through the Staffordshire County Council Capital Framework.

Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson Building Limited, said: “The new first school will provide muchneeded school places for children in the local area and help to meet the demand generated from the recently complete Bramshall Meadows housing development.

“As one of two schools projects we are currently working on with Staffordshire County Council, we are delighted to be delivering this new, high quality school

building which will inspire pupils to achieve their academic potential and provide a solid building block for their journey through education. The school will also meet the growing needs of the local community and it is great to see work starting. We look forward to seeing steady construction progress on site in the coming months.”

Jonathan Price, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education said: “It is essential that we plan ahead for future demand for school places.

This new school will be latest in our school capital programme, which will ensure there are plenty of school places available for local children. We are also ensuring that this school will be able to cope with future demand, having designed it in such a way that it can be expanded to accommodate more children. It has been great to see work begin on site, and I look forward to seeing how the building progresses in the coming months.”

Sarah Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Uttoxeter Learning Trust, said: “It’s great to see the construction works getting underway for this exciting new first school that we are proud to support and which will benefit the local community.”

The Countdown to LANDSCAPE 2021 is on. The UK’s premier landscaping exhibition is less than a month away - have you registered yet?

Hall 12 on the 3rd & 4th November at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham - Make sure it’s in your diary!

The LANDSCAPE Show provides the first in-person opportunity to reconnect with others in the industry! LANDSCAPE welcomes exhibitors with a vast collection of leading products, services and innovations for the design, build and management of exterior and interior landscape projects.

LANDSCAPE 2021 is the trade event you will not want to miss – and the best part is, it’s all FREE! Come along to LANDSCAPE this November to find products to transform your project.

LANDSCAPE continues to offer the most up-to-date and current seminar programme in the industry. The programme is packed with CPD accredited sessions that aim to both educate and inspire visitors and exhibitors alike by the biggest names in landscaping. Visitors are in for a treat with some of the most interesting and diverse topics to date – ranging from Stone, Colour, Lighting, Arboriculture, Rooftop Gardens and Climate Change.

When LANDSCAPE says there is “something for everyone”, they really do mean it! Both the exhibition and all seminar sessions are free to attend.

Speaker Mark Gregory from Landform Consultants said “the speaker programme is very, very varied. There is something for everybody of all different disciplines. CPD’s the way to go. There’s a lot of networking, a lot of high-end people, a lot of top people here, the networking is part of the show”.

With less than a month to go until LANDSCAPE 2021, have you registered yet?

LANDSCAPE 2021 will take place on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th November at the NEC in Birmingham. You can apply for FREE entry to the show at www.landscapeshow.co.uk/register. Entry guarantees you access to the exhibition hall as well as all seminar sessions.

Further information can be found online:

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Schöck Isokorb meets a number of challenges at Lots Road Once a neglected industrial site, Chelsea Waterfront in SW10 is being impressively transformed and minimising any risk of thermal bridging throughout has been key. In addition to meeting compliance with the Building Regulations, this is also important in meeting the criteria for the impending Future Homes Standard. The Isokorb load-bearing structural thermal break from Schöck offers the ideal solution in meeting all necessary compliances.

This is a two-phase development; the first being completed in 2019 and resulting in four riverside buildings and a 37-storey West Tower. The second phase is now well under way with the centrepiece being the old Lots Road Power Station, which first became operational in 1905 and eventually powered most of the London Underground for almost 80 years. The old Power Station is an iconic building and careful refurbishment will result in retention of the external walls, steel frame, chimneys and selected internal steelwork.

When finished, the 13-storey building (now called the Metropolitan) will house 193 apartments and accommodate shops, restaurants and cafes along a 100 metre mall at ground floor level. Also, as part of this second phase, alongside the main Metropolitan Building there will be a 25 storey East Tower and two nine-storey refurbished residential buildings, one of which is a rotunda.

Minimising thermal bridging throughout Throughout the entire development, improving the performance of the building envelope and minimising any risk of thermal bridging has been a key element in the design detailing. Quite apart from meeting compliance with the Building Regulations, this is increasingly important in meeting the criteria for the impending Future Homes Standard.

Thermal bridges are localised areas of the building envelope, where the heat flow is usually increased in comparison with adjacent areas. As a result, the temperature of the interior surface near the thermal bridge is lower and if this area becomes too cold it can lead to 14

condensation. Over time, mould is likely to form, potentially damaging the building structure and even posing a health risk to the inhabitants. The ideal solution is the Isokorb load-bearing structural thermal break from Schöck, which has featured throughout since the start of the development. Primarily the requirement has been for conventional balcony detailing and involved the Isokorb T type K for concrete-toconcrete and the T type SK for concreteto-steel. The SK is a complete system thermal break and is unique in being the only formally UK approved product that satisfies the load-bearing and thermal insulation requirements for this type of application.

There were though a number of special demands as well.

Meeting the challenges The prominent corner plot on the site is an L-shaped building with a frontage on Lots Road and a wing extending towards the Creek. The interior features a continuous walkway and at the 90 degree intersection lateral forces had to be accommodated. To resolve the vertical and horizontal reactions a configuration was used that involved the Isokorb type HP (which transfers forces either parallel or perpendicular to the insulation layer) and type Q (for transferring shear forces on supported balconies and recessed

balconies). In addition, there was also a slight castellation to the thermal break line, which had an impact on calculations involving the optimum cut lengths of the elements and their required load-carrying capacity.

With the Rotunda, the contractor had opted to precast the ‘pie-shaped’ balconies where possible. However, for structural reasons, or because some were too large for precasting (one unit was so large it had to be split into two parts) it was necessary to cast insitu.

This presented the Schöck team with load capacity considerations, as well as delivery scheduling challenges involving different sites.

There was a major revision also involving the 13-storey Metropolitan Building.

Isokorb units T type SQ, were to be incorporated at all levels to bolt the external steel walkways back to the concrete frame. However, there was a late design change to the project, which resulted in the steel walkways being converted to concrete on all but the first floor. This resulted in a complete review of the structural thermal break requirements and a tie force also had to be accommodated into the design to tie the balcony walkway structures back to the main structural frame.

All products are fully compliant The comprehensive Isokorb range offers solutions for concrete-to-steel, concreteto-concrete, steel-to-steel and even a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets. Products meet full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations, have NHBC approval and offer LABC Registration. There is also the security of independent BBA Certification. The requirement that the temperature factor used to indicate condensation risk (fRSI) must be greater than, or equal to, 0.75 for residential buildings, is also easily met by incorporating the Isokorb.

Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or visit the website at www.schoeck.com for full details of the Isokorb range 15

The UK flat roof waterproofing market forecast to return to growth The impact of Covid-19 has caused an estimated 13% fall in volumes installed of flat roof water proofing according to the latest market report from AMA Research.

Since 2016, the market for flat roofs has grown largely due to an underlying improvement in newbuild and refurbishment output across the schools, higher education, offices, warehousing, infrastructure buildings and apartment sectors. Until the disruption caused by Covid-19, the annual installed area of flat roof waterproofing had been increasing as construction activity across most key end use sectors had grown. However, in 2020 the area installed declined from around 35 million m2 to 30.7 million m2.

Alex Blagden, Senior Research Manager at AMA Research comments on the current state of the flat roof market:“While there are current issues around disruptions to the building

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materials supply chain, in particular shortages of a wide range of products and materials, and the shortages of roofers, among other trades, over the medium term to 2025, demand for flat roof waterproofing is forecast to increase.

2021 has seen a surge in construction activity as the UK emerges from Covid-19 restrictions and with a trade agreement with the EU now in place, which has seen investor confidence begin to return across the commercial & industrial newbuild sector”.

Brexit and immigration issues have also had an impact on the significant skills shortage among trades and professionals in the construction industry, as a substantial number of workers from EU countries may well have left the UK. The roofing trade is one of the worst affected.

Current skill shortage occupations for work visa purposes included no construction trades.

There are, however, several factors that will sustain some demand for flat roofing systems in the commercial & industrial market, e.g., the need to increase retail distribution centre capacity: growth in the Build-to-Rent apartment block sector and growing demand for ‘green roofs’. In urban areas, factors likely to drive up demand for ‘green’ roofs include increasing concerns about rainfall run-off, pollution & air quality and lack of private outdoor space. In rural areas, to date the main driver has been planning requirements demanding that buildings merge in with surrounding areas.

Over the medium term to 2025, growth rates for flat roof waterproofing are forecast to increase. 2021 has seen a surge in construction activity as the UK emerges from the COVID-19 restrictions and with a trade agreement with the EU now in place, which has seen investor confidence begin to return across the commercial & industrial newbuild sector.

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Rooflights and Zinc Roofing Paul Trace from Stella Rooflight offers some advice on the use of rooflights in zinc roofs Despite being used for over 200 years, zinc roofs have hit their prime. Versatile, robust and with multiple colours and styling options, they are an architect’s dream. What’s more, with a growing focus on sustainability in design, zinc is a 100% recyclable material that is also energy efficient to produce. With so many benefits, zinc roofing is an attractive proposition for properties.

However, often architects will talk about the trade-off you may have to make with a zinc roof. For example, many architects may steer away from zinc if you are planning to add rooflights. Similarly, architects might focus on other natural light options if a zinc roof is the right choice for your property. However, does there always have to be a trade-off? Here we uncover the myths around rooflights and zinc roofs and offer some top tips to ensure you can achieve the best of both worlds.

Why is zinc roofing so popular?

With their contemporary styling, it’s hard to believe that zinc has been used in roofing for centuries. However, it’s the contemporary appearance that is really allowing zinc to grow in popularity.

Whereas some roofing material will mean compromising your building materials, zinc offers a huge variety of colours and finishes so that it can work in harmony with almost any structure.

This versatility makes zinc ideal for a range of roofing projects. For example, agricultural projects, converted barns as well as listed or protected buildings, such as those in conservation areas. Zinc colours can blend or contrast with the building, while different textures such as ripples, grooves, and scales can help enhance the aesthetic.

conditions adds to the lifespan of a zinc roof, as does the ability to resist corrosion. In fact, some describe zinc as self-healing as it has an unusual ability to repair itself over time when it comes to surface scratches.

All of this combined means that zinc roofing can have a long-term serviceable life. In some cases, zinc roofing can last for up to 100 years. What’s more, during such a long lifespan, the maintenance requirement is minimal. The most important maintenance is to clear debris such as fallen leaves and ensure the zinc is treated where necessary.

Can you install rooflights in a zinc roof?

There are several concerns when it comes to installing rooflights on a zinc roof. One is the fact that rooflights can tend to look bulky on a zinc roof. This is especially apparent as a zinc roof can have an ultra-thin profile. The fact that many rooflights can have a bulkier frame can deter architects and property owners.

When there is an overlap or large seam, there is also a potential problem with heavy rainfall. A thicker rooflight profile can increase the risk of water ingress.

This can also be exacerbated when the roof pitch is low. Without a high angle to promote water run-off, there is a risk that water will pool at the top of the rooflight.

This may be fine in the short term but may cause long term issues, especially if the water finds a way into the roof.

The way to get around this, is to opt for rooflights that can fit flush against the roof. Having an ultra-thin frame that sits flush against the roof can help prevent the risk of water ingress while also offering a more pleasing aesthetic and maintaining the clean lines of the roof.

Zinc roof rooflights: Key considerations

Ready for weather and the next 100 years As well as the design and aesthetics, a zinc roof offers longevity. It has excellent weatherproof properties and is UVresistant. This ability to withstand harsh 18

If you’re looking to incorporate rooflights into a zinc roof, there are factors to consider to ensure it is a success: 1. Design A zinc roof is often chosen because of its

aesthetic. The installation of a rooflight, particularly bulky rooflights, can be unsightly on the streamlined, thin profile of a zinc roof.

Often, zinc roofing is used in conservation areas as it can work sympathetically with slate roofing. However, for rooflights to be approved by conservation building officers, it is crucial for the rooflights to be part of the seamless design of the roof.

A subtle design is essential, and this is best achieved by using rooflights that sit flush against the roof so they are barely detectable.

A thin but durable frame of the rooflight can help to ensure that they meet the needs of a conservation plan and is in keeping with the sleek design of the roof.

2. Roof Pitch As mentioned above, the pitch of the roof can be a significant consideration when installing a rooflight. A low pitch (roof angle) can mean that the water doesn’t run off with ease. As a result, more standing water on the roof can lead to water ingress, and the seams around the rooflight can cause capillary action to draw water into the roof construction.

The most successful rooflight installation will be in properties with a significant roof pitch. Ideally, a pitch would be above 14 degrees as capillary action is more likely in an angle less than this.

If you have a low roof pitch, then it is still possible to install rooflights. However, it becomes more important to opt for rooflights with a thin profile to prevent the build-up of water around the frame or head of the rooflight. You can also help to mitigate the risk of water ingress by installing a gully around the rooflight to improve drainage and reduce the amount of water that flows over the top of the rooflight’s surface.

3. Width And Seams Another key consideration is the width of the rooflight. Naturally, many property owners appreciate large rooflights that let in as much natural light as possible.

However, large rooflights on a zinc roof can cause issues with water ingress.

A rooflight will typically be installed across seams in the roof. However, the more seams that a rooflight crosses means that more water has to be diverted further. This water diversion can cause puddling or pooling, increasing the risk of water build-up and ingress without the roof materials.

Generally, it is recommended that rooflights should not cross more than three seams in a zinc roof. This is an important design and lighting consideration when working out the maximum width of the rooflights.

Stainless steel ultra-thin rooflights for zinc roofs Stella Rooflight is an architect’s favourite for zinc roofing, due to their strong and durable construction and ultra-thin stainless steel profile. Stella stainless steel slim rooflights sit flush against the roof, helping to improve the aesthetics, meet the needs of conservation regulations and reduce the risk of water issues too.

All Stella rooflights are bespoke made for each project and can therefore be designed to fit any size or shape required, with a wide range of bespoke options available.

In addition, much like a zinc roof, Stella’s stainless steel rooflights offer unrivalled longevity, and will not rust, unlike mild or carbon steel framed alternatives. A Stella rooflight is the ideal choice to complement a zinc roof application.

To find out more about how Stella Rooflight can help you create stunning bespoke, highly efficient rooflights on a zinc roof, get in touch with our team today.

If you have any questions or require further technical information concerning the use of rooflights in your own project, please contact one of the Stella Rooflight team on 01794 745445 or visit www.stellarooflight.co.uk 19

Spiral UK Case Study – steel spiral from BrewDog You may not believe it, but making stairs is what gets Spiral UK excited – it’s why they get out of bed in the morning. The only thing better than making stairs?

Making stairs with beer. ‘The planet’s favourite beer’, no less.

Spiral UK were commissioned to design, manufacture and install a striking industrial look spiral with black powder coated steel treads and mesh panel balustrade for the Scottish craft beer brewery and pub chain BrewDog, known for its popular Punk IPA. They were refurbishing their original Dogtap in their hometown of Ellon near Aberdeen in Scotland – just a little way from the Spiral UK factory HQ at the far end of Cornwall!

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But Spiral’s expertise and design knowhow won through, with contractor MB Build choosing them for the staircase package. There was a tough aesthetic to match up to – Interior Designers Surfaceid had created a fantastic mural frontage in the inimitable BrewDog style, and the building offers customers a range of experiences including a restaurant, bar, terrace, lounge, gaming area, shop and even a beer school room – lots to consider when putting together the fabrication plan.

Designed to comply with Scottish Building regulations for a commercial staircase, the spiral staircase fabrication process involved the mild steel components being decreased and lacquered prior to dispatch to site. This process gave the stairs its stylish, industrial look, leading visitors up from the café seating to a second-floor area and gallery for which we also installed 25 metres of matching balustrade.

The floor to floor height of the spiral is 3711mm – yes, the height is millimetre perfect – and the diameter of the stair 2500mm to comply with the building regulations required for a public staircase of this nature. The clear width of each mild steel, durbar plate tread was just over a metre each so a comfortable space to walk up and down (and around). A smooth tubular handrail allows for a tactile yet safe user experience with mesh infill panels creating a striking aesthetic that also performs functionally.

The result? A striking yet safe stair, appropriate for its environment but unusual enough to be a talking point.

An industrial look that’s proving more and more popular in both domestic and commercial applications, Spiral UK are proud to have been a part of this innovative project.

For more information visit: www.spiral.uk.com email: info@spiral.uk.com or call: 0330 123 2447

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Make it with Merinolam – the creative new laminate brand for the UK market Specialist surface materials distributor International Decorative Surfaces has agreed an exclusive partnership with world leading decorative laminate manufacturer Merino, www. merinolaminates.com, to launch a brand new range for the UK market, with the benefit of ex-stock delivery nationwide.

The premium quality Merinolam collection has been selected and shaped around the needs of the UK market, drawing on IDS’s vast expertise and Merino’s trackrecord as a top five global producer of decorative laminate. Offering creative flexibility and high performance, the Merinolam range reflects the strong market demand for FR grade laminate and super-matt anti-fingerprint surfaces.

Creative, tactile and high performance, the 55-strong collection features a dedicated Merino FR+ range which has

been tested in Europe in accordance with BS 476: Part 7, passing Class 1 Fire Rating provided that fire retardant adhesive, backer and substrates are used. It is available in a choice of 37 plain colours, woodgrains and patterned decors in a standard sheet size of 3050 x 1300 x 0.7mm. The Luvih super matt anti-fingerprint range combines beautiful aesthetics and contemporary plain decors and comes with the benefit and flexibility of two sheet sizes of 3050 x 1300mm and 4300 x 1550mm in 0.8mm thickness. Six speciality decors including metallics, solid colours and a magnetic option complete the collection, along with four co-ordinating liner laminates.

Merinolam is suitable for a wide range of horizontal and vertical applications, providing designers, specifiers, shopfitters, fabricators and main contractors with a high quality, versatile

and competitive material that can be used with confidence in a range of sectors including residential, healthcare, education, transport, architecture, construction and hospitality. The full range benefits from being supplied polycoated as standard.

Merinolam carries a wide range of industry accreditations and certifications including Greenguard, FSC, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and the quality assurance standard EN 438.

The entire Merinolam collection is available, whether one sheet, mixed loads or multiple pallets, for nationwide delivery in 24-48 hours from any of IDS’s 18 regional branches. Comprehensive sales support material and free express sample service is available. Contact IDS: 0845 7 298 298, info@merinolam.co.uk or web: www.merinolaminates.com

Merinolam – ex-stock FR+ laminates in Colonial White, Silver Grey and Planked Maple with Silvery Matt metallic - exclusively available from IDS 22

Merinolam – ex-stock Luvih supermatt laminate in Aqua Green with FR+ Siberian Pike Oak - exclusively available from IDS.

Merinolam – ex-stock Uni+ Colonial White solid core laminate and FR+ Wenge woodgrain laminate - exclusively available from IDS. 23

Hunter Douglas Architectural goes for gold at former Olympic village Passing an air tightness test was essential when Hunter Douglas Architectural was specified to provide ceilings for apartments being constructed within East Village on the site of the Olympic Village in Stratford, East London.

East Village is a housing development originally built as the Olympic Village of the 2012 summer Olympics, but has since been converted into a residential district, with shops, bars and restaurants.

There are two towers of 26 and 31 storeys, and two ten-storey pavilions, which have been merged into a single residential development that is connected by an inhabited sky-bridge.

Hunter Douglas Architectural, the international architectural products company, was asked to supply veneered ceiling panels for many of the corridors in both towers – in total, 1840m2.

However, the tiles had to pass stringent air tightness tests before they could be commissioned.

After the testing regime was completed, Hunter Douglas supplied European oak tiles with nano perforations, which involves making countless microscopic perforations (Ø 0.5 mm) in the veneer, concealing the more extensive perforation of the core material. This not only provides excellent acoustic qualities, it does not compromise the visual aesthetic of the ceiling.

The panels were also supplied with acoustic fleece on the reverse, which tests have shown to produce a sound absorption of αw: 0.95 and NRC: 0.90.

The veneer sheets were mis-matched and glued to form panels, although these can be ordered with slip-match or bookmatch sheets. In East Village, most of the veneer tiles that were supplied came in 600mm width but multiple lengths up to 2000mm.

The system was installed in the Modern style semi-exposed grid style, which only shows 4mm of the T24mm grid after assembly, thanks to the special edge detail.

The easy installation system means each panel can be easily removed downwards and allow full access to the plenum with a simple push.

Juliette Halliday, national sales manager at Hunter Douglas Architectural, said: “Crucial to this project was the special air permeability test regime that was needed to demonstrate the veneer panels could cope with the air handling methods used in the project.

“This was because the ceiling was designed for fewer hangers to accommodate the large amount of M+E in the ceiling void. Also vital for the project was high acoustic performance and the Hunter Douglas ceiling passed with flying colours.”

Rory Harty, Associate Director of Mace, which was appointed by Get Living, the UK’s largest build to rent provider, said: “The airtightness of the ceiling was essential to make the ventilation system work for the project and Hunter Douglas were able to achieve this using the Luxalon Modern square edged tile through close liaison and testing with Hunter Douglas throughout the design phase.”

Hunter Douglas’s wood veneer ceilings are manufactured using environmentally sound materials. All wood is FSC certified and product development embraces the Cradle to Cradle principle.

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Winvic and IM Properties unveil first on-site sustainability and innovation hub at Mercia Park North West Leicestershire District Council Leaders visit to see employment and skills initiatives in action Following the launch of the on-site ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre at Mercia Park, Winvic Construction Ltd – a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects – and its client, IM Properties (IMP), has unveiled a Sustainability and Innovation Hub (SIH) at the same Leicestershire site.

The Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), Richard Blunt, Deputy Leader, Richard Ashman, and Chief Executive, Bev Smith, visited the site to see first-hand the progress of the 238acre employment park, and experience some of the training taking place as part of the scheme’s employment and skills commitments. The visit included the impressive civils and infrastructure works that Winvic has delivered, the recently handed-over 550,000 sq ft facility for DSV and the progress of Jaguar Land Rover’s 2.94 million sq ft global parts logistics centre, as well as Winvic and IM Properties’ commitment to sustainability and innovation that has culminated in the

opening of the first satellite Sustainability and Innovation Hub. The Hub comprises three zones – Sustainability, Innovation and Learning – which provide areas to showcase Mercia Park’s sustainability credentials, demonstrate Winvic’s digital advancements, train Winvic’s staff and supply chain more creatively than ever and inspire young people through educational visits. Its proximity to the ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre also means both facilities can be used for linked training activities. One key feature of the SIH is a 360-degree BIM CAVE area, which will aid the BIM design process in a real-time scenario by facilitating design team meetings and workshops and help develop VR imagery for health and safety training. Unlike the BIM CAVE located at Winvic’s Centre for Innovative Construction, it is a 360-degree resource where Virtual Reality (VR) 3D design models can be viewed as an immersive room experience, without a headset.

Members of Winvic’s supply chain have partnered with the main contractor to bring the SIH to life, while IMP has provided the land. Carter Accommodation has supplied the cabins, Bespoke

Construction the internal partitions and glazing; the PV and battery storage has been provided by Ivegate and the interactive screens by Walter Miles Electrical, while A & L Block Paving has undertaken all works to the external areas. Winvic has also sourced all the internal and external wall graphics and signage for the Hub through local social enterprise Nuneaton Signs.

Also found within the SIH, there is an interactive meeting room, training and learning space and an area with a 3D printer. Visitors, such as school, college and university students, can also get hands on with Winvic’s digital Operation and Maintenance Manuals, whereby they can access sections of a design manual, maintenance guidance or 360-degree photos by using QR codes, in the same way end-users can within their finished building.

Not only did the visiting party from NWLDC get hands-on, enjoy a demonstration of the BIM CAVE and see the facilities, but they also witnessed PGL Midlands delivering Face-fit training for Bespoke Construction, onsite and classroom IPAF Training being delivered onsite by Nationwide. Activities also included an interactive demonstration at the Sika Concrete Mobile Training Laboratory and a tour of the on-site concrete batching plant as part of Hanson’s concrete sustainability CPD training. To end the visit, Winvic and IMP took the NWLDC Leader, Deputy Leader and Chief Executive on a Mercia Park site tour where they saw the progress of theJaguar Land Rover project.

Winvic’s Technical Director, Tim Reeve, who sits on the company’s Sustainability Leadership Team, commented: “The Sustainability and Innovation Hub – the second facility we have launched with IM Properties at Mercia Park in a matter of weeks – is testament to both company’s commitment to the future of construction, which has sustainability and innovation at its very heart. We can’t thank IM Properties – and our suppliers – enough for their willingness to drive this initiative in partnership with us.

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“Mercia Park’s green and state-of-theart digital credentials make it the ideal location for the facility. It’s not only an operational digital design centre for Winvic, IM Properties, consultants and suppliers to utilise, but it also showcases the scheme and our team’s innovative initiatives and acts as an education and training centre for young people in the community. The value of such a facility and the broader was clearly seen by the visitors from North West Leicestershire District Council who were enthused all day, and we’re now looking forward to welcoming schools, college and universities, as well as more companies in our supply chain, to the Hub.” David Smith, planning director for IM Properties added: “It is great to see the commitments we made at the planning stage of the project, being turned into reality.

It has been an incredibly difficult period in which to mobilise these activities, however our creative thinking, partnership approach, persistence and passion to maximise the employment and skills outcomes associated with the project, is beginning to yield some very positive outcomes.

“Winvic is particularly proactive and we are delighted to be able to host their first Sustainability and Innovation Hub to showcase our joint ambitions to deliver net zero in construction on site as part of our overall commitments as a business to achieve new targets for improving our carbon footprint over the next decade.”

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council said it was great to see firsthand the approach to zero carbon and sustainable development Mercia Park was championing.

“Mercia Park is an example of how a development can make a range of significant contributions to an area, both in terms of employment and community infrastructure. The green credentials of the development are very positive. As a council we are committed to being Zero Carbon by 2030 and we want others to follow our lead. To see the sustainability at Mercia Park is very inspiring.”

For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk.

Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn. 27

Masaryčka construction works reach level three Construction of the Masaryčka building in Prague continues with the structure of the retail levels on the ground and first floors now completed. Works have begun to construct the higher floors of cantilevered offices with terraced roof gardens.

Planned to open in 2023, the 28,000 sq.m Masaryčka building incorporates seven storeys within its eastern section and reaches nine storeys at its western end.

The Masaryčka design is a unifying architectural response defined by circulation routes through the site giving access to new civic spaces within a major transport hub for the city.

Integrating with the Správa železnic (Czech Railways) reconstruction of the historic Masaryk Railway Station which will create a new public park partially over the railway tracks, Masaryčka’s design will provide a new pedestrian route between Na Florenci Street in the north and Hybernská Boulevard to the south, in addition to enhancing accessibility to the railway platforms below.

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Located adjacent to the railway station on a derelict site that has stood abandoned for several decades, Masaryčka will replace the existing car park on Havlíčkova Boulevard with a new public square that includes entrances to the city’s metro network.

This new square will create a welcoming gateway to the city for suburban and domestic rail services as well as passengers using the planned airport rail link to Prague’s Vaclav Havel International Airport.

Establishing a dialogue with the urbanism of Prague’s Old Town, known as ‘the city of 100 spires’, external fins within Masaryčka’s façade transform the project’s horizontal composition along Na Florenci Street to the verticality of its western end facing the spires of the Old Town.

Targeting LEED Platinum certification, Masaryčka’s design incorporates roof gardens and a triple-insulated façade that ensures optimal natural light at all work

stations and communal areas. Natural ventilation will be supported by a high efficiency plant with waste heat recovery systems. Photovoltaics will harvest renewable energy while smart management systems will continually monitor and adjust environmental controls to reduce energy consumption.

Extensive planting of shrubs and trees irrigated by rainwater collection, including the transformation of Na Florenci Street into a tree-lined avenue, will provide the new district with cooling summer shade and natural air purification. Lowflow systems and grey-water recycling will further reduce the centre’s water consumption.

Masaryčka’s construction and procurement prioritises local suppliers and materials with a high recycled content to meet the 2025 targets for embodied & operational carbon established by the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.

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Mayfair Park Residences, a prestigious development in the heart of London Concert is pleased to announce that works have now completed on the Mayfair Park Residences development, a collection of luxury private apartments and townhouses located in the heart of Mayfair, London’s most prestigious district. Concert was appointed to provide Employer’s Agent services and CDM services on this exciting project that took place over a 7-year programme period.

The development site of 4, 5 and 6 Stanhope Gate, W1, plays a key role in defining the frontage along a prominent route from the centre of the Mayfair Conservation Area and into its surrounding commercial and retail areas, so the works had to be mindful to retain the culture of the site. The existing 1950s building to 4 Stanhope Gate and the existing 1970s steel framed buildings to 5 and 6 Stanhope Gate were demolished in their entirety, but the Grade II Listed facades were sensitively retained.

A brand-new building comprising of three levels of basement, lower ground floor, ground floor and seven upper levels, was created, offering a mixture of 22 high end duplex and lateral apartments.

The new building features 22 mixed size units, which includes one penthouse. Within the lower levels, residents also have access to amenities both essential and luxurious including a wellness centre/spa, as well as car and cycle parking.

The project was procured through four separate contracts to provide specialist works: demolition and basement box, shell, core and fit-out for the apartments and spa, bathroom pods and a penthouse apartment. The 12,000 sq ft 3 storey penthouse was privately designed to an exceptional level of detail and finishes, with materials being sourced from across Europe and further afield.

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The Project Team: Clivedale - Development Manager

G&T - Cost Consultants Hoare Lea - Services Engineer

Concert - Cost Management services, Employer’s Agent services and CDM

Elmers - Shell and Core contractor

AFK - Architect

Walter Lilly - Penthouse contractor

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Chartfield House receives Best London Home award Boutique property company Nomad Developments is delighted to have scooped the coveted Best London Home award at this year’s Evening Standard New Homes Awards. In the face of impressive competition, Chartfield House in Putney was selected by Evening Standard readers and property industry experts as the Best London Home 2021.

Chartfield House is part of an exclusive development of four homes, West Hill Place, with stunning contemporary interiors behind a Victorian façade. Spacious and designed around modern family life, the properties feature superb outdoor entertaining spaces, as well as glamorous interiors.

Central to the judges’ decision was the quality of the design and the wow factor delivered by the houses’ interiors, which feature marble en-suite wet-rooms and light, airy, open plan spaces for family living.

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“We knew from the outset that we wanted Chartfield House to be something special, but I never imagined we would end up being singled out as the Best London Home. That’s just incredible!”

Nomad Development does have homes available in the Richmond area of London.

Just three minutes from Richmond town centre, yet enjoying a superb riverfront setting, Richmond Riverside consists of two stunning family homes.

Jack Simpson, Managing Director,

With vast floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the properties with light and maximising the river views, the homes deliver something truly special. Classically elegant, the vast interior spaces flow to the external areas, which include a terrace off the main bedroom overlooking the river and a garden with plenty of space to relax and entertain. The two homes that make up Richmond Riverside – Osprey House and Dunlin House – will launch in spring 2022.

“I think what makes this award particularly special is that it was voted for by Evening Standard readers, as well as experts within the property industry. Building homes that people love is at the heart of what we do here at Nomad, so having this kind of affirmation that we are achieving our aim is just wonderful.”

Jack Simpson, Managing Director, Whilst Chartfield House and the other homes of West Hill Place are now all sold,

For more information, please visit www.nomaddevelopments.com, email jack@nomaddevelopments.com or call 020 3488 7202.

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Phase two of luxury development for award winning house builder A housebuilder has broken ground on the second phase of an award-winning development of new homes in north Worcestershire.

Horgan Homes has started work on a select number of three-bed £1m+ single storey homes at Manor Gardens at Hackman’s Gate, near Belbroughton.

The family run construction firm won a silver award in the Best Small Housebuilder category and bronze for the Best Luxury House for its show home in the What House? awards, the ‘oscars’ of the UK’s housebuilding industry last year.

It has also won two regional awards in the UK arm of the prestigious International Property Awards for the best residential development and best residential show home that Director Sophie Horgan will receive at a ceremony in London at the end of this month.

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The four new homes in the exclusive gated community will merge Horgan Homes’ signature lavish style with a contemporary reimaging of the traditional bungalow, explained Sophie.

across the Midlands for more than 30 years.

It was founded by experienced bricklayer John Horgan as J.P. Horgan Builders when he spotted a gap in the market for quality homes in prime locations.

“There is already a nationwide shortage of single storey properties but very little exists in the £1m+ price bracket for discerning homeowners who want a onelevel home that also brings exemplary style and design together in the same package,” she said.

It rebranded as Horgan Homes 15 years ago when his daughter Sophie joined the team.

“These will be bungalows — but not the type that people are perhaps used to! They will have an open plan and contemporary style and will lend themselves to a variety of buyers including families and older couples looking for a forever home.”

Horgan Homes, which has its head office in Dudley, has been building homes

The Manor Gardens bungalows are expected to come to market in 2022 and will be sold through local agency, The Lee Shaw Partnership.

Partner Robert Totney said: “We are delighted to be working with Horgan Homes on phase two of Manor Gardens, having secured sales on the first properties. The attention to detail of Sophie and her team is second to none and these homes will certainly bring something fresh to the housing stock in the area.”

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Festive Firesides with Lundhs Real Stone Bring warmth and nature to the centre of the home this winter with Lundhs Real Stone.

The ideal fireside surface choice, the 100% natural stone will complement burning flames, shimmering in the flickering light, creating an inviting yet stylish hearthside aesthetic.

Characterised by a warming brown background scattered with glistening blue crystals, Lundhs Antique acts as the perfect fireplace surround. Seen here adorning a statement floor-to-ceiling corner fireplace, the herringbone surface adds depth and character, whilst the double-sided glass viewing panes allow the flames to bring warmth to all corners of the room. An integrated full-height log store and overall modern, structural form, ensures that this natural stone fireplace is the focal point in this contemporary living space.

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of Lundhs Real Stone, as seen here with a large Lundhs Blue slab. A continuation of the stone onto the floor as the hearthside presents a beautifully contemporary approach to fireplace design. Alternatively, incorporate the natural stone onto surrounding surfaces for a sleek and seamless appearance.

The low sideboard seen here in this living space features a Lundhs Emerald counter surface, which continues along the whole length of the furniture, surrounding the modern fireplace, creating a wonderfully cohesive and cosy scheme.

Boasting from high heat, water, scratch, UV and stain resistance, Lundhs Real Stone’s natural composition allows it to be used within a vast array of applications, including fireplace surrounds.

Made from one of the most unique and strongest materials in the world, Lundhs Real Stone delivers a sense of refined sophistication and style. A complex blend of beautiful feldspar crystals, each piece of rock from Lundhs is completely unique with its own individual fingerprint. The product of minerals melting and mixing under extreme heat millions of years ago, Norway is the only place in the world where Larvikite can be found.

Lundhs Antique Priced from £970 inc VAT / m2 Lundhs Emerald Priced from £680 inc VAT / m2 Lundhs Blue Priced from £680 inc VAT / m2 Lundhs Royal Priced from £680 inc VAT / m2

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NCC to construct 191 energy-efficient apartments for NREP in Finland NCC has been commissioned by NREP to construct 191 apartments in Espoo, Finland. The apartments will be completed during summer 2023. The project is a design-build contract with an order value of approximately SEK 240 million.

The new residential project is part of NREP’s future Niittykumpu block complex in Espoo, in the capital area of Finland.

The buildings will be between four and nine stories and the contract also includes a courtyard and a parking garage.

“The Niittykumpu project is part of NREP’s strategic goal of developing a better and more sustainable city, and at the same time, it’s one of NREP’s most significant

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development projects in Finland. It’s a pleasure to be cooperating in this project with a partner who shares our level of ambition for sustainability”, says Petri Valkama, Partner at NREP. NCC is currently also building the first stage of the block, consisting of 220 apartments, a parking facility and courtyard areas, scheduled to be completed in summer 2022. The block and city plans have been developed as part of a collaboration between NREP and NCC. The construction site will be run in accordance with NCC’s Sustainable Site concept, which is the first operating model in the Finnish construction industry to take into account all aspects of sustainability on construction sites: economic, social and environmental.

“NREP’s objectives for sustainable construction are well aligned with the

measures we take during construction, such as using green electricity and minimizing and recycling waste. We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with NREP and taking the next step in the development of this district,” says Catarina MolénRunnäs, Business Area Manager of NCC Building Nordics.

The Niittykumpu block complex is aiming to achieve an A energy rating to promote the energy efficiency of the buildings and a LEED Gold certificate will be applied for the properties under construction.

Construction work has commenced and will be completed in summer 2023.

The order will be registered in the NCC Building Nordics business area in the fourth quarter of 2021.

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Kawneer glazing systems score a hat-trick with ground-breaking Build To Rent scheme Curtain walling, windows and doors by Kawneer were used on the third and final phase at The Slate Yard.

Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer featured on the third and final apartment building at The Slate Yard, which forms part of the wider £1 billion, 50-acre Salford Central masterplan.

Two types of Kawneer’s zone-drained curtain walling – AA®100 with 50mm sightlines and AA®110 with 65mm – as well as AA®541 top-hung casement windows and thermally superior AA®720 balcony doors were specified by AHR architects for Plot A7 at The Slate Yard.

The 20-storey building comprises 199 apartments for rent for client The English Cities Fund (ECF) - a partnership between national urban regenerator Muse Developments, Legal & General, Homes England and Salford Council.

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ECF is currently delivering some of the most complex urban regeneration projects across the UK. The first phase of The Slate Yard was one of the first institutionally funded, custom-built BTR (Build to Rent) schemes to be delivered in Greater Manchester, with all three phases at The Slate Yard forward funded by Legal & General.

Architect Feidhlim White of AHR, which frequently deploys Kawneer, said the systems were specified due to their aesthetics, practicalities, and costeffectiveness as well as the company’s standards of customer service.

“The system provided the match to the planning images, enabling us to deliver the project to the aesthetic and practical vision,” he said. “The opening lights aided the ventilation system with the ability for

purge ventilation whilst still maintaining acceptable sightlines. The simplicity of weatherproofing by glazing in the EPDM makes it an ideal system.”

He added: “We tend to use Kawneer a lot as we have a good relationship with their support team and local reps. They’re also well priced in the market, I believe. The client is very pleased with the overall outcome and how the building sits as a suite of three.”

The Kawneer aluminium systems were installed over 15 months of the two-year build for main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction by approved specialist subcontractor FK Group who also installed the Kawneer systems specified by AHR at Plot A6 (the Graphite building), a neighbouring BTR apartment block comprising 135 apartments over 16 storeys for the same client.

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Korodur’s Granidur Blanco terrazzo floor gleams in the new company headquarters of HeidelbergCement A noble aura incorporating lightness, durability and sustainability: concrete as the predominant building material The new Company headquarters of HeidelbergCement AG offers not only an ultra-modern and comfortable space for around 1,000 employees, but is also a statement highlighting the versatility of concrete as a building material. The wide range of applications is particularly evident in the form of the curved façade, the three-storey foyer, and the accompanying tree-shaped supports and filigree building components. In particular, the ceilings, walls and floors of the up to six-storey building structure radiate plenty of lightness, durability and sustainability thanks to the light-coloured exposed concrete.

Right from the start of the project, it was clear both to the client and to the architectural firm of the Frankfurt/Mainbased AS+P Albert Speer + Partner GmbH that the property would not only radiate a high-quality appearance, but would also stand out at least as much on account of its environment-friendly and climatefriendly design.

The highest certification category of “Platinum” awarded by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) was the benchmark right from the start – and it was achieved. The use of renewable energy resources for heating and cooling, photovoltaic modules on the roof and charging stations for electric cars and e-bikes all play an essential role as regards the sustainable orientation of these Company headquarters.

Terrazzo flooring covering 3,600 m² supports this high-quality appearance The fine terrazzo floors are also characterized by longevity and durability when it comes to an assessment of the building’s life cycle: in the form of Korodur’s GRANIDUR BIANCO, the choice fell on a concrete floor that offers both an elegant appearance and functional advantages such as high load-bearing 42

capacity and durability. GRANIDUR’s high-quality features are ready-to-use, coloured dry building materials for the production of polished, decorative screeds in a layer thickness of 15 mm or more. The area covers a total of around 3,600 m². Around 800 m² of this are accounted for by the foyer and around 2,800 m² by the corridors on four floors.

GRANIDUR BIANCO convinced the jury in a special test The decision in favour of GRANIDUR BIANCO was made on the basis of the tests that the executing company, the design flooring specialists Estrich Schlag based at Föhren in Rhineland-Palatinate, organized for those responsible for the project.

Michael Schlag, Managing Director of Estrich Schlag and Chairman of the Federal Association for Screeds and Coverings (BEB), explained: “The client, HeidelbergCement AG, had laid down specific requirements. It was clear right from the start that the flooring had to fit seamlessly into its bright, friendly and inviting surroundings. Having the right aura played the main role in the selection of the test materials. So, along with the client, we looked at model construction sites already developed by our organization and then produced samples according to the client’s wishes.”

Steffen Benz, Head of Facility Management at HeidelbergCement, added: “In advance, we hadn’t yet decided on a specific look – such as the colour and gloss of the surface – but had checked several variations in grey and white. While other surface versions sometimes produced large-scale tinted shadows, the white terrazzo flooring used here impressed us right away. This screed fits harmoniously into the bright ambience of our new head office.”

Proven partnerships: HeidelbergCement, Korodur and Estrich Schlag have teamed up in numerous projects Nikola Heckmann, CEO of the Ambergbased manufacturer Korodur, has her sights fixed, in particular, on the high quality and durability of the flooring produced at the HeidelbergCement site – after all, the two companies have already enjoyed a long and collaborative business relationship. For instance, Korodur procures various additives from the Heidelberg company. “We have been relying on raw materials from HeidelbergCement AG for decades. A good reason for the client to put its faith in the qualities of long-standing customers in this field too,” said Nikola Heckmann.

Korodur has also been working closely with the flooring company Estrich Schlag for many years now – including on this project. The experts from both companies always exchange ideas intensively, in advance, about materials, mixing processes and the ideal processing and machining of the building materials.

When installing the GRANIDUR BIANCO terrazzo flooring, for example, it had to be taken into account that the material had to be pumped over around 100 metres to the construction site and right up to the upper floors. Due to the high temperatures – which also increased in the dark tube during the transportation process – retarding agents had to be added to prevent the compound from setting prematurely.

Korodur heating screed is the basic component Both the precisely-coordinated mixture of cement, sand and retarding agent and the use of a Bremat mixing and pump truck ensured that the screed could be placed and processed in the shortest possible time.

The basis for the GRANIDUR BIANCO surface was a fast-setting floor screed in the form of a heating screed containing the Korodur FSCem binder. This is a dimensional-stable, low-shrinkage (shrinkage class SW1 as defined by DIN 18560-1), fast-setting screed binder designed for the production of a screed that is usable and ready for laying after a very short time, the screed being, in this case, produced at an average thickness of 65-85mm.

Bernd Wagner saw to the site management on behalf of the Estrich Schlag company. Based on his many years of experience, he knows that “Dimension stability, which prevents shrinkage cracks, is essential for longterm quality. The ternary FSCem fastsetting floor screed has always proved its worth in this regard, and so we use it regularly.”

Various “tone-in-tone” concrete solutions The terrazzo flooring was applied directly to the Korodur HB 5 bonding compound, which was specially tinted for white floors. In particular, when applying the GRANIDUR BIANCO decorative screed, the utmost artisanal precision was required – for example with regard to connections to the stairs, pillars and walls. The declared aim was to create the perfect impression of a “tone-in-tone” design with regard to all the concrete elements.

Bernd Wagner gives insights into the process for the production of the customized terrazzo appearance: “The polishing consisted of five crosspass grinding steps culminating in a finish with a grit of 400 – the first three grinding passes in the dry process, the two finishing processes involving a wet process. We had to pay special attention to the peripheral areas featuring aluminium wall connection profiles and the built-in components – such as, in particular, spotlights. Here we worked with hand-grinders and a considerable amount of dexterity.”

The result was a practically pore-free, flawless surface that reflects the highquality standards of HeidelbergCement AG. Further information visit: www.heidelbergcement.com 43

Respiratory Protection Crackdown as HSE Commences Construction Firm Inspections HSE’s inspectors across the UK are targeting construction firms to ensure health standards are up to scratch.

Inspections commenced from 4 October 2021 and are focusing on control measures businesses have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from construction dust including silica, asbestos and wood dust.

Inspectors are looking for evidence of employers and workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls. If necessary, they are using enforcement to make sure people are protected.

Silica dust is a hazard that causes serious health issues for workers. Approximately 500 UK construction workers die each year from silicosis. The amounts needed to cause this damage are not large, and the effects are often not immediately detectable. Unfortunately, by the time it is noticed the total damage done may already be serious and life-changing.

There are actions employers can take today to ensure the ongoing protection of their staff whilst exposed to crystalline silica.

- Cutting and shaping stone - Excavation work - Site preparation and clean-up (sweeping) When looking to protect staff from any airborne contaminants, Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), offer high and reliable protection, far exceeding disposable masks (FFP3). With a positive pressure respirator, there is significantly less risk of airborne contaminants breaching the mask and the wearer inhaling contaminants even during inadvertent mask movement, such as when the wearer adjusts the mask or speaks.

Construction operations are inherently remote and involve staff performing highly mobile, physically demanding tasks over long shifts. Traditionally, these issues along with mask fitting, training, compliance and maintenance have been major barriers to effective respiratory protection.

Specific construction activities that may generate silica include:

One company that understands all these challenges is CleanSpace Technology.

Founded by ex-ResMed biomedical engineers, the company has utilised their medical device know-how to revolutionise the respiratory protection industry.

- Saw cutting and jack hammering of concrete or asphalt

For more than 10 years, CleanSpace Respirators have enabled thousands

Managing Exposure to Crystalline Silica

of operators in industrial markets to work safely in comfort and with minimal intrusion to the task at hand.

“After working along the hierarchy of hazard control, respirators can become an operators’ most essential line of personal protection. When every breath counts, respirators must help operators to work in heat, humidity, darkness, remote, awkward or tight spaces while carrying other equipment. Despite the serious nature of respiratory hazards, masks can be a burden,” said CleanSpace Technology CEO Dr Alex Birrell.

In the last 20 years, technology has driven unprecedented advances in medical equipment and transformed people’s health. With advances in respirator technology, construction workers can feasibly have the option of PAPRs. Where once these were belt mounted and cumbersome, the biomedical engineers from CleanSpace Technology developed a lightweight, compact, design which enables staff to rapidly put on their masks and freely undertake activities like bending, sitting, and getting in and out of vehicles.

The respirators offer 99.95% filtration efficiency and have up to 8 hours operating time.

“Regulatory compliance is important, but employee acceptance and use is everything. After being properly trained and fit tested, if a worker finds their respiratory protection uncomfortable, tight, hot or is getting in the way of their work they are at high risk of not using respiratory protection at all and/ or incorrectly utilising the respiratory equipment provided,” Dr Birrell explains.

When evaluating equipment, it is important to know your workers and the conditions that they will use the equipment will be used. For example, in dusty, hot, or humid environments a disposable N95/FFP3 mask can become hot, moist, clogged and collapse. By providing the worker with on-demand powered airflow, the respirator can act

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like a portable fan pushing fresh air into the mask cooling the worker and is small enough to allow high mobility and portability.

“Our revolutionary compact design is enabling thousands of operators around the world to work safely in comfort and with minimal intrusion to the task at hand. At the end of the day, workers finish the shift with clean face with no grit in their nose of mouth – re-enforcing the message that the mask is protecting them. This will lead to much greater worker adoption and compliance. We’re helping meet an organisation’s duty of care in managing down the safety risks in their operations,” said Dr Birrell.

The Importance of Internationally Recognised PPE The importance of internationally recognised certifications and approvals has yet again been highlighted following increased reporting of counterfeit and poor-quality filtering facepiece respirators and PPE. US regulators recently banned the products of one of the world’s largest N95 manufacturers due to unsatisfactory quality management systems. This follows a safety alert from HSE at the start of the pandemic where there was an influx of fake respiratory protection equipment circulating, including within the UK construction sector.

The CleanSpace respirators hold the highest levels of approvals internationally, including Europe’s CE mark, the USA’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

“Respiratory protection has never been more important. Employers should be able to purchase reliable equipment and workers should be able to wear their PPE with confidence. This ruling serves as a reminder that highly protective, approved mask solutions is available and be deployed immediately for at risk workers. CleanSpace PAPRs are fully approved and widely used in industrial settings for the protection against airborne hazards and are the best practice for high-risk settings,” Dr Birrell said.

“Better PPE gives everyone peace of mind,” she says.

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A robust approach to industrial protection system specification Architects are increasingly specifying industrial protection equipment for warehouses and distribution centres. Paul Roehricht of Brandsafe provides guidance on best practice.

Distribution and logistics are dynamic sectors that’s forecast to be worth over $325 billion by the end of 2024. In the UK alone, one leading commercial property group* reports that investment in UK industrial and logistics totalled a record £6bn in H1 2021, more than double the £2.7bn recorded in the same period of 2020 and up 54% on the previous record period in 2018. It also forecasts that the UK will require an extra 92 million sq. ft. of warehousing space over the next three years. The demand for online grocery sales alone will account for 7.1 million sq. ft. of this additional space.

So, what does all this demand mean for warehouses now and in the future? One thing for certain is that continuing best practice around health and safety in industrial environments that are becoming ever busier will be crucial. People and property need to be protected and architects and others responsible for these designs, need to understand how they can facilitate better, safer and more effective workplaces for their clients.

Under UK law, employers must observe a duty of care to their workforce: they must identify the risks each person faces at work and plan accordingly.

Specification A key part of best practice involving specification for new warehouses, or even improving or expanding existing ones, centres around the efficiency and sustainability of the property - clients are ultimately looking for a premises that runs as safely and efficiently as possible. The Health and Safety Executive’s HSG76 advises on a number of areas that need to be taken into account when planning the layout of a site so that ‘…pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. Where vehicles and pedestrians use the same traffic route, there should be adequate separation between them’.

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This involves the installation of clear signage and floor markings, which are crucial to the safe and efficient movement of people, vehicles and machinery around the industrial workspace. HSG76 also recommends combining this clearly discernible signage with guardrails and pedestrian handrails used to create clear segregation and traffic routes.

Racking and storage is another area where incremental gains in safety can be achieved in a relatively straightforward and cost-effective manner. The application of clip-on protection to rack ends and any sharp edges of units will for example, protect people, vehicles and the units themselves from impact and collision damage.

Careful consideration should also be given to choosing the right products supplier. First and foremost, it is critical that they must offer products appropriate for the project. This might seem somewhat obvious, but it is not uncommon for some safety products to look good on paper only to lack the necessary performance characteristics that make them suitable for the required application. Here, opt for products whose performance has been assessed and verified through independent testing - this will always be a good starting point and a clear indicative of suitability.

A good supplier should be able to advise an architect on the performance requirements for each system on a

project-by-project basis, which will allow you to tailor your designs to the exact needs of the end user. This is where it benefits to partner with a supplier which has an in-house surveying and design team; they can directly support you and make it easier to create bespoke solutions for each project.

Requisite expertise Looking further down the project timeline, it will make life easier for the appointed main contractor if your safety system supplier is able to deploy its own installation teams. They will be best placed to assist on-site, helping to make sure that the project is completed within the desired timescales and budget.

They will also have the requisite technical knowledge to deal with any issues on-site during the installation process, adding further to fast turnaround times and efficiencies.

It’s important to bear in mind that the end client is duty-bound by Regulation 3 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) to ‘…make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work’. An experienced supplier will be well positioned to offer advice and insight when it comes to producing a comprehensive risk assessment for the project site in question.

It is also worth considering the strategic partnerships of the supplier when the relevant products are required for your project. Ultimately, architects and specifiers will want to work with fast and responsive suppliers; organisations that can guide and advise based on project requirements through a consultative approach.

Health and safety is a critical component of any modern, well-managed warehouse or logistics operation and there is always room for improvement when it comes to safeguarding and protecting people, and mitigating risk. In short, specification of effective safety solutions is simply good business. www.brandsafeprotection.com

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Winter jacket for exceptional comfort and ultimate weather protection MASCOT’s newest winter jacket offers ultimate visibility and protection when working or moving around in the vicinity of traffic or construction work. Thanks to its special fabric composition and fit, the jacket ensures a comfortable working day while also providing excellent freedom of movement. It can tackle all kinds of winter weather with its certified protection against the cold and rain.

Wrapped up in the new hi-vis winter jacket (19035-449) from MASCOT® ACCELERATE SAFE, you can enjoy certified protection in line with the most stringent standards for high-visibility clothing. The winter jacket is approved in accordance with EN ISO 20471 safety class three which ensures that the user remains visible to their surroundings – both in daylight and at night.

Designed to keep the user warm If you need a warm jacket you can rely on no matter the weather, then this wind and waterproof jacket is the optimal choice.

The fabric, sewing and zippers are all waterproof. The jacket features many

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details including a storm flap, which prevents cold wind from making its way inside.

A soft, insulating lining in CLIMASCOT® Lightweight Insulation keeps the body warm while also remaining light and flexible to wear. This makes it easy to move around in the jacket, which seamlessly flows with the movements of your body. The jacket has been tested and certified in accordance with both EN 342 and EN 343 which place requirements on its insulating and waterproofing properties.

No more drafts against the skin Many people experience uncomfortable drafts along their lower back and nape when working in winter jackets. But that will be of no concern in our 19035 jacket.

The lower back panel on the jacket can be extended, preventing cold air from penetrating in and reaching the skin, for example when kneeling down or bending forward. A pair of buttons keep this extra piece of fabric in place whenever it is in use. Moreover, the jacket also has an

extra high collar which protects the neck and nape from drafts, as well as elasticated cuffs to keep cold air from entering through the sleeves.

The hood provides excellent protection against the cold as a great deal of heat typically escapes from around the head.

Another common problem is hoods that blow down. A soft and elasticated fabric panel on this jacket extends the hood down at the forehead. Adjustable elastic drawstrings make it possible to tighten the hood around the head for a perfect fit. Or if you would rather do without the hood, it can be completely detached from the garment.

The jacket naturally comes equipped with all the practical pockets and features you could need in a busy day with lots to do. The jacket is available in both a ladies fit and in a version for men. It is part of a wider range of high-visibility safety clothing which offers a broad range of possibilities to mix and match.

View the selection at www.mascotworkwear.com

Mecalac MRail-Series Mecalac, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of compact equipment for urban construction sites, has further strengthened its position in the rail sector with the launch of its brand-new range - the MRail-Series.

Consisting of four new models: two railroad excavators on tracks, the 106MRail and the 136MRail (from 10 to 13 tons), and two on wheels, the 156MRail and the 216MRail (from 15 to 21 tons).

Mecalac MRail-Series: the strength of experience Following the 714MW RR, the longlasting success of the 8MCR RR and the exceptional start of the 216MRail last year, Mecalac is now offering a brandnew range of rail-road excavators, the MRail-Series. The manufacturer has been working with renowned rail partners for more than 20 years, developing comprehensive knowledge and insight in the meantime.

Mecalac is strongly positioned in the global market and has unveiled a new division specifically focused on the rail industry, from research and development to product and sales support. The new division harnesses Mecalac’s assembly line processes and quality standards, as well as its global dealer network.

The MRail-Series machines are assembled on Mecalac’s production lines.

This gives the manufacturer the means to meet the specific needs of this market, while benefiting from a solid industrial organisation and guaranteeing product reliability.

Four MRail machines: a solution for every jobsite The rail market is vast and comprises national railways, private tracks, tramways and underground networks. Track gauges and regulations vary from country to country. Jobsite requirements are also very different, depending on whether they are focused on maintenance, modernisation or the construction of new tracks. Taking these parameters into account, Mecalac’s MRail-Series offers the perfect machine for your needs.

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The 106MRail and 136MRail tracked excavators build on the Mecalac MCR concept. This concept, the fusion of a compact loader and an excavator, blends the speed and productivity of a loader with the 360° rotation of an excavator. They are designed to be the ultimate utility machine for the majority of service and maintenance works. They are also ideal for works in tunnels or in tight areas.

The 106MRail is the smallest machine of the MRail-Series. It features a two-piece boom with offset as standard and is extremely compact. Easy to operate, it is also the ideal support unit for larger machines.

The 136MRail provides even higher performance to increase overall productivity on national rail networks. It is equipped with numerous safety features and can be fitted with a pneumatic system for rail trailers and rail car brakes.

The 156MRail and 216MRail wheeled excavators are based on the Mecalac MWR concept. They provide solutions for all types of tracks and a high degree of freedom of movement, especially when moving the boom under height constraints (like catenaries).

The 156MRail is perfect for urban networks, subways and private tracks. It is a mediumsized machine that meets the requirements of rail applications without the costly and complex systems linked to regulations. It is the easiest and most profitable solution for working on rails.

The 216MRail is the strongest machine in the range and has been designed for the toughest jobs– with zero compromise on manoeuvrability, agility and compactness. It is compatible with the EN15746 regulation, the most stringent regulation for the rail sector. What’s more, it has a wide range of safety features and a pneumatic system for trailers.

Working on rails has never been easier with Mecalac This new range of rail-road excavators combines high performance and agility to let you work with unrivalled freedom of movement in the highly constrained areas of the rail industry.

True compactness is not just a matter of rear radius. Not obstructing the adjacent track and working in areas where very little space is available - at the rear, at the front and in height - is true compactness.

Superior balance is a key benefit of the Mecalac MRail-Series. The patented design of our booms gives the machine an outstanding weight distribution for balance and force. Add in Mecalac’s unique architecture and you achieve best-in-class stability for exceptional lifting performances.

Full 360° direct visibility is a major safety benefit for both the operator and those on site. Mecalac also offers unique solutions - maintenance from the ground level, including for refuelling, easy access to the cab and unbeatable visibility. This helps you tackle even the most complex tasks with peace of mind.

Compactness, stability, safety, agility, performance and versatility - Mecalac’s MRail-Series rail-road excavators offer the best solution on the market.

The rail industry is booming worldwide. Railroad excavators are the best tools not only for the maintenance of existing networks, but also for the construction of new tracks. Mecalac is committed to providing solutions that will revolutionise rail-road excavators and change the lives of users.

The manufacturer will officially launch these new models at the IAF international trade fair, one of the key events in this segment, which will be held in Münster, Germany, from 31 May to 2 June 2022.

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Strong local dealer support is key to Isuzu’s expanding truck fleet at Thorncliffe Building Supplies By the end of this year, Thorncliffe Building Supplies will have added 12 new Isuzu trucks to its 80-strong commercial vehicle fleet that operates out of three depot locations in North Wales.

Following the success of its first five Isuzu N75.190(E) 7.5 tonne tipper and skip vehicles supplied early this year, Thorncliffe Building Supplies has ordered a further seven new Isuzus, covering 3.5 tonne, 7.5 tonne and 13.5 tonne variants, all of which are being supplied by local Isuzu Truck dealer, Warrington Vehicle Centre (WVC).

“The decision to add new Isuzus to our fleet came about because of the need to replace several incumbent older vehicles, as well as adding some new vehicles to cope with the increasing demand from all our depots. We have had Isuzu trucks in our fleet on and off for many years, however for the GVW range from 3.5 tonne to 13.5 tonne, they are now our chosen marque, based on their proven 52

reliability, impressive payload and most importantly, the effective local dealer support we receive from Isuzu,” said Tim Harper, director, Thorncliffe Building Supplies.

The latest order for seven Isuzus consists of two Isuzu Grafter N35.125 manual 3.5 tonne curtainsided rigids, four Isuzu N75.190 (E) skip loaders and one Isuzu F135.240 (E) 13.5 tonne tipper, with all the new additions being gradually introduced into the Thorncliffe Building Supplies fleet over the next few months.

Tim Harper continues, “For our intensive business operations, it’s so important that we have reliable and effective support from our local supplying truck dealer and in the case of Warrington Vehicle Centre, they are absolutely superb and really on the ball in terms of supporting the current Isuzu fleet at our three depots.”

Thorncliffe Building Supplies Ltd is one of the UK’s largest independent builders merchants, servicing a customer base

from North Wales to the Wirral and the Northwest of England. Since 1987, the company delivered an extensive range of high-quality building supplies and plant hire, together with a reliable waste management and skip hire service from its sites in Dyserth, Ewloe and Abergele in North Wales.

“One of the key strengths of Isuzu Truck in the UK is the experience and knowledge of our long-established dealer network.

This proven ongoing day-to-day support is vital for companies such as Thorncliffe Building Supplies and in their case the local dealer, Warrington Vehicle Centre, has consistently performed to the high standards expected of an Isuzu truck dealer. This is borne out by the fact that WVC have successfully won our prestigious national UK dealer customer care accolade, the Paul Saunders CARE award, many times, including the last two years in succession,” said Pete Murphy, managing director, Isuzu Truck UK. For more information please visit: www.isuzutruck.co.uk

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