Construction and Civil Engineering Issue 113 Early Edition

TH E

M AGAZINE

FOR

IN DUST RIA L

LE ADER S

ISSUE 113 EARLY

CONSTRUCTION

&CIVIL Engineering Opening in 2015, the new Alder Hey in the Park is going to be a world-class hospital facility

Parklife See page 2

Reducing hazards

Building a solution

Minimising the health and safety risks in the field of construction

Addressing the need to deliver more affordable housing requires a combination of solutions

3D technology triumph 3D modelling has played an essential role in the redevelopment of King’s Cross

If you don’t have the time to read it all, read what you need Health & Safety Monitor is the newsletter of choice for professionals across all industries because it is: Clear, succinct and brief: With case summaries, indexes and bullet points so you can easily pick out what’s relevant to you Practical, informative and comprehensive: Health and safety news reported and analysed, with full references supplied for your ease of use Unbiased, trusted and critical: Gives you the facts

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CONTENTS

Chairman Andrew Schofield Group Managing Director Mike Tulloch

FEATURES

2Cover story

MAJOR PROJECT 2 Alder Hey in the Park will be the first NHS park for children, and will feature enhanced clinic areas, education and research facilities, new operating theatres and a new A&E

Editor Libbie Hammond

libbie@schofieldpublishing.co.uk

HEALTH & SAFETY 6

Editorial Design Jon Mee

How can we minimse the risks in construction – failure to address even simple problems can cause problems down the line

Advertising Design Fleur Daniels Staff Writers Matt High Jo Cooper Steve Nash Andrew Dann Editorial Admin Matt High Head of Research Philip Monument

6

Sales Director David Garner

12

EQUIPMENT 12

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 14

16

How cloud computing is transforming the construction sector – it creates a raft of benefits to users

CASE STUDY 16 The station redevelopment of King’s Cross has utilised 3D modelling technology to meld Grade 1 architecture and state-of-the-art design

SOCIAL HOUSING 20

Production/Office Manager Tracy Chynoweth

© 2015 Schofield Publishing Ltd

Has the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme stimulated the house-building sector?

The debate about HTB rumbles on A large plastic modular tank has been installed as part of a £21 million sewer treatment facility upgrade

Sales David King Mark Cawston

Schofield Publishing Cringleford Business Centre, 10 Intwood Road, Cringleford, Norwich, NR4 6AU, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)1603 274130 Fax: +44 (0)1603 274131

Updates and information from the construction and civil engineering market

HOUSE BUYING 10

Research Manager Laura Watling Editorial Researchers Keith Hope Tarj Kaur-D’Silva Mark Cowles Tony Wright Michael Coleman

NEWS 9, 13, 19

Some of the funding and investment decisions required for the delivery of affordable housing

22

COMPANY PROFILES

HTC Plant 22 Briggs & Forrester 26 Forbo Eurocol 30 Kierbeck THAMES 34 Birtley Group 36

Please note: The opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers within this publication do not necessarily coincide with those of the editor and publisher. Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information published is accurate, but no legal responsibility for loss occasioned by the use of such information can be accepted by the publisher. All rights reserved. The contents of the magazine are strictly copyright, the property of Schofield Publishing, and may not be copied, stored in a retrieval system, or reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Construction & Civil Engineering 1

Major project

Parklife Due to open in 2015, the new Alder Hey in the Park children’s hospital is not just a first for the UK but also for Europe

in October r construction e hospital unde th of ot sh l ria An ae

2014

A CGI showing how the completed Alder Hey in the Park will look

I

t will be the first NHS health park for children and will provide a total rebuild of the existing Alder Hey hospital; which is already one of Europe’s busiest children’s hospitals, caring for over 270,000 young people and their families every year.

Alder Hey in the Park is going to be an entirely new, world-class facility, with a design inspired by children.

Indeed, thousands of families took part in one of the NHS’s biggest-ever public consultations in order to come up with the best design, and many suggestions like better access to fresh

2 Construction & Civil Engineering

air and nature have been included in the plans. A drawing by 15-yearold Eleanor Brogan also impressed architects and inspired their final design. The team have continued to work closely with young people to get their input, and Alder Hey’s Children’s and Young People’s Forum helped to recruit an artist to work on the hospital’s interior design. Once the new Alder Hey opens, a Children’s Board will take an active role in the hospital and make sure that young people are given a voice.

With a worldwide reputation, the existing Alder Hey hospital is still an

exceptional facility, but at 99 years old it doesn’t have room to expand.

This new start allows the NHS Trust to use all its research and expertise to give children and families the best possible hospital experience in Europe. It will have vastly improved clinic areas, education and research facilities, new operating theatres and a new A&E. Innovations at the new hospital also include the fact that 75 per cent of beds will be single, en-suite rooms with pull-out beds for parents; there will be access to play areas, natural light and striking views of the park

will be available wherever possible; and children, young people and teenagers will have dedicated areas to play and relax.

Alder Hey in the Park is also one of the most sustainable 24-hour hospitals ever built with 60 per cent of energy generated on site by ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and much more. Divided into three ‘fingers’ housing clinical services and plant rooms, it will be serviced by a high performing energy centre, which is already complete. One of the primary achievements so far is

the use of digital engineering and modular wiring solutions to deliver this energy centre. The fast-pace of construction has meant that after only 20 weeks onsite, the services began to be installed (whereas usually this would take nine months).

Offsite manufacture (DfMA) has also been essential to the quick delivery of this hospital – for example, after only a year onsite, over 800 external facade panels had been installed, having been manufactured at Laing O’Rourke’s Explore Industrial Park (EIP) using four different colours of concrete panels to mimic

the look of the Liverpool Limestreet Station.

Once the building is complete, the old hospital will be demolished, recycling around 95 per cent of the material. This site will be transformed into new parkland, handing back to the community the green space that was ‘borrowed’ for the new Alder Hey.

Topping out A year after construction of the hospital began in June 2013, the topping out ceremony of the new building took place in June 2014, and Alder Hey and construction and

Construction & Civil Engineering 3

MAJOR PROJECT

engineering firm Laing O’Rourke held a special celebration in honour of the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Anna Stewart, Laing O’Rourke’s CEO said: “Today we reach the half-way point of this impressive building. We’ve been onsite for a year and have one year still to go which will make it the fastest hospital we’ve ever delivered.”

Chair of Alder Hey Sir David Henshaw added: “This is a momentous milestone on our incredible journey into our new hospital in the park.

Today’s event marks the official ‘topping out’ of the new hospital but it is also the beginning of a 12-month countdown before we move into our new home.

“The new building is as impressive as we had hoped for and is testament to the hard work of all those involved.

We have a lot of hard work to do as we prepare to move and use the opportunity the new building will give us to look after children and young people in the future. The excitement can now start to build as we prepare to open our doors to our new hospital next year.”

David Powell, Project Director of Alder Hey in the Park said: “Today is

A sample bedroom already complete

a great moment for staff at Alder Hey, Acorn and Laing O’Rourke but particularly all those who have been closely involved in the project.

Our brief to the team at Acorn was unique and extremely challenging and today we can see how they have managed to turn our dream into a reality.”

Research and Education Alongside the new hospital, a three story Research and Education Facility is also being constructed, which will be home to around 100

education, research and clinical staff.

The new facility will place Alder Hey and Liverpool as a national and international leader in the development of safer and more effective medicines for children and young people. Funding for the new facility has been generously provided

by Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, University of Liverpool, the Wolfson Foundation, the European Regional Development Fund, Matalan, Liverpool City Council and Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

In September 2014 young people

Photovoltaics on the roof are just one of the features helping the new Alder Hey become one of the most sustainable 24-hour hospitals ever built

4 Construction & Civil Engineering

A first glimpse of the new wards as they take shape from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN): Children’s Young Person’s Advisory Group (YPAG) filled a time capsule with memories and information about paediatric research, which is to be buried on the site of the new Research and Education Centre.

Louise Shepherd, Alder Hey chief executive commented: “Alder Hey is already a centre of excellence for paediatric research and education in the UK which remains central to our future strategy. The new

facility will have research, education and treatment facilities that no other UK or European children’s hospital can offer. Sharing knowledge and expertise within a centre such as this will help us to confirm our place as a world leader and provide a facility for the highest level of research and development for future generations.”

Leading construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall was selected to build the new centre following a competitive tender process. Barry Roberts, Morgan Sindall area director, said: “Alder Hey

Children’s Hospital has touched the lives of many people throughout the years and the new Research and Education facility will result in lifechanging discoveries for many more.

Healthcare buildings are always special to us because of the positive impact they aim to have and we are looking forward to unveiling the finished facility to them in its centenary year, 2015.” m

http://www.alderhey.nhs. uk/about-us/alder-hey-inthe-park/

Construction & Civil Engineering 5

HEALTH & SAFETY

Reducing

hazards Construction is risky business.

In fact, according to statistics, it is the second most dangerous landbased work sector in Europe. So how can we minimise the hazards? Here we speak to experts in the field of construction to find out more 6 Construction & Civil Engineering

W

orking on a building site poses all kinds of risks – from falls, trips and electrocution to being struck by debris or hurting yourself on machinery.

And let’s not forget the other hazards, which exist in the form of asbestos, solvents, noise and manual handling. So how do you go about assessing the dangers and ensuring you have met all the

guidelines to create a safe work environment for staff?

Tackling the issues Identifying health and safety issues is paramount in any industry. But all too often employers fail to address simple problems, which can cause disaster down the line.

In 2013 an inspection by the HSE exposed serious safety concerns in 1100 sites around the UK. In 539 cases, prohibition notices were

‘‘

(c) Arup

Construction conditions have improved ten-fold from 15 years ago. But there is more to be done in terms of education about minimising the dangers

served forcing workers to down tools. A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: ‘Where inspectors encountered poor practice, it often went hand in hand with a lack of understanding.’ So here are a few areas you should look at when reviewing the health and safety of your workplace: 1. Site organisation – including traffic management, protecting the public on site, preventing access by unauthorised people, materials

storage, sensible waste disposal and general welfare (adequate toilet facilities, drinking water, rest areas, changing rooms and lockers).

2. Slips, trips and falls – the single biggest cause of workplace injury.

Assess, eliminate and control the risk.

Look for uneven surfaces, obstacles, trailing cables, slippery surfaces and changes in level.

3. Work at height – look at all aspects of your building site from ground level up to the use of towers, scaffolds, platforms and ladders. Carry out training, provide safety harnesses and equipment.

4. Structural stability - assess the risks and prevent unintentional structural collapse during alterations, demolition and dismantling.

5. Cranes - all lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person; appropriately supervised; and carried out in a safe manner.

6. Electricity - work safely with power supplies and electrical equipment; map overhead power lines and underground cables to prevent accidental contact with machinery.

7. Fire - identify the risks; control combustible materials and ignition sources; and make it clear exactly what to do if fire does break out.

8. Mobile plant and vehicles - assess the risks, establish competence to operate and control access.

9. Hazardous material – asbestos is the single biggest occupational disease risk to construction workers.

The Asbestos Licensing Unit sets out the guidelines for how to work in this environment. Asbestos training must be carried out.

Dayle Bayliss of Dayle Bayliss Associates

10. Demolition - all demolition, dismantling and structural alteration should be carefully planned and carried out by competent practitioners.

Know the rules Dayle Bayliss, who runs Dayle Bayliss Associates, an award winning construction consultancy working on projects across the UK, said that, although construction is one of the worst industries in Europe in terms of safety, there are various groups working towards improving safety.

“Construction conditions have improved ten-fold from 15 years ago,” she said. “But there is more to be done in terms of education about minimising the dangers.

“Right now there is some work being carried out to streamline laws and legislation which will make life a lot easier for contractors. At the moment, a two-tier system exists where domestic clients don’t have the same regulations as commercial projects. The co-ordination, communication and planning for Health and Safety doesn’t have the same emphasis in a domestic project.

“In essence the work is looking at improving co-ordination and communication and placing more emphasis on the fact that safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

The law in a nutshell: The following legislation and guidelines should be taken into consideration when undertaking a risk assessment on a construction site: l Under European Union Law, there are European Union Directives in place to protect workers, notably Directive 89/391 (the Framework Directive) and Directive 92/57 (the Temporary and Mobile Sites Directive). The legislation places requirements on employers (and others) to assess and protect workers health and safety. l The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) has special legal status and gives practical advice for all those involved in construction work. l The ACOP will be replaced by a

Construction & Civil Engineering 7

HEALTH & SAFETY

Block it out

Sounds bad

shorter signposting version at the end of 2014. This will get rid of the current role of the CDM co-ordinator – a key project adviser for co-ordinating the arrangements for health and safety during the planning phase of larger and more complex projects. This will be replaced by another role to oversee domestic construction work as well as commercial. l The CDM regulations are to be amended in 2015 to bring them in line with European guidelines. Their aim is to improve health and safety in the industry, ensure better management of the risks on site and to provide a focus on effective planning.

Noise can have a devastating impact on health. In fact, the number of people suffering from noiseinduced hearing damage is on the rise. But noise is part and parcel of the construction site environment.

So what can be done about it?

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations 2005) employers have a duty of care to protect the health and safety of staff from all noise-related risks at work. This includes providing hearing protectors and training, identifying hearing protection zones or areas where the use of hearing protection is compulsory, and carrying out regular health checks for hearing damage. But there is one more thing construction site managers could use – an acoustic barrier.

Stay on top of safety Robert Norman, who runs Robert Norman Construction, said having the right equipment was vitally important during any big build project. “With any project you should be carrying out a thorough risk assessment prior to starting work,” he said. “This will help you work out what protective equipment is needed on a job. Hard hats and steel-toe boots are perhaps the most common personal protective equipment worn along with gloves, goggles, or high-visibility clothing. We also ensure people working machinery have been instructed on the dangers of excess noise and vibration and that they take the necessary precautions.”

8 Construction & Civil Engineering

Echo Barrier technical director Peter Wilson

Noise reduction experts Echo Barrier, which designs and manufactures the Echo Barrier H series of noise reduction barriers for use on construction sites have seen a huge increase in business in the last couple of years. Technical director Peter Wilson said: “In the past couple of years we’ve seen a marked shift by site managers towards the problems of excessive noise and how to reduce it. Noise is being taken more seriously.”

That said, shocking statistics were revealed by the Health and Safety Executive in November 2014, which show that 40 per cent of sites inspected throughout their month long spot-check initiative failed due to a lack of protection against issues such as noise, vibration and dust. At nearly half of the 1748 sites visited by inspectors, one in five were so poor, formal enforcement action was required.

Peter said: “The harmful effects of noise and vibration on employees is becoming a higher priority when it comes to health and safety on a construction site.

“But we are working hard to educate the sector about the dangers of exposure to excessive noise and vibrations and constantly strive to improve our product offering so that there are effective solutions out there for the industry to use.” m For more information:

www.echobarrier.co.uk www.robertnormanltd.co.uk www.daylebayliss.co.uk

NEWS

Looking for shelter A new range of modular canopy systems has been launched by street furniture manufacturer, Townscape Products Limited.

The Matrix Modular Canopy system is an innovative flat packed shelter solution for schools, retail, transport, hospitals and commercial premises requiring all year weather protection. The shelter can be installed on all types of ground surfaces and provides a high quality, long lasting cover with quick and cost effective installation.

The system comes as an easy to build, flat packed system in a range of colours. The roofing selection includes a clear translucent option, perfect for letting in natural light. Instead of having to purchase a made to measure outdoor shelter the Matrix Modular Canopy is a solution, which is flexible and can be built to the specific dimensions you require.

Jonathan Goss, managing director of Townscape Products, said: “This is the quickest and easiest installation for a shelter we’ve brought to market, making it extremely cost effective. The canopy provides a durable shelter for any area needing protection from the weather. The roofing provides an area for safe shading with 98 per cent UV protection and also gives good insulation and shelter in the winter, so it’s perfect all year round.”

Designer appointed Network Rail has appointed Arup to take forward the design of a visitor centre and bridge walk for one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks, The Forth Bridge.

The six-figure contract, which will develop detailed designs for a North Queensferry based visitor centre and lift and a South Queensferry based facility for bridge walkers, will see buildready designs delivered by the middle of 2015 prior to a submission being made to local authorities for planning consideration.

Arup will be supported by two local firms WT Architecture, a South Queensferry based firm which developed early design concepts, and which will provide architectural advice and local knowledge, and the The Paul Hogarth Company, a landscaping firm also based in South Queensferry, which will help develop the hard and soft landscaping plans for both locations.

The contract will include designs for North Queensferry where proposals envisage visitors arriving via a landscaped shore-side walk to a unique visitor centre building created under the northern Fife Tower. The South Queensferry design brief envisages a visitor reception centre from which guided bridge walks for groups of up to 15 people begin. The walking route will pass along the south approach viaduct on a pre-existing walkway underneath the track, followed by a climb to the top of the southern Queensferry Tower using a walkway within the top cantilever.

Key for construction in 2015 Richard Threlfall, KPMG’s Head of Infrastructure, Building and Construction, highlights that in 2015 the construction industry will need to address the widening skills gap and take further steps to improve the image of the industry. He said: “We estimate that by 2016, the country will be investing £45bn per annum in infrastructure, and the Government’s construction pipeline now shows a total of £116bn of spend over nearly 2000 projects. But that does not mean the industry can relax.

“As early as April 2015, the delivery of the UK construction pipeline will hit a constraint imposed not by lack of political will or funding but for lack of a sufficiently large and trained workforce. We estimate that by that 150,000 more workers will be needed on site to deliver major projects in London and the South East. The industry is failing to hire sufficiently fast, and is failing to train in sufficient volume.

“The construction industry continues to struggle to attract both the calibre and the diversity of individuals it needs. Careers advice, from schools, parents and peers is too often a cocktail of prejudice and ignorance. But the industry bears much of the blame for failing to proactively sell itself, and project a modern, exciting, fulfilling image of what life in construction involves. Why does this matter? Very simply our country cannot afford to fail to bring more talent into our construction and engineering industries. In 2015, the industry needs to work hard to change this image.”

Construction & Civil Engineering 9

House buying

Almost 55,000 people have now bought homes via Help-to-Buy. But as Wes Simmons asks - is the controversial programme stimulating the house-building sector?

T Building

hope 10 Construction & Civil Engineering

he government’s flagship Help-to-Buy (HTB) scheme has become an established element of Britain’s property landscape, but it’s been remarkable just how perceptions about its likely impact have shifted over the months.

When the concept was unveiled in the March 2013 Budget, Chancellor George Osborne promised £12 billion in mortgage guarantees to revitalise the stagnant house-buying market. To a construction sector, which had been on its knees for five years, the scheme really was a relief. It was widely welcomed as an innovative if costly - method to get the house building industry moving. True, some critics suggested that the stimulus might create a housing bubble, but that was outweighed by the majority who welcomed HTB as a means to finally get young and first-time buyers on to the housing ladder.

When Osborne later extended the scheme, from 2016 to 2020, he predicted that 120,000 homes would be built between those years.

Understandably, the additional commitment was well received by the construction sector - especially the major housebuilders, given the

scale of their existing stock levels, which they’d been unable to shift during recession.

‘It’s a far more efficient way to promote house-building than government spending, as it leverages private money’, the Chancellor’s aides told the media.

This message chimed well with his target audience during the times of austerity.

By mid-2014, fears of a bubble were being downplayed and, more importantly, the PLC housebuilders began to report that HTB had become a major driving force in their long-awaited recovery. In July, for example, Bovis Homes said the scheme had underpinned the best first-half in its 129-year history, with sales up a whopping 54 per cent year-on-year. The average sale price was also up by an impressive 11 per cent, which, after several years of stagnation, reassured all concerned that margins were starting to recover and that ROI would surely follow.

Oddly, research by removals specialist Bishop’s Move did suggest huge regional variations in awareness of HTB. In the NorthEast, 25 per cent knew nothing of it. Many in the South-West (28 per cent) and Yorkshire (26 per cent) had heard of it, but didn’t know what it was. The geographical differences were puzzling, but noone focused on them too much because it seemed news of HTB’s perceived benefits would surely reach all parts of the country, as time passed.

There was an unsettling week for the Chancellor and his supporters when Parliament’s spending watchdog, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), published a damning report saying HTB flouted Treasury guidelines, as optional ways of using the funds hadn’t been considered. “The government has committed to spending up to £10 billion on supporting this scheme, without establishing if it represents the most effective way

of using taxpayers’ money,” said PAC Chair, Margaret Hodge. The PAC itself was also clearly concerned about likely negative impacts of HTB on the wider economy; describing the scheme as ‘a heavy administrative burden’ which ‘has increased taxpayers’ exposure to risk’.

Housebuilders faced two major theoretical questions - how to effectively factor in regional variations to their business models and how to swiftly re-adjust if Ms Hodge’s Labour party came to power in 2015, abolishing HTB? Those concerns weren’t overplayed by the major builders or the wider construction industry - the reaction to the PAC comments soon ebbed.

The share price rises of Bovis Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Barratt Homes were also on a sufficiently large scale to impress analysts. Reports of widespread shortages of both bricks and skilled labour confirmed the view that house-building was on the way back, even though this meant challenges, in the short-term, to the construction industry and its supply chains.

At the start of November, the latest update from Housing Minister Brandon Lewis was also couched in reassuringly positive terms. He revealed that more than 39,000 new-built properties had been bought through the Equity Loan and NewBuy options. Another 15,000 homes had been acquired through the Mortgage Guarantee.

Impressively, the regional variations in HTB awareness appeared to have reduced, as 20 local authorities had achieved more than 300 sales. The country’s second highest number of equity loan sales had come from Leeds (559), rather than the more affluent Home Counties.

The debate about HTB’s impact will most certainly rumble on, although its critics are for the most part now silenced. Some observers might carp that house building would have recovered without government stimulus, as GDP began

‘‘

Some critics suggested that the stimulus might create a housing bubble, but that was outweighed by the majority who welcomed HTB

Wes Simmons

to tick up and confidence among both potential house-buyers and mortgage lenders did likewise.

However, the biggest challenge facing the construction industry in the coming months will now be political, rather than strategic.

Traditionally, the PLC housebuilders have been very close to the Conservative Party and Osborne is already committed to taking HTB through the life of the next parliament. Should Labour return to power though, it’s going to take a major lobbying effort by the Big Four and their supporters in the construction sector to persuade Ms Hodge and her allies that the scheme should be retained, despite its multi-billion cost. m

Wes Simmons is MD of Eque2. As a Microsoft Gold Partner and Sage’s preferred Business Partner for contracting software, Eque2 provides a range of innovative software to over 800 small to very large businesses financial and contract management; estimating, cost planning and postcontract; house building; document management and distribution; and SharePoint tools.

For further information, visit:

www.eque2.co.uk.

Construction & Civil Engineering 11

EQUIPMENT

Engineering

N

feat

ewport based Asset International has delivered the largest Weholite Modular tank ever built to Anglian Water’s Cambridge Water Recycling Centre, to form part of the inter-process pumping for the plant’s ongoing £21 million upgrade.

Ahead of the initiation of the AMP6 period in April 2015, Anglian Water is investing £21 million to increase the treatment capacity of the sewage treatment works in Cambridge. Asset International was commissioned by Anglian Water’s @one Alliance to deliver a Weholite Modular tank for the project, which would be utilised as a pumping chamber, in order to transfer sewage

12 Construction & Civil Engineering

A large Weholite modular tank has been built as part of Cambridge sewage treatment upgrades

to the new treatment units.

The dimensions required on site meant that the size of the Weholite Modular tank was larger than anything that had been built before at the South Wales factory.

At 15 metres long, 4.5 metres wide and five metres high, the tank has a capacity of approximately 340m3, which translates to 340,000 litres of sewage. Once the Weholite Modular tank left South Wales it was installed on site in Cambridge by the following morning, an impressive feat of engineering that would have seen a similar project undertaken in concrete taking up to 13 weeks to install.

Speaking about the project, Shaun Kalies, sales director at

Asset, commented: “Due to its sheer size a lot of complex design work went into the development of this Weholite Modular tank. We’re really proud of the finished result, which is a testament to the innovative practices we employ in every project that we undertake.”

Weholite Modular is a new product from Asset International, which is more commonly associated with its large diameter plastic pipes.

Weholite Modular can be used to construct CSO control chambers, pumping stations, flow control chambers, ventilation chambers, detention tanks and other strategic water management products. m For more information visit:

www.weholite.co.uk.

NEWS

Quick work BAM Construction completed a £10 million Middlesex school building project within a calendar year after teamwork and innovative thinking helped shave six weeks off the project. BAM handed over Heathrow UTC on 26th of November, some six weeks before its contracted completion date of 15 January 2015.

Even with time allowed for postconstruction personalisation works in early December, the contractor was off site before Christmas – having started in the first week of 2014. BAM also built a temporary school nearby with the same site team during that period.

“This is an incredible achievement, and comes as a result of hard work from our great team of young site managers lead by Lee Macdonald and Andrew Sherwin,” said project manager Brian Kelly. “There has been a great spirit of collaboration on this project, with everyone pulling together to find ways of getting the job done quicker.”

All subcontractors have finished

Changing attitudes

earlier than expected, with many works able to overlap as the team found ways to shorten the programme, using the company’s emphasis on ‘lean construction techniques’.

A local feel to the project also helped, according to Kelly, with 30 per cent of staff coming from the borough along with two major subcontractors, Toureen Mangan and Rochfords. “We benefitted from having local staff who could walk or get the bus to work, and who bought into the project as it was happening in their neighbourhood,” said Brian.

Breaking ground Virgin Hotels and owner/developer Lam Group, have revealed building designs for their first project together in New York City. Located on the southeast corner of 30th Street and Broadway in the NoMad neighborhood, Virgin Hotels New York is expected to open in 2017.

VOA Architecture has been enlisted as the architect and interior designer, to oversee the development of the new structure with the Virgin Hotels design team, which includes a block long high-end retail space, 475 guest rooms, multiple concept suites, food and beverage outlets, rooftop bar plus an outdoor pool and spa. The property is expected to break ground in early 2015.

Virgin Hotels CEO, Raul Leal, said: “We are ecstatic to partner with Lam Group and VOA to bring New Yorkers a dynamic new hotel. The property will be a ground-up development designed to support business and leisure traveller’s needs and wants, while providing an active spot for locals.”

VOA Architecture NY managing principal, Len Cerame added: “The 38-story hotel is a unique site and design opportunity for VOA, with a massing that expresses the hotel’s internal functions including active rooftops as well as a staggered cantilevered facade that enhances room views on all four sides. Virgin Hotels New York’s distinctive look is sure to play a key role in the neighborhood’s transformation process.”

Sixty eight per cent of construction professionals think not enough is being done to reduce carbon in the industry, says a new report from the Construction Industry Council.

This finding comes as no surprise to David Ball, founder and chairman of David Ball Group PLC. David comments: “The recent EU climate change package gives us 15 years to right the wrongs of decades of damage and destruction and cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. The construction industry has already taken steps to achieve this, with green innovations developing throughout the industry. Both the cement and concrete industries are at the forefront of this drive to a more sustainable legacy from the built environment.

“Materials are not often addressed as a potential area to reduce greenhouse gases, as there is an assumption that there are no alternatives.

However that is simply not true.

Through many years of intensive research and development we have invented a zero carbon concrete – Cemfree – which provides up to a 95 per cent reduction in CO2 compared with the industry standard.”

Cemfree is the embodiment of the determination of the global cement and concrete industry to reduce its environmental impact.

“Utilising well known byproducts of other industries, this disruptive new product can reduce the UK’s operational CO2 emissions by over 2,100,000 tonnes every year, just from existing raw material capacity alone, without any forward investment or expansion of resources.”

Construction & Civil Engineering 13

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Cloudsource How cloud computing is transforming the construction sector. By Joseph Blass

G

iving skilled construction site workers a reliable and secure way to access their desktop computer remotely is a potential game-changer for an industry under constant pressure to be faster, more competitive and more efficient.

The construction sector relies on technology to share information between the dozens of experts who work together to ensure a building project is successfully completed on time and on budget. From the architect and engineer’s computeraided designs to the software that ensures materials are ready and staff are in place, every aspect of a modern

14 Construction & Civil Engineering

Joseph Blass

project depends on technology linking staff in different businesses and locations.

All construction companies share the ingredients that make them suitable for a hosted desktop solution. Firstly, by definition, construction companies have multiple offices, many of them located on temporary building sites.

Cloud computing allows disparate offices to work harmoniously. Secondly, some of these locations can be dusty and have people walking in and out; again, cloud computing reduces the dependence on the local machine which if ruined or stolen doesn’t need to contain data. With a Hosted Desktop the local computer is just an access point. Moreover, the computer

can be used to ‘hot desk’ and allow multiple employees to use the same device on different days, so the employees do not need to carry around a laptop.

Convenient For all these reasons many construction companies are looking to the Cloud for convenient, costeffective and hassle-free ways to

connect their sites with their wider workforce, clients and suppliers.

Using cloud-based services, an engineer visiting a site can access all the software and tools available on his or her desktop back in the office.

Working with a familiar desktop layout is a more efficient, productive way to operate. It means staff don’t need extra training to get to grips with different IT tools. They can access their desktop anywhere using a portable device and need only a 3G signal to get started. That eliminates the need to install cable-based telecoms on a building site – an option that is expensive and difficult, especially with remote locations.

While many employees can already retrieve work emails when they’re out of the office, they often can’t access all their other documents or programmes. Skilled construction

workers regularly need to access more complicated applications, particularly at a time when the industry is embracing the digital age. They can’t afford to waste time contacting the head office or struggling to open files when they need information about staffing issues, materials or computer designs.

No cabling Having a secure, reliable connection to a familiar looking desktop removes one of the great headaches of working remotely, especially in a challenging environment like a building site. It treats fast, safe and robust access to the network like any other utility, whether it’s electricity or water. It allows site-based staff, who work to tight deadlines and budgetary pressures, to connect with colleagues around the world.

Site managers don’t have to worry about installing expensive computer servers or cabling. Relying on the cloud also reduces the need for IT technicians and capital expenditure on servers and software. Maintenance work is transferred to the cloud

‘‘

Many construction companies are looking to the Cloud for convenient, cost-effective and hassle-free ways to connect their sites with their wider workforce, clients and suppliers

Scalable One of the biggest benefits of the cloud for construction companies is its scalability. Rather than invest in expensive computer equipment, a firm only has to pay for the IT services it needs. When their requirements grow, the cloud is ready to grow with them. With the rise of digital design and construction, construction companies require more and more computing power provided by bigger and faster servers.

The cloud can meet that demand.

This more flexible way of working is ideally suited to a sector that is highly flexible and is used to working with contractors and temporary staff.

Digital design

supplier. Using the cloud’s processing power also cuts down on energy consumption and helps make a project more environmentally friendly.

Security The rise of connected building sites inevitably raises questions about security. Confidential details of designs, contracts or budgets must be kept secure. Having a central repository for sensitive documents in the secure cloud is a sensible precaution. It’s also a good solution if different employees need to view the same large document or file that is too big to email. The more risky alternative might be leaving computers in a less-than-secure temporary building on-site. That’s a bad idea in a complex environment that is constantly evolving.

Perhaps the most important IT theme in construction is also the least well known among the wider public. Described by many as the construction industry’s ‘digital revolution’, the adoption of an emerging system called Building Information Modelling (BIM) is transforming the sector. It uses data-rich, digital 3D models to allow people to share information about buildings and understand how they will function across their lifespan. The government has identified BIM as a crucial step forward that will lead to better design, more efficient buildings and a new era of collaboration in construction. With their access to vast computing power, cloud services will play a central role in the spread of BIM. The successful building sites of the future will be powered by cloud computing and hosted desktops that give employees a cost effective and convenient competitive edge. m

Joseph Blass is CEO of WorkPlaceLive. WorkPlaceLive was established nearly 20 years ago to provide traditional IT support to local businesses and charities. Today, the company is a dynamic, fast-growing cloud-computing provider – and it was one of the first UK organisations to pioneer hosted desktop services. WorkPlaceLive specialises in providing enterprise level IT, and offers responsive and friendly support from a highly experienced team as well as a range of consultancy solutions.

For further information, visit: www.workplacelive.com.

Construction & Civil Engineering 15

CASE STUDY

The triumphof

3D technology The redevelopment of King’s Cross station has been a stunning achievement of architecture and engineering. Cliff Green explains how 3D modelling enabled the original Grade 1 listed building to be revealed in all its glory and melded with state-of-the-art design

16 Construction & Civil Engineering

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uilt in 1852, King’s Cross railway station is one of the main transportation hubs in London. As with the rest of the United Kingdom’s rail network infrastructure, the station has struggled in recent years to manage not only increasing ridership but also providing the space and amenities commuters expect.

The £547 million redevelopment of King’s Cross station is at the heart of one of the largest regeneration undertakings in Europe, with 67 acres of brownfield land being redeveloped to create eight million square feet of offices, retail space,

and housing. This complex urban regeneration project faced many technical challenges, including the potential impact on the mainline station, a number of underground transport connections, and the nearby St Pancras International railway station. The redevelopment also had to maintain the historic, Grade 1 listed building, which required continual verification from English Heritage and other statutory bodies.

John McAslan + Partners project technology manager Cliff Green explained: “King’s Cross station is not just a building; it is a major transportation node in a highly sensitive part of the city. The way

The King’s Cross station makeover

the station connects with the city and supports the urban regeneration project is hugely complex.”

For a project of this size and complexity, architects John McAslan + Partners needed equally sophisticated models and modelling tools. Bentley’s MicroStation’s federated model structure allowed the large design team to easily and rapidly share common files between multiple disciplines. Using Bentley tools they were able to merge and organise numerous elements of the project including heritage and conservation work on current structures, as well as existing services and transportation infrastructure.

The King’s Cross redevelopment project is operated by Network Rail and sponsored by the Department for Transport. The project required a new design and construction, reusing existing structures, and restoring historic building elements, including the train shed and the station’s previously obscured historic façade.

Given the number of organisations involved in this complex project, from design through fabrication and construction, it was essential to enable efficient collaboration and information sharing. MicroStation’s federated model structure ensured everyone on this large design team had access to high-quality, consistent, validated data. The collaborative process enabled the project team to avoid disruption to London Underground passengers and allowed Network Rail to meet its pledge to Transport for London that no mainline train service would be cancelled due to the redevelopment.

“The King’s Cross redevelopment has been a key project in John McAslan + Partner’s BIM evolution,” Green said. “With so much information to share with so many

different parties, the speed and effectiveness of information capture and collaboration was a key aspect of this project.”

3D Modelling enables successful co-ordination The western concourse semi-circle diagrid roof, which rises 20m, and spans 150m, involved extreme engineering and co-ordination challenges. The new concourse, which covers 7500sq m, is the largest single-span structure in Western Europe, and could only accommodate supports at a limited number of points due to various subway and service tunnels. The roof also had to be constructed in a way that did not touch the historical structures. Accurate 3D modelling of the roof and surrounding structures was vital to successful coordination between an international team of architects, structural designers, and fabricators.

Design verification speeds process Because the station is an important historical structure, one of the key challenges for this project was the need for on-going design verification during the extended heritage and conservation negotiations. High-

Construction & Civil Engineering 17

CASE STUDY

quality, accurate 3D models were vital to the restoration of the historic south facade, and the refurbishment of the vaulted main train shed (including incorporation of photo-voltaic arrays).

Using detailed survey data along with MicroStation’s power to handle complex infrastructure project data, the team was able to weave historical structures into a modern project.

“We were able to speed up the design process and could accurately predict the outcome of works to the existing historical fabric. It allowed savings during the construction phase through the reduction of errors in documentation, and also at scheme level by allowing rapid communication of the design to the client, consultative organisations and to project collaborators,” Green explained.

The firm also used MicroStation to verify design concepts, assessing aspects such as the way new buildings would work with the existing site and how the building’s flow would work for passengers, including everything from concourse layout to signage. In addition, the concourse is now clad with 5.2 million tiny ceramic tiles that had to be laid over a two-way curve with construction joints. MicroStation was used to model each and every tile to assess how they could be best installed – a process that simply could not have been carried out manually.

18 Construction & Civil Engineering

Supportive technology enables ambitious development As the project progressed, the company extended its use of Bentley software from 2D and 3D, to building information modelling (BIM) and GenerativeComponents, without the need to step outside the MicroStation interface. “This is

a really smart way to work,” noted Green. “We can work in large teams and use 2D, 3D, and BIM to suit the state of the project, the type of project, and the skills of our team.

The flexibility of MicroStation offers a real advantage and allows us to work to the best of our ability.”

The station remodel has enhanced passenger amenities, rationalised operational activities, and significantly increased retail space. In addition, John McAslan + Partners played a key role in the wider transformation of the King’s Cross area. This included improved infrastructure, social, and commercial changes that now connect the station with the substantial King’s Cross Central scheme to the north, as well as improved interchange links with the London Underground, St. Pancras station, Thameslink services, taxis, and buses. m

Cliff Green is project technology manager at John McAslan + Partners.

For further information visit

www.mcaslan.co.uk or www.bentley.com

NEWS

Drain brains Lanes Group has been praised for its ‘superb’ contribution to major road improvement works on the campus of the University of Warwick. The company’s engineers carried out a series of CCTV drainage surveys and cleaned highway drains for main contractor Costain, as part of scheme to upgrade the main public access route into the university.

The road improvements, planned with Coventry City Council, are due to be completed in time for a series of major events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the University in spring 2015.

Costain works manager Spencer Brindley said: “The Lanes team did a superb job for us on the project.

New guide

We needed to identify the current drainage system on site, so we could connect it to the new works.

“They did very well to identify the existing drainage assets, and give us high quality survey reports, which have helped us plan the connections in an effective and timely manner.”

Radical refurb Law firm Walker Morris LLP recently invested in a radical redesign of its office on King Street, Leeds. The refurbishment, which is the largest in the city for the last five years, was undertaken by leading office fit out specialists Bluu and has seen a transformation of all areas of the firm’s Kings Court premises including major renovation works to the ground floor reception areas and conference suites.

The design was the vision of Harrogate-based creative design consultancy SoVibrant, who specialise in designing projects, which create impact. Fox Lloyd Jones acted as project manager on the scheme.

Ian Gilbert, managing partner at Walker Morris explains: “Having a single-site strategy from which we service our national and international clients is increasingly winning favour with our clients because of the close teamwork it engenders which allows us to offer the highest calibre advice from our specialist teams at best value.

This strategy demands that we support our people and our clients with offices which not only support the collaborative way in which we work but are also reflect our status and brand as a leading law firm.

“The refurbishment, which is part of a multi-million pound investment in our offices and IT systems, reflects our desire to provide an environment and support infrastructure which allow us to provide excellent client service and which is flexible enough to meet our needs today and in the long-term. The investment illustrates our confidence in the future for both Walker Morris and for the region.”

Companies seeking a temporary space solution are being reminded of the need to plan ahead. Securing local authority approval for all types of development can be a complex and time-consuming procedure.

But temporary building experts Spaciotempo have produced a guide, which aims to demystify the planning application process.

The document, entitled ‘Planning Ahead To Boost Your Business’ is available for free download at http:// www.spaciotempo.co.uk/ resources/white-papers It reveals what steps are involved and covers issues such as timescales, cost and rules on Permitted Development. The guide also includes details on how the Staffordshire-based company can support customers by taking the lead role.

Going digital Terex Construction has launched a new distributor support application and an enhanced terex.com/ construction website. Both initiatives are part of a strategic focus on digital marketing technologies to improve the customer experience by providing easier access to information.

The newly launched Terex Construction app puts all of the content that distributors need to support their customers at their fingertips.“We took a good look at the tools available to our sales teams and saw a tremendous opportunity to utilise tablets for content management and delivery,” says Neal Nowick, general manager at Terex Coventry. “We have taken all of the content these sales teams need and packaged it into one device that’s easy to carry and easy to use.

Construction & Civil Engineering 19

SOCIAL HOUSING

Building a

solution

Liz Jenkins looks at some of the funding and investment decisions required for the delivery of affordable housing

20 Construction & Civil Engineering

T

he UK is currently experiencing huge population growth: the birth rate is up, there is net migration from overseas, and the population is growing older, as people live longer. The growing population is felt particularly keenly in London and the Southeast, which accounts for over 50 per cent of the UK’s population growth, with London absorbing about half of that number. As the population growth far outstrips the pace at which new homes are being built, the UK is facing a staggering affordable housing shortage that is only going to intensify.

It is clear that as the economy and population continue to grow,

a combination of solutions is required to significantly improve the quantity of housing that is currently being built; in particular housing that is affordable and suitable for the elderly and those with social needs. Some of these solutions are practical and include: accessing more available land, whether publicly or privately owned; encouraging the development of brownfield sites; embracing higher density building in our cities; investing in technology and alternative methods of construction that will deliver faster and cheaper homes. Other solutions involve different financial models and the need to reintroduce PFI or alternative public private partnerships.

Finance is a factor Ultimately, the demand for housing can only be met with both government funding and private investment. The Treasury has committed £3.3 billion for 165,000 new homes across England over the next three years, and another £3.7 billion through the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme. The Greater London Authority (GLA) announced there would be £1.25 billion to support the delivery of 42,000 affordable homes between 2015-18, and proposed the creation of a London Housing Bank, with £200 million earmarked for a project to speed up building on large sites.

A limiting factor in local development is finance available to local authorities. With increasing devolution to Scotland, there is growing support for London and other cities to have greater financial autonomy - including local control of Stamp Duty Land Tax, a degree of tax devolution, and local tax assignment – as greater fiscal independence would allow Local Authorities and the cities more flexibility in their approach to creating housing. Local Authorities and NHS Trusts are acutely aware of the need for providing suitable supported housing for the elderly and those with social needs in their area and, using the localism agenda, they are best placed to address this.

In order to finance suitable affordable housing the public sector can help stimulate capital investment by exploiting the inherent value of their asset base. One method of raising debt finance to fund infrastructure has been through using joint venture models or Local Asset Backed Vehicles (LABV), whereby the public sector body sets up a limited liability company along with their private investor, transferring its assets into the joint venture vehicle, whilst the private investor puts up the capital to cover the regeneration costs.

Tax Increment Funding (TIF) is another investment model gaining popularity. It works on the basis

‘‘

The UK is facing a staggering affordable housing shortage that is only going to intensify

that local investment will increase the future tax base, and credit is leveraged against projected revenue.

The Local Government Association (LGA) believes it ‘offers considerable scope for generating growth that would not otherwise happen’, where high upfront costs would prevent infrastructure development.

PFI is successful and proven However, TIF’s are used to fund infrastructure from which local businesses can benefit – so this is not a model for developing affordable housing. Equally LABV’s or alternative joint venture models rely on the underlying land having a certain value and often require cross subsidy from housing sales to underpin their success. Neither is really suitable for large-scale affordable housing requirements in what might be difficult locations or require significant amounts of capital/investment. In this respect, although PFI has fallen out of favour since the financial crisis, it still remains a successful and proven method of procurement of affordable housing.

Manchester, Oldham, Leeds, Salfords, Lambeth and others have all achieved large-scale regeneration through using PFI credits to underpin the successful delivery of affordable housing in areas that desperately needed this. Prior to the comprehensive spending review in October 2010, there were £1.6 billion of PFI credits available for social housing schemes, which were massively oversubscribed by Local Authorities desperately in need of this money to deliver affordable housing or regenerate large estates in their area.

Currently there are no PFI housing schemes. Those that have closed in the last couple of years have been the few that were allowed to

Liz Jenkins

continue post the comprehensive spending review. These included non-HRA Housing schemes such as those in Kent and Stoke, which provided supported social housing for vulnerable people. The Kent Housing scheme established 240 new units providing housing for older people, people with mental health needs and vulnerable/homeless people across five districts in Kent.

It was a collaboration between the County Council, responsible for Adult and Social Care Services, and the district councils, responsible for housing; as it enabled small authorities access to PFI procurement, which independently, they would have been unable to access. Without PFI credits or an alternative public-private partnership model, it is unlikely these schemes could have been delivered.

PF2 may be the answer With the proportion of the population living longer increasing, the need for affordable sheltered housing for older citizens is equally going to increase dramatically. The Government has invested time and effort in analysing the issues with PFI and providing an alternative PF2 model - so why not use PF2 as part of the solution to delivering more affordable housing?

Solving the affordable housing crisis for the elderly and vulnerable requires a mixture of approaches and the ability for the public and private sector to work together to finance and deliver significantly higher levels of suitable housing. The PFI/PPP model has been successfully used and may still be the best answer to avoid or mitigate this growing crisis. m

Liz Jenkins is partner at law firm Clyde & Co, a global law firm with a pioneering heritage and a resolute focus on its core sectors of insurance, aviation, energy, infrastructure, natural resources, marine and trade. With over 1500 lawyers operating from 39 offices and associated offices in six continents, the firm advises on a wide range of contentious and transactional matters. For further information visit: www.clydeco.com.

Construction & Civil Engineering 21

PROFILE: HTC PLANT

Reaching new

heights Offering tower crane and hoist packages that are tailored to customers needs, HTC Plant Ltd provides manpower and equipment with a real head for heights

22 Construction & Civil Engineering

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acked by its owners Harrington Group, HTC was formed from the acquisition of the tower crane division of Hewden Stuart PLC in 2002. With a fleet of 100 or so assets and a presence in the industry of around 40 years, a strong platform existed to grow the company to a standing where today the fleet consists of over 230 cranes, working all over the UK. In 2007 it acquired the hoist division of Hewden, further expanding the capabilities of the business with additional workforce, equipment and depot locations.

Additionally, it operates two mobile crane units, predominantly for its own operations, although flexibility is a key strength of the company.

HTC is the agent for the German manufactured Wolff cranes, a highly regarded top end product, recognised as worth the additional expense it attracts. “We offer a very good brand that benefits from a high free-standing height. One of the major advantages is that it does not require tying in to potentially weak structures. It is an excellent example of German engineering, both high in quality and reliability.

The equipment is robust, strong and

lasts a long time,” says David Holder, managing director.

Highlighting that confidence in the equipment, HTC is looking to procure several new cranes with a much taller reach, as David points out: “The new units will take us up to 230 metres. We have got some high profile jobs coming up and there are many more available to win.

Securing such contracts will require a massive investment in tower sections to reach new heights.”

The company is heavily involved in projects in the UK market, but through close connections with projects that its parent company fronts, it is active in the Middle East region, working from a facility in Dubai where since 2009 it has operated ten cranes and up to six hoists.

Discussing the conditions within the UK market over the past year, David explains that in his opinion the market has dramatically lifted, with several new orders within the UK, adding: “As the market improves, the financial conditions are starting to catch, and we have quoted some quite healthy rates for 2015. At the moment we are still continuing to fill in on work, which was won cheaply back in 2012/2013, but as that completes over the coming months we will be able to move onto something with a more substantial and robust rate, enabling us to invest in more stronger, more capable equipment, upping our age profile a little bit. Buoyancy is present across quite a few sectors, including residential, high rise, commercial office space, and some infrastructure projects.”

With much of the recent vertical expansion in the northern territories complete, the bulk of HTC’s focus is being channelled to within the M25. However, in the past its portfolio of work has consisted of projects within the energy sector,

a market offering a good quality of work at attractive rates and although we already work for and have contact with petrochemical companies both on and offshore, we do not do as much as we would like, but our equipment is well suited to a number of activities essential to operations,” explains David.

One of HTC’s units has a unique system incorporated for repairing flare stacks, which has in the past proved a great success, with clients showing interest for future activities.

The current portfolio of projects includes many high profile projects such as those at AWE Aldermaston where over the past four years the company has undertaken a number of activities. Beyond that, projects such as Westfield shopping centre in Sheperds Bush, residential projects in Stratford Village in the

international quarter, refurbishment works at London Bridge Station, and a six crane project in Nova Victoria have all bolstered the expertise of the business.

Innovation plays a key role in the company’s progression and is an ongoing activity. Working closely with its manufacturer, HTC ensures new models are designed to serve the needs of its customers, whilst ensuring lower power requirements, greater capacity and flexibility.

Work within the high rise block is one thing that HTC pays particular attention to, and offering free standing solutions enables clients to build structures without intrusive tie ins so that they can waterproof the building much more quickly.

Through innovation HTC is also able to promote safety, developing a climbing platform for when erection

and building on that experience the business remains hopeful that it will achieve growth in that sector too. “We are trying to expand into the energy sector, which we see as

Construction & Civil Engineering 23

PROFILE: HTC PLANT

staff are attaching tie collars to give a safe place of work and reduce the risk of items falling.

“Our greatest strength is the reliability of our product, but this is heavily backed up by our expertise.

We have got long standing members of staff who have been with us for many years, gaining a vast amount of experience in complicated projects that entail activities such as high-rise climbing and tying. We are able to supply operators, supervisors, signallers and appointed persons, providing a whole lifting package should a customer want it.” Focused on safety, the business recently obtained 18001 accreditation, complementing the pride it takes in using its achievements in best practice to assist in steering the safety of the tower crane industry.

HTC Plant is a CITB registered training centre and delivers tailored training packages to all areas of the industry. As well as training facilities in Sheffield it has a facility in Cheshire where it provides CPCS tower crane operators, slinger signalers and appointed persons training, which will allow the company to further control the quality of training delivered to potential candidates wishing to enter the company or industry.

“We are looking at expanding that aspect, and we will drive this through our accredited test centres and providing opportunity to train operators on site.

Apprenticeships “Each year we run an apprenticeship scheme, employing four novices, where following training they are paired up with regular operators to gain experience and ultimately go out into the field on their own. So far this has proved a great success and through opening it to friends and family of existing employees we have generated a wealth of loyalty within the business. In the coming years that will be further expanded, as well as continuing

26 Construction & Civil Engineering

to offer internal and external courses for numerous signalling and marshalling qualifications,” says David.

Strategy is a card David regularly plays in ensuring positive development of the business, and following expansion over the last decade the goal of establishing an optimum level in terms of fleet size has been reached. Drawing to a conclusion, David highlights the steps ahead: “Adaption of the fleet will be an ongoing method that guarantees we continue to increase our capabilities, and as new equipment is purchased, through our established contact list we will sell the older items, ensuring that our operational capabilities are not affected. Ultimately we are driven to succeed within the tower cranes market and our goal is to select the best products for our customers and do the best job possible. The focus for HTC has always been the level of service we provide, in preplanning, erection and dismantle, and that remains true.” m

Construction & Civil Engineering 25

PROFILE: BRIGGS & FORRESTER

resorts-world-birmingham

TRILUX

Prestigious

B

riggs & Forrester has been a leading player in the building services industry for more than 65 years, priding itself on quality and service and working towards a better-built environment.

The business, which is a privately owned company with an annual turnover in excess of £150 million, has built a reputation as a market leader providing full building services including design, installation, energy consultancy and maintenance services for the construction industry.

It has a long history of quality, fostered through close relationships with its clients, representing a heritage that remains a cornerstone of the company’s values. Today the company maintains these high standards though delivering an exceptional quality, results orientated approach that is combined with a growing emphasis on energy efficiency, energy conservation and associated environmental issues.

Briggs & Forrester represents a group of companies capable of offering a broad and varied suite of highly specialised skills including engineering, design, installation and maintenance. The individual divisions

26 Construction & Civil Engineering

projects

Briggs & Forrester offers a broad range of highly specialised skills making it the market-leading provider of building services in the UK Strada SE1

operating within this group structure Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services, Briggs & Forrester (Special Projects), Combined Energy Solutions, Briggs & Forrester (MEP), and Low Energy Consultancy

TRILUX is one of the UK’s leading providers of energy-efficient and sustainable lighting solutions. The company, which is headquartered in Germany, offers a wide product portfolio, always perfectly matched to customer requirements and specific applications. But it’s not all about product.

TRILUX provides its customers with worldclass project support and lighting expertise, throughout the project lifecycle.

“TRILUX have worked closely with Briggs & Forrester for over ten years, on numerous projects across commercial, healthcare and education sectors,” says Darrell West, TRILUX regional sales director. “The relationship is built on TRILUX’s ability to deliver highly efficient luminaires from a wide product range, that includes solutions for all budgets and applications.”

Pictured opposite is the Arimo Slim LED product family, which delivers up to 110 lm/ Ws and is well suited to office applications.

Featuring the latest in LED technology, the luminaires deliver homogenous, wide area light distribution, that is pleasant and glare free with UGR 19.

– bring a combination of skills, experience and knowledge that enables them to provide solutions that can be fully integrated for the most demanding and complex mechanical, electrical and public health engineering installations across most industry sectors.

Because of its diverse range of activities Briggs & Forrester is capable of completing projects in many areas such as project energy feasibility, compliance, design, off site manufacture, installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance of mechanical, electrical and public health engineering services.

Briggs & Forrester covers virtually all sectors of the UK construction industry, from commercial developments, luxury residential properties, hotels, hi-tech labs, engine production and testing facilities, to retail and leisure developments,

Construction & Civil Engineering 47

PROFILE: BRIGGS & FORRESTER

educational establishments, student accommodation, research facilities and healthcare.

In December 2014 the company was appointed by Berkeley Homes to design, supply, install and commission the mechanical, electrical and public health services infrastructure for its Abell and Cleland development in Westminster, London. The development, which will include three levels of basement car parking, an energy centre with service links between the buildings,

Paddington Basin

Fläkt Woods Fläkt Woods Limited is a leading global supplier of air comfort and fire safety solutions. Fläkt Woods has a number of ‘best in class’ products that lead the way in indoor air quality and life safety systems.

Fläkt Woods is proud to work with Briggs and Forrester and is a valued customer. By working together it enables Fläkt Woods to bring air to life.

28 Construction & Civil Engineering

luxury health suite and concierge, will serve a number of high end and luxury apartments. In the residential sector Briggs & Forrester’s specialist residential division, Briggs

& Forrester (MEP) has considerable experience in these types of projects and understands that each project is unique, working with the individual client in order to take their visions and aspirations from a concept through to the final design. Other significant residential projects for the company include West End Quay, Paddington Basin, London, Strata SE1, Southwark, London, No 1 Hyde Park, St Georges Tower, New Providence Wharf, Brentford, and The Hub, Milton Keynes.

Briggs & Forrester has the ability to provide in-depth project management and site supervision expertise. It employs highly skilled installation engineers and designers that utilise the latest and most upto-date CAD technology.

An effective and strong supply chain is a key aspect of Briggs

& Forrester’s success, and in November 2014 the company hosted its 9th annual supply chain event at the Birmingham Council Offices. The company recognises the importance of all the members of its supply chain, who were invited to attend the event to understand how the company intends to develop in the future and further strengthen its group structure. At the event Briggs & Forrester announced the winners of its prestigious supply chain awards, which were judged on levels of service, competitiveness and health and safety adherence. Wilo UK was awarded Best Supplier, Fire Protection Ltd was recognised as Best Sub-Contractor and Argus Fire Protection Ltd won the Best Health and Safety Record.

Due to the knowledge and expertise within the business Briggs & Forrester is also able to offer clients a dedicated energy consulting service whereby the business is able to manage energy appraisals, strategies, feasibility studies, technology studies, energy audits and building regulations compliance. This, alongside the other services provided by Briggs & Forrester is enabled by the company’s dedication to working closely with its clients through a customer-focused strategy that is independently monitored for quality, service and competitiveness.

Recognising the growing emphasis on building Booth Lane College, Northampton

environmentally friendly, energy efficient projects Briggs & Forrester takes its environmental responsibility very seriously. The company is fully aware of the impact and implications of its construction activities and aims to minimise its environmental impact through a number of key strategies, such as minimising waste by ensuring its operations are as efficient as possible, actively promoting recycling, sourcing and promoting a product range that minimises environmental impact for production and distribution, and by meeting and exceeding the relevant legislation that applies to its business activities. The business also encompasses the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) philosophy.

In order to maintain its leading position in the sector Briggs & Forrester has embarked on significant investment into the

business in order to achieve expansion over the coming years.

During 2013 for example, the company invested into new regions with offices opening in Birmingham, Liverpool and Warrington by Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services, which is the largest division within the group. This proved to be a well planned move as the new regions secured a number of important contracts for the organisation, totalling more than £45 million from clients including NEC Resort World, Liverpool Exhibition Centre and Hotel, Bath Spa Student Accommodation and the Soapworks development at Salford Quays.

Another prestigious project delivered by Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services during 2014 was for Jaguar Land Rover in Castle Bromwich. The company was appointed by Interserve to design, install and commission the mechanical, electrical and public health services infrastructure for a new Body in White production facility. The scheme was for a period of seven months and had a value of £10 million.

With the company looking to firmly continue its investment in organic growth over the coming years business will undoubtedly remain strong for Briggs & Forrester. Future investment to expand in Yorkshire is key with a number of schemes at varying stages of the tender process.

Its dedication to working closely with its customers ensures complete satisfaction throughout its activities and brings repeat business from many clients, while the tradition and heritage that lies behind the Briggs & Forrester name will see it retain its market leading position for the foreseeable future. m

BRIGGS & FORRESTER www.briggsandforrester.co.uk Services: Building services Construction & Civil Engineering 29

PROFILE: forbo eurocol

Sealdeal the

Forbo Eurocol, based in the Netherlands, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of technical products for renovation and new construction projects

30 Construction & Civil Engineering

S

pecialising in tile and floor covering adhesives, grout materials and leveling compounds with all ancillary products, the business manufactures a complete range of adhesives for the installation of floor and wall coverings. Since its establishment in 1972, Forbo Eurocol BV has been part of the Forbo Group, which through an international network of 24 production and distribution sites as well as six fabrication centres and 40 sales organisations in a total of 36 countries worldwide provides a

powerful backing for the business.

Forbo is headquartered in Baar in the canton of Zug, Switzerland, and is quoted on the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange. “As part of the group we have developed close relationships with sister companies, particularly Forbo Flooring Systems, with whom we work closely in the UK market.

“Being part of a strong and healthy group brings the benefit that we are well known, not just in the UK, but also in Europe with a product range that offers a solution for every floor. It provides opportunity to invest in new products and innovations,” says

with more being introduced in the opening months of 2015. Such factors are a daily focus for our business, and product development is an ongoing task. Through our R&D department we are driving forward the quality and capabilities of our portfolio.

“Our team is skilled in inventing and innovating all kinds of products for sub flooring, not only for the floor finish. It is through seeing the overall picture that we are able to achieve better results. One focus at the moment is in products that hold a lower water factor, ultimately requiring significantly less water to make the product useable.”

Peaks & troughs of professional flooring adhesives for the installation of a wide variety of floor coverings, such as linoleum, PVC, cushion vinyl, rubber, carpet, needlefelt and carpet tiles.

As concern for the environment deepens within industry, every business works towards integrating solutions that adhere to such concerns. For Forbo, this is very much an aspect of its operation, as Rob points out: “We are very busy, developing environmentally friendly solutions and recycled products,

As business grows comfortably, memories of the collapse of the construction industry remain in thought, but maintaining a positive mentality the team continues to concentrate on the market, ensuring that its service is of greater appeal than its competitors, as Rob explains: “Whilst undertaking business with our partners and installers we go to every length to be sure that we help one another to get through the peaks and troughs

Rob Eijgelsheim, sales director.

Although the range of floor coverings available to the market today is vast, each one is linked by the common requirement to utilise levelling compounds and adhesives as necessary. “Providing this combination gives us a powerful hold on the industry,” he adds.

For creating sound and even sub-floors, Forbo offers a complete and well-balanced range of primers, damp proof membranes, repair mortars and leveling compounds, suitable for all sub-floor compositions and conditions. It also develops and produces a full range

Construction & Civil Engineering 31

PROFILE: forbo eurocol

that the industry is subjected to. The rough years are counteracted by innovating products to make sure they are better, or with different specifications than our competitors.

It is through this we are able to maintain an advantage in the market.”

With new products to be launched in 2015, further expansion of the capabilities will allow its customers to push new boundaries with construction projects. One product, of concrete based design, is essentially a paste, applied in a two-layer system. A simple finishing lacquer is applied and the result is a surface that has grown significantly in popularity in the last few years across much of Western Europe.

A second product, an artificially based solution, with very quick drying properties is expected to

32 Construction & Civil Engineering

dramatically change the speed at which installations can be completed. “The ultimate goal for our business is to develop solutions that make a difference to the installers,” insists Rob.

Efficient & fast Present construction is characterised by efficient and fast building systems, and professionals within the industry are frequently confronted with moisture sensitive building materials in bathrooms. An adequate protection of all types of sub floors can prevent damage of tile work and deterioration by moisture penetration. Furthermore, the quality and the preparation of the surface are very important for a durable high quality result, complementing the right choice of adhesive.

“As we begin the New Year, driving forward both existing and new products will play a big part of our strategy. Alongside that we will be pushing our building division into the UK, with a greater range

of products suitable for bathroom type environments. At the moment that area of our business is only within Belgium and Holland, but the UK market offers opportunities for expansion. Innovation has been the biggest factor in our success to date and holds the key for opportunities ahead. Addressing the environmental situation with combinations that benefit the installer and our clients is the right method to ensure we remain in front of our competitors,” concludes Rob. m

ENCI Sustainable cement for sustainable construction adhesive Forbo Eurocol manufactures construction adhesives using sustainable ENCI blast furnace cement, CEM III / A 52,5 N SR. Are you also always on the hunt for sustainable products? At ENCI we see it as our job to advise and guide our customers such as Forbo Eurocol in this area. More, in fact: our aim is to be an ‘eye-opener’ and to work with others in close partnership to develop solutions that reduce impact on the environment.

Forbo Eurocol www.forboeurocol.com Services: Manufacturer of tile and floor covering adhesives, grouts and levelling compound

Construction & Civil Engineering 33

PROFILE: KIERBECK THAMES

F

ollowing its establishment, Kierbeck underwent a period of rapid growth that lasted over two decades, reflecting its offering of an express service to contractors within London and the Home Counties. In 1990 it acquired the premises now known as Kierbeck Wharf, holding an enviable 200 metre berthing facility on a tributary of the River Thames.

From its new position, the business was able to start importing steel competitively from Europe and Turkey, as well as supplying contracts on the edge of the River Thames with ease. With this new facility it grew rapidly through the 90’s before setting up a pre fabrication facility in 2003, principally producing pile cages, beams, and diaphragm walls enabling contractors to save time on site by literally dropping the prefabricated reinforcement into place. Assembled and welded up in cages, this has become an added value service provided beyond the straightforward cut and bent service, which historically it had done.

Water side projects such as Canary Wharf, infrastructure for the Olympic Stadium, Aquatic Centre, Westfield Shopping Centre (Stratford), and Millennium Bridge, to name but a few, have become pinnacle references to the capabilities of the business.

Throughout its trading past Kierbeck has continued to build on that reputation and currently serves many Crossrail projects with a combination

34 Construction & Civil Engineering

Core strength As one of the top three suppliers to the piling industry, Kierbeck Thames Ltd has a history that dates back to 1977 of pre-fabricated and loose bar solutions, supporting projects across the capital, saving programme time, and ultimately disruption to the city of London.

“Handling over 45,000 tonnes a year, we are the only such company with a facility within the M25, and the only one with dedicated wharfage facilities,” says Brendon O’Connell, general manager. “Such a position continues to prove advantageous, and we have been a key contact for contractors tendering for the Thames Tideway Tunnel,” he adds.

Being able to barge fully assembled products directly out of its own wharf to the newly established berthing facilities at Blackfriars Bridge will benefit the company as

the contracts are awarded.

“The proximity of the factory to London means that we are able to offer a very accurate timeslot to clients, a necessity for ensuring works are completed to schedule in a very demanding climate. The ability to reach the job site quickly is a major advantage, not just in keeping to the schedule, but being able to react to last minute requirements from clients, should variations to the plan occur. That very quick service has for a long time counteracted any delays to the concrete pourers that may have occurred, and the perception of Kierbeck with the London badge, is big repeat business marketing for many customers, and enables us to give an un-paralleled service,” explains Brendon.

Alongside the mainstream reinforcement operations the business also provides a unique EASY LOK connection system, which it developed in 2006. “This is

a safe splicing system that enables the operative to join sections of cages together without risk of injury to hands and fingers. Access to locking nuts from an external position provides a completely safe scenario should the cage move, and the method is much faster than traditional solutions. On a recent Cementation project at Borough Station the system was a key factor in ensuring we completed the task within the four-hour possession time window available,” highlights Brendon.

Whilst its principle focus until recently has been EASY LOK, which is the only splice system in the country to have CARES approval, its R&D department has been actively working to produce a new SONIC tube coupling system. As one cage is placed on top of another, the remote arm joins the two tubes without the requirement of the operative putting his hand inside of the cage. Currently available as a prototype, the full launch is expected into the market later in 2015.

Current projects such as the Crossrail contract at Liverpool Street, working with Morrisroe on the Albert Embankment, the prestigious project of the Victoria and Albert Museum extension, demonstrate its comfort in delivering high profile contracts time and again. Holding on to that position in the market is not only an indication of the core fabrication skills, but further more an indication of the steps the company takes to ensure that the projects are able to flow with ease, as Brendon points out: “We are just finishing a contract on Victoria Dock, part of the Crossrail project. We engineered a project specific design using glass fibre reinforcement in replacement of traditional concrete or steel reinforcements, enabling a tunnelling machine to break through in significantly less time. We have also been able to offer this innovative solution to a number of contractors, either as a completely glass fibre reinforcement, or as a material combination at different levels.”

With over half of its yearly order already secured for 2015, the market has shown very healthy steps in the ongoing emergence from the recession six years ago. Despite many contracts being put on hold in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, the post-Games conditions have seen the upsurge of many signature projects, as well as a lift in the highrise property market. In response to the expanding workload, and keen to be able to react to the growing demands of its customer base, the business recently introduced a double shift system, providing business coverage for up to 17 hours a day, and the capacity to work around the clock should demand require. Such growth can be easily fed from its well-established training programme, through which a number of current employees trained, resulting in a very multi-

disciplined team.

As the change in shift patterns matures into its second quarter of operation, increasing capacity is a key vision for the business in the months ahead. “Currently fabricating 200 tonnes of material a week, we expect to lift that to 300 tonnes a week. Pre-fabrication is becoming ever more important to the industry, particularly on the congested sites within the M25 envelope. Our drive for 2015 is to continue increasing that, whilst maintaining the other services within our business, complemented by our success within research and design,” concludes Brendon. m

Kierbeck Thames Ltd www.kierbeck.com Services: Pre-fabricator and supplier of reinforcing steel to the UK piling industry

Construction & Civil Engineering 35

PROFILE: birtley group

Launched in October 2014, the Birtley Group has brought together two of the UK construction industry’s most trusted names: Birtley and Expamet

Fusing the elements T

he new Group structure brings widespread business efficiencies that enhance the delivery of even higher levels of customer service and market-leading value for money. In short, the Group aims to promote its strength through quality.

Birtley Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hill & Smith plc, which, with revenues of more than £400 million and a workforce of 3600 people provides an exceptionally solid foundation for future growth. From inspired new product thinking and trusted technical advice to right-on-time product delivery, the company is driven to put customers’ needs first, together creating growth across the industry, a sign of the Birtley Group commitment.

36 Construction & Civil Engineering

Birtley Building Products was established in 1956, based at the current site in County Durham.

Originally a steel fabricator for the area’s mining and power generation industries, the company made its first steel lintels in 1967. Bought

by Hill & Smith in 1981, Birtley has grown from reliable local supplier to a UK-wide force in construction design technology and product development. Its recently acquired sister company, Expamet Building Products, was first established in 1889 as the British Metal Expansion Company in Hartlepool. It had sole European rights for the manufacture of expanded metal mesh, mainly for use as reinforcement and lath in the rapidly expanding sector of concrete construction. Later changing its name to Expamet, it is today the market leader for

plasterer’s accessories and is one of the key brands within the Group.

In an interview published on the company’s website, Graeme Miller, group managing director, discusses the strategy behind the establishment of the group and what it means for the future of the company and its brands: “It was a natural first step of our strategy to deliver ambitious growth plans. Birtley Group allows us to formalise the ongoing relationship between our existing businesses Birtley Supergalv brand Lintels, Birtley Residential Doors, Birtley Galvanizing and our most recent acquisition Expamet. All our group product ranges will now go forward together under the iconic Birtley and Expamet brand banners.

“The obvious benefit that customers will see very quickly is the

Graeme Miller

generation of products,” points out Graeme. Long established product ranges have been highly successful, and therefore the only changes to the portfolio will be through an expanded offering, investing in new product development and new production facilities. The aim for Birtley Group in this sense is to provide the market with a lot more of a good thing.

Operating as a single Group, it will maintain operation on two separate production sites, as Graeme explains: “Both of our sites are centres of excellence in their particular product areas. The fantastic skills and experience of all our people remains right at the heart of our growth strategy.”

Advancing with this level of determination, the group has begun looking at growing and

way we will now be able to market our combined Group products more effectively than ever before, giving customers across the UK even higher levels of sales and technical support. Group status will also allow us to expand both organically and indeed via acquisition as opportunities present themselves.”

The reaction from its big and influential customer base has been very positive, recognising the fundamental basis of a growth strategy based on strength through quality. “If anything, our new status has further cemented our customer relationships – they’re eager to see fresh thinking in the marketplace with innovative product solutions alongside our long established ones.

They know that Birtley Group has the will, the vision and above all the resources to deliver that next

Construction & Civil Engineering 37

PROFILE: birtley group

developing its team, bringing in new members, ready to take the business forward. “Our message is simple – it’s business as usual, only more so. Our growth plans are ambitious and, of course, our success becomes our suppliers’ success. When it comes to new product development we’ll be collaborating closely with supplier companies to bring worldclass technologies to market. On a practical note, our day- to-day relationships and terms of business won’t change, so our suppliers can look forward to complete continuity,” he adds.

The growth strategy underpinning Birtley Group is based on shaking up the marketplace with more innovation, more added value and higher-than-ever levels of customer support – both in sales and technical. All these things take more

38 Construction & Civil Engineering

than know-how and commitment to deliver in the real world – they also need a strong foundation to ensure consistency. The Hill & Smith board believes firmly in everything Birtley Group stands for, and that backing ensures that the group has the all-important stability and critical mass to drive truly ambitious growth plans. Commenting on the years ahead, Graeme concludes:

“We have such great people and great products across the Birtley Group it’s impossible not to feel a real buzz for the future. The excitement right now is palpable.

Personally, I’m looking forward to remembering October 2014 as the pivotal point when a new, gamechanging chapter began for our business – with everyone involved inside and outside Birtley Group enjoying more success than ever before.” m

Birtley Group www.birtleygroup.co.uk Services: Manufacturer of Supergalv lintels, residential GRP Doors, BAT structural fixings, joist hangers, restraint straps, complete range of plasterer’s accessories and galvanizing service

Editor Libbie Hammond libbie@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Sales Team

+44 (0) 1603 274130 Schofield Publishing 10 Cringleford Business Centre Intwood Road Cringleford Norwich NR4 6AU