99.9% VOC-free**
Ultimate durability with flatter matt finish
Enhanced opacity
Improved oil stain resistance
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Paint expert Dulux Trade has supported the design of two new multi-sensory classrooms at Firwood High School, Woodbridge Academy in Bolton. To ensure a comfortable and inclusive learning environment for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, Dulux Trade drew upon its colour expertise to create bespoke palettes that instil feelings of calm and aid productivity.
Firwood High School, Woodbridge
Academy in Bolton is a severe learning disabilities (SLD) school for children aged 11-19 and its core focus is on providing young people with varying needs the chance to learn in a welcoming and supportive environment. Having worked with Firwood High School for several years, the team at Dulux Trade recognised an opportunity to create colour palettes for two multi-sensory classrooms (that are designed to help engage students using more than one sense at a time) that the
school can use to further support its students.
Dawn Evans, Head of School at Firwood High School explained: “For multi-sensory classrooms to work effectively, it is important to create a calming and relaxing space that eliminates distraction and can be easily adapted to suit the needs of every pupil. Thanks to the Dulux Trade team’s expertise and extensive research into our school and the needs of our students, they have been able to create beautiful colour
palettes that enhance the learning experience for our pupils and allow us to educate in a supportive environment.”
To make the multi-sensory classrooms a comfortable environment for all, it was important to avoid colours used in traditional classroom settings such as brilliant whites and bold reds, yellows and oranges as they can be overwhelming and distracting. Instead, the Dulux Trade team looked to softer tones to create a tranquil and calming space.
Jayne Roughan, National Sector Manager Retail & Education at Dulux Trade said: “Colour is crucial to the successful design of learning environments – and this is especially true for students with special educational needs and disabilities. Our team of expert colour consultants understand that colour and design can impact on how occupants feel and behave within a space, which is why they work closely with clients to understand the purpose of the environment and identify palettes that can support this.
“When Dawn Scott, Commercial Colour Consultant at Dulux Trade designed the colour schemes for Firwood High School’s KS3 and PMLD multi-sensory classrooms, she used a palette of softer tones that instil feelings of calm and relaxation – and act as a neutral backdrop for a wide range of activities – such as warm
neutrals, pinks, deep blues, and greens.”
As well as the choice of colour, it was also important for the Dulux Trade team to consider how different tones could be used to enhance wellbeing. For example, critical surfaces (walls, floors and doors) were all painted in contrasting colours to aid wayfinding and promote familiarity and independence. Using gentle tones like 30YY 78/018, 10RR 53/087 or 30GY 62/159 for the walls and bolder shades like Midnight around door and window frames can make these elements stand out and help students to navigate around the space more easily. In addition, using a stronger hue like 10RR 21/235 and 90GG 39/220 for the teaching wall helps to draw the eye and boost pupils’ focus.
The Dulux Trade team also had
to carefully consider how natural light could affect the colours chosen. Using cooler tones in southerly sunny rooms and warmer shades in northerly, shadier, rooms can help make the space feel more comfortable – and mid and deeper tones help to absorb sensitive glare in bright areas. With both classrooms facing northwest, Dulux Trade selected warm pinks and violets in the KS3 classroom to create a harmonious scheme – and calm greens and blues in the PMLD (profound and multiple learning difficulties) classroom to bring light and balance.
Dulux Trade also wanted to ensure a long-lasting, easy to maintain finish that could withstand the high foot traffic of the school environment. As such, the Dulux Trade Scuffshield range was
recommended, as it has been designed to protect walls against scuff marks from items like shoes and bags – and it is cleanable.
To help deliver the project on time and to a high standard, the Dulux Trade team worked closely with contractor and Dulux Connect Partner Bagnalls Painting Contractors. “Here at Bagnalls, we embraced the opportunity to
get involved”, said Steve Bethell, Contractor at Bagnalls Painting Contractors. He continued: “We have been working with Dulux Trade since 1920 and trust in the quality, durability, and easy application of its products. Scuffshield was quick and easy to apply and thanks to its water-based formula, the paint dried in just 4-6 hours – enabling us to adhere to tight timescales and
deliver the project in time for the students’ return in September.”
Dawn Evans continued: “As well as being the right colour, it was also important for the paint to be highly durable and offer sustainability benefits. With Scuffshield, we can trust that the finish the team apply will last over time and reduce the need for re-application. The low VOC levels is also a huge benefit as it reduces impact on the environment – and ensures the health and safety of our students.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the design of the two multi-sensory classrooms and are looking into how we can utilise the Dulux Trade colour palettes created for this project across other areas of the school.”
To find out more about Dulux Trade and its products please visit www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/ en
The ongoing cost of living crisis is threatening higher education with many quitting their degrees due to financial pressures and universities potentially facing billions in lost revenue, according to new national research1.
The UK Student Cost of Living Report 2023 found a staggering 68% of university students know at least one person who has dropped out of their course because of the cost of living crisis. This represents about 1,947,000 students2.
Meanwhile 57% – around 1.6 million – are considering leaving their own studies, compared to just under 40,000 students who dropped out in 2021/22.
If even half of those students were to leave it could cost universities more than £40 billion in lost revenue and leave many young people facing an uncertain future, experts say.
Carried out by the UK’s number one gift card provider Love2shop and independent market research company, Censuswide, the research reveals around 1.5 million university students in the UK (55%) have had to use a food bank while studying. Meanwhile 87% – just under 2.5 million students – have skipped meals to save on food costs.
And experts say the issue may even get worse, after recent research from economic consultancy London Economics found student loan reforms unveiled by government last year will benefit the country’s best-paid graduates3.
The reforms to the maintenance loan system mean graduates entering into lower and middle income jobs, such as nursing and teaching, face an increase in their total lifetime repayments of more than £30,000, according to the analysis.
Meanwhile, higher income graduates earning in excess of £51,000 a year will see their total repayments plunge by around £25,000, say experts at London
Economics, who have labelled the reforms as “deeply regressive”.
Frank Creighton, Director of Business Development at Love2shop, said: “It’s really worrying to see how many students are considering dropping out or have already left because of the devastating financial impact of the increased cost of living. This should be a huge concern for universities.
“For many students this is their first time living independently away from home. They should be able to focus on their studies, not worry about skipping meals in order to pay their bills. This is also a potential problem for universities. Fewer students – or poor results due to the pressures students are under – will have a significant impact on university finances.
“It’s time to start looking at practical solutions across the board to help all students deal with these challenges.”
Despite all this, 64% of students responded to the survey saying they received no cost of living support from their university and only one-in-five (20%) say have been offered a financial incentive specifically linked to continuing their course.
Just 14% of students say they have received cost of living support from their university in the form of a voucher or gift card, yet around half (49%) think universities could improve their support by doing so.
Love2shop already works with a number of universities to provide gift cards or contactless digital gift cards to offer students.
While Love2shop, Gift Cards and Contactless Gift Cards can be redeemed in more than 100 high-street and online retailers, while universities can limit them to ensure emergency cost of living payments are only used with retail partners that specialise in essentials.
Download the full report here
A YouGov survey commissioned in April 2023 by at-work skin care, cleaning & hygiene solutions provider SC Johnson Professional has found that 30% of outdoor workers never apply UV protection cream whilst at work. This is despite the fact that those who work outdoors have a higher than average risk of developing skin cancer. A third (34%) of these respondents claimed that nothing would encourage them to do so, illustrating the scale of the challenge faced by employers.
The findings build on SC Johnson Professional’s previous research into attitudes towards UV protection at work, of both those who work outdoors as well as decision makers and health and safety managers in relevant sectors. In this most recent research, SC Johnson Professional commissioned YouGov to survey a representative sample of workers in the UK, with a total of 558 people who regularly worked outdoors responding, to delve into the ‘why’ behind the attitudes – looking into the reasons for the lack of use of UV protection at work.
In this latest survey, a third of those who never use UV protection at work said that they didn’t think it was necessary. In SC Johnson Professional’s 2020 survey of 114 UK health and safety officials, 30% of these decision makers also said that they believed the reason for lack of UV protection usage was due to a general belief that this type of protection at work in the UK is unnecessary. Further to this, 28% stated that they don’t burn easily in the sun, citing this as their reason for never using UV protection.
Once the UV index reaches 3 or above it is advised that sun protection measures are taken. During the summer months in the UK, the UV index regularly exceeds this level, and according to the Met Office, UV rays can be strong enough to cause sunburn in the UK between April to September. As well as this, 80% of UVA rays pass through clouds.
Further to this, the Health and Safety at Work Act states that there is a legal duty on every employer to ensure, as far as reasonably practical, the health of their employees. The Management of Health and Work Regulations also requires the employer to conduct a
suitable assessment of the risks to the health of their workforce, including those risks from UV radiation. However, this latest research found that 16% of those who never use sun protection at work said this was because it wasn’t provided by their employer. Having this protection provided by their workplace was cited by almost a quarter (24%) as something that would encourage them to use UV protection – and more than a fifth (22%) also stated that having sun protection cream accessible when needed would encourage usage.
When looking into product, the survey also asked outdoor workers who do use sun protection creams, what the most important thing was when it came to sun protection cream itself. Over half (54%) said that they prioritised high UV protection, 47% said that they prefer a non-greasy product, and a third said that they placed importance on it being water resistant.
Significantly, the research found that, of those who never apply sun protection cream at work, over a third (34%) state that nothing would encourage them to do so. However, nearly two thirds (61%) of those who work outdoors agreed that understanding the effects of UV damage encourages them to use sun protection cream at work. Further to this, when comparing responses from those who work outside more than 25% of the time with those who spend more than half their working time outdoors, our survey found little difference between attitudes towards UV protection.
It is advised that, once the UV index reaches 3 or above, sun protection measures should be taken. During the summer months in the UK, the UV index regularly exceeds this level, and according to the Met Office, UV rays can be strong enough to cause sunburn in the UK between April to September. As well as this, 80% of UVA rays pass through clouds]. UV protection is recommended and required during this 6 month period in the UK – according to SC Johnson Professional, more awareness is needed to encourage those who work outdoors to use it.
Find out more about SC Johnson Professional’s free education resources and product range here
Coventry University will enhance security across its 33-acre city-centre campus with a surveillance upgrade that will unlock new capabilities and efficiency gains to support its dedicated security team.
Coventry University is upgrading to the latest version of Synectics’ Synergy software to benefit from features including enhanced video management, dynamic mapping, and integration to analytics-enabled cameras as part of its ongoing mission to keep students, staff, and visitors safe.
The upgrade will allow a small team based out of the University’s central control room to monitor more efficiently and effectively over 1,300 cameras spread across a vast array of campus buildings, car parks, student areas and external sites, including halls of residence.
While several of these locations feature localised surveillance recording and viewing facilities, including some third-party technology, Synectics’ Synergy will integrate all feeds to ensure the central team has continuous command and control of cameras and recorded footage.
Integration with video analytics-enabled cameras, and the University’s dedicated alarm system, means that the central team will be alerted by Synergy to any suspicious behaviour that warrants immediate attention. This includes the presence and movement of cars or people in or around university premises at unusual times, or in areas with prohibited access, which is particularly beneficial for securing facilities that would be unmanned or patrolled infrequently.
When an event that needs ‘eyes on’ is detected, footage from the nearest available cameras is prioritised in the control room. The exact location is pinpointed within Synergy’s mapping functionality for rapid response. An ‘incident’ is automatically created on the system – with footage pushed to and stored in a secure
incident locker for evidential purposes.
This ensures the University is equipped to pursue internal security investigations and support local law enforcement as required.
Details of all operator activity, alarms received, and incidents generated are automatically logged on the system for fully transparent audit trails.
Together with built-in data analysis and reporting wizards, this means the surveillance team can create valuable reports on incident types, frequency, trends, activity hot spots, how scenarios are dealt with, and a wide range of other information – all of which can be used to demonstrate best-practice compliance for public space surveillance and inform decisions about future security requirements.
For Coventry University, the upgrade is a natural evolution of a 15-years-plus collaboration with Synectics. Gary Dedden, Head of Protection Services at Coventry University says: “It’s reassuring to work with the Synectics team, who we already know and trust, and benefit from a surveillance software platform we already find easy and intuitive to use.
“Alongside protecting everyone on site, effective use of resources is a key priority for us. We are always looking for ways to improve our ability to detect suspicious persons and activities across a very diverse campus without creating additional pressure for my team in the control room or for security personnel on the ground.
“Upgrading to the latest version of Synergy allows us to do exactly that. It also unlocks future potential by giving us the flexibility to integrate with any emerging security technologies that we feel will further enhance our capabilities.”
For further information on Synectics’ range of solutions for universities, visit their website
One of the most versatile work utility vehicles on the market, the Carryall 500 has the power to replace pickup trucks at a fraction of the cost. With a rustproof, aircraft-grade aluminum frame, and cargo box, along with best-in-class ergonomics, the Carryall 500 is the perfect solution for your industrial and commercial jobs.
McAvoy's innovative modular solution for rental and sale
McAvoy has been manufacturing and delivering a wide range of innovative and adaptable space solutions for more than 50 years during which time it has delivered more than 10 million square feet of high-quality accommodation across a range of sectors including education.
McAvoy recognised the need for a product that could support customers in meeting immediate needs, for example, to cope with classroom shortages, without having to make a large capital investment. Within the education sector, for example, this could enable funds to be used elsewhere, e.g., upgrading equipment or hiring staff, resulting in improved overall service levels.
Combining design expertise, engineering excellence and precision manufacturing, McAvoy created their SmartSpace modular fleet for rental and sale– which is amongst the newest of its kind – it is sustainable, safe, high quality, adaptable, and future-proofed. Offering endless configurations SmartSpace can also be easily repurposed.
SmartSpace is McAvoy’s ready-to-go semi-permanent modular space solution designed for customers who want to rent or purchase accommodation within demanding lead times. SmartSpace can be designed to accommodate anything from 10 to more than 1,000 people.
Incorporating the very latest in technology-led design, McAvoy’s high-quality SmartSpace solutions boast superior thermal performance, enhanced air tightness and U values that exceed current performance requirements. With options including a 90-minute plus fire rating floor to floor and a 60-minute plus fire rating inside to outside, complemented by A2 non-combustible cladding, insulation, and roofing every SmartSpace
building is industry-leading and offers a stackable configuration of up to three storeys. For added design versatility and re-useability, they come in three compatible and interchangeable module sizes.
All McAvoy’s SmartSpace modular solutions are warranty protected and boast high quality, low maintenance facades, commercial grade PPC aluminium external doors and low maintenance modern interiors.
Short-term or long-term: the perfect choice for rental or sales
McAvoy developed three different SmartSpace solutions to support its range of customer needs – with fast-track delivery guaranteed including SmartClass - designed and created for the education sector – which can be configured to meet the requirements of any education space in terms of whole-life costs, sustainability, flexibility, and overall quality.
SmartClass: Designed & Delivered - Castlepollard Co-educational Community College
Requirement:
To prepare for the rise in student enrolments over the next two years, the client required modular classrooms that would be completed in time for new students starting college in September.
Our Solution: 52-week Rental.
Four 59.3sqm open plan SmartClass modular classrooms were delivered onsite with 80% of the works already completed at our 70,000 sq ft purpose-built facility, this included, electrics, internal partitioning, flooring, cladding and features an Air Sourced Heat Pump. The project was completed within 16 weeks and was delivered on time and within budget.
For further information please visit their website
The University of Lincoln’s striking city centre campus provides a modern student-centred community, based on the picturesque Brayford Pool waterfront.
One of the most important things for a new undergraduate however, is safe and secure accommodation and Lincoln has a plentiful supply of this in the shape of modern purpose-built student accommodation, either on campus or a short distance distance away.
Among these are St Mark’s Accommodation, Viking House and Cygnet Wharf which are now using contactless smart access control from SALTO and installed by Aspex to provide flexible and effective 24/7 security for smart building management.
Robust security that is reliable and dependable is key in a campus-housing environment, especially where many of the students are living away from home for the first time.
Aspex are a SALTO Platinum Inspired Business Partner and are proud to have supplied and installed a SALTO hard-wired smart access control solution internally and externally, together with audio intercoms, DDA record automatic doors and an external carparking gate across the University of Lincoln’s student accommodation sites.
Stacey Metcalfe, SALTO National Channel Partner Manager, says, “SALTO are world leaders in advanced wire free and wireless access control solutions for the education sector. We have vast experience of working with universities and student accommodation providers so this Aspex project with the University of Lincoln has been a great order for us.
“Our smart access control platform is designed to give end users ultimate freedom of choice regarding system layout, type and number of access points as well as level of security. And with no costs from lock replacement due to lost keys thanks to the ability to
cancel lost or stolen access cards immediately and remotely, it also saves valuable time and resources for building managers.”
Paul Ashberry, Director of Aspex, which carried out the installation comments “With a variety of doors to secure across three different buildings plus external facilities and storage sites the University needed a technologically modern locking solution that would meet all their needs as the operator plus be simple and reliable to use by both students and staff.
As existing SALTO users already, the University had experience of the ability to be able to grant access rights instantly and revoke them in real time when required, and have audit-trail overview of who accessed which door at which time. These benefits in a flexible, secure access solution were essential in the new student accommodation buildings, so the SALTO XS4 solution networked through the SALTO Virtual Network (SVN) was the perfect choice for the job.”
The new access control system is now installed with all doors secured by a mix of SALTO XS4 original and XS4 One handle sets, Neo electronic cylinders and wall readers.
Products fitted includes hard-wired access control for all apartment entrances and wire free access control for student bedrooms. DDA record DFA127 automatic doors are installed on selected bedroom and shared kitchen automatic doors.
Paul Ashberry concludes “Now that the project has completed and been handed over, the University of Lincoln has a proven, future proof access control system that provides a secure and accessible student living environment for all its users.”
For further information visit www.saltosystems.com
The IAQ multi-sensor from Siemens Smart Infrastructure offers a key contribution to room automation with a simple insight into room conditions that helps to prioritise indoor air quality and create a healthy and productive environment.
The sensor tracks seven key environmental factors in a single wall-mounted unit: fine dust (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, relative humidity, temperature, light and noise (dBA). The IAQ offers the same level of accuracy as individual room sensors, with an intuitive colour indicator to identify air quality status. Transparency in air quality is further ensured through an easy-to-read LED display, with a simplistic design that offers clear and quick indication of air conditions. This simplicity is carried through to the touch-sensitive buttons which allow easy scrolling through the sensor’s parameters.
The unit assists building owners and operators in meeting a range of environmental building regulations and certification requirements including WELL, RESET, LBC, FITWEL and LEED.
In addition to monitoring the air quality, the noise sensor (no recording) can detect the number of people in a meeting room.
Studies have shown that poor ventilation can account for more than 50 percent of all sick leave with poor air quality also perceived to reduce work performance by over 9 percent. The IAQ is one of a range of products from Siemens designed to optimise indoor air quality which is some 2.5 times more polluted than typical outdoor air. This range also includes Connect Box, an open and easy-to-use IoT solution which manages small to medium-sized buildings and can be simply connected to operate with the IAQ via wireless or wired protocols (BACnet and LoRaWAN).
Ease of installation is ensured through the sensor being suitable for use with most commercially available recessed conduit boxes.
Working together, the IAQ multi-sensor and Connect Box offer a highly efficient monitoring solution to increase health and comfort in small to medium-sized buildings without the need of a BMS system.
Smart access control technology platform designed to give users ultimate freedom of choice regarding system layout, type and number of access points as well as level of security.
TOTALLY WIRE-FREE: Stand-alone, virtually networked, wired and wireless smart locks, all working within a single access control technology platform.
BUILT TO COVER EVERY ACCESS POINT: Extensive range of electronic locks, cylinders and readers to cover all the needs of any type of building.
EASY TO INSTALL: Designed to be installed in doors with existing locks, with no need for additional modifications or wiring.
SECURE KEYLESS ACCESS: Complete mobilecompatible electronic locking platform, increase in security, control and convenience.
Archwood House, a new purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Peckham, was commissioned by the University of the Arts London (UAL) to house its students. Tasked with creating proactive and forward-thinking spaces for residents to live and study in, architects Nelson and Long specified an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ contemporary portfolio to make this happen. Forbo’s Coral entrance flooring, Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), Tessera carpet tiles, Eternal de Luxe Decibel general purpose vinyl and Surestep and Safestep safety floor coverings were all installed throughout the building.
Comprising 343 bedrooms and 50 studios, Archwood House provides students with accommodation close to UAL buildings and is designed to provide students with the creative and inspirational spaces they need, to enhance their university experiences. Nelson and Long worked closely with UAL to develop a design that would create spaces which were flexible and would allow residents to flourish in their surroundings.
Alicia Nelson, Co-founder of Nelson and Long commented on the brief they received: “Our client’s brief was to create innovative and inspiring spaces for UAL’s creative students to learn and grow in. It was also important that the spaces equipped students with the tools they needed to have a successful time at university, from studying to socialising. Sustainability was top of the agenda too, so we needed to carefully consider the materials we specified to ensure we met the requirements.”
With the project brief in mind, Alicia set about sourcing materials that reflected the needs of the building: “Due to the variety of high-quality and sustainable products available within Forbo’s portfolio, as well as its reliable customer service, we opted for a variety of Forbo floor coverings for Archwood House, including its Allura LVT and Tessera carpet tiles.
“We specified Forbo’s Allura LVT in a variety of colourways for a few different areas of the student accommodation, including the games room and common room which are situated in the main building. The warm
colours that Forbo’s Allura LVT are available in helped to provide a stunning backdrop for each space which then enabled us to build out, incorporating different textures and colours to the overall design. For example, we used the Smoke Cement shade for the ground floor corridors, games room and study room, to elevate the design and provide a nice neutral finish. As well as the beautiful designs available, Forbo’s Allura LVT is also easy to clean, which was an important factor for this project, given that lots of students would be using these spaces.
“We then opted for various designs from Forbo’s Tessera collection, because they are durable, textural and give a residential feel to a commercial space. Forbo’s Tessera Layout in the Graphine colourway was the perfect solution for the stairs, cluster corridors and other high traffic areas, thanks to its hard-wearing nature. The understated grey shade also complemented the neutral colour palette we were using for these areas.”
Alicia also specified Forbo’s Tessera Chroma carpet tiles in the Pathway and Tuxedo colourways, which were installed in the bedrooms and the cinema room respectively to give the spaces a more homely feel. Not only this, but Forbo’s Tessera Chroma carpet tiles are made with 62% recycled content by weight, aiding in creating a more sustainable scheme.
This was combined with Forbo’s Eternal de Luxe Decibel vinyl floor covering in the communal and studio kitchens. This solution served a double purpose: It reduced impact sound by 17 dB and provided an R10 slip rating, both of which were key to creating healthier and safer spaces for residents to live in.
In addition to this, to maintain the condition of the interior floor coverings, Alicia opted to use Forbo’s Coral Classic entrance flooring system in the Mouse Grey colourway. Alicia explains more here: “We wanted a solid barrier matting, that would reduce the walked-in dirt that you’d expect to see in a city centre university accommodation. With students coming and going all day, it was key to install an effective entrance flooring system to reduce cleaning and maintenance. Forbo’s Coral was just the solution we needed, with the Mouse Grey colourway matching the other grey textile carpets we’d specified, whilst also helping to reduce the amount of dirt and moisture from being brought in on the soles of shoes and treads of wheels.”
Having opened in September 2022, Archwood House has been positively received by both staff and residents, who are delighted with the overall design and feel of the building.
To find out more about Forbo’s offering for student accommodation, visit their website
Watchword, FE and HE Campus Safety Experts, launches new service to help staff prevent, prepare for and respond to incidents.
Challenging behaviour on FE and HE campuses is a growing problem. In addition to the increased focus on safeguarding, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that education staff are one of the groups most at risk from workplace violence.
Now, campus safety experts Watchword, which has been supporting FE institutions for several years, has launched a new Risk Management Service that provides a comprehensive analysis of campus – specific risks, with recommendations and tools for how to mitigate them.
Watchword has significant security experience across multiple FE campuses, helping to create a safe environment where learners thrive. The new service adds to this by formalising the process of capturing every potential risk, ensuring staff are aware of, and trained in responding to incidents and abnormal events. These can be anything from a medical emergency to armed intruder or theft.
Beyond making campuses safer, formalising risk management processes and plans goes a long way towards meeting Ofsted’s requirements; one of Ofsted’s key priorities for their 2022 – 2027 strategy is ‘keeping children safe’.
The first step is completing a risk assessment process, which starts with speaking to key stakeholders before conducting an analysis of the campus environment. A list of threats and vulnerabilities is then compiled, from which a risk register takes into account threat severity and likelihood. Finally, risk reduction and mitigation measures are identified.
Reactive interventions, after an incident has occurred, represent a failure somewhere in the system; preventing the incident is the ultimate goal, and it is here that the new service is most valuable; a comprehensive analysis of campus - specific risk forms the basis of proactive planning and policy – making.
Maria Vetrone, Chief Operating Officer at City of Portsmouth College, commented; “This new service is vitally important; the typical FE campus carries many risks and challenges, so identifying and preparing for how to handle them is a key part of creating a safe and secure learning environment.”
Today, Watchword’s Safety Wardens promote a positive culture on campus, gaining the trust and respect of students, and are trained in conflict resolution and mental health awareness; they work with staff and other agencies to help create a safe and secure campus environment, so are perfectly placed to inform and support the new service.
Mark Thomson, founder and managing director at Watchword, added; “This is all about recognising then preparing for unexpected events; with a full understanding of the potential sources of risk, specific to their environments, staff can respond more appropriately. Watchword has the experience and credibility to ensure this service delivers real value, ultimately creating a safe environment for learners and staff.
“Risk management can be supported by the use of properly trained Safety Wardens, whose job acts as a conduit between learners, staff and in particular the safeguarding team.”
To find out more, visit Watchword Home
Want to breathe new life into a stuffy indoor space with cost-effective natural ventilation? The answer could be to keep things simple, according to Strand Hardware, which recommends two key steps to assess requirements and identify the right solution.
Step one requires a bigger picture view: its essential to consider the building’s conditions and orientation – its size, location, positioning and wider environment. This will indicate wind velocity and direction which is needed to optimise air flow and exhaust emissions from inside the premises.
Knowing how the building is to be used, its construction and internal layout (including partitions, doors and chimneys) is also vital, along with window sizing, location, fabric and an understanding of how they function.
Budget is a primary consideration but the beauty of natural ventilation is that it can be achieved without breaking the bank. Manual systems offer the ultimate cost-effective option. Unlike integrated powered systems, they require little by way of capital investment. They are also easier to use and maintain.
Step two of the assessment requires specifics: sufficient detail to identify the products and quantities needed:
• the number of windows requiring openers
• window material: aluminium, timber or PVC-U construction
• window configuration: top/hung, side/hung, bottom hung opening in or out
• window opening width and height.
Craig Fox, Sales Director for Strand Hardware, said that manual solutions offer a cost effective way of operating windows to provide natural ventilation for new build or existing buildings.
“Strand’s Duoflex range is frequently installed in workplaces, offices, hospitals and educational establishments which benefit from natural ventilation.
“Providing a system that is safe and easy-to-use is essential. Health and safety requirements should be considered so that if windows are at a height, people will not be tempted to over-reach or stand on a chair in order to access them,” he said.
Other products may be used to optimise the solution. Building orientation and its levels of sun, shade and wind direction will determine if they are needed. For example, buildings with double aspects, a large run of windows or large glazed panels, may benefit from reflective film or blinds to prevent the ‘greenhouse effect’.
While those within a densely built environments, such as town centres with tall buildings, or premises with fewer opening windows, may require electrically driven operators, fans/filters to improve air flow and quality.
In just two simple steps, you can say goodbye to stuffy air and hello to comfort and well-being. Get ready to take a deep breath and transform your space into the ultimate sanctuary of freshness and vitality.
For more information visit Strand Hardware's website
Commercial excellence took centre stage at the 2023 CUBO Awards on July 6th at the University of Glasgow, as eight universities were recognised for outstanding achievement in commercial and campus services.
Awards Chair, Jane Donachy, Associate Director of Catering, Retail and Accommodation Services at the University of the Arts, London, praised the exceptional standard of entries in 2023, hailing the awards as “a fantastic platform to showcase the hard work of university commercial staff.”
“The awards are critical to motivative and reward hard-working staff in the commercial areas within the context of the wider university. You cannot underestimate the buzz and encouragement winning an award gives the teams that work tirelessly to improve the student experience.”
Creativity in Catering and Retail: University of Exeter
An unused bank branch was transformed into a vibrant street food hub providing additional revenue and a hireable events space.
Best Residence Life Experience: University of Nottingham
Nottingham built a sport, wellbeing and health package into students’ overall accommodation offering resulting in 96% reporting an increased sense of belonging to the university and halls.
Excellence in Student Sports Experience: University of Exeter
Exeter’s Get Into Sport campaign has successfully extended participation to international students, women, and those with mental health difficulties by making sport more accessible for all.
Innovation in Student Housing Award: University of the Arts London (UAL)
UAL’s Archwood site is designed to build networks between local Southwark businesses and students,
with initiatives such as apprenticeships and local employment schemes.
Innovation in Student Experience: University of Essex
Essex’s Fan Engagement Project used sport as a lever to build engagement between students and the university, tackling wellbeing in the post-Covid environment.
Creativity in Conferencing, Events and Hospitality: Keele University Events & Conferencing
The drive to carbon neutrality at Keele has been supported with initiatives including a green delegate package and green energy, contributing to a 26% increase on income forecasts.
Business Partnership of the Year Award: University of Manchester and Infinity Inc
Sales from Manchester’s gift shop have soared by 263% thanks to an innovative partnership that has embraced an online store, sales to staff and eco-merchandise.
Best Marketing Campaign: University of Leeds
Leeds rebuilt its gym membership among students with a creative approach to digital marketing that targeted prospects with tailored content, resulting in sales in excess of £2m.
Campus Experience of the Year: Royal Holloway, University of London Collaboration, team-working and communication between teams and target audiences has delivered a ‘World Class’ ranking for the commercial services directorate, making it the top scoring purely commercial services directorate among universities.
Honorary membership
Outgoing CUBO Board members Richard Kington and Jane Donachy were recognised for their outstanding contribution to CUBO and higher education professional services.
The education sector is a top target for threat actors. The high volume of personal information and research data stored by education institutions, coupled with limited security budgets and resources,
makes this industry a prime target for cybercrime.
In the last year, 62% of higher education institutions reported experiencing security breaches or attacks at least weekly and 88% have been negatively impacted. After the
recent attack on 14 schools across the UK which saw confidential information including student passport scans and SEN information leaked, schools cannot remain passive.
To safeguard sensitive
information and avoid critical data exposures, education providers need to take proactive measures to build a strong cybersecurity defense. With ransomware attacks growing in sophistication and the education sector standing as an attractive target for threat actors, prioritizing cybersecurity efforts is imperative. The likelihood of an attack is a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’.
Cyberattacks against educational institutions are a threat because of the diverse and valuable data stored in educational networks. Threat actors have the choice of compromising a multitude of critical assets, including:
• Student information – Students’ registration details mean educational institutions are storing a great deal of personal data, such as name, date of birth and diversity information. This gives cybercriminals a wealth of information for identity theft.
• Financial information – Whether it belongs to students, staff or the institution, educational organizations store banking and credit information. Compromising this information could allow criminals to transfer funds, take over bank accounts or commit credit fraud.
• Research – Educational institutions are at risk of losing research accumulated over years in a cyberattack. In addition to damaging the organizations reputation, lost data can lead
to legal action, the withdrawal of research funding, and loss of security clearances for sensitive material.
• Email access – Gaining access to an institution’s email servers offers cybercriminals a vector for further attacks on the network.
• Disruption – Distributed denial-ofservice (DDoS) attacks can disrupt or crash an organization’s servers by overwhelming them with more data than they can handle.
Under the best of circumstances, these challenges would be daunting, but educational organizations often face tight budgets and limited headcount, requiring them to do more with resources that don’t keep pace with demand.
With more education institutes exploring remote learning, the need to protect, defend, and respond to threats — regardless of where the user, data, systems, and applications sit — is more apparent than ever. They need to deploy an automation, cost efficient cybersecurity solution to overcome critical risks.
In an era where no industry is safe from cyberattacks, educational institutions need to be putting the safety of student, staff, and school data first.
Without a clear, system-wide picture of network activity, a compromise can go undetected for weeks, months, or even longer.
Working harder isn’t the solution to the cybersecurity challenge in education. Too many security teams, often understaffed, suffer from alarm fatigue with event data flooding in from multiple sources on different interfaces.
By deploying a security information and event management (SIEM) solution, education institutes can monitor their environment to detect malicious activity and enable a rapid response. It can also deliver additional insights for other performance issues, such as remote access connection failures or missed scheduled software updates.
In addition to providing a holistic view of the network, SIEM simplifies and accelerates an organization’s ability to meet compliance goals and reduces the time needed to conduct audits. Reports can be generated in minutes, rather than days or weeks — freeing staff for other tasks. Network monitoring can even be deployed as a managed service, providing aroundthe-clock experts without the need for additional internal IT staff. This can help educational organizations where cybersecurity isn’t the primary budget focus and recruiting and retaining security professionals remains challenging.
SIEM solutions with added network detection and response (NDR) capabilities provide visibility across networks and notify users immediately when suspicious activity occurs. The best NDR solutions provide hybrid analytics that combine machine learning, rules-based detection, and threat intelligence
to analyze network, user, and host activity for greater visibility into emerging threats.
External threats are not the only causes of data breaches. Whether it is an accidental data breach or a deliberate theft by an insider, user, and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) can be applied to staff to baseline patterns of normal network behavior, enabling quicker and more accurate responses to anomalous activity. An embedded UEBA solution provides deep visibility into user activity, helping detect insider threats, compromised accounts, privileged
account abuse, and other user-based threats.
Beyond the deployment of comprehensive security tools, educational institutions can also arm themselves against threats by practicing and encouraging good cyber hygiene for both staff and students. One of the top risks that they should be educating online users on is phishing attacks. To check for this, users need to look for inconsistencies in the sender’s email address, spelling and grammar, abnormal file types, and any other signs that the email is unusual from
those usually received.
Another aspect of good cyber hygiene is following best practice advice on generating and protecting passwords. Where possible, users should use a different password for each account, activate two factor authentication (2FA) on sensitive accounts, and use a password generator. Following these practices reduces the risk of accounts being compromised and data being stolen.
As the threat landscape grows more complex, the education sector must be ready to be proactive in detecting and mitigating risks. With the right tools and training in place, it can arm itself with the capabilities to level up its security posture with an intelligent approach.
The cybersecurity challenges facing education institutions continue to increase and the cost of solving them can be daunting, however the potential financial and reputational risks that come with inadequate defense will cause an even bigger blow.
The education sector will find that effective cybersecurity solutions ultimately pay for themselves over the long term and enable institutions to focus on what matters – providing a safe and secure learning environment.
For further information please visit https://logrhythm.com
In student living spaces, excess noise can become a real nuisance if left unchecked. In fact, incessant noise is not only distracting, affecting productivity and concentration, but it can also negatively impact residents’ mental and physical health. Here, Elizabeth Bushell, Key Accounts Manager – Student Accommodation and BtR at Forbo Flooring Systems, discusses the importance of
controlling noise and the role flooring can play in creating contemporary, yet acoustically sound spaces in multi-occupancy buildings.
When it comes to students choosing accommodation, many will look for developments that contain communal areas for socialising, sports activities, and entertainment. But that’s not all! They want to live somewhere where they know they
will be able to study in peace and get a good night’s sleep. According to a survey in February 2022 by Here! Student Living, it found that students spend roughly 13 out of 24 hours in their bedroom a day, with most choosing to spend more time studying in their rooms (73%) than on campus or in public places (27%) .
As such designing in good acoustics is vital when it comes to
developing or refurbishing student accommodation. Indeed, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has stated that excessive noise seriously harms human health and interferes with people’s daily activities. It can disturb sleep, reduce performance, provoke annoyance responses, and cause negative effects on social behaviour .
So, what types of sound are there? Sound can take one of two forms: airborne noise, or impact noise. It is important to know the difference, as each comes with its own specific set of challenges – and products designed to reduce airborne noise will not necessarily reduce impact noise. Therefore, when designing student accommodation, it is important to understand the difference.
Airborne noise applies to things like TV noise, people talking and dogs barking. This form of noise travels through the air and will either reflect off building elements when it hits them, be absorbed into acoustic dense materials or travel through building structures and be radiated out to the other side. When reflected, the noise level can increase, and when absorbed or allowed to travel through structures, the volume can be reduced.
Impact noise occurs following a physical impact on a building, or solid material. For example, footfall and banging doors are both examples of impact sound. When impact sound occurs both sides of the building element vibrate, generating sound waves. For example, in multi-occupancy buildings, moving around furniture or even the clatter of footsteps can quickly become very loud, which can be detrimental to the health, concentration levels and general comfort of those living in the building.
When it comes to measuring sound – either airborne or impact –, it is done so using decibels (dB). Decibels denote the intensity of the sound, which relates to how much energy a sound wave contains. The human ear is capable of hearing sounds as quiet as 10 dB but can begin to become damaged when listening to sounds of around 80 dB.
Fortunately, advances in sound insulation solutions means that noises coming from inside or outside
of a building can now be significantly reduced – and there are several solutions available, which can be used individually, or together, as part of a broader acoustic treatment scheme.
However, one of the most effective ways to combat impact sound is acoustic flooring. Acoustic flooring is specifically manufactured with a high-performance foam backing to enhance impact sound reduction. It can be installed as part of a new build but also offers a good retrofit solution when it comes to improving the acoustic performance of older buildings.
Acoustic flooring can also contribute to the acoustic performance of a building in two ways:
• Reducing the level of in-room impact sound generated will
help to lower overall ambient noise levels within the space itself, improving the acoustic environment. In-room impact noise for floor coverings is tested to standard NF-S 31-074 with performance classifications from A to D. Products receiving a Class A classification offer the best performance in terms of reducing in-room impact sound.
• Reducing impact sound at source will also reduce the level of noise that can be transmitted through the floor and into the spaces below. Here, the impact sound reduction performance of the floor covering is the most important factor to consider. Impact sound reduction values are measured across a range of sound frequencies and the weighted value is quoted in decibels (dB).
The higher the decibel value of the floor covering, the better the flooring performance in reducing impact sound.
Whilst acoustics are essential in terms of a floor’s performance, universities and developers do not need to compromise on aesthetics. As the trend for bringing a natural look and feel into living spaces continues to rise, wood and stone effect designs remain ever popular. Modern and sophisticated, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) offer the ability to replicate the realism of its natural counterpart, with the advantages of improved durability and design freedom to create striking flooring schemes. And now, there are even LVT options on the market that offer high levels of acoustic performance, enabling the best of both worlds.
Forbo’s new acoustic LVT range,
Allura Decibel, has been developed to offer best in class acoustic performance, offering 19 dB impact sound reduction. The new collection also consists of 49 innovative and fresh designs to create modern, yet practical flooring schemes. For example, there is a new a twine wood effect, which is a hybrid between wood, stone and textile aesthetics for a softer and more elegant take on modern wood. There’s also new subtle marbled designs and abstract tweed patterns, as well as a new digitally printed option called Sky, which is reminiscent of a beautiful early morning sunrise to help bring the outside in.
In the development of the new Allura Decibel collection, Forbo has continued its work in increasing the sustainability of its portfolio. Produced in Europe based on zero waste principles and using 100%
green electricity, Allura Decibel is 100% phthalate free, REACH* compliant and contains up to 30% recycled content. The excellent dimensional stability ensures safe and hygienic floors, as dirt isn’t trapped in the seams; and the superior embossed lacquering system guarantees long lasting appearance retention and improves resistance to stains and scratches.
When it comes to specifying acoustic flooring, it is recommended that you liaise with a flooring manufacturer that understands the challenges of student accommodation and can offer a variety of solutions to create comforting places for students to work, sleep and socialise within.
For more information about Forbo’s new Allura Decibel range please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/allura
Sustainable campuses are becoming increasingly attractive to prospective students, with the majority agreeing that they would be proud to study at a ‘green’ campus. Despite this appetite within the student body, higher and further education (HE and FE) institutions often risk underestimating the importance sustainability holds for potential applicants. So, what is a green campus and how can universities start making changes to become one?
A recent report by law firm, Shakespeare Martineau defines a green campus as one that is carbon neutral, limits or eliminates food, water, and energy waste, and only
works with like-minded suppliers. It should also work closely with its local community, colleagues, and students to educate, innovate and drive sustainable improvements, including making a positive contribution to local biodiversity and the wider environment through research, curriculum and projects.
According to the report, 69 per cent of 16 to 19-year-olds are concerned about climate change, 78 per cent of prospective students consider sustainability an essential part of learning, teaching, and research, and 75 per cent would consider joining an institution if its leadership factored climate change into their decision making.
These stats clearly show that
students lean towards sustainability and green measures, particularly when it comes to choosing where to study. However, with the research also revealing that 2 in 5 institutions are either not confident or unsure as to whether they will meet their decarbonisation targets by 2050 a mismatch between the wants of prospective students and the institutions that they are applying for could be brewing. With more competition than ever before, those campuses that can ‘go green’ successfully will be at an advantage when it comes to attracting students.
With the climate crisis high on the public agenda, it is important for HE and FE institutions to do their bit to make a difference to the planet
and for future generations. Whilst knowing where to begin may seem daunting, there are a few key areas to focus on as a starting point that can create a roadmap to a greener campus future.
One initiative institutions can take to create a greener campus is the promotion and introduction of sustainable transportation. The research report found that commuting and business travel is estimated to make up 11 per cent of UK universities’ total emissions – a significant contribution to the UK's overall emissions that highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy.
A green transport strategy doesn’t have to start big. Universities can implement it in phases, starting small by encouraging more people to walk to campus where possible, providing bicycle hiring schemes to staff and students and adding electric vehicle charging points to parking infrastructure. Additionally, FE and HE institutions that may be further along this journey could seek to implement cycle routes throughout their campuses and provide incentives for sustainable travel, through the use of a discounted
travel card for public transport.
According to the report, construction methods and materials are key contributors to emissions. In 2022, research by the International Institute of Sustainable Development found that the production of building materials and construction activities is already responsible for 10% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. However, by taking appropriate measures, it is possible to minimise the adverse impacts of the construction process, such as carbon dioxide emissions and waste production
To do their bit to minimise the impact of building works going forward, institutions must adopt sustainable construction practices to reduce their environmental footprint. This means carefully considering both materials and methods, increased use of sustainable materials, improved recycling of construction waste, and the adoption of more efficient construction techniques.
Institutions should conduct research into sustainable solutions for new building projects to
discover what alternative options are available, such as timber frame construction which may provide greater design flexibility along with a smaller environmental impact.
Many prospective students believe that promoting green spaces and biodiversity should be at the forefront of HE and FE sustainability strategies, with the report finding that 78 per cent of prospective students would be influenced to apply for a university or college if it has open green spaces and promotes biodiversity.
Biodiversity aims to add ecological value and can include planting trees or native species of plants, as well as creating woodland walks, spaces for outdoor learning and peaceful gardens. By creating green spaces, institutions will not only reduce their carbon footprint but also help to improve the mental and physical health of students and staff alike, making the university's green space a valuable asset. Research from the Wildlife Trust found that a wildlife-rich environment has many physical and mental benefits, including better all-round health.
According to the Climate Change Committee, 62 per cent of emission reductions will require societal and behavioural changes, such as adopting low-carbon technologies and lifestyle changes including recycling, cycling and walking. It is imperative for institutions to develop strategies that will engage staff and students to drive sustainable improvements as a way to make a campus greener.
Shakespeare Martineau’s report found that 31 per cent of education respondents cited resistance to change within the institution as a significant factor preventing universities or colleges from becoming greener. A further 25 per cent said a lack of collaboration between parties across the institution contributed to slow progress on green initiatives.
One of the best ways to implement and combat resistance to change is by having open conversations with staff, students and senior leaders. This will not only allow everyone to share their thoughts and ideas on the changes being proposed, but will encourage people within the institution to work
together, speeding up the process. However, it is imperative for senior leaders to recognise that the influence will have to start from them in a top-down push.
To encourage individuals, institutions might look to introduce gamification elements such as green apps and other incentives to encourage incremental behaviour changes. For example, students and staff can be rewarded for walking, recycling or other sustainable initiatives, which can be tracked by green apps. Behavioural change is never easy; however, the accumulation of many small behavioural changes can make a big difference to campuses.
With so much to do, over 77 per cent of institutions have reported that a lack of funding and investment has played a big part in delaying the move towards a greener campus. Help is available if institutions know where to look, with green-focused loans and strategic support ready to be taken advantage of.
One example is the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grants for public sector bodies to
fund heat decarbonisation through the installation of heat pumps, solar panels and energy efficiency measures such as LED lighting and building management system upgrades for both modern and heritage buildings.
Becoming a green campus and hitting sustainability targets is not something that can be achieved overnight, however, by working together and investigating the loans and wider support available, every institution can improve its sustainability credentials and become a greener campus.
With 88 per cent of prospective students agreeing that their place of study should actively incorporate and promote sustainable development, universities must take the initiative to meet the needs of students and start sustainable practices on campus as well as take responsibility for their impact on the environment.
Smita Jamdar, partner and head of education at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau
For more information please visit shma.co.uk
Today, the finishes you choose for your learning environments goes far beyond the basic requirements of an adequately comfortable room. Studies have shown that the physical aspects of a classroom such as colour, light, texture, and air quality significantly impact a student’s learning with a potential boost of up to 16% when implemented thoughtfully. The focus and indeed health of those using the space can be improved, as well as contributing to more sustainable choices. Flooring has a key part to play to any successful education space. At Shaw Contract, we anticipate these needs by offering flooring
solutions that are fit for purpose, helping to create the most effective learning environment for students and supporting staff alike.
Creating a great space
Shaw Contract carpet tiles are Cradle to Cradle certified and manufactured in the UK. Available in in a range of styles and colours, they offer a whole range of design possibilities. With the added benefit of providing wayfinding and zoning of spaces using colour, texture and pattern, carpet tiles provide the foundation for an environment that optimises engagement, supports teaching, and inspires learning.
In collaboration with lead
contractors, BAM Construction, Shaw Contract carpet tiles were specified for Castle Mead Academy, a 1,200place eight form entry site for the Mead Educational Trust. Carpet tiles from Shaw’s Auxiliary collection were specified for interior spaces including the library and study rooms within the new Academy. Inspired by the transitions in nature, the Auxiliary collection features cool to warm tones that help to promote a sense of calm, making this collection ideal for creating an atmosphere for learning. Styles Feature and Complement in a mix of grey and blue shades were used to introduce a subtle interplay of colour and pattern in the spaces.
Occupant health and wellbeing is a critical consideration for productive learning environments. Our ability to learn suffers when we struggle to understand what is being said or there is excessive noise that breaks our concentration. Acoustics and noise disturbance significantly impact teaching and learning processes, particularly in earlier education where sound production (learning to pronounce the sounds that form language) is essential.
Shaw Contract’s ComfortWorx™ tile backing, made from postconsumer recycled plastic bottles, is designed to provide improved impact sound reduction and sound absorption over standard carpet tile and hard surfaces. It provides excellent sound insulation and underfoot comfort. After installation, there was a recorded 65% improvement in sound absorption on some styles compared with our standard TaskWorx® tiles, making ComfortWorx™ backing an option that provides for both durability and ergonomic benefits.
Occupant comfort covers a spectrum of key aspects for healthy environments. A significant element under this umbrella is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Studies have shown that maintaining good IAQ facilitates regular brain development. The importance of meeting indoor emissions requirements and analysis of their material ingredients cannot be overlooked – particularly in educational settings, with the chief medical officer for the UK recently warning that the dirty air inside buildings may contribute to nearly as many deaths as outdoor air pollution.
With a firm commitment to material health, Shaw Contract carpet tiles meet strict European compliance for low VOC products and are all independently verified for use by European testing body Eurofins. Cradle-to-Cradle certified also means throughout the production process material health and ingredients are a core focus. Shaw Contract’s carpet tiles made in the UK, and our Nordic Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), also available as part of our In Stock UK programme, all achieve Indoor Air Comfort Gold.
With an increased focus on safety and hygiene, maintenance and cleaning considerations are key for education environments.
A substantial number of scientific studies have found that chemicals, including VOCs, are emitted from cleaning and sanitising products. Yet proper vacuuming is the important process in the maintenance of carpet tiles, requiring no chemical cleaning processes.
Shaw Contract’s Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) feature our highperformance, low-maintenance ExoGuardTM finish which creates a barrier against dirt, scuffs, and stains. No polish, no buff LVT products require little lifetime maintenance, and no use of solvents and waxes, while still meeting the needs of high traffic zones such as corridors or break areas.
Moving from quiet areas to activity areas and/or wet areas
you can create easy transitions that are seamless across the floor. No transition strips are needed between carpet tiles and 5mm LVT solutions. We can provide you with guidance on how to maintain your flooring and all our carpet tiles come with a 15-year guarantee.
As the saying goes, “What goes around, comes around”, that’s why Shaw is committed to partnering with our customers and providing products that can also be re-used, recycled or repurposed too at end of life. The re[TURN] Take-back scheme makes it easy to get the process started. Since 2006, almost 1 billion pounds of carpet tiling has been recycled through the scheme.
Case Study – Smeaton Building at Plymouth University
Shaw Contract’s Colour Construct carpet tile collection along with Graph tiles from Rapid Select combine to create a design feature in
a recent refurbishment project at the University of Plymouth. Bringing both colour and acoustic benefits to this educational building, the installation demonstrates how colour and contrast can be used to maximum effect.
The project undertaken was to refurbish the corridors in a 1960’s engineering building on the Plymouth University Campus called the Smeaton Building. The existing floor had been installed for several years and was durable, however it provided a very cold, sterile and “echoey” feeling in this interior. The decision was to switch to a softer finish to provide a more modern and comfortable experience for students.
Shaw Contract’s visualisation team produced a range of different design layouts which were presented to stakeholders in the project. The preferred design uses a mixture of mid and dark grey tone Graph tiles, and then intersperses accent colours at random, using style Pixel Square tiles from the Colour Construct collection.
The bold Orange, Chartreuse, Aqua and Magenta colours from Colour Construct were used as a reference for matching paint colours which then were used in the doorways along the various corridors. The result is a lively way to encourage flow and zones the flooring layout and provides acoustic comfort for those moving in and around the space.
The client commented: “We selected Shaw Contract as our partner for this project as they are a UK manufacturer with a very strong sustainability message. This fitted in with our criteria for a supplier, as well as having options for attractive ranges at the right price points.”
With flooring specification underpinning some of the most important aspects of health learning environments, it is also important that these products are readily available for educational projects. In recent years, Shaw has seen a significant boost in the desire or such products and has responded with the In Stock UK programme - a simple
solution for flooring contractors and building and estates managers that meets the needs of fast turnaround projects.
The In Stock UK programme provides a specially curated range of options, such as the Auxiliary carpet tile collection, as well as other products ideal for school learning environments, stocked in the UK for quick dispatch within 24 hours of an order acknowledgement for account holders.
In conclusion, Shaw Contract is the ideal partner to help you design and build a healthy and more inspiring educational environment. The importance of using the appropriate flooring in classrooms cannot be overlooked. Shaw Contract is a trusted partner in education. Our expertise comes from strong understanding of the needs of the architecture and interior design community, purchasing, facilities and maintenance departments.
For further information please visit www.shawcontract.com
If you are a Duty Holder or formally appointed Responsible Person (Water), e.g. Head Teacher, Business Manager Maintenance Manager or similar, you have a legal responsibility to ensure that the occupants within your premises are suitably protected from water safety risks including
Legionella bacteria. When dealing with water safety issues in schools, frequent reviews and updates to your Legionella risk assessment are key to keeping water systems safe for use.
Legionella Risk in Schools
Whether assessing the risk from
Legionella bacteria or devising control measures for your school, it’s of vital importance you have a clear understanding of both inherent and operational aspects of the water system's management.
The design and installation of your water system may well have incorporated best practice
approaches ensuring inherent risks are relatively low, however at an operational level, a majority of areas within any school may not be used during holiday periods.
To mitigate these risks, your planned preventative maintenance and monitoring schedule needs to include all foreseeable circumstances – particularly as little-used water outlets are those often most at risk from the development of Legionella contamination.
Good water management can reasonably focus on, but not be limited by, two main considerations:
Ensuring that there is sufficient water turnover to prevent stagnation;
Ensuring that cold water remains cold and hot water remains hot. The guidance indicates stored and cold water at the outlet must always be less than 20°C and hot water must be stored above 60°C nor less than 50°C
at the outlet.
Whilst there are many other considerations for mitigating the growth of waterborne bacteria, such as Legionella, the presence of slow-moving or stagnant water at temperatures between 20-45°C can provide ideal growth conditions for such bacteria and must therefore be avoided.
At this point, it’s noteworthy to identify that waterborne bacteria such as Legionella are ‘ubiquitous’ within water systems although are often flushed to drain in wellmanaged and maintained properties.
When water systems provide the ideal conditions for bacterial growth this often presents an issue that requires an expensive, multi-factorial
and time-intensive response and which may have only limited success. It is often very difficult if not impossible to eradicate biofilm from affected systems with lasting success.
As previously mentioned, systems affected by waterborne bacteria often succumb to recurring issues and therefore prevention in this regard is very much better than cure. As such, when deciding upon a suitable risk mitigation strategy for buildings subject to ‘scheduled’ intermittent or low use, such as schools, universities etc, it may be prudent to review HSG274 Part 2, Paragraph 2.50; which offers practical guidance on how to manage buildings that have been temporarily taken out of use (known as mothballing). Whilst school and university
estates increasingly have ‘dual use’ facilities that help to maintain the turnover of water by keeping buildings open to service users during holiday periods, this is not always the case, as such staff must be tasked with safely managing water during this time via a suitable flushing regime.
from degradation caused by any disinfectant added.
During shorter periods of infrequent or intermittent use, microbial growth may be adequately controlled by identifying areas of infrequent use, i.e. those used less than once per week, and flushing them at least weekly (more frequently than weekly is expected in higher-risk premises). Each outlet should be flushed for long enough to ensure that the entire contents of the outlet and its associated supply pipework have been replenished with fresh water.
Alan MacklinA suitable Legionella risk assessment will assist in determining the required control measures. It’s advised that any mothballing strategy or procedure should be a compromise between the prevention of stagnation by having a regular Legionella flushing regime, the avoidance of water wastage and the protection of the water system
For longer periods of disuse, it can be acceptable to leave a system filled with water without weekly flushing – if measures are in place to prevent unauthorised use. Draining
down a system unnecessarily may leave residual moisture or pockets of water within the system, potentially created, or exacerbated by high humidity, and this may subsequently provide the potential for worsening conditions. Leaving the system filled with water and suitably maintained also helps to avoid issues associated with systems drying out, such as joint failure in sectional tanks and/ or metal pipework corrosion. That said, these systems should be thoroughly flushed, cleaned, and disinfected before their return to use. In such situations, it’s indicated to recommission these systems as though they were new following British Standards; BS EN 806, BS 8558, and BS PD 855468.
• Constructor (modular building supply) and main contractor (as required) that offers a full turnkey solution approach.
• Architecturally designed & inspirational learning environments. Our buildings can be visually indistinguishable from traditionally built schools.
• Utilising SEISMIC platform design and achieving a high level of PMV.
• Customised to client specifications and needs. From glazing to wall cladding finishes; even teaching spaces can be configured.
• Repeatable classroom designs, creating efficiency through standardisation. Standardisation is key to driving greater efficiency throughout all aspects of the project and delivery.
• We are recognised by a number of key frameworks, which are the DfE MMC1 LOT 1, CCS, NHS-SBS and the LHC.
In 2021, a Times Higher Education study found that a university’s sustainability policy and work are more important than its location for mobile students. Another study by the National Union of Students found that over 60 per cent of students want to learn more about sustainability at university, and 87 per cent said that their university should take sustainability more seriously.
These statistics demonstrate how today’s student cohort values environmentally friendly work, especially within their university choices. More and more students are deciding where they want to study based on a university’s sustainability credentials, which includes their
potential campus estate. Attracting students to your campus is no longer about just the course credentials. Generation Z is firm in its stance towards the environment and it will continue to impact its decision-making, including. Ensuring the space in which they conduct their studies is in alignment with their sustainability morals is just as important and may require campus estate managers to reassess how their spaces are run.
Building management system: your new friend
Even though the days of Excel spreadsheets acting as the backbone for an estate manager should be over, some still rely on
this outdated system. A building management system (BMS) is the key to centralising all aspects of your campus into one succinct system through automation; it monitors and controls electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, energy, fire systems, and security systems used within buildings. Using computeraided facilities management (CAFM) systems in tow with your BMS can provide detailed insight into energy usage across the campus and help you identify solutions to reduce it.
A CAFM system, which centralises the management of planned and reactive task can unlock substantial time and cost benefits relating to asset and maintenance management through streamlining workloads and
supporting data-driven decisions. This software can monitor energy usage across various buildings, providing a detailed picture of several areas where inefficiency can be tackled.
It is by addressing several small changes across the buildings that combine to create a substantial impact on your energy usage and innovate new ways to operate. A BMS is a powerful tool and is crucial to identifying and minimising energy consumption; when integrated with CAFM software, the cost efficiencies and sustainability gains can be significant.
One way to further identify high energy usage across your campus is with the usage of sensor technology. Sensors are a fantastic tool due to their versatility in data collection. They can be used to identify the temperature in certain rooms, the air quality inside a building, or even the natural light coverage within that space. All these aspects can be measured and used to grant an understanding of how much or little energy is being used to support these factors. When integrated with CAFM or space management software, they provide real-time insightful data to enable informed decisions about maintenance regimes and utilities consumption.
For example, for a sensor that is measuring temperature in a space, your findings might indicate that the heating is being left on in certain classrooms for too long. If you combine this with sensor data about room footfall, you can identify the time gaps between when a space is typically unoccupied, and when the heating is still on. The sensor data can also be used to predict future occupancy trends and react accordingly, giving you an accurate map of the space’s usage across a 24-hour period. These findings help the estates team to make better decisions around energy usage, and free up time to focus on more pressing issues that may be causing a greater impact on students.
These sensors are the key to identifying the small inefficiencies that may litter a campus estate. Once found, amendments to internal systems can be made; for example,
turning the heating off two hours earlier because a room is not in use.
When you see where and when energy is being used, you can determine where there are opportunities to be more efficient. A BMS can help with:
• Cost savings
• Controlling the building’s energy consumption
• Adapting energy usage
• Reducing asset downtime
• Improving well-being and productivity
• Meeting corporate social responsibility objectives
The requirements of a building's facilities are long and sometimes tricky to adhere to, but by introducing
a BMS, and integrating that BMS tool with CAFM software, these requirements will become easier to manage.
The centralised information then allows estate managers to track and manage assets across their whole lifecycle. This reduces asset downtime, improves performance, extends equipment life, and lowers maintenance costs, which supports sustainability objectives.
Planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules for assets are key to a successful and sustainable campus and effective asset management. The cost, both financially and ecologically, of non-functioning assets, and the
subsequent maintenance callouts required to get them back up and running, is usually large.
If a heater has missed a PPM visit during the summer because it is deemed unessential, which then leads to a breakdown during the peak winter months, it impacts many people. It also indicates the use of temporary heaters will be required, which typically demand more energy due to their inability to fully heat large spaces, further impacting the sustainability credentials of the organisation.
Asset management, therefore, aids the energy management of campus estates because of its role in keeping assets efficient for as long as possible.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is compulsory for public sector new builds in the UK, meaning that any new campus buildings that are constructed require this system. It ensures that project and asset information, documentation and data are digitally available to each part of the supply chain, from architects to facilities and maintenance teams.
Via laser scanning technology, BIM can also be integrated into pre-existing buildings and works alongside existing FM data to eliminate duplications, creating
one true version of the building information. It helps provide real-time updates and improves the quality and accuracy of asset information.
By introducing a BIM data, campus estate managers can guarantee that information about their building and its assets are up to date. It also facilitates their energy management goals and helps with keeping up with building legislation changes. Having high-quality data on the building's assets and internal workings aids the PPM schedules, further assisting their efficiency and ability to detect problems before they occur. BMS and CAFM software are essential tools for any campus estate manager in running a secure, safe site. Ensuring to use this effectively to reach energy management targets is the new goal.
Case study – Cardiff University
SWG worked with Cardiff University to implement a comprehensive facilities management software solution to manage reactive and planned maintenance, supporting a team of in-house and external contractors. Since the early 1990s, Cardiff University had used a CAFM system to manage all facilities and maintenance activity. By 2009, the system had become outmoded and was failing to deliver the operational
benefits require by the estate's team.
SWG’s QFM CAFM software was installed, and following a phased implementation, Cardiff University saw great benefits to its facilities management and energy management as a result. The system was able to prioritise and manage reactive maintenance calls, assigning them to the most relevant and available contractor at the time through the integrated mobile app. Contractors can access the details of the specific job and notify completion to the main office whilst on the job, reducing administrative load, downtime, and energy consumption.
The system was also used in conjunction with PPM schedules. The system was able to adapt to the working practices of Cardiff University, meaning it can produce extremely accurate statistics regarding how long it has taken to complete a job and use this information to drive key performance indicators for the site specifically. It also ensures a fast and efficient communication thread, meaning all relevant staff can be kept informed about a maintenance job and can therefore pass on relevant information to students who may be affected.
For further information please visit www.swg.com
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