BFM February 2017

FEBRUARY 2017 www.bfmmagazine.co.uk building & facilities facilities management management

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On the cover: February 2017

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Contents

Production

Sarah Daviner sarah@abbeypublishing.co.uk Accounts Manager

Katie Brehm accounts@abbeypublishing.co.uk

News

Special Feature

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Confirm your operator’s credentials and competence

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Some manufacturers and suppliers have made a contribution toward the cost of reproducing some photographs in this magazine.

Green Spaces Create Happy Workplaces

Portable & Modular Buildings Fire & Hazard Protection

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Boss Design delivers a new ‘Aspect’ on office pods

New Fläkt Woods guide set to improve smoke control in enclosed car parks

Washroom

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Community Centre encompasses everyone’s needs (in matters toileting at least!)

Security & Access Control

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Perimeter Protection from AUTOPA

Building & Refubishment

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Sika’s watertight roofing membrane provides santuary for stunning new church

All contents © Abbey Publishing Ltd 2017 ISSN: 1470-5281

Cleaning & Hygiene

Workplace Design

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A hands-on approach to reducing sick days this winter

Cundall London office becomes first project in Europe to achieve WELL Certification

Corporate Partners:

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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Confirm your operator’s credentials and competence

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ecent cases have highlighted the vital need for employers to continue to thoroughly check and assess new employees’ operator training and competency before they get behind the wheel of any workplace equipment.

Unfortunately, fraudulent operator licenses do exist, and sadly,in some instances managers do not realise that they have a rogue operator on-site until an accident or even a fatality has occurred.

Consequently, it then becomes clear neither had sufficient training or qualifications to ensure the equipment was being operated safely on-site.

Serious financial penalties Following the emotional devastation, comes the financial penalties, which under UK law can be unlimited.

Understanding what the law requires of you, as an employer, is essential.

When you employ a plant operator you are responsible for ensuring that your recruit has all the skills and training necessary to safely operate the varying types of equipment, whether that be a crane, forklift, access platform or a piece of mobile plant.

Under UK law, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98) state: “Every 4

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employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training.”

If your new plant operator is involved in an accident, you, as the employer, can be held responsible.

It’s therefore crucial – for you as an individual and for your business – that you check their credentials.

So how can you know your employee’s skills for sure, and how can you protect your business if something does go wrong?

1. Request copies of training documentation It is good practice to request copies of all training certificates and operator license’s, review them and then keep on file. This allows you to determine whether the training they’ve received is adequate for the tasks required of them.

Bearing in mind that not all training certificates have holograms or watermarks. You should if you doubt whether a certificate or operator card is genuine, forward it to the training provider or awarding body to confirm authenticity.

2. Check accreditation We advise that if a UK training certificate is awarded by an accrediting

body such as IPAF, PASMA, NPORS, MPQC, AITT or ALLMI, you can be confident that training has been delivered to a high set of standards that are in line with all relevant and current legislation.

Many of these accrediting bodies hold a database of all operator training delivered under their accreditation, so, as an employer, you can simply contact them to confirm completed training.

But what if a certificate is provided, that has not been awarded by a recognised accrediting body? Always check the standards to which the course has been delivered and ensure the course aligns to National Occupational Standards.

3. Assess skills Regardless of whether an operator has received training to an accredited standard or not, their skills and competence must be assessed before they can be authorised to freely operate any equipment on-site.

This crucial step is THE KEY to safeguarding your workforce and your business. It allows you to identify any skill gaps before they impact on your operations. If you have any doubt at all about the operator’s experience, then the provision of training is always the safest course of action. www.mentortrainingsolutions.co.uk Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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Spectral eyes up the competition with IRIS at SDS17

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aking centre stage at Spectral Lighting’s Surface Design Show stand this year was be the stunning Iris L, a larger variation on the popular IRIS LED luminaire. This was the company’s fourth year at the show.

Visitors to Spectral’s stand at the Surface Design Show were able to see the Iris L demonstrate a flicker free, smooth transition from warm white to cool daylight white, showing the potential of truly tunable white light. This potential became reality recently when Spectral’s IRIS luminaire was used in the award winning project at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners office in London, utilising the tunable white capabilities of the IRIS to add a level of physical and psychological comfort to a space where the team often work long hours.

IRIS has a striking and memorable design and is made with dual-sided LED Boards, bringing the benefits of highly

efficient LED lighting to its visually stunning aesthetic. The unobtrusive circular construction draws the eye through, enhancing exposed ceilings and the geometry of any backdrop.

Iris can be specified in wall mounted, recessed ceiling mounted or ceiling surface mounted versions. This flexibility ensures that the light can be fitted to suit a multitude of applications, and its wide choice of coloured foils also allow for complete customisation to complement any interior design.

All versions feature a unique hollow centre which is possible by means of a bespoke in-house manufactured circular circuit board. As this can be replaced, it ensures the fitting is

q 0800 243 919

maintainable for the life of the LED. Jon Estell, UK Head of Design at Spectral Lighting comments: “A key feature of the iconic IRIS design is its transparency. This gives an inherent lightness to the fitting in any space and avoids the dark ceiling effect of direct only light.

A further strength of IRIS LED is its flexibility. It is equally at home in the boardroom or in the office, and with a variety of colours to choose from as well as several mounting options, it can be tailored to suit individual needs and preferences.” www.spectral-lighting.co.uk/

E secretary@chsa.co.uk

H www.chsa.co.uk

Cleaning & Hygiene CHSA launches Suppliers Association Scheme for Distributors New Accreditation

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Energy Assets Gets Tactical to Tackle Energy Waste

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nergy Assets, one of Britain’s leading multi-utility networks, metering services and control companies, has launched a tactical tool to help industrial and commercial organisations identify energy waste that could potentially be costing them millions of pounds each year.

The analytical tool, developed to complement the company’s AMRdna service, powered by kWIQly, crunches half-hourly metered gas and electricity data to measure actual performance against what is verified to be the best possible consumption profile. This allows multi-site operators to see energy waste issues as soon as they emerge.

“Energy waste results from things as simple as not adjusting building heating or cooling systems to take account of changes in Daylight Saving Time, outside weather conditions and leaving lighting on overnight,” says George Catto, Client Services Director at AMRdna. “Our algorithm uses detailed consumption data to ‘learn’ what optimal performance should look like within individual buildings and across portfolios – and when exceptions occur, for example when equipment is left on accidentally, the system flags a deviation.”

Energy managers have historically used automatic monitoring and targeting systems to benchmark performance, but this does not offer true insight into optimal energy performance, only variation over manually set metrics.

AMRdna’s software automatically remodels energy parameters on a daily basis, using half hourly gas and electricity data to spot unusual patterns of consumption.

“When it comes to energy efficiency, energy managers have exhausted most of the easy wins, such as LED lighting, and now what they need is a simple, fast and remote way of identifying energy waste hidden within their portfolio,” says George. AMRdna provides this information through automatic reporting or interactive web pages.

The insight provided by AMRdna is now being augmented by Energy Assets through the company’s Lynkswitch system, which provides energy managers with the ability to remotely control electrical loads, including switching off electrical loads should an unusual consumption pattern be identified.

Says George: “In one instance, our data showed a spike in energy usage in 6

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a retail outlet, which turned out to be an extractor fan running continuously. So we fitted a Lynkswitch module – and now the energy manager has remote control over the device if it needs to be switched off. When data-driven control such as this is replicated across entire building portfolios, the savings can be huge.”

Strategic analysis of energy consumption within buildings undertaken using the AMRdna tool has to date revealed potential savings of up to 15% for electricity and 30% for gas.

“Our forensic approach to energy waste is certainly gaining traction in the retail sector and is also creating a lot of interest in the public sector, where energy managers can be responsible for a portfolio of hundreds of buildings. For them, the analysis of existing consumption data provides a very effective and economical way of identifying opportunities for eradicating energy waste.” www.energyassets.co.uk

3d expands senior team

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d leisure have announced the expansion of their senior management team with the appointment of Mandy McCracken.

Mandy will manage and develop the new business within 3ds 4 key market sectors, hospitality, corporate, education and the private sector.

Mandy has worked in corporate fitness and wellbeing for over 12 years with Bladerunner, an initial spell with 3d and European Corporate Wellness and brings a wealth of experience in creating bespoke solutions for potential clients to meet their specific fitness, health and

wellbeing management objectives.

Mandy said “I’m delighted to be working back with some familiar faces, 3d is an established forward thinking organisation with a great passion for operating across the UK”.

Mark Bremner, Managing Director at 3d, added: “With Mandy now on board we are ready to focus and expand in all market sectors and build on our 25 years of solid foundations. The knowledge, empathy and enthusiasm that Mandy has will help us to further develop our business and relationships with our clients.” www.3dleisure.com Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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Risk to WEEE compliance as fluorescent tube recycling goes under the spotlight FMs need to ensure electrical contractors are meeting the needs of fluorescent tube recycling or risk non compliance of WEEE Directive according to Pipekit, an independent plastic pipe distributor.

and social responsibility to the process”.

40% of electrical contractors cited they still relied on boxes to store used tubes or just left them loose in vehicles prior to disposal. Despite the risk of tubes easily breaking and not being able to recycle them safely or at all. Asked why, 50% cited a lack of readily available, fit for purpose storage solutions, as the main reason.

In direct response to the market research findings, Pipekit has launched a purpose designed tube storage solution to help meet the needs of the market. Tubester is manufactured by Pipekit from robust recyclable HDPE twin walled tube. Available as standard in 1.8M and 2.4M variants. Other lengths are available on request.

Tubester comes fitted with robust end caps, one of which is removable for

Network Rail chooses Interserve

ease of opening and safe containment.

Martyn continues: “We have started to sell Tubester online and over the counter at Pipekit and despite it being early in the product’s development, interest is high.

We plan to push it out to other distributors in the near future and hope this product will help support the recycling process and facilitate compliance of the WEEE Directive for all sectors going forward”.

The survey also revealed that 80% of electrical contractors stated that there needs to be more recycling outlets available to make the disposal of tubes easier and help drive recycling rates higher.

For more information log onto: www. pipekit.co.uk. Or call: 01743 860088.

Or email: enquiries@pipekit.co.uk

UK MANUFACTURERS OF STREET FURNITURE

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nterserve, the international support services and construction group, has won a new five-year facilities management contract with Network Rail worth £65 million.

Interserve will deliver facilities services such as waste management, landscaping, pest control, adverse weather management and washroom services across 11 of Network Rail’s managed stations in London, Reading and Bristol.

These include eight of the UK’s 10 busiest stations.

The new partnership marks the first time facilities services have been delivered by a single provider, with Interserve replacing multiple serviceproviders. The new contract builds upon Interserve’s existing relationship with Network Rail, which has included providing cleaning services across the organisation’s estate for the last five years.

Under the new contract, Interserve will introduce initiatives to improve waste recycling and new equipment to enhance standards and productivity.

Interserve will also support apprenticeships, training and work experience programmes across the account. www.interserve.com

POSTS - HINGED & TELESCOPIC BOLLARDS - STEEL & STAINLESS HOOPED BARRIERS CYCLE STANDS & RACKS CYCLE SHELTERS HEIGHT RESTRICTORS SWING GATES ARM BARRIERS SMOKING SHELTERS SEATING

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recent survey, commissioned by Pipekit, to reflect the habits of electrical contractors around the disposal of fluorescent tubes, revealed that just under half require better solutions for storing used fluorescent tubes. Whilst one in four acknowledges that the lack of fit for purpose solutions is compromising their recycling habits and compliance with the WEEE Directive.

Commenting on the findings Martyn Rowlands, M.D of Pipekit said: “Our findings showed that despite there being a high knowledge and understanding of the WEEE directive and its compliance requirements, within the electrical contractor market, the lack of storage solutions and recycling opportunities were hampering safe disposal. Something the facility management sector needs to be aware of and act on to offer corporate

01788 550556 info@autopa.co.uk www.autopa.co.uk

AUTOPA Limited, Cottage Leap, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3XP

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Building & Facilities Management – February 2017 88x130_Advert.indd 1

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Martindale simplifies phase rotation measurement

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hen it comes to verifying the phase sequence, or rotation, of three phase circuits, Martindale Electric, leaders in voltage detectors and safe isolation, offers more than one solution, with its professional range of testers.

Getting the phase sequence wrong can have devastating consequences for plant and machinery with serious implications for machine safety. From motors running backwards through to cooling or lubricating systems underperforming, one wrong connection can lead to a major maintenance headache.

Providing enhanced user safety, the unique PSI4000 and PSI4300 non contact phase sequence indicators from Martindale Electric can quickly and accurately identify three phase sequences for motor installations and other systems.

Designed for use on both insulated and non insulated conductors, the PSI4000 and PSI4300 from Martindale carry out measurements via inductive crocodile clips, which can be simply clipped on to

speed up testing and reduce the risk of coming into contact with live parts.

LEDS provide a clear indication of phase rotation and have a high intensity setting for when working in strong ambient light. Similar in function, the only difference between the two phase sequence indicators is that the PSI4000 provides a correct indication for clockwise sequence, as used in the building facilities industry, while the PSI4300 provides a correct indication for anti-clockwise sequence as used, for example, in power utilities.

Another solution from Martindale Electric is the PC15250 phase rotation indicator, which has been specifically designed to quickly and simply prove the presence of all three live phases (or identify which are faulty) and show the sequence of phase rotation when all three phases are confirmed as present.

Easy to operate, the PC15250 provides a fast, effective battery free method of identifying unmarked cables and ensures that 3-phase outlets and machines are wired correctly.

For a choice between long exposed tips for reaching difficult to access contacts and shorter tips for increased safety, the PC15250 also features retractable GS38 shrouds and comes supplied with integral fused leads, crocodile clip and high quality test probes which conform to GS38.

In addition to a dedicated range of phase sequence indicators, Martindale Electric also supply a range of tools such as the VT28 Voltage Indicator and the ET4000 and ET45000 17th Edition multi-function testers, which can be used to provide phase sequence indication in addition to their main functions.

Featuring exceptional build quality and performance, the competitively priced range of tools from Martindale combine outstanding specification and measuring capabilities with reliability and ease of use.

For more information, please contact Martindale Electric on 01923 441717, Email: sales@martindale-electric.co.uk or visit www.martindale-electric.co.uk

Harrow Green has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant

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arrow Green is proud to announce that it has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant to demonstrate our support for the armed forces community.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge between the government and people of the UK and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families. It supports current and ex service personnel and their families through policy, projects and services. The intention is to ensure their sacrifices and duty are respected and that they face no disadvantage compared to other citizens. The government is encouraging businesses, local authorities, charities and the public to sign up to the Covenant to show our support for all our servicemen and women.

Nigel Dews, Managing Director of Harrow Green said: “We are very pleased to have joined over 1,000 other businesses and organisations who have signed the pledge. In signing 8

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the Armed Forces Covenant we have stated that we are an armed forcesfriendly organisation. In 2015 we were awarded a three year contract to provide relocation and storage services for Service Family Accommodation for the MOD. It was a natural next step to sign the Covenant to further cement our commitment to supporting the armed forces and their families”.

Harrow Green has made several important commitments by signing this pledge: • supporting the employment of veterans young and old • striving to support the employment of Service spouses and partners and endeavouring to offer a degree of flexibility in granting leave for Service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment • promoting Armed Forces Day and Reserves Day within our Company and encouraging our employees to

participate in fund-raising efforts Several Harrow Green employees are ex service personnel and they bring extremely useful and relevant skills to the removals industry. Many of them are already experienced in HGV driving and they all have excellent abilities such as leadership, planning, team working and excellent communication skills. They are a natural fit for the removals industry which requires military precision timings and planning. The company look forward to developing their relationship with our armed forces. www.harrowgreen.com www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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£9 million trigeneration scheme for veterinary campus

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he University of Edinburgh is set to harness the power of trigeneration in a new £9 million energy project which will revolutionise the way they produce heating, cooling and electricity at their Easter Bush Veterinary Campus.

The system, which is being delivered

by Vital Energi, will capture the waste heat created during electricity generation and use it to produce heating for buildings at the Easter Bush campus.

In the warmer summer months when there is less demand, the heat will be converted into cooling, ensuring maximum efficiency all year round.

The project will also see Vital Energi install a 4km, thermally efficient, buried district energy network which will transport the hot and chilled water around campus.

Mike Cooke, Regional Director for Vital Energi commented, “The public

sector have been at the forefront of Scotland’s decarbonisation initiative and The University of Edinburgh are a great example of how embracing sustainable technology can deliver more affordable, reliable and lower-carbon energy.

“Trigeneration is an exciting technology as it can operate at maximum efficiency all year round and our similar installations have a great track record of reducing emissions and saving money, so it’s an ideal solution at Easter Bush where they have a clear vision to deliver a 21st century, low-carbon campus.”

The energy centre will be powered by a 1.5MWe Combine Heat & Power engine and two 4MW boilers. Cooling will be provided by a 1.5MWc vapour compression chiller and both heating and cooling systems will have a 100m3 thermal stores.

This will be the second energy centre delivered by Vital Energi for the University of Edinburgh after a successful installation at their Holyrood Campus.

For more information about Vital Energi contact www.vitalenergi.co.uk

Specify CFA members Specifying a CFA member for your next flooring project could mean the difference between success — or a flooring failure. Most of the UK’s largest and best known Manufacturers, Distributors, Contractors and Consultants are CFA members — and for good reason.

• CFA members promote high standards, knowledge and expertise • Specifying CFA members will maximize your investment and minimize costly flooring failures • All members have to pass a vetting process

Tel: 0115 941 1126

www.cfa.org.uk Email: info@cfa.org.uk Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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Height experts prepare Fantasy Island for re-launch

A crew of maintenance-at-height experts has completed a four month project for Fantasy Island Theme Park – Ingoldmells, in readiness for the destination’s relaunch in March.

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he assignment has seen Huddersfield-headquartered Access North Structures clean the 167ft high inverted roller coaster The Odyssey – a thrill-seeking ride that travels at 62mph along a 2924ft course. New bird deterrent systems have also been installed to keep the roller coaster – clean and safe.

Elsewhere on the site, the six-strong team of IRATA-trained rope access specialists has worked on what, for many, is the heart of the park. At nearly 100ft tall, the iconic pyramid structure has long housed Fantasy Island’s pavilion area with slides, eateries and more.

But work is underway to make the area more atmospheric, with a ‘big reveal’ planned for only a few weeks’ time.

Using pure rope access techniques, the technicians have therefore climbed through the pyramid’s interior lattice metalwork, to systematically clean and repaint the structure. Including the installation of temporary drape sheets to protect the interior, all of the steel and windows have also been cleaned, prepped, repainted and bulbs replaced.

Similar maintenance works have also been carried out on the pyramid’s exterior glazing and steel architecture, to ensure 10

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a clean, bright appearance that sets the right first impression for holidaymakers.

The contract, won via competitive tender, will now see Access North Structures continue to support the site owners Mellors Group with the upkeep of the park.

Commenting on the project, Access North Structures’ managing director Berenice Northcott said: “In the competitive leisure industry, everything centres upon the visitor experience. So, regardless of the height or intricacy of a structure, it is crucial to ensure their appearance is maintained, down to the smallest detail.

“As we’ve been working so close to the sea, in winter, we’ve naturally had to accommodate the added complexities of coastal weather conditions, especially when working at height. But we’ve worked in this industry for years, with annual maintenance contracts with similar weather conditions, for tourism

giants like Butlins, for example.”

The 41-acre Fantasy Island site was bought by international leisure specialists Mellors Group, last year.

At the close of the 2016 summer season, the family-owned business announced a £3m investment in the park, in readiness for the March 2017 re-opening. But with a ten year plan to continually reinvigorate the destination, the goal is to boost business on the whole of the Skegness coast.

Mellors Group also owns a Fantasy Island theme park in Dubai, as well as UK attractions including Nottingham Winter Wonderland, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Beach and the siting of giant observation wheels throughout the country. http://accessnorthstructures.com/ Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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Just when thieves thought it was safe to go into your post box...

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hieves who think it is safe to take a dip into a mailbox to help themselves to mail or commit ID fraud will get a shock when they encounter the DAD UK’s new security mailbox Shark. The Shark’s letter slot features an impressive set of teeth whose patented design certainly gives the mailbox some bite.

Mailbox specialist DAD UK has designed the Shark especially to respond to thefts from mailboxes. Identity theft is a growing crime, costing the UK economy £1.7 billion every year and much of it is achieved by mail theft. Credit rating agency Experion estimates that nearly a third of cases are perpetrated by theft of mail – often in flats with mailboxes in open communal areas. Sometimes this is achieved by literally breaking into the mail box. Sometimes, more worryingly, the thief simply “fishes” post out through the mail slot.

In order to combat fishing, the Shark mailbox from DAD UK features a set of teeth with a patented device which prevents thieves from pushing their hands through the slot without any chance of injuring them. To resist crooks prising open the mailbox door DAD

has designed a distinctive retainer which hold the door in place from the lock at the top right to the bottom – often a weak point in inferior boxes.

A high quality EN1303 lock with 30,000 key variations ensures that the lock remains invulnerable and secure.

Made in Germany to the highest standards, the DAD Shark is based on the best-selling DAD 2040 front delivery, front retrieval box. The Shark conforms to Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation standards. To become a member of the Secured by Design, a company must prove that its products meet the high standards set by the scheme. Only when the company has been fully audited and its products independently tested can the company use the coveted logo.

DAD has been designing and manufacturing steel security products since 1872 and was the first letterboxes and post boxes manufacturer in Europe, now with over 1.5 million units produced every year at its factories in France and Germany. With 700 employees worldwide and a turnover of over £60 million, they manufacture an extensive range which includes fire-rated and anti-arson postboxes, free standing post boxes, wall-mounted and through-thewall boxes for residential and commercial applications. www.dadgroup.co.uk

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) at Maintec BCAS. Stand M580.

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he British Compressed Air Society will be at Maintec to offer impartial advice about compressed air systems. It will also be an opportunity for visitors to get a copy of BCAS’ new whitepaper “Reducing Energy Consumption from Compressed Air Usage” and its updated guide “Pressure and Leak Testing of Compressed Air Systems.

Aimed at energy and plant managers, the energy whitepaper provides an overview of how to save energy in a typical system, highlighting areas where waste occurs, steps to minimise it and where to go for further information.

Says Marion Beaver, Technical Officer at BCAS: “This whitepaper is a starting point that aims to provide an informative Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

overview, rather than a detailed guide about the main opportunities to reduce compressed air consumption. We will also have copies of our new Pressure and Leak Testing guide available at Maintec. This provides much needed clarification of the criteria to be used in pressure and leak testing for both new compressed air systems and extensions to existing systems.”

Talking about the wider role of BCAS, Executive Director Vanda Jones says: “The role of trade associations is set to become extremely important over the next two years as the Brexit process starts. It is more important than ever that industry has a united voice.

“On a wider remit BCAS is the only UK trade association that represents manufacturers, distributors and end users of compressed air. We provide

independent information about legislation, standards and training and can help you find a supplier for equipment, maintenance and service. We welcome anyone onto our stand who needs independent and impartial advice or help.”

For further information about BCAS visit: www.bcas.org.uk news

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In preview: Ecobuild 2017 Ecobuild returns on 7-9 March with an overcharging theme of regeneration, which will be brought to life through an immersive exhibition and conference programme that will redefine sustainability, identify future growth sectors and tackle the housing crisis.

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he show will give professionals from across the facilities and estates management sector a unique opportunity to be part of the construction industry’s ongoing debate around key issues. They’ll broaden their knowledge through an extensive conference and seminar programme, as well as network with thousands of sector professionals and suppliers including Eco-Airvent, Dyson, Oventrop, Flir, Fluke, Biotecture, Dulux Trade, Zeetec, Hitachi, Oventrop, Envirovent, Reflex and Altecnic.

Bringing regeneration to life To bring the theme of regeneration to life, this year’s show will see Ecobuild transformed into a ‘city’ – complete with a main street, distinct destinations and special feature attractions. Central to the experience will be Regeneration Drive, a boulevard running through the centre of the exhibition floor, linking different aspects of the show and enabling visitors to experience the very best examples of innovation and creativity from across the built environment.

As visitors make their way up Regeneration Drive, they will be introduced to a number of key destinations, including The Arena, City Hall, The Campus, The Gateway and Performance Lab. The Arena will be home to the Ecobuild Conference, staging a range of keynote speeches from industry thought leaders and innovators across the three days. Among these are Lord Kerslake, Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning Regeneration and Skills, Greater London Authority, and Dr Diana Montgomery, Chief Executive at the Construction 12

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Products Association, as well as MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Construction, amongst others.

The extensive conference programme will include topics ranging from the looming housing crisis and offsite construction to the implications of Brexit for the construction sector. The opportunities for developing sustainable housing, as well as building healthy places based on NHS England’s Healthy New Towns programme, will also be explored as part of the conference.

Ecobuild’s Big Innovation Pitch with M&S reaches its climax as the finalists pitch live on stage to M&S and a panel of industry experts. In this third year of the competition, the national retailer is on the search for retrofittable, commercial engineering solutions and innovations to reduce their water, gas and electricity usage across all their commercial and retail properties. The winner will have the opportunity to be fast tracked by M&S for trials across its commercial properties.

2015 winner Endotherm has been trialled extensively and last year’s winner Waterblade is about to start.

The show’s sustainability hub, City Hall, will be home to the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), representing the culmination of Ecobuild’s Redefining Sustainability campaign – which seeks to create an industry-wide understanding of sustainability objectives and drives, and a clear direction for the future.

Key topics to be covered within the ‘Redefining Sustainability’ seminar programme include carbon reduction in the built environment, explored in a session by the UK-GBC, as well as possible approaches to deliver a low carbon city or neighbourhood. The former will be focussed on the business case for setting science-based targets (SBTs) within the industry, while the latter will debate the requirement of all major London developments to be zero carbon. Speakers include Dr Paul Toyne, Green Construction Board, Infrastructure Working Group; Heleni Pantelidou, Associate Director, London Infrastructure Group Arup, and Hannah Clement, UK-GBC.

Meanwhile, within The Gateway feature area, the ‘Green Infrastructure’ seminar sessions will discuss the various elements of an integrated approach combining green (natural), blue (water) and grey (engineered) infrastructure, to combat the negative effects of climate change and build long-term urban resilience. Topics will range from legislation around water management systems maintenance to the funding and stewardship of urban green and blue infrastructure by public sector bodies in times of austerity. In a case study-based session, Chryse Tinsley, Landscape Planner, Leicester City Council, will be discussing climate proofing in Leicester (scheduled to take place on the third day of the show).

The Gateway is also home to the Infrastructure Theatre in partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), where visitors will discuss and explore national and community infrastructure developments including major projects.

Public sector professionals will be able to learn more about major projects at the industry level and across the entire supply chain. The exhibit, alongside seminar sessions will encourage full audience debates across six key themes over three days, including power, transport, water, waste, gas and smart cities.

The Performance Lab will showcase the latest in energy efficiency and building performance in association with Ecobuild’s Building Performance Partner, CIBSE – the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers. Across the three days, CIBSE will host a daily session on indoor health and wellbeing, exploring how the WELL Standard relates to existing sustainability standards such as BREEAM and LEED. Visitors will also have the chance to attend a daily session around ‘Modelling for Performance and not Compliance’. This will see a panel of experts, including Ashley Bateson, Chair of the CIBSE Homes for the Future Group, and Tom Lelyveld, Regional Director at AECOM, look at how best practice guidance and tools can be applied to the design of homes towards energy efficient, healthy and comfortable indoor environments.

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

News Architectural collective Assemble will present its award-winning Granby Workshop project at the Campus - the show’s destination for innovative thinking and the product design. A unique installation created by Assemble, will tell the story behind the collective’s Turner Prize winning regeneration project.

Attendees will be also able to interact with Future Materials, a gallery curated

by ARCC, previewing next-generation materials and processes currently in either research or testing stage.

The BRE Academy, leading provider of professional training and education programmes in the built environment, will run a dedicated theatre with exclusive masterclasses covering subjects such as BIM, Responsible Sourcing, BREEAM, Change Management, the Home Quality Mark and much more.

Strategic partnerships For 2017, Ecobuild has announced an exclusive partnership with the UK District Energy Association (ukDEA) to create a new and exciting area: the ukDEA District Energy Town Square, hosting leading British suppliers and also international pavilions from Sweden and Denmark, two of the most mature district energy markets in the world.

The ukDEA District Energy Town Square will be located directly off Regeneration Drive, and will act as a focal point for visitors who want to learn more about the advantages of local heating and cooling networks. Exhibitors in the area will showcase the latest technology and systems, while a dedicated seminar theatre will host 36 informative sessions, where case studies, business models and best practice examples from the UK, Scandinavia and further afield will be shared.

In response to the increased Government and Industry focus on offsite construction, Explore Offsite at Ecobuild gathers leading offsite suppliers including Portakabin and Siniat, with expert masterclasses to showcase the exciting opportunities offered by offsite technology in the future of construction.

Ecobuild has also announced key collaborations with the Construction Products Association, BRE and the Department of International Trade.

Additionally, pavilions will be showcased by associations such as the Builders Merchant Federation and Passivhaus Trust.

Free registration is now open to visitors. For more information about this year’s event, exhibitors and the full conference programme, visit: www. ecobuild.co.uk.

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Eric Wright saves Lancashire High School time and money

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ric Wright Professional Services, Eric Wright FM’s dedicated property management and maintenance offering, has helped Lancashire high school, Ashton Community Science College, to reduce administrative hours and optimise budgets with a programme of campus maintenance work and upgrades.

A community high school for students aged 11-16 years old, Ashton Community Science College near Preston declares in its motto that it aims to be ‘a school to be proud of’ and the leadership team was keen to apply these high standards to its estates.

However, following a staff restructure involving the loss of a site supervisor, all responsibility for health & safety management and site maintenance was assigned to business director, Su Evans.

Su explains: “My role and my areas of expertise have always been finance, business and HR so I not only had to take on additional responsibilities but had to deliver those tasks with limited experience. It made sense for us to bring in expertise from Eric Wright Professional Services so that we could maintain high standards across the school campus and free up my time to focus on my core remit.”

The Eric Wright Professional Services team is delivering ongoing consultancy services and has successfully completed a significant security and safeguarding project, involving replacing half of the external doors on the school estate.

Eric Wright Professional Services was responsible for writing the tender, procuring the contractor and project

managing the works. The security upgrade has been so successful that the consultancy team has now been tasked with managing a roof repair and upgrade programme, with responsibility for advising the school on the required scope of works, in addition to managing the tendering, procurement and delivery process.

Su continues: “Working with Eric Wright Professional Services not only frees up my time, it also means that we can be confident that repairs, maintenance and property management are being expertly handled in a cost-efficient way that helps us to prioritise tasks while ensuring we use our available estates management budgets wisely.”

Eric Wright Professional Services has provided Ashton Community Science College with a dedicated contact, project surveyor, Tim Norbury, who has spent time getting to know the school campus and culture so that he can add value with advice on pre-emptive maintenance and prioritisation.

Andrew Hird, head of Professional Services at Eric Wright, continues: “At Eric Wright Professional Services, we have an experienced team that works collaboratively with clients to maximise their resources and address their property requirements in line with their priorities.

We’re a RICS member company backed by the knowledge and resources of the Eric Wright Group, ensuring that clients like Ashton Community Science can be completely confident of service standards and expertise across everything we do. www.ericwright.co.uk/fmservices/ news

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Fire & Hazard Protection

New Fläkt Woods guide set to improve smoke control in enclosed car parks

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läkt Woods, a leading manufacturer of ventilation and air movement technology, has published a guide on how to calculate the effect of jet fans on air and smoke flow rates in enclosed car parks. Entitled ‘A Practical Guide to Smoke Control for Enclosed Car Parks’, the technical white paper aims to help designers draw up the correct jet fan solution so that in the event of a fire, smoke can be efficiently removed, rather than accumulating in or spreading to other parts of a car park.

The guide’s author, James Allen, senior fire safety and CFD design engineer at Fläkt Woods, explained: “Many enclosed car parks throughout the world employ jet fans to help clear smoke in the event of a fire with good effect.

However, current practice relies heavily on air change rates when designing such systems. Although this approach goes some way in assisting designers to meet the minimum ventilation requirements in car parks, it doesn’t provide all the answers to ensure that a proposed jet fan system will not cause smoke to spread.”

The white paper pulls together existing academic research and sets

out formulae for how to calculate the rate of air flow according to the type and quantity of jet fans used, smoke flow rate from the fire origin, and how quickly the combination of smoke and air moves when pushed by jet fans. These calculations take into account the size of a fire to determine the extraction rate required at an exhaust point for removing smoke, and can be used in conjunction with CFD modelling. The guide also outlines the steps to consider when designing smoke control solutions.

“Currently, no single definitive guide exists to show how to calculate air and smoke flow rates when jet fans are in operation,” James Allen added. “As a company at the forefront of developing ventilation solutions for fire safety, we want to plug this knowledge gap and provide a foundation for further work and research to be carried out.

This will in turn improve the design process and help designers to more accurately identify how much ventilation plant space a car park needs.”

Designers can download the ‘Practical Guide to Smoke Control for Enclosed Car Parks’ document free of charge from

James Allen

Fläkt Woods’ website: http://www. flaktwoods.co.uk/about-us/media/ news/technical-paper/.

Fläkt Woods develops, manufactures and distributes ventilation and air climate products, as well as system solutions, for commercial and industrial applications. Its fire safety solutions include fire compartmentation, smoke extraction, pressurisation and car park systems. For more information on the complete range of fans and other ventilation products from Fläkt Woods, visit www.flaktwoods.co.uk.

Assa Abloy security doors at new Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line station

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SSA ABLOY Security Doors, a UK division of ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions, has supplied specialist doorsets to the new Elizabeth line station at Canary Wharf.

The new station at Canary Wharf will be one of the largest Elizabeth line stations and has been built in dock water area, in the North Dock of West India Quay. The station, retail and park areas are six stories high.

ASSA ABLOY Security Doors worked with specialist subcontractors, Lindner, to provide pivoted, fire rated platform doors to conceal station equipment rooms that needed to be clad with a vitreous enamel panels.

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fire & hazard protection

Nigel Cronin, Area Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY Security Doors, said: “Canary Wharf’s Elizabeth line station is just one of many London Underground projects we are currently proud to be associated with.

“We were brought in to this project, with a brief to come up with a door design that was capable of carrying the weight of vitreous enamel panels that also needed to pass an independent assessment for fire integrity. Our design was based around a pivot system that was capable of supporting the weight of the heavy doors of up to 300kgs.”

For further information, please visit www.assaabloy.co.uk/ Security-Doors. Alternatively tweet @ASSAABLOYUKLtd or like the Facebook page www.facebook. com/ASSAABLOYUK or follow on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/ company/assa-abloysecuritydoors

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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Fire & Hazard Protection

Emergency showers for harsh environments set new standards in durability and energy efficiency Intertec launches a range of enclosed emergency safety showers for use in harsh outdoor environments. The emergency safety showers (ESSs) are integrated into shelters made from advanced composite GRP materials to optimize them for durability and long life.

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he exterior faces of the insulated shelters are 100% GRP (glass reinforced polyester) with an advanced UV-resistant gel-coat surface. Key application areas include oil, gas, chemical and petrochemical processing plants sited in Arctic or desert regions, offshore platforms and vessels, and harsh coastal locations.

Two main shelter options are available, with enclosed square or rectangular shaped ESS showers of 122x122 or 122x244 cm (4x4 or 4x8 feet). The square format is ideal for outfitting as an emergency shower and eyewash station that can draw tempered water from a locally available source.

The larger rectangular ESS provides additional space to accommodate a water storage tank and heating facilities.

The special materials in the construction of these shelters are fabricated by Intertec and have been fieldproven to offer advanced performance in the most extreme outdoor conditions.

All of the shelters’ panels are thickly insulated for very high energy efficiency, with 50.8 mm (two inch) thick walls, roof and doors offering insulation values of R20, and 152.4 mm (six inch) thick flooring offering an insulation value of R-30. A gel-coat exterior surface protects the shelter from UV ray degradation, and exposure to chemical and salt-laden air environmental conditions.

The shelter wall, floor and roof panels are naturally fire resistant, and no wood is employed anywhere in the composite

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fire & hazard protection

multi-layered construction.

The resins and insulation meet the Class 1 flame spread rating of less than 20. The resin laminate is certified to the flame self-extinguishing standard UL 94 V-0.

As standard, shelters are designed and constructed to meet seismic four earthquake ratings, and when anchored will also withstand extreme wind loads of up to 200 km/h with gusts of up to three seconds.

The exterior of the shelters can be white (RAL9016) or yellow (RAL1016), and come with safety decals directing the user to the double-acting spring hinged doors. These crash doors include weather strips to maintain the best possible seal against wind, rain and snow.

Many further outfitting options may be selected to suit particular application

requirements. These include a choice of piping materials, drain locations, tank sizes, control and safety valves.

Electrical options include variants for general purpose use or in Class 1 Division 1 or 2 hazardous areas with alarm options, internal heating, and more.

Custom shelter sizes and designs are also available, and Intertec can vary the composite layered construction of the panels used to optimize shelters for the most extreme climate and application conditions. All Intertec ESS units meet ANSI Z358.1 2014 and OSHA standards. www.intertec.info

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Washroom

Community Centre encompasses everyone’s needs (in matters toileting at least!)

Objectives of developing confidence and self-esteem are being achieved with a holistic approach to people’s needs at a Midlands community centre.

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ast West Community Centre, in Leicester, is the only Centre of its kind in the city, and county, to now offer a Changing Places assisted accessible toilet.

Supplied by Clos-o-Mat, Britain’s leading provider of such facilities, and installed

by F Stimpson (Leicester), the room gives 12m2 of space, with a ceiling track hoist, peninsular toilet, height-adjustable washbasin and adult-sized changing bench.

The project, which involved refurbishment and remodelling of the building- funded by Leicester City Council- to accommodate the space on the ground floor, and give unimpeded, level access, was shortlisted for a regional design award.

“It has definitely made a difference, helping to attract many people from the local community to use our facilities.

Since installation the spacious and modern toilet and hoist facility has made our centre more inclusive; It means a lot of people who otherwise be housebound and isolated can come and enjoy time here and socialise with others as we provide various services: Day Care, Luncheon Club, Women’s Group, Exercise Sessions, etc.” says manager Ushma Mehta.

“We aim to draw service users out of isolation, develop confidence and self-esteem; having appropriate toilets is just one element, but a vital one, of that- without them, people can’t stay as long as they would like, in case they need to ‘go’.

“Other groups in the community are Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

getting to know about it, and are using the centre because of the facility. We just need even more to know about it, so even more people get out of isolation.”

Adds Kelvin Grimes, Clos-o-Mat assisted accessible toilet project manager, “We go to the loo about eight times a day, so the chances are, if you’ve gone out, you will need a toilet. Without toilet facilities like this, many people feel that they can’t go out, because they need extra space, or lifting, or have continence issues.”

Under latest Building Regulations and good practice guidelines, a Changing Places toilet is ‘desirable’ in buildings to which numbers of the public have access.

Since their introduction a decade ago, almost 900 have been opened across the UK. Under British Standards, a Changing Places is in addition to conventional (Building Regulations Document M) wheelchair accessible toilets, and provides 12m2, with additional equipment including an adult-sized height adjustable changing bench and ceiling track hoist.

Clos-o-Mat is Britain’s biggest provider of fully accessible toilets, in domestic environments and ’away from home’, including a substantial number of Changing Places facilities.

Clos-o-Mat is unique in its ability to deliver- in-house- design advice, supply, installation, commissioning, project

Potential users of an away from home assisted, accessible toilet include: • 1.5 million wheelchair users • 6.5 million people who have either bladder or bowel incontinence • 1.5 million people with a learning disability • 1.2 million people living with stroke • 62,000 amputees • 30,000 people with cerebral palsy • 13,000 people with acquired brain injuries • 8,500 people with multiple sclerosis • 500 people with motor neurone disease • 8,000 people with spina bifida • 3.8 million adults morbidly obese management and maintenance across the ambit of accessible toileting equipment, including the Clos-o-Mat wash and dry (automatic) toilet. To help venues ‘get it right’, Clos-o-Mat has a raft of downloadable information on its website, www.clos-o-mat.com, including white papers, CAD blocks, room renders and videos. Tel: 0161 969 1199; Email: info@clos-o-mat.com washroom

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Security & Access Control

Perimeter Protection from AUTOPA

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ston Martin is one of the most evocative names in motoring, regularly featuring in the list of ‘coolest brands’ in Britain. When they decided to expand their dealership network, they required a showroom experience to fulfil the expectations of their demanding client base. Working with the Stoneacre Motor Group, Newcastle was identified to become the location of the 20th dealership.

Stoneacre were required to develop a state of the art showroom and customer car suite, yet also had to ensure that the vehicles on display were secure. AUTOPA Ltd offered their expertise in vehicle parking and security products to assist them in providing the level of security necessary for this prestigious development.

AUTOPA Ltd, working with the specification provided by Aston Martin, developed a complementary set of bespoke Stainless Steel Fixed and Retractable Bollards.

The retractable versions when lowered into the ground allow the staff to freely move the vehicles around the site, and when raised combine with the fixed bollards to form the protection required. www.autopa.co.uk 18

security & access control

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Security & Access Control

Boon Edam provides secure and stylish entry solution

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he biomedical discovery organisation, required an entry solution to seamlessly integrate with its new building’s modern design.

The research centre, a flagship for UK biomedical science and one of Europe’s largest biomedical research facilities, is a base for 1500 scientists and staff, whilst housing technology to help create discoveries for illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Therefore, the entry solution required advanced security to ensure staff, visitors and equipment could be kept safe and protected, whilst complimenting the design.

With 140 years’ experience with manufacturing entry solutions, Boon Edam ensures its products meet the strictest quality standards. The building is serviced by five Automatic Crystal Tourniket’s.

This product was selected following an assessment of everyday use including analysing the number of visitors and size Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Boon Edam, a global market leader in entry solutions has unveiled a quality, engineered solution for a brand new, state of the art building in St Pancras; now home to The Francis Crick Institute. of luggage expected to be carried into the building whilst creating a user friendly and attractive gateway into the building supporting the green principles that were embedded into its design and carried through to its operation.

The revolving doors use a combination of laminated and toughened glass, which results in a reduction in the traditionally framed elements of the door. The minimalistic, all glass revolving doors provided a stylish solution which complimented the new building’s façade.

They also met the security requirements; with each Crystal Tourniket supplied with an external night locking door. Finished in stainless steel, the additional feature provided a further layer of security

for the building. The night locking door was mounted onto a stainlesssteel track fixed to the glass soffit and provided with fully integrated locks.

Ian Goldsmith, Head of Sales at Boon Edam Ltd commented, “We are thrilled to have provided the entry solutions for this building. The cross-border project between Boon Edam BV (Netherlands) and Boon Edam UK was successful in meeting the precise requirements of The Francis Crick Institute. The Crystal Tourniket’s have provided the new building with the secure, eye catching solution desired whilst utilising the environmental benefits of installing a revolving door.” www.boonedam.co.uk security & access control

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Security & Access Control

Key management reduces security risks for small businesses

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raka, the key and asset management specialist, has launched Traka21, an innovative plug and play system that provides small- to medium-sized businesses with the very latest intelligent key management solutions.

The system has been designed to provide a simple, efficient and affordable method of managing keys and helps users become accountable for their business assets. Traka21 helps trace and account for every single key or keyset by individually locking them in place, ensuring that critical business operations are never jeapordised.

Using Traka’s same proven software and engineering as in the large-scale systems often used for Universities, hospitals and prisons, Traka21 is purpose designed to overcome some of the challenges smaller businesses or private properties face with key management and control.

Traka21 is an intelligent yet easy-touse system for tracing and managing up to 21 keys or keysets, with access only granted to those with access to keys assigned to them via a PIN. This can help to track accountability for assets

that could otherwise be vandalised or stolen, such as equipment, machinery cabinets and vehicles.

Traka21 authorises, secures and monitors all of your keys, automatically controlling and recording when a key is used, and by whom. This information is made available either through the cabinet’s display or by export on a USB pen drive.

Tanveer Choudhry, Global Marketing Manager for Traka, said: “Even within smaller businesses, commercial security is growing in sophistication. However, the management of business-critical

keys remains a weak link.

Keys are often hung on a hook in open view or kept in a drawer. Traka21 is an ideal stand-alone system for small businesses or private properties looking for a simple, easy-to-use system for managing keys while staying up to date with the latest technology.”

Traka21 is available for £1,299 including VAT and delivery (excluding VAT: £1,082.50) at: mytraka21.co.uk.

To find out more about Traka21 visit traka21.com or visit the Traka21 Twitter and Facebook pages.

Army Veteran Secures First Job with Remote Security Monitoring Operator

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rmy veteran Lamin Manneh was left fighting for his life after stepping on an improvised explosive device while deployed in Afghanistan. After surviving his injury and defeating all odds, Lamin, now a triple amputee, has landed a new job with Visual Verification Limited, which is one of the UK’s leading remote security monitoring specialists.

His new position as a security monitor for Visual Verification marks his first employment since being discharged from the army.

“Life can throw challenges at you and it certainly did with me,” said Manneh.

“However, I was determined to make the most of the new future I faced.”

This fighting spirit helped Lamin to 20

security & access control

win a Bronze Medal at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida earlier this year. The games, organised by Prince Harry, feature wounded and medically discharged servicemen and women from around the world competing in the sports arena. Lamin was also a part of Nick Knowles’ DIY SoS team, helping to transform an abandoned street in North Manchester into a veterans’ village, now known as Veterans’ Street – another event that was supported by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Mark Rooke, general manager at Visual Verification, said, “In the short time he’s been with us, he has impressed with his abilities and really positive attitude. He’s a great team player and we are delighted to

Lamin Manneh pictured left with the team at Visual Verification

have him at Visual Verification.”

For more information, visit www.visualverification.com.

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Cleaning & Hygiene

A hands-on approach to reducing sick days this winter Businesses could help reduce workplace absenteeism and prevent the spread of infections by promoting hand washing, says hand hygiene specialist GOJO

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and hygiene is vitally important. It plays a significant role in increasing well-being, and is paramount in helping to prevent the spread of germs. Research suggests that a comprehensive hand hygiene programme in the workplace can have a significant impact on the health of employees, reduce absenteeism, and improve the perception of company concern for employee well-being.

The UK Office for National Statistics estimates that more than 400 million working days were lost due to sickness absence between 2013 and 2015, including 138.7 million working days lost in 2015 alone.

Having a wide range of hand washing and sanitising solutions located throughout a facility can help boost hand hygiene in both staff and visitors.

Dispensers can be wall-mounted, freestanding, push-activated or touch-free.

Soaps can come in gel or foam format, with or without fragrance; and hygienic hand rubs can also provide another level of protection in addition to hand washing.

Designed to bridge the gap between dispensers and bottles, the PURELL ES™ Everywhere System is the smallest, most versatile PURELL system in the market.

It combines premium aesthetics with the trusted PURELL® Advanced Hygienic Hand Rub, offering innovative placement options, ideal in a variety of settings, with the ultimate in germ-killing effectiveness.

Mike Sullivan, managing director of GOJO Industries-Europe, said,

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

“The winter months traditionally see an increase in highly contagious viral illnesses, which can be quite debilitating. Infections can be effectively prevented from spreading round the workplace through strong hand hygiene compliance, not only during cold and flu season but throughout the year.

“GOJO can also offer advice on the most effective approaches to introducing a hand hygiene programme, and provide educational materials alongside our trusted hygiene products.”

For more information, call 01908 588444, email infouk@GOJO.com or visit www.GOJO.com

cleaning & hygiene

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Cleaning & Hygiene

How to clean rubber studded flooring Barry Crackett is the product designer at brushware manufacturer Brushtec, which focuses on making innovative cleaning solutions for the industrial sector. Here, he shares his top tips for cleaning rubber studded floors and keeping them in the best possible condition.

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ubber studded flooring is hard-wearing and lowmaintenance. It’s also particularly stain-resistant and doesn’t absorb liquids, which makes it relatively easy to clean.

Due to its resilience, it’s become a popular choice for use in public areas that experience heavy footfall, such airports and train stations. It’s also ideal for use in establishments where hygiene is key, such as schools and hospitals, since it can be kept spotless with ease.

However, although rubber studded flooring is a particularly durable and convenient option, it does require specialised maintenance to keep it in the best possible condition. So, here are my top cleaning tips that will ensure you get the most out of your rubber flooring.

• Remove dirt and debris first The first step in your cleaning routine should be to sweep or vacuum up any loose dirt and debris. It’s important that you do this before anything else to prevent 22

cleaning & hygiene

your flooring from getting scratched during the cleaning process.

It’s very easy to do this with typical level flooring, but removing particles from between the studs of rubber flooring can take some extra work. Therefore, it can be wise to invest in a brush that has been designed for this kind of situation. Look for one with two different bristle lengths, as this will help you to clean even the most hard-to-reach areas.

• Use appropriate cleaning products While rubber studded flooring is particularly durable, it can still be damaged if cleaned using the wrong kind of products.

When picking out the cleaning supplies you’ll use, it’s best to opt for those that are PH neutral, as products that are especially acidic or alkaline can damage the surface of rubber flooring quite significantly.

You should also refrain from using anything that contains turpentine

or any similar concentrated strippers or degreasers.

• Make an extra effort in areas with heavy footfall It’s best to take extra precautions when it comes to areas of rubber studded flooring that experience a lot of footfall. To keep its surface in good condition, you can apply a metallised emulsion that will help to increase the resilience of your floor.

You should apply at least two coasts of the emulsion, and leave each to dry completely before adding the next. This process can take quite some time, so it’s important that you factor this into your maintenance plans.

By following these tips you’ll achieve great results every time you clean your rubber studded flooring, as well as extend its lifespan. So, invest in the most appropriate tools and update your maintenance routine now for the best results. www.brushtec.com Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Gradus specified for upgrade at BMI Healthcare facility

Cleaning & Hygiene

Contract interiors specialist Gradus has supplied SureProtect Pure hygienic wall cladding and Specialist Bathroom Products to BMI The Somerfield Hospital, to improve cleanliness and accessibility.

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ased in Maidstone, Kent, BMI The Somerfield Hospital is part of BMI Healthcare, a leading provider of independent healthcare with a nationwide network of hospitals.

The hospital is registered for 38 beds in total and features three operating theatres, three minor procedure rooms and a range of specialist clinics.

To help improve the hygiene levels and ease of access for such a diverse range of patients, Gradus refurbished the main outpatient’s WC on the ground floor. Products specified included SureProtect Pure wall cladding and Maxima Specialist Bathroom Products, which were supplied and fitted by an experienced team from Gradus Contracts.

SureProtect Pure, was specified to ensure the bathroom remained easy to clean and maintain, helping to reduce the need for frequent replacement and contribute towards a hygienic environment. The smooth surface is impervious to moisture and bacteria

making it ideal for applications that must adhere to rigorous hygiene standards, such as hospital environments.

Maxima products in Blue, including a Grab Rail and two Adjustable Support Arms, were chosen to contrast with the White SureProtect Pure wall cladding and to help ensure inclusive access to the WC. The Specialist Bathroom Products specified have been designed to meet guidelines in Approved Document M of the Building Regulation 2010.

Connie Stocker, Executive Director at BMI The Somerfield Hospital, said: “We chose to specify Gradus because of its years of experience in the contract interior industry, and proven track record in providing safe and secure solutions to the healthcare sector.

“As we have a large number of people using our facilities everyday, we required a solution that made our WC accessible to everyone visiting, working or staying in the hospital, and so Gradus provided us with a comprehensive range of Specialist

Bathroom Products to meet our needs.”

Anna Conrad-Smith, Marketing Product Manager at Gradus, commented: “In addition to The Maxima Range, Gradus SureProtect Pure wall cladding is an excellent choice for hospital environments.

The smooth, easy to clean surface is also extremely durable and resistant to impact damage, which helps to maintain hygiene standards and reduce ongoing repair and maintenance costs.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to creating safe and accessible buildings without compromising on the aesthetics of the building.”

For further information on the full range of wall protection and Specialist Bathroom Products available from Gradus, please call 01625 428922 or visit www.gradus.com.

Health and Safety top of the agenda at the Cleaning Show

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ith 27.3 million days lost due to work-related ill health or injury in the UK last year, health and safety will be top of the agenda at the Cleaning Show The Health and Safety Executive will be running a session of free workshops at the Cleaning Show this year to help employers protect their workforce and reduce costs attributed to managing staff absence. Over 550,000 musculoskeletal disorders were caused or made worse at work in 2016 according to the HSE with lifting and moving people or equipment, chemical and biological substance use, repetitive movement and slips, trips and falls the main physical strains facing workers.

A keynote presentation by Tracy Hamilton, Operational Policy Advisor, Entertainments, Leisure, Commercial and Consumer Services Sector, HSE will look at working together to deliver the objectives of the new ‘Helping Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Great Britain Work Well Strategy’ HSE’s collective efforts to improve health and safety outcomes within this industry.

Tracey’s presentation will touch on some of the main health priorities for HSE over the next couple of years, many of which are known issues for the cleaning industry. Also covered will be details of HSE’s continued engagement with representatives from the cleaning industry as well as useful sources of information for anyone employed in this industry sector.

Other presentations by HSE include: • No higher than the hierarchy – working at height in the cleaning industry by Colin Chatten, Policy Adviser currently working in HSE’s Operational Strategy Team on Work at Height and Product Safety • Preventing slips and trips – the importance of good cleaning

by Rob Shaw, Technical Team Lead, Falls Prevention, HSL

• Improving health and safety for new and expectant mothers by Rosie Wallbank, Equality and Human Rights Commission and Rachel Grant, Head of Vulnerable Workers Team, Agriculture, Waste and Recycling Unit, HSE • Occupational respiratory health in cleaning by Dr Amy Gyte, Senior Health Exposures Scientist, Health and Safety Executive • Musculoskeletal risk assessment and debate by Christopher Quarrie, BSc CIEHF, Specialist Inspector in Human Factors and Ergonomics at the Health and Safety Executive Attendees will also be able to try out a wide range of new products, attend a wide range of other seminars including the Future of FM and Business Development advice Registration to attend is free-of-charge -sign up now at: www.cleaningshow.co.uk cleaning & hygiene

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Special Feature

Green Spaces Create Happy Workplaces The importance of incorporating biophilic design into the modern working environment

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irst impressions count. And creating aesthetically pleasing workspaces, through wellmaintained buildings and attractively landscaped grounds, is vital in helping to create a positive impression of your wider organisation. However, as important as image may be, there are arguably more significant benefits to be gained by optimising the environment in which your staff work on a daily basis.

The rise of biophilic design The notion that access to good quality green and open space improves wellbeing and productivity at work is not a new concept. During the 19th Century industrial era, wealthy factory and mill owners would create parks to ensure their workforce had access to clean fresh air and places to relax when not working. And this idea has evolved into the post-industrial age: Today, this relationship between humans and nature, and understanding of the essential human need to connect to a natural environment in the workplace is being taken increasingly seriously by architects, developers and employers, and is described by the phrase “biophilic design” or “biophilia” – the practice of incorporating nature into the built environment.

So why take this approach? While we all appreciate a more pleasant environment, it may seem a luxury given the cost pressures on most organisations. Certainly as urban environments in particular become 24

special feature

ever more densely developed, green space per se is at a premium. In spite of this, economic drivers are actually one of the main reasons for the growing interest in biophilic design, which is being understood as a sound economic investment into employees’ health, wellbeing and performance.

Employers are placing greater emphasis on improving employee wellbeing in order to achieve greater productivity, retain staff and, ultimately, profit.

Making biophilic design effective in this way – as well as overcoming the limitations of locations – is a matter of ingenuity. Many companies are introducing innovative schemes, such as retro fitted monoculture systems.

These might include the likes of dynamic landscape features such as urban wild flower meadows, which provide colour and interest, while attracting pollinators and wildlife. In areas where external space is lacking, companies are creating innovative features such as living walls and roofs, or looking to make the most of internal spaces and plant species.

The science behind the feelgood factor Although biophilic design is a relatively fresh concept, and investigation into the benefits of biophilia is relatively new, there is sound evidence in support of the suggestion that access to good quality green and open spaces improves health and wellbeing, reduces stress, and improves creativity and cognitive function. As long ago as

the 1950’s the management theorist Maslow was examining the impact of aesthetics in the workplace. His studies concluded that the quality of office design influenced office workers, with aesthetically pleasing spaces having a positive impact on energy levels and wellbeing. Further to this, research shows that the presence of natural elements indoors can evoke the same benefits as the outdoor environment.

Across Europe, research has shown that the simple presence of natural elements in the work environment can act as a buffer against the negative impact of job stress and positively impact general wellbeing. One such study in Norway found that natural elements such as plants within an office space can prevent fatigue when completing tasks that demand high concentration or attention.

Similarly, the presence of natural elements is consistently associated with higher reported levels of happiness at work, in comparison to work environments where these are absent. Further to this, employees working in offices with both internal and external green spaces along with plenty of natural light report higher levels of wellbeing, in comparison to those working in environments without these natural features.

A further study by ‘Human Spaces’ reported levels of wellbeing and productivity that were 13% and 8% higher, respectively, for those office workers in environments containing natural elements.

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Special Feature Making the business case Employers and facilities managers need to think about green spaces in the same way as the building itself; they should be approached as a lifetime asset, rather than an area that requires constant maintenance at a cost to the business.

During the recent period of austerity we have seen ongoing budget cuts in public and private sectors, which have resulted in many organisations looking to reduce spends and save money on non-essential areas. Green and open spaces often fall into this category, which has meant a decline in the quality of landscape asset that we have access to.

In order to secure more funds and resources, property and facilities managers need to be able to persuade their client that the outside space has much more to offer than just kerb appeal.

They need to put forward proposals that highlight what benefits a dynamic green space has to health and wellbeing, as well as the ecological improvements can be achieved such as increased biodiversity, improved air flow, reduced heat island effect and reduced flood risk through grey water harvesting and management.

The assumption is that all this costs vast sums, however the reality is that retrofitting landscapes to improve biodiversity can be implemented with no increased budget or investment. Indeed this can often be delivered as a cost neutral benefit in line with a landscape management and maintenance plan or over an agreed period of time. For example, planting a wildflower meadow in place of lawn may involve some initial investment, but it will ultimately require far less ongoing maintenance than a lawn that has to be frequently mowed. In this example, the cost impact of adopting a different, more strategic approach to the landscape is neutral despite the improvement in both appearance and biodiversity.

Implementing and managing outside green spaces The most effective way in which these type of schemes can be implemented and maintained is through consultation with a specialist landscape manager or landscape architect. This will help drive innovative ideas and ways in which to maximise your green and open space potential. This consultation will involve a detailed landscape survey across your portfolio to gain an understanding of what green assets are on site and what condition they are in. From this a detailed management plan can be established.

Unfortunately the grounds maintenance industry in the UK is extremely fragmented, with many of the Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

established firms having been around for 30 years or more and providing a very traditional service based on a fairly rigid maintenance regime that does not offer much in the way of real innovation.

There are however a new breed of companies such as Gritit Grounds Maintenance, which are bringing a fresh approach to place keeping. By implementing innovative technology GRITIT GM is able to offer reporting and mapping technology to provide clients with real time information about their sites and the service provided throughout the year.

Because this is automated, GRITIT’s landscape managers are freed up to work in a more in a more consultative manner with the client enabling us to create real partnership relations.

Advice to FMs that want to create an outside space for their employees • Create a landscape management plan for the site to include a vision along with short medium and long term aims and objectives and budgets • Be realistic with plans and factor in ongoing maintenance costs.

• Where external space is lacking consider living walls and living roofs. High quality interior planting is also known to have a positive impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

• Creating a high quality green and open space for the benefit of the work force and stakeholders should be key on the agenda of any CSR committee within your client’s organisation. Get them to feed into plans and help you communicate with the wider workforce.

• Improving the green and outside space isn’t just a about

beautification. You should consider improvements that will increase the biodiversity a value of your site as well as looking at elements such as trees, living walls and living roofs that help reduce the urban heat island affect and harvesting grey water and reducing flood risk.

For further information contact Adam Ralph on 0800 0432 911, or email adam@gritit.com

About GRITIT Grounds Maintenance GRITIT GM provides Commercial Landscape Maintenance & Management delivered from our strategic hubs across the UK. We can work to your exacting specification or create a solution tailor-made to your requirements.

We work across a variety of sites and locations - from varying multisite property portfolios to stand alone single sites with minimal requirements. We can work to your exacting specification or create a solution tailor-made to your requirements.

Commercial Landscaping We design, develop, plan and maintain all landscape features including hedges, shrub beds, herbaceous borders, tress and lawns and our experienced team is dedicated to creating an environment that will impress you, your staff, customers and visitors.

360’ Real-time Reporting Our bespoke control and reporting technology gives you full and unprecedented access as well as realtime visibility to what our teams are doing day or night. www.gritit.com special feature

25

Portable & Modular Buildings

Boss Design has widened its UK market-leading range of office pod systems to include a new and revolutionary model, Aspect, that was on display in the showroom at this year’s London Design Festival.

Taking flexibility and collaboration to new heights, this latest innovation has workplace wellbeing firmly at the heart of its design.

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ased on the premise that a healthier and happier working environment leads to greater productivity, this unique freestanding system provides the perfect break-out space for employees to rest and escape from a busy work environment. Whether working in solitude, focusing on a concentrated task, or working as a small group, Aspect offers the intimacy and privacy that is vital for today’s modern methods of working.

To further induce wellbeing, a unique Human Centric Lighting system has been introduced. This system acts to change the colour and intensity of white 26

portable & modular buildings

Boss Design delivers a new ‘Aspect’ on office pods light in the pod in accordance with people’s natural circadian rhythms.

Just as warmer white light with a lower intensity helps calm stress, the opposite helps to energise - a useful feature for early mornings.

The lighting can also be adapted to improve concentration and alertness.

When it comes to meeting spaces for bigger groups, Aspect also delivers.

As well as offering a cost-effective and contemporary alternative to formal meeting rooms and fixed partitioning, it provides the ideal solution for larger modern offices and delivers the ultimate in flexibility.

Throughout Aspect’s design, user experience is the number one priority with each pod providing an advanced acoustic solution with an impressive noise suppression rating of up to 37dB - superior to other models available on the market. Frameless 8mm glass panels and 10mm glass door panels increase soundproofing and speech privacy.

Commenting on this latest launch, Mark Barrell, Design Director at Boss Design says: “At last, there is now

an office pod system with a real point of difference. People are key drivers behind workplace design today, and their wellbeing is paramount. Quite simply, when we feel better, we work better. We are confident that Aspect will be a firm favourite with those specifiers offering a holistic approach to workplace design.”

Available in four square options, Aspect features glass sides with minimal vertical Aluminum extrusions, a new power column profile and an integral ceiling crown. To reduce the grid-like effect of a pod, large quadrant fabric wrapped ceiling tiles are incorporated, with squared corners for a more contemporary look. Bespoke finishes and branding possibilities are also available, exclusive to Boss Design.

Aspect joins Boss Design’s current line-up of office pods that includes Qube and Vista. Offering an extensive line-up of square and round models, these provide specifiers with endless design options, with most pods boasting power and data capabilities.

Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7253 0364 www.boss-design.com Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Portable & Modular Buildings

Portakabin Group joins Southern Modular Framework

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ff-site construction specialist, the Portakabin Group, has been appointed to the Southern Modular Building Framework – a new framework which has been launched to facilitate the procurement of modular buildings for public sector projects across London, the South East and South West.

Operated by Hampshire County Council, this new initiative aims to minimise procurement time and generate cost savings by reducing costly and resourceintensive competitive tendering.

It offers public sector clients a full turnkey service for modular projects, from design to handover, including building manufacture, installation, fitting out, testing and commissioning.

The appointment of Portakabin to the framework is for projects in excess of £100,000 through to multi-million pound schemes, requiring a design life of more than 60 years.

The accreditation follows a rigorous and independent assessment of Yorkon off-site solutions and services from the Portakabin Group, as well as performance for on time and on budget delivery, customer service, quality management procedures, and regulatory compliance.

Commenting on the new framework, Mark Thomas, Framework Manager at Hampshire County Council, said, “Our aim is to promote and encourage collaborative working to improve the design, procurement and construction of public sector projects across the South East. Our experience has shown that choosing a modular approach can offer significant benefits over site-based building methods – better quality, rapid delivery, and cost certainty – by moving the construction process into a carefullycontrolled factory environment.”

“Over 200 public sector bodies across the region now have access to the framework and can have confidence in the contractors’ performance following our robust selection process. And we are delighted that Portakabin has been selected to join the framework.”

Applications for permanent modular buildings that can be procured through the framework include education facilities, healthcare schemes, offices, and community buildings. Organisations Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

making use of the scheme could include local authorities, universities, fire and rescue services, charities, healthcare providers, schools and academies, colleges and doctor’s surgeries.

Portakabin is a market-leading supplier of off-site building solutions across the public sector. Among its recent contracts are: • The successful completion of the £9 million first phase of a £44 million school campus for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, which will be the UK’s largest free school campus.

The handover of a new special educational needs school has doubled its capacity in time for the start of the new academic year • A £2 million, four-storey scheme for

office support staff at the University Hospital Southampton, built in less than five months on a highly constrained site • A state-of-the-art laboratory scheme at the University of Cumbria – the second project delivered by Portakabin at the Fusehill Campus in Carlisle.

Modular buildings can be rapidly installed in enclosed courtyards, on the roofs of existing buildings and on steel platforms to help public and private sector clients increase capacity and optimise their use of space.

For further information about Yorkon off-site solutions from the Portakabin Group, call 0845 2000 123, email info@yorkon.co.uk or visit www.yorkon.co.uk. portable & modular buildings

27

Portable & Modular Buildings

Willerby makes waves in housing market Willerby Innovations’ offsite modular beach hut style bungalow has been making waves with The Wrekin Housing Trust in Telford.

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he association, which is one of the largest social housing providers in the West Midlands with close to 12,000 homes for rent in and around Telford, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire and Wolverhampton, has recently completed a successful trial with the Westport beach hut from the Willerby Lifestyle range.

Usually aimed at large holiday parks, Willerby agreed the Trust could take one Westport unit, which also acts as a prototype for its newly launched concept home – the Urban Bungalow, for few months’ trial period for residents to try it for themselves.

The bungalow, which comes complete with all fixtures, fittings, and furnishings, was installed at the Trust’s head office in Telford and made ready for its first visitors in just one day. As 28

portable & modular buildings

part of the trial period, the Trust has been asking staff and residents to give their opinions on the concept bungalow and has invited a number of other local authorities to view the Westport.

The two bedroom single-storey accommodation unit, which is finished to a high quality, provides a light, bright and spacious home for a family of up to five. As well as two separate bedrooms and a family bathroom, the Westport also provides a modern, open plan living, kitchen and dining area. With its pitched roof to let in as much light as possible and unique beach theming, it is designed to feel like a luxury and inviting home.

Fully compliant with building regulations and TRADA QMark certified, the Westport and Urban Bungalow are both guaranteed to last for at least 60 years and are easy to maintain, making them ideal for a housing association with a large housing stock to manage.

Wayne Gethings, The Wrekin Housing Trust’s managing director, commented: “Not only are these pods cost efficient but they also cut down on our build time – they’re up, fully kitted out, in a matter of hours!

“It is predicted that 27,500 homes will be needed across Shropshire before 2026. There is also high demand for

bungalows as there will be 100,000 people over 65 in Shropshire by 2030, accounting for 30% of the population.

My hope is that homes like this might be a way of addressing the need for more affordable housing in the immediate term.

“We’ve had great feedback from staff, residents and local authorities; one of our tenant board members stayed the night in bungalow recently, and loved it – it has everything you need in a brand new home. We’re now assessing suitable brownfield and infill sites which we can utilise and look forward to being the first housing association in the country to offer the Urban Bungalow as part of our accommodation portfolio.”

Phil Parks, Willerby Innovations’ lead commercial manager, added: “This is the first time we’ve run a trial like this for a housing association and it’s fantastic to hear it’s been such a success and demonstrates the versatility of our range. It has been great to hear such positive feedback from the Trust and its residents and we look forward to working closely with the trust and other housing associations in the future.”

For more information about Willerby Innovations please visit www.willerbyinnovations.com.

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

Building & Refurbishment

Sika’s watertight roofing membrane provides santuary for stunning new church

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he flexible, easy-to-apply, aesthetic properties of Sika’s watertight single-ply membrane proved the ideal solution for a stylish and unusual roof design – the crowning glory of a new, multimillion pound community church.

The £4.5million C3 Centre in Cambridge was built to host community events as well as serve as a place of worship. The two-tier building’s architecturally-striking feature is its ‘fantail’ roof. Tapering to a point at one end, the roof’s design presented a challenge to Farrans Construction, main contractors of the church building project.

The company required a roofing system which not only offered the optimum watertight performance; it had to complement the structure’s eye-catching design. With Cambridge Flat Roofing specified to carry out its installation, the Sika-Trocal SGK system met the contractor’s brief to perfection.

Suitable for both new build and refurbishment applications, in both warm roof and cold roof construction, SikaTrocal SGK is the best-cost performance bonded membrane for use on all types of substrates. Offering excellent flexibility and high resistance to ageing

and weathering, Sika-Trocal SGK ensures a long-lasting, low maintenance roof covering.

Wayne Farrington, Director at Cambridge Flat Roofing, commented: “The roof looks pretty spectacular and certainly offered a challenge in terms of its construction. There’s no doubt the Sika-Trocal SGK system’s specification aided the building process.

“It not only looks as good as it performs, it was simple and quick to install. It made a potentially tricky installation, quite straightforward.”

Work on the church roof started in March 2015. As well as the installation of Sika-Trocal SGK on the 1,500m2 main roof, Cambridge Flat Roofing applied Sika-Trocal’s Type SGmA single-ply membrane as part of a sedum roof

build-up on a lower area of the building.

The fully-adhered Type SGK roofing membrane is approved by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to have a life expectancy in excess of 35 years. Its easy application ensured the church’s stunning roof was completed ahead of the client’s strict eight-week deadline to ensure this gloriously-designed building will remain watertight and functioning as a vital community hub long into the future.

For more information please call 01707 394444, or visit www.sika.co.uk.

UltraFloor helps showcase a legendary brand in Gateshead

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iken Flooring Contracts have completed subfloor preparation using UltraFloor materials on a Harley Davidson showroom project in Gateshead.

The project was secured by CFA member, Aiken Flooring Contracts who worked to a tight deadline and finished the showroom floor in only 4 weeks.

The work included floor prep, priming, damp proofing, bulking out and levelling prior to floor covering application.

The UltraFloor range of materials were chosen due to their reliable performance and helped to secure a successful and cost-effective project.

UltraFloor Multi-surface Primer was used prior to the application of the damp proof membrane and leveller. This popular primer is suitable for porous and non-porous substrates, enhancing Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

adhesion and reducing pinholing for a bondproof installation.

Rapid curing primer membrane, DPM IT is designed to provide protection against subfloor moisture. Boasting a 98%RH floor moisture tolerance the two-part epoxy resin system cures in 5 hours.

High flow, two-component smoothing underlayment Level IT Two can be applied at depths between 2 and 12mm. For deeper sections up to a maximum of 30mm, as required in the showroom, a graded aggregate filler can be used to bulk out prior to levelling. Low odour and protein free,

Level IT Two can be overlaid after 12 hours with bonded floor coverings.

For further product information including the datasheet please visit ultra-floor.co.uk or to place an order call 01827 871871. Keep up-to-date with the latest news, competitions and much more from UltraFloor on Twitter, follow: @Ultra_Floor. building & refurbishment

29

Workplace Planning & Design

Cundall London office becomes first project in Europe to achieve WELL Certification

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undall seized the opportunity to pursue WELL for the fit-out of its new 15,400ft2 CAT A London office, which became WELL Certified™ at the Gold level, creating a practical expression of the company’s long-standing focus on sustainability and well-being. This achievement was made possible by the close collaboration between Cundall and their architects, Studio Ben Allen, working through the details of this relatively new standard and applying its features in a short design period. Key suppliers for products that could contribute towards satisfying the features of WELL, like recycled Bolon flooring and Baux acoustic panels, were identified and very supportive in providing the levels of information required for the standard.

The new office has proved itself a unique, real-world platform on which to demonstrate how applying a selection of carefully thought out features can create a healthy, efficient and future-proof space that puts the well-being of the occupants at the heart of the design. Pursuit of WELL Certification was only a part of the office’s aim to improve employee well-being. A specially developed active green wall, a planted trellis divider and acoustic baffles integrated within the tall shelving units were all elements that reflect Cundall research into acoustics and biophilia, as demonstrated in the specialist green and acoustic laboratories installed within the office.

Created through seven years of rigorous research and development, working with leading physicians, scientists, and industry professionals, WELL is a performance-based certification system that marries best practices in design and construction with evidence-based medical and scientific research. Cundall’s London office earned the distinction based on seven categories of building performance—air, water, light, nourishment, fitness, comfort and mind.

Says Alan Fogarty, Sustainability 30

workplace planning & design

Partner at Cundall, “Many businesses are seeing WELL as providing a means of demonstrating the quality of office space to attract and retain good staff. At Cundall, we have taken the refurbishment of our own London office and used it as an exemplar project, not only for ourselves, but also for our clients and collaborators. We’ve created a living, working example of how the WELL Building Standard™ can be applied, without breaking the bank. Our figures show a total uplift in the project costs of £200 per head. We are putting in place control measures to see exactly how the WELL building elements will improve staff welfare against our old office. However anecdotal feedback from our staff has confirmed the new office as a great hit.”

Cundall engineers have applied WELL criteria such as testing and monitoring air and water quality. The lighting design combines both the careful layout of the office to maximise the use of natural daylight with light level sensors that reduce or increase lux levels when appropriate.

Some required Preconditions or recommended Optimizations of WELL were incorporated into the planning of the building, for example changing facilities, showers and cycle racks to facilitate activities like cycling to work. Others are more concerned with day-to-day office life and activities, like weekly yoga classes and access to fresh fruit in the café.

WELL is designed to work harmoniously with other green building certifications, and achieving WELL Certification does not preclude a building from gaining additional sustainability credentials. One Carter Lane has achieved BREEAM and SKA ratings, Excellent and Gold respectively.

Alan continues: “The acceptance of sustainability, the “well-being” of the planet and the environment, as an integral part of most developments has been a long fight. WELL Building Standard™

Images: Dirk Lindner.

International multi-disciplinary engineering company, Cundall’s new London office at One Carter Lane is the first building in the UK and Europe to achieve WELL Certification through the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL).

takes a slightly different view – putting people’s well-being at the heart of the building. One thing our design at One Carter Lane has shown quite clearly is that, although the two ideas need to be addressed together and holistically, the two are not always completely compatible. It is exciting to be able to use our knowledge and expertise in the discussions on how best to combine the well-being of the person and the wellbeing of the planet in a single design.”

Tomas Neeson, Cundall’s Managing Partner: “We see achieving WELL Certification as the latest step in our commitment to sustainable best practice, spearheaded by becoming the first consultants in the world to gain One Planet Company status. This exciting news is complemented by the announcement that four Cundall employees, Kavita Kumari in London, Melanie Louie in Hong Kong, Paula Onofrievici in Bucharest and Paul Chatwin in Birmingham, have attained WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP™) credentials so we can use our own “hands on” experience to support other organisations wanting to achieve WELL Certification.”

For more information about Cundall, please go to www.cundall.com and www.WELLcertified.com.

Building & Facilities Management – February 2017

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