PSBJ August 20

Public Sector Build Journal August 2020

Healthcare

Education

Leisure

psbjmagazine.com

Issue 96

PUTTING PUPILS FIRST Teesside University boasts leading student mental health and wellbeing thanks to new Student Life Building

Housing

Green urbanisation: an integrated approach to urban drainage

Is the fabric of a building pivotal in infection control?

Intastop investigates

An economy recovery plan that could result in a “best practice renaissance�

Solving water as a ‘Smarter Water Manager’ Transform the efficiency and reliability of your operations with smart water solutions

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WELCOME NOTE

Editor

Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Jim Moore

jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb

jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Digital Design Manager Matt Morse

Trevor Trainor, Associate Director of construction and property consultant Summers-Inman – the cost consultant on Teesside University’s recently completed Student Life Building – looks back on the project’s successful delivery.

See page 08.

matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Accounts

Rachel Pike

rachel@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Sales Support & Administrator

Klare Porter

klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Publisher Sam Ball

Welcome to the August issue of PSBJ...

The ‘new normal’ is here, and no one has to adapt quite like the public sector. Schools, colleges, universities, care homes, hospitals – they’re all much-needed public buildings with high footfalls and, consequently, higher safety and hygiene standards. And, while the weather has been on our side of late and we can disperse queues and waiting areas to outside spaces, autumnal months will soon be on their way, meaning interior spaces are soon to become overcrowded with people sheltering from the great British weather. As a result, designers, architects and specifiers are on the prowl for COVID-friendly building materials.

sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Published by

Cross Platform Media Ltd.

Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 5BZ psbjmagazine.com 01622 232725 crossplatformmedia.co.uk

In this month’s issue, we’ve talked to a handful of suppliers and manufacturers for their advice on specifying with a heightened understanding of infection control. Firstly, Phil Barsby, Director of Business Development at Intastop, explains how buildings can benefit from anti-bacterial protection and how easily this can be achieved. Turn to page 14 to find out more. Meanwhile, on page 16, Howard Morris, Managing Director at Trade Fabrication Systems, discusses off-site-applied anti-bacterial coatings to increase speed of completion for construction projects and improve site safety.

Elsewhere, following last month’s Economy Speech from Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, we’ve collated a handful of industry responses from some public sector contractors and professionals. To read the replies, turn to page 06 of this month’s edition. While on page 20, Mark Robinson, Chief Executive at Scape Group, outlines his vision for an economic recovery that could, in his words: “inspire a renaissance in project delivery best practice.”

And, of course, while the limelight has very much been pandemic-related recently, we mustn’t forget our 2050 net-zero target. While, understandably, attention has been placed elsewhere, there’s still much to do. On page 30, Baxi Heating’s Specification Director, Tom Murray, explains how retrofitting lower-carbon heating equipment could be an option for the public sector’s substantial stock of old buildings.

PSBJ is a proud supporter of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor's hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on PSBJ’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com.

Rebecca

Rebecca Kemp • Editor • rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Find us on Social Media:      @psbjmagazine

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CONTENTS

06 News

A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

08 Upfront

Trevor Trainor, Associate Director at Summers-Inman – the cost consultant on Teesside University’s recently completed Student Life Building – looks back on the project’s successful delivery.

12 Housing

Mike Harrison from ForrestBrown argues that the Government’s Future Homes Standard falls short in its environmental aims and won’t make a significant impact on Britain’s carbon emissions.

14 Healthcare

Phil Barsby, Director of Business Development at Intastop, explains how buildings can benefit from anti-bacterial protection, how easily this can be achieved and the benefits that can be delivered.

16 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

For the foreseeable future, public sector projects will be faced with the challenge of keeping to schedule while operating at reduced capacity. Trade Fabrication Systems discusses why advances in processing techniques could provide an efficient solution to this challenge – all while helping to raise quality standards.

08 18 Education

22 Talking Point

20 Legal & Business

24 Technical Focus

Saima Shafi, Sales and Marketing Director at Goodlight, explains why LED lighting is improving the concentration levels and keeping up with students’ and teachers’ circadian rhythms in schools across the country.

With the majority of lockdown measures now starting to ease across the country, Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of public sector procurement specialist Scape Group, outlines his vision for an economic recovery that, within the world of construction procurement, is driven by partnership and mutual understanding.

Michael Smith, Technical Director of Perfect Circle, discusses why it is essential for local authorities to have remobilisation plans in place so vital services can get back up and running as quickly and safely as possible.

This month, we have talked to Jamie Mills, Global BIM Manager at Xylem Water Solutions UK, about how the integration of product data within the water industry can streamline construction and asset management.

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CONTENTS

33

18

26 Flood Management

Michael White, Divisional Marketing & Development Director at Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation, looks at a new ‘green urbanisation’ approach to water management.

28 Leisure

Helene Ball, Marketing Manager at Crown Paints, discusses how washable and scrubbable paints can make a positive contribution to making spaces as safe as possible in a post-pandemic world.

30 Refurb & Retrofit

Here, Baxi Heating’s Specification Director, Tom Murray, explains how local authorities can improve the energy performance of heating systems and buildings.

32 Town & City Regeneration

One of England’s most iconic venues, the Grade II Listed Blackpool Winter Gardens, is undergoing a vast £25m rebuild with help from Polypipe Building Services.

14 33 Build Forum: Education

PSBJ looks at how The Sanitaryware Company’s SanCeram Chartham range was the perfect solution for Woodlands College – a special needs facility for students up to the age of 19.

34 Product Showcase

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

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 • CFA members have to pass a strict vetting process

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NEWS

INDUSTRY UPDATES

This month, PSBJ has asked key professionals within the public sector building realm to voice their views on the PM’s Economy Speech.

Alan Jones, RIBA President: “I welcome the recognition for ‘urgent action’ from the Prime Minister and hope the announcements are the first of many needed to address the shortcomings of the UK’s physical and social infrastructure. However, I am extremely concerned by the proposal to enable even more commercial buildings to change to residential use without the need for a planning application. The Government’s own advisory panel referred to the homes created by this policy as ‘slums’. It is hard to reconcile the commitment to quality with expanding a policy that has delivered low-quality, unsustainable and over-crowded homes across England. I urge the Prime Minister not to waste this opportunity and to re-build a more sustainable and resilient economy, ensuring that quality and safety remain at the heart of investment.”

Alastair Hamilton, Partner at Pick Everard – an award-winning London-based architectural practice: “The Government’s £5bn funding programme is welcome news, but fast and efficient delivery will be essential to its success. Quick, simple routes to market and access to skills and capacity are vital, and frameworks will play a key part here. The so-called ‘build back better’ agenda is also important. We mustn’t forget to drive the quality agenda at the same time to ensure we are building greener and more sustainably, achieving net-zero emissions, delivering on social value and biodiversity net gains while using the latest technologies to do that. The ‘Kickstart’ scheme will create jobs and help address the industry skills gap as we look to build our future, while investment in training throughout the supply chain will help support that legacy.”

John Morgan, Director at Leonard Design Architects: “The recent Government announcement to ‘build, build, build’ felt like an incredibly positive boost for the property and construction industry and its message about ‘levelling up’ the regions could not have been clearer. This is a call to be radical and build back better and bolder – what we need now is local authorities and planning officers to be bold and believe in their towns and cities.

We’ve seen this already happening in Sheffield with Heart of the City II – they were faced with a challenge, and it’s been tackled head-on.

This is the approach we all need moving forwards.”

06

NEWS

Gerard Toplass, Executive Chairman of framework provider Pagabo: “It is in the Government’s interest to ensure that programmes plough ahead to meet previous targets and deliver on election promises to invest £250bn in the UK’s infrastructure. There were already ambitious targets prior to COVID-19, so ensuring that the path to recovery is a short one is absolutely crucial in achieving those promises, as well as delivering the necessary infrastructure projects that have come out of the pandemic, such as improving transport systems to allow for social distancing. At this time, being able to procure works quickly via a framework will help speed us along the road to recovery in construction, and we strongly believe that the quickest and most efficient way to procure is by using a framework agreement – particularly one with a designated Direct Award process.”

Paul Hutt, Director at Glancy Nicholls Architects – a specialist in the design of dementia and social care developments: “The pandemic has shone a light on the determination and caring nature of many individuals working in the care sector, but it has also highlighted flaws in the design of traditional care homes and their inherent inflexibility to adequately respond in terms of the physical environment and care and management strategies. The Prime Minister stated that we need to ‘build back better’ and that is certainly something we agree with. We are calling on the industry to promote an expansion, or an overhaul, of the national minimum standards for care home regulations to drive forward quality design.

What will be crucial to this reform; however, is sustained investment and resourcing from central Government. The Prime Minister’s statement needs to be followed by adequate funding to allow these changes to happen.”

Michael Conlon, Chairman at Conlon Construction: “The Government has made a sensible step in prioritising construction as an area of investment to get the economy moving again. In the past, construction has contributed up to 10% of GDP and in terms of employment, it is powered by swathes of SMEs and family businesses who, as they return to work, will prove vital to our recovery. I thought the £1000 incentive from the Chancellor to bring employees back from furlough was a great idea and it will encourage even the smallest of businesses to welcome team members back into the fold. The plans to increase the number of apprenticeships will also ensure young people are empowered to learn new skills so they can begin contributing to the economy. We are particularly pleased to see investment in infrastructure as well as hospitals and schools; these areas have an immediate impact on the communities around them and suggest promise for the future. “

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UPFRONT

TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY SHINES A LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING With a key aim of Teesside University being to support the mental health and wellbeing of its students, Trevor Trainor, Associate Director of construction and property consultant Summers-Inman – the cost consultant on the university’s recently completed Student Life Building – looks back on its successful delivery.

With more than 18,000 students studying at Teesside University at any one time, alongside its academic success, the wellbeing of its students lies at the heart of the university’s culture.

Now, thanks to its new state-of-the-art £13.2m Student Life Building, its ambition to achieve sector-leading student mental health and wellbeing has been translated into a major investment, with the location of this wonderful new building at the core of the university’s expanding Middlesbrough campus.

The project also marks the completion of the latest phase of work to be undertaken as part of the university’s impressive £300m transformational master plan launched in 2017.

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UPFRONT

The importance of mental health and wellbeing in higher education Within the higher education sector, it is widely recognised that there is an urgent and growing need to provide students with mental health and wellbeing support.

Doing this enhances their experience of student life as well as supporting them in a more holistic way to achieve academic success.

Designed by architect firm FaulknerBrowns, the 2950m2 three-storey building has provided the university with an innovative facility within which it has amalgamated its student-focused provision, in a highly visible and accessible central location on its Middlesbrough campus.

In addition to allowing the university to refocus its delivery of student support, Student Life also allows it to adopt a one-stop ‘triage’ approach, ensuring that students are directed to the right service as quickly and efficiently as possible, whether this is through physically accessing the building or remotely through the extensive online offer.

The concept of Student Life was borne out of consultation with staff and students undertaken as part of the university’s 10-year masterplan and estates strategy.

The inspiration behind the building’s form and function was arrived at following careful consideration of the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ – a set of evidence-based public mental health messages aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of the whole population. These were developed by the New Economic Foundation, which resulted from a Government commission as part of the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing. The five ways encourage students and staff to: Connect in a wide range of social and collaborative learning environments Be active by engaging in activities and using the prominent feature staircase Take notice of the university’s full range of opportunities, the campus landscape and the changing appearance of the dichroic glass fins Keep learning by engaging with a wide range of skills development and learning opportunities Give by engaging in collaborative learning and group workshops.

Removing the stigma As well as relocating a multitude of disconnected specialisms, including counselling, careers, faith and reflection, student finance and welfare, wellbeing, IT support along with bookable space and a catering offering into one central location, Student Life is now home to the university’s disability services team. This works with students to develop support plans that go beyond those required for academic purposes such as aspects of everyday life including travel, living arrangements and assistive technology as well as counselling.

The university also operates a regional disability assessment centre which undertakes support needs assessments for both higher and further education applicants on behalf of the DfE, regardless of where they have applied to study.

One key ambition of the building’s design was that it should overcome any stigma that might be felt by students and which may prevent them from seeking support by removing barriers

which may discourage access. This has been successfully achieved first and foremost by removing the distinction between ‘learning’ and ‘support’ spaces, providing everything students need outside of the classroom, in one place.

Timber clad pods containing consultation and study rooms have been arranged to create a series of interlocking internal spaces which benefit from not only visual connectivity but also daylight and views, without compromising on privacy. Moreover, the scale of the spaces has been tempered to balance openness and connectivity with the need to create an environment which can be comfortably accessed by students who might be distressed, or those not comfortable in a busy and bustling campus environment. 

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UPFRONT

Flexibility built-in Speaking about the project, Darren Vipond, Teesside University’s Director of Campus Services, said: “On this latest scheme, we have invested £13.2m to develop a student-centred and student-led space, providing information and services to support, inspire and empower success in learning and life.

“We provide a broad range of support and personal development services to the many students choosing to study at the university, including a growing number of

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‘commuter’ and international students as well as those with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health issues.

“It was important that the building was designed to overcome any stigma which may prevent students from seeking support, and I believe it has more than achieved that goal. In addition, the introduction of an Enquiries Management System (EMS) will allow data to be collected that we will use to monitor social outcomes measured against key

performance indicators, which is a further demonstration of our commitment to students.”

Student Life has created a technologically enabled environment, supporting a variety of learning styles, activities and attendance patterns. It offers a range of flexible spaces, enabling social and collaborative learning, as well as an information zone, consulting rooms and a cafe.

The design and construction of Student Life has been delivered sustainably, an objective which was embedded in the design process at an early stage.

Alongside achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’, the building has also achieved an EPC ‘A ‘rating.

Early engagement also came from Summers-Inman’s appointment to provide both project management and cost consultancy services, which meant that it was able to drive the project forward from the outset to achieve the client’s aspirations in terms of both programming and quality.

Working to BIM Level 2 facilitated a fully coordinated design and mitigated any possible

issues with what otherwise was a complex build for main contractor, Willmott Dixon.

Supporting the local community also played its part in the project, where work was undertaken by an entirely North East-based design and construction team, making a significant contribution to the local economy during the build programme.

Out with the contracts awarded to the local supply chain, 60 weeks of apprenticeships were completed, 10 weeks of work experience were provided, and Willmott Dixon delivered workshops and provided tuition to some 750 students.

The all-round benefit of the building will be felt by Teesside University and its students for many years to come.

Finally, the building’s success can be further measured by the industry recognition it has received with short listings by both RIBA and RICS in their annual award schemes which recognise projects for their positive social impact. 

www.summers-inman.co.uk

UPFRONT

“ Student Life has created a technologically enabled environment, supporting a variety of learning styles, activities and attendance patterns ”

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC

LEVEL 02 PLAN

LEVEL 02 PLAN KEY:

2 02 1 01

5 05

4 04

1: Staff workspace 2: Meeting/training room 3: Wellbeing and assessment centre 4: Meeting pods/wellbeing 5: Staff base 6: Multipurpose space

1 01

03 3

4 04

6 06

4 04

LONG SECTION Staff workspace Meeting / training room Wellbeing & assessment centre Meeting pods / wellbeing Staff base Multipurpose space

LONG SECTION KEY:

EVEL 02 PLAN 1: Cafe/learning space

2: Consultation/meeting room 3: Learning/waiting room

2 02

03 3

022 022

2 02

3 03

03 3

2 02

2 02

2 02

2 02

033

2 02

03 3

0 1 2

2 02

5

10m

1 01

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HOUSING

IS THE GOVERNMENT JUST BLOWING HOT AIR INTO THE FUTURE HOMES STANDARD? Mike Harrison, a Structural and Mechanical Engineering Sector Specialist at R&D tax credit consultancy ForrestBrown, argues the Government’s Future Homes Standard falls short in its environmental aims and won’t make a significant impact on Britain’s carbon emissions. a new home is never B uying a simple affair. Solicitors, estate agents, a bureaucratic maze of paperwork: there’s lots of legwork that goes into putting a roof over your head.

Not entirely satisfied with this toil alone, I designed and built my own eco-home. That is a home that was as sustainable and environmentallyfriendly as possible.

As an engineer with a construction industry background, I had a head start – but the process was still an eye-opener for me. Not just the construction phase. That part was hard graft, sure, but by far the biggest challenge was stitching all the elements of an eco-home together in a coherent way.

It wasn’t about the individual technical components of my build; I needed to view a home as a complete ‘machine’ in its own right to make it function properly.

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Is it all just hot air?

This realisation is why I have my reservations about the Government’s recent pledge that by 2025, all new homes will be banned from installing gas boilers and will instead be heated by low-carbon alternatives. It’s admirable – but fundamentally misunderstands how eco-friendly buildings are constructed.

The proposed Future Homes Standard envisages a 31% reduction in CO2 emissions from new homes through improved insulation and more energyefficient heating. It sees heat pumps playing a key role in this given that the energy efficiency of air and ground source heat pumps can be over 300%.

Undoubtedly, the UK needs to embrace eco-friendly building and engineering practices if it wants to hit net-zero emission by 2025 and meet the country’s demand for new housing.

Indeed, we’ve lagged behind the standards set by countries such as Norway, Denmark and Germany for far too long.

Take Passivhaus, the German’s ‘gold standard’ of eco-friendly housing. Passivhaus builds are so effectively insulated that they don’t require heating. Energy is only needed for core functions like lighting and appliances. It’s a glimpse of where we could go in the future.

What’s needed in construction and Government (and society at large) is to look at the building as a system. Even a one-bedroom dwelling is a rather complicated system. As seasons change, the system has to adapt and react to these changes.

But I’m concerned about how ecohomes (and eco-friendly construction more generally) are being thought about and discussed. Like an electric car, an eco-home might look the same, but it will be fundamentally different under the bonnet.

Changing mindsets Heat pumps are just one part of an eco-friendly home. It doesn’t go far enough when it comes to futureproofing buildings. The Government is missing a trick because a big stumbling block in building ecohomes is that regulations aren’t joined up or complied with enough to absorb new technologies.

Building my own eco-home taught me the way new homes are being constructed is broken from the bottom up. The result is buildings that are not as coordinated or integrated as they should be.

For example, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is well-meaning but adopts an unsuitable baseline meaning it fails to reward the most efficient designs, and crucially doesn’t address the system complex interdependency (and associated system uncertainties from an R&D perspective) of a complete modern house as it only focuses on individual aspects.

HOUSING The focus shouldn’t just be on the heat pump or, say, triple glazing – they’re individual parts of a holistic project. We need to look at the entire build and fabric of an eco-home.

This opens up a whole host of potential R&D opportunities for companies working across the supply chain – whether in the renewable sector, architects, fabricators, manufacturers, house-builders and contractors.

The questions we must ask about eco-homes For eco-housing to take off and results to be consistent and readily replicated, it all needs to become modular, integrated and far simpler.

But, simplifying things is often complicated.

It’s more than brute force regulation. If planners had a proper grasp of the issues and had a more consistent approach with clear definitions for elements of design, this would certainly help. If construction firms are taking design risks, we need to ask why. If people are finding loopholes, why? Are the materials too expensive? Are the methods too laborious? Is the technology not well enough known?

Answering these questions are of vital importance with a climate crisis looming in the coming years. The house is more than the sum of its parts. If we aren’t even getting the basics right – properly insulating floors to stop heat escaping downwards, for example – the Government’s pledge around heat pumps will be moot.

If we can’t get the bottom right, then what does that say about the home on top of it?

But there’s great potential. In my role at ForrestBrown, I work with businesses really pushing the envelope in innovative, ecofriendly construction. One client has made a robotic brick building system. This has huge potential to get the consistency of building and extremely efficient house-building whilst helping to overcome certain labour skills shortages within the industry.

It’s time to grasp the future The COVID-19 pandemic is radically changing the way we use our homes – no longer are they just our houses; they are also our offices, schools and entertainment centre. Going forward, we will certainly all be using our homes in a very different way than ever before.

Before the pandemic, replacing boilers with heat pumps was never going to be enough to make a major environmental impact – not least because older properties weren’t built with new technologies in mind. Or perhaps that’s another great R&D opportunity, depending on your perspective.

Now, more than ever is the time for companies to drive innovation to deliver integrated systems within the home to ensure all the cogs in the machine mesh together. The future is exciting – we just need to seize it. 

www.forrestbrown.co.uk

13

HEALTHCARE

IS THE FABRIC OF A PUBLIC BUILDING PIVOTAL IN INFECTION CONTROL? Controlling the spread of harmful virus particles in public buildings is a national priority, and the infrastructure of these buildings can be pivotal in how this is managed.

Barsby, Director of P hilBusiness Development at Intastop – a leading manufacturer of the protection of doors, people and places – explains how buildings can benefit from anti-bacterial protection, how easily this can be achieved and the benefits that can be delivered.

Infection control across all elements of public buildings is of prime importance at present, and the fabric of a building cannot be underestimated as to how much of a significant part it can play.

All sectors of the UK are adapting to help curb the transmission of infection, but many don’t realise that there are easy retrofit solutions out there that can offer the first line of protection such as antibacterial sheeting.

Safe and clean environment The guidance from the Health and Safety Executive in relation to reducing the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace, states: “As an employer, you must protect

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people from harm. This includes taking reasonable steps to protect your workers and others from coronavirus. Coronavirus can transfer from people to surfaces.

It can be passed on to others who touch the same surfaces. Keeping your workplace clean reduces the potential for coronavirus to spread and is a critical part of making and keeping your business ‘COVID-secure’.”

The guidance goes on to say: “You may need to increase how often and how thoroughly you normally clean, as well as cleaning surfaces that you do not normally clean.” By carrying out a risk assessment, it will help to identify the frequently touched surfaces such as doors, handrails, buttons and corridors.

To that end, and to ensure buildings comply not only with this code of conduct but also regulation and health and safety at work legislation, much can be done by appropriate building specification and maintenance in line with more day-to-day guidelines and policies.

Clearly, robust cleaning procedures adhere to many settings but if infection control was applied to the wider building infrastructure including doors, walls and handrails in all public buildings; then even greater benefits could be achieved.

By adopting a robust building infection control policy, the management of bacterial, and transferrable infections could be significantly decreased.

But how simplistic is this to achieve and what benefits could it deliver to your building?

Infection prevention and control within buildings Currently there are no mandatory guidelines as to how public buildings are equipped with infection control materials such as anti-bacterial sheeting. However, we have seen a marked increase in the demand for this type of product in new-build and refurbishment projects of late.

The Health Building Note 00-09 issued by the Department of Health refers to Infection Control in the Built Environment and points 3.119

refers to wall protection, 3.125 and 3.126 to door protection. It states that Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is “for all stakeholders to understand the basic principles of ‘designed-in’ IPC”.

This means the specification of door and wall protection in addition to other infection control methods such as hand washing policies and cleaning guidelines. Combined, the fight against cross-contamination could be reduced raising standards and helping to decrease the number of infections.

New build and retrofit – how both can benefit Premises can easily be retrofitted for modern demands whilst new builds should include the specification of infection control as a high priority.

Leading manufacturers and suppliers of hygienic wall protection can, more often than not, offer tailored advice and a wide range of products to prevent germ transmission in a variety of settings.

Great success in the healthcare industry has already been achieved in places such as operating theatres, GP surgeries, dental practices and pharmacies, which can be easily replicated in other public buildings.

Anti-bacterial sheets are impregnated with an anti-bacterial resistance substance during the manufacturing process, which means that bacteria can’t adhere to, or penetrate, the walls and doors where the covering is applied. Regular cleaning is still required, of course, but complete peace of mind is offered when the specification of such products works in tandem with all other measures in place.

It is, of course, important that a sheet is chosen that offers high levels of anti-bacterial protection but also adheres to other elements of building protection such as fire safety ratings. Furthermore, a sheet that is easy to fit and where its integrity is not comprised during that fitting process is the only truly effective choice.

An anti-bacterial impact protection sheet such as that – which includes hygienilac (a unique antimicrobial agent that prevents bacteria’s access to nutrients and is proven to kill 99.9% of almost all species of bacteria including MRSA, salmonella and E.coli) – offers an impact-resistance surface that can be applied to doors, walls and cupboards to give unrivalled levels of protection and to assist in the easy cleaning and maintenance of these surfaces.

It is advisable to only choose a sheet that assists in meeting guidelines in BS 8300:2001 and is Class ‘O’ Fire rated; tested to BS 476 Parts 6 & 7. Other standards that one should look out for are EC Hygiene requirements, food safety regulations.

HEALTHCARE

So how does protection sheet work, and how can you integrate this added protection into your building?

Products to support guidelines, policies and professionals To facilitate the ongoing development of infection control policies, it is the responsibility of manufacturers to provide products that support the new challenges we now face with keeping our public buildings safe.

Responsible manufacturers, such as Intastop, ensure that products support the ongoing vision from a health, fire and building perspective and remain committed to ongoing product development to facilitate a wide range of demands that are now placed upon us. 

www.intastop.com

15

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

SPEEDING UP PANEL PROCESSES FOR PUBLIC SECTOR BUILDING With construction sites resuming operations up and down the country, many projects which were temporarily suspended are now striving to get build programmes back on schedule. ordinary times this could I nhave been achieved by increasing labour provision, but current circumstances limit the number of workers that can be on site at any one time – particularly for interior packages. Consequently, for the foreseeable future, public sector projects will be faced with the challenge of keeping to schedule while operating at reduced capacity. Howard Morris, Managing Director at Trade Fabrication Systems, discusses why advances in processing techniques could provide an efficient solution to this challenge, while simultaneously helping to raise quality standards.

Maintaining social distancing is much easier for external works as there is naturally more space outdoors. For interior packages, such as the wall, floor and ceiling,

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space is dictated by the internal layout and will vary across development types. Moreover, walls, floors and ceilings require multiple trades to take them through from initial installation to final finishing.

In addition to the internal space challenge, many public sector buildings have higher safety standards as compared with domestic developments.

Fire protection and hygiene are just two areas which must commonly be addressed as part of the interior specification, with coatings typically applied manually to achieve the specified performance. The application of these coatings is not a process that can be reliably expedited on-site, particularly in relation to coat weights and drying/curing times. However, taking the coating

process off-site and completing it in a certified production facility is one way to accelerate site programmes and enhance quality of application.

Performance panel processing

Class 0 foil on the underside of a mezzanine floor level

Advanced coatings such as fire-rated and antibacterial, rely heavily on specific application rates to achieve certified performance. While these traditionally have been applied by hand on site, there is always a risk of human error and inconsistent coverage. By factory applying these coatings, the quality is guaranteed to be delivered to the exact specification. In doing so, the process helps to minimise maintenance over time by delivering a quality finish at the point of initial installation.

As public sector developments seek to drive efficiencies, site managers must ensure that these are not at the expense of quality standards. Given that this comes at the same time as social distancing challenges, taking as many processes off-site as possible is a robust way of improving site safety, increasing speed to completion while protecting the integrity of coating application.

Importantly, off-site processing is not only accessible for advanced coatings; it can also be used for

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS priming. By undertaking off-site priming of panels that are destined for walls, floors and ceilings, it completely removes one stage of the on-site finishing process and, as a result, avoids any delays due to drying time or having to vacate rooms until the products are cured.

Where timber substrates are concerned, virtually any priming, coating or finishing process can be completed off-site. As such, when preparing site schedules and trade sequencing plans, public sector contractors should conduct a review of all the packages and identify which elements would be suitable for off-site processing. B2B processing specialists can provide expert guidance and advice on such reviews.

Building a processing partnership When identifying an off-site B2B processing partner to assist with accelerating the progress of a project, remember that quality should be the fundamental driver behind any decision. The most robust way to assess this is by industry accreditations and certifications, with ISO 9001: 2015 as a minimum.

Also review the wider services available.

Some off-site partners are capable of premachining which opens up the potential to take joinery processes off-site as well. In the current climate, the more processes that can be completed away from the construction site, the fewer tradespeople that will be required on-site at any one time.

Slip-resistant coatings for flooring solutions

With most public sector sites having limited storage space, confirm that the processing partner can accommodate just-intime deliveries direct to site. From a quality control perspective, evaluate their ability to protect the panels with appropriate packaging.

The recent pandemic has been a catalyst for change in every industry. For public sector construction, it is an opportunity

to review existing practices and identify modern ways to raise standards. Adopting off-site processing and effectively building it into a site programme will not only drive efficiency and increase quality, but it also represents a real financial saving in the overall budget by saving time, reducing waste and delivering finishes that last. 

www.tradefabricationsystems.co.uk

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EDUCATION

AN 'LEDUCATION' IN LIGHTING FOR SCHOOLS The education sector was a notably early riser to the value of humancentric lighting installations, with many schools and colleges amongst the first facilities to adopt LED lighting solutions. And, quite simply, why wouldn’t they? With financial savings, adaptability to all types of facilities a school building has to offer, and the opportunity to adopt human-centric lighting systems that enhance psychological wellbeing, what’s not to love? Saima Shafi, Sales and Marketing Director at Goodlight, reports. schools and colleges are still settling for flickering fluorescent T oolightsmanywhich contain harmful mercury gases, cause migraines and produce a yellow or orange tinge which reduces student productivity. Through Goodlight’s own projects in the education sector, we’ve seen first-hand how LED lighting solutions for schools and universities can aid learning throughout the academic day, so much so that it’s worth emphasising the reasons why it can have a positive impact on pupils and teachers.

Financial matters Firstly, the dramatic reduction in school budgets through decreased energy usage and virtually non-existent maintenance overheads is a very strong argument for installing LED lighting solutions. Budget constraints are a common reason why school facilities managers will reject any dramatic changes to the building’s existing systems.

However, we helped Writtle College in Essex achieve almost £18,000 in annual energy savings with an installation of Goodlight retrofit LED lighting, including T8 tubes, ceiling panels, 2D lamps and 5ft twin fittings, into the college building. This massive saving, plus reduced maintenance costs, equates to a very positive ROI with the initial £57,000 investment being repaid in just over three years and more than £191,000 saved during the lifespan of the installation.

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EDUCATION

features a super-bright light output of 125Lm/W. We have also installed our LED high bays in the Royal Ballet School’s dance studio in London, providing superb quality light along with impressive cost savings.

Human-centric lighting

Automated systems Coupling LED luminaires with an intelligent SMART lighting control system, such as Light Boss, could considerably enhance the costsaving benefits outlined above.

Automated systems can turn on or dim lights according to changes in light, occupancy or time of day.

Operating your lighting where it is needed – rather than at 100% brightness constantly – not only minimises energy consumption but extends lighting lifecycles and reduces maintenance costs.

Typical energy savings, when combined with Goodlight LED luminaires are between 60 to 95%.

SMART lighting control is central

in achieving lowered operation costs, improved energy savings, and enhanced security. In addition, the swift and simple installation of these systems accommodates the short closure period outside term time, the only time when large building changes can take place.

Suitable for all spaces As well as accommodating the needs of the school term times, LED lighting also accommodates the wide range of facilities housed by a school or college building – classroom, office and sports hall to name a few. Each space has unique lighting demands to be met, and fortunately, the

versatility of LED lighting can meet all these applications. The building requires the full range of daytime to nighttime lighting as it needs to be illuminated in the evenings too – for example, parent’s evenings, after-school clubs and other activities inside or outside – to ensure safety within the school. School exteriors including classroom exteriors, play areas, car parks and pathways should be illuminated for pupils, teachers and parents to ensure safety around the school. The visibility needs to be clear so that teachers who start work early can walk safely and easily into school, especially in the colder months when the clocks go back and the daylight hours are shorter. Adequate illumination is also required for parents, guardians, pupils and visitors, especially in the darker, winter months. LED floodlights are perfect for this, and our Goodlight LED floodlights deliver 110Lm/W to illuminate a school exterior beautifully without the need for metal halide or halogen lights. As another example, school sports halls can also be given a new lease of light with LED high bay lights. The Goodlight GX1 LED high bay is an IP65-rated luminaire which can be installed from 6m and

Aside from practicalities, there also are psychological benefits to LED lighting installations in schools. LED lighting can be human-centric, meaning it adjusts throughout the day, which has been proven to benefit pupil and teacher performance by improving concentration, productivity and mood. It also has a positive impact on pupil behaviour.

Human beings are tuned-in to daily cycles of light and darkness, which give us our cues of when to sleep and wake. Particularly during the dark winter months, the early start of the school day can be a struggle for both teachers and pupils as the long periods of low light disrupt the body clock.

Human-centric lighting, which mimics the complex effect of natural daylight through different hues and intensities, can counter this physiological disruption.

When installed in a school facility, a typical LED lighting set-up delivers cool white and intensive light for the first part of the day, which adjusts production of stress and sleep hormones in pupils and teachers, before shifting their daily rhythms forward to making everyone more active during the early part of the school day. Later, a focus light enhances concentration on tasks through cool white and intensive light. When it’s time to relax, a warmer white light creates the right atmosphere.

Aside from improvements in general concentration, humancentric lighting also reduces the symptoms of ADHD and counteracts the negative effects of artificial light absorbed from screens or smart boards.

In conclusion, an education facility needs to be a safe, focused, welcoming and carefully maintained environment – all of which can be enhanced through human-centric lighting, achieved

by LED lighting installations.

The benefits of this technology to schools and colleges are undeniable and set to benefit the next generation of pupils and teachers. In short, the future for education facilities looks bright. 

www.goodlight.co.uk

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LEGAL & BUSINESS

SHORT-TERM ACTION, LONG-TERM RECOVERY With the majority of lockdown measures now starting to ease across the country, Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of public sector procurement specialist Scape Group, outlines his vision for an economic recovery that, within the world of construction procurement, is driven by partnership and mutual understanding. build, build” was “B uild, the call from the Prime Minister that echoed across the country earlier this month. And the message was received loud and clear. Undoubtedly, rolling up our sleeves and putting spades in the ground will be an important first step to aiding the UK’s longterm economic recovery.

It is only logical that Boris Johnson’s first port of call in this crisis is a public-led construction revival; typically, the industry’s output contributes more than £117bn to the economy every year. The £5bn of investment promised by the Government is obviously a fraction of this, but it’s a statement that should spark much-needed confidence and optimism at a time when both have been in short supply.

If the investment promised is to make a significant impact, it needs to be backed up by an

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investment in people, in better operating practices and in a sustainable recovery.

Yes, a recovery is needed urgently, but this is no excuse for short-termism. We must make this investment count.

Putting disputes in the past As firms get back to work, it’s clear that there will be challenges ahead in terms of the time and cost associated with delivering contracts agreed pre-lockdown.

Put simply, socially distanced sites, for the time being, are unable to deliver at the speed of pre-crisis Britain.

That being the case, it’s vital that contractors and their public sector clients don’t resort to drawing deeper lines in the sand; contract disputes over liability are only going to inhibit confidence and ensure that any step forward is matched with two steps back.

The media is littered with articles from construction lawyers who are bracing themselves for a spike in disputes in the autumn. For the health of all involved, we cannot allow this to materialise. Instead, a forwardthinking approach will involve using the mechanisms within New Engineering Contracts (NEC) that provide a framework for resolving disputes through dialogue.

Its emphasis is on all parties coming together to navigate their collective way through roadblocks such as compensation events, bonuses or penalties without ending up in court.

Naturally, this will depend on how much open and honest dialogue that contractors and the public sector are willing to have.

As such, we need to be ready and willing to have more honest conversations from the outset, if we’re to help drive the recovery.

Mark Robinson has enjoyed 28 rewarding years in the public sector, starting his career as a YTS apprentice spending 16 years in local Government.

He champions smarter procurement and best practice in efficient construction.

He works closely with some of the biggest construction companies in the UK and leading industry bodies to help improve the built environment across the public estate.

Productive tech practices A tech revolution in the public sector is also going to be essential in quickly mobilising a full recovery. And a rare silver lining from the pandemic is that it will speed up the transition to more digital-first working practices.

Over the last few months, new processes and mechanisms have been adopted in order to reduce the barriers to productivity while we were all at home – why should we stop now that sites and offices are reopening?

For example, we’ve seen a significant uplift in the use of modern file sharing and electronic signature tools, such as DocuSign, as well as an elevation in the number of conversations about the

LEGAL & BUSINESS legalities of exchanging contracts in this way. We’ve also seen some fantastic engagement during the course of the beta for our MyScape project delivery companion, proving that there has never been a more suitable time for public sector and construction delivery teams to become better connected and improve the flow of information between them.

On sites, the introduction of innovative technology such as GoPro site filming has allowed project and procurement teams to supplement the in-person visits that were once needed to discuss specific issues.

Innovations like this will likely outlive social distancing.

Streamlined and sustainable Streamlining processes will not only allow the public sector and contractors to be more productive but also offer options for a more sustainable, greener recovery. Given the urgency of the climate emergency we all face, I think this is as essential as the financial recovery itself. We need to “build, build, build” – but better, and in a way that future generations deserve.

Whilst making public sector buildings more energy-efficient through retrofitting is a good start, but we should also be looking at innovative design, materials and delivery models that will have a much greater impact in the longterm on new developments.

We recognise our own responsibility here to encourage and deliver a greener future, especially if we’re to help the country meet its net-zero carbon commitment for 2050. Our latest procurement announcements are reflective of that commitment.

But the response must be from across the industry. Without a series of sustainable practices to follow on our road to recovery, we’ll lose our best shot at rebuilding a better future for the industry and for Britain.

Overall, there’s much reason to be optimistic. This recovery presents a reset moment where we can devote resources to making sure we do, indeed, build back better. More homes, schools, hospitals and more key infrastructure that UK Plc and its population have been calling for.

With this investment, if used intelligently, there’s no reason why it can’t inspire a renaissance in project delivery best practice. 

www.scapegroup.co.uk

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TALKING POINT

THE IMPORTANCE OF REMOBILISING VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE WAKE OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC As restrictions begin to ease and millions of community assets across the country start to re-open following months of closure due to COVID-19, Michael Smith, Technical Director of Perfect Circle, discusses why it is important for local authorities to have remobilisation plans in place so these vital services can get back up and running as quickly and safely as possible.

the wake of the I ncoronavirus outbreak in the UK, those who have only had contact with their friends and family through a screen and vulnerable people locked in isolation for weeks will be longing to once again experience real social interaction.

When the pandemic first hit Britain, community centres nationwide closed their doors and ‘skeleton’ schools started running at 10% capacity to cater for pupils of key workers and vulnerable children, with only a select few primary school year groups returning to their classrooms at the beginning of June.

As Government guidance changes and services begin to re-open, now is the perfect time for local authorities to be getting prepared for a full reactivation.

Michael Smith is a Technical Director at AECOM, one of Perfect Circle’s shareholders and founding partners. He has more than 20 years’ professional experience as an asset manager and building surveyor. He has worked in various sectors including defence, nuclear, commercial, social housing, and local and central Government.

The risks of returning to ‘mothballed’ buildings With quarantine measures starting to relax and the country beginning to experience some form of normality again, it is vital that local authorities work to bring muchloved beacons of the community – such as leisure and community centres and schools – back up and running safely.

But there are risks associated with people going back into a

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building that has been closed over a period of time. So, ‘mothballing’ these assets or at least reducing their maintenance regime to a low level will be required, which will, in turn, save money.

Even during a shutdown, building owners, landlords and tenants will still need to maintain their buildings for security purposes, to achieve statutory compliance and

satisfy any insurance implications, and to protect the fabric of the building and critical systems.

At Perfect Circle, we follow SFG20, the definitive standard for building maintenance, and its sister standard SFG30, which is a step-by-step process, covering both mothballing and recommissioning activities – to ensure buildings are ready for

rapid and full reactivation when business returns to normal.

For example, SFG20 cites the importance of local police and fire services being given details of the nominated keyholders in case emergency entry is needed, and combustible and non-combustible waste and refuse being removed from the site in order to comply with fire safety requirements.

TALKING POINT From our experience, the key to remobilising quickly is to concentrate on areas of statutory compliance first. In particular, the following areas should be treated as a priority: Fire systems Lifts Pressure systems Water quality Water treatment.

Other systems can then be returned to service on a businesscritical basis based on the building’s use.

The importance of maintaining statutory compliance The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently published its ‘carrying out thorough examination and testing (TE&T) of lifting and pressure equipment during the coronavirus outbreak’ guidance note.

The document, which is specifically aimed at lifting equipment and pressure systems, states: “HSE recognises that there may be some circumstances that will lead to equipment falling outside its time limits for thorough examination and testing, and; therefore, duty holders being unable to comply with the law and having to take the equipment out of service if unable to operate it safely”.

The guidance note further states: “The statutory obligation to ensure that work plant and equipment is maintained and is safe to use remains in place and the use of TE&T continues to be a fundamental part of the management process. HSE expects duty holders to make all reasonable efforts to arrange for TE&T to be carried out within the statutory time limits.”

It is, therefore, clear that statutory obligations remain in place and if these cannot be met, equipment must be taken out of service.

Getting to work quickly Normally, these decisions will have been planned over many months. But now, they’re having to be taken within days, which can be a concern for local authorities without mothballing and remobilisation plans in place.

At Perfect Circle, we deliver the broadest range of consultancy services available to the public sector, working exclusively on Scape Group’s National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework, which is the most efficient route to market, allowing direct award for commissioning services with full public procurement compliance.

For those local authorities that don’t already have arrangements in place, the BECS framework significantly reduces the time needed for brief preparation and procurement procedures, enabling earlier delivery of projects and programmes and allowing the public sector to get hold of urgently needed and timecritical services.

Re-building real-life connections after isolation Community centres and schools play significant roles in society; while one supports older and vulnerable people to retain independence, the other is instrumental in a child’s development.

Now strict lockdown measures are being lifted further, it is more important than ever before to get these buildings back up and running so communities can start to rebuild the real-life connections that will have no doubt reduced while in isolation.

We understand that assets are vehicles that enable the public sector to deliver much-needed and loved services that benefit the local population and help to combat loneliness. And, therefore, recognise that it is imperative to have a strategy in place for bringing communities back into these buildings efficiently and safely so society can return to the new normal as quickly as possible. 

www.perfectcircle.co.uk

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TECHNICAL FOCUS

As an Incorporated Mechanical Engineer, Jamie Mills is Xylem’s Global BIM Manager. His responsibility as Global BIM Manager is to ensure that all product manufacturers owned by Xylem and Xylem’s colleagues are equipped with the knowledge and ability to deliver compliant product data to customers as and when it is required.

INTEGRATION OF PRODUCT DATA IN THE WATER INDUSTRY TO STREAMLINE CONSTRUCTION AND ASSET MANAGEMENT By connecting graphical and non-graphical product data, through people and technology, with key challenges, building information modelling (BIM) is streamlining design and construction processes – from the manufacture and assembly of packaged single products such as pressurisation and booster sets to systems of products and processes such as entire treatment plants, writes Jamie Mills, Xylem’s Global BIM Manager. of T heBIMimplementation starts by defining key business, regulatory, customer and project requirements which then define the outcomes of the asset information model. This structured set of information is developed using a project information model which provides a single source of truth, allowing better-informed decision-making. Analysis of the data reduces wastage and risk whilst allowing engineers to optimise space and performance, reduce carbon footprint, energy consumption and increase operational effectiveness; reducing life cycle costs from the very inception of a project, right through to operation.

In this light, it is clear to see why some prefer to call BIM 'better information management'. With its ability to simplify and democratise the exchange of digital information, it allows organisations to

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make more intelligent use of data, streamline the construction process, eliminate legal disputes over delivery requirements, and significantly increase return on investment.

Its role in the construction industry, including the water sector, is only set to grow as the trend towards digital transformation accelerates. In 2019, Xylem asked planners worldwide about the importance of BIM for their current business, and 91% said it was mandatory.

In the UK, Norway, Denmark, and Finland BIM is already required in the design and construction of public buildings and infrastructure, and Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands are about to follow suit.

Mapping digital twins BIM is far from being a 3D modelling technique. It is a structured way of working in a digital environment to collect,

manage and exchange information throughout an asset’s lifecycle, whether that’s a commercial building, an industrial factory, or a water utility facility.

Graphical and non-graphical data from single asset components and processes are mapped to create digital asset models, which can go on to support digital twins “a digital representation of built assets construction within a natural environment and live links to performance of its systems, processes and functions”.

It means that project teams can interrogate the digital twin of a treatment works and its processes, for instance, to ensure critical information gets to the right person, at the right time, at the right level of detail.

A team member who needs information on the location or performance of products, whether that be manufacturer details, water quality, or maintenance

procedures, can access it quickly and seamlessly via the digital twin.

This concept of storing reliable information about an asset’s performance and construction allows personnel to make faster, more accurate decisions that lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and safer planning and operation of the process.

Additionally, the monitoring of process performance metrics and asset health, combined with structured, planned preventative maintenance schedules, reduces downtime and slashes risks, such as pollution.

Case study: connecting the data Collectively, this efficient use of data frees up resources and enables owner-operators to optimise processes and make more informed investments.

This was demonstrated during a BIM-enabled build for United Utilities UK, Blackburn STW.

The contractor, Laing O’Rourke, connected Xylect, Xylem’s product selection tool, to the project’s information model and product data exchange processes.

It created a collaborative environment that allowed project design engineers to share information with Xylem’s application engineers and the tendering team in real-time, meaning they could all work together towards the optimum solution.

Through this process, Xylect was able to quickly identify the need for Xylem Flygt pumps within the detailed design, and share the product’s engineering data, including construction objects and data sheets, directly with the contractor.

Laing O’Rourke engineers then embedded a direct link into the Navisworks federated model interface, connecting the Flygt 3D object with the relevant non-graphical product data from Xylem’s back-end systems.

Engineers were then able to access product data directly – whether they needed to view it on mobile devices out in the field or pull it in from the asset information model.

This approach creates a single source of truth that ensures product data and associated documentation, such as installation operation and maintenance documents, part lists and technical performance data, are related to the correct asset.

The time- and resource-saving value of this within the context of expensive and complex water system design cannot be underestimated. The simple act of

TECHNICAL FOCUS

"By taking traditional 3D modelling and infusing it with the power of data, utilities and public sector water providers, as well as architects, building planners/specifiers, can streamline processes, optimise workflows, and secure the future of their projects." sharing data meant engineers were able to make more informed, rapid, and confident decisions throughout the design stage, while avoiding the time-consuming exchange of emails, and lags between documentation being requested, sent and received.

By connecting 3D objects to their product data via an embedded link, the team slashed the risk of operator confusion and eliminated the need to search for documents and data.

Not only did this provide efficiencies while developing the information model, but it will also streamline processes going forward – this robust connection will inform better decision-making around assets operation, maintenance and process performance optimisation.

Ultimately, this will reduce the total lifecycle cost of the asset.

BIM: coming of age?

By taking traditional 3D modelling and infusing it with the power of data, utilities and public sector water providers, as well as architects, building planners/ specifiers, can streamline processes, optimise workflows, and secure the future of their projects.

The benefits are in no doubt, but, with utilisation varying by country and sector, we are only at the beginning of the BIM story. Given the trend towards digitalisation, which has been accelerated by the advent of COVID-19, we could be about to see the wide-scale standard adoption to digital twinning and all the advantages it entails. 

www.xylem.com/uk

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FLOOD MANAGEMENT

MAKING SUSTAINABLE ATTAINABLE WITH GREEN ASSETS The challenge of climate change – characterised by extreme rainfall events and extended dry spells – means a new integrated approach to urban drainage is needed. Happily, new technologies that optimise green assets through extended water management networks are now on stream. Michael White, Divisional Marketing & Development Director at Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation, explains. of the diversity I rrespective of opinion on the nature, causes and severity of climate change, the UK is increasingly subject to extreme rainfall events.

Interestingly, annual rainfall only rarely exceeds 1500mm per annum1 – yet it is arriving in larger amounts on fewer occasions, rather than falling gradually across the year.

Simultaneously, and conversely, we are also subject to prolonged and hotter dry spells which result in shortages of water for drinking and amenity use (e.g. hosepipe bans); and stress landscapes and ‘green assets’ – trees, lawns, green roofs, planted areas etc., found in the urban environment.

Planning requirements, legislation and demands upon water management strategies are greatly effecting public authorities’, developers’ and contractors’ design philosophy and the sustainable drainage

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system (SuDS) techniques required to better manage these extreme events, whether wet or dry.

Alongside this, new environmental legislation is imposing demands upon local authorities and developers regarding increasing both carbon-capture – a function of the Government’s push to carbon neutral by 2050 – and green assets in the public realm.

Previously a specialist area within construction, green asset management is now increasingly seen as an essential consideration in urban design and means we need to introduce infrastructure that not only protects and nurtures these assets during dry spells but also allows for a greater intensity of ‘urban greening’ where possible.

Both these statutory drivers mean a new holistic, integrated approach to multi-functional SuDS is needed.

This new approach is what Polypipe is calling – and as reflected in its recent company name change – ‘Green Urbanisation’; and will network water collection, management and storage, and green assets to deliver: enhanced flood and drought resilience, smart water usage, increased biodiversity and greater human wellbeing. It also plays a valuable role in carbon capture and offset.

Green urbanisation is an evolution of green infrastructure – a long-established definition for green assets – and describes a transition from conventional drainage and SuDS into an extended water management network that supports multi-functional, sustainable landscapes across cities, transport infrastructure and commercial environments.

As such, future SuDS will require a redefinition of

engineered and natural drainage as the boundary between the two dissolves. The opportunity is in the adoption of new technologies – such as Polypipe’s Permavoid sub-base replacement – that optimise such green assets within this broader and more adaptable water management network.

Traditionally, conventional drainage networks were simply about removing surface water as quickly as possible to a sewer, receiving watercourse or to ground.

Typically, these did not truly address volume management, so early SuDS schemes, which saw the introduction of swales, retention ponds and attenuation tanks, were primarily focused on controlling run-off quantity – in essence, they increased ‘volumetric resilience’.

But SuDS have the additional benefit of, where space allows, introducing green elements into the water management process, providing the opportunity to

improve public amenity, biodiversity and surface water treatment.

Their ‘green asset resilience’, however, is very limited. During prolonged dry spells, the plants are vulnerable to stress, regression and die-back, potentially resulting in the loss of all environmental, health and wellbeing benefits. Appearancewise too, a dry, brown and barren landscape is not one that appeals to developers keen to enhance the visual quality of public spaces.

The new green urbanisation approach significantly increases both green asset and volumetric resilience by building-in captured water re-use and plant irrigation.

Sub-base replacements – such as Permavoid – allow rainwater to be captured and retained immediately below the surface.

Their lightweight, high loadbearing capacities mean this can be directly under a road, trafficked podium deck surface or under a conventional green roof. This

FLOOD MANAGEMENT

provides effective ‘source control’ – one of the key SuDS design objectives whereby rainwater is managed as close to where it falls as possible. The greater the level of source control, the more efficient, accessible and costeffective SuDS become.

Planting, from straightforward grassed areas to fully mature trees, can be supported anywhere across an area installed with these proprietary systems. In-built passive irrigation cones wick water into the sub-soil, maintaining, protecting and containing root systems within the designated planting area.

In addition, green urbanisation unlocks the potential to re-use attenuated volumes stored elsewhere in the system – smart controls moving water around the integrated network to where it is needed.

This surface adjacent, subbase replacement technology effectively extends the SuDS ‘envelope’, allowing green assets to be introduced across buildings and the public realm where not previously possible.

Infinitely scalable, the green urbanisation approach can be adapted to operate on a single plot or across an entire river catchment. Intelligent systems can be incorporated to automatically monitor and manage rainwater volumes in conjunction with weather forecasting data. By tracking storms, attenuated volumes across a wide area can be discharged well ahead of the event, preventing the network from being overwhelmed and reducing the flood potential.

By integrating SuDS with green assets supported by components such as Permavoid, the sector can now offer a comprehensive new generation of solutions to master planners, developers, main and sub-contractors and specifiers to help them tackle the challenging issues of extreme rainfall, flood risk and drought.

Urban greening is a fast-growing opportunity, increasing in strength and breadth in the face of fastchanging regulation, legislation and standards designed to meet demanding carbon neutrality targets; and heralds a new era for the drainage market.

https://www.statista.com/

1

statistics/322810/average-rainfall-inthe-united-kingdom-uk/

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www.polypipe.com

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LEISURE

HOW HIGH-PERFORMANCE PAINTS CAN LESSEN THE MAINTENANCE LOAD The UK is moving to the next phase of the COVID-19 response, with more buildings reopening and welcoming staff and visitors through their doors – albeit with strict social distancing measures in place. with larger operations, including B utschools, leisure facilities and administrative buildings yet to return, specifiers and facilities managers have time to consider how they can improve the environment and make these spaces as safe as possible prior to opening their doors to the public. Helene Ball, Marketing Manager at Crown Paints, discusses how washable and scrubbable paints can make a positive contribution to this effort.

High-traffic indoor environments have always presented a unique challenge in terms of their maintenance cycles; the COVID-19 outbreak has only served to further heighten these considerations.

There is evidence that the virus can linger on surfaces, which may contribute to the increased risk factor of having groups of people indoors.

Public sector buildings have, by nature, large volumes of different people using them day after day, so procurement teams and facilities managers must consider how to incorporate a rigorous cleaning regime alongside the durability of materials when selecting paints and coatings.

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Risk assessments are now de rigueur for all organisations hoping to reopen to staff and the public, with regular and thorough cleaning quite correctly top of the list. However, economic hardships are an unavoidable side-effect of the pandemic, so public sector facilities need a solution that will enable them to implement robust deep-cleaning of all surfaces, without incurring increased maintenance costs on top.

Taking the long view Investing in a premium scrubbable and antibacterial paint at the outset will cost slightly more, but when considered in terms of wholelife cost, it makes perfect economic sense as well as helping to protect a building’s users from the spread of the virus.

Using a durable, premium paint like Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt solves a common problem of regular and rigorous cleaning: namely, that it can wear away the paint finish and leave decor quickly looking tired.

Scrubbable paints have been formulated so that they can be repeatedly scrubbed over longer periods without any detriment to the appearance – this is achieved by minimising the amount of paint film that is removed each time.

LEISURE Based upon the ISO 11998 testing method, which is the industry standard for determining the wet scrub resistance of dry paint film, Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt achieved a Class 1 rating and has a durability level of 10,000 scrubs.

This translates to a 400% increase in resistance to wet scrubbing when compared to conventional matt emulsions, meaning that the paint will stand up well to the repeated cleaning cycles that will be required to allow public sector buildings to reopen. This gives specifiers the flexibility to choose a paint that will allow for extra cleaning, but that doesn’t require frequent repainting to counter the wearing effects that other less durable paints might suffer.

The science behind the formulation of durable paints has come a long way too, with some products offering additional protection against bacteria thanks to the use of silver ion technology, which not only inhibits the growth of any bacteria that comes into contact with the surface but also prevents bacteria from multiplying.

In the past, antibacterial paints would have lost efficacy over time due to the organic or chemical antibacterial agents migrating to the surface and being washed away during cleaning.

Improved technology ensures that antibacterial protection can’t be washed off no matter how many times the surface is scrubbed clean.

Colourful coatings Cleanliness is not the only reason that public sector building managers may wish to invest in premium paints. In the postlockdown world, colour as a wayfinding and social distancing tool will be more important than ever before, so facilities managers will need to ensure they factor this into their maintenance cycles.

Public sector buildings may need to consider not only using a premium scrubbable paint that will not lose its lustre when cleaned frequently, but one that is available in a range of colour options to aid with zoning.

Of course, building managers will also need to consider the performance of the paint in terms of coverage and opacity too: in many cases, maintenance teams will be repainting over existing coatings, which means that there is a need for a paint that offers excellent opacity, especially when using a light colour – in particular white. Selecting a paint with excellent opacity will reduce the volume of paint required for any job and will shorten the time spent, allowing the finished job to cure fully ready for cleaning prior to

welcoming staff and visitors back through the doors.

Choosing the right paint for the job will ultimately save time and money, and will offer those working in and visiting public sector buildings the added reassurance that all common areas are being thoroughly cleaned. And with

budgets being closely guarded over the coming months, taking steps to enable a proper cleaning regimen without requiring a more frequent maintenance cycle makes sound economic sense too.

 www.crowntrade.co.uk

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REFURB & RETROFIT

Eden District Council/Penrith Leisure Centre. After retrofitting a new CHP and boiler system at Penrith Leisure Centre, the council achieved a 35% reduction in total primary energy usage.

SCALING UP RETROFIT As we emerge into the new normal, there’s no better time to grasp affordable, available opportunities to improve the energy performance of our heating systems and buildings, says Baxi Heating’s Specification Director Tom Murray. reopen across A sthebuildings UK, estates and facilities managers will be able to return to the projects previously put on hold. In its recent report, the International Energy Agency highlights the massive potential of energy efficiency to create jobs, cut bills and address climate change.

It calls for Governments and the public sector to take urgent action and lead by example.

The UK – and the public sector – has some of the oldest building stock in the developed world.

Given that we will continue to use the majority of these buildings in 2050, addressing their energy performance now is critical to meet the nation’s net-zero carbon goal.

And while energy consumption in unoccupied buildings may have fallen during lockdown, this is, in fact, the opportune time to prioritise energy efficiency improvements before energy demand and prices rise once more.

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So where to start? The Government has identified heating as a natural target for improvement. Manufacturers are busy innovating with a combination of technologies and techniques to help reduce emissions associated with heat in older buildings. The feasibility of repurposing the existing gas grid to transport green gas is also being explored by ourselves and others to offer a longer-term low disruption solution towards decarbonising our older building stock.

However, while we actively prepare for the future, it’s important not to neglect the present opportunities for energy and efficiency savings.

With that in mind, let’s consider the vital role of retrofit and the practical actions that can drive down energy demand and help meet sustainability targets.

South Ayrshire Council. £35K annual gas savings at County Buildings HQ after replacing dated boiler plant with high efficiency condensing boilers.

Efficiency starts with the boilers In buildings that still rely on dated boiler plant, retrofitting high efficiency condensing gas boilers and adding the appropriate controls is one of the most cost-effective means of optimising energy performance and comfort levels.

While boiler replacements can and should be straightforward, current safe working requirements, including physical distancing, can present challenges.

One solution is to use prefabricated heating equipment as the off-site manufacturing process enables safety requirements to be

more easily met and policed so that onsite health and safety remain a top priority from start to finish.

Off-site solutions The opportunity to install multiple boilers on off-sitefabricated, bespoke-designed rigs is a case in point.

Good manufacturers will provide design input to achieve a bespoke configuration of boilers, pumps, low loss headers or plate heat exchangers. The turnkey solution can also integrate ancillary items such as controls, a dosing pot and a pressurisation unit, all of which are tailored to the specific site constraints.

Fabricated offsite in a quality-controlled factory environment, these prefabricated heating solutions are then delivered to the plant room on a wheeled frame with insulated pipework set. As they require zero on-site fabrication, they can be installed faster, reducing the time that workers need to spend on site and the number of people, thereby meeting the goal for improved site safety more easily.

Rapid, quality solution to energy-efficient heating Rapid prefabricated options like these also enable estates managers to carry out more projects within the same timeframe without compromising on either quality or safety. So, where there is a backlog of planned heating refurbishments, or where multiple projects are scheduled to be carried out within a fixed period – in school buildings, for example – using prefabricated heating systems could prove the perfect solution.

The ability to tailor the design not only benefits the speed of installation but makes it possible to plan for easier future maintenance.

If the building is to be expanded at a later date, for example, there is the option to future-proof the rig so that another boiler can be added at a later date.

Importantly, the requirement for high efficiency is also met as the configuration increases the boilers’ turndown ratio and modulation capability. This improves overall seasonal efficiency and reduces energy consumption while providing in-built redundancy for greater reliability of service.

From a facilities manager’s perspective, future maintenance is also more straightforward as the

REFURB & RETROFIT

Medway Council. Good manufacturers will provide design input to achieve a bespoke configuration of boilers, pumps, low loss headers or plate heat exchangers.

boilers are easier to isolate, remove and replace, again making it easier to adhere to safe working by reducing on-site labour. And as the boilers are identical models, only one service kit is required for further cost savings.

Economic tool to savings In certain buildings, retrofitting lower-carbon heating equipment could also be an option. While electric heating equipment such as heat pumps will increasingly be used in new-build projects, in older buildings, there may not be the budget to upgrade the electricity supplies to meet the requirement.

In sites with high, constant demand for electricity and heat, like hospitals, leisure centres, and schools with extended opening hours, it’s worth considering the financial benefits that a technology like Combined Heat and Power (CHP) can deliver.

CHP, or cogeneration as it is also known, produces useful heat and electricity in a single highly efficient process. When replacing old or inefficient plant in existing buildings, CHP can typically reduce a building’s total primary energy usage and bills by 30% and CO2 emissions by up to 20% compared with traditional heating plant and electricity supplied solely from the grid.

In addition to the significant efficiency savings, the ability of CHP to generate on-site electricity at lower gas prices boosts returns still further, maximising available funds. With gas prices currently at around a quarter of the cost of electricity, a trend that is predicted to continue (source: BEIS), the

Medway Council/Gun Wharf offices. Using prefabricated heating techniques helped overcome space restrictions, enabled faster installation and minimised disruption and downtime. The safety benefits from prefabrication are particularly relevant in the current climate.

economic case for CHP is still more attractive, especially with payback achievable within three years.

A further advantage of on-site generation is the greater energy resilience and control over energy costs it offers.

CHP can also be seen as a useful tool in encouraging the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, a move considered by many as key to achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Organisations have the option to use this lowercost electricity to provide electric vehicle charging points for their customers. Providing access to charging points in councilowned leisure centre car parks, for example, would support the national drive to carbon neutrality while helping bolster the coffers.

Prioritising energy efficiency Energy efficiency and retrofit are a key part of the drive for a greener future, reducing energy consumption and saving money. So, it’s important not to neglect the current opportunities to reduce energy consumption from heat in buildings.

Given the large proportion of older buildings across its estates, the public sector has an important role to play in helping the UK move towards carbon neutrality and in leading by example. With the support of good manufacturers, advising on the most appropriate, cost-effective commercial heating solutions for immediate and ongoing savings in the years ahead, there’s surely no better time to act. 

www.baxiheating.co.uk

31

TOWN & CITY REGENERATION

Pictures courtesy of Blackpool Council

POLYPIPE CELEBRATES £25M BLACKPOOL PROJECT One of England’s most iconic venues is undergoing a huge £25m rebuild with help from Polypipe Building Services.

T

he Grade II Listed Blackpool Winter Gardens is set to open a new conference centre this year in what is the first major development at the site since the construction of the Opera House in 1939.

This was a challenging project – with both a refurbishment of the existing building and a newbuild as part of the complex – so Polypipe Building Services, the commercial building specialist, was called in to offer expertise on a drainage solution.

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Contractors McLaughlin and Harvey and CMB Fylde Engineering needed an adaptable solution that would not reduce the available space in the two-storey, 3890m 2 conference centre.

Polypipe Building Services provided on-site support and its high-performance Terrain Fuze drainage system. The HDPE system was used in the large commercial spaces such as the halls and theatre space due to the homogenous weld giving it maximum joint integrity.

Johnathan Greenwood, Strategic Project Manager at Polypipe Building Services, said: “As well as being a very prestigious project, this was also a complex one. Refurbishing a Grade II Listed building has a lot of complications to overcome.

“One of the key benefits to using Fuze at the Winter Gardens was the malleable nature of the product and the fact that it can be cut and welded into delicate positions and angles to create a bespoke system.

“The malleability allows for extra security against loss of useable space.

“Fuze gives specifiers and installers maximum flexibility in the design process with this system and, as it is light in weight, it can be installed quickly and efficiently.”

Funded by the Blackpool Regeneration project, the conference centre will have an exhibition space on the first floor and a conference space with a seating capacity of 2000 on the second floor.

It will also be possible to use the space in conjunction with the other venues throughout the Winter Gardens giving a capacity of 7000.

The venue will feature state-ofthe-art amenities necessary for hosting modern conferences and exhibitions, including the latest audio and visual technology.

 www.polypipe.com/ buildingservices

PSBJ rounds up the latest case studies, advice and stories from the industry’s leading professionals.

This month’s Building Forum shines a light on the specification of sanitaryware for a newly built special needs college in Luton.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL AT WOODLANDS COLLEGE Woodlands Secondary school is a special needs provision for pupils aged 11 to 18, where they have been teaching the children of Luton for over 50 years. prepares students T heforschool the transition to adult life, believing that learning is a life-long journey and their aim is to inspire and support students to their fullest potential.

The recent development of the school site has seen the addition of Woodlands College, for students up to the age of 19 where they can continue to develop life skills, supporting and promoting independence ready for adult life.

Safety and ease of use was a priority for Woodlands College, it needed

a sanitaryware range that was functional, safe, easy to clean but still of a high quality. The Sanitaryware Company’s SanCeram Chartham range was the perfect solution. The Chartham Back to Wall WCs provide a sleek, easy-to-clean design, with a rimless finish providing ultimate hygiene. The soft curved design ensures safety for students, all whilst looking modern and fresh.

Woodlands College paired Chartham WCs with Chartham Wall Hung Basins, the clean lines creating a consistent and uniform look.

BUILD FORUM: EDUCATION

BUILDING FORUM: EDUCATION

The Chartham Wall Hung Basin was a great choice for the Superloos as they are ideal for small spaces, leaving plenty of room for comfortable use for the students. To improve ease of access and practicality The Sanitaryware Company’s DDA-compliant SanCeram Doc M packs were also chosen for the ambulant Superloos. The Doc M packs comprise WCs and seats, cisterns, hand washbasins, basin mixer taps and the appropriate grab rails, providing Woodlands College with everything it needed for a fully accessible washroom.

With a 25-year guarantee on The Sanitaryware Company’s ceramics, Woodlands College can depend on SanCeram for years to come. 

www.theswc.co.uk

33

RCI & FACADES

ROOFTOP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE UTILISED ON ENFIELD’S LYTCHET WAY ESTATE Enfield Council had a pressing need for additional homes for social rent, and with no suitable land available for development, it was inspired by the solution offered by award-winning Langley Structures. This is the innovative ‘Upwardly Living’ Rooftop Development solution that creates new additional dwellings above existing housing stock. council’s Lytchet Way T heestate, that encompassed a mix of three- and four-storey housing blocks, was selected for feasibility studies to discover whether the flat roof estate could be optimised. Langley, which carried out the initial investigation, identified that three of the blocks were suitable to extend upwards to create 25 new dwellings on the existing housing stock.

Langley’s Rooftop Development (RTD) solution was utilised and created single-storey extensions using MMC (modern methods of construction) lightweight 100% recyclable steel cassettes to form the new dwellings. The installing contractor carried out

the three RTDs alongside 12 Flat to Pitched (FTP) conversions, also designed and supplied

by Langley, across the estate, benefitting from increased curb appeal and reduced maintenance needs.

Langley’s offsite prefabricated floor, wall and ceiling cassettes were lifted into position and assembled on site. The works were inspected on a weekly basis by Langley’s technical team and the contract administrators to monitor and ensure the quality of workmanship.

Works internally included extending the existing stairwells and services to the new fourth floor. Langley also supplied sun tubes that were installed to

Lytchet Way – before

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benefit tenants whose homes were positioned in the inner building without windows; this allowed natural light to enter the bed units. PV panels were also mounted at roof level to provide electricity for communal services.

Enfield Council wanted to avoid decanting residents to temporary accommodation, therefore, utilising Langley’s Rooftop Development solution, residents could remain in-situ whilst the 25 new rooftop dwellings were being constructed.

The Project Manager at Enfield Council said: “Rooftop development represented a cost-effective way of adding to

Completed buildings

our housing stock without the need to acquire new land, which is often in short supply.”

This summer, one of Robert Jenrick’s planning reform changes includes introducing new permitted development rights for building upwards on existing buildings. Its aim is to speed up the rate on which developments are built.

Langley’s Rooftop Development solution can utilise this reform to optimise social housing estates by building upwards to help meet the current housing demands in our inner cities and towns.

Langley has created a video case study that demonstrates the benefits of this innovation for social housing providers looking to develop their portfolio and meet the ever-increasing demand for affordable housing. It also showcases the Lytchet Way case study with a time-lapse of the works. View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=E7rppOamzeo

www.langleystructures.co.uk 01327 704778 enquiries@langley.co.uk

Lytchet Way – after

RCI & FACADES

BESPOKE ENVELOPE SOLUTIONS PSP Architectural was commissioned to produce the COR-TEN bespoke modular sub-structure and architectural feature fins for the Anne McLaren Building on the South-Western corner of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Anne McLaren Building T heis named after the professor who was a leading authority on mammalian genetics and helped to develop techniques that led to the creation of IVF. Located within the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe – Cambridge Biomedical Campus brings together renowned names such as AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK, The Stem Cell Institute and Abcam.

Comprising 215,000m2 of gross internal area (GIA), the building is dedicated to clinical research, biomedical and biotech developments.

PSP Architectural manufactured the bespoke modular substructure and architectural feature fins using COR-TEN steel, specified for this project to achieve a strong visual accent for this prominent building which reflects the surrounding landscape.

Facades are the outcome of sophisticated technology and advanced manufacturing processes which means they are highly resistant to the external environment – making them

highly resilient and durable.

This resistance to temperatures, weathering, and corrosion makes facade systems an increasingly widespread choice across all construction sectors.

PSP Group worked in synergy with the supply chain at the early design stages to assist in achieving a truly outstanding facade solution that realises the aesthetic and technical requirements. The CORTEN steel was pre-weathered, in which the corrosion expected from the open air in the first three months was artificially induced in controlled conditions before delivery to site. This resulted in a surface which had already passed through the brightest colouring phase to deliver darker warm autumnal tones.

The COR-TEN cladding was in stark contrast to the reconstituted stone located below the steel and the PSP Aluminium unitised glazing, fabricated curtain walling and aluminium doors.

This project presented a number of logistical challenges but the experienced team at PSP utilised

state-of-the-art manufacturing and fabrication machinery to produce 7800m2 of COR-TEN steel, and then specialist jigs and trollies were used to assemble the oversized modular units and safely and efficiently transport them around the factory and onsite.

PSP utilised the fully integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system which aided the project team and provided full traceability, materials and realtime information of the job within the PSP manufacturing facility which ensured the project was delivered on time and to budget.

“PSP were the obvious choice,” said Jon Claridge from Laing O’Rourke Facades. “After working with them on several schemes across numerous typologies, we were confident that they could deliver the highly bespoke modular sub-structure and architectural fins which are the signature features of this building.

Their ability to provide a single point of procurement for the full bespoke envelope ensured collectively we could achieve a superior finish.”

Facade systems at PSP have been tested and approved by the Centre for Window & Cladding Technology (CWCT), ensuring they meet rigorous industry standards. The bespoke rainscreen cladding system and specialist fabrications coupled with unitised glazing, curtain walling and doors demonstrated PSP’s ability to design, manufacture and supply the complete external facade.

www.pspuk.com 01388 770490 info@pspuk.com

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WITH BILCO UK’S SKY FLATGLASS SMOKE VENT Bilco UK is supporting specifiers, architects, engineers and facilities managers in achieving the highest standards in safety, efficiency and aesthetics with the launch of its new SKY Flatglass smoke vent.

The innovative product, which can be installed on flat roofs across a wide range of commercial and residential building types, offers professionals a diverse ‘three-in-one’ solution, as it can be utilised as a smoke vent, roof access hatch and rooflight.

Suitable for installation on new-build developments or retrofitted onto existing projects, the CE Marked smoke vent can be wired into the building management system to provide a fully compliant solution that will automatically open in the event of a fire or smoke.

The SKY Flatglass is fully compliant with all relevant Building Regulations outlined in Approved Document B and is tested to BS EN 12101-2 to support professionals in achieving constant compliance in line with the latest legislations.

Unlike many competitor products that use polycarbonate, the smoke vent features a single-leaf flat glass sliding cover, offering a functional yet aesthetic approach to natural smoke ventilation, particularly for exposed areas where a hinged opening may not be suitable.

The streamlined flat glass enables the smoke vent to also be utilised as a rooflight, flooding interior spaces with natural light. When used in conjunction with a fixed ladder, it can also be utilised as a roof access hatch, opening to 180º for safe and secure access.

The latest range has been tested for impact resistance, meeting standard BS EN 1873: 2014 Class SB1200. This is achieved through its innovative construction, which features a top layer of toughened glass, spacer filled with 90% argon and a low-E laminated glass layer.

www.bilcouk.co.uk 01284 701696 bilcouk@bilco.com

PAC ACCELERATES THE MOVE TO CONTACTLESS WORKPLACES WITH NEW RTE BUTTON PAC, the world-leading supplier of innovative access control solutions, has announced the availability of its new contactless and hands-free request to exit (RTE) button, which will support organisations as the postlockdown return to work begins in earnest. With strict hygiene measures and employee safety now more important than ever, access control systems have a role to play in preventing the spread of infection and PAC’s contactless RTE will help to reduce the number of potential contact points within a building. Highly cost-effective, as well as being quick and easy to install, the contactless RTE button fits into a standard single-gang electrical backbox with simple wiring into PAC controllers including the popular 512 and 212 devices, as well as the Easikey 99 and 250 products.

Where an existing push-to-exit button is in place, the contactless RTE can be retrofitted in minutes and its infrared technology is designed to prevent interference with other infrared devices located on-site.

GREENWOOD’S OMNIQUE – THE FIRST AND ONLY FAN TO ACHIEVE SECURED BY DESIGN ACCREDITATION Greenwood’s revolutionary Omnique OF100GIP Multifunctional Window Fan remains the only fan to achieve Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation, five years after becoming the first fan to achieve the accreditation. Extractor fans in bathroom and kitchen windows have been targeted by burglars as a means to gain access to properties, so a secure fan is crucial. The Omnique was designed using Greenwood’s experience from years of working with local authorities, social landlords and those involved in the design of secure housing.

The Omnique’s dual-layered vandal-proof construction helps to deter potential burglars, with two durable polycarbonate fixing plates sandwiched on either side of a glass window.

In the event that the cowl is removed, the fixing plates will remain intact with no edges for a burglar to lever the external fixing plate from the glass or fan inside, and no opportunity to pass anything through the fan into the property.

www.greenwood.co.uk 01276 605800 info@greenwood.co.uk www.pacgdx.com 0161 406 3400 customerservices@pacgdx.com

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MAKING BUILDINGS HEALTHY Although sustainable building is on the rise, large quantities of the harmful substances in some building materials still manage to slip through into new and refurbished buildings. In a new online theme from Troldtekt A/S, experts present their views on material health and indoor climate – and possible solutions to the challenges.

This problem exists because material health does not always have the same concern as, for example, acoustics, ventilation or daylighting. In an interview with Martha Lewis, Head of Materials at Henning Larsen Architects, the theme focuses on the health of building materials and their influence on indoor climate.

The theme also features inspiration from some European buildings which excel at being verifiably healthy and have Troldtekt acoustic solutions incorporated into their architecture. For example, it features the newly opened C2C lab in Berlin where all the materials meet the Cradle to Cradle design criteria. These are valuable and much more detailed calculations than are available elsewhere.

Troldtekt, a leading developer and manufacturer of acoustic ceiling and wall solutions which contains no deleterious materials, wants to be specified for buildings that are healthy for their occupants.

This is why the company is working strategically to support the third UN Sustainable Development Goal – ‘Good Health and Wellbeing.’ In practice is because their products contain no deleterious materials. This theme also explains how the recognised DGNB Certifications focuses on the health and comfort of building users. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood-wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low-cost lifecycle performance and sustainability.

FOCUS & INNOVATION

©Kirstine Mengel

www.troldtekt.co.uk 01978 664255 info@troldtekt.co.uk

Cistermiser Keraflo

REDUCE RISK. SAVE MONEY. TAKE CONTROL.

OUR WORLD IS WATER

LinkThru

CISTERMISER’S SENSAZONE controls water and lights with just one system in building washrooms.

MONITORING TECHNOLOGY

CISTERMISER’S new LinkThru TMU water temperature monitoring platform helps estate and facility managers to comply with HSG274 and the need to maintain records.

CISTERMISER WASHROOM PRODUCTS 1. Infrared Taps – improve hygiene and reduce water consumption with our range of hands-free taps.

2. Infrared Urinal Flush Control (IRC®) – manages supply of water to a urinal cistern (PIR) to provide water only when it is needed.

3. Hydraulic Valve Urinal Flushing – patented mechanism prevents water waste and enables hygiene flush option for period of non-use. Fit and forget, quality and reliability.

KERAFLO manufactures proven products designed to be used within cold water Tank Management systems, including top-quality delayed action ’key shaped’ mechanical float valves and the Tanktronic system that electronically monitors water levels and temperatures.

4. Direct Flush – Infrared Sensor controlled urinal valve – automatically flushes urinals after use, ensuring the highest level of water with minimum volume of water.

5. Easyflush Direct – no touch sensor–activated toilet flushing technology.

1

2

To find out more about our products

Cistermiser Ltd & Keraflo Ltd, Unit 1, Woodley Park Estate, 59-69 Reading Road, Woodley, Berkshire RG5 3AN.

or to register your interest please contact:

Tel: 0118 969 1611 | Email: info@ourworldiswater.co.uk | www.ourworldiswater.co.uk

33229 Cistermiser Reduce the Risk A4 Ad (Dec18) AW.indd 1

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14/12/2018 12:06

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

NEW HYDRAULIC DESIGNSOFTWARE FOR HAURATON SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS HAURATON’s new web-based application ‘DesignSoftware’ provides construction industry professionals with quick, simple hydraulic analysis, channel sizing, project design and product specification for the company’s range of surface drainage systems (for landscape, commercial and civils projects) whilst working on their own desktop computers, laptops and tablets.

Immediate access for registration and use of this new hydraulic design software is achieved through the link: https://hydraulicdesign.hauraton.com User-friendly and free of charge, HAURATON ‘DesignSoftware’ provides engineers with the flexibility to create their own drainage designs and project specifications, with just three clicks to a hydraulic calculation.

HAURATON has used its ‘in-house’ hydraulic design software to create project designs for over 30 years with total reliability.

In addition to this new software application, HAURATON offers a comprehensive design service, which is also free of charge.

Design reassurance DesignSoftware has been tested extensively and the methodology validated by an independent hydraulics consultancy company.

HAURATON’s ‘in-house’ hydraulic design software has been used successfully by its own technical personnel for over 30 years with total reliability.

Designs remain strictly confidential unless users tick to ‘share with HAURATON’.

Registered users have the option to export design files for external storage in their own computers or for sharing with colleagues for further design or discussion.

DesignSoftware has been configured to comply fully with GDPR ‘data privacy’ regulations.

Experience and expertise A world-leader in the manufacture of modular surface drainage systems, HAURATON drainage products have been supplied onto major projects within the UK and international markets for over 65 years.

HAURATON developed its first linear drainage system in 1956. Since that time, the HAURATON brand has become known around the world as a benchmark for quality, reliability, durability and service.

Confidential

https://hydraulicdesign.hauraton.com 01582 501380 janine.kennedy@hauraton.com

Registered users (password protected) have access to safe and secure server storage regarding their final designs.

DEANESTOR AWARDED £2.3M STUDENT FITOUT CONTRACT IN LONDON

SCHOOL’S RE-ROOFING PROJECT SHAPES UP NICELY THANKS TO BMI Geometrically-shaped with many facets, the roofs of Thorpepark Academy in Hull now have a guaranteed extra 20 years of life after being fitted with a costeffective overlay system devised by AHR consultants and BMI. This primary school consists of two separate hexagonal buildings. The roofs were visibly ageing, so the Venn Academy Trust invited BMI to survey the roof and apply for Condition Improvement Funds. As the survey found that the existing roofs were in good enough condition to remain in situ and act as the substrate, the bid was to install an overlay system that included BMI Total Torch Vapour Control, BMI Thermazone Roofboard Insulation, TorchSafe T.A. Underlay and Thermaweld FireSmart Capsheet.

www.bmigroup.com/uk marketingukandi@bmigroup.com

Deanestor has been awarded a £2.3m contract for a major new student accommodation scheme in London. This is Deanestor’s fourth project for the developer urbanest. Deanestor is manufacturing furniture, supplying fittings and will fit-out 629 bedrooms and more than 200 kitchens for urbanest City in Vine Street, London. Due for completion in 2021, the furniture for two 13-storey buildings and one six-storey block will be installed in four phases. The architect is Apt, and the main contractor is Balfour Beatty. The bedroom furniture will have a dark woodgrain finish and includes single, three-quarter and king-size beds with storage drawers below.

www.deanestor.co.uk

01623 420041

enquiries@deanestor.com

FIRST CONTRACT AWARDED FOR OFFSITE SOLUTIONS’ GRP FLOORLESS BATHROOM PODS FOR BTR Offsite Solutions has been awarded the first contract for its new enhanced and floorless GRP pods developed for the build-to-rent (BTR) sector – a £1.6m project for ISG in Cardiff. Offsite Solutions will manufacture over 400 bathroom and shower pods for Cardiff Interchange – an £89m flagship, mixed-use construction project for developer Rightacres Property. The scheme is designed by Holder Mathias Architects. The bathrooms and shower rooms for 318 apartments for the private rental sector will be manufactured and fitted-out offsite and installed on each floor as the building structure rises. This solution will reduce the build programme and the number of trades required on site and will enhance quality.

www.offsitesolutions.com/floorlessgrp

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© Apt

01278 780807

info@offsitesolutions.com

F. BALL SALUTES THE NHS F. Ball and Co. has helped to support frontline NHS workers as part of SalutetheNHS.org, a major non-profit initiative, set up to provide one million nutritious, free meals to these vital NHS staff over a three-month period as they have fought the coronavirus pandemic.

Specifically, F. Ball has donated floor preparation materials and adhesive to install temporary flooring at a former aircraft hangar in Bicester that has been transformed into a food distribution centre for the duration of the project. The installation of vinyl safety flooring over a 1500m2 area of the hangar was undertaken by flooring contractor John Butler Contracts of Nottingham.

www.f-ball.co.uk 01538 361633 mail@f-ball.co.uk

Swift to install and vandal-resistant, the BMI AeroDek lightweight metal roofing tiles from BMI enabled contractors to replace the failing roof at St Helen’s Sutton Academy with minimum disruption, bringing it up to 21st-century standards while maintaining its modernistic appearance. Covered against failure to provide a weatherproof roof with BMI’s 40-year insurance-backed product guarantee, the 5200m2 roof is the first phase of the re-roofing project, yet it is a case of ‘spot the join’ as the coated zinc aluminium galvanised steel tile panels closely match the existing concrete tiles. “It’s a good all-round package for the school: a well-known product backed by a strong guarantee,” remarks Stuart Jenness of Lancaster Maloney, who commissioned the roof.

www.bmigroup.com/uk

FOCUS & INNOVATION

BMI AERODEK TILES ON THE BUTTON AT SUTTON

marketingukandi@bmigroup.com

PREMIER MODULAR AWARDED £7.5M OFFSITE HOUSING CONTRACT IN HIGH WYCOMBE Buckinghamshire Council has awarded a £7.5m contract to Premier Modular for the offsite construction of 58 apartments which will provide facilities for homeless people and their families in urgent need of housing.

Work will start on site this summer and is due for completion in 2021. The project in the Desborough area of High Wycombe is an innovative partnership between principal contractor Premier and Claritas Group to deliver best value for the client and a highly sustainable scheme, which will be completed in a much shorter timescale than with traditional build. The one-bedroom apartments will be fully fitted-out offsite at Premier’s factory in East Yorkshire.

www.premiermodular.co.uk

0800 316 0888

info@premiermodular.co.uk

REDLAND MINI STONEWOLD IS THE PERFECT SOLUTION AGAINST HIGH WINDS IN ORKNEY With winds in excess of 130mph prevalent on Orkney Islands, a solution was required that could withstand the elements when it came to roofing a facility for members of the community. The BMI Redland Mini Stonewold Slate was chosen due to its strength, robustness and appearance. Hamnavoe House was commissioned by Orkney Islands Council (OIC). The Redland Mini Stonewold Slate was chosen for several reasons, explains OIC Senior Project Officer, John Wallace. “The tile is very popular here. From the planner's point of view, it has a flat slate appearance like many of our traditionally built roofs. It’s also very strong, especially when fully fixed, which makes it the perfect choice given our environmental conditions.”

www.bmigroup.com/uk

marketingukandi@bmigroup.com

HYDE PARK PROPERTY PROTECTED USING FIREFLY ZEUS LITE BARRIER DC Fire Protection, a long-term customer of TBA FIREFLY, has employed the manufacturer’s ZEUS Lite system to create a 90:30 minutes’ fire barrier within the first-floor ceiling void of a commercial property in London’s Hyde Park area. FIREFLY ZEUS Lite is ideally suited to this type of application, comprising a non-rigid woven fabric fire barrier that has been specifically developed for the vertical separation – and compartmentation – of extensive concealed spaces within buildings. FIREFLY ZEUS Lite is amongst the range of products regularly employed by DC Fire Protection.

www.tbafirefly.com

01706 758817

F. BALL HELPS INFECTION CONTROL AT LONDON HOSPITAL Products from F. Ball and Co., including its Stopgap 300 HD levelling compound and Styccobond F46 pressure-sensitive adhesive, have been used to create a high-quality flooring finish as part of the transformation of a former car showroom into a sterile and decontamination unit for the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. F. Ball’s Stopgap F78 one-component waterproof surface membrane was applied in two coats, the second 30 minutes after the first. Once the membrane had cured, F. Ball’s Stopgap 300 HD levelling compound was then applied to provide a smooth, hard-wearing base for the receipt of new floorcoverings.

www.f-ball.co.uk 01538 361633 mail@f-ball.co.uk

technical@tbafirefly.com

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