PSBJ December 20

Public Sector Build Journal December 2020

ACCESS FOR ALL Contractor GRAHAM bridges the gap between public and private leisure provision

Healthcare

Education

Leisure

psbjmagazine.com

Issue 100

Why IT is proving to be invaluable to the social housing sector

Housing

How the right flooring can promote safe social distancing

Collaboration allows Cornell Quarter to complete without major delays

WELCOME NOTE

Editor

Hannah Woodger

hannah@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Jim Moore

jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

With a commitment to quality, value and cost certainty, GRAHAM has a proven track record of delivering exceptional leisure facilities that are accessible to all. See page 12.

Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb

Welcome to the December issue of PSBJ...

Digital Design Manager

It’s been a turbulent year to say the least and I’m sure we will all be glad to see the back of 2020 as we head into a new year, with the prospect of an accessible vaccine and a glint of some sense of normality. If there’s one thing this period has taught us it’s that, as an industry, we are capable of pulling through in extremely testing times. The construction sector has demonstrated exceptional resilience when it seemed the whole world was coming to a standstill.

jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Matt Morse

matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Accounts

Rachel Pike

rachel@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Sales Support & Administrator

Klare Porter

klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Publisher Sam Ball

In this month’s issue, we hear from one company whose involvement in Teesside University’s Cornell Quarter could have been severely disrupted – causing expensive delays – if it wasn’t for a great deal of lateral thinking and close collaboration with all of the key partners. From implementing split shifts to minimise the risk of an overcrowded workforce and one-way systems to enhanced cleaning regimes and designated zones to avoid cross-contamination, the measures enforced allowed the momentum of the build to continue and with great success. Turn to page 08 to find out more.

sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Published by

Cross Platform Media Ltd.

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

The robust nature of the sector and ’can-do’ attitude by all suppliers involved in public sector construction has been extremely humbling to witness as a publisher. Without this forwardthinking approach, Public Sector Build Journal wouldn’t be where it is today and we wouldn’t be able to celebrate with you our 100th issue!

Since the magazine’s launch, it has seen tremendous growth and has been an invaluable platform to showcase some truly innovative products and outstanding projects. As we move forward into a new era of buildings – one that is dictated by ‘healthy building design’ and hygiene, there’s no doubt that PSBJ will have more innovations to share for many more years to come.

On behalf of the team, we would like to thank you for your continued support, and we wish you a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.

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.

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.

Hannah

Hannah Woodger • Editor • hannah@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 SummersInman – the construction consultancy that helped deliver Teesside University’s Cornell Quarter – reflects on how the team overcame challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

12 Leisure

With a commitment to quality, value and cost certainty, GRAHAM has a proven track record of delivering exceptional leisure facilities that are accessible to all.

14 Healthcare

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Stunning bespoke furniture from Deanestor has been manufactured and installed at a new cancer hospital in Liverpool, offering patients the highest quality of care.

18 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

16 Housing

20 Washrooms

Martin Riley, Chief Technology Officer at IT-managed service provider Timico, discusses how the social housing sector needs to utilise technology now to ensure its tenants get the best possible service.

Paragon Carpet Tiles discusses how flooring can be used to promote safe social distancing within public sector spaces.

Simple water conservation methods introduced through toilet flush and fill technology can create significant reductions in use of power. Adrian Hibbert from Fluidmaster UK explains why.

22 Legal & Business

Rebecca Harries-Williams from national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP takes a look at a recent case involving a timber-framed housing association block and defective cavity barriers, which resulted in a serious fire.

24 Education

Daniel West, Project Director at West & West, explains the importance of strong partnerships when delivering M&E solutions for school buildings.

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

Tel: 0115 941 1126

www.cfa.org.uk Email: info@cfa.org.uk 04

CONTENTS

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26 Talking Point

One industry that has remained open throughout lockdown and been forced to quickly innovate is construction. Matt Linekar and Stephen Moore from contractor Willmott Dixon have been at the forefront.

28 Heating

Tom Murray, Specification Director at Baxi Heating, answers some of the key questions around heating efficiency and compliance.

30 Technical Focus

The release of BS 8579:2020 Guide to the Design of Balconies and Terraces is a welcome addition to the Government’s more robust approach to the fire safety of blocks of flats. Wallbarn explains more.

32 Skylights & Rooflights

Grant Sneddon at VELUX shares his thoughts on how products, such as roof windows, can be a vital element in creating the sustainable public housing of the future.

26 34 Water Treatment

A close working partnership between Xylem Water Solutions and FT Leisure enabled the successful delivery of pool pumping solutions to 18 new swimming pool centres, despite the global pandemic.

36 Product Showcase

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

Protects with a Natural Look 3062 MATT Natural Ingredients Highly water repellent Extremely hardwearing Natural look, light reflections are defused.

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NEWS

INDUSTRY UPDATES Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.

BDP wins contract for Birmingham NHS Hospitals Triple technical hire for Midlands contractor Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has appointed three new technical apprentices as part of its commitment to investing in the next generation of construction workers. The latest recruits to the construction firm’s apprenticeship scheme include Jack Harvey and Joe Langley who both achieved successful GCSE results, and Joshua Worrall who recently passed his A levels – all three joined the technical team in October to kick-start their careers in the industry. G F Tomlinson has 24 professional apprentices currently across the group and the firm has an ongoing commitment to invest in the future generation of construction workers, all of which participate in fully recognised apprenticeship training schemes. Associate Construction Director, Kevin Dodds, said: “Training is a core value at G F Tomlinson and we pride ourselves on the programme we offer.”

JPG secures contract for new Keele University veterinary school Structural and civil engineering practice JPG Group has been appointed by Seddon to provide consultancy services for a new 57,000ft2 veterinary school at Keele University. JPG is working alongside Jefferson Sheard Architects and Seddon to deliver the £16m scheme for public sector specialist developer Noviniti. The new campus-based veterinary school will include teaching, lecture and laboratory facilities to support the bachelor of veterinary medicine and surgery degree programme. The building is to be used both by Keele University and Harper Adams University as a shared facility and is to be located on a cleared site within the existing grounds of Keele University Science and Innovation Park.

Exterior copper cladding and full glazing to the entrance atrium will create an impressive gateway to the new facility which will house modern and flexible space inside.

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The city of Birmingham is set to benefit from two new family-centred hospital buildings, as the local NHS Foundation Trust has awarded a design and technical consultancy service contract to BDP. Along with its partners, BDP will develop design solutions for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust for modern, specialised paediatric and women’s healthcare facilities. Under the contract, a team of designers, engineers, planners and cost consultants from BDP, Arup, Archus and WT Partnership will lead the redesign of Birmingham Women’s Hospital, opposite the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, including the introduction of a new building. They will also design and engineer a new clinical building at Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Steelhouse Lane. The new, innovative and energy-efficient children’s hospital will include emergency and theatre departments to replace the existing services, additional paediatric intensive care capacity and new, state-of-the-art inpatient wards.

£58.5m state-ofthe-art Nottingham College City Hub National contractor Wates Construction has completed works at Nottingham College City Hub, a landmark new campus for the college providing space for 2000 students and 200 staff, offering local people a state-of-the-art learning experience and future employment opportunities.

The campus will welcome students and be fully operational from January. It complements the college’s existing campus portfolio and forms part of a council-run scheme to regenerate this area and boost the city’s economy. Nottingham College City Hub is the first project completed in the region by Wates through Major Works UK, part of the Scape National Construction framework, and is the result of a partnership between Nottingham College, Nottingham City Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Approval for regeneration of Worthing town centre site Ambitious plans to regenerate Worthing’s town centre have been given a major boost with the approval of proposals to create nearly 170 homes, commercial space, hotel and expanded cinema on a derelict brownfield site. As part of its ambitious town centre renewal programme, Worthing Borough Council has been working with LCR, the Government’s placemaking and sustainable regeneration specialist, on bringing Union Place back into use. The 1.1 hectare site, which includes the former police station, has sat largely unused for more than a decade after private companies failed to bring forward viable schemes. But, after stepping in to purchase the site last year, the council last month received outline permission from the town’s planning committee to transform the area. Also included in the proposal are replacement public car parking, high-quality public space and new play space. Leaders welcomed the decision, noting that the development supports the overall town centre renewal programme and, when complete, would make a significant contribution to long-term economic sustainability of the town post-COVID.

‘Future of Construction Lead’ joins Pagabo Following a highly successful period of growth, national framework provider Pagabo has announced a number of additions to its team, including the appointment of Charley Wainwright as its ‘The Future of Construction Lead’. The role has been created to lead on the organisation’s The Future of Construction initiative, which aims to shape the future of the construction sector through industry-wide collaboration. It will see former Geo-Environmental Engineer Charley focusing on new ways of working, and discovering how to implement them for the betterment of the whole sector. Also joining the Pagabo ranks is Sam Schofield, who joins in a new position as Procurement Administrator and will be responsible for the day-to-day support of all Pagabo’s frameworks and the daily operations of the business. Originally from an accounting background, Sam holds an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) level 3 qualification, as well as previous experience working in B2B sales within the e-commerce industry.

New council homes ‘raise the bar for sustainability and fire safety’ A new modular council development in Newhaven, East Sussex, is being hailed as a ‘game changer’ for social housing and a window on the future of residential schemes. The entire development consists of 36 modules constructed within the Boutique Modern factory in Newhaven and craned into place. The 13 oneand two-bed apartments are equipped to the highest specification, in terms of standard and desirable features, sustainability credentials and fire safety standards that effectively futureproofs the development against all anticipated toughening of regulations post-Grenfell enquiry.

Every apartment has its own 2.1kWh solar PV installation and 2.7kW battery to store electricity generated during the day for use at peak times.

Power usage monitoring displays are also installed in each home and all residents will receive advice and guidance on how to interpret and use the information to further reduce energy use. It is anticipated the mains energy use will be reduced by 70%, taking the properties ‘off-grid’ for up to three or four months of the year.

Working with Salix Finance, Nottinghamshire County Council has implemented a number of renewable heat and on-site power installations across multiple school estates, including over 10MW of renewable heat (generated from wood pellet boilers) and over 1MW of roof-mounted solar panels. Collectively, these projects are estimated to save the schools more than £460,000 and 2700 tonnes of carbon each year. Over the lifetime of these technologies, this leads to a substantial saving of more than £5.9m on their energy bills. Phil Keynes, Team Manager, Energy & Carbon Management at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Working with Salix has enabled the council to make huge improvements to the energy performance of its buildings and street lighting to the benefit of local schools, services, residents and the environment. It has also enabled easy access to excellent management information on the performance and achievements of our recycling fund investments.”

Impressive results for GRAHAM hails Clarke Willmott social landmark contract on Europe’s largest housing team healthcare site The national social housing team at law firm Clarke Willmott LLP is celebrating after achieving impressive results in the latest Chambers UK 2021 Guide. The team, which operates across all of Clarke Willmott’s seven regional offices, maintained band two rankings in the South West and Wales and maintained band three status in the North West and London. In an improvement on last year’s results, the social housing team rose from band three to band two in the ‘National Leaders Outside of London’ category for their UK-wide work. The prestigious independent guide, which sets out the best firms and lawyers in the UK based on feedback from clients, also ranked Clarke Willmott’s social housing finance team in band two across the UK. Seven partners were recognised as leaders in their field across six social housing categories, including the firm’s sector leadership team, consisting of partners Vicky Kells, Lindsay Felstead, Oliver Smedley and Kary Withers. Associate Natalie Pickford in the Manchester housing management team was named ‘Associate to Watch’.

A key milestone in Aberdeen’s Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre project has been achieved with the signing of the £161m construction contract by NHS Grampian and contractor GRAHAM. The scheme is the largest project to be procured through the Health Facilities Scotland Framework. Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director for GRAHAM, said: “This is the culmination of a long but hugely fulfilling journey for us, during which we’ve brought to bear all the experience gained on a succession of major healthcare projects across the years. These are pioneering facilities that will enhance healthcare provision in the north east of Scotland for decades to come. It’s a landmark contract for us and moves our business on to the next level of delivery. The project team has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to get to this point. We now look forward to working with NHS Grampian and their stakeholders throughout the construction phase.”

NEWS

Nottinghamshire Council partners with Salix to slash its energy

Henry Boot Construction commended for ‘unprecedented’ community output Henry Boot Construction Limited – the construction subsidiary of Henry Boot PLC – has been commended for its respect for the wider community, environmental protection and championing the value of its workforce after claiming a major industry accolade for its delivery of Barnsley town centre’s multimillion-pound regeneration project, The Glass Works. The firm has received a Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) Gold Award for its work on the Library @ The Lightbox project, which forms part of The Glass Works – a two-phase redevelopment of Barnsley town centre which the company is undertaking for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

The accolade recognises Henry Boot Construction’s attention and commitment to maintaining the project’s appearance, respecting the wider community, protecting the environment, securing the safety of staff on site at all times and recognising the value of its workforce.

TODD Architects opens brand-new Manchester studio TODD Architects is opening a new studio in Manchester in response to a growing workload in and around the North West. The new studio is to be headed by Seamus Lennon, a former director of IBI Group’s Manchester office, and will be based within 125 Deansgate in the heart of the city centre. The opening of the Manchester office coincides with TODD Architects’ recent securing of planning permission for a 132-bed elderly care facility, Beechmere Extra Care in Crewe, replacing the home that was tragically destroyed by fire last year. The new studio joins the AJ100 architectural practice’s offices in Belfast, Dublin and London from where it has been delivering a diverse portfolio of major schemes, including Ballymore’s residential and mixed-use development at Royal Wharf in East London and the Kings Hall Healthcare Campus in Belfast, set to become the most innovative health and wellbeing hub in the UK.

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UPFRONT

COMPLETE COLLABORATION ON SITE When COVID-19 struck more than halfway through the Cornell Quarter construction programme at Teesside University, it would have been fair to imagine that the pandemic could severely disrupt work and result in a much-delayed finish. however, with R emarkably, the project now officially handed over and occupied by students, it is particularly satisfying for the team involved in its construction, as well as Teesside University, to report that it was still completed in time for the new academic year and is now occupied by students.

It was also brought in on budget, without any incidence of COVID-19 on site, and to cap it all, Cornell Quarter achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

So how did the team pull it off? Trevor Trainor, Associate Director at Summers-Inman – the construction consultancy responsible for providing project management, contract administration and cost consultancy services – takes up the story.

The challenge The Cornell Quarter forms part of Teesside University’s ambitious and ongoing £300m campus masterplan and comprises 300 en-suite student beds, a gymnasium, cinema room, laundry facilities and a 24hour reception.

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It sits at the eastern edge of the Middlesbrough campus and has a key role to play within the campus experience for the students who live there.

For Summers-Inman, it was the first project we secured following our appointment to the NEUPC framework (North East Universities Purchasing Consortium) at the end of 2018.

Cornell Quarter started on site on 1st April 2019, so from the outset, it was very much a time-critical project with a quick 75-week build period.

Then with only a few months to spare before completion, on 23rd March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a lockdown. Wates Construction was our delivery partner and main contractor on the scheme. With a good deal of lateral thinking and close collaboration with the university, the site was only closed for two days, enabling Wates to consider how best to proceed given the new, onerous requirements of site safety and social distancing, yet still maintain the momentum of the build.

UPFRONT

The team:

Design highlights:

The Cornell Quarter was procured as a Scape Venture scheme. The delivery team consisted of:

A proportion of rooms have been designed for students with special mobility needs

Wates Construction – delivery partner and main contractor Summers-Inman – project manager, contract administrator, cost consultant

Sedums and grasses create a green roofcovering to increase biodiversity An air source heat pump for local energy production Photovoltaics

Napper Architects – architect Desco – mechanical and electrical design services BGP – structural design Ares – landscape architects

The solution All meetings were moved to online platforms, such as Teams and Skype. However, we were still required under the terms of the contract to prepare monthly valuations for payment. The contractor took site progress photographs and sent them back to us via email. Whilst this was helpful, we found that we needed to undertake site visits, which we did outside of hours when it was quieter and with few people

Fire-resistant masonry rather than cladding has been used All materials are A-rated It has achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating

around. The contractor played an enormous role in making sure the site was safe.

We followed the Construction Leadership Council’s Site Operating Procedures at all times, which included: Staggered start and finish times, where different trades had specific arrival and departure times, as well as lunch breaks A period of reorganisation was needed to undertake changes to offices and welfare areas – for example, reducing the number of tables

Enhanced cleaning regimes were implemented, and cleaning was taking place all day long, particularly in the welfare areas The site, which was originally controlled by a biometric system for access, had to revert to free-spinning turnstyles with site cabin staff recording site traffic and equipped with a temperature gun as a double precaution Wates also adopted a split workforce approach using red and blue teams – this meant that if you were red, you couldn’t

attend blue zones or blue sites and vice-versa – which helped reduce the risk of crosscontamination but also limited the number of people on site at any one time.

Using these measures, the number of personnel on site initially dropped from 150 to 60. We knew that these numbers, if maintained, would produce a substantially delayed handover. Therefore, we formulated a plan, along with the contractor and the university, to increase productivity. 

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UPFRONT

UPFRONT

“Although we operated a continuous process of regular dialogue and risk assessment, it was all helped by great teamwork and a resounding ‘can-do’ attitude which could so easily have been replaced by defeatism…”

– Trevor Trainor, Associate Director at Summers-Inman

This was achieved by operating a twilight shift pattern of 60 + 60 staff, so we had 120 personnel on site during any 24-hour period – still lower than the original number, but it allowed us to keep the job much closer to the original programme.

Additionally, with 300 individual bedrooms, a degree of limited isolation for those working within them was provided. We also adopted a one-way system in the building for operatives, with alternate staircases used for ascending and descending the building.

With six staircases altogether on the project, it provided an effective one-way system to and from all areas of the building.

We were also fortunate that the campus was relatively quiet, with students moving to online learning, so an adjacent car park was used by sub-contractors for assembling components for installation and distanced welfare facilities, operating almost as a separate site.

Great teamwork At this point, it is important to stress the complete collaboration on the site. Although we operated a continuous process of regular dialogue and risk assessment, it was all helped by great teamwork and a resounding ‘can-do’ attitude which could so easily have been replaced by defeatism, given the newness of the situation we were all facing – both as individuals and in a business context.

Exceptional teamwork helped us to overcome far more challenges that would otherwise have arisen with the pandemic, and we’re delighted to say that this has resulted in the university being able to market the rooms as planned – though with a reduced capacity to help ensure the health and safety of the university community.

Successful manangement It is testimony to the entire project team that the site was only closed for a period of two days following the Prime Minister’s announcement, and that the scheme was delivered a mere three weeks beyond the original contractual completion date.

The fact that we were in a good place at the start of the pandemic contributed hugely to this outcome. Of course, it created extra work for Summers-Inman as project and cost managers, but we are managing change all the time, which is a fundamental feature of all projects, even without COVID-19.

We also greatly value our relationship with the university, which we have worked hard to develop. Through careful management and clear communication, we have been responsible for helping to successfully deliver a wide range of projects over the last 10 years, resulting in significant enhancements of the Teesside University campus.

We have also formed a very effective and collaborative working relationship with Wates Construction, with this project following on from the completion of the National Horizons Centre at the Teesside University campus in Darlington only last year, and we look forward to working with them on other projects in the future.

Malcolm Page, the Chief Operating Officer at the university, commented: “Cornell Quarter provides a first-class facility for students at the heart of the campus environment. Although things are a little different for students this year, I am delighted to see our first occupants have moved in and are able to enjoy this brand-new facility from the beginning of the academic year. We have been pleased to once again work in partnership with Wates and applaud the dedication, commitment and professionalism shown to get Cornell Quarter completed on time.” 

www.summers-inman.co.uk

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LEISURE

PROUD PARTNER IN LEISURE PROVISION Leading contractor GRAHAM has a lot to talk about this year. Despite a challenging period for the construction industry, the privately-owned contractor recorded a strong financial performance for 2020 and has a record order book going into 2021.

I

n recent years, GRAHAM’s London and South East team has earned a reputation for its work with local authorities thanks to significant regional frameworks with the London Borough of Barnet, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London

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Construction Programme, Metropolitan Police and the NHS, to name a few.

It’s a track record that speaks for itself. Take GRAHAM’s role as single supplier ‘partner’ on the London Borough of Barnet’s Capital Projects framework

in which the contractor is overseeing the construction programme and budget.

Working closely with the council, GRAHAM is running a tight programme with multiple projects completing simultaneously over the course of the framework.

Rob Joyce, Director of GRAHAM’s London office, explains: “This is a significant framework that has successfully brought forward a range of new facilities for the local community, from the Tarling Road Community Centre and Copthall Leisure Centre, to the merger of the Blessed Dominic and St James’ Schools. We have also completed the New Barnet Leisure Centre and are onboard to build new school buildings at The Pavilion, which reinforces how successful this partnership has been.”

With a commitment to quality, value and cost certainty, the partnership has come some way to transforming

LEISURE London’s populated borough with new and enhanced leisure, education and community facilities that will meet the needs of a growing and diverse community for years to come.

Key to GRAHAM’s approach has been drawing on its education and leisure work and experience of similar private and public partnerships. The contractor has amassed a strong portfolio of education projects for both the private and public sector. One such project is Milton Keynes’ Western Expansion Area – a new £34m secondary school that will serve the Western Expansion Area of Milton Keynes and accommodate 1800 new school

places once completed. Watling Academy, as it will be known, is set to become the largest secondary school to be built in the Buckinghamshire town thanks to funding from Milton Keynes Council to meet future demographic growth arising from the Western Expansion Area.

To deliver the high-quality education and support facilities needed for the future students, GRAHAM is implementing every tool, process and construction method to deliver a design of the highest possible quality.

Part of this approach has undoubtedly been influenced by the recent completion of a new £24m sports centre at one

of Britain’s leading schools.

Since 2018, GRAHAM has been building a state-of-the-art sports centre at Oundle School in Northamptonshire. Recently completed, the result is an exceptional sports centre that benefits from a show-stopping six-lane, 50m swimming pool that is divisible into two pools through the use of a submersible boom, in addition to a floating floor that optimises the pool’s flexibility.

There is also an eight-court hall offering retractable bleacher seating, adaptable playing spaces, a separate 70-station air-conditioned fitness suite, dedicated dance studio and three further multipurpose studios.

Rob adds: “Oundle has been

designed and built to encourage competitive sport at the highest possible level, while providing a multitude of benefits for the local community who can access the new facilities. We wanted to create something that would deliver lasting impact for years to come and we’re proud of the result which is testament to everyone’s hard work.

“With every project – public or private – we’re ultimately driven by the end-user experience and we want communities we work with to feel positive about the spaces we build. That says more than we could ever put into words.” 

www.graham.co.uk

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HEALTHCARE

A SPECTACULAR NEW HOSPITAL FOR THE NORTH WEST In this article William Tonkinson, Managing Director of hospital fit-out specialist Deanestor, looks at how a new cancer hospital in Liverpool used bespoke furniture to transform chemotherapy treatment and other spaces. He also offers some practical advice for specifying hospital furniture.

Cancer C latterbridge Centre – Liverpool is the city’s first specialist cancer hospital. This spectacular 11-storey hospital designed

by BDP is located adjacent to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and in the city’s Knowledge Quarter – a thriving medical, scientific and technology community.

Accelerated completion The project’s completion was accelerated by main contractor Laing O’Rourke to provide protected facilities in Liverpool for people with cancer in the coronavirus pandemic and released capacity at other hospitals in the North West.

The new hospital is designed to deliver a wide range of highly specialist cancer care including pioneering chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and radiotherapy. It has state-

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of-the-art facilities for bone marrow transplant, diagnostics and imaging, outpatients, day case treatments, a teenage and young adult unit, clinical therapies and patient support.

The building incorporates 110 single en-suite patient bedrooms and five radiotherapy Linac treatment suites, stepping back in profile at its upper levels to create external terrace spaces for wards, especially for the chemotherapy floor. These offer panoramic views across Liverpool, giving staff, patients and visitors access to external landscaping and fresh air.

Over 3700 bespoke items of furniture were manufactured and installed for the project, including full-height patient bay partitions for the chemotherapy suites, base and wall cabinets, wardrobes for the en-suite patient rooms, worktops, staff kitchens and reception desks and nurse stations to each floor.

Deanestor’s team also procured and installed over 5000 other items for the new hospital – from mirrors and grabrails to lockers – fitting-out around 800 rooms.

Over 3700 items of bespoke furniture

Deanestor manufactured 50 specially-designed, freestanding screens which create individual patient spaces in the chemotherapy units and incorporate datacomms, power, medical gases, storage and a recess for a curtain.

Deanestor was awarded a £1.5m contract by Laing O’Rourke for the manufacture of bespoke furniture and fit-out of the new hospital – its 16th fit-out project for Laing O’Rourke.

A new approach to treatment spaces

These floor-to-ceiling chair bay partitions give patients privacy in the openplan treatment areas whilst facilitating interaction in an open, light and welcoming environment. The screens have an American oak finish, an opaque resin panel and laminated cabinets finished in colours from a palette used for each floor.

Bespoke joinery and fixed furniture solutions Bespoke joinery provided for the project included the manufacture and installation of 110 wardrobes with a wood grain finish to each of the single en-suite patient bedrooms, and 43 reception desks with storage for nurses’ stations.

In its fixed furniture package, Deanestor manufactured, supplied and fitted 16 staff kitchens, worktops and storage units for consultants’ examination rooms, and lead-lined base and wall cabinets for the radiotherapy department.

More than 1100 cabinets were produced for multiple rooms across the new hospital which were pre-assembled to reduce work on site.

HEALTHCARE

The team’s perspective Abdul Moked, Senior Architect at BDP, commented: “Despite working to a tight budget, there has been no compromise on the quality of furniture manufacture and this standard was maintained in the fit-out on site. The quality of fitting-out is so important in a healthcare environment and contributes to effective infection control and reduced maintenance. Deanestor also added value to the project with input in the design and the choice of materials, particularly for dimensional and thermal stability given the size of some of the items.

“The chair bay screens in the chemotherapy units are absolutely stunning. The trust wanted a new concept and an alternative to cellular spaces and traditional patient cubicles.

The freestanding bespoke joinery has completely changed the dynamic, bringing a new dimension to the chemotherapy treatment areas and the quality of the finish has definitely helped that. We are really pleased with how the design of these partitions allows daylight transmission in the open-plan space whilst maintaining a sense of privacy – and facilitating interaction between patients and staff.”

Tim Holliday, Director of Project Managers at CCL Solutions, added: “The fit-out looks fantastic. We have worked with Deanestor on a number of NHS projects since 2003.

Their team has huge experience in hospital furniture and fit-out and has consistently performed well on these complex projects.

“At Clatterbridge, Deanestor had good project management in place and was also able to source specialist items for the trust to overcome supply issues. Fixtures and fittings procured by the trust were delivered direct to the Deanestor factory to simplify logistics ahead of fitting-out.

This was a key benefit given the hospital’s city centre location and the need to reduce deliveries to site.”

How to specify hospital furniture As patients continue to develop a more consumer mindset, healthcare providers are under increasing pressure to reduce cost, improve quality, promote safety and best practice in infection control – as well as enhance the experience of patients.

Balancing these requirements is a major challenge and furniture manufacturers have an essential role to play in the development and commercial production of items which meet those needs.

Furniture is an integral part of most healthcare projects, providing comfort whilst expressing positivity in waiting areas; facilitating communication between clinicians and patients, and supporting staff in their tasks.

Analysing processes and patient flows A thorough analysis of each department’s processes and patient flows at the outset is essential. Mock-up rooms can be developed by the manufacturer to help achieve the optimum clinical functionality and aesthetic design.

Consider lifecycle costing. This is important to achieve long-term value but is too frequently overlooked in furniture specification.

A good, specialist hospital furniture manufacturer will engage with the design and construction team at an early stage to develop the specification for manufacture and ensure the specific project requirements are met with as few deviations as possible.

Cabinet construction to reduce time on site Glue and dowel construction for cabinetry and pre-assembled carcasses will radically reduce work and the number of fitters on site and should significantly improve quality. This type of furniture is also more durable to withstand the long-term rigours of a healthcare environment that may be in use 24/7.

A UK-based manufacturer will provide continuity of supply and reduces the risk of delays – which is even more important in the Brexit transition period and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lead times should also be shorter, particularly in the supply of replacement products – and will support the UK manufacturing economy. 

www.deanestor.com/healthcare

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HOUSING

MAINTAINING TENANT SATISFACTION WITH TECHNOLOGY With COVID-19 expected to create a long-lasting impact across social housing, Martin Riley, Chief Technology Officer at IT-managed service provider, Timico, discusses how the sector needs to utilise technology now to ensure its tenants get the best possible service.

T

he core aspect of social housing has always been to provide a suitable roof for people and families in need.

However, the global pandemic has brought an operational and financial burden to the sector.

According to the National Housing Federation, there are 1.6 million households on the social housing waiting list across the UK. This, alone, has created laborious casework processes, increased digital inventory and asset management, as well as data protection requirements. In addition, 100,000 affordable homes now need to be built each year, but this can be a slow and inefficient management process.

As a Governmentapproved supplier on the G-Cloud Framework, Timico understands the challenges that the public sector and social housing industry is

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facing. Whilst technology may not be able to directly address the issues facing the sector, it can certainly assist and ensure the highest level of service is being provided.

The right digital strategy With the social housing industry facing more financial strain than ever before, upgrading technology is often the last item on the agenda.

However, every area of the sector, from construction work to customer care, is now having to adapt to a new way of working and means of interacting with consumers and suppliers. Technology, such as cloud-based software, has become pivotal to this.

When digitalising the business processes, it becomes evident that a cloud-based digital infrastructure is often the best value for money.

It allows some or all of an organisation’s network capabilities and resources to be hosted in a public, private or hybrid cloud platform.

Cloud-based solutions can be managed either in-house or by an IT-managed service provider like Timico.

Cloud-based services are particularly beneficial for enabling performance, accessibility and flexibility when remote working. It offers reliable connectivity and tools so multiple employees can access internal documents from any location, by accessing the server on an office desktop. Therefore, users can work at the same productivity levels, even if they aren’t in an office. Furthermore, the ability for teams to work on one central, shared document anywhere enhances both group collaboration as well as communication.

Virtual support Online video conferencing platforms, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, allows social housing providers to maintain face-to-face contact with any tenant, who has also enabled the same tool on their mobile, tablet or computer.

Even though conversations are held virtually, the video platform has proven to be beneficial in cutting down long processes, helping tenants to be housed faster and raise any questions easily. Being able to solve a query quickly, through video and instant message, speeds up timeto-resolution while ensuring the tenant does not feel isolated during this challenging time.

Employees can also access business telephone numbers and functionality wherever they are, enabling them to stay in contact with colleagues, and keep them updated on processes and activity when required.

HOUSING For social housing associations currently undertaking construction work, such as repairs or new builds, video call platforms have also proved useful for implementing virtual site visits. Organisations can observe a walk-through tour, recorded via a webbased video conferencing application, without being on site. It enables them to provide greater input despite COVID restrictions, contributing to projects being finished on time and on budget.

With so many benefits to dayto-day working, it is no surprise video conferencing platforms, like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, saw tremendous growth when the UK first went into lockdown in March 2020. Teams soon became the fastest growing Microsoft application.

Data management Social housing associations are often required to handle and manage sensitive and confidential material. It is important that this data is protected, and the privacy of tenants is respected.

However, this is easier said than done. Cyber criminals are getting increasingly clever with targeting strategies, and employees working from home are more vulnerable to security threats. In

fact, since the onset of COVID-19, 92% of UK organisations have admitted to experiencing an increase in cyber-attacks.

Therefore, it is vital to have effective security solutions in place to protect data and infrastructure and colleagues from being targeted with ongoing threat monitoring and detection.

Security solutions do not need to be heavy on the purse.

IT solution providers can offer additional protection through providing phishing prevention, web security protection and multifactor authentication, all with a distributed workforce. Cloudbased solution Microsoft 365 is also designed to give greater reliability by enabling users to share files and data securely.

Despite the current challenges associated with COVID-19, social housing providers have the ideal opportunity to deliver a high level of service to tenants and keep all aspects of the organisation connected, productive and secure.

With the right technology in place, providers will have the freedom to focus their time and effort on what they do best – helping people. 

www.timico.com

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FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

HOW THE RIGHT FLOORING CAN PROMOTE SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCING In this article, Paragon Carpet Tiles discusses how flooring can be used to promote safe social distancing within public sector spaces.

is more important than I tever for spaces to be COVID-secure. Safety should be the number one priority for any business, as just one badly-organised space can risk the spread of the virus.

Renovation is a great long-term solution to pandemic-proof a space, to help the public stay protected.

Interior design and flooring can be used to keep a space clean and help enforce safe social distancing.

Commercial and public spaces must adapt to ensure that people are safeguarded against coronavirus. In such unpredictable times, architects, contractors, local authorities and heads of sites must work to transform a space to adhere to the latest Government guidelines.

Floorless social distancing To adhere to Government guidelines, measures must be introduced to help space users keep a safe distance from one another. As well as overt signage which conveys important messages, discreet ways to mark out areas are also favourable.

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Changing the placement of furniture, for example desks and seating, is one of the easiest ways that people can be kept apart. A safe distance can be measured and kept between each piece of furniture to prevent physical contact with other households.

However, this is often not enough, as furniture can be accidentally shifted and moved by users out of the safe measurements put in place. When people come to move around the space, that’s when problems start to occur.

Therefore, more permanent, heavy-duty solutions are needed.

Studies show that pedestrian flow systems can effectively help to assist in the fight against coronavirus and reduce contact between individuals.

Flooring is a great way to reinforce one-way systems and can help better direct people in and around buildings.

Our Guide carpet tile range provides clear instructions for the public to keep a safe distance from one another and wayfind, whilst still seamlessly blending into existing flooring designs.

With instructions and messages incorporated into the tiles, this design will not fade over time.

Carpet is one of the safest flooring types Commercial spaces, especially in the public sector, must be kept incredibly hygienic to stop the spread of germs and bacteria. If an environment does not meet the high standards required and becomes a hotspot for coronavirus, there is a real risk that it could cause an outbreak.

As handwashing is the first line of defence against coronavirus, hand sanitisation points are a necessity within any building. However, keeping up with stringent hygiene does not solely lie with the users of a space.

Businesses need to take extra measures to make sure spaces are clean and meet hygiene standards.

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS According to The New England Journal of Medicine, coronavirus can live on non-porous surfaces such as plastic and laminate for up to 72 hours. Therefore, these materials are probably not the best to use when renovating a space, as they can increase the risk of coronavirus spreading from person to person.

The latest research suggests that porous surfaces, like carpet,

are less hospitable to the virus, as cold and flu viruses survive for a much shorter time on these materials. This means that carpet is one of the safest and most hygienic flooring solutions on the market.

Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is the best way to neutralise COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All of our high-quality carpet tiles are able to withstand the strict cleaning measures needed to maintain a high level of sanitation, without ruining or fading.

Safe, stylish and effective solutions Social distancing is of paramount importance in limiting the spread of coronavirus. However, people can find it easy to forget

the rules in a space they find familiar. Therefore, people must be constantly reminded of the regulations in place.

Whilst barriers and hazard tape are a quick fix, these are a short-term solution. Hazard tape can peel away after just a few short days and increase the risk of trips and falls within a space. However, there are subtle and certainly more stylish ways to promote social distancing – using carpet tiles.

For example, laying carpet tiles in a large square pattern on the floor can help create zones, borders and demarcation areas.

Using bright, vibrant colours against more subtle tones can make zones more visible in public sector environments, whilst also keeping them looking stylish.

The carpet tiles in our Guide range can be easily lifted up and moved, meaning that installers can make changes to the layout when the pandemic is over or when building design changes.

Messaging can also be used to complement this technique, to direct people to these zones and remind them to stay apart from one another. 

www.paragon-carpets.co.uk

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WASHROOMS

SIMPLE WATER-SAVING OPTIONS OFFER SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Simple water conservation methods introduced through toilet flush and fill technology can create significant reductions in use of power. Adrian Hibbert, from leading UK toilet solutions and water management manufacturer Fluidmaster UK, explains why. consumption per capita W ater has risen exponentially in modern times, with UK residents now using over 142 litres of water per day each, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Toilets are the second biggest water user in the home and approximately 30% of total water used in a home is used to flush the toilet. This is the same highquality drinking water which we use throughout the rest of the home.

Whilst these increases in water consumption are putting a strain on water resources and purses, there are small changes that can be made by developers, specifiers, facilities management companies, manufacturers and by homeowners themselves to considerably reduce water use with very little effort.

In a recent statement, Kevin Wellman, CEO at CIPHE, said: “Research highlights the need for promoting greater water efficiency. Installation of a water meter can not only reduce your

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water bill and save on energy, but it can also impact positively upon consumer behaviour that leads to more informed product choices.”

Yvonne Orgill, MD at The Unified Water Label, explained: “One in two consumers are asking about environmental considerations. We are making progress with consumer education, and previous research has shown that consumers are looking to make more environmentallyfriendly decisions.”

To help consumers achieve these water reductions, one such quick and simple fix is to save water through toilet flushing and filling, using tailored plumbing technology. Installation of products like the Fluidmaster AirGap 6000 water-saving toilet cistern fill valve, which has been designed to offer substantial water savings with every single flush, will play a huge part in ‘covert water saving’.

By only commencing the filling process when the toilet cistern is empty, the AirGap 6000 can offer savings of 1 litre per flush with every single use of the loo.

Considering that the average person flushes the toilet five times per day, and that the average UK household occupancy is 2.5 people; this equates to a potential reduction in water consumption by over 4500 litres per annum in an average UK household from the installation of just one water-saving AirGap. On 8th July 2020, the Chancellor announced a £2bn Green Homes Grant scheme to upgrade homes across England.

Under this, £500m of funding will be delivered through local authorities to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households. Local authorities can bid for funding under this scheme to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households in their area.

As Yvonne Orgill pointed out: “It is disappointing that water-efficient and energy-saving bathroom products, such as taps, showers and WCs, did not feature in the details of the Green Homes Grant, which could have encouraged many to upgrade their old bathroom fittings.

“As an industry, we have the technology to offer water-efficient products without compromising the experience for the end-user.

Many manufacturers are also supporting the Unified Water Label, which identifies the water and energy consumption of products, helping consumers make more informed choices.”

Out in the field, I see the benefits reaped by environmentallyconscious specifiers who source products from progressive UK manufacturers, like Fluidmaster.

Particularly where reliability and quality of the products on offer are all subject to appropriate compliance testing, certification and registration with applicable industry schemes.

At Fluidmaster, we feel it is vital to reinforce the benefits of the installation and maintenance of bathroom water-saving devices, taking into consideration that many new-build properties contain two or three toilets. In an effort to capitalise on the potentially huge savings to be made when it comes to toilet flush and fill, simple specification switches can make a big difference. 

www.fluidmaster.com

21

LEGAL & BUSINESS

Rebecca Harries-Williams is a Senior Associate in the social housing team at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP. Clarke Willmott’s national team of specialist social housing solicitors is one of the largest in the UK, acting for both national and regional registered providers. The team offers quality, trusted advice on a comprehensive range of legal matters and their experience in this complex sector is second to none.

TIMBER-FRAMED CONSTRUCTION AND CAVITY BARRIERS: ARE THEY A FIRE RISK? Rebecca Harries-Williams is a Senior Associate in the social housing team at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP. Here, she takes a look at a recent case involving a timber-framed housing association block and defective cavity barriers, which resulted in a serious fire.

A

year ago, a massive blaze destroyed 23 homes in social housing apartment block, Worcester Park, owned

by Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing. A report into the fire, by forensic architect practice Probyn Myers highlighted that defective cavity barriers – as an apparent result of a flaw in the building’s design – contributed to the rapid spread of the fire throughout the building, which rendered around 60 people homeless.

The cavity contained three layers of natural timber battens which burned fiercely during the fire, contributing to its spread both upwards and horizontally. The report found that the cavity barriers were too small and failed to slow the spread of fire.

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Registered providers will be aware that timber-framed methods of construction have become increasingly popular as the construction industry seeks both cheaper and more ecofriendly methods of building.

Whilst there are many benefits to these modern methods of construction (MMC), which a number of social housing providers have embraced, there are also risks which may not be immediately apparent and which raise the question of liability for defects.

Where construction designs are flawed, there is a risk that cavity barriers may be poorly designed and insufficient to prevent the spread of fire. Such a design flaw is magnified where timber-

framed building methods have been used. Additionally, even if the designs are effective, poor construction methods and a lack of knowledge by some contractors as to the risks posed by timber-framed buildings can render buildings unsafe.

In light of the high-profile nature of a number of catastrophic fires causing the deaths and homelessness of social housing tenants, registered providers should consider the following: Ensuring any designs and planning for new social housing construction are prepared by experts with the requisite knowledge of MMC and in compliance with all statute and best practice

Making sure that the contractors are aware of the risks of timber-framed buildings and take the necessary steps to ensure effective cavity barriers Where a registered provider becomes aware of latent defects relating to the timber frame or cavity barriers (or indeed, other latent defects), they should seek expert opinions and legal advice as to the question of liability and the best ways to ensure such defects are rectified. In particular, registered providers should carefully check the wording of any insurance policies as to the duty and timeframe to notify of any defects, once these have become known, and the procedure that should be followed to seek to claim under the policy. A failure to comply with the insurer’s requirements could lead to the insurer declining cover.

Act quickly. Claims for latent defects under contract may become time-barred if there is a delay in bringing proceedings – seek legal advice at the point of becoming aware of latent defects. 

www.clarkewillmott.com/legal-expertise/social-housing

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EDUCATION

PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS Daniel West, Project Director at West & West, explains the importance of strong partnerships when delivering M&E solutions for educational facilities and the potential for greater efficiencies.

All images ©Francis Construction

Loddon primary school

Eton College’s new visitor entrance

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and electrical (M&E) solutions M echanical play a fundamental role in improving learning environments, but the most effective stem from successful partnerships. Positive working relationships forged at the beginning of a project can ensure building services are more accurately designed for an educational building, whether that’s a new build or refurbishment.

As the project continues, collaboration can also ease installation and result in more efficiencies both in the short and long term.

of exacting requirements including specific types of light fittings, which all had to be installed at a set height. The location of cables, conduits and accessories also had to be agreed prior to installation.

Our approach ensured the electrical design could meet the architect’s aesthetic requirements and enabled us to highlight any potential issues from an early stage, ensuring we could develop a workable solution for the client.

Tailored and workable designs

Minimal disruption

M&E solutions take time to design effectively so this is one of the key areas where a good partnership will reap benefits for the client and end-user. Initial concepts will need to be developed and refined to ensure they meet the client’s brief and all compliance requirements. In many cases, this will require M&E contractors to work closely with several different members of a project team from the outset, including architects.

This approach will ensure that very specific details can be incorporated into the final solution and that building services are properly co-ordinated. This is particularly important for historic educational buildings where there are often more restrictions in terms of where and how modern services can be installed to ensure the property’s fabric is protected.

At Eton College, for example, we worked in partnership with the architect to develop a concept electrical design into a very detailed solution for a new visitor entrance and the restoration of the college’s ‘New Schools’ building. This had to meet a number

Installing M&E solutions into educational facilities usually requires contractors to work in live environments. This is why flexibility is so important. To ensure students and teaching staff are kept safe, the installation must be very carefully co-ordinated. This relies on good communication with staff, including regular meetings, and, for many projects, a considerable amount of out-of-hours work to ensure any potential disruption is minimised.

Fit-for-purpose building control Maximising energy efficiency is a priority for all educational facilities, and this aim goes hand-in-hand with the installation of building management systems. Advances in technology has led to a huge choice of systems with many using automation to control energy use across multiple zones.

But too often, highly-advanced building management systems are specified by local authorities without an understanding of how the end-user, including teaching staff, will use it.

EDUCATION We have worked with a number of schools where a top-of-the-range building management system has been installed but hasn’t actually been used. This is usually because the system is overly complicated and doesn’t meet the needs of the end-user.

In our experience, building control systems for educational facilities must maximise energy efficiency and be simple to use. Importantly, they must also be designed with the teaching staff in mind and based on a thorough understanding of how they would prefer to use it.

We have worked with lots of teachers and learnt that most do not want to use retractive switches, for example. A simpler system that splits a classroom into zones with different types of lighting in each can be more effective, giving teachers more tailored control and helping to enhance the learning environment for pupils.

Similarly, the use of passive infrared motion sensors (PIR) in classrooms that switch the lights off automatically if there has been no movement for a certain time period are often more suitable than a fully automated system which can be complicated to operate and unnecessary for many types of school.

Compliance To ensure an educational facility remains safe, properly maintaining M&E services is essential. This involves thorough and regular testing of a range of components, including emergency lighting, portable and fixed appliances, electrical wiring,

and security and fire systems. The residual current device (RCD), which is used to disconnect a circuit if there is a fault, is also tested.

We often work with educational teams on a long-term basis, providing tailored maintenance schedules in line with the latest health and safety legislation. These schedules are developed using software that provides alerts as to when each component should be tested enabling schools and colleges to take a more proactive approach to maintenance. Not only does this ensure an educational building meets health and safety requirements, but avoids the risks of additional costs further down the line.

Failing to test components within the required timescales means that potential issues could be overlooked and these can be expensive to rectify if left for too long.

Loddon primary school

Optimising efficiency Partnership working is far from a new concept but in the building services sector, there is still room for improvement. By collaborating at an early stage with all members of the project team as well as the client and end-user, bespoke M&E designs can be developed that meet all parts of a brief, installation can be streamlined and more effective control mechanisms put in place that provide sustainable solutions to energy management as well as maintenance. 

www.west-west.co.uk

Eton College’s new lighting concept

25

TALKING POINT

WILL COVID-19 CHANGE THE FUTURE OF BUILDING DESIGN? Matt Lineker has worked for Willmott Dixon for four years, bringing over 25 years of industry experience across all areas of construction.

He is currently the Head of Building Services in the Midlands.

Stephen Moore is a Senior Preconstruction Manager at Willmott Dixon – bringing extensive experience and expertise from his previous career as an architect.

26

The impact of COVID-19 on every aspect of life is undeniable. As the pandemic began to spread throughout March 2020, no one could have foretold the ways in which this disease would change society. One industry that has remained open throughout lockdown and been forced to quickly innovate is construction – and Matt Linekar and Stephen Moore from contractor Willmott Dixon have been at the forefront. are the days where G one you could enjoy a concert surrounded by tens of thousands of people, or hug those outside of your household as a friendly greeting. Instead, we now live in a world of social distancing and masked outings.

But the impact of COVID-19 isn’t just those changes staring us in the face. There are more subtle, underlying ramifications that are yet to be explored completely – such as alterations in building design.

The question is, are COVIDrelated changes we are now seeing in building design here to stay, or a passing trend as the industry attempts to guide itself back to normality when the pandemic is over?

A change in requirements One of the biggest changes in building design is the importance that is now being placed on ventilation. The need for proper circulation and

fresh air to reduce the risk of contamination has never been more prominent – especially in the education sector where large groups of students must move around the building during regular intervals. This requirement also means that designers must think about the importance of flexibility to be able to purge the air in classrooms, and also consider window patterns and wall fans and their impact on the acoustics of these rooms.

The care sector is another one that must adapt to changing times and, again, consider the importance of ventilation in communal areas or corridors that could be the hub of cross-contamination. Many care homes are now drawing on primary care regimes and lobbying rooms to protect infected patients, altering facilities to increase the safety of both staff and residents.

But, with providers in these sectors already struggling to

source funds and a potential vaccine set to hit the UK in 2021, many of these measures may not be instigated.

Stephen Moore, Preconstruction Manager at Willmott Dixon, said: “We have seen a variety of responses from our customers, with some not wanting to make significant, long-term changes to a problem that is deemed to be short-term.

Cost management is key when it comes to these alterations, but many businesses are struggling to weigh up the short-term benefits with the financial impact that it can have on the outgoings of a project.

“This response is being reflected by local authorities.

Spatial problems are undeniable when discussing social distancing in schools, but councils don’t have the money, space or desire to make long-term changes to facilitate social distancing measures, and we are seeing many private sector companies take a similar

TALKING POINT stance. There is a focus for adapting operational policy rather than a significant change to buildings and the way they are designed to function.”

Perfecting the process It’s not just the elements of design that have been impacted by COVID-19, but also the process in which these designs are created. The informal nature of construction sites means that social distancing is often hard to maintain.

With a mountain of competing factors to contend with – such as the need for team work, the variety of jobs that have to be completed simultaneously and strict timescales that have to be adhered to – contractors have had to make dramatic changes to ensure staff stay socially distant while working on projects.

This has meant for many firms, including Willmott Dixon, that focusing on offsite fabrication has helped the design process.

Matt Linekar, Head of Building Services at Willmott Dixon, said: “One of the key things that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated is offsite manufacturing and the different ways in which we might be able to utilise modern methods of construction (MMC).

“MMC is already a hot topic for the industry and the pandemic has simply enhanced this – and the last few months has given us the opportunity to explore the options in more detail and will no doubt continue to play a part in construction projects in the longer-term.”

Long-term or short-term The construction industry is one that has never stopped working, so very quickly firms were forced to adopt new ways of working to help protect their teams and prevent the spread of COVID-19, all while ensuring that essential building projects did not stall.

Matt added: “Distancing on site – and within the wider community – is probably here to stay, so as an industry we are having to find ways to accommodate that, but whether or not there will actually be longterm design implications remains to be seen.

“The short-term response has been one of meeting practical challenges on sites and moving forwards with a different way of working, but the reality is that the construction industry is a very competitive marketplace – potentially even more so as the Government has positioned the built environment at the forefront of the recovery strategy.

“The Government is encouraging a ‘build back better’ approach but there are inevitably cost implications associated with that and without legislation to demand improved standards and a force for change.”

Should we change the approach to building design?

There are potentially significant positives associated with a change in design focus, especially when you consider the environmental targets the UK is working towards and the impact more sustainable building would have.

Stephen added: “Moving towards a focus on whole life cost is an important first step – but that will rely heavily on customers adopting a shift in mindset, thinking about overall value rather than initial outlay. It’s challenging, especially against a backdrop of a damaged economy and already stretched budgets, especially within the public sector.

“Sustainability will be key, but that is something that has been put somewhat on the backburner for the time being as we navigate through the COVID crisis. As an industry, so often the focus is on cost and designing to meet the minimum standards rather than considering the longer-term impact of a building. Moving forwards, it

would be great to see a move away from considering a higher initial cost, but a better performing building, as ‘uneconomic’ and seeing customers investing in better quality products.

“The manner in which we live and work has had to adapt to the implications of COVID-19 – and design does not seem to be addressing a long-term fix at the moment but maybe this will change over time. It is arguable that we will need to accommodate less densely populated workplaces with more space for flexible working; consumers will begin to demand something different and design will change to recognise that.”

What next?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, in the medium term at least, considerably. We have undertaken the world’s biggest remote working experiment, learned to distance from one another and change our behaviours in accordance with ever-changing regulations – but will this change the face of building design for the long-term?

Matt said: “Any real changes to the industry will take time to filter through. At the moment, we have collectively been focussing on how to keep our industry moving safely and working alongside our customers to ensure that their spaces are flexible enough to meet changing requirements.

“Whether or not there will be longterm changes to design is yet to be seen.

There’s no question that we approach life in a different way, but without legislation enforcing things like changes to ventilation systems or improved environmental credentials, progress will likely be slow.

There is certainly the opportunity to shift towards a whole-life-value approach to building in the longer term, which would undoubtedly see us ‘build back better’.” 

www.willmottdixon.co.uk

27

HEATING

A QUESTION OF HEATING The residential housing landscape is changing, and for social housing providers there will be a lot to consider when it comes to selecting the best low-carbon heating and hot water solutions as we journey to net-zero. Tom Murray, Specification Director at Baxi Heating, answers some of the key questions around heating efficiency and compliance.

What are some important upcoming legislation changes?

For new-build social housing developers, one of the most important changes to be aware of is the Future Homes Standard, which may be enacted sooner than originally indicated, and is likely to seek ending the use of gas heating systems in all new-build dwellings from 2023. Once this happens, alternative heating technologies to natural gas boilers, such as heat pumps combined with hot water cylinders, will need to be specified.

More immediately, SAP 10 could still be brought into play next year as part of an intermediate step in Building Regulations, which will reduce the carbon intensity of electricity used in compliance calculations. This will serve to favour electric alternatives as a means to meet emissions targets under Approved Document L, and where boilers are still specified the changes will require a greater reliance on energy efficiencyboosting accessories, such as weather compensation, load compensation, smart controls and heat recovery systems.

28

What about changes for existing properties?

It is important that renovation, maintenance and improvement works carried out continue to prioritise heating systems that are as energy-efficient as possible to future-proof properties and safeguard residents. Selecting highlyefficient boilers combined with accessories will also help to keep energy bills as economical as possible by preventing wastage throughout the day.

Looking further into the future, hydrogen is currently being explored as an alternative fuel for heating existing buildings on the gas grid. Near identical in appearance and performance to condensing gas boilers today, hydrogen boilers like those being developed

by Baxi Heating could provide efficient, zero-carbon space heating with little disruption to the existing building.

What are the challenges?

Because there isn’t a one-sizefits-all solution, each project will have its own unique

requirements. What can be expected across the board, however, is that with any period of significant change there will be a transitionary period.

When it comes to introducing low-carbon technologies like air source heat pumps, which aren’t currently specified or installed in great numbers, issues with design, installation and commissioning can all contribute to potential problems. As a result, heating engineers installing and maintaining them inside of social housing residential developments must have the correct product, installation and servicing knowledge. In fact, this is true for all heating and hot water technologies, which is why developers need manufacturers to deliver product and service solutions they can trust.

Understanding that social housing providers require far more than a range of efficient,

dependable and built-to-last products. Baxi Assure provides an expert design service and SAP advice for new-build projects, quality spares and replacement parts from the Baxi Genuine Parts division, bespoke training courses from Baxi Training and hassle-free online warranty registration using Baxi Project Hub. Furthermore, a dedicated team of specification managers provides one point of contact for all hot water and heating system requirements.

In the coming years, social housing developers will need to be ready to make the changes necessary to help achieve the UK’s ambitions to meet CO2 reduction targets. With the help of product and service providers like Baxi Assure, we can work together to reassure social housing tenants that they will have sustainable and fit-forpurpose heating at all times. 

www.baxi.co.uk/assure

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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.

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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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TECHNICAL FOCUS

FIRE SAFETY ARMOURY STRENGTHENED BY BRITISH STANDARD FOR BALCONY CONSTRUCTION A new British Standard introduced at the end of August is helping close what a growing number of building professionals have identified as clear gaps in the fire safety performance of high-rise residential buildings with balconies.

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he release of BS 8579:2020 Guide to the Design of Balconies and Terraces is a welcome addition to the Government’s more robust approach to the fire safety of blocks of flats and supports the already-updated Building Regulations and Approved Document B. The new standard states that all construction elements of balconies and terraces located more than 18m above ground level must be non-combustible, including structural joists, flooring and suspension etc. This means no wood, plastic, rubber etc.

Importantly, the regulations now define balconies as part of the external wall, bringing them in scope of Part B and its more stringent fire safety requirements and ending the

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conflict that specifying to Part L placed upon fire performance.

Balconies have long been considered an important amenity, providing covered walkways or giving residents access to private outside space. Now, more than ever, that amenity is highly prized post-COVID-19 lockdown and it is likely that future new-build developments will be looking to incorporate them.

BS 8579 may be considered one of the regulatory responses to fires in residential multi-storey buildings, including Samuel Garside House, Barking, The Cube in Bolton and Worcester Park, south west London, but work on the standard began two years earlier than these 2019 blazes and several weeks before the Grenfell tragedy.

Social housing providers have taken note, with a number

introducing balcony smoking bans (smoking materials, BBQs and arson are the main causes of balcony fires). The Home Group, which supports 125,000 residents nationwide, has produced a ‘Keeping your balcony safe’ leaflet and formed a fire safety tenant focus group.

Back in 2016, the issue was highlighted by the Building Research Establishment’s report – ‘Fire safety issues with balconies’ – compiled for the Department of Communities and Local Government following balcony blazes on high-rise residential buildings in 2010-2015. BRE reported that six balcony ‘fire incidents’ were reported in 2015 compared to one in 2005.

The report makes sobering reading, especially its references to one balcony set alight by a

plastic cup used as an ashtray; the block of flats was predominantly a concrete construction with external surfaces “covered in a variety of cladding systems with cavities filled with a variety of rigid foam insulation”. The balcony floor was timber decking on timber battens covered with a woven plastic sheet over foam insulation. The sheet ignited and the fire spread to the foam insulation on the walls and under the decking.

This summer, the insurer Zurich called for balcony BBQs to be banned, stating that almost £9m of damage was caused in 2019 by just four balcony blazes which spread to neighbouring flats or entire buildings. Its research also revealed that in London alone there were 550 balcony fires in the last three years. “Modern methods of construction, including timber-framed buildings, combustible cladding, wooden balconies and modular units add to the risk of balcony fire,” added Zurich.

With the introduction of BS 8579 and the strengthened Building Regulations and Approved Document B banning the use of combustible materials in external wall systems and balconies 18m+, concerns about these construction methods should be answered. We are also seeing increasing numbers of clients opting to implement

TECHNICAL FOCUS the new regulations at lower heights to ensure the ongoing safety of residents and assuage insurers rightly concerned about the huge cost to them of fires on balconies.

However, Wallbarn fears that efforts to improve the fire performance of buildings may create a risk that fully tested, established and quality – but not compliant – building solutions may be replaced by seemingly compliant but lower performance products.

And that’s why we need to be absolutely sure that the industry is properly briefed to design, specify and build fully compliant and safe solutions.

Our sector – pedestal systems which support suspended balcony and terrace decking/paving – is a good example of this. Traditionally, pedestals were heavy-duty polypropylene plastic but to satisfy BS 8579, they will have to be metal when installed at height. These products are available – Wallbarn has developed MetalPad, an all-metal, Class A1-rated pedestal that is fully compliant with BS 8579 – but we know that systems have come to market which have rubber or plastic elements labelled as ‘gaskets’. To call a plastic headpiece a ‘gasket’ does not, in our opinion, conform to the standards and regulations.

We are also concerned about the quality and testing regimes of some metal pedestal solutions. From sampling the market, we know that not all products offer the level of performance we feel is required. Some pedestals have been modified from interior usage and are not designed for exterior applications. The small baseplates on some brands are cutting into surfaces beneath, compromising U-values and creating uneven, unstable paving areas. There is a real risk of jeopardising safety on schemes through the very task of trying to improve fire safety.

There’s also the question of product testing, a crucial factor given these systems are used at-height. Load-bearing is critical and we have heard reports that hollow stems can lead to collapse. Our advice is always to consult with your original supplier to at least understand the questions you should be asking of a new supplier. This is especially important in the light of Grenfell; recent witness evidence at the Grenfell Enquiry has revealed confusion about product performance, suitability and installation methods, highlighting the need for everyone to take responsibility throughout the supply chain.

Do not assume someone else is doing it and always ask for – actually demand – test results.

Product provenance is a further issue to be considered.

Recent industry talk suggests that imported product was rejected by two main contractors upon arrival at site due to quality concerns. It is good to hear that, despite the inevitable project delays and additional costs such

action would have created, quality was considered more important. Again, our advice is to ask the right questions during specification to ensure that the chosen solution is designed for purpose, fully tested and supplied by a trusted partner. 

www.wallbarn.com

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ROOFLIGHTS & SKYLIGHTS

MAKING THE PUBLIC HOUSING OF TODAY, SUSTAINABLE FOR TOMORROW Grant Sneddon, Product Manager at roof window manufacturer VELUX, shares his thoughts on how products, such as roof windows, can be a vital element in creating the sustainable public housing of the future. to the National A ccording Housing Federation’s (NHF) People in Housing Need Report, there are eight million people in England alone who are experiencing some form of housing need, and a sustainable future for so many of these people would be one where all public housing is built with sustainability principles front and centre.

We all want to live in homes which are healthy, daylight-filled, and provide space for our families to grow. With public perceptions continuing to shift, social housing tenants, in particular, have become even more aware of the positive impact that healthy, sustainable homes can have on the way they live.

There have been some fantastic successes across the globe with sustainability incorporated into the very core of new public housing schemes.

And through my experience

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working at VELUX, I know that there are also some simple glazing additions that can help ensure more sustainable homes can be developed for everyone, regardless of the tenure of the home they live in.

Incorporating roof windows in a build is always an easy way to boost the credentials of a home, and this is no different for social housing. Creating properties which are daylight-filled, wellventilated and incorporate sustainable development principles are factors which lead to the creation of healthy homes. And healthy homes tend to provide good thermal comfort, meaning that there’s less need to flick on the central heating or plug-in fans as they are built using products which are cleverly designed to reduce a property’s carbon footprint.

When it comes to windows, glazing can be just as sustainable as the rest of the

materials that form part of a sustainable social housing development. Well-designed and carefully-crafted glazing can provide unparalleled heat insulation and solar gain in winter months, and with toughened inner and outer panes, quality roof and vertical windows can also protect against inclement weather.

Triple-glazed roof windows are also the best option to achieve optimum noise reduction and thermal performance.

We consider this so important that our patented ThermoTechnology comes as standard with VELUX roof windows, and provides an airtight seal to promote complete energy efficiency. They also come with ventilation bars, so homeowners can allow fresh air to flow into the home while keeping the heat in. Both of these elements also work in tandem with features such as our white polyurethane

frame finish, which conceals all the frame’s joints and is moisture resistant to prevent issues like damp or mould that could occur in more humid rooms, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

Choosing glazing that has been crafted with sustainability in mind, as well as opting for solarpowered ‘upgrades’ over electric ones, can lead to a reduction in gas, electric and central heating costs. For a tenant, this reduction in their use of fossil fuels can also result in more sustainable living costs, and means they can also be safe in the knowledge they are also contributing to a healthier environment in the eco-system that they are part of.

What’s more, new smart roof window technology can improve people’s indoor climates by monitoring the temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels in their home and opening and closing their roof windows accordingly.

ROOFLIGHTS & SKYLIGHTS Above all else, roof windows should have a positive carbon footprint story – from cradle to final disposal. For example, during a 40-year lifespan of a wooden, triple-glazed VELUX roof window that has had its glazing replaced after 20 years, approximately 184kg of carbon dioxide will be produced from raw materials, production outputs and final disposal of any parts that cannot be recycled.

However, the use phase produces a total of -502kg of carbon dioxide emissions to replenish this loss, which is a direct result of the roof windows and accessories we develop which contribute towards reducing heat loss and maximising solar gain.

As a business, VELUX has also made a commitment to become lifetime carbonneutral by 2041. Broadly speaking, our ‘decade of action’ means that the business will be working to account for all past and future carbon emissions through energy management to combat CO2 production, mainly resulting from the use of raw materials in our products, such as wood, glass and various metals and other materials. We will also be promoting a circular economy for our roof windows through initiatives such as reforestation projects.

As an industry, we must all make an effort to reduce our impact on the environment.

The public housing process should be no different, and incorporating simple glazing additions can be the easy first step to a future where all public sector design and build work is sustainably driven for the good of all those who use them, now and in the future. 

www.velux.co.uk

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WATER TREATMENT

XYLEM KEEPS PRESTIGIOUS POOL PROJECTS AFLOAT DURING PANDEMIC Reliability, high operating efficiency and low maintenance costs are the top features sought by leisure centres for their pool pumping equipment. Such was the case when Xylem Water Solutions UK offered its chosen solution for a number of leisure centres being built across the UK during 2020, despite the pandemic. partnered with X ylem Stockport-based pool engineering firm FT Leisure to design pool pumping solutions for 18 new swimming pool centres being built across the UK this year, including learner pools, leisure waters and competition pools of all scales.

The coronavirus pandemic during this timeframe, however, presented unforeseen challenges.

With the rapidly changing circumstances, regular communication with the client became more vital than ever and project management to overcome the many logistical hurdles saw a step change advance. The ‘new normal’, as society adjusts to a more regulated safety environment, has also meant a greater need for leisure facilities that meet strict hygiene standards – which Xylem’s products and extensive knowledge and expertise in the sector has proved more than able to guarantee.

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high,” says Kevin Loughman, Xylem’s Business Development Manager – OEM. “But the shared aim was clear from the outset: to work smarter and in close collaboration with FT Leisure’s project management team to ensure each project was delivered on time and met the stringent specifications.”

The solution

The challenge With FT Leisure delivering the pool water technology for high-profile new builds, like the £73m Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick, which will host the diving and swimming events for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Xylem had to design and deliver main pool pumping solutions for all 18 projects on time, and in compliance with the given specifications.

Characteristic of the smart operational management of Xylem’s high-profile construction partners, FT Leisure was seeking to streamline the way it worked by awarding the contract for a number of developments at the same time to drive efficiency and boost cost savings.

“As this major initiative took place during 2020, the level of potential disruption for each development was

Working closely with FT Leisure, Xylem designed a bulk solution for all the required projects across 2020, which included approximately 58 end suction pumps, 74 booster pumps, 20 DIWA submersible sump pumps and 32 Magflux Flowmeters to meet the client’s requirements.

“The circulating pumps supplied had to offer maximum efficiency to ensure minimum running costs to the end-user,” says Kevin. “These pumps run 24 hours a day to ensure healthy pool turnover rates of approximately three hours for a 25m pool.”

WATER TREATMENT In addition to cost, pump efficiency was a major consideration when it came to the tendering against leading competitors for FT Leisure’s 18 projects. In many cases, the market requires over 80% pump efficiency which Xylem is well placed to provide.

Kevin adds: “We differentiated from our competitors by offering more than just the pumps; due to our wide product portfolio, we were also able to offer other integral components, like the Magflux flowmeters and VSDs. But in this case, it wasn’t just about being a component supplier – there was the additional project support supplied beyond the pool plant room that added real value.”

The official order was received in November 2019 but each project was delivered separately throughout the following year. Juggling multiple sites across the country, with COVID-19 also thrown into the mix, led to several delays in which the scheduled arrival of equipment needed to be pushed back.

Xylem introduced monthly project review meetings via videolink, to keep both the customer and Xylem’s team up-to-date. The teams were able to plan ahead through constant communication and project delivery timelines were adhered to.

“Prior to the pandemic, meetings had been more adhoc as both offices were close to each other, but during the lockdown period we realised it was imperative to formalise the process with regular project review meetings to constantly look ahead, anticipate and plan ahead, and work more smartly. It was vital from a project management perspective, in such exceptional circumstances and with a roll-out programme of this scale, that timelines and delivery targets were stuck to,” says Kevin. “That is where Xylem’s sector-leading knowledge comes to the fore, allowing our teams to accurately predict what was needed. Our order team in Axminster, Devon, were instrumental in liaising with the relevant factories to ensure delivery dates were met.”

The outcome The new partnership will see the successful delivery of the pool plant needed across all sites by March 2021, with FT Leisure acknowledging the flexibility of Xylem’s team to meet their needs during a year of unprecedented changes.

Simon Whittingham, Managing Director of FT Leisure, says: “We made the decision to work smarter and more efficiently with our recent contracts, so we took a different approach by inviting tenders in late 2019 for each component package for 18 upcoming new builds.

“As well as the clear cost benefits, it allowed us to build on the new relationship that we had developed with Kevin at Xylem.

“Xylem were able to bring everything we needed together and more, not only in terms of the products but also the service and support that was offered, which far exceeded our expectations. As a team, we were able to have confidence that we were in safe hands, with the project being reviewed regularly to make sure each separate part was on track. This avoided any further delays when there had been unavoidable hold-ups on site.

“Xylem’s communication with our colleagues was clear throughout which helped everyone to understand the next goal and how (and when) to reach it. The partnership has been a great success, thanks to the extra effort put in during what could have been a stressful time for all.”

Kevin adds: “The approach taken on this project – to have a clear pipeline of work and to work more closely in partnership with our client – had maximum benefits on both sides.

“Here at Xylem, we value this more holistic view of solving water and this was reflected by our mode of working in close partnership with the client to offer a complete solution and full national roll-out on time and well within budget.” 

www.xylem.com/uk

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FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

HARLEQUIN LAUNCHES IMPROVED HARLEQUIN CASCADE DANCE VINYL WITH BIOCOTE ANTIMICROBIAL PROTECTION Harlequin has launched a new, improved version of its highly-regarded Harlequin Cascade performance vinyl. Harlequin Cascade is the ultimate heavy-duty dance floor and is the dance floor of choice for the world’s most prestigious dance companies, dance schools and studios, universities and colleges.

Ideal for many genres of dance including ballet, contemporary, modern and many others, Harlequin Cascade now comes with Biocote antimicrobial protection, an added ingredient that helps keep the floor hygienically clean so reducing the risk of crosscontamination and infection.

In these difficult times, it is more important than ever to focus on improving hygiene and this new, improved Cascade with Biocote means that microbes, such as bacteria and viruses will not survive on the surface of the floor. Biocote integral antimicrobial protection uses silver ion technology which is manufactured into Harlequin Cascade and is proven to offer protection for the expected lifetime of the product; it will not wear out or wash off.

The result is a floor which is easier to keep hygienically clean, therefore, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and infection by working constantly to reduce the presence of microbes on the floor.

Harlequin is a world leader in advanced technology floors for the performing arts, entertainment and display.

Established in the UK over 40 years ago, Harlequin remains the industry choice for the world’s most prestigious dance and performing arts companies, theatres, venues and schools, production companies and global events.

Harlequin’s experience and reputation are founded on the design, manufacture, supply and installation of a range of high-quality portable and permanent sprung and vinyl floors chosen by the world’s leading venues – from the Royal Opera House to the Bolshoi Theatre, the Paris Opera Ballet to Sydney Dance Company.

www.harlequinfloors.com 01892 514888 enquiries@harlequinfloors.com

CROWN PAINTS APPOINTED TO NHS SUPPLIER FRAMEWORK Crown Paints has been given Awarded Supplier status by NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC) as part of its Estates Consumable Products framework agreement. As an Awarded Supplier, the comprehensive trio of Crown Trade Acrylic Eggshell, Crown Trade Matt Vinyl emulsion and Crown Trade Full Gloss is now accessible to specifiers working across the NHS and other public sector organisations. Crown’s place on the prestigious framework agreement was secured after demonstrating how its high-performance paints and coatings are fully compliant with the needs of the healthcare sector and how the company’s in-house technical expertise can identify solutions to reduce costs and extend maintenance cycles. Specifiers working across the NHS will also be able to benefit from Crown’s in-house colour consultancy service which can assist in the creation of compliant, inclusive and attractive interior and exterior design schemes.

www.crownpaintspec.co.uk 0330 024 0310 info@crownpaintspec.co.uk

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MEDICAL CENTRE TRANSFORMED WITH STYLE’S FOLDING WALLS A busy facility, Netherfield Medical Centre recently contracted Style to design and install moveable wall solutions that would allow both the reception area and staff room to be quickly divided into smaller working spaces, as required. Transforming the use of the facilities, the two Stylefold folding walls allow the rooms to be divided at a moment’s notice, opening up options as to how the internal space is utilised. With 46 dB Rw acoustics, the walls create an effective screen, offering privacy when in situ. Intensely practical, both walls have a clinical white thermopal finish, complementing the modern interior of the medical centre. “For a very reasonable budget, Stylefold walls can be retrofitted into almost any room, allowing buildings with high levels of pedestrian footfall to more easily comply with social distancing requirements,” said Steve Williams, Style’s Sales Director for the Midlands.

www.style-partitions.co.uk

020 3752 3838 sales@style-partitions.co.uk

SMART SWAPS FOR SURFACES Do your current surfaces meet your hygiene requirements and give your staff, patients, residents and visitors the reassurance they need? Altro is hearing how the favoured flooring and walling materials of the past now present difficulties for our present and future, as care homes adjust to life in a world dealing with coronavirus.

A TRUSTED HISTORY, A DIGITAL FUTURE It has been a story almost three years in the making, from 2017, with the initial sale by Armstrong World Industries, through to completion of its acquisition by Aurelius Equity Opportunities earlier this year. Now Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, a leading UK manufacturer of mineral fibre ceiling systems, has unveiled its new identity which will take it into 2021 and far beyond.

Graham Taylor, Director of Sales and Marketing at the newly-renamed Zentia, reintroduces the business behind the brand.

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

Carpet tiles or carpets are designed to be vacuumed and not cleaned daily with the detergent required to clean viruses. You would need to wet clean the carpet or carpet tiles with detergent daily at 56ºC in order to kill any virus.

Detergents can easily stain carpet, whilst over wetting carpet tiles can cause them to curl, the growth of mildew and the occurrence of odours.

Modern vinyl floors offer an ideal alternative. There are many options now available with similar sound reduction properties to carpet tiles. Comfort underfoot is also a key performance benefit of many vinyl floors, so a switch from carpet to vinyl need not lead to a compromise on comfort or acoustics, and provides carers, staff and residents with a homely look too.

The biggest benefit of vinyl over carpet is cleanability. High-quality vinyl floors can be cleaned at up to 60ºC. No different detergent or process is needed when you already have the ability to spray, steam or power-clean the flooring.

Vinyl floors are cleaned faster, with products less likely to cause damage to the floor and dry faster for a speedy return to service.

www.altro.co.uk 01462 489516 enquiries@altro.com

We are still the same people you’ve always done business with; we bring you the same products you’ve always trusted and specified; we will still manufacture in Britain, as we have since 1966; and we will provide the same support you depend on, and that you can continue to rely on with Zentia – a very positive base on which to build.

Our vision is to take those positive traits you have clearly valued and add more agility and boldness to our approach. We will take bold decisions and act swiftly where required. We will respond to the changing environment and market, whilst fully embracing the digital world.

We were Armstrong; now we are Zentia.

We’ve gone from A to Z, introduced a bright and dynamic colour palette and centred our business around our new brand AXIS – four key elements which underpin our new direction. In the process, we’ve created a new brand that marks a pivotal evolution for our business.

Our AXIS is what drives us. It differentiates us and makes us strong. The four components of the Zentia AXIS are value, solutions provider, responsibility and continuous improvement, and they’re the four things that we promise to live, breathe and promote in everything we do and for every customer.

www.zentia.com 0800 371849

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RCI

BRETT MARTIN DELIVERS A GOLD-STANDARD PERFORMANCE Brett Martin Daylight Systems’ Marlon Clickfix VF polycarbonate glazing system is delivering exceptional natural daylight inside Dublin’s new National Indoor Arena. The system has been used to create a bright, appealing interior that will help provide the perfect environment for sports, whilst providing exceptional aesthetics.

Built by contractor Buckingham Group, this 18,480m 2 multipurpose facility features 2300m 2 of the Marlon Clickfix VF glazing system for the roof gables and as part of the triangularpatterned facade on the front elevation, a key architectural feature of this multi-sport arena.

With aesthetics, light and U-values a vital consideration for the design of the arena, Brett Martin’s daylighting solution offered optimum light transmission, minimal installation time and an ability to accommodate building movement. Specified in clear and blue glass polycarbonate, the Marlon Clickfix VF system ensured a fast and straightforward installation for roofing and cladding contractor, Roofscape.

Commenting on the project, Peter Hanvey of Brett Martin Daylight Systems said: “Brett Martin was involved throughout the design, development and construction phases, ensuring design intent was translated with material use, along with appropriate and robust detailing. As part of this, the 17m-high gable elevations were designed to maximise natural internal diffused light, and allow a cross flow of air to ventilate the internal playing environment.”

The design of both end gables featured a course of 2m light blue polycarbonate panels to the base, central 10m-long panels and maximum 5m panels finishing to the ridge. The Marlon Clickfix VF glazing bar system has been specifically developed for vertical installations such as facades, partitioning, rainscreens and vertically-glazed northlights.

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Forming part of the 520-acre Sport Ireland Campus in north Dublin, the National Indoor Arena comprises a national gymnastics training centre, national indoor athletics training centre and national indoor training centre.

Brett Martin’s Marlon Clickfix VF system has ensured this stateof-the-art sports destination provides an exemplary sporting experience for fans and athletes alike.

www.brettmartin.com 0247 660 2022 daylight@brettmartin.com

RCI

PROTEUS FACADES HELPS CREATE AN EPITOME OF DESIGN AT OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL Secondary schools are expected to inspire pupils with engaging designs and this was certainly the case with the design and development of the Oxford High School for Girls’ Day School Trust’s (GDST) new sixth form and arts centre, which features innovative cladding from Proteus Facades. Providing the exterior of the building with a lustre that matches the quality within, perforated cladding panels, manufactured

by Proteus Facades from a 2mm stainless steel Proteus SC tray in a 240S silver brush polish finish, wrap around the entirety of the first floor. Each panel features striking perforations in a bespoke, organic and geometric pattern that adds architectural interest to the facade; whilst ensuring it is in keeping with other buildings on the school campus and respectful of the adjacent conservation area. The Proteus SC panels, installed by Deane Roofing & Cladding, are supported off a 125 x 50mm mullion and helping-hand brackets set off the primary structure to generate a small soffit lip around the entire building that wraps further to form soffits in the main entrance areas.

www.proteusfacades.com

ROCKWOOL DELIVERS FIRE PROTECTION FOR UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL A combination of ROCKWOOL’s non-combustible stone wool insulation and certified FIREPRO products have been specified to ensure the Grange University Hospital – a new specialist healthcare facility in Wales – can achieve the highest levels of fire protection.

ROCKWOOL worked with main contractor, Laing O’Rourke, and passive fire protection contractor, Optimum, to ensure effective firestopping throughout the critical care centre. Approximately 25,000 penetration seals were installed throughout the scheme using certified products from the ROCKWOOL FIREPRO range. Opening its doors ahead of schedule in November 2020, ROCKWOOL supported Central Roofing South Wales Ltd in delivering non-combustible insulation for critical areas of the external envelope. While the facade benefitted from the installation of ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB in the through-wall build up, ROCKWOOL HARDROCK MultiFix Dual Density was laid on the metal deck roof areas to ensure regulation compliance.

www.rockwool.co.uk/sccc

0151 545 5075

01656 868490 technical.solutions@rockwool.co.uk

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FOCUS & INNOVATION RCI

Evolution Diamond Mine on perforated mild steel

Evolution Diamond Mine on galvanised steel canopies

EVOLUTION FORMS AN INTEGRAL PART OF AN ARTISTICALLY INSPIRED RESTORATION PROJECT The innovative Evolution range of coatings from Powdertech Corby is fascinating in that it is able to look both contemporary, meeting the current trend for realistic metal patination or an industrial look, as well as being highly appropriate for the restoration of a 13th-century abbey.

Iona Abbey, Iona

The best metals and coatings for an island environment The designer’s original concept for the canopies and the mezzanine infills was to use Corten steel and Corten steel mesh.

Metalwork UK advised that in an external environment, rainwater could cause run-off and staining of the tiles, wood, flagstones or anything else underneath the Corten steel structures. Aluminium and stainless steel were discussed, but both options were overly expensive and had their own disadvantages.

The marine environment within which the abbey is located made it imperative to select a metal that could be well protected against corrosion and wind-borne particle abrasion; mild steel was the favoured option.

The perforated steel manufacturer, RMIG, suggested that Metalwork UK contact Powdertech to discuss a high-performance coating which would give a rusted look on the mild steel substrate used for the internal mezzanine frontage in the refectory and the lift surround. Powdertech supplied a range of samples from its ‘Rust’ collection and Evolution/Diamond Mine was chosen, reflecting the natural rusting of steel with texture and sparkle whilst providing high-performance corrosion protection.

Galvanised steel was chosen for the external canopies, and Powdertech could confirm that the Diamond Mine finish would produce the same effect on this metal, creating a harmonised feel for the building.

Design for full protection

Iona Abbey on the beautiful Hebridean island of Iona has a long history of welcoming guests and has been under refurbishment with a view to extending its hospitality into the winter months with improved heating, insulation and facilities to suit people with disabilities. This is a £3.5m project funded largely by donations from across the world to The Iona Community.

The abbey has an artistic heritage as well as a religious one and houses Scotland’s finest collection of early medieval carved stones and crosses. It is also thought that the world-famous Book of Kells was made here.

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Colin McNeish of WHAM Architecture has reflected this tradition by using the symbol of wild geese, which form part of the Iona Community’s logo, as inspiration for canopies over the entrance to the refectory, combining an artistic influence with the functional aspects of refurbishment. The architectural metalwork was constructed by Metalwork UK, a specialist in structural steel and heritage projects, and an authentically aged, weathered and welcoming appearance in both colour and texture was the design vision for this part of the restorative work.

In order for the pre-treatment and powder coating process to fully protect the structures, particular design aspects are always critical, including the need to eliminate any sharp edges and water traps and to ensure that jigging points are correctly positioned.

The mild and galvanised steel components were primed with a zinc-rich primer before coating to give added protection. The highperformance weather resistance afforded by the Evolution finish will protect the underlying metal for 25 years or more.

www. powdertechcorby.co.uk 01536 400890 pcl@powdertech.co.uk

AKW UNVEILS NEW INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN BATHROOMS AKW, a leading UK supplier of accessibility solutions, has introduced new products to improve safety in the bathroom for the less-abled.

FOCUS & INNOVATION

The new AKW Bidet has been developed to offer a cost-effective, quick-to-install and easy-to-use and maintain bidet for those wanting a non-permanent solution. AKW has also expanded its new anti-slip vinyl flooring range due to popular demand.

AKW’s new bidet has been developed to bring increased independence with toileting to those that need it. The AKW Bidet is water mains-fed and offers users the widest range of temperature, water spray and dryer options. These can be fully controlled via a handheld remote control.

Other features include a quiet dryer mechanism, detachability for effective cleaning, a weight limit of 23.5 stone/150kg and the inclusion of side transfer lugs to minimise lateral movement when moving from a wheelchair.

AKW’s expanded and improved range of safety flooring comes in a wide variety of contemporary colours and provides the highest level of slip resistance for barefoot users in wet and soapy environments. The design of this durable safety flooring has been especially developed to address factors that raise the risk of falls in the bathroom, such as slip resistance, visual contrast and texture.

Suitable for wetrooms as well as other bathroom adaptations, the flooring range conforms to both HSE and International standards. The flooring is also watertight, long-lasting with slip resistance for a minimum of 10 years, and easy to clean.

www.akw-ltd.co.uk 01905 823299 marketing@akw-ltd.co.uk

ANTIMICROBIAL GLASS LAUNCHED Pilkington UK has launched Pilkington SaniTise – a flat glass with an antimicrobial coating that can enable the break down of viruses, bacteria and fungi on its surface.

The glass is designed to help reduce the transmission of microbes via surfaces in shared spaces like hospitals, GP surgeries and schools. The company said: “Some viruses can live on glass surfaces for days if left untreated, creating a risk for people to become infected through contact transmission. Pilkington SaniTise ultimately helps to reduce the chances of this happening, which could make a big difference in high-touch applications.”

www.pilkington.co.uk/sanitise

A NEW DISCOVERY IN SMOKE PROTECTION Students at University of Salford will discover a new approach to being safe when the campus re-opens in September. Gilberts’ “first of its kind” Series 60 damper has been chosen by smoke control systems company Baiceir to protect the 14-storey Discovery Quay development. Some 26 dampers – each capable of providing up to two hours of fire integrity – have been incorporated into the common corridors to protect the two stairwells within the £24.5m building, comprising 400 student bedrooms and ancillary communal space. Believed to be the only vent of its kind designed and manufactured in the UK, Series 60 offers what Gilberts claims will be the biggest standard range of EN 12101-8-compliant fire-tested dampers.

www.gilbertsblackpool.com

01253 766911

DEANESTOR DELIVERS ITS LARGEST EVER EDUCATION FURNITURE CONTRACT Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fit-out specialists, has delivered its largest ever contract in the education sector.

The £3m project was for the manufacture of bespoke furniture and fit-out of the new £55m Inverurie Community Campus – one of the largest school construction projects in Scotland. Deanestor fitted-out 360 rooms across the campus. Bespoke fixed furniture includes booth seating for the learning plazas, break-out spaces, cafe and social dining, 1950m of shelving, 670m of laminate and laboratory worktops, 400 base and wall storage units, bag stores, 84 primary and secondary teaching walls, and more than 500 items of metalwork.

www.deanestor.co.uk/schools 01623 420041 enquiries@deanestor.com

info@gilbertsblackpool.com

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

LAUNCH OF LEVIAT UNITES CONSTRUCTION ACCESSORIES COMPANIES UNDER NEW GLOBAL BRAND Leviat, the new global brand for CRH’s construction accessories companies, has launched. Under the Leviat brand, leading industry names including Ancon, HALFEN, Helifix, Plaka and Isedio come together as one global business, creating a world leader in connecting, fixing and anchoring technology.

Known and trusted branded products, such as Ancon masonry support, HALFEN anchor channels, Helifix crack stitching, Plaka concrete accessories and Isedio floor joints, will form part of Leviat’s comprehensive global product portfolio and will continue to be marketed and developed by Leviat.

Leviat employs almost 3000 people at 60 locations worldwide. As one global business, Leviat will offer customers greater technical expertise and resources, a larger and more agile supply chain and better, faster innovation.

Commenting on the launch, Leviat’s Managing Director, Mehmet Pekarun, said: “It is a significant development which will further strengthen our business as we unite the expertise and resources of our existing construction accessories companies under one global brand.

“By coming together as one global team, we are better equipped to leverage our full design and manufacturing resources, located across four continents, and ensure Leviat is even more responsive to evolving customer needs.

Combining our technical expertise, market knowledge and R&D activities will enable Leviat to accelerate the launch of new, gamechanging, construction innovations.

“Whatever the future demands of our industry, as Leviat, we are ready!”

www.leviat.com 0208 735 5200 info.uk@leviat.com

TITAN LITE PROTECTING MOVEMENT JOINTS WITHIN NEW HOSPITAL

MARMOX THERMOBLOCK UNDERPINS BROMLEY SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT Both phases to the refurbishment and extension of Bromley High Junior School are making full use of the insulating and load-bearing capabilities of Marmox Thermoblocks. Neilcott Construction’s Site Agent, Nick Thomas, commented: “We have had experience of using Marmox Thermoblock on a number of projects in the past and find them very straightforward to incorporate into different types of construction. At the moment, we are laying them over a beam and block floor in the new cloakrooms to carry a 140mm-thick wall of 7.2 Newton Celcon blocks, but they also featured in phase one over a precast plank floor. We are laying both screeded and floating floors across these substrates, and up against the Thermoblocks, maintaining the continuity of the thermal insulation.”

The fire protection of critical movement joints within the main floor slabs of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham has consumed some 1000 linear metres of Titan Lite 120/60, as a well-proven and widely-specified passive fire protection product. In this instance, the specification of the adaptable, high-performance TBA Firefly system for passive fire protection has come about as the result of consultation between the main contractor, Balfour Beatty and IFC (International Fire Consultants), in conjunction with the NHS Trust’s senior fire officer. Manufacturer TBA Protective Technologies duly provided its standard details and other certifications to the project team and delivered on-site training for the specialist package contractor, Flynn Interiors.

www.tbafirefly.com

technical@tbafirefly.com

PREMIER’S CONTRACT TO PROVIDE COVID-19 TESTING BUILDINGS IS DOUBLED TO 50 SITES The multi-million-pound contract awarded to Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite construction specialists, to provide bespoke modular buildings for COVID-19 testing has been doubled to 50 sites across the UK. The extension of the modular building contract for COVID-19 testing follows the success of the first phase awarded to Premier by the Department of Health and Social Care for an initial 25 sites from Inverness to Portsmouth. This major national project is supporting the Government in increasing testing capacity in the current pandemic and was procured through the Crown Commercial Service.

www.marmox.co.uk 01634 835290 sales@marmox.co.uk www.premiermodular.co.uk

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01706 758817

0800 316 0888

info@premiermodular.co.uk

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Introducing Pilkington SaniTise™, a world-first in glazing. Coated with a layer of titanium dioxide, the glass provides antimicrobial properties. Tested by leading universities it helps protect against enveloped viruses.

Pilkington SaniTise™. For a healthier, cleaner, safer world.

For further information visit pilkington.co.uk/sanitise