PSBJ November 2023

Public Sector Build Journal November 2023

Healthcare

Education

The pivotal role of acoustic treatment in classrooms

Leisure

psbjmagazine.com

Issue 135

A BEACON OF HOPE FOR CANCER RESEARCH How the construction industry can provide cancer facilities that are fit for the future

Housing

Qflow offers five tips to become a less wasteful organisation

Four most common mistakes with wholehouse ventilation systems

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WELCOME NOTE

©BDP and Nick Caville

Editor

Hannah Woodger

hannah@redhutmedia.com

Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@redhutmedia.com

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

sam@redhutmedia.com

Jim Moore

Arup reflects on how the construction industry can provide cancer facilities that are fit for the future.

See page 08.

jim@redhutmedia.com

Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb

Welcome to the November issue of PSBJ...

Digital Design Manager

As I write, storm Babet has left a trail of destruction across many parts of the UK, with more imminent rain anticipated to threaten areas that are already severely affected by flooding. Tragically known to be responsible for seven deaths and leaving hundreds of people homeless, the storm has caused irreversible damage, and efforts to rebuild communities will undoubtedly be ongoing for weeks if not months.

jack@redhutmedia.com

Matt Morse

matt@redhutmedia.com

Accounts

Rachel Pike

accounts@redhutmedia.com

Publisher Sam Ball

sam@redhutmedia.com Published by

Red Hut Media Ltd. 5 Mansion Row, Brompton, Kent, ME7 5SE

Sadly, these extreme weather conditions are a more common occurrence as we become first-hand witnesses to the impact of climate change. In the construction industry, we have become accustomed to adapting to our changing world by updating legislation and regulations, and the latest relating to flood and water management reflects a step change for SuDS. In this issue, Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) looks at the looming legislation that will mandate SuDS. Already adopted in Wales since 2019, the Government has finally announced plans to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which will make the adoption of SuDS mandatory in England. To read more about how these changes will affect the state of play, above and below ground, turn to page 26.

psbjmagazine.com For many council-owned buildings, waterproofing is also a factor to consider when embarking on retrofitting works prompted by inclement weather. With water ingress the cause of major damage to buildings and their contents, it’s important to enlist a reliable manufacturer who will deliver a trusted system. Turn to page 22 to read more about the key benefits of specifying and installing a PMMA liquid-applied waterproofing system.

01622 946150 redhutmedia.com

Elsewhere in this issue, our cover story showcases the recently-completed Paterson building at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, which represents a significant milestone in the field of cancer research. Meanwhile, Marc Watkins from SWG discusses how retrofitting existing buildings with BIM technology can improve building capabilities, and Pagabo reflects on how the procurement industry can deal with contractors folding.

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 Red Hut Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access 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.

Hannah

Hannah Woodger • Editor • hannah@redhutmedia.com 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

Adam Ellis, Associate Mechanical Engineer at Arup, reflects on how the construction industry can provide cancer facilities that are fit for the future.

12 Education

Zentia brings to the forefront the pivotal role of acoustic treatment in classrooms and offers practical solutions, including a range of acoustic ceiling systems.

08

14 Legal & Business

18 HVAC

16 Leisure

20 Housing

Brittany Harris, CEO and Co-Founder at Qflow, offers five recommendations to become a less wasteful organisation, to manage waste better and deliver your sustainability objectives.

The major redevelopment of the lido at Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury, has completed following a £5.7m investment, commissioned by West Berkshire Council.

Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager, identifies the four most common mistakes seen when it comes to wholehouse ventilation systems and explains how to avoid them.

Lee Caulfield at Baxi outlines the different approaches for reducing social housing emissions, as the UK stands at the forefront of an eco-friendly transformation.

22 Refurb & Retrofit

Gary Hemmings, Managing Director of WestWood Liquid Technologies, explains the key benefits of specifying and installing a PMMA liquid-applied waterproofing system.

24 Healthcare

Simon Herod, International Lead at EstimateOne, discusses the estimator’s essential contribution to healthcare construction amidst ambitious Government targets.

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SHOWERS LIMITED

CONTENTS

34 34 Bricks & Blocks

IG Masonry Support brings a building’s striking facade to life at North Kelvinside Primary School, using its simple-to-install, cost-effective B.O.S.S. system.

12 26 Drainage & Landscaping

Stuart Crisp, UK Manager of Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), looks at looming legislation (Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010) that will mandate SuDS.

28 BIM

Marc Watkins, Consultant from Service Works Global (SWG), discusses how retrofitting existing buildings with BIM technology can improve building capabilities.

30 Talking Point

Jonathan Parker, Development Director at Pagabo, takes a closer look at how the procurement industry deals with contractors folding in a turbulent market.

32 Technical Focus

Carl Bailey, Regional Technical Manager for Elevate (formerly Firestone Building Products), offers best practice advice on specifying and installing EPDM roofing membranes.

36 London Build Preview

The stage is set for an extravaganza as London Build, one of the UK’s leading construction shows, returns to Olympia London’s Grand Hall on 15 and 16th November.

38 Product Showcase

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

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05

NEWS

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

A new era begins for Dumfries High School hub South West Scotland is to work in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council to deliver the new £48m Dumfries High School after plans for the new state-of-the-art education facility were approved. Part of the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), the new Dumfries High School will accommodate over 900 pupils, with the build taking place on the existing site. hub South West has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction as construction partner with Ryder Architecture leading the design of the new school. Turner & Townsend has been appointed to deliver full cost management, project management and principal designer services for the project and Woolgar Hunter will lead on civil and structural engineering elements of the new school. In addition to leading PE and STEM facilities, the school campus will also include a 3G pitch with viewing terrace, science and wellbeing gardens and parking spaces. The new school will include new sports accommodation to replace the existing David Keswick Athletics Centre. The new school is expected to be completed by summer 2025. Stuart Parker, Managing Director at Morgan Sindall Construction Scotland, said: “This project is a great showcase for the council’s commitment to creating best-in-class educational facilities that will really benefit Dumfries’ community and support its young people for generations to come.”

Director appointed by Efficiency North to lead affordable housing arm With a mission to secure more affordable housing across the north of England, EN:Able Build has appointed Richard Greenwood as its new Director. EN:Able Build, part of Efficiency North Holdings, is a professional services company that facilitates the delivery of affordable housing across the north of England by working closely with landowners, developers, local authorities and Efficiency North’s membership of social housing providers. Richard has been appointed to expand on EN:Able Build’s previous successes and grow the company’s regional partnerships, ensuring more land opportunities are converted into affordable housing. On his appointment, Richard said: “There is an urgent demand for affordable housing in the north and all parties are eager to solve this problem together. The role of EN:Able Build is to connect those groups of people in the most efficient way possible. I will be initiating those connections and driving schemes forward to ensure they are brought to fruition.” Richard is a chartered builder with more than 35 years of experience in the construction industry, 30 of which are within the affordable housing sector. In his previous role, Richard was responsible for gaining accreditation to major regional frameworks for affordable housing.

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Completion of refurbishment project for Stafford school relocation St Leonard’s Primary School in Stafford is celebrating the completion of its relocation, which will have the capacity for future expansion. The £4m project was delivered by Midlandsbased contractor G F Tomlinson and architect and project manager Entrust, for Staffordshire County Council. Pupils and staff from St Leonard’s have now moved from their outgrown Victorian building on St Leonard’s Avenue to their new, larger site at the former Kingston Centre, which is a five-minute walk from its previous location. The move will allow the school to meet the demand for additional school places from the new housing developments in the area. The former Kingston Centre has been fully remodelled and refurbished to create a modern, sustainable and comfortable learning environment, and having previously been a school from 1939 when it was first built to 1988, it has brought the site back to its original intended use. From the initial planning phase of the school, sustainability has been integral to its design and operation.

G F Tomlinson installed air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and hybrid heating/cooling air handling units, as well as replacing the existing ceilings with insulated thermal storage panels in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.

New College Durham students move into £8.9m ‘T.H.E Hub’ Work on a two-storey collaborative and integrated learning space at New College Durham is now complete. Named T.H.E. Hub (Technical and Higher Education Hub), the extension will provide the college with a specialist building to deliver higher and technical level skills qualifications. The state-of-the-art education facility was designed by Ryder Architecture and delivered by County Durham-headquartered contractor, Esh Construction. Located at the college’s Framwellgate Moor Campus, T.H.E Hub features 23 new teaching spaces including an immersive suite, an early years foundation stage nursery, a sensory room, a hospital ward, a dental suite, an E-Sports arena, cyber security facilities, specialist I.T. classrooms and science laboratories. In addition, the building has several collaborative and breakout spaces for students to work and socialise in a modern environment. Grant Watson, Construction Manager at Esh Construction, said: “Throughout the scheme, we worked hard to maximise the social and economic benefits for the local area. Through our commitment to employing locally, 91% of the operatives on site were north east residents and we created 11 new apprenticeship opportunities, all of which currently study at the college. We provided 90 days of T-Level student placements as well as two five-day work placements for Level 3 Advanced Plumbing students.”

NEWS

Planning permission granted for new Passivhaus community campus in Faifley

Morgan Sindall Construction to provide critical classrooms at Castledon School

Planning permission has been granted for a new community campus in Faifley, West Dunbartonshire, that will bring together two primary schools, a nursery and ASN provision with a host of community facilities, including a library. Designed to meet industry-leading Passivhaus requirements, as well as the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standards, the new campus will require little energy for space heating or cooling, driving down running costs and carbon emissions. The new facility for West Dunbartonshire Council, which will be delivered through hub West Scotland and received part-funding from the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Improvement Programme, will improve services for local people by co-locating education and community facilities under one roof. The sports hall and all-weather outdoor pitch will be available out-of-hours to community sports groups, and the flexible design will allow the school’s dining space to double as a drama or dance facility for local groups. Community allotments and an attractive arrival plaza will feature in the grounds of the campus, along with a forest school area and biodiverse garden. Ruaridh Nicol, Associate at Holmes Miller, said: “We’ve designed the new campus as a sustainable and inclusive facility that will provide the people of Faifley not only with a high-quality educational building, but also indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities for all ages, that will enhance lives.”

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Essex business has been appointed by Essex County Council (ECC) to remodel and extend the facilities at specialist educational needs (SEN) school, Castledon School. As a specialist school catering for ages between five and 19, this project will ensure that Essex can meet the growing local demand for this form of educational support. Morgan Sindall is set to provide an extension to a pre-existing building, and an entirely new facility in order to increase the capacity by 82 students to 196 places. The new 1660ft 2 building will contain eight multi-purpose classrooms as well as a sports hall, food tech classroom, science lab, art studio, physio facilities, a library and office space for teaching staff. In addition, the school’s beloved library bus will be moved across the site, next to a nearby woodland glade. Morgan Sindall was appointed to the project as a part of the Essex Construction Framework 2 (ECF2). The framework is aimed at improving facilities, such as Castledon, in the Essex area, including blue light, Government and educational bodies. The new extension will assist Castledon School as it supports students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), moderate learning difficulties and other special educational needs, through the use of brand-new therapy and calming rooms.

Morgan Sindall Construction hands over new £14.8m Millside Spencer Academy

Glebe Farm School and IFtL win Environmental and Sustainability Award

Morgan Sindall Construction has handed over a new school in Nottinghamshire, creating vital school places for the local community. Millside Spencer Academy is the latest project that has seen the Nottinghamshire County Council work in collaboration with Arc Partnership. Procured through SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading procurement specialists, Arc Partnership designed and cost managed the project, and oversaw the construction through its delivery partner Morgan Sindall Construction. Located on former farmland on Rempstone Road, the new school will be run by The Spencer Academies Trust and is part of the investment in education in East Leake by Nottinghamshire County Council. Now that the keys to the school have been handed over, local residents can look forward to 315 primary and 26 nursery places in the heart of the recent David Wilson Homes housing development, The Skylarks. Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “What an incredible learning environment for pupils in and around the East Leake area. As a council, we have a duty of care to make sure there is a sufficient number of school places across Nottinghamshire so that every pupil can have access to good-quality education. Millside Spencer Academy certainly has all the elements to achieve this.”

“Our winner is delivering today a glimpse of what the future of all schools could and should be into the 21st century and beyond.” This was the feedback from judges of the 2023 Milton Keynes Education Awards as Glebe Farm School and Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL) scooped the Environmental and Sustainability Award in September. In a glittering ceremony at the Double Tree by Hilton in Milton Keynes, hosted at Eamonn Homes, Glebe Farm School and IFtL beat off fierce competition to win the award for their “flagship environmental and sustainability initiative”. Glebe Farm School, which opened its doors in September 2022, is an all-through school where children can enter at reception and stay all the way through to year 11. There is also a 39-place full-time equivalent nursery. In collecting the award with colleagues from Glebe Farm, IFtL CEO Sarah Bennett said: “We are so pleased to win this Environmental and Sustainability Award. Having worked in education for over 30 years, I honestly can say that children have never been more aware of their global environment than they are today. The impact of our actions on our planet are highly visible and our collective responsibilities to ensure sustainability and an action-focused approach throughout society, now and into the future, have never been more important.”

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UPFRONT All images: ©BDP and Nick Caville

INNOVATIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS PROPEL UK’S CANCER RESEARCH SECTOR FORWARD Adam Ellis, Associate Mechanical Engineer at Arup, reflects on how the construction industry can provide cancer facilities that are fit for the future and shares the firm’s recent experience of delivering the new Paterson Cancer Research Centre in Manchester. completion of the new T he Paterson building at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester represents a significant milestone in the field of cancer research.

This state-of-the-art facility is part of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, a partnership between three innovative powerhouses: The Christie, Cancer Research UK and the University of Manchester. Notably, the project exemplifies the pivotal role of the public sector, particularly the NHS, in building facilities that advance medical research and healthcare innovation.

In the UK, institutions like The Christie NHS Foundation Trust have been at the forefront of cancer care, research and education. The challenge faced by these institutions is not only to provide world-class care but also to drive groundbreaking advancements in cancer research. The Paterson Cancer Research

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Centre has been built to focus on driving the essential research element of this challenge. The labs have been designed to optimise flexibility and allow for future innovations and equipment to be easily integrated.

Team science The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is the largest concentration of scientists, doctors and nurses in Europe, and the new Paterson building is set to become a valuable asset and base for the organisation. This diverse team, practicing what is known as ‘team science’, will be at the forefront of delivering clinical trials that cover the entire patient pathway, from prevention and novel treatments to living with, and beyond, cancer.

With over 25,000m 2 of space and standing at 10 storeys high, this facility is more than double the size of its

predecessor. This expanded capacity is crucial for experts to conduct discovery research and translate their findings into large-scale, innovative clinical trials.

Crucially, this building will be occupied by all three partners: The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, several teams from the University of Manchester’s Division of Cancer Sciences, and it will serve as Manchester’s scientific headquarters for discovery science within the international Alliance for Early Cancer Detection. A central component of the facility will be the Cancer Research UK Cancer Biomarker Centre, with a primary focus on biomarkers to aid in early cancer detection and diagnosis, ultimately enabling personalised cancer management and tailored therapies – a significant advancement in the fight against cancer.

The collaborative effort that led to the construction of the Paterson building underscores the importance

UPFRONT of cross-sector partnerships in advancing healthcare innovation. Arup’s multidisciplinary team, in line with the principles of ‘team science’, ensured that the new Paterson building could deliver pioneering cancer research. Moreover, the flexibility embedded in the design ensures that the research centre can remain at the forefront of scientific discovery as science and healthcare continue to evolve. This achievement not only impacts individuals through improved cancer treatments, but also accelerates the city of Manchester’s contribution to global medical innovation.

Innovation from the ashes In 2017, a devastating fire consumed the original Paterson building, which housed invaluable research and scientific work.

While the fire was contained at the roof level, it prompted a re-evaluation of the building’s future. The Paterson Cancer Research Centre project emerged as an opportunity to not only rebuild, but create a facility that would define the future of cancer research in the UK. One of the core challenges in constructing the Paterson Cancer Research Centre was the unpredictable nature of scientific progress. The researchers and designers recognised that the research happening under its roof today might look vastly different in just a decade. Therefore, adaptability and flexibility were embedded into the facility’s core design principles. 

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UPFRONT

Arup, in collaboration with BDP Architects, IHP and Dalkia (previously Imtech), took on the challenge of designing a facility that could evolve with the ever-changing landscape of cancer research. Several innovative approaches were adopted:

Building services for adaptability: Key infrastructure elements like risers were strategically placed near laboratories, enabling periodic maintenance without disrupting research. The building services were designed with the future in mind, allowing for easy modifications to accommodate new lab layouts and evolving scientific equipment.

Flexible services approach: The laboratories themselves were designed to accommodate a wide range of equipment sizes and types. This approach ensures that spaces can adapt without significant redesign, whether due to changing scientific requirements or technological advancements.

Vibration sensitivity: The upper floors of the building house vibrationsensitive equipment and labs. Arup’s specialists meticulously assessed the sensitivity of various equipment and collaborated with the client to engineer an optimised solution, considering factors like equipment location, slab depth and column grid to meet stringent vibration performance standards.

Sustainable laboratory services: Recognising the energy-intensive nature of laboratories, the Paterson Cancer Research Centre incorporated sustainable solutions.

Variable air volume systems and heat recovery on the process extract system were introduced, ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability in this critical research facility.

Collaboration is key The Paterson building is a testament to the power of collaboration between the private and public sectors, bringing together healthcare institutions and research organisations to drive innovation in cancer research and care. Experts joining together from the NHS, cancer research centres, building and architectural consultants and a range of other fields unleashed the full potential of this project. Due to the diverse range of voices involved in the design and build of the Paterson building, the facility is well equipped to not only conduct life-saving research today, but well into the future.

From a purely architectural or building perspective, we may never have thought about many of the features of the Paterson facility.

It is only through integrated teamwork that we can fully understand the real-life needs and applications for centres such as this one.

As the UK continues to face growing demand for advancements in medical science, publicprivate partnerships like this serve as a beacon of hope for a healthier future, not only for the people of Manchester but for cancer patients nationally and globally. 

www.arup.com

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11

EDUCATION

THE IMPORTANCE OF ACOUSTICS IN SCHOOL CLASSROOM DESIGN Schoolrooms have always been considered sanctuaries of knowledge and growth, providing the setting for teachers to impart knowledge and students to absorb new information. However, the effectiveness of this process often hinges on an overlooked factor – the acoustic environment. quality of sound within a T he classroom can significantly impact the learning experience of both students and educators. Inadequate acoustics can lead to a noisy classroom, negatively affecting student’s attitudes, behaviours and retention rates. Additionally, it can even take a toll on the teacher’s health.

This pressing issue has prompted the Government to provide guidance in the form of Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) concerning the acoustic design of schools.

In light of this, Zentia brings to the forefront the pivotal role of acoustic treatment in classrooms and offers practical solutions, including a range of acoustic ceiling systems.

The sound of success In a classroom where the teacher’s voice is drowned out by a range of outside noises, such as footsteps, whispers and distant chatter, it becomes challenging for students to focus on lessons. Even when a classroom is quiet, a teacher may have to talk louder to ensure their voices travel to the back of the classroom if there is an imbalance in acoustics. The quality of the

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sound environment plays a pivotal role in the educational journey, affecting both students and educators alike.

Numerous studies have illuminated the link between classroom acoustics and student engagement. When students struggle to hear teachers due to excessive background noise, their ability to concentrate diminishes, leading to a lack of participation, enthusiasm and an overall negative attitude towards learning. Sadly, not being able to hear and, therefore, retain information in a classroom can also lead to a decline in academic performance and failure to grasp fundamental concepts.

The impact also extends beyond engagement. Studies have also shown that students in noisy classrooms are more likely to display disruptive behaviour, and the frustration of not being able to hear clearly can lead to restlessness, bad behaviour and disciplinary issues.

It is not just students who bear the brunt of inadequate classroom acoustics; teachers can also pay a price. As noise levels increase, teachers may experience

heightened stress levels. The constant effort to make oneself heard the most can lead to vocal strain, fatigue and frustration. These stressors can manifest in physiological responses, such as an increased heart rate, which, if chronic, can contribute to more severe health problems like hypertension and heart disease.

Government guidance Recognising the importance of acoustic design in educational settings, the UK Government has provided invaluable guidance through Building Bulletin 93 (BB93). This comprehensive document outlines the acoustic standards and recommendations for the design of new and refurbished school buildings.

BB93 sets out specific criteria for various spaces within educational facilities, including classrooms, halls and music rooms. It prescribes maximum ambient noise levels and acoustic performance standards that must be met to create a conducive learning environment. The guidance also covers the importance of sound insulation between spaces to prevent unwanted

EDUCATION noise transfer, ensuring that classrooms remain a comfortable environment for learning.

Zentia: Crafting sound environments for learning In the move to fostering optimal learning environments, Zentia stands as a company with expertise and experience in acoustic solutions. Creating a sound environment is a multifaceted task that requires a holistic approach.

With a commitment to enhancing the acoustic quality of classrooms, Zentia offers practical solutions that align with the principles outlined in BB93.

A key component of classroom acoustics is acoustic ceiling systems, which play a pivotal role in controlling sound within a space.

Acoustic ceiling tiles are specifically designed with sound-absorbing materials that work by reducing the echo and reverberation in a room. Ceiling tiles that also include sound-attenuating properties help to reduce noise transfer from one space to another by blocking unwanted noise.

Zentia offers a diverse range of acoustic ceiling solutions that cater to the unique needs of education settings including large, open spaces. Sonify by Zentia is the latest range of systems, designed to absorb and attenuate sound, reducing ambient noise levels and

enhancing speech intelligibility.

With a variety of designs and finishes to choose from, Zentia’s acoustic ceiling systems not only serve a functional purpose but also contribute to the aesthetic appeal of large areas, such as canteens and receptions.

In the journey a student makes throughout their educational milestones, the importance of acoustic design often remains an unsung hero. Yet, the quality of sound within a classroom can make or break the learning experience. It shapes students’ engagement, behaviour and retention, while also impacting the wellbeing of educators.

In the pursuit of academic excellence, Zentia offers practical, innovative and reliable solutions for specifiers. With a range of acoustic ceiling systems and customised solutions, Zentia empowers educational institutions to create sound environments that foster engagement, encourage learning and prioritise the wellbeing of students and teachers alike. Through its commitment to sustainability and expertise in acoustic solutions, Zentia stands apart in the journey to create classrooms where knowledge flourishes in acoustically-sound environments. 

www.zentia.com

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LEGAL & BUSINESS

HOW TO BECOME A LESS WASTEFUL ORGANISATION The pressure on public projects to demonstrate their sustainability and compliance credentials has never been greater. The rise of ESG and the golden thread of data has led to a call for greater supply chain transparency and accountability across the industry, and waste is a constant focal point. Brittany Harris, CEO and Co-Founder at Qflow, explores further. are many things you can do to T here cut back and trim your waste as a company. After speaking to our partners and colleagues, here are five points that we recommend you start with as you strive towards being a less wasteful organisation, to manage waste better and deliver your supply chain and sustainability objectives:

1. Setting a system from the start will massively reduce the need to backtrack and change down the line Establishing the right systems and collaborating with the appropriate suppliers is crucial in the construction industry.

Like all sectors of the construction industry, success hinges on effective collaboration and selecting the right people and systems for any given task.

In the UK, there’s a legal obligation to report construction waste through Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs), which must adhere to the Environment Agency’s duty of care standards. This often leads to the daunting task of tracking, gathering and digitising a plethora of paper tickets from a diverse waste supply chain. Selecting the optimal solution for your project is paramount. This could be a waste broker equipped with a digital system for monitoring and reporting, or a versatile solution that aids your construction team, independent of your waste supply chain. The UK Construction Industry Annual Waste Report 2023 underscores the benefits of implementing the right systems from the outset.

2. Respond dynamically to the data The UK Construction Industry Annual Waste Report 2023 highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with managing waste compliance in construction. Currently, one in three Waste Transfer Notes is missing legally-

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mandated fields, leading to potential compliance risks and operational inefficiencies. A staggering 93% of these non-compliant Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs) lack facility permits or exemptions, while 83% don’t have the necessary carrier licences. Such omissions prevent you from verifying that your waste has been managed in accordance with the legally-mandated duty of care.

Conducting real-time audits of waste transfer documentation allows for immediate action on non-compliances, ensuring issues are rectified before they jeopardise your project.

3. Collaborate with your supply chain for enhancement The report emphasises that frequently just one or two key suppliers with inadequate processes or diligence are the culprits behind subpar waste management. The waste data system you establish from the outset can pinpoint these issues in real time. This allows you to collaborate with your supply chain for improvements, providing the necessary support and guidance to cultivate an efficient and sustainable team.

4. Segregation Enhanced onsite segregation can drastically improve recycling and reuse rates. Proper segregation of various waste types as they are generated is crucial. Whenever space permits, using distinct skips for different waste types is recommended. This approach not only curtails your waste management expenses but also diminishes landfill waste, enhancing the potential for material reuse and recycling.

Onsite recycling and reuse might also be viable options. Several systems in

Brittany Harris is CoFounder and CEO of Qflow. She started the company alongside Jade Cohen with the sole purpose of leaving the world in a better place than they found it. Qflow is on a mission to become the market-leading system for UK construction projects to capture and harness material and waste data on live sites.

the market support this and, as time progresses, we anticipate the circular economy in construction to expand in the upcoming years.

At the very least, there should be dedicated skips for wood, metals, inert materials and mixed materials. If space is limited and multiple skips aren’t feasible, the waste facility you collaborate with will need to handle waste sorting. Such facilities might be capable of extracting recyclable materials from mixed skips. It’s advisable to review the waste disposal breakdown of the facilities you partner with.

5. Review your performance against other sites At the conclusion of a project, it’s tempting to immediately transition to the next without reflecting. However, valuable insights can be gleaned from retrospection, focusing on what went well and areas needing enhancement. Such insights can pave the way for more efficient and sustainable future construction projects. The data you’ve amassed regarding waste generation and management can be instrumental in determining future collaborations and waste management strategies.

At Qflow, we’re involved in numerous public sector projects. With the Qflow system, construction teams obtain a clear perspective on their extensive supply chain’s performance concerning materials and waste and save 80% of the onsite admin time.

The data procured through Qflow offers unparalleled clarity on waste destinations and handling procedures. This transparency simplifies the process of making informed decisions to enhance supply chain performance and mitigate risks. 

www.qualisflow.com

15

LEISURE

MYRTHA POOLS MAKES A SPLASH WITH PARTNERS IN LIDO REVAMP The major redevelopment of the lido at Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury, has completed following a £5.7m investment. was an incredible opportunity to T his use precision engineering solutions to transform an historic and popular lido at the heart of a community at Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury.

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The new outdoor facilities were to include a 50m, Olympic-length outdoor swimming pool, a splash pad and fun slides, beach hut-style changing rooms, a sun terrace and a relaxation area, all of which had to be fully accessible.

The ambitious £5.7m scheme was expected to see attendances surge to 50,000 each season. It was commissioned

by West Berkshire Council and developed

by Alliance Leisure working in partnership with modular pool provider Myrtha Pools and Universal Civils & Build through the UK Leisure Framework.

The original pool – on a site dating back to 1870 – was being affected by groundwater levels, which had undermined the integrity of the structure and became increasingly expensive to maintain.

Rather than launching a costly and time-consuming demolition and new build, the plan was to use modern technology to re-engineer the outdated pool and futureproof the development for decades to come.

The new pool benefits from Mythra Pools’ precision-engineered chromiumrich steel Myrtha RenovAction technology. It streamlines the overall process and reduces ongoing maintenance and sustainability costs – a key factor at a time of financial pressures in the leisure industry – with the average price of a swim now valued at over £5, according to a new state of the industry report from Leisure DB. Kevin Burns, UK Business Development Manager at Myrtha Pools, said: “Like most lidos across the country, modern technology is affording leisure operators the chance to redevelop and plan for the future.

“The project was a prime example of how existing facilities could be renovated and improved upon, without beginning a new-build process from scratch, which is increasingly important as councils and leisure operators look to optimise budgets.”

LEISURE The four-lane lido is formed of stainless steel using modern methods of construction (MMC), with the existing concrete structure relined to deliver corrosion prevention and filtration improvements.

Shortening the pool from 72 to 50m, and reducing the depth from a maximum of 2.8m to a profile from 0.9 to 1.58m, has made way for water slides and a new interactive children’s play area, installed

by Myrtha Pools. That has reduced pressure on the structure and eased maintenance demands.

The facilities’ opening hours have also been extended to a six-month span, from April to the end of September, and the pool can be heated during colder times in the operational period.

That means extended access to this community provision, which currently has 15,000 to 20,000 visits per year, for families to enjoy while creating a more sustainable financial proposition.

part of the community’s landscape for more than a century and it’s fantastic to secure its future for many more years to come.”

Moving forwards, Everyone Active has been appointed under a 10-year term to manage the Northcroft Leisure Centre and lido as part of a wider leisure management agreement with West Berkshire Council.

The benefits Breathing new life into a much-loved venue has created a model that will enable thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy the pleasures of outdoor swimming and the many physical, mental and social benefits of an amazing facility for all the family. Through Myrtha Pools’ technology, the facility can now enjoy all the regular benefits of its offering, which include

a 45% smaller carbon footprint than traditional methods of construction and cost savings of up to 20%.

Client feedback Janine Lewis, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Public Health, Culture, Leisure, Sport and Countryside, said: “Working in partnership with Alliance Leisure, we’ve breathed new life into a much-loved facility and created a model that will enable thousands of residents and visitors from far afield to enjoy the pleasures of outdoor swimming and other water activities for many years to come. We can now all celebrate the success of this project together.” 

www.myrthapools.com

Solutions This was a technical and complex project that required a high level of specialist expertise, from inception, through detailed design and build, to final delivery in summer 2023.

Using the UK Leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL), secured the engagement of expertise at all levels of the supply chain, through a single point of contact, Alliance Leisure, to mitigate any risks that could threaten the project’s budget or timescale.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director at DLL, said: “This is exactly the kind of project we launched the framework to support. The Northcroft lido has been a

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HVAC

WHOLE-HOUSE VENTILATION: COMMON MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM As our homes are built to greater airtightness standards in a drive for energy efficiency, and as we begin to realise the impact of indoor air quality on our health and wellbeing, ventilation systems have become more complex. But the more complex ventilation systems become, the more opportunity for errors to creep in. Here, Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager, identifies the four most common mistakes regularly seen when it comes to whole-house ventilation systems and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using the wrong size MVHR unit Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems, such as our own HRXE range, are becoming ever-more popular, with their combination of supply and extract ventilation in one system. Using a heat exchanger, up to 95% of the heat typically lost in waste, stale air is efficiently recovered and used to temper the fresh air drawn into the building, which is then filtered and distributed within the home.

MVHR units come in different sizes to meet different-sized properties. Choose the wrong MVHR size, and either it’s too big and, therefore, not energy efficient or it’s too small and not going to deliver the ventilation required under Building Regulations, but will deliver excess noise as the fan within the unit works overtime to meet demand.

Incorrect unit specification often results from a failure to take into account the ductwork; where it is going to run and how much resistance is going to be in that ducting system. The key here is to ensure

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the ductwork drawing is done prior to unit specification and prior to other services, such as gas and water pipes, going in as otherwise you will need to add more ductwork to get around these obstacles.

Domus Ventilation offers a free drawing service for our customers, so this issue can be entirely – and easily – avoided.

Ultimately, selecting an MVHR unit that is too small for the property will mean it won’t be compliant with the latest Building Regulations and it won’t get signed off. This is an expensive mistake to make as the only real option is to replace the MVHR with a larger unit and hope there is the space for it. Replacing the ductwork with a larger profile alternative is certainly not an option as it’s already behind ceilings and walls.

Mistake 2: Not following the ventilation drawing on site Even if you have the best ducting drawing for that building, if it’s not adhered to on site, the entire ventilation system can be compromised and will be noisy. Sometimes

installers will try to make the duct runs simpler, to save time and money. They may also look to replace rigid ducting with flexible ductwork, mostly at final connections or around obstructions such as steel beams. Flexible duct causes a lot more air resistance and can be crushed easily. Other items that cause airflow resistance include using the wrong size air bricks and incorrect size air valves.

Check to ensure the drawings have been adhered to.

Mistake 3: Inadequate ducting insulation Another key issue relating to ducting is the incorrect use – or total absence – of ducting insulation.

Ducting insulation is required under Building Regulations where the ducting passes through unheated areas and voids, such as loft spaces. The minimum duct insulation standard is the equivalent of at least 25mm of a material having a thermal conductivity of ≤0.04W/(m.K).

HVAC

Specialist duct insulation, such as Domus Thermal, is essential to meet this requirement. A common mistake that is made is using insufficient insulation, using standard building insulation materials that are unsuitable or not using any insulation at all. Furthermore, we often see insulation missing from the intake and the exhaust.

The problem with poor insulation is that condensation forms, which drops down onto the ceiling and becomes an ugly visible stain. In the worst cases, this can lead to mould, which is not only unsightly but can be hazardous to health.

Mistake 4: Incorrect MVHR system commissioning Commissioning an MVHR system accurately is one of the most vital parts of getting the ventilation system signed off correctly. Any mistakes at the commissioning stage will result in over or under ventilating, and all the work that has gone into designing and installing the system correctly will be compromised.

There are two pitfalls to be avoided when it comes to commissioning.

When setting an MVHR unit up to be commissioned, the air valves in wetrooms and the kitchen need to be opened to get the required airflow rate. The airflow is measured using an anemometer, but that device needs to be the appropriate one for this particular task; it should be a calibrated, powered hood anemometer that meets the ±5% accuracy required

by Approved Document F1 (2022). Using a poor-quality anemometer, or one that hasn’t been recently calibrated, will provide incorrect readings, causing the system to either over or under ventilate.

This mostly occurs when engineers, who are not BPEC/NICEIC qualified, are used to undertake the commissioning.

The second problem area is when it comes to adjusting the potentiometers on the front of the MVHR unit to ensure the correct trickle and boost rate. In apartment blocks, it’s tempting to assume that each apartment of the same size will require the same setting. However, the commissioning engineer can’t see ‘behind the scenes’; the ductwork may be run slightly different in the next apartment, for example, which will mean the settings need to be different.

Under changes to Building Regulations ‘Ventilation: Approved Document F’, which came into force in 2022, a newstyle commissioning sheet featuring a compliance report and photographic evidence must be provided to building control bodies and the building owner. This should help to improve commissioning and ensure every individual apartment is tested and the MVHR system adjusted accordingly. 

www.domusventilation.co.uk

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HOUSING

TRAILBLAZING A PATH TO DECARBONISATION IN SOCIAL HOUSING The social housing sector in the UK stands at the forefront of an eco-friendly transformation. Balancing the need to ease residents’ fuel poverty with the commitment to decarbonise presents an opportunity that will have long-lasting effects. Here, Lee Caulfield, Head of Residential Specification at Baxi, outlines the different approaches for reducing social housing emissions. diverse nature of social T he housing properties and the related budget constraints paint a complex picture; older buildings are often inefficient to heat, meaning the social housing sector needs innovative solutions. Rather than seeing this as a roadblock, however, it should be viewed as an opportunity to craft tailored strategies centred around the latest efficient technologies to improve older social housing. Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, by embracing comprehensive, systematic approaches that take into account the end users’ experience, available funds and the types of buildings that need upgrades, social housing providers are poised to play a leading role in the nation’s sustainability drive.

It is currently estimated that there are 5.4 million social housing properties in the UK and, while most councils have made positive steps to making their housing stock more efficient, there’s still a long way to go1.

The upgrades and systems installed

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must be user-friendly enough for tenants and property managers while simultaneously providing maximum energy efficiency and low energy bills.

Funding for green upgrades is available through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) for which £3.8bn has been set aside for social housing providers to be claim over 10 years2. Evolving legislation, demonstrated by Part L of Building Regulations and strict Government targets mean inaction is not an option.

Assessing a property and defining the areas of energy waste, heat loss or other system efficiencies is a great way to begin the process of decarbonising.

The SHDF provides a good starting point for financing green upgrades.

Even small efforts can lead to significant leaps in the journey towards decarbonisation and affordable, sustainable heating. With what may seem like a long road ahead, many social housing providers may be asking themselves the question, where do we start?

Approach one: Fabric A fabric-first approach is a good place to begin reducing emissions and energy costs. This is not just about retrofitting; it’s about creating homes that are more comfortable and cost effective for residents.

It involves modernising windows, ensuring sufficient levels of insulation and making sure rooms are draught free. Equally crucial is helping end users stay informed on how to correctly operate temperature control devices, such as TRVs, to optimise efficiency.

Approach two: Preparing for a sustainable future The commitment to sustainability is motivating many social housing providers to plan ahead for renovations that align with Part L. This is a chance to futureproof properties by implementing relatively minor improvements. Doing so can side step the need for more significant upgrades in the future.

Furthermore, educating residents about steps they can take to reduce energy consumption is an empowering exercise. It can help to show that small changes can have substantial positive impacts. For instance, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that a 1°C rise in thermostat temperature might result in a 10% increase in heating costs 3.

Approach three: Embracing innovation Having maintenance-free add-ons installed can be an effective way of improving a system’s performance.

Incorporating devices, such as a Flue Gas Heat Recovery (FGHR) system, can reduce emissions and ensure a more sustainable and cost-efficient heating solution.

For example, in a three-bed semi-detached house, adding a FGHR to a Baxi Assure 500 Combi 2 can cut annual carbon emissions by as much as 268kg4. In doing so, it saves between 37 and 50% of the gas used to generate hot water annually by capturing heat that would otherwise be lost. It then redirects this energy to preheating cold water. Innovative solutions, such as FGHRs, can reduce overall emissions, reduce costs and boost the quality of living for residents all at the same time.

HOUSING

Approach four: Collaboration and completion In time, the decarbonisation process will likely require larger upgrades. Installing air-source heat pumps (ASHPs), exploring hybrid systems and implementing heat networks for multioccupancy buildings are all part of the forwardthinking approach.

Thorough evaluation of options is key and so is collaboration with manufacturers offering energy-efficient and low-carbon heating solutions. A combined effort means that social housing providers can have the right solution put in place for each unique project and property.

Taking action As the climate crisis intensifies and net-zero ambitions draw nearer, social housing providers stand on the front lines of innovation. The urgency to maximise housing stock’s energy efficiency and accelerate progress towards sustainability is a driving force for positive change.

Social housing leaders and housing associations can access invaluable support by working in partnership with heating experts such as those at Baxi. By applying heating expertise to social housing, the goal of an environmentally- and economically-sustainable future for social housing is within our reach. 

www.baxi.co.uk Sources: 25 September 23, Financial Times, UK councils missing energy efficiency targets for social housing, non-profit says 1

https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/specification/ in-practice-decarbonising-social-housing-what-we-havelearnt-at-urbed 2

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/thermostatsand-heating-controls 3

SAP 2012

4

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REFURB & RETROFIT

WHY SPECIFY PMMA FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECTS? Gary Hemmings, Managing Director of WestWood Liquid Technologies, explains the key benefits of specifying and installing a PMMA liquid-applied waterproofing system.

Methacrylate (PMMA) P olymethyl systems are not a new concept when it comes to public sector specification. In fact, PMMA technology is leading the way when it comes to innovative and versatile solutions for housing associations, education, healthcare and local authorities. Quality PMMA systems specified by a trusted and accredited manufacturer will offer a durable, UV-stable, quick, easy and sound waterproofing solution.

What is PMMA? First developed in 1928 by Chemists William Chalmers, Otto Rohm and Walter Bauer, PMMA has benefitted the construction industry for decades. Thanks to ongoing research, development and investment, it is also a technology that has continuously evolved; making it a highly-versatile, safe and durable solution for applications including flat roofs, car parks, balconies, as well as a multitude of other options.

Installation benefits PMMA-based systems, which are solvent free and cold applied, tend to have a minimum of two components. The first being the resin and the second being a catalyst or activator.

Contractors will mix the components together on site, starting an exothermic reaction to initiate the curing process.

The PMMA systems offered by WestWood, much like other manufacturers, provide a polyester reinforcing fleece, which is first saturated within the waterproofing layer and bonds the membrane to the substrate as it is applied in its wet state. The surface layer is then applied onto the embedment coat whilst still wet, therefore, forming a single, seamless membrane of uniform thickness.

One of the reasons why PMMA is so successful is that it can rapidly cure – ideal for occupied housing blocks, for example. The liquid membrane can be cured in as little as 15 to 20 minutes even at sub-zero temperatures.

With variable amounts of catalyst added to the resin, the curing times can be controlled on site to suit the requirements of the installation team.

PMMA is an ideal solution for UK working due to the variable British weather. Certain systems, for example, can be applied in temperatures down to -15°C, meaning you don’t need to delay application if weather conditions worsen.

Safe and solvent free A key advantage of using a PMMA system is that it does not require an open flame to install on site. This is a huge health and safety benefit for the contractor, client and end user, and useful for any projects that prohibit the use of a flame on site. To date, there have not been any incidents of fire recorded globally on a roof due to PMMA being installed.

As with any construction site work, there are always risks associated with building.

At WestWood, our protocol is not to sell products to any contractor that hasn’t undertaken our mandatory contractor training. This is paramount to not only ensure the safe installation of our PMMA systems, but to guarantee a durable and robust solution for the customer.

A long-term solution PMMA is durable, flexible, hardwearing and ideal for waterproofing projects where access to a site is very limited and work must be completed extremely quickly.

Once installed, a PMMA build up can offer a watertight and durable finish guaranteed for up to 25 years. PMMA systems should also have appropriate thirdparty accreditations such as British Board of Agrément (BBA), European Technical Assessment (ETA) and Factory Mutual (FM) approval depending on the country of use. Products offered by WestWood, for example, also offer the highest certification, BroofT4, to external fire exposure, complying with Building Regulations. 

www.westwood-uk.com

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HEALTHCARE

ESTIMATORS’ ESSENTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION The public spending watchdog’s report reveals that the Government is likely to fall short of its commitment to construct 40 new hospitals by 2030. As it stands, just 32 of the projects intended are expected to be completed by the end of the decade. Here, Simon Herod, International Lead at EstimateOne, explains why estimators deserve more recognition whilst at the helm of delivering these projects. is common with public sector A sprojects, the emphasis has been on achieving these goals at the lowest possible cost. However, the same report has pointed out that this approach could potentially lead to the construction of new hospitals that are too small and not fit for purpose.

Given the NHS is already under significant strain, the development of these facilities must be fast tracked to get them up and running as soon as possible. All while the industry grapples with rising inflation, tricky construction supply chains, significant labour shortages and the need to stick to a costeffective strategy. This is where one of the construction world’s lesser-known heroes comes into play: The estimator.

When a brand-new healthcare facility opens its doors, estimators are a group that often remain in the shadows, getting little to no recognition for the input they’ve had in the project. They’re tasked with dissecting project needs, tallying up materials and delivering spot-on quotes.

Let me tell you, underestimating their role would be a big mistake for any contractor.

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Estimators at the project helm In the grand scheme of things, the success or failure of these ambitious projects, which are usually operating on tight budgets, largely rests on the shoulders of estimators. They are the driving force behind progress in healthcare construction for commercial contractors. Even though healthcare projects might only be a fraction of the sectors they deal with, estimators must have the ability to dive deep into the specifics of their supply chain and pinpoint the best subbies for pricing and project execution. Estimators are instrumental in ensuring that the right subcontractors are selected for the job. Having a clear view of a subcontractor’s past projects ensures that contractors base their quotes on input from subcontractors who have previous experience working on healthcare facilities and understand their unique requirements.

It’s a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Outmoded estimation approaches Beyond this lack of recognition, the work of estimators faces considerable operational challenges, especially in today’s economic climate.

Budgets for healthcare facilities, particularly within the NHS, are under unprecedented pressure. In fact, Glenigan’s latest forecasts predict a 17% decline in vertical construction starts for the year, with resources redirected towards addressing long waiting lists and improving patient care. This underscores the importance of every penny.

However, projects are becoming more complex, meaning expenditure is becoming more widespread and nebulous. This is leaving many traditional estimation methods obsolete and proficient estimators are left grappling with outdated tech systems, ranging from messy subcontractor quotes in ancient Excel spreadsheets to gaps in quote coverage that put the final price at risk. Ultimately, this results in higher construction costs and far-reaching consequences for the business.

A new digital dawn Fortunately, the innovation of new digital tools designed by estimators, for estimators now exist on the market to streamline cost compilation, management, analysis and verification. These tools

HEALTHCARE also address long-standing issues prevalent in the field, such as inequitable supply chain management and the risks associated with unreliable pricing in tender submissions. Such advancements are a bonus for any NHS Trust aiming to maintain strict control over its finances and keep costs on track.

This technology is pivotal in championing estimators, especially in healthcare construction. However, some may still have reservations. I get it, I really do, and I say this as a former estimator myself.

Let’s cut through the tech jargon and lay out the case for why modern estimators should embrace the latest technology: Reduced risk: Cloud-based shared platforms promote transparency and communication throughout the supply chain, lowering the chances of unexpected issues Increased efficiency: Manual processes are a thing of the past, saving both time and effort Enhanced decision making: Access to real-time data and trend analysis empowers better predictions for future developments.

In the end, it all boils down to saving time and money, which, as we have discussed, are imperative factors when it comes to healthcare design and construction.

Tech for good Ultimately, skilful budget management is a linchpin for project success, a particularly critical factor in healthcare construction where profit margins are currently razor thin. It’s my view that estimators deserve more recognition, given their pivotal role in striking the right balance between cost and quality, deftly navigating the trade offs among labour, equipment and materials.

Their precise cost predictions and stringent budget management expertise empower contractors to make informed decisions and maintain financial stability while delivering projects successfully.

However, to truly make their mark, they need the confidence to step up, and I believe that technology is the key to unlocking their potential. Without suitable digital tools, today’s estimators are unable to fully leverage their costsaving skills to the fullest. Furnishing them with real-time data and market insights will enable them to adeptly navigate supply chain challenges, resulting in precise estimates, competitive bidding, improved collaboration and the construction of higher-quality hospitals and healthcare facilities. 

www.estimateone.com

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DRAINAGE & LANDSCAPING

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER Stuart Crisp, UK Manager of Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), looks at looming legislation that will mandate SuDS and their adoption will require new skills for developers and designers.

January 2023, the I nGovernment announced plans to finally implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which will make the adoption of SuDS mandatory in England, as it has been in Wales since 2019.

This is a gamechanger for SuDS. While developers currently have the right to connect drainage systems into sewers,

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that is unlikely to be the case anymore, without prior justification and consent.

Instead, they will have to show that they have included SuDS in their schemes and demonstrate how that SuDS system can be maintained over the lifetime of a development.

Subject to a consultation later this year, implementation of Schedule 3, which includes

SuDS approval and adoption, is expected in late 2024. This means that there is less than two years for concerned professionals to get up to speed with the range and implications of possible solutions, both above and below ground.

Designers will have to think about more than just hydraulic design, to include whole-life maintenance and treatment trained to deal with water quality issues and specific pollutants. There will probably be a transition period as Schedule 3 comes in, but it makes sense to upskill now in order to futureproof designs.

Currently, SuDS can be adopted by water companies as long as systems comply with the Design and Construction Guidance (DCG), which sets out how SuDS should be delivered.

However, it is not compulsory for a developer to jump through the adoption hoops.

The end result is that some assets that do meet prescribed and consistent standards of quality and performance may not be properly maintained and, consequently, there are problems down the line.

DCG was updated last year to include arch-shaped, belowground attenuation structures.

One such system offers a flexible and cost-efficient alternative to other below-ground attenuation structures, such as crates or

large-diameter pipes, with the benefit of built-in stormwater quality management, reducing the extent of additional treatment required elsewhere in the SuDS system.

It is expected that Schedule 3 will change the assessment and adoption of SuDS to become SuDS-approving bodies (SABs), which will be within unitary councils or county councils. And it will bring in new statutory guidance, taking over from DCG to cover design, construction and operation over an asset’s lifetime.

The statutory requirements in England may be more onerous than both DCG and the current non-statutory standards in terms of what will be acceptable for planning approval and adoption after construction. SuDS adoption becoming mandatory, with few exceptions, will raise the bar.

Happily, poor-quality products and poorly-executed designs are likely to be challenged and disappear from the market.

For anyone looking to start the upskilling process now, training and CPDs are already available from some manufacturers and should include information on legislation, best practice and comparable systems. 

www.adspipe.co.uk

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BIM

RETROFITTING BIM: CREATING BETTER BUILDINGS Marc Watkins, Consultant from Service Works Global (SWG), discusses how retrofitting existing buildings with BIM technology can improve building capabilities, and how it can help building owners during the RAAC crisis. information modelling B uilding (BIM) is all about knowing what a building is made of and how it has been constructed. The recent press coverage of the use of RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) in schools and public buildings, and the significant health and safety risks posed by its usage, has highlighted the need for building owners and managers to understand how their facilities have been built.

If a building is not constructed using BIM data, laser scanning technology can be deployed to create a digital picture of the space and how it fits together. As this technology becomes more cost effective and accessible, more buildings are retrofitting the use of BIM. The laser scans are built into a point cloud at high speed with such precision that highly-accurate 3D images of external and internal surfaces and rooms can be produced.

This includes not only room dimensions but intricate details of designs and

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furnishings. The laser scanning output, combined with site surveys, help to create a clear picture of the building and its composition, including materials and design.

While BIM is easiest to implement in new builds where information can be handed across after the construction phase and a scan can be taken during the build process, retrofitting older buildings with BIM is becoming more popular and, in some cases, a necessity.

Retrofitting BIM Digital 3D models of buildings lay the foundation for an updated BIM model.

These can be adapted to suit the requirement of the individual facility and captures detailed building and asset information, including location, warranty, materials and much more.

So, while one reason to create a 3D model might be as ‘insurance’ for a catastrophe, the models have numerous uses as soon as they are developed.

For historic buildings that require an extra level of care and attention, 3D models can become a game-changing tool for the people in charge of those spaces.

The tragedy of the Notre Dame fire in 2019 meant the famous cathedral was severely damaged. The incident triggered many owners of all types of buildings to retrofit their estates with laser scans, so they have an up-to-date digital building model to refer to whenever necessary.

Drawings just won’t cut it anymore.

Retrofitting with BIM also enables many other benefits for facilities management including integration with CAFM systems for more efficient maintenance and ongoing building management. The 3D model can be shared with building managers, architects, historians – anyone who might require access. This is especially useful for maintenance and repair projects, as all stakeholders can work with confidence that the digital model will deliver on their needs.

BIM

Creating the right set up As more new projects embrace BIM, it will be harder to operate a building without this technology. When setting up for retrofitting with BIM, the first action is the building asset register. These vary across sectors and building types. Some asset registers are succinct and include all the relevant information, while some can be disparate or outdated, such as an Excel spreadsheet or architectural drawings.

A completed 3D model will give peace of mind, but the benefits don’t end there.

When integrated with CAFM software, changes to assets will be automatically updated in the 3D model. This means that the model will always be up to date, which is not the case with drawings.

From this, facilities managers can build an accurate maintenance regime and further allow for better and more efficient reactive maintenance. The information provided in the BIM model, when connected to a CAFM system, allows contractors to see, in advance, the exact make/model of the item they need to fix, its location, component parts and any previous maintenance data, therefore, ensuring the correct tools and equipment are selected.

This reduces business downtime and keeps maintenance smart and efficient as contractors don’t need to do preliminary site visits. Labour costs are lower and there is less energy and time wasted overall.

The future of BIM As technology continues to develop, the capabilities within a BIM system will grow.

The introduction of AI into this technology will bring even greater benefits. By integrating AI, technology can learn when reactive and planned maintenance typically takes place and will predict when part of the building needs maintenance, reducing downtime completely.

Retrofitting BIM into existing, older buildings will also improve progress for businesses with sustainability and social responsibility agendas. By having a clear image of your building and its assets,

it is easier to find solutions for energy inefficiencies. As facilities managers strive for better sustainable solutions, the move to retrofitting BIM for public sector buildings will continue to support those goals.

What does RAAC mean for public sector buildings?

The RAAC crisis is affecting various public sector buildings from schools and hospitals to courts and offices.

By retrofitting buildings with BIM technology, managers can understand the materials within the building structure.

If the building does have RAAC material within it, the system can keep close track of its condition through planned

maintenance checks and storing that data in the system. AI capabilities can then accurately predict the material’s lifecycle and when it will need replacing to keep the building from facing bigger issues later down the line.

For all building managers, BIM is a tool used to improve estate management and manage risks safely. By retrofitting your building with this technology, you can keep on top of maintenance schedules and ensure better preservation of the building itself, reducing the need for new materials, eliminating wasted energy and, ultimately, keeping building occupants happy. 

www.swg.com

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TALKING POINT

MAKING IT (FRAME)WORK: HOW THE PROCUREMENT INDUSTRY DEALS WITH CONTRACTORS FOLDING 2023 has seen several big names in the construction industry hit financial difficulty, and prevailing wisdom suggests that this list is only going to grow longer.

Indeed, data from the Insolvency Agency shows a 19% rise in companies going under compared to the previous year, with construction one of the most impacted sectors. As clients look for added protection, Jonathan Parker, Development Director at Pagabo, says that frameworks have an important role to play in ensuring their projects can be delivered, even if the worst happens. construction industry has T he faced a perfect storm of challenges over the past four years. A host of external factors – the long tail of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and last September’s disastrous mini-budget to name just three – alongside some of our industry’s more deep-seated issues have collided to create a hostile environment that has brought about the collapse of several big businesses.

The list of companies that have sadly had to appoint a liquidator in the past year or so reads like a macabre who’s who of the built environment, and – as is often the case when an industry has a spate of such collapses – there are a lot of projects that are now facing delays and uncertainty.

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As a framework provider that deals with a vast range of project values, an important part of our role is to mitigate against these impacts, and work to ensure that clients are as protected as they possibly can be from worst-case scenarios.

To reach or not to reach To use an old adage, prevention is cheaper than the cure when it comes to dealing with the issues of a contractor folding, and one of the key roles that frameworks play in this is with robust governance and assessment of those that bid for a place on there in the first instance.

The Public Contract Regulations 2015 are prescriptive in that suppliers need to have a turnover that is twice the mid-point of the

Jonathan Parker comes from a solid background in construction, highly skilled in business development, preconstruction, procurement and construction. Jonathan provides much-needed technical support for Pagabo’s clients as it continues to grow.

lot’s value to be suitable for appointment, but even this guideline level can expose contractors to a less-than-ideal level of risk.

Take, for example, a contractor with a £50m turnover. They will naturally want to reach and push themselves towards larger jobs, and by these metrics could find themselves on a framework that has the potential to be bringing in jobs of £20m or so. This means that 40% of their turnover is at risk on one single job, which can quite quickly end up with them getting themselves into difficulty.

In Pagabo’s case, we look to work more collaboratively with those wanting to be on our frameworks to really understand their situation and ensure that we aren’t putting either the supplier or the client in harm’s way.

TALKING POINT

An inexact science However, with all the best will in the world around collaboration, one of the issues at play is more of a wider industry problem around delays in financial reporting. While framework providers have visibility of some financial data, current regulations mean that some of the more detailed accounts that are submitted as part of applications can be up to 18 months old. It doesn’t take an accountant to work out that this provides a challenge when it comes to accurately assessing a company’s current financial state, meaning that decisions are often made without the full picture being available.

While this isn’t ideal, it means that it is incumbent on those administering the frameworks to put measures in place to mitigate against the challenges this throws up. Alongside having strong, cross-industry relationships, one of the measures Pagabo takes on this front is to have Days Beyond Terms (DBT) as one of our key KPIs. Although this relies on gaining data from the supply chain, DBT can act as an early indicator of any cashflow issues for contractors in particular. When you pair this up with monitoring for live issues with platforms like Creditsafe, you can start to have more awareness of potential challenges before they reach crisis point.

Skin in the game Even with all these measures in place, the often-rapid pace of change in terms of market conditions means that there will occasionally be unfortunate scenarios where a contractor folds while working on live jobs procured through a framework.

While this, on paper, is an issue between the contractor and the client, one of the benefits that the ongoing involvement of the framework provider can bring is that they are then well placed to be able to support in finding the right partner to complete the project.

This is where a collaborative approach brings great value, as those behind the framework are typically in a good spot to facilitate the next steps. This is particularly resonant when ongoing

support is built into the structure of the framework – something which isn’t always the case with all providers, but which creates a common desire to get the issues rectified.

A framework provider delivering ongoing support means that they have “skin in the game”, and it’s as much in their interest as it is the client’s to ensure ailing projects are delivered. 

www.pagabo.co.uk

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TECHNICAL FOCUS

EPDM: WHAT SPECIFIERS AND CONTRACTORS NEED TO KNOW Carl Bailey, Regional Technical Manager for Elevate (formerly Firestone Building Products), offers best practice advice on specifying and installing EPDM roofing membranes. of synthetic rubber, EPDM is a M ade single-ply roofing membrane that can be used for flat and low-slope roofs on a variety of public sector buildings, including schools, hospitals, offices and homes. Versatile, durable and easy to install, EPDM has been steadily growing in popularity.

As a crucial component in the wider roofing system, EPDM can provide a robust waterproofing covering that can last for decades. To achieve this resilience and ensure the roof performs as expected, there are several factors to consider during the specification and installation process.

Meeting sustainability objectives A waterproofing membrane can help public sector specifiers to reduce environmental impact in several ways, including lowering carbon emissions and extending the roof’s life expectancy. EPDM is considered one of the most sustainable options as it can also be re-used and recycled.

Furthermore, a system such as RubberGard EPDM is chemically inert. No toxic substances are released during its exceptional service life, allowing rainwater runoff to be collected for domestic use.

If the roof design includes solar panels, EPDM will not be affected by the extra heat that is generated, avoiding any concerns about the membrane ageing faster than anticipated. EPDM is also suitable for green roofs as it is resistant

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to root penetration and strong enough to accommodate foot traffic associated with future maintenance.

Futureproofing The prospect of more extreme weather in the coming years means that it is even more important to specify a highlydurable waterproofing membrane. Made from a synthetic rubber compound, an EPDM membrane provides a long-lasting solution for refurbishments and new builds. The flexibility of the material means it can be elongated by more than 300% without any detriment. This allows the membrane to return to its original shape, and maintain its performance, after any expansions or retractions caused by severe weather.

As buildings continue to adapt to changing occupiers and meet sustainability objectives, this should also be considered when specifying the waterproofing membrane. Choosing a material like EPDM will ensure the roof is fit for the future as the material can accommodate varied uses and withstand additional load, such as new plant or solar panels.

Installation methods An EPDM roofing membrane can be installed directly on most substrates. The membrane can be fully adhered, mechanically fixed or ballasted, largely depending on the size and type of roof.

For large, open roof areas with few penetrations, a mechanically-attached system is the most suitable, providing a fast and cost-effective method. The RubberGard EPDM system, for example, is mechanically attached using a non-penetrating system.

QuickSeam Reinforced Mechanical Attachment (RMA) strips are secured to the structural deck. Large panels of the waterproofing membrane will then be bonded to the framework of self-adhesive strips, meaning no fasteners are required to penetrate the waterproofing membrane.

A ballasted installation will require extra equipment to move the stones or pavers but can be completed quickly in all weather conditions. The ballast covering also provides additional mechanical protection of the waterproofing membrane.

The most fully-adhered method is the most versatile and is particularly effective for smaller roof areas, unusual roof shapes and more complex penetrations. The EPDM membrane is bonded to the substrate using a specially-formulated adhesive. This solution is highly resistant to wind uplift and lightweight making it suitable for roofs with limited load-bearing capacity.

Insulation and vapour control Insulation with a high compressive strength should be used if the EPDM membrane is being installed over the top. The use of rigid PIR (polyisocyanurate) foam insulation is recommended for roofs where maintenance access will be required throughout the

TECHNICAL FOCUS roof’s service life. Greater resistance can be achieved using a high-density cover board on top of the insulation package.

High-density cover boards are ideal for a fully-adhered system where the insulation layer is not compatible with the adhesives.

Non-combustible gypsum cover boards provide a highly-durable option and are often required to achieve the higher ratings required on FM-Global projects.

To control condensation within the roof system, a suitable air and vapour control layer (AVCL) should be selected based on the temperature and relative humidity within the building, the deck type and the attachment method for the insulation and waterproofing layers. Installing a high-performance AVCL between the structural deck and insulation will prevent condensation forming and possible deterioration over time.

A system approach For all projects, public sector specifiers and contractors should look at the roof as a whole system, which requires every component to work together effectively to achieve the required performance. Technical advice should be obtained from the EPDM manufacturer and the membrane applied in accordance with their guidelines. The system should be approved by a technical services team and installed by a fully-trained, licensed contractor, enabling a long-term warranty to be obtained. 

www.holcimelevate.com

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BRICKS & BLOCKS

Images: ©David Jerred Miles

BRICK BRINGS BUILDING’S STRIKING FACADE TO LIFE North Kelvinside Primary School in Glasgow is an educational establishment for pupils from the north of the city. The £23m state-of-the-art education building has space for 378 children and includes 12 classrooms. Two general-purpose rooms, a multi-use games area as well as an all-weather 5G pitch also feature within the school’s 2.4-hectare grounds. To assist pupils’ outdoor learning, a sensory garden is currently under construction at the site.

Builders drafted IG Masonry E llmoll Support into the project due to its outstanding quality of finish and expertise in brick slip soffit systems and masonry support combinations. This partnership helped facilitate and bring to life the building’s striking facade. The frontage features a brick colonnade and bands of protruding brick courses.

The challenge Although the facade’s bond pattern presented a straightforward task for IG Masonry Support’s technical team, they also needed to coordinate brickwork with several soffits that tied around piers.

The team’s main challenge came in the form of the building frontage’s steel elements. Wherever they appeared, IG Masonry Support needed to coordinate its brick slip soffit units around the structure.

This obscured unsightly steelwork, ensuring a uniform, brickwork aesthetic across the whole facade.

The solution Designed to create spectacular brick soffits as part of a simple, cost-effective installation process, IG Masonry Support’s B.O.S.S. system was deemed ideal for the

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North Kelvinside Primary School project. In total, 76 B.O.S.S units, utilising Northcot’s Broadway Buff brick, and 56m of Welded Masonry Support were required for the building’s brick facade. Each unit was tied back to the steel structure.

To ensure the masonry support systems’ precise design in accordance with the architect’s vision for the building, IG Masonry Support used 3D modelling to gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure. The company also engaged with stakeholders including the structural engineer, architect, brickwork contractor and frame contractor to confirm its masonry support complemented each aspect of the building’s frontage.

With large cavities featuring throughout the construction, IG Masonry Support also supplied 28 ‘top hat’ steel plates. These were designed to suit a 342.5mm cavity, providing an extension between structures to coincide with the B.O.S.S. units. In these areas, masonry support was bolted onto the top hat.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions delaying the works programme by six months, North Kelvinside Primary School opened in June 2022. In terms of the building’s brick facade, IG Masonry Support’s prefabricated brick

slip soffit units were instrumental in its timely and cost-effective completion. Their offsite manufacture, which was informed by detailed technical research involving 3D modelling, resulted in each system being delivered for a quick and made-to-measure build, allowing speedy progress on site.

Andrew Black, Owner of Ellmoll Builders, commented: “Ellmoll Builders were delighted with the outcome of the North Kelvinside Primary School project. Although the project presented a number of challenges due to its complex structure, the IG Masonry Support team was available throughout the project to provide technical guidance and ensure an efficient installation for our team. I believe the final results speak for themselves and we’re pleased to see the project has now been shortlisted for the Brick Development Association Brick Awards 2023.”

IG Masonry Support’s turnkey ‘onestop-shop’ service was also beneficial in facilitating the building’s outstanding finish.

The company’s project teams were available throughout the project, providing technical guidance relating to any aspect of its expert design and manufacturing provision. 

www.igmasonrysupport.com

Fire rated glass

Steel Framed Fire doors and screens

To further compliment our range of fireglass, Firman now offer complete steel framed fire doors and screens. Built to the most demanding specifications for commercial buildings, shop fronts, entrances, interior fire screen walls and virtually any other application.

Each system is designed specifically to suit the requirements of the particular application. Sections can be provided in mild steel, finished to any standard RAL colour, aluminium clad as well as our new range of stainless steel sections available in either a satin or bright polished finished.

Firman offer a full selection of fireglass, on either a supply only or a supply and install basis, providing fire protection from a basic 30 minute integrity only rating through to the highest levels of integrity and insulation.

To find out more about these products visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com

www.firmanglass.com

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LONDON BUILD PREVIEW

LONDON BUILD 15-16TH NOVEMBER 2023

LONDON BUILD 2023: UNVEILING THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN The stage is set for an architectural and engineering extravaganza as London Build, one of the UK’s leading construction and design shows, returns to Olympia London’s Grand Hall on 15 and 16th November. This eagerlyanticipated event promises to be a pivotal moment for professionals in the construction and design industries.

Build 2023 offers a Elevating skills L ondon distinctive and immersive London Build also provides an experience spanning two days.

This year’s event is expected to draw over 35,000 registered visitors, including contractors, architects, civil engineers, developers, local councils, house builders/associations and construction experts. The scale and diversity of attendees make London Build a remarkable networking opportunity.

Knowledge sharing One of the hallmarks of London Build is its unparalleled educational content. With more than 500 speakers across eight conference stages, the event covers a wide spectrum of industry topics. Across eight conference stages – such as the Future of Construction, Digital Construction, Fire Safety, Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion – attendees will have access to valuable insights and thoughtprovoking discussions.

impressive line up of over 200 hours of CPD masterclasses and training sessions. These opportunities ensure that attendees can enhance their expertise and stay up to date with industry advancements.

One of the UK’s biggest festivals of construction But London Build isn’t just about business; it’s about celebration, too. The event is one of the UK’s biggest festivals of construction, complete with live music, DJ performances, celebrity appearances, entertainment and exhilarating competitions. It’s a unique chance to unwind and enjoy the festive spirit of the industry.

Connecting with key players For those looking to forge business partnerships and secure new projects, ‘Meet the Buyers’ sessions are a prime opportunity.

Top contractors, including Laing

O’Rourke, Skanska, Costain, BAM, Bouygues, Morgan Sindall and more will have their procurement teams on site, ready to engage and explore potential collaborations.

The Architect’s Hub The Architect’s Hub is a must-visit area, featuring project displays and 3D models of upcoming projects from leading architects across the UK. It’s a unique chance to witness architectural innovation up close, with participation from renowned firms like Gensler, HLM, Bell Phillips, BAM Design, Broadway Malyan and many more.

Networking Networking plays a pivotal role at London Build, with exclusive networking parties co-hosted with leading industry bodies. These events provide an ideal platform to connect, collaborate and build lasting professional relationships.

Diversity and inclusion London Build 2023 places a

www.londonbuildexpo.com

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strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. It hosts one of the UK’s largest networking events for women in construction and diversity in construction. Additionally, an inclusive ambassador programme supports initiatives focusing on women, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and mental health in construction.

350+ exhibitors With over 350 exhibitors showcasing the latest services, products and innovations that are transforming the industry, London Build is where attendees can get a first-hand look at what’s driving the future of construction and design.

London Build 2023 is a milestone event for professionals in the construction and design sectors. It’s a rare opportunity to gain knowledge, build relationships and witness the latest innovations in the industry.

Register now for your free tickets via the link below.

KEMPEROL® ® KEMPEROL Liquid Roofing & Waterproofing The first choice

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Whether it’s a school, hospital, hotel, car park, balcony, the list is endless, KEMPEROL® has a range of cold applied products to suit every application.

visit www.kemperol.co.uk To find out more about the KEMPEROL® range of products

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

NEW F. BALL SMOOTHING COMPOUND RAISES THE LEVEL F. Ball’s new Stopgap 1600 smoothing compound has provided a fast-track solution for raising floor levels as part of the ground-floor refurbishment of a residential property in Wainscott, Kent.

The surface was first primed with Stopgap P131, diluted with four parts water, before F. Ball’s Stopgap 400 Repair was used to make minor repairs to the subfloor and raise the floor level in the lounge and dining area where the concrete sloped towards one end of the room. F. Ball’s Stopgap 1600 fast-drying, fibrereinforced smoothing compound was then applied. Then wood-effect STS LVTs in a herringbone formation were installed in each of the three rooms. To do this, F. Ball’s Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS temperature-tolerant, pressuresensitive adhesive was used because the patio doors at one end of the dining room had the potential to cause solar gain and, consequently, extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations – this can cause floorcoverings to expand and contract significantly, potentially leading to unsightly tenting and gapping at the edge of vinyl floorcoverings over time.

www.f-ball.co.uk

01538 361633

mail@f-ball.co.uk

KIDDE SAFETY EUROPE LAUNCHES NEW VERSATILE CO 2 MONITOR Leading manufacturer of safety alarms and equipment, Kidde Safety Europe has launched a new carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to help people to understand and improve indoor air quality in homes, workplaces, schools and hospitality venues. The mains-powered nondispersive infrared (NDIR) monitor complies with the Scottish Building Standards requirements for the mandatory CO2 monitors that must be installed in all homes. Warning users of rising CO2 levels or abnormal humidity or temperature level changes, the new Kidde CO2 monitor, which has a 10-year lifespan, provides the current CO2 levels from 400 to 5000 parts per million (PPM), as well as a seven-day history of CO2 readings. It also shows the current temperature and humidity on the large, easy-to-read LCD display, which has automatic brightness adjustment to minimise night-time disturbance. The monitor has been designed to provide clear warnings and indications in several different forms. Detailed air quality information is displayed on the LCD screen.

For clarity and convenience, there is also an optional voice alert, which is available in six selectable languages.

www.kidde.com/fire-safety/en/uk

BREATHING BUILDINGS’ NEW NVHRE SETS THE STANDARD FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Breathing Buildings, a leading provider of controlled natural and hybrid ventilation systems, has introduced the new NVHRe to its award-winning range of natural ventilation with heat recycling (NVHR) systems, raising the bar on energy-efficient ventilation.

The key difference between the original NVHR range and the new natural ventilation with heat recycling and heat recovery (NVHRe) is an addition of a low-resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit. This allows the unit to benefit from both heat recycling and heat recovery, reclaiming even more heat than previous models, saving more energy, providing great occupant comfort and allowing users to include it within the building energy assessments (SBEM).

Providing excellent thermal comfort and enhanced IAQ, the NVHRe is designed to suit a diverse range of commercial and public buildings with high heat gains, such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches.

www.breathingbuildings.com

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01223 450060

0800 917 0722

BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY UPGRADES LIBRARY ACCESS WITH TORMAX As part of Bournemouth University’s ongoing commitment to improving the student and staff experience, TORMAX UK was recently contracted by Rocare Building Services to install a new automatic main entrance to the Sir Michael Cobham Library. Consisting of two sets of double-leaf automatic sliding doors, the outer doors open to welcome visitors into a lobby area before the inner doors slide apart to allow access into the library’s main reception. This configuration allows a smooth through-flow of pedestrians whilst also reducing heat loss from the building and contributing to a lower carbon footprint. Ensuring quick response times to approaching foot traffic, as well as adaptable opening and closing speeds and hold-open time, the doors are powered by the Swiss-designed, TORMAX iMotion 2202 operators. Featuring a state-of-the-art microprocessor control unit, a user-friendly interface allows staff to adjust door movement to reflect foot traffic levels and external weather conditions.

01932 238040

www.tormax.co.uk sales@tormax.co.uk

FOCUS & INNOVATION

OSMO TINTING SYSTEM: MIXING NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR WOOD FINISHES Osmo is the specialist when it comes to an optimal interplay between wood and coating systems. Considered as high solid products in comparison to conventional coatings, Osmo coating systems are more environmentally friendly due to less solvents being emitted upon application, while providing higher wood surface coverage, and increased longevity and durability of the wood finish.

“Our deep research and development into colour has enabled us to offer a vast range of new colours, creating a tailored experience for each individual,” explains Osmo UK’s Managing Director.

New Tinting System: Mix in stores The new Osmo Tinting System becomes possible with an automatic paint dispenser to efficiently produce highquality interior and exterior Osmo natural wood finishes from an endless variety of transparent and opaque colours.

Installed in more than 30 stores and counting throughout the UK, the high-performance compact machine utilises the ZeroPurge piston pump and AutoDrive features to offer complete colour customisation, which will continue to expand the range of colour year after year, providing an ever-increasing array of vibrant choices.

This on-demand custom colour-mixing service produces ready-to-use wood coatings for every customer within minutes, reducing customer order waiting times, wasted product stock and required retail store space.

Interior product enhancements

Exterior product enhancements

Before the Osmo Tinting System, the most popular hardwax oil, Polyx-Oil Original, was available in only four clear finishes; glossy, satin, semi-matt and matt. Now, these four Original finishes can be tinted in eight transparent colours.

So, what’s new? Previously, these eight transparent colours were already available in only a satin finish. The Tinting System means that not only can these colours be mixed in satin, but they can also be mixed in glossy, semi-matt and matt for the first time ever.

Additionally, Polyx-Oil Rapid, which offers rapid drying times compared to Original, was previously available in only two clear finishes; satin and matt.

Now, following suit, Rapid can also be mixed in the eight transparent interior colours with a satin or matt finish. Again, a first for the company and the world.

From just two interior products, the range has dramatically grown from 14 standard clear and colour options to an impressive 54 mixable options in a variety of sizes.

Exterior wood finishes are extremely popular this time of year. With that in mind, Osmo has launched four of the most popular exterior wood finishes with the Osmo Tinting System, including the brand-new opaque colours of Country Shades, which boasts a huge 120 colours from the Osmo Elements colour range, 2000+ RAL colours, 200 BS colours and additional NCS colours upon request.

Ideal for vertical wooden surfaces, UVProtection Oil can now be mixed in eight transparent colours in both satin finishes. For exterior wooden decking, Decking Oil can be mixed on demand in 11 transparent colours in a satin finish, while Natural Oil Woodstain, which is suitable for all exterior wooden surfaces, has seen a big enhancement and can now be mixed in all its 18 transparent finishes in both a satin and a matt finish.

Find your nearest Tinting System store on the Osmo website and contact the Osmo team for expert advice and wood-related knowledge. Give wood the clear and colour protection it deserves.

www.osmouk.com 01296 481220

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

SUPERPHON ART PANELS COMBAT LUNCHTIME NOISE AT PRIMARY SCHOOL Children and staff at Gatley Primary in Cheadle, Cheshire, are enjoying reduced noise levels during their lunch break following the installation of a set of CMS Danskin Acoustics’ SuperPhon Art Panels.

Cheshire Soundproofing was called in to address noise and reverberation levels in the school dining area, which accommodates 50 to 60 children for lunch. Serving staff and children were struggling to hear each other.

A scheme, which involved SuperPhon Art Panels, was developed by Cheshire Soundproofing using CMS Danskin Acoustics’ acoustic calculation system. The brief from the school required an improvement in the acoustics, but also sought to add vibrance to the room and to promote healthy eating.

Six 1200 x 1200mm Class A noise-absorbing SuperPhon panels were installed, each printed with high-resolution images depicting colourful, fresh vegetables and fruit selected from a database of images.

The addition of the SuperPhon Art Panels, along with acoustic ceiling tiles, has created a more pleasant environment for staff to work in and the children are happier, reports the school.

A spokesperson from the school said: “After a smooth and swift installation, we were delighted to return to school after the holidays to a new, vibrant and bright look to our dining hall. The pupils love the artwork on the panels, yet, more importantly, the acoustic improvement was noticeable

immediately to the teaching and catering staff and has created a more acoustically-pleasing environment for everyone.”

SuperPhon provides up to Class ‘A’ acoustic performance and has a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) from 0.80 to 1.15 – an NRC of 0 indicating perfect reflection and an NRC of 1 indicating perfect absorption. The sound absorption coefficient is tested to BS EN ISO 354:2003. CMS Danskin Acoustics provides a free reverberation calculation service as well as full technical and onsite support.

www.cmsdanskin.co.uk

01925 577711

info@cmsdanskin.co.uk

BURG-WÄCHTER’S SECURE COMMUNITIES SCHEME AIDS MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY

NUAIRE LAUNCHES FAITH-PLUS EXTRACT FAN Nuaire, part of the Genuit group, has launched the Faith-Plus continuousrunning mixed-flow axial fan, designed to provide social housing with a cost-effective ventilation solution that complies with Building Regulations.

Suitable for wall, ceiling and window installation in kitchens, bathrooms and other wetrooms, Faith-Plus has been designed and built to achieve the ventilation rates as set out in Part F and L of Building Regulations, which was revised in 2021 with higher rates than previously required. In addition to its comparatively-low purchase price, Faith-Plus also has low maintenance and low lifecycle expenditure, plus costeffective running costs for tenants. Its digital control makes for easy set up and commissioning, which not only reduces labour costs, but ensures accuracy.

Burg-Wächter UK’s ‘Secure Communities Scheme’ has rewarded the work of a Southampton mental health charity. Mayfield Nurseries is a garden centre that uses donations and sales income to provide a place for people with mental health issues and learning disabilities to thrive through social and therapeutic horticulture. The charity had been having issues with post being taken or destroyed, and clearly needed a means of keeping its postal deliveries safe. Burg-Wächter, therefore, donated a ‘Gate & Railing Box’, which takes the form of a convenient and secure storage place for post and small packets. The galvanised steel box offers generous post capacity, which is secured by an integrated lock.

www.burg.biz/uk/community

GILBERTS HELPS PROTECT GOVERNMENT The Government is investing in a series of hubs to better deliver public services as part of its drive to improve resilience, productivity and efficiency. One of the first to become operational is Fletton Quays in Peterborough, where 1000+ staff will be kept safe by advanced smoke evacuation technology from Gilberts (Blackpool). A 1.5m2 BRE natural ventilation smoke shaft rises the full height of Sand Martin House, to provide effective ventilation of smoke in the event of a fire. Gilberts’ innovative Series 60 smoke evacuations dampers have been chosen and installed by smoke ventilation specialist Orion Contract Services to channel smoke into the riser. With low air leakage when closed, a motorised actuator opens the dampers to drive the smoke into the shaft in the event of a fire.

www.nuaire.co.uk enquiries@nuaire.co.uk www.gilbertsblackpool.com

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01274 395333

01253 766911

info@gilbertsblackpool.com

FOCUS & INNOVATION

AKW HELPS MAKE KITCHENS SAFER THANKS TO NEW GRAB-A-RAIL AKW, a leading provider of bathroom accessibility solutions, has begun production of Grab-a-Rail, an easy and quick-to-install solution that will help to make kitchens safer to move around and more accessible.

The strong, counter-level grab rail, developed by Steve Michael, Director of Senior Homes Solutions, has been designed to give users increased independence and reduce their risk of falls when navigating the kitchen space.

Grab-a-Rail is initially available in white from AKW and is available in 1000 and 600mm lengths. It has eight fixing points, ensuring that when it is installed under the countertop, it is strong enough to support up to 15.5 stone (100kg) of downward pressure, as validated by University of Birmingham tests.

Designed to be installed on cupboard and drawer units, Graba-Rail can be retrofitted to most kitchen countertops, however, tests with granite surfaces are still ongoing.

Steve Michael, Director of Senior Homes Solutions, says: “As a home adaptation specialist, my aim is to promote safe day-to-day living. The Grab-a-Rail design idea came to me following a training course I was attending at a Parkinson’s centre. I realised the gap in provision for helping those with mobility, ageing and health issues, to navigate around their kitchens more safely. I then undertook months of product development and testing to create the Grab-aRail design. The end result is a safety rail that can be fitted within an hour and works in most kitchens.”

Stuart Reynolds, UK Marketing & Product Management Director at AKW, comments: “Our company strapline is ‘Life Made Better’, so when Steve approached us with his design and test results from the University of Birmingham, we were very interested. The kitchen is a notoriously difficult space to move around for those with mobility or visual impairments and this simple, easy-to-install solution will make life better for many.

Its price point has also been set to ensure it is viable for those applying for local council small works assistance grants.”

www.akw-ltd.co.uk/grab-a-rail 01905 823298 sales@akw-ltd.co.uk

STO ACOUSTIC SYSTEM HELPS REFURBISHED TOWN HALL SOUND JUST RIGHT

NEW STRATTON MK3 SYSTEM SELECTOR FROM HAMWORTHY HEATING SIMPLIFIES PRODUCT SELECTION Following on from the launch of its latest Stratton mk3 wall-hung condensing boiler range, Hamworthy Heating, a trusted British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products, has announced the introduction of its new Stratton mk3 System Selector tool, designed to help simplify the product selection process for cascade arrangements. For installations that require more output delivered flexibly, a Stratton mk3 cascade system can be installed with up to six boilers at a time to meet building demands effectively.

Available with a range of plate heat exchangers and low-loss headers (including bespoke frame and header kits), the new Stratton mk3 System Selector identifies all the Hamworthy products needed for an efficient heating system. By answering a few simple questions from a drop-down menu, such as the number of Stratton mk3 boilers to be cascaded, the highest single boiler output and gas type, the new Stratton mk3 System Selector will list all items required on the screen.

www.hamworthy-heating.com

A 140-year old Category A listed building, which has been restored and redeveloped, now boasts greatly-improved acoustics thanks to the use of the StoSilent Distance ceiling system from Sto. The StoSilent Distance system was installed in the main hall area of the town hall building in Paisley, Scotland, as part of the venue’s transformation.

The transformation of the building will see its capacity expanded, improve the audience experience, add new performance facilities and create rooms in previouslyunused spaces, and this required a highly-practical and reliable acoustic solution. Featuring a versatile metal profile sub-construction and acoustic panels manufactured from expanded glass granulate, the StoSilent Distance system proved to be the perfect answer, as it allows the creation of sound-absorbent walls and ceilings in situations where existing structures, services or architectural detailing must be considered. The Sto system can be used to create smooth and seamless finishes over large areas, inclined planes or curves, or to achieve sharp and consistent joints at upstands, all without any worry about cracks appearing in years to come, so it was ideal for installing the acoustic panels on both the flat and vaulted ceiling areas.

www.sto.co.uk

0330 024 2666

d.newton@sto.com

01202 662552

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

ZENTIA INTRODUCES ARUBA TRIANGLE AND NEW COLOURS IN THE ARUBA FAMILY RANGE, ELEVATING DESIGN POSSIBILITIES Zentia, a leading manufacturer of innovative ceiling solutions, is delighted to announce two exciting product updates. The highlyanticipated Aruba Triangle range takes its debut, and 35 new colours are introduced to the existing Aruba family.

Zentia has introduced its colourful additions to the existing Aruba range in July. It now boasts an impressive selection of 35 vibrant colours that can be used to define zoned areas, assist with wayfinding or add a touch of creativity to any design.

The range includes crisp and classic whites, deep black, elegant neutrals, such as greys and browns, as well as playful shades of blue, green, yellow, orange, red and purple.

The Aruba family, previously known as Dune eVo, showcases a high-performance suspended ceiling tile, combining aesthetic appeal with outstanding functionality. Its exceptional acoustic properties make it an ideal choice for various environments, including education, healthcare, commercial, leisure, retail and transportation. The tiles do not have to be specified and have short lead times, providing a versatile solution for architects and designers undertaking refurbishment projects as well as new builds.

Zentia also launched Aruba Triangles in August, a product that shares the same functionality as the rest of the Aruba family but pushes the boundaries of design even further. With imaginative and captivating triangle-shaped tiles, this range opens up a realm of possibilities for creative expression.

The name Aruba is inspired by the breathtaking Caribbean Island, known for its white sandy beaches, which replicate the finely-sanded finish of the tile.

Aruba, previously known as Dune eVo, has become highly regarded within the industry due to its exceptional mix of acoustic and aesthetic performance, sustainability credentials and cost effectiveness.

Zentia’s products offer the perfect balance between functionality and design, enabling architects and designers to bring their visions to life. The Aruba product family consists of up to 46% recyclable content, minimising the ecological impact and contributing to a greener future.

As with all Zentia products, the Aruba product family is built on the four pillars that define the company: partnership, UK focus, reliability and innovation. Zentia prides itself on working closely with customers to understand their unique requirements, offering bespoke, localised support, maintaining consistent product quality and continuously innovating to stay ahead of industry trends.

John Spicer, Head of New Product Development at Zentia, said: “We are thrilled to unveil these additions to the existing Aruba family. With these product launches, we aim to inspire architects, designers and industry professionals to explore new horizons of design. The Aruba family brings together exceptional performance, beautiful aesthetics and sustainable solutions to create exceptional spaces for all.”

www.zentia.com 0191 497 1000 info@zentia.com

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Congratulations are in order for Zentia, one of the UK’s leaders in complete ceiling solutions, for being announced as the Grand Final Winner of the Made in Britain Awards 2023, a category within the North East Business Awards.

Following Zentia’s win in the Northumberland and Tyneside heat of the North East Business Awards 2023, the company went head to head with the other sub-regional heat winners to be named the overall North East winner for the Made in Britain category. Zentia was subsequently crowned the winner at the Grand Final, which took place on 26th September 2023 at Hardwick Hall and was hosted by Iwan Thomas MBE. The Made in Britain category aims to recognise and champion businesses that are promoting manufacturing and production in the UK. Zentia places a focus on UK manufacturing.

With its home base in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, it is the UK’s only manufacturer of complete ceiling solutions. Its UK focus also extends to a technical and specification expert, as well as creating short supply chains and reliable deliveries, making it a deserving winner for the Made in Britain category.

Dirk Jaspers, Managing Director at Zentia, said: “This makes us very proud. Our company is only three and a half years old, but we have evolved to impressive new heights. We have invested in assets, in people and in our premises in Gateshead, and we have also invested in partnerships across the value chain in the UK. We excite our employees, please our customers and thrill our shareholders, so we are very honoured to receive this award.”

0191 497 1000

FOCUS & INNOVATION

ZENTIA TAKES HOME MADE IN BRITAIN AWARD 2023

www.zentia.com info@zentia.com

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