Professional Builder February 2023

MANAGING EDITOR

TERRY SMITH

EMAIL: tsmith@hamerville.co.uk

DEPUTY EDITOR

LEE JONES

EMAIL: ljones@hamerville.co.uk

GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER

CRAIG JOWSEY

TEL: 07900 248102

EMAIL: craig@hamerville.co.uk

NORTHERN ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER

IAN DUFF

MOBILE: 07810 353525

EMAIL: probuilder@sky.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

DONNA BOOTH

GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER

CAROL PADGETT

DIGITAL MANAGER

JASMINE SMITH

EMAIL: jsmith@hamerville.co.uk

DIGITAL ASSISTANT

LUCY HARDING

EMAIL: lharding@hamerville.co.uk

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

KARL CLARK

PRINTED BY WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH

PUBLISHED BY

HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP

Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF

Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Email: pb@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Builder is a business magazine for firms and individuals involved in all aspects of the building industry. It is available nationally –free to the trade through leading builders’ merchant outlets. © 2023

To be removed from this magazine’s circulation, please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk.

Subscriptions to Professional Builder are available at the following rates:

UK: 1 year (11 issues) –£30.00 post paid

Europe & Overseas: 1 year (11 issues) –£50.00 post paid

Airmail: 1 year (11 issues) –£65.00 post paid

time for a little retro-spection!

Whether it’s a Millennium Dome, Olympic Park, high speed rail link – or even a ‘Boris bridge’ – politicians of all persuasions love backing a major infrastructure project. It promises our elected representatives a legacy far beyond the often brutally brief passing of their political careers and guarantees a starring role on our nightly TV news shows. Motorways, railways, and other major developments have all jostled for the headlines in the Government’s efforts to boost construction in recent times, but the calls for a focus much closer to home are becoming ever louder and, it has to be said, ever more desperate.

The spectacle of a Minister standing amidst the refurbishment of an average semidetached proudly declaring that “what we really could do with is millions more of these” is probably too much to ask for, but the pressing need to update our existing housing stock, and the public appetite for making those improvements, has never been greater.

Rather than being entirely motivated by the need to lighten the tread of our nation’s carbon footprint, homeowners have recognised (without the ridiculous self-righteous posturing of those eco zealots it has to be said) that even fitting new insulation, for instance, could help ease the pain of those ever spiralling energy bills – a motive that is also driving an increase in interest in all things renewable. A proper concerted focus on upgrading what we already have in the domestic sector, instead of continually being obsessed with new builds, also generates far more immediate returns than a vanity project that might not get off the ground for many years – and the potential on our own doorstep is, quite literally, enormous.

The FMB has been amongst the most consistently vocal in criticising the Government for not having a cohesive retrofit strategy, which it believes is a constant barrier to greening the nation’s homes and upskilling the workforce to deliver a truly sustainable built environment. “A national plan to make our existing 29 million homes more energy efficient would help slash energy bills and create a pipeline of work for local builders,” states its CEO, Brian Berry who has also reiterated the on-going call to remove VAT on all RMI work, which would help builders pass on savings to hard-pressed customers.

His suggestions would certainly be well received by the almost two thirds of homeowners who, a recent survey suggests, are now planning to upgrade their properties over the next ten years to negate inevitable price increases. Interestingly, it’s a stat which in just twelve months has already increased by ten per cent and that was before the latest cost of living crisis. Underfloor heating, heat pumps and electric car charging points are being highlighted as some of the most desirable upgrades, all surely within the remit of suitably experienced tradespeople. As laid out by think tank, IPPR in a far reaching 28-year plan to retrofit every household in England, the move would create as many as 1.2 million direct jobs as well as 1.5 million indirect roles, and provide a cornerstone for the levelling up agenda by reducing household bills by an average of £430 per annum.

So, perhaps there could yet be a silver lining to all those icy grey clouds circling ominously at the start of 2023 … but only if the Government finally recognises that instead of looking exclusively to the future – 2050, Net Zero and all that – some simple retro-spection right now could ultimately pay dividends in the coming decades.

“Underfloor heating, heat pumps and electric car charging points are being highlighted as some of the most desirable upgrades, and all are surely within the remit of suitably experienced tradespeople.”

The ONS has just released the latest suicide statistics for England and Wales and the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has shared the data. The number of suicides attributed to construction occupations in 2021 was 507, most of which are male (503).

This figure constitutes a rise of 24 from the previous year and 25 more than the previous five year average and equates to 34 per 100,000 in employment and means workers in construction were nearly four times more likely to take their own lives compared to other sectors in 2021.

Dear PB,

Thank you for addressing the issue of mental health and suicide rates within society in general, and especially within the building trade.

I had no idea of the statistics regarding the trade sector. Thank you for highlighting this and for publishing it in your magazine. I picked up a copy yesterday, it was the first time I’d even heard of you. I read it. It resonated.

Thank you for this. Keep doing what you’re doing, and let’s all keep talking about this. It literally does save lives to talk. Gareth x

LIFTING THE LID

ARMD GUARD

ARMD and Van Guard team up to

crime

ARMD and Van Guard have announced a new partnership designed to help protect tradespeople against tool theft and van crime. The partnership brings together Van Guard’s range of tough van security products with ARMD’s smart insurance and fast digital claims.

SETTING THE STANDARD

The latest edition of NHBC’s Technical Standards are now live. There are significant changes and updates to several chapters, including aligning with British Standards BS EN 1992, BS 8666 and BS 8102:2022.

Early findings

from

HSE’s latest health campaign on moving and handling revealed

The Health and Safety Executive carried out more than 1,000 inspections late last year checking how workers were moving heavy, bulky and awkward-tohandle materials. Many examples of good practice were found, including the widespread use of mechanical equipment. However, HSE personnel also found many examples of poor practice, including a worker lifting an 80kg kerb on his own without any assistance from machinery, lifting aids or colleagues, and a 110kg floor saw that had to be moved into and out of a work van by two operatives at a street works site, both of which resulted in enforcement action.

Updates to both concrete upper floor design and timber/joist deflection limits and to the weathertightness of windows, doors and glazing. New guidance on the provision of horizontal movement joints on masonry clad buildings and on supporting single leaf garage walls as well as addressing the low carbon agenda.

prevent and protect tradespeople against van

EFFICIENCY DRIVE

Joint call for energy efficiency drive to tackle cost of living crisis

Improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s buildings will permanently bring down energy bills for households and boost energy independence, according to four leading associations. Energy UK, the Local Government Association, the Federation of Master Builders and the National Housing Federation are calling on the Government to continue to prioritise energy efficiency as a core solution to the costof-living crisis. Insulating British housing is a long-term challenge, but it will help keep households bills down permanently, all while supporting the transition to Net Zero through reducing emissions.

HOT TOPIC

Government insulation plans a “welcome step in the right direction”, says HHIC The ECO+ Scheme has been hailed a welcome step in the right direction in improving energy efficiency in UK homes by the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC). The initiative will set aside £1bn to improve insulation among the UK’s homes. It will help to reduce energy costs households by around £310 a year and extend support to those in the least energy efficient homes in lower Council Tax bands.

HHIC HAS ALSO PRODUCED ITS OWN GUIDE: IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF HOME HEATING. TO READ THE GUIDE, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP007

NET GAINS

UK heating industry tells Business Secretary it’s “time to get serious” with net zero homes It’s “time to get serious on net zero homes” according to Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), Chief Executive, Mike Foster and explore all the options available in more detail. Currently the gas networks are examining the option of hydrogen villages, exploring how homes can be converted from mains gas to hydrogen. The EUA is calling for a similar village trial that would focus on heat pumps.

SECURE IN THE KNOWLEDGE

The construction industry is among the most secure jobs in the UK

Reassured has revealed the 10 best industries for job security, looking at redundancy rates in the UK from 2011 to 2021 where construction saw 65% less job losses. Northern Ireland is the best area for job security with a redundancy total of just 7,579. Even though the Northeast experiences nearly double the number of redundancies (14,663) the region comes in second, closely followed by Wales with 15,218 jobs made redundant.

MARK OF QUALITY

TrustMark partnership with hiber gives installers access to 24/7 back-office support Installers registered with the Licence Plus scheme from TrustMark can now price installs, order equipment and appliances, as well as handle payments seamlessly through their smartphone or tablet thanks to a new partnership with back-office support app, hiber. The Licence Plus Scheme aims to showcase installers’ competency and quality workmanship while supporting efforts towards reducing energy use to save households money and reach the UK’s Net Zero goals.

PAYING THE PRICE

The Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group provides an update on supply issue

Overall product availability is good and returning to pre-Covid levels, while some bricks, blocks, plasterboard and roofing products are occasionally still subject to disruption or allocation. Prices have slightly moderated across the board but, looking ahead, rising energy and wage costs are expected to exert significant upward pressure. This will be felt most keenly by manufacturers of energy-intensive products such as bricks, cement, glass, insulation and plasterboard.

WALL OF FAME

The winners of a gruelling six-hour wallpaper hanging challenge have been presented with their awards

The PDA’s annual Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year competition challenges Level One and Level Two apprentices to showcase their talent. Senior Winner of the Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year 2022 was Rebecca Mackinnon, an apprentice at Neil Mackay & Co Ltd, who attends UHI Inverness.

EVERYONE’S A WINNER!

BMI UK & Ireland are proud to announce the IMA Awards 2022 recipients

The annual IMA Awards celebrate the very best in flat roofing. Tucker & Tunstalls Roofing, NRA Roofing & Flooring Services, Itech Roofworks, Mac Roofing and William Patel from SPR Roofing Contractors were amongst the winners.

Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year winners (L-R): Jade Oakes (Junior winner), Rebecca Mackinnon (Senior winner), Harry Davies (Junior runner-up), Calib Dyson (Judges Achievement and Commendation Award), Cameron Bonthron (Senior runner-up)

Installer of the Year –William Patel

FREEFOR ALL!

HARDWAX

OIL

ARMOURFLEX

HARD

WAX OIL

Armourflex® Hardwax Oil for wooden floors is tough, durable and water repellent. The flowing liquid penetrates deeply into the wood allowing it to cure within the wood grain in a strong protective hold, enhancing the woods natural beauty and authenticity. Containing a blend of natural oils and waxes, it is suitable for protecting and enhancing the durability of all interior wood surfaces including hardwood, softwood, parquet and veneer. It is also resistant to common stains such as wine, coffee and soft drinks. Make use of our digital reader enquiry service and use the rdr.link below to go straight to Professional Builder’s great competitions.

With a sleek, compact design and Matt Black finish, Pulsify hand showers by hansgrohe are equipped with three different spray modes. The 105 3jet relaxation model includes a microfine PowderRain spray to envelope you in water droplets, Intense PowderRain for an invigorating shower and a relaxing massage spray. We’re showering you with great giveaways once again including this hansgrohe product.

X JOB SITE RADIO

MAKITA

MR003GZ DAB/DAB+ JOB SITE RADIO

Powered by AC adaptor or Makita’s 40VMax XGT, 18V LXT and 12VMax CXT batteries, the MR003GZ features an AUX-IN jack to turn the radio into a speaker for personal audio and a USB port for charging mobile devices. Capable of receiving AM/FM and DAB/DAB+ frequencies, the unit benefits from elastomer bumpers and an IP65-rated dust and shower-proof construction. Sounds like yet another great prize from Professional Builder!

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP017 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP019 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP018

FLOODLIGHT CAMERA

HOME TRUTHS

A new guide on becoming a smaller housebuilder is the brainchild of FMB Vice President, Chris Carr. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to the managing director of Cleethorpes-based Carr & Carr about the advice the initiative hopes to communicate to contractors.

There is no doubt that a welldocumented decline in SME house builders is hampering our ability to provide much needed new homes. Forty years ago, in fact, small and medium sized firms delivered 40% of new registrations whilst today that figures stands at 10%.

Micro and SME developers tend to build on the basis of quality, rather than quantity, driving up standards, championing new ideas, and encouraging differentiation. Increasing the number of available homes overall will have a positive impact on the trades, as well as the building materials supply chain. It will allow companies to employ locally and train many more new recruits. Add to that the obvious benefit for house hunters currently stumbling to find a foothold on the property ladder, and the advantages to the wider economy and society at large are self-evident.

A new Construction Leadership Council (CLC) document – “Becoming a small housing developer: advice and guidance from others in the new homes industry” – is designed to help individuals and companies who might be embarking on their own new build journey to navigate the finance, land availability and planning issues that still deter far too many from taking the first steps.

Advice and support

“The ambition is to provide practical and accessible advice to help steer your business through the process,” explains Chris Carr, Chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) SME Housing Subgroup – the body that put the publication together. His Cleethorpesbased company is a fifth-generation family firm that’s at least a hundred years old and – as a specialist housebuilder – is well-versed in providing a quality product

in its Lincolnshire heartland.

At the same time, Chris is equally passionate about welcoming new entrants into the sector: “The publication contains the collective knowledge of experienced builders, trade bodies and industry experts,” he explains. “When we put the Housing Subgroup together we want to make sure we had the best possible people with a broad range of opinions

and backgrounds. We’ve got representatives and companies recommended by the FMB (Federation of Master Builders), NHBC, HBF (House Builders Federation), National Federation of Housebuilders (NFB), Build UK, and LABC. In fact, one of the findings of the report is for fledgling housebuilders to join a trade body. The networking, advice and support these organisations can provide has real advantages for SMEs in particular.”

Carr & Carr is in the unusual position of still building on the north Lincolnshire land that Chris’s father acquired more 50 years ago, but that’s not a luxury that many companies enjoy. The CLC guide is an invaluable resource on this very topic, explains were to look for the best plots, types of land – including ‘oven ready’ sites with planning permissions attached – all complemented by guidance from established players in the market. “For example, many budding developers might not be aware that Local Authorities own small parcels of land that they often don’t know what to do with,” Chris advises. “You can access these through a simple freedom of information request and then enquire about purchase.”

Finance options

The publication goes on to engage with different sources of finance, and how to secure them, as Chris reveals: “Many high street banks are reluctant to support SMEs but companies like Close Brothers do a great job. Private lenders that can be accessed through accountancy firms are often overlooked and the guiding principle is to be creative about how you access funds.”

Developing a reliable workforce and quality team of tradespeople is equally paramount and is addressed in the guide. Carr & Carr itself provides a full design and build service but relies largely on trusted sub-contractors: “We learnt a long time ago that if you want to engage with quality, highly skilled trades then these are people who want to stay selfemployed. My own expertise is in planning, and a business with access to a range of skills will always be more successful.”

The potential hurdles in the planning

process are a frustration for many and worthy of particular attention, with building positive relationships with planners identified as an imperative by every member of the Housing Subgroup. Be realistic with timings, expect delays, and be prepared to compromise.

The “Becoming a small housing developer” guide is intended to be a living document where relevant links to other organisations and the advice itself can be updated. Its scope is, however, already impressive, with further sections that encompass prebuild to handover, Building Control, buying materials, site

Perhaps most encouragingly for those currently making their living on site the new CLC guide is the product of a collaborative spirit, with businesses and trade bodies coming together to support their peers. It’s an approach that Chris believes is vital if real progress is to be made: “There should be no competition between SMEs because our commercial rivals will always be the volume producers. The avowed aim is to give micro house builders – who can often be the most innovative – not just support but a voice that can be heard by government. This is something I’ve had an ambition to do for more than two decades and the group has itself been meeting for two and half years.”

“We want to encourage both tradespeople and entrepreneurs to come into the industry”, concludes Chris. “It benefits no-one if all the houses in Britain are built by 10 or 12 companies. Consumers want something different –even unique – and that’s just what SMEs can supply.”

“The ‘Becoming a small housing developer’ guide is intended to be a living document where relevant links to other organisations and the advice itself can be updated. Its scope is, however, already impressive and is the product of a collaborative spirit.”

BACK TO SCHOOL

order to ensure effective and accessible vocational training for all. From there, the sector can establish a pipeline of qualified professionals to fill the growing skills gaps seen across many industries.

the best value, highest quality, most relevant, innovative and technologically advanced recruitment solutions to schools, colleges, teachers and lecturers. We have long recognised the value that

The UK education sector is experiencing many challenges, from potential strike action to rising energy bills to recruitment and retention struggles and skills shortages. This is putting the next generation at an increasing disadvantage as they face widening attainment gaps, larger class sizes and a lack of specialist teachers to educate them. It is clear action is needed, both from the government and the wider sector, to help address these challenges.

The newest government priorities, under current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, demonstrate a greater focus on promoting and supporting Further Education (FE). Moreover, in the wider context of conversations around establishing technical colleges to rival Russell Group universities and an Education Secretary who herself qualified via an apprenticeship, the value of technical education is gaining recognition and being prioritised amongst decision makers.

However, whilst encouraging additional people to pursue FE routes is positive, more is needed to overcome barriers such as recruitment struggles in

for creative and flexible solutions. At Eteach, we are a recruitment solutions company that is dedicated to providing

Dean Renphrey, Further Education expert and Marketing Director at Eteach explains how tradespeople can help take teaching forward

“A blended career which allows tradespeople to diversify their careers by taking up part-time opportunities to share their expertise alongside their day-to-day job could be key to addressing both recruitment issues and creating skilled workers for the future.”

Our FE Jobs board was launched to be part of the solution, helping to welcome industry experts into the classroom to share their up-to-date and hands-on experience and knowledge, inspiring the next generation of tradespeople.

Alongside full-time career options, Eteach believes one solution to recruitment and retention issues is a reimagination of our ideas about teaching. A blended career which allows tradespeople to diversify their careers by taking up part-time opportunities to share their expertise alongside their day-to-day job could be key to addressing both recruitment issues and creating skilled workers for the future.

Whilst a career in education may not have been something many tradespeople have previously considered; a blended career presents the possibility of a new challenge whilst remaining working in the

opportunity to share their knowledge, skills and passion for construction with young people. It also is a chance to diversify income during an ever-changing

within a technical profession and teaching find they have a better work-life balance, potentially extra paid leave, and new opportunities to work locally. It also introduces variety into their work life whilst helping to shape the next generation.

Through our many years working within the industry, we have seen firsthand the success of individuals who have opted to pursue a blended career and helped give young people the best start in their own career. It has also brought a new lease on life to many of the tradespeople we have worked with, enabling them to both give back and bring about a new dynamic in their own work lives. We believe sharing skills is key to tackling the skill gaps within the industry and would encourage anyone interested to get involved.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ETEACH AND HOW YOU CAN GET

Monitoring your cashflow position is crucial to the success of your business. It enables you to meet your financial obligations and to better plan for the future,” says James Chillman, UK Country Manager for Fergus. “Unfortunately, many businesses have trouble managing cashflow for a variety of reasons, as it’s usually the last thing on their mind at the end of a busy day.”

Utilising a job management system to monitor your cashflow position in realtime allows you to focus on what you need to. It helps to forecast and build sufficient reserves to cope with seasonal ups and downs. From quoting clients to ordering supplies, while juggling multiple jobs and time-consuming admin tasks, means things can get stressful pretty fast. But using a system to keep on top of your cashflow will help ensure your business is staying on track.

FIVE WAYS YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR CASHFLOW:

Have a financial plan

Establishing a budget for the various costs over the year (such as marketing, supplies, transport, wages, etc.) can help to reduce on-the-fly decision-making and allows you to see if you have room in your finances to spend money in a certain area or not.

Track your money

Avoid any nasty surprises by tracking your finances. Knowing where your money is coming from and where it is going to can help you to know where you can cut costs each month or where you may be underquoting without realising.

GO WITH THEFlow

your business finances at a glance.

Chase up invoices

Your positive cashflow will really suffer if clients aren’t being timely with payments. Aside from gaining a visual into your overall finances, job management software can encourage faster payments from customers by offering a variety of payment options. A platform such as Fergus can also send automatic email or text alerts to remind customers of their overdue payments, all the while giving them the option to select their preferred way to pay. This helps you to get paid on time, speeding up your cash flow.

Plan ahead

Unfortunately, a lot of tradespeople end up with cashflow issues because they’re owed a lot of money from, not just clients and customers, but also from other construction firms who are lagging on their

shortcomings as they don’t have sufficient data to properly predict rapid changes.

In essence, tracking cashflow and implementing a cashflow forecast helps to predict your future incomings and outgoings based on your current known costs and past revenue data.

A PLATFORM FORGrowth

For over 25 years, Grant UK has been supplying award-winning heating products – from the Vortex oil fired condensing boilers to the latest renewable technologies such as solar thermal and air source heat pumps, in addition to wet underfloor heating systems – and developing its range of support services for customers. During this time, the company has significantly grown in size and after trading in Salisbury for a number of years, it moved to Devizes, Wiltshire where its sales, training, technical, marketing and distribution teams have been based since 2003.

Nearly two decades on, Grant UK has undergone further expansion and has relocated to a new site in Swindon. The impressive new facilities are considerably larger, totalling over 80,000sq ft. And in addition to providing greater office spaces and significantly increased on-site storage capacity, the new site has also enabled the supplier’s Training Academy to be expanded as well (with courses available for installers).

With improved facilities and more storage, Grant UK hopes that its new home will allow it to continue to grow, further improving and enhancing its delivery of products and services to customers.

The new Head Office set up has been the culmination of a ten-month renovation project involving the entire site, installing state of the art racking in the warehouses, creating engaging workspaces for employees and transforming one of the

units into training rooms and practical assessment areas for the Training Academy.

Sustainability

An integral part of the project was sustainability and Grant UK has implemented numerous environmentallyfriendly measures throughout the site. For example, a biomass heating system has been installed which is providing the heating and hot water whilst 768 solar panels and storage batteries have been installed as part of the 303kWp Solar PV system which has been fitted on the roof of both units – a system which will fulfil all of its electricity demands while also feeding renewable electricity into the grid.

materials which have been fitted throughout the office spaces has also been based on their sustainability

Grant UK has moved to new premises, with the company’s Head Office, warehousing and Training Academy all now based in Swindon, Wiltshire.

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ESTIMATING

BUILDING SUCCESS

Joanna Mulgrew, Managing Director of HBXL Building

Are you a building firm owner, director or manager? What does success look like to you? Is it a job completed without too much interference from the homeowner? Deliveries arriving when they should? Subbies not letting you down?

It’s very easy for relief to be the overwhelming emotion when a job ends –but let’s not forget why you were doing the extension, loft conversion or new build in the first place – to make money. So, did you?

When we ask our builder community what motivates them – a few goals are regularly repeated – decent holidays, more staff, family time, a nest egg for retirement, off the tools… You know you’re successful when your business is making the kind of money that gives you these well-deserved rewards.

But cash in the bank can be hard to come by. It’s not the number of jobs you do in your working life that will give you the lifestyle you’d like. It’s down to the type of jobs you go after, and importantly, whether you 1) charge the true and accurate amount for the ‘physical’ job and 2) charge for the ‘behind the scenes’ costs.

Software success

An accurate estimate isn’t easy to achieve with pen and paper, or a creaky

spreadsheet.

Plus, these methods don’t exactly instill the courage needed to charge every last penny for the job – like your management time, a share of the van insurance, the wheelbarrow with a hole, broken tiles and so on.

But you should. Every penny matters. Over time you could lose serious money and certainly not make any. And that’s where estimating software comes in –not as a ‘nice to have’ but as an essential tool of the business.

Accurate pricing

EstimatorXpress for example, tracks the latest prices and works out not just today’s cost but the job start date cost as well –useful bearing in mind the continuing price increases. Material schedules are produced automatically so suppliers get advanced notice. And the onboard Gantt chart will also take a date change in a job and cascade the consequences.

But perhaps better still, are the nudges EstimatorXpress gives the user to charge the full amount and not round down, or knock a few hundred quid off. Firstly, it

calculates every single hour, every last nail and tube of mastic, and it knows all the plant you’ll need and for how long.

Secondly, it gets you to think about the cost beyond materials, labour and plant. Give it a percentage for your overheads and it will do the sum, same for the wear and tear, wastage and inflation. Go with it. Trust the process. There are customers out there who will pay the right price for quality craftsmanship and a professional service. And they are the ones with the projects that help building firms expand and grow.

And these in-depth calculations don’t mean more work – the opposite. Over the last few years EstimatorXpress has been re-engineered to be even more straightforward for the user. The whole process is ‘step-by-step’ with visual aids and hints and tips that appear in the window as you go. An extension can take less than hour, a new build no more than a few hours.

Uncapped support comes as standard

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ESTIMATING

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN !

A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO ESTIMATORXPRESSS PREMIUM WORTH £699+VAT MUST BE WON!

EstimatorXpress, with its different editions, is for everyone

building firms, small and medium sized businesses, all the way through to property developers.

And they all have their own reasons for using the clever estimating software. Saving time on estimating... improving accuracy and avoiding costly errors... latest material prices... protecting bigger profits... valuable reports from cash flow to material schedules... presenting a professional image to win quality jobs... businessimproving analysis... FOR FULL ENTRY DETAILS

All new users receive an onboarding session, help with their first estimate, and have the option of eight free hours of live-streamed training to sharpen their new found skills if they feel they need it. Telephone support is included in the first year as part of the software package, thereafter there’s a small annual fee for support and software updates.

So isn’t it time to charge the full amount for your work… and build retirement, nights off, a family holiday, a bigger office, a new van… into your future?

Don t miss this...

MANUFACTURING PARTNER

SUPPORTING BUILDERS

The UK construction industry has had to battle against unprecedented challenges over the past two years. Unfortunately, rather than getting easier, it is predicted that we will be entering the eye of the storm in the year ahead.

Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, anticipates the biggest hurdles are yet to come and explains how, as one of the UK’s most successful manufacturers, Origin has updated its operations to help professional builders weather the storm.

Overcoming Materials Shortages

According to the Construction Products Association, the cost of building materials increased by an eye-watering 42 percent at the end of 2022. Supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine have pushed prices up dramatically, while over 90 percent of builders have experienced project delays due to shortages, according to NAHB.

The only way to prevent this happening is to work with manufacturers that have safeguarded their operations against global shortages. At Origin, we have heavily invested in our internal

infrastructure to guarantee our we can deliver our products within just 24 hours of an order being placed.

A 55,000sq ft warehouse facility, opened in 2021, is now home to an abundant reserve of aluminium profile. By futureproofing the business against economic and environmental uncertainty, we have created our own robust supply chain. This ensures we can always supply systems to our Partners. The warehouse, known as ‘The Ark’, has also increased manufacturing capacity for greater productivity at our other facilities.

Additional changes to our internal IT infrastructure have also been made to support Origin’s ‘On Time, In Full’ delivery promise. As part of our ‘one-click’ vision, we have automated our internal processes so that when an order is placed via our

revolutionary online software, Origin Sale Safe (OSS), stock is automatically reordered to replenish the warehouse. The order is processed without any human involvement for complete reliability.

All areas of the business have invested in change to protect Origin’s delivery promise. The R&D department, for example, has even redesigned systems to remove materials that will be in short supply in the future.

Achieving Future Homes Standard

A dramatic rise in the cost of gas and electricity, plus the introduction of ‘Part L’ of the Future Homes Standard, has propelled the thermal performance of homes to the top of the priority list. In new homes, windows and doors must achieve a U-Value of 1.2 W/m2K, while replacement

systems require a U-Value of 1.4 W/m2K.

U-Values and Window Energy Ratings (WER) need to be explained to homeowners to help them make an informed decision and ensure they invest in glazing systems that meet the new criteria. While some manufacturers have opted to offer triple glazing as standard to achieve the latest regulations, they might struggle to meet the stricter targets when they are introduced in 2025.

We have invested in innovation to ensure the highest level of thermal performance, without compromising functionality or style. In the year ahead, the Origin R&D department will be further updating all systems with clever design features to ensure they exceed the targets set out in the Future Homes Standard in 2025.

Supporting Growth

For professional builders to be able to successfully grow during challenging times, it is vital that they are supported by their manufacturing partners and suppliers.

Origin Sale Safe (OSS), our ordering and quoting system, allows Partners to quote and order whole house projects in minutes. Adjustments can easily be made at any stage and the system will immediately provide a revised quote.

Updates to the software in 2023 will allow our Partners to automatically add their margins onto the cost of a project and quote for intricate projects quickly and easily online. By offering an efficient and accurate ordering system, we can save them valuable time to support their business growth.

In the words of Henry Ford: “obstacles

are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal”. Even through the pandemic, Brexit and a UK recession, Origin has remained committed

WINTER WARMERS

Here in the UK, very harsh weather – from torrential rain and wind to freezing temperatures and snow – is not uncommon during the winter months. Add to that the speed and unpredictability that conditions can change and you’ve got potentially serious issues for those working on site, especially at height.

Although we cannot avoid what nature throws at us, Marley is urging professional roofers to fully prepare for the difficult working conditions that come hand-inhand with the winter months, with its ‘Winter Safety’ campaign.

Be alert

Construction sites are hazardous environments, with heavy machinery and power tools in constant use and, of course, people working at height.

Winter has the potential to get nasty, with temperatures plummeting to below zero, heavy rainfall plus strong winds to contend with. For roofers, who are highly exposed on site anyway, winter can have a significant negative impact on their health, safety and wellbeing.

Daniel Redfern, Marketing Manager at Marley said: ‘With roofing contractors working for long periods of time outdoors, often in difficult and dangerous weather conditions, we are committed to providing useful, straight-forward advice, highlighting the risks and showing how to minimise them.

‘The good news is that, with a little preparation, the effects of working under harsh winter conditions can be greatly minimised. Making sure you’re aware of what’s coming weather-wise will help you prepare for your time on site.’

BE AWARE

Preparation is vital for a safe and successfully operational site, with three key areas to consider:

■ Watch the weather Make sure that the weather forecast is monitored on a daily basis so that any poor weather is anticipated and action, if required, is taken. Essential for roofers, working at height platforms and roofs should be regularly checked for ice. If ice is present, work should cease immediately as this is a requirement of the Working at Height Regulations 2005.

In addition, it is worth checking windspeed with a hand-held anemometer, as recommended by the HSE, to avoid dangerous gusts of wind causing falls.

■ Keep the heat in Lower temperatures mean that additional clothing is essential to help counter the impact of cold on the body. Rapid heat loss or reduction in body temperature over time can lead to serious illness and downtime.

Wear at least three layers of clothing –

Marley is offering some seasonal advice on how to keep safe on site this winter

a base layer with moisture-wicking properties to draw sweat away from the body; a middle, breathable layer to help insulate and a good wind/waterproof outer layer, that fits well, allows for a full range of movement and gives good elemental protection.

Wet clothing should be changed immediately, whilst gloves should be worn at all times, especially when using ladders or scaffolding as frostbite can occur immediately if extremely cold metal is touched with bare hands.

Finally, it is essential that hot food and drinks are consumed throughout the day to help keep the body’s core temperature at a healthy level.

■ Avoid slips, trips and falls

When a surface, such as a scaffolding platform or roof becomes cold, ice can form and present a major slipping hazard, with height only adding to the danger. Such areas need to be treated to avoid slips, trips and falls.

Clearing icy patches with salt or sand improves traction and should be applied when and where needed, whilst extra care should be taken when carrying tools and materials.

Sturdy footwear – such as robust waterproof boots with nonslip soles – should be worn, with warm thick socks for added protection.

KEEP WARM THIS WINTER WITH MARLEY

There’s a host of useful winter safety advice available on the Marley website, plus the opportunity to receive a Marley snood and beanie hat, to help keep you warm this winter. To receive yours simply provide your details at: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP029

THE NATURAL ANSWER

Biodiversity depletion in the UK may not come as a shock. Since the Industrial Revolution, Britain has lost over half of its natural biodiversity. There is still a need to build more infrastructure as human populations continue to grow which, in some cases, has a negative impact on nature where construction leads to land loss, fragmentation and degradation. This is pushing many species and ecosystems into decline and some to the brink of extinction.

To understand the vulnerability of species, we need not look any further than the humble hedgehog. According to the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), in the past 20 years, up to 75% of Britain’s rural hedgehog populations have disappeared and are considered vulnerable to extinction with road networks, urbanisation and fragmentation considered major factors.

According to the 2021 River Basin Management Plan more than 10% of freshwater and wetland species are currently in danger of going extinct. This is linked to the decline in wetland

ecosystems which have decreased 90% during the past 100 years in the UK. A likely culprit for the decline could be the fact that just 16% of England’s water bodies are in a good ecological state (GES) due, not only to water discharged by water companies, but also oil, hydrocarbons, metals and plastics discharged to the natural environment from the connected road network and separated surface water systems. Pollution of this sort has a massive negative effect on nature and people and has not yet been properly quantified.

Changing a landscape from its natural state and replacing it with hardlandscaping can also increase the likelihood of floods, potentially having a severe impact on people, infrastructure and nature. As a result, reversing the influence the built environment has on the natural world, mimicking natural systems and supporting nature-based solutions (NBS) is now more important than ever.

The industry must balance the need to reduce carbon emissions with a duty to protect and enhance the natural world.

Housebuilders are able to play a special role in changing things for the better and providing better outcomes for homeowners and broader society.

Footprint only construction

For the above to work, the natural environment needs to be left as intact as possible. Leaving soil undisturbed is best for nature but necessary for building. The reality is that soil health has degraded globally, likely due to frequent building works. Disturbing soil releases a significant amount of naturally stored carbon into the air and disrupts the normal activity and lifecycles of native plant, bacteria and animal life, all of which play a vital role in fortifying natural biodiversity.

Where disturbing soil is unavoidable, the top 150mm – where the majority of life is – should be kept safely and stored or used elsewhere on site. Any vegetation should be kept in natural areas of the site for biodiversity to find refuge. Developers should also consider temporary fencing wherever possible to protect nature from making unwanted ingress.

build better by boosting biodiversity

Pollution reduction

Every living organism needs water to survive. Preventing toxins on roads from washing into waterways and neighbouring habitats is one technique that has a positive effect on the environment and regulating the quality of runoff is crucial, serving as a fundamental rule of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Water treatment systems like ACO’s V-Septor (Hydrodynamic Separator), Q-Ceptor, or QuadraCeptor solutions can be put in place before water is discharged into swales and ditches in SuDS schemes. These are vital additions because natural resources can only purify water so far and should be allowed to function and grow as nature intended.

The V-Septor, for example, is designed to capture sediment bound contaminants and floatables by directing incoming stormwater to make a vortex, slowing the water so the suspended solids settle down in the sludge chamber. Baffles work as barriers to keep sludge and suspended plastics in the chambers rather than flowing back out during periods of heavy rain. Once cleaned, water can move through an outlet back into the environment. Remaining debris can be easily removed during regular maintenance.

To specify such SuDS systems and understand the impact of different site developments, housebuilders can use the Simple Index Approach (SIA) as set out in the CIRIA SuDS Manual, in collaboration with water management experts and manufacturers. By doing so, housebuilders can assess if a SuDS design offers sufficient protection against pollution dangers such as tyre rubber,

lubricants and heavy metals from automobiles etc.

The use of SuDS in both new builds and retrofit projects should be embraced by developers. Runoff from hard surfaces can be captured by SuDS features such as bioretention zones, rain gardens, swales, and tree pits supported by proprietary cleaning products. By making developments more hospitable areas for

Increasing biodiversity

To ensure that we protect key species we must first examine the local ecosystem before beginning any construction work. The Environment Act 2021 makes it clear that new developments in England must demonstrate a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, making systems like SuDS and the use of Nature Based Solutions (NBS) increasingly necessary. A new SuDS scheme should connect with other local and/or regional habitats to help create and strengthen habitat connectivity, according to recommendations in CIRIA’s SuDS Manual.

Each site is different but there are a range of products on the market, such as wildlife kerbs, guide tunnels, and escape ladders which can help integrate wildlife mitigation measures. These features can aid mammals and amphibians in safely navigating road networks and mitigate entrapment or fatalities. There is also the opportunity to create refuges by integrating bird boxes, bat boxes and bug hotels into houses.

Engagement opportunities can be created, and housing projects can be connected, using the Habitat Matters Mapping System. A free tool that enables the replication of the physical environment, connecting users to the built environment asset using a QR code. The Habitat Matters Mapping System makes it possible to submit biodiversity observations that contribute to national record keeping. Housebuilders have the opportunity to go beyond simply offering products and systems by better connecting people to infrastructure and nature.

Built to succeed

As an industry, we have the knowledge, technologies and tools to build better environments where people and wildlife can flourish. The loss of habitats can start to be reversed through design. ACO possesses a range of expertise and can provide a free consultation, design service or Continued Professional Development (CPD) to help create sustainable drainage.

QuadraCeptor

V-Septor

POOL OF Knowledge

Having designed and installed natural pools for over 20 years, founder and owner, Sarah Murch, required a resilient solution that would not only deliver impressive longevity, but simultaneously meet her specific design requirements, whilst keeping to project timescales.

In order to successfully construct the reinforced concrete chamber for the 15metre long x 4metre wide x 1.8metre deep swimming zone, Sarah specified Anderton Concrete’s unique concrete shuttering system following a recommendation from a structural engineer.

provide additional reinforcement. The finished walls were filled with one single concrete pour.

When award-winning natural swimming pool builders, Ellicar, required an efficient method of construction for an installation in the gardens of a listed property located on the outskirts of Kent, it turned to Anderton Concrete for the answer.

The natural pool’s design incorporated a swimming area separated from dedicated regeneration zones via low submerged

Consisting of precast concrete blocks that weigh less than 20kg each and can be both vertically and horizontally reinforced, the use of Stepoc enabled Sarah’s team to quickly and efficiently build the entire pool wall structure in just three days.

Streamlined installation

To streamline the installation process, Sarah partnered with the manufacturer’s technical team to tailor the structure’s design to the dimensions of each Stepoc block, working to a full course. Each block sits over a L shaped rebar which is cast into the concrete raft. Then as each course of the 900 concrete blocks was installed horizontal rebars were fitted to

Speaking of the project, Sarah said: “With any natural pool build, it’s crucial that the structure provides not only a perfect, smooth finish for the pool’s flexible liner but also the exact finish for us to install the hard landscaping around the water’s edge including architectural stone paving, wooden decking and internal coping. Being able to tailor the design of the walls to the dimensions of each Stepoc block ensured we achieved this, streamlining the entire process.

“Having never used Stepoc before, myself and my team were extremely pleased, both with the initial installation process and the overall quality of the finished construction. So much so that we have already specified the system for another two upcoming projects and are modelling our pool construction designs accordingly.”

Once the concrete structure was built, Ellicar’s pool team lined the entire pool with a waterproof, flexible TPO liner,

Anderton Concrete’s Stepoc concrete shuttering system has delivered the perfect finish for a natural pool construction

the pool is fitted with Biotop’s biological filtration system. The pipework from the filters and pumps being brought through flanges in the walls, which were installed at wall construction stage. The filter chamber is covered with a wooden deck with access hatches.

Tim Fields, Structural Products Manager at Anderton Concrete, said: “Combining the ease of blockwork with

range of swimming pool projects over the last two decades, this is the first time the system has been utilised to construct a natural pool structure and the results really do speak for themselves. It was fantastic to collaborate with the Ellicar team on this project and I look forward to working with them again on upcoming builds.”

A popular choice for a diverse range of single-skin retaining wall requirements,

substantial cost saving of over 30% when compared with in-situ concrete, whilst delivering an approximate saving of 20% against cavity block construction.

The innovative system has also been awarded the British Board of Agrément (BBA) Certificate 20/5774, evidencing Anderton Concrete’s first class engineering excellence and dedication to supporting industry professionals in

MAKING THE GRADE

The emergence of ungraded batten being passed off as graded poses a real danger to those working with them. As a result, it has become critical roofing contractors pay close attention to what they’re purchasing, and physically checking the battens are a British Standard product.

Over the past few months there had been hints of this ungraded batten being passed as true graded at ports, and evidence is mounting that this stock is appearing in merchants. It’s a product that’s dimensionally undersized, with knots outside of allowed tolerances, and would have failed standard quality controls checks by a legitimate producer.

Ben Hulme is one roofing contractor based in Halifax who raised the issue with NFRC. While subcontracting on a housing project, he was supplied with batten stock to work with and discovered ungraded mixed into the delivery. “I turned up on site and was taken to the stock of batten so I could prepare for the job – it’s at this point I immediately saw a problem”. Mixed in amongst graded blue batten were lengths of timber clearly not to specification.

larger than tolerance allowed, and it was all mixed in with what looked like proper graded blue battens.”

To pass the timber off as conforming to BS 5534, it looked like the producer had painted the battens blue instead of the correct treatment method. “Whatever process they used to colour the batten was clearly a shortcut. It didn’t look like it had been properly treated with a colour dye at the production stage”.

ahead of quality and roofers’ safety. It’s frustrating because I’m having to deal with rising prices which either eat into profit or I have to raise my own prices. Then on top of that, the quality just isn’t there. I’ve had tiles not curing right, lead being bent, and now blue batten that just isn’t up to standard.”

Spotting the signs early

Simon Dixon, Training Manager at NFRC, is equally frustrated. With more NFRC members coming forward, he rightly highlights the importance of proper training and recognising what makes a graded batten: “Seeing ungraded batten being coloured blue and passed off as proper graded batten is disheartening. It means the product is being sent out to site that isn’t fit for purpose in the first place. It goes

Shaun Revill, Trading Director at SR Timber, sounds the alarm on ungraded battens.

Image courtesy of Ben Hulme

new build & property development

to highlight the importance of understanding the grading process and what makes a batten conform to BS 5534.”

Using substandard batten puts contractors lives at risk, increasing the chance of something going wrong during the build. All graded battens should be dimensionally accurate –BS 5534:2014 + A2:2018 allows for a tolerance of -0mm / +3mm on the thickness, (25mm), and -3mm / +3mm on the width (which will be 38mm or 50mm). The strength of the batten is dependent on slope of grain, number of growth rings, quantity and dimension of knots being within regulations.

Simple checks such as measuring if the thickness is 25mm can quickly identify if a batten is fit for purpose. If under 25mm, the batten will fail to pass the British Standard allowed tolerances and isn’t a true graded batten.

Why now?

We think the problem is partly down to the increasing pressures we are all faced with. As costs rise across the board, some suppliers are turning to this cheaper, compromised product to ensure a healthy margin. Consequentially, there is an erosion of trust in these suppliers and the market. Contractors are buying this product thinking it’s treated correctly, showing the colour and being stamped. All indications of a true British Standard product when its clearly not.

I’ve worked in and have been connected to the industry my entire life, and I want merchants and contractors alike to be aware of these issues. These markings and checks are here for a reason, and roofers’ safety is at the top of the agenda.

Larger suppliers such as SR Timber offer a legitimate British Standard product, ticking all the boxes when it comes to quality and allowed tolerances. Above everything else, I urge all merchants and contractors to challenge when they spot something they believe isn’t right.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GRADED BATTENS FROM SR TIMBER VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP033

Image courtesy of Ben Hulme. Batten was removed from roof after installation.

Take your business to the next level and become a VELUX® Certified Installer

At VELUX®, we believe it is important to provide training to all installers, to understand the benefits of more efficient roof window installations and keep you up-to-date on the latest innovations. Through the VELUX® Certified Installer scheme, we connect homeowners to the very best installers in their area, actively promoting our trusted Certified Installers.

JOINING THE SCHEME WILL OPEN A RANGE OF BENEFITS, INCLUDING:

• Bespoke sales leads, allowing you to choose the geographical radius you would like to cover and type of leads you will receive (new installations, roof window replacement, etc.)

• A powerful partnership with Trustmark, the only government endorsed scheme for tradespeople in the UK

• Listings on the VELUX® and Trustmark websites receiving thousands of hits per month

• The opportunity to gain an endorsement from a market-leading brand

Installer training courses combine practice and theory and are designed to help you move your business forwards. Stay updated with the newest developments of our roof windows and accessories, the best installation practices, as well as the commercial insight to better sell the VELUX® range and increase your profits.

Choose between physical training: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP034 at the two VELUX® Training Academy locations, a

quick and efficient option with a range of courses, or online training: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP035 at the online VELUX® Training Academy, a convenient way to develop your knowledge of VELUX® products and how to correctly

you for your added convenience, subject to conditions. Both forms of training will help you with tested techniques and tips, whilst learning about new VELUX® products and innovations before they

HOW TO APPLY: To ensure the quality of our Certified Installers, the application process involves an onsite assessment of a standard VELUX® installation, officebased checks on your trading history, and references from previous customers.

Annual membership is £125.00 plus VAT, which can be paid either in a lump sum or on a convenient monthly direct debit.

If you’re looking for a direct seal of approval from the UK’s leading roof window manufacturer, complete the form here: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP036 and an application manager will be in contact to guide you through the process. Take the first step to becoming a VELUX® Certified Installer, with this exciting new step in your career, today.

If you’re looking to gain new experience this year and take your business to the next level, why not become a VELUX® Certified Installer? With the option to train online, or in person, VELUX® can help you to grow your skills towards becoming a trusted Certified Installer.

IN THE FRAME

Athird showhome created by timber-frame specialist Scandia-Hus and insulated with Actis Hybrid products has achieved an impressive suite of energy efficiency and environmental performance parameters.

Its performance is captured in the asbuilt SAP calculation, which reveals an improvement of the Dwelling Emission Rate of 35% over the notional building specification and an improved Fabric Energy Efficiency rate of 24.5%.

The 2,755 sq ft three-bedroom chalet bungalow at Scandia-Hus’ Sussex premises also achieved an energy efficiency rating of B. And it has an impressively low level of air permeability, achieving an air leakage rate of 3.25 m3/hm2 at 50Pa, with this number of air changes per hour falling way within the Building Regulations’ limiting or notional values of 10 and 5m3/hm2 @50Pa respectively.

The UK’s largest designer and supplier of Swedish energy-saving timber-framed homes was so impressed by the thermal efficiency achieved in the first two showhomes it built at its Sussex HQ that it replicated the precise specification it used on those buildings for its latest creation.

HControl Hybrid and 155mm honeycomb design Hybris in the pitched roof and HControl Hybrid and 105mm Hybris in the walls. The eco-friendly property runs on an air source heat pump, and the sustainably sourced timber used creates an air-tight structure.

Actis regional sales manager Liane Bayliss said: “Actis Hybrid products are particularly popular with timber frame manufacturers. Giving a hands-on demonstration of the various elements used in a build of this nature will be very educational, both for the potential buyers of Scandia-Hus properties and for specifiers keen to explore different insulation products and their benefits for other build projects.”

Scandia-Hus trialled the Actis Hybrid system a few years ago on its first, contemporary style, show home, carrying

out a thermal imaging exercise after completion to help determine whether to switch to using the system for future projects. The results, which showed an impressive lack of thermal bridging, convinced them that this was the best insulation for most of the homes it builds every year.

MD, Derek Dawson said: “Using Actis reduced installation time by up to 30%. Previously, insulation was installed in two phases – the first in the factory and the second on site after the first fix was complete.

“Actis Hybris is easy to install. The panels are easy to cut to exactly the right size so they simply slot into the stud wall. Due to the use of service voids and the ease of installation, the insulation will now generally be installed in one phase on site. This also ensures that the air tightness of the building is not compromised by followup trades. Other benefits were minimal wastage and site cleanliness. And as if that is not benefit enough, the Hybrid range does not produce irritant and messy dust when installing.”

SAP reveals impressive energy efficiency of third Actis-insulated property

The Mulberry is the third Scandia-Hus showhome to be insulated with Actis Hybrid products. The as-built SAP calculation showed its Fabric Energy Efficiency rate is nearly 25% better than the target FEE.

SUSTAINABLE CHOICES

From a greater demand for security fences to more ecofriendly finishes, a few critical changes will impact fencing decisions for builders this year. For firms working on residential properties, or developing commercial sites, being prepared for a tough year of materials and labour shortages –and rising costs –will pay dividends, as will recognition of some important emerging issues. Here are my trends predictions for 2023, with some tips on how to address security correctly for your upcoming builds:

Sustainability and protecting biodiversity

Sustainability is at the forefront of building sector conversations, and businesses of all sizes are facing more intense pressure to improve their sustainability initiatives and achieve carbon reductions. In 2023 Ministers will launch a consultation on implementing a proposal from the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), which has the potential to address the source of 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions – from the built environment.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP038

Eco-friendly

As a new legal framework for net zero in the built environment is drawn up, it’s important that sourcing more sustainable materials for new builds becomes the

norm. When it comes to security and perimeter measures, look for eco-friendly, sustainable fencing and gates which uses responsibly sourced and regulated timber.

The right species of timber for the purpose should be selected by manufacturers before the all-important preservative treatment, design, and construction process. If all these elements are right first, then any sustainability/ responsible sourcing certifications have a more meaningful context as the best use has been made of the timber, and a product that provides a long life ultimately means less deforestation.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP039

Value and carbon-efficiency

A major trend that is affecting the UK is the cost-of-living crisis which will likely become a recession. Many businesses will increase their level of perimeter

value residential properties may also be a wise consideration by builders.

When it comes to decisions around perimeter fencing for residential and commercial property developments, there’s recognition now that lower-quality panels and gates are less sustainable, and probably more expensive in the longrun. This is because replacements and repairs are more likely, increasing waste. In 2023 as recession bites, we will see construction firms and professional builders thinking carefully about the lifetime cost of fencing and gating solutions, looking beyond upfront product costs, to get the best value and lowest carbon impact in the longer term. The length of the guarantee matters.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP040

Hedgehog Security Fencing

Protecting nature and the environment on sites matters too. If you can introduce things like hedgehog-friendly security fencing, so much the better! Vertical bar fencing ticks all the boxes when it comes to security and hedgehog preservation. Featuring pales spaced to conform to anti-trap regulations, hedgehogs have more than enough room to pass between the pales to the other side.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP041

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP042

Peter Jackson of Jacksons Fencing predicts that construction company owners will focus more on sustainable materials, public safety, and ways to maximise value in 2023.

WEATHERING THE STORM

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has become a popular choice for designers over the last 15 years. Spanning residential buildings to educational and commercial spaces, the market growth of CLT can be attributed to its usability in complex timber structures. Modern lightweight timber frame buildings have been used for nearly 100 years. Plus, a large proportion of the UK housing stock has timber pitched roofs, many of which are centuries old.

CLT has also created exciting opportunities for low/negative carbon and sustainable buildings. However, as with all construction products, there has been a learning curve as the industry’s understanding of CLT’s strengths and weaknesses has grown. One such area where new knowledge has been uncovered is in how moisture can compromise the material’s durability.

CLT durability

Durability of construction materials and components is particularly important as more people talk about sustainability. The benefit of timber and wood-based products is that the lifespan can be almost indefinite if they remain dry. That said, timber is at risk offungal decay if its

Phil O’Leary, Technical Manager at BM TRADA, explores how

moisture dynamics can affect the durability of crosslaminated

timber, covering the latest research from BM TRADA and Stora Enso.

moisture content exceeds 20% for an extended period of time. In a welldesigned and constructed timber frame building or pitched roof, moisture content in service will be between 10% and 14% –well below the fungal decay threshold.

While CLT follows the same durability principles as lightweight timber structures, its thickness and the mass of timber used present additional considerations when exposed to moisture. Timber studs, joists and rafters have a relatively large surfacearea-to-volume ratio and so typically dry rapidly when conditions allow. On the other hand, CLT has a much smaller surface-area-to-volume ratio and so drying rates can be substantially slower, which can affect durability greatly.

Insulation considerations

CLT external walls and roofs should always be designed as ‘warm’ construction. This means all thermal insulation is placed on the outside face of the wall or roof panel. By placing the CLT panels within the thermal envelope of the building, panels are in what should normally be a warm and dry environment – creating the ideal environment for timber to endure.

The most common insulation material placed on the outside of CLT in the UK is rigid foil-faced insulation boards (e.g. PIR/PUR/phenolic). It is installed to walls, flat roofs and pitched roofs. While these insulation materials have excellent thermal resistance and provide the required U-values, the foil facings limit drying of the CLT panels behind.

Developing understanding

Moving forward requires learning from previous experience, of which data forms a large part. For this reason, BM TRADA and Stora Enso have conducted research to better understand the moisture dynamics in CLT. The two-part project looked at both wetting risk during construction and drying rates, information which can be used to determine moisture distribution behaviour.

The drying rates of five-layer, 100mmthick CLT panels were investigated; various configurations were tested, including covering the wet outer face of panels with foil to replicate panels

covered with rigid foil-faced insulation boards and/or vapour control layers. This test set-up was intended to replicate typical UK construction build-ups for warm walls as well as flat and pitched roofs. During testing of the covered panels, water in the wet outside face lamination was observed slowly passing through the thickness of the panels to the dry uncovered side, confirming the previously held assertion that panels could dry to the inside. However, with a starting moisture content of 35% in the wet outer lamination, it took almost 16 months for the moisture content to fall to 20%. This means drying could take years for higher

moisture contents and/or thicker panels. On the flip side, uncovered panels that were able to dry directly from the wet face took approximately six weeks for a similar moisture content reduction.

Creating room to breathe

To achieve long-term durability of timber structures, a primary consideration is to provide a combination of drainage, ventilation and breathability. It is not normally an issue if timber gets wet, providing water can drain away quickly and the timber is subsequently allowed to dry. Slowing down or restricting drying though the use of high resistance insulation products and/or vapour control layers on the inner or outer faces of the panels can slow drying to an extent that the development of fungal decay may become a risk if panels are subjected to adverse conditions during construction or in service.

On the continent, CLT building systems are often paired with mineral wool or wood-fibre insulation products – these breathable insulation materials are typically beneficial to timber building systems as they allow more rapid drying of the CLT panels if they are exposed to wetting during construction or in service.

The use of breathable insulation products and systems, in conjunction with good overall design detailing and a moisture management plan for the construction phase, will have a significant positive impact on the long-term durability and robustness of CLT structures.

Planning ahead

CLT will no doubt play a key part in creating greener, low carbon buildings. To do so, an understanding of how to effectively protect CLT from moisture during construction is vital. Where moisture does pose issues, appropriate remedial action must be prioritised. This should also be taken into consideration at the onset of any timber construction project, particularly when allowing sufficient drying time to prevent fungal and structural decay.

Figure 1: The drying mechanism of fivelayer, 100mm-thick CLT panels with (left) and without (right) foil coverings

“Longevity of construction materials and components is crucially important in line with environmental objectives such as waste reduction.”

new build & property development

AIR BARRIER

A new self-build farmhouse in the beautiful Scottish countryside has been fitted with the Wraptite air-barrier from A. Proctor Group. The product provides essential protection in the form of waterproofing and weatherproofing and combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane.

NEW BUILD DESIGN SERVICE

A New Build Design Service from LG will assist new build developers when specifying heat pumps into new homes. It will provide full designs for plumbing and heating layouts along with equipment schedules that specify the heat pump required, radiator or underfloor manifold heating positions, pipework type and length and controls as well as determining the optimal location and performance simulation of the outdoor units.

HOUSEBUILDERS GUIDE

Leading timber staircase manufacturer, MultiTurn, has launched a free guide entitled ‘9 key challenges for housebuilders today… And ideas to help solve them’. Collecting data from the NHBC and HBF, the guide addresses the most pressing challenges facing the housebuilding industry as well as controlling costs and managing cashflow to survive.

CARBON JARGON GUIDE

The NHBC Foundation has published a free guide to help explain and standardise the language used around carbon and energy in the housebuilding industry. From ‘absolute zero carbon’ to ‘zero carbon ready’, it details common energy terms, explaining what they mean and how they differ.

NATURAL SLATE

CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 12 natural slate has been specified for a new build project in Chichester. The non-carbonated slate is formed by tectonic compression, giving the product a smooth, matt surface, outstanding weather resistance, and a functional life expectancy of 100 years. CUPA 12 has been assessed and certified by BRE Global making it sustainable as well as aesthetically enhancing.

GUTTERING

An eco-friendly property in Suffolk is benefitting from Marley Alutec’s Evolve Deepflow and Aligator Giant guttering. Manufactured from corrosion resistant marine grade aluminium, a naturally occurring protective oxide that forms on the surface means that, if the layer becomes damaged, it will reform itself. As a result, it has a 50+ year functional life expectancy and requires minimal maintenance.

BREATHER MEMBRANE

Improvements in thermal comfort and airtightness are amongst the benefits of the ECHOFOIL EXO, a high-performance breather membrane. Manufacturer, Partel has developed the solution specifically for timber frame construction. The reflective foil membrane has one of the lowest emissivity values in the market of just ≤ 0.04 and a

ROOF TILE VENT

The InVentive Tile Vent from Timloc Building Products is now available from Rainclear Systems. The range of tile and slate vents are designed to suit profile, plain, small profile and non-profile roof tiles and slates as well as universal options and includes compatible accessories for connection to ventilation ducts or soil vent pipes.

BOXING CLEVER

Festool is turning the tables on precision sawing with its latest cordless solution

Picture the scene – you want to take your table saw on site but the job is up a couple of flights of stairs, and the tool is hardly what you’d describe as lightweight and compact. Some might even decide that they can make do with a jigsaw, but it’s the accuracy in the finish that will inevitably be the loser.

That’s hitherto been the reality for this class of machine, and most available in the market come with those inherent limitations. The challenge for the engineering team at Festool is to change all that by making precision genuinely portable, and the result is the cordless CSC SYS 50 table saw. Because all of the necessary elements are housed within Systainer boxes it fits seamlessly into your existing Festool ecosystem, is easily transported and integrated into bott van racking – but the advantages don’t stop there.

Indeed, to make carrying it even

easier, the manufacturer has developed an underframe, which also functions as a hand trolley. Not only is it easy to secure the CSC SYS 50 table saw to that underframe but the trolley means you can take further Systainers to site with you. When in operation it offers an ergonomic working height of 90cm, helping protect your back, and providing an excellent overview of the workpiece. Fold the four legs in and the work surface is the perfect height for ground-level jobs, such as parquet flooring.

Multi-tasker

Not only that – even without the saw –the underframe equally functions as a sturdy and durable workbench. In addition, fold out the rest and you have a larger support surface for longer materials. So what you have is a hand trolley, workbench and underframe for your CSC SYS 50 table saw – a genuine three-in-one solution.

Once on site, to start setting up simply remove the Systainer cover. Inside you’ll find all the necessary accessories are neatly stored in the lid, so everything is always exactly where you need it, including angle fence, parallel side fence, dust bag, and saw blades. No power on site? No problem, because this is a battery powered machine that runs from two 18V batteries and, again, both of these can be stored in the Systainer box, along with a Duo rapid charger that will charge both batteries in as little as 30 minutes.

A digital display would usually be the preserve of a larger workshop-bound unit but, with the CSC SYS 50, Festool has brought the technology to the most compact of worksites. In second fix jobs, every millimetre matters and, in these applications, rotary wheels for adjusting the height and angle are never quite accurate enough. With the new Systainer Saw, however, precision can be achieved at the press of a button, with the height and angle set digitally.

Precise and accurate

Set a height of 35.5mm, and an angle of 12.5mm, for example, and it will be accurate to a 10th of a millimetre. Simply press a button and the saw blade will automatically move to the chosen position. In addition, four saw blades positions can be stored, enabling cuts with 100 per cent repeat accuracy. Those settings can also be saved in the Festool Work app and then sent to the machine. The display can be changed from imperial to metric according to your preference, whilst different rotation speeds can also be established.

For completely autonomous working, Festool cordless dust extractors can be paired with the aforementioned battery packs, such as the CTC MINI Cordless, whilst the dust bag conveniently located in the Systainer can be used when only a few cuts need to be made.

For groove cuts or rebates the tool is equipped with a riving knife, which can be easily removed with the small key supplied. Following the now familiar theme, both key

demonstration at Festool UK’s head office, we were treated to what the manufacturer describes as the bank note test. A £20 note was placed on the wood and then completely sawn through without violently depreciating your bank balance by cutting it in half – a task the machine achieved with aplomb.

When secured the rear part of the parallel side fence aligns automatically so that the fence is always aligned perpendicular to the front edge. Add to that ball-bearing mounted sliding table, which positively glides back and forth, and the attention to detail is dramatically demonstrated.

Versatile and powerful

Given its compactness you might expect a trade off in functionality but that’s not the case either. The table surface can be easily enlarged, giving a maximum cutting width of up to 280mm, and a cross cut width of 450mm, with mitre angle cuts of -70 to +70 degrees, or angle cuts with the saw blade of +10 to -10 degrees.

Again, you might assume a compromise on power between a mains and corded machine but, thanks to the combination of brushless EC-TEC motor and two 18V batteries, that’s not the case either. In fact, the CSC SYS 50 has just as

much power as its plug in counterpart, with the manufacturer promising that cuts in over 100metres of chipboard can be achieved on a single charge, which could well be enough power for a week’s work. Moreover, the CSC SYS 50 cordless table saw is supplied with the same fine-tooth examples that come with the TS 60. Whether it’s plastic, laminate, aluminium soft or hard woods there is the right blade for every material.

As ever with Festool, register the tool online and you’ll benefit from the Festool warranty, with full repair free of charge including all wear parts. If that’s not enough, in the event of theft, the customer can have the tool completely replaced when subject to a £110 payment.

It’s the focus on design that sets a company like Festool apart but it isn’t merely about aesthetics, because precision and practicality are the guiding principles. The Festool CSC SYS Table Saw – the ‘Systainer Saw’ –exemplifies

approach

perfect partner to carpenters, joiners and kitchen fitters who carry out any kind of high quality and accurate interior work on site.

that

and is the

“It’s the focus on design that sets a company like Festool apart but it isn’t merely about aesthetics, because precision and practicality are the guiding principles. The Festool CSC SYS Table Saw –the ‘Systainer Saw’ –exemplifies that approach.”

Quality time

Many of us will struggle to remember a time when we tracked our spending as closely. Price hikes are diminishing profits and each and every purchase is being made with extreme caution and forward planning. The costof-living crisis has altered the way we think about expenditure in both our personal and professional lives.

While cost cutting may have become a necessity, the old adage ‘buy cheap, buy twice’, has never been truer. Tool choice always requires careful consideration. For any builder, an inadequate tool can lead to downtime, a slow work rate, and ultimately an un-forecasted replacement purchase, all

Perhaps now more than ever is the time to invest in premium tools. In challenging times, it makes sense to be fully equipped to deliver speedy, top-quality results, safely, and without the threat of unexpected expenditure. Investing in premium hand tools can really make a difference in both the short and long-term.

Purchasing decisions

So, what should you look for when purchasing tools? There are several elements to consider, and a few key areas that separate premium tools from the rest: the R&D process; the source of the materials; the engineering and manufacturing procedures; the quality control and accreditation. Each element undergoes a constant review as new materials, manufacturing techniques, or

industry requirements are uncovered, with the effectiveness, durability and safety of the products always top of mind.

Research and development can mean many things but for C.K Tools this means listening intently to what the industry is asking for. We utilise a panel of professionals to not only find solutions to problems, but to also find the existing product evolutions that will make the job that much more efficient. From there, our NPD team goes into design and considers the aesthetics, the ergonomics, and of course the materials. There’s no product without a clear rationale; each one is meticulously planned, refined, prototyped and tested.

Material choice is of great importance to C.K Tools and has contributed considerably to the reputation we’ve built

Brinley Buckley-Roberts, Brand Manager at Carl Kammerling International, the home of C.K Tools, discusses why premium hand tools are worth more than ever

over more than 200 years. In the most part we procure our steel from, and manufacture our products in, Germany, in particular the North Rhine, which is worldrenowned for its steel production. The region’s steel has varying levels and mixes of chromium, which has excellent corrosion resistance, vanadium, which works as a deoxidiser and reduces wear, and molybdenum, which when combined with chromium gives greater strength and impact resistance.

Not content with its premium grade steel, the North Rhine is also known as the industrial heartland for tool manufacturing. The steel mills, chemical and water treatment businesses, and manufacturing plants all reside there and

have developed great ways of collaborating over the years to ensure that the potential of the raw material is not lost through the processing and engineering stages.

C.K Tools has been working with its current manufacturing partners since 1904 and there’s a reason for it; in today’s market it is very rare that products are manufactured to the very peak of excellence but with German engineering starts with the quality of the die – the item

used to stamp the shape of the tool in the steel. Utilising a mixture of CAD and CNC, dies can be cut to within a tolerance the equivalent of a human hair, delivering a near perfect product with every stamp.

Other engineering techniques are then used to ensure our products offer outstanding longevity. Induction hardening is a process we use to ensure that parts of products – such as the jaws on pliers – are hardened to withstand heavy usage and ensure long-term performance. It involves electromagnetically heating up the steel and then rapidly cooling it to maintain the desired properties.

In safe hands

The precision engineering techniques don’t stop at the steel; hand tools must be inherently comfortable and safe to handle. To ensure this, every single screwdriver handle is injection moulded directly to the steel, giving the ultimate torsion-proof bond for increased reliability, durability, control and comfort. These touches all contribute to an easier and faster working experience –and profitable efficiency.

A premium product isn’t just premium because a brand says it is; when other bodies endorse a product you know it sits above the rest. Across certain lines, the products are VDE certified, which is the highest form of independent safety testing, while the majority achieve GS (Gepruefte Sicherheit) and DIN (Deutsche Institut) accreditation, which are German standards that indicate performance and quality.

Paying a premium price for a tool may seem counter-intuitive during a cost-ofliving crisis, but it’s important to understand what you’re paying for and how it will impact the work you produce. C.K Tools understands its customers; understands the requirements of each and every job; and is unwavering in its pursuit of precision engineering the perfect product to sell and to use. Yes, German engineered products come with a premium, but rest assured, they’ll be the best investments you’ll make.

“A few key areas separate premium tools from the rest: the R&D process; the source of the materials; the engineering and manufacturing”

THE RIGHT COMBINATION

When operated in drilling mode, it has a capacity of 13mm in steel, 16mm in masonry and 76mm in wood. Additionally, it delivers up to 31,500 blows per minute (BPM) in the hammer drill setting. In driver mode, the tool’s variable speed trigger and 21 torque settings means it is easy to finely adjust the output for the task at hand.

damage to both the drill bit and the material being worked on, causing additional costs and wasted time.

As most jobs include many different tasks and materials, it is essential to select power tools and accessories that are both versatile and durable. This helps professionals achieve maximum efficiency by eliminating the need to regularly change tools, bits and blades – a task which can cause delays and frustration.

As any professional will know, a combination or ‘Combi’ drill is a useful tool to have in your kit for a variety of tasks. However, it is important to select one with the right features and performance. For example, the Makita DHP486 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill is a highly versatile cordless tool that can be used in three modes: drilling (rotation only), hammer drilling (rotation with percussion) and screwdriving.

When selecting a new tool, it is also beneficial to look for one that features a brushless motor, such as the DHP486, to help ensure performance and productivity. The high-efficiency brushless motor eliminates friction within the mechanism allowing it to produce more torque per weight and requiring less power to achieve the same result. This extends run times by between 30% and 50% on each battery charge.

Multi-tasking

Another way to increase productivity is to select multi-purpose drill bits. Typically, drill bits are designed for use with a specific material and as a result, they need to be swapped out regularly. This can be a particular challenge when a job requires work with several different materials. For example, window fitting where the frames are uPVC and metal and fixed to brickwork, making standard drill bits susceptible to wear and tear. When time is at a premium, this can become an additional burden, leading some to use one bit for different tasks in an attempt to speed up the process. However, this can cause

Therefore, it is important to select products that have been engineered for wear and impact resistance and are suitable for multi-layered materials. For example, the Makita OmniBohrer range has been specifically designed for use on a range of materials commonly found on site, including concrete, tile, brick, slate, limestone, wood, composite materials, plastics, aluminium and other metals, therefore eliminating the need to switch bits for each.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita, explains how the combination of a versatile, high performance drill-driver and specially engineered multi-purpose drillbits can help improve productivity.

Durability

These high-performance, multi-purpose drill bits feature high-quality tungsten carbide tips (TCT) engineered with wider flutes to deliver quick and efficient material extraction. Tungsten carbide is an extremely hard compound widely known for its superior durability and high melting point, and the OmniBohrer TCT tip has been specially designed to drill into brick without the need to use percussion or hammer drilling mode. Additionally, OmniBohrer drill bits can be used in rotary mode to drill through wood, metal and brickwork, so they are ideal for use with drill-drivers without any hammer action, or with Combi Drills using only the rotary drilling setting.

Given the number of different tasks that any one job may include, it is clear that investing in high-quality combi drills and versatile multi-purpose drill bits can

6TH IN THE SERIES

help to improve productivity and reduce the risk of damage to materials, saving both time and money.

Custom dictates

Tradespeople now and in the future demand workwear that is as light and comfortable as sportswear, as durable as workwear, and preferably with the highest possible proportion of recycled materials.

Mascot Customized workwear is a range developed to be extremely long lasting and made from a high percentage of recycled materials. With the large number of products, product types and new colours in the range, it is possible to put together a personal look that is not only comfortable to work in throughout the day but strong, lightweight, hardwearing and water repellent.

Long wear life

One of the most important considerations for this manufacturer when it comes to workwear, is long lasting, hard-wearing clothing. That is why high quality and durability are central to the new garments. Workwear is exposed to many elements and surfaces throughout a working day. That’s why all materials have been through extensive laboratory testing many times before being put into production.

The range was developed not only for tradespeople but in collaboration with tradespeople to ensure it is ‘Tested to Work’. Having communicated with the people who will spend all day working in the clothing, guarantees a product with functionality that will withstand the wear and tear to which they are always exposed.

Holster pockets

Holster pockets can serve as your toolbox when you work in places where you don’t have all your tools and fixings to hand. Mascot Customized has taken account of this important accessory by creating various types to suit various needs.You will find holster pockets specifically developed for electricians,

Recycled material

When creating new workwear, hardwearing textiles are essential. Equally as important is a consideration for the environment and that why Mascot pays close attention to acting responsibly. Customized contains workwear from recycled materials that have a very high wear resistance. In the new range, you will find trousers and upper body garments where the main material is made of anywhere up to 87% recycled materials taken from discarded textiles. The range also utilises discarded plastic materials which are broken down and recycled into new resources.

painters and other crafts and tradespeople’s requirements. The company’s Click Pocket System is a new way to ensure your holster pockets stay in place in your preferred position. Simply place the pockets in the optimal position with a simple click, whilst you can also decide how many you use in any given situation. This new system extends the lifespan of your trousers and provides added freedom of movement.

Workwear of the future is how Mascot is describing its new Customized collection

A STEP AHEAD

Did you know falls from ladders account for an average of 14 deaths per year? This is a shocking statistic and something that is hard to comprehend. However, when you think about it working at height doesn’t mean when you’re on a scaffolding, anything above ground/floor level means you are technically working at height. That’s the reason why safety should be taken seriously wherever and whenever you’re working on site.

Recently I got my hands on a Werner Leansafe Fibreglass ladder and was looking forward to seeing what it had to offer – and, more importantly, if I felt safe. The first thing I noticed is that it’s a three in one ladder so not only can it be used

as steps but it can also be leant up and even extended to gain extra height. This can be interchanged quickly – and singlehandedly – via a quick release system. As they say good things come in three’s.

Extended reach

When it’s in the closed position the height is 1.8m and in the extended ladder mode it’s more than double at 3.7m whilst weighing in at just 11.5kg. The unit is available in fibreglass and aluminium. The advantage of the fibreglass option is that it’s non-conductive, making it safe for trades working with wires.

The design of the ladder makes it incredibly sturdy and extremely durable so, when you’re up the ladder using tools, you do feel safe. I admire the fact that it

also has a top with an integral tool tray which means all the necessary equipment for the job is close at hand and you don’t have to worry about them falling on the floor or going up and down the ladder like a yoyo. To top it off the top is designed to be leant against the internal or external wall corner, stud, pole or flat surface safely without rocking. Just when you think it does it all it is actually capable of more. With it’s slim rear design it allows you to fit it between framing studs, which means you can be closer to the working area and not have to reach over.

I didn’t think a ladder is capable of doing so much but it’s safe to say Werner’s Leansafe X3 Ladder is a step above the rest by taking the design to new heights!

Professional Builder’s Tibby Singh steps up to the Werner Leansafe X3 Fibreglass Ladder

COMPACT BOLT CUTTERS

The 18 different tools in the Knipex CoBolt Compact Bolt Cutters collection range in size from 160, 200 through to 250mm, and can be used for cutting nails and screws or for cutting wire mesh or fencing. The precision cutting edges are made of induction hardened, chromevanadium high performance steel complemented by a

WINTER JACKET

The Helly Hansen Workwear Oxford Winter Jacket is equipped with a Helly Tech Performance membrane and Primaloft insulation, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable in both rain and snow. The shoulder seams have been removed for durability on an otherwise high-impact area, but also maximises comfort when carrying a backpack or equipment. The garment is also available as a waterproof shell –without insulation – for spring or British summer conditions.

PROTECTIVE WEAR

ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT & LINKING PRO PLATFORM

With the Werner Adjustable Height & Linking Pro Platform, end users can reach up to 2.51m and connect two or more platforms for a longer working surface – with no tools required. The extralarge 1.17m x 0.36m platform offers a broad standing space and, thanks to the linking element, there is the ability to double, triple or even quadruple the working area.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP058

WHEELBARROW MIXER

Only weighing 50kg, Marshalltown’s new Wheelbarrow Mixer is lightweight and portable, and has a 3 cu.ft. mixing capacity. It also benefits from a high torque UKCA/CE approved 1/2HP 240V/50HZ electric motor with direct drive gearbox, and the rugged 24” steel drum spins at 28 RPM. It is easy to assemble and supplied with pedestal, 10” flat free tyres, removeable handles and can clear a 30” door opening.

SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY PROMOTION

To celebrate a half century in the UK market, Makita has launched a 50th anniversary promotion, with the opportunity to claim free products with the purchase of selected items from its range. These include a free USB Adaptor (ADP05), DAB+ Site Radio (DMR110), 18V LXT 5.0Ah Battery (BL1850B) or 100-Piece Drill and Screwdriver Bit Set (B-53811).

Save time, make money all year with the reliable, easy to use and clean, pneumatically powered, vibration free Pnu-Point pointing tool.

sales@pnupoint.co.uk

IN THE MIX

Eric Winter, RWC’s EMEA Director of Product Development, explains how thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) can contribute to a smarter, more cost-effective plumbing system.

■ Safety factors

By mixing hot and cold water to deliver a consistent and pre-determined temperature, TMVs provide two vital safety functions – they help prevent scalding and, by allowing hot water systems to run at sufficiently high temperatures, they help protect against the buildup of Legionella bacteria in the pipework. For these reasons, TMVs are a necessity in all commercial and domestic new builds, properties undergoing a change of use, and in hospitals, care homes and other healthcare environments.

There are two levels of certification –TMV2 (domestic and commercial) and TMV3 (healthcare). The performance difference between them is essentially the speed and accuracy of operation and the application they are used in. For example, while a TMV2 can serve multiple outlets such as sinks in a gym, TMV3 applications recommend one valve for each outlet. In most non-domestic buildings, TMV2s are

tested annually, while TMV3s must be tested at least every 6 months after passing their initial test following installation.

■ Functionality, servicing, and performance

Because of their critical function, TMVs must comply with a broad range of regulations and British safety standards, including those specific to the NHS. The choice of valve clearly depends on the

exact nature of the application, but RWC’s Reliance Valves comprises an extensive suite of TMV2 and TMV3 valves for every challenge, including Heatguard Dual TMV and Ausimix Compact or Ausimix Telescopic TMVs. Many have added value features such as isolators, test ports, and anti-tamper cap to improve functionality, servicing, and performance. All are fully compliant. WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP063

■ Energy saving

It’s for the reasons stated above that RWC’s TMVs are primarily known for their quality and safety. But the energy crisis and focus on climate change and sustainability has brought other features into focus – not least the need to save energy.

For gyms, healthcare settings, and multi-occupancy dwellings where large numbers of people are taking baths and showers, this is a particular concern. Research in the US suggests that hospitals typically use between 61 and 79% of their total energy on lighting, heating, and hot water. In the NHS, BMJ research suggests that most hospitals are braced for huge rises in their energy bills and the uncertainty around energy costs rising indefinitely only adds further pressure on facility managers. To take just two examples, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is budgeting for a 200%+ increase in 2023, while Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust expects to be paying £2 million extra a month for electricity and gas combined. For a service that’s already under severe financial pressure, this is extremely worrying.

TMVs can be used to help reduce the burden, for example, by installing a TBV or tempering valve, like the Masterguard, at the point of hot water generation. Allowing it to mix with the cold supply has a number of benefits. It allows water to be stored at high temperatures and then blended down to 55°C or 60°C as it enters the distribution system, increasing the amount of available hot water (compared with the tank capacity). Literally, making hot water go further.

Moreover, the addition of thermal balancing valves helps to maintain a constant temperature in the hot water system, which enhances the efficiency of TMVs. This means that larger buildings can maintain optimum output levels. At a time when people are looking to make even small additional savings, this potential to improve the control of hot water temperature can make a surprisingly big difference.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP064

■ Renewable question

TMVs are designed to work best with water at a temperature of about 6585°C, so one thing we’re often asked at RWC relates to whether they’re necessary or suitable for renewable systems in combination with solar panels or heat pumps. Our answer is yes, both as a failsafe mechanism, for added peace of mind, and for optimal efficiency. However, there are important things to bear in mind from a specification point of view.

With traditional gas boilers being slowly phased out, heat pumps are growing in popularity. And while they are an investment at first, they can reduce energy bills by over 20% compared to a new gas boiler, which over time will return the investment by means of lower energy bills. However, heat pumps run at much lower temperatures than conventional boilers, and special attention needs to be paid when specifying TMVs to be used in combination with a heat pump.

Similarly, when specifying TMVs in combination with the use of solar panels, it is important to remember that renewable energy resources run at much higher temperatures than conventional energy resources, often reaching 90°C. TMVs specified alongside solar panels will need to be able to withstand these extreme temperatures without compromising their functionality. As each project is unique, as a manufacturer, we

would always recommend reaching out to our technical team to find the right TMV for the application in question.

Of course, to optimise efficiency, it’s necessary to match the right valve with the application. On one hand, undersizing can lead to pressure drops, starved outlets and inefficient flow. On the other, over specification can produce unnecessarily high flow rates, leading to water waste (and unwanted noise) if there are fewer outlets than the valve is designed to serve. To ensure the right application, simply check the technical data, or – in RWC’s case – the tech team is always on hand with expert support.

■

Hot water sustainably

TMVs were initially developed to help enhance system and personal safety, but their capabilities extend beyond simply that. They have value in terms of efficiency and energy saving. These qualities can be amplified even further by combining them with other valves to deliver sufficient hot water, sustainably.

They may not be the sole answer to the pressing climate and energy crises we’re facing, but as part of any forwardthinking plumbing system, they’re definitely part of the solution.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RWC AND THE RELIANCE VALVES RANGE OF TMVS AND TBVS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP065

CUTTER ‘BOVE

Pliers’ specialist Knipex has launched the TubiX XL Pipe Cutter, big brother to the TubiX pipe cutter it launched in 2020. Designed to be precise and quick, the tool cuts pipes from 6 to 76mm (1/4’’ to 3’’) and a wall thickness up to 2mm and can also be used by electricians to cut rigid steel conduit and for stripping steel wire armoured cables.

HARD AND FAST

For centuries people have admired the beauty of wood, with generations using this versatile material in the construction of homes and workplaces. Traditionally, combinations of beeswax and linseed oil were used for protection, offering a natural appearance whilst providing a layer of defence against water ingress, scratches and the inevitable surface damage which occurs over time. Beeswax and carnauba in particular have a longstanding reputation for use in furniture protection but their application is labour intensive and high maintenance compared to modern finishes.

Customer trends are now showing a revival of traditional materials in the name of sustainability, incorporating naturally durable wood, such as oak, into building design. The market renaissance of such

materials requires treatments able to display and conserve the opulent feel they impart to a home or office space. However, premium material quality comes at a premium price so the most costeffective solutions must not skimp on performance, as careful early maintenance pays dividends to protect this long-term investment.

High quality

Barrettine is a Bristol-based, UK manufacturer specialising in premium Professional, Trade and DIY wood coatings, with over 140 years of holding quality and service at their heart. With access to highly respected global suppliers, the company use the highest quality raw materials to ensure the toplevel durability expected from Tradeperformance products.

Its recently released liquid Hard Wax Oil is the latest addition to the ArmourFlex range of high-performance specialist coatings, designed to protect internal wooden surfaces such as floors and stairs. It offers a vastly easier application than the frequent, repetitive buffing of traditional beeswax films.

Whereas beeswax is a stiff paste, Armourflex Hardwax Oil is a flowing liquid so it penetrates deeply into the wood. This allows it to cure within the wood grain in a strong protective hold, enhancing the natural beauty and authenticity. This enhancement gives more depth and interest to the wood shades yet also offers a gentle, natural finish and that enables the surface to breathe.

Armourflex Hardwax Oil is also food and toy safe when dry, certified by EN 1186:2002 & EN71:3. As an elegant and

Tough on stains, dirt & scratches – and quality results every time. That’s the promise for Armourflex Hardwax Oil, and you’ve got the chance to try it for yourself!

protective finish, it will complement a range of modern and classic interior styles, enriching the colour of the wood whilst protecting the floor or surface against liquid spills and scratches. The protection from Hard Wax Oil comes primarily from its threedimensional hold within the wood grain which offers excellent surface waterresistance and also won’t crack, peel, flake, or blister, making it highly durable and offering long lasting, low maintenance protection.

If surface damage does occur then spot repairs can easily be undertaken without the effort of renovating the entire room, saving both time and money. This gives an advantage over other floor coatings, avoiding the need for lengthy re-sanding of the wooden surface before re-application.

The product is supplied ready to apply for easy application and Armourflex Hard Wax Oil in Matt and Satin finishes is available from Barrettine Stockists now.

LOFT IN SPACE

Amillion uninsulated, poorly or under insulated lofts in the UK. Which means there will be plenty of opportunities for builders over the coming months and years to help households improve their home energy efficiency by installing or upgrading their loft insulation.

As with any refurbishment project, a cold roof insulated at ceiling level will

insulated at ceiling level will need to achieve a U-value of 0.16 Wm2K. Installing Knauf Insulation’s Loft Roll 44 to a depth of 270mm will meet the minimum standards, but we know that, where energy efficiency is concerned, the thicker the insulation, the more effective it will be at preventing heat transfer. For this reason, many new homes are now being built with loft insulation to a depth of 400500mm. So, if you’re doing a loft installation, advise your customers to do

the same to help cut their bills as much as possible.

Top up or replace?

If the loft already has some mineral wool insulation installed, builders will need to consider whether it can be topped up or if it needs to be replaced. Mineral wool

Bradley Hirst, Technical Services Manager at Knauf Insulation, explains why loft insulation should be installed to a depth of 500mm.

Damage is unusual but occasionally it may have been torn or compressed if items such as boxes have been stored on top of the insulation. It’s much more likely that it has been fitted incorrectly or disturbed after installation. So, builders will need to check that it fits snugly between joists, goes to the edges of the roof and is butted closely together to ensure there are no gaps. If it is damaged or has been poorly fitted, it’s best practice to remove the original insulation.

Get the best performance

Insulation acts like a quilt. Imagine you’re tucked up in bed – if there’s a gap, the warm air will escape, and you’ll get cold. The same is true of loft insulation, so good installation is essential in ensuring maximum energy efficiency.

If the loft has no insulation, start by sealing any gaps that could allow air to leak into the loft from the room below using sealant and tape. To reduce fire risk, isolate any heat-producing electrical fixtures, such as downlights, with non-combustible protection covers and reroute any cables under a high electrical load so they can be positioned over the top of the insulation.

When installing mineral wool insulation, it’s easier to start in the eaves and work towards the loft hatch. Many loft insulation products are combi-cut (perforated) for standard joist centres, but if the joist spacing isn’t standard you’ll need to cut the roll using a saw or knife.

Remember to unwrap the insulation in the loft. Knauf Insulation glass mineral wool insulation is compressed so there’s more product per pack. This means you can fit more insulation into your van (which also reduces transport-related carbon emissions). But when you unwrap it, our Loft Roll insulation will recover to up to ten times its compressed thickness. So only open it where you plan to install it!

The first layer of insulation should be

installed snugly between the joists to the same depth as the joist. So, if the joist is 100mm deep, the first layer of insulation should also be 100mm deep. Position the end of your insulation between the joists and curve it down around the edge of the loft floor, into the wall head until it meets

loft insulation and the roof, to ensure air movement and prevent condensation.

Make sure the ends of the insulation are butted together so there are no gaps that can reduce performance.

Subsequent layers of insulation should be installed at a right angle to the first. It’s best to install the second and third layers together so you can achieve a depth of 500mm without compressing the insulation as this will reduce its thermal performance.

By following this best practice guidance, builders will be able to deliver successful loft insulation projects and play

“By following this best practice guidance, builders will be able to deliver successful loft insulation projects and play a critical role in improving the energy efficiency of homes”

FIGHTING

A fire door is a complete door assembly, comprising of a doorset fit with a door frame, leaf, essential hardware, edge seals and integral panels. In the event of a fire, not one of these elements can fail, and so to meet the necessary standards, a fire doorset must pass one or more of a series of standardised tests, confirming its certification and FD ratings. Generally, there are eight core areas to consider when conducting regular risk assessments and spotting potential faults:

Door furniture

“A handle should always remain installed on a fire door and its screws tight. Boltthrough fixings pass right through the door and the lock or latch case and will strengthen the installation of handles by preventing the screws from moving or becoming loose. Check whether the handle operates smoothly and returns freely to a horizontal position after use, too. Finally, if the fire door in question is on an escape route, it must open in the

direction of travel, without the use of a key. Keep it simple, but effective.”

Hinges

“Hinges are a necessary pivot action fixing that provides the movement to a door. A standard height fire door requires the installation of three hinges minimum, with

intumescent pads fitted. A door standing over 2.2 metres will require four hinges. This will prevent the door from warping in a fire due to its weight and so, should you see a fire door only hung on two hinges, it must be changed. Again, screws must be fitted securely, and the hinges themselves must be free of metal fragments and oil leakage as this could indicate signs of wear. When it comes to certification, check for CE or BS EN 1935 marks.”

important to check whether the latch engages fully into the strike plate and whether the door can be held firmly in place without rattling. Failure to do so may indicate faulty or damaged hardware. Like hinges, check for metal dust deposits – typically located on the latch bolt or strike plate – as this could also show wear or damage.”

Door closers

“Door closers facilitate the operation of a fire door and must be UKCA and CE marked and tested to EN 1154. When opened, a fire door should fully engage into the door frame every time, shutting tight by use of its own self-closing device. When conducting checks, the trick is to open a door to 5° or 75mm, and upon letting it go, it should close and engage the latch successfully. Failing to do so could indicate the door closer has been incorrectly installed or damaged and, therefore, needs adjustments or replacing. Adjustments can be made to the closing power and speed of door

Exit devices

“Exit devices are designed to provide safe and effective escape through a doorway with minimum effort. All panic and emergency exit devices must be functioning correctly, with fixings on the operating device, bolts and strikes tightly fit. Emergency exit devices and panic exit devices should be tested to BS EN 179 and BS EN 1125 respectively, as well as UKCA and CE marked. Aside from their mechanical operation, it’s critical to keep emergency exits clear and without obstruction – assisting a quick escape when called upon.”

maximum gap of 3mm is recommended around all fire doors and can be assessed with simple gap tester tools.”

Signage

“‘Fire Door Keep Shut’ signage must be fitted to both sides of a fire door. Additionally, ‘Automatic Fire Door Keep Clear’ signs must appear on fire doors with hold open devices and ‘Fire Door Keep Locked’ signs must be fitted to doors without self-closing devices – which can commonly be found in storerooms and cupboards.”

Hold open devices

“Buildings with high footfall may benefit from approved, electromagnetic hold-open devices tested to BS EN 1155, which permit open fire doors that automatically release to close in the event of a fire. Naturally, these systems are more complex and regular maintenance is mandatory, so it’s vital to spot any potential faults, such as the door straining against its self-closing device upon operation. Should an electromagnetic hold-open device not release the door when a fire alarm is activated, a problem has occurred and must be resolved immediately.”

Door seals

“When rated FD30 or FD60, a fire door is certified to resist smoke and fire for 30 or 60 minutes, respectively. For this to remain true, a doorset must be fitted with intumescent seals which, in the event of a fire, expand significantly to close the gap between the door and its frame. Intumescent seals should track continuously around the frame or door leaf and must remain in good condition, intact and undamaged. If you can see excessive gaps between the side of the door and the frame, a fire door may be ineffective. A

A complete and functional fire door is a prerequisite for fire safety and regular maintenance periods are required to ensure they retain their standard while in operation. The first step is to understand the various components of a fire doorset and the potential faults to look out for when evaluating its condition. Should any doubt linger, it’s crucial to seek out professional advice immediately. Checks can save lives but where action is an obligation, knowing what to look out for is only half of the responsibility.

FOR INFORMATION ON PRODUCT SELECTION AND INSTALLATION HEAD TO THE ALLEGION DOWNLOAD CENTRE AT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP071

FOR GENERAL GUIDANCE ON SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP072

FOR INFORMATION ON THE FIRE DOOR INSPECTION SCHEME VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP073

GENERAL BUILDING

PROFILE PITCHED ROOFLIGHT

Energy efficient made to measure pitched roof lights with a minimalist low-profile appearance are now available from Roof Maker. The unvented SheerLux rooflight sits flush or slightly lower than the surface of a pitched roof (depending on the thickness of rooftiles), creating an uninterrupted roofline suitable for newbuild, retrofit and

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP074

SHINGLE ROOFING TILE

Extensions, ‘posh’ sheds and garden buildings are all within the remit of the Metrotile Cambridge Xtreme 9.5 shingle. Installation is simple and straightforward, the new shingle comes in natural tones and colours, and the material is water shedding and weather resistant. Extreme pitches from as low as 9.5 degrees all the way up to 90 degrees can be achieved.

WOOD FILLER

Ready to use Toupret Wood Filler and powder Wood Repair Filler, are both easy to apply and sand, can be drilled and screwed. They are also low odour, and can be used on all types of wood, including exotic species, chipboard or plywood, are compatible with any conventional paint,

LVT

Available to specify across the Signature, Spacia and Form collections Amtico Bio is a bio-attributed LVT option, manufactured using sustainable PVC derived from renewable raw materials. This process saves more than 90% on CO2 emissions released in production compared to fossil fuels.

MIXER TAPS

Two single lever mixer taps are available within the PJH Prima+ collection. Mosa includes a single lever tap (67° handle operation) with pull out spout, and a single lever, quarter turn, adjustable spring mixer tap with 360° swivel spout, both finished in chrome, and dual jet flow so that the tap does not become uncomfortably hot to the touch.

GAS BOILER

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP078

Thanks to the ‘ON’ technology in the Navien NCB700 ON gas boiler the unit is capable of delivering hot water for up to three bathrooms simultaneously. It maximises recirculation of domestic hot water (DHW) to reduce water wastage and offers flow rates up to an industryleading 22 litres per minute (at 35°C temperature rise) – without the need for a hot water cylinder.

THERMOSTAT

ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS

Resistance against sunlight, temperature variation, humidity and even ozone are just some of the benefits of the OneBond brand from Saint-Gobain. In addition, the polyurethane solutions deliver on high puncture, tear and abrasion resistance, low gas permeability and antimicrobial properties, whilst MS-Hybrid sealants are multi-purpose products.

The RTP4 Touch programmable room thermostat controls heating and hot water systems via combi, system or heat only boilers. When installed with the homeowners and tenants heating and hot water can be controlled via Alexa or the ESi Centro App. OpenTherm technology can also make savings of up to 15% on gas usage.

ECOPROCAL STORAGE HEATER CALCULATOR

Installers fitting electric storage heaters can find support with the Elnur ecoProCAL tool. Using measurements relating to the property’s insulation, number of windows, walls and rooms, it can determine which heater and, more importantly, how many heaters are needed.

HAVERLAND

WINTER 2022/2023 CATALOGUE

The Haverland Winter 2022/2023 catalogue includes smart, electric and ceramic radiators. There’s also the latest in electric towel rails, outdoor heaters, and air treatment products. End users can stay connected with all of these heating systems through WiFi, GPS or Bluetooth systems in the exclusive Haverland Apps.

GET

PODCAST

The impact and the prevention of serious aches, pains and strains is the subject of a new podcast from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Supporting the Work Right Construction: Your Health. Your Future campaign, the episode features Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics and Human Factors Consultant at HSE.

ROCKWOOL CPD

A Rockwool CPD module will enhance industry understanding of regulations and provide guidance on determining relevant non-combustible classifications in flat roofing systems. It complements the whitepaper ‘Flat roofs: Managing fire risk in the fifth façade’ and other technical information about the insulation of flat roofs.

CEDRAL SELECT ONLINE PLATFORM

Cedral Select is an online platform that puts homeowners in touch with certified installers across the UK. To become a Cedral Select Professional, applicants must pass an initial installer assessment and then comprehensive product training is provided. A technical validation is then completed on a recent job site.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP086

ARC VIDEO

A new video will support the installation of the ARC Open State Cavity Barrier (OSCB). The product has been designed to stop the spread of fire in ventilated cavities. The manufacturer is also providing additional guidance on how to install adjacent products.

GRANT UK NET ZERO HEATING SHOW PODCAST

Three brand new episodes of Grant UK’s Net Zero Heating Show are now available to download and listen to via the mainstream podcast platforms. Series Two of the Podcast sees Grant UK’s hosts and guests discuss the heating sector, heat pump myths and retrofit installations.

NHBC RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION STATISTICS PORTAL

The latest information on the housing market is now available via a self-service data portal. The NHBC Residential Construction Statistics portal will track the pace of construction through registrations, starts and completions at a weekly level, as well as offer access to extensive historical data, geographical breakdowns, visualisation tools and custom views.

HEAR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

Noise pollution is with us all day, every day and, while more recent legislation has been enacted to regulate its effect on our environment, Health and Safety at Work regulations have been in place for some years to ensure safety and wellbeing in the workplace.

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most commonly reported physical diseases in the world – particularly in the workplace. It’s an accumulated disease that increases at every point of overexposure to noise and the bad news is that hearing loss could be permanent. The good news is that it is easy to avoid!

It’s the law!

By law employers have to assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce

risks from exposure to noise so that the hearing faculties of employees can be protected. In low-risk environments preventative actions can be relatively simple and inexpensive.

Where risks are high, however, they have to be assessed and managed using control actions that include the provision of appropriate hearing protection equipment as well as information, training and health surveillance for employees.

Employers are required to provide employees with properly maintained hearing protectors, ensure they use them properly and establish hearing protection zones where the use of hearing protection is compulsory.

At Hellberg Safety we recommend always reducing noise levels to a

maximum of 75 dB, simply because maintaining dB levels can be affected by a number of external factors.

If you’re unsure of what the local noise level is, a useful rule of thumb is that if you need to raise your voice to be heard when you’re about three feet or so from someone else, the ambient noise level around you could be a risk to health.

Whatever a manufacturer’s product specification or protection level may be, the attenuation of noise provided by a pair of hearing protectors can decrease due to insufficient fitting, misuse and poor maintenance. Long hair, beards and glasses can affect the fit of the protector, hence the greater the effective noise abatement, the more your hearing is protected.

Noise is a major and continual problem both for our health and the environment. Here, the team at Hellberg Safety examine the ways that employers and employees can take a proactive approach to hearing protection on-site.

It is important to remember though, that too much attenuation can be dangerous too, especially if it stops you from hearing warning signals. That’s why it is really important to choose the correct hearing protection based on your needs and assessed risk levels.

Assess risk and protection together

Risk assessments for noise hazards can be obtained through a professional service – and they’re important in ensuring proper health and safety responsibility –but it is a relatively straightforward process to identify the level of a risk based on available noise hazard indicators and then source a suitable product solution. For example, and as an indication of a noise level in relation to dB measurements, a fairly quiet conversation in an office may reach 60 dB, a vacuum cleaner up to 70 dB.

On the upward scale of noise, a food blender can reach 80 dB and a chainsaw 120 dB. To give an idea of the latter two’s risk to hearing, extended exposure to the noise of a food blender requires hearing protection, while exposure to the noise of even the most basic chainsaw can be potentially painful to your hearing without proper protection. Anything above that offers considerable potential for serious and permanent damage to hearing.

Choosing the right hearing protection

Never assume that a basic pair of ear defenders will protect against high-risk noise. Always use hearing protection when exposed to harmful noise and, if necessary, choose a protector adapted to your work environment, i.e a product with ‘level dependent hearing protection’.

protection product, check out the noise sources graduated chart within this article. Within that chart, identify the hazard level

of the noise source – green is low-risk, yellow is medium-risk, red is high-risk. Then select the appropriate type ear defenders – look for the colour coded ear-piece bands which define the different protection levels.

Protection Level 1 – green – is designed for general industrial environments and an appropriate choice for low to medium dB noise levels and medium to high frequency noise (Hz). Protection Level 2 – yellow – provides the best protection for high frequency noise (Hz) and are appropriate for medium to high dB noise levels. For extremely high noise levels, Protection Level 3 products –the red band –are the only suitable choice.

It’s also important to consider the type of protection required – passive or electronic. Passive hearing protectors are self-contained ear defenders which block harmful sounds. They have no built-in electronics but provide excellent

communications and emergency signalling between workers.

So choose hearing protection products that are appropriate for specific risk environments. Make sure products fit correctly and are comfortable during the entire hazard exposure time at work. You should even consider using them if you’re mowing the lawn or strimming at home –the noise hazard and its potential effect on your hearing is the same.

You should ensure 100% wear time in noisy environments and remember that the use of eyewear can reduce the hearing protector’s attenuation of between 3-8 decibels –if possible, select thin eyewear frames.

Finally, your health and wellbeing onsite is of huge importance, so choose your PPE products carefully, understand how they’re protecting your health and wellbeing and ensure they’re used properly for maximum beneficial effect.

With that in mind check out the Hellberg Safety website: (WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP090) where you’ll find all the information you need on choosing precisely the right kind of passive or active hearing protection for whatever you’re doing or wherever you’re working on-site.

BROWSE HELLBERG SAFETY’S RANGE OF NOISE PROTECTION PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAP091

HEALTH & SAFETY

GLOVES

The range of specialist thermal solutions from the Unigloves Nitrex Thermal Industrial Gloves range will not only protect against cold. Wearers will also benefit from superior wet and dry grip, liquid resistance and abrasion and cut protection. There are three thermal gloves available –Nitrex 299T, Nitrex 360FCT and Nitrex 370W.

SAFETY EYEWEAR

The uvex i-range comprises three models that protect against a wide variety of workplace hazards – i-lite, iguard and uvex i-guard+. They all feature large, flat lenses for an unrestricted field of vision with an xtended sideshield to provide additional protection. In addition, i-range planet features recycled and bio-based materials.

LIFELINES

In developing the MSA Temporary Horizontal Lifeline, design engineers have opted for galvanised steel cable to maximise durability. Complex, timeconsuming set-up processes – typically requiring more than one pair of hands –have been replaced with a faster, simpler approach that takes the guesswork out of correct locking and tensioning.

TELESCOPIC LADDER

Following a recent study by the East of England Trading Standards Association (EETSA) and the Ladder Association about the safety of some telescopic ladders on the market, Werner is urging companies to only purchase from reputable manufacturers. It is important to check that it complies with European Standards, for example, in order that it is safer to use. To help when choosing a telescopic ladder, The Ladder Association has produced a handy safety guide for users.

HI-VIS

An extended range of sustainable and functional High Visibility working clothes for light to night, dawn to dusk is available from Snickers. The jackets, trousers, shorts, toolvests, shirts and fleeces all work together to satisfy the requirements of Class 1, 2 and 3 protection levels, and the requirements of the EN 20471 standard for high visibility warning clothes.

NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS

Smart Alert, a new and intelligent system from Minuendo is aimed at preventing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Ergonomic earplugs, which can be worn on their own or under ear defenders, protects against noise while supplying the end-user with natural sound: maintaining directivity, situational awareness, and communication with co-workers.

PPE

Designed to meet the needs of a diverse workforce, rather than the ‘average’ worker, Cromwell has launched an inclusive range of personal protection equipment (PPE) products. Halo is designed for most sizes, shapes, cultural needs and gender, all certified to meet the latest safety compliance standards.

WORK AT HEIGHT

The Taylor Lane Timber Frame Top Hat Gantry

Walkway method is a new work at height technique for use when constructing roofs which require top hat trusses. For ease and better understanding, Taylor Lane has made a best practice video which gives a step-by-step guide to the new method. Use the rdr.link below to access it on YouTube.

van with a

Transit van? I have a 2017 Ford Transit van that came without air conditioning. In the summer months, it is a pretty hot and sticky ride. Do you know of any companies that can offer an aftermarket fitment?

AIt’s a big job, which will probably set you back £2,000+ before VAT. I’m unable to recommend a specific company, but your local Ford dealer may be able to help. However, the cheapest option will probably be an independent garage that specialises in air conditioning.

plan

QHow can I upgrade my Euro5 Nissan Navara’s engine to meet the ULEZ standards? I’m going to buy a 2016 Nissan Navara. How much would it cost for me to upgrade it for the London ULEZ?

provide you with the answer.

QDoes my Volkswagen Caddy van use a cam belt or timing chain? My 2018 Volkswagen Caddy 1.0-litre TSI is booked in for its service and MoT. A short while ago they phoned to say that the cam belt and water pump are due for a change. Does this van use a cam belt? And why do I need to have the belt and water pump changed at the same time?

AThe 1.0 TSI petrol Caddy van uses a cam belt. I’d suggest getting it changed every five years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first). It’s a good idea to change the water pump at the same time, as a pump failure can be just as catastrophic for the engine as a belt snapping.

AIt is not feasible to upgrade a Euro5 Navara to Euro6. These are two very different engine emission standards that are verified when the vehicle is first designed and built. And even if you could upgrade the engine, the costs would likely exceed the value of the pick-up. And it is unlikely Transport for London would recognise or approve such a modification for an exemption from the ULEZ.

QAre the engines in the Volkswagen Transporter T5 reliable? I need a practical and dependable van but my budget will only stretch to a used Volkswagen Transporter T5 from 2004 to 2008. Are the engines in these vans any good?

AThe 1.9 and 2.5 diesels are good engines, but the van you buy will only be as reliable as its service history. As a minimum, the van should have a maintenance record that shows a yearly service and oil change. Mechanically the T5 is robust, but flywheel failures are common. Signs of failure include rattling from the engine, juddering or vibrations through the steering wheel.

QShould I buy a petrol or diesel van? I need to buy a newish Euro6 van. Should I buy a diesel or petrol?

APetrol if you plan to use the van for trips of 15 miles or less on a daily basis. Diesel if you travel more than 15 miles.

It’s important to note that diesel vans are not suitable for lots of short journeys, as this will not allow the engine to reach its optimum operating temperature. It will also prevent the DPF (diesel particulate filter) from successfully completing its regeneration cycle – which is required to burn off the soot it collects and prevent a costly blockage.

Honest John Vans is the website that champions for fairness to van owners by publishing expert, unbiased information to help builders make informed choices about their vehicles.

QCan I retrofit air con to my Ford

ABOUT THE LIMIT builders’ vehicles

The new EU rules came into effect on 6 July and initially apply to all-new models being launched, before being extended to all new vans and cars from July 2024. All vans will get Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology that will use GPS data and cameras to identify the local speed limit. The ISA system cannot be removed or permanently deactivated, although the driver will be able to switch it off at the start of each journey.

The Department for Transport (DfT) says the new rules will not come into effect in Great Britain yet and no decision has been taken on which elements of the package will be implemented.

However, according to Dan Powell, Senior Editor at the online van marketplace AutoVillage, it is likely that the technology will become widespread, regardless of whether ministers pass the legislation in the UK. “Many vans in the

“Some motorists will understandably be concerned about the introduction of this potentially intrusive new tech but it’s important to note that speed limiters are nothing new, they’ve been fitted to vans for over 30 years; however, ISA will bring this to a new level by taking proactive steps to prevent the driver from exceeding the speed limit.”

What is Intelligent Speed Assistance?

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is a technology that can be retro-fitted or built-in to your van to automatically adjust your speed according to the current speed limit.

ISA uses GPS data and camera recognition to identify the road you’re travelling on and will automatically adjust your speed within the limit. For instance, if you’re driving on the M1, the ISA will limit your speed to a maximum of 70mph.

There are four options van manufacturers can include in vehicles. Two of these systems provide short audible warnings or vibrations when the speed limit is exceeded, alerting the driver without distracting them. The other options directly intervene when the driver

is going too fast, either gently pushing the accelerator back or automatically lowering the speed.

To ensure drivers remain safe, they can depress the pedal until the system stops working and increase speed, to overtake or escape danger.

The legislation

The legislation came into effect July 2022. It states that all new vehicles introduced to the market will need to be fitted with an ISA. The ISA will then become mandatory for all new cars and vans sold from July 2024 onwards.

Despite leaving the EU, the UK looks set to follow the European Commission’s lead and introduce the same law for our roads. This means that any new car or van bought from July 2024 onwards will be fitted with an ISA – there will be no option to remove or disable it.

The legislation does not apply to cars and vans already in circulation. However, some manufacturers already include ISA systems in their vehicles.

Potential benefits

Save lives: Every 1% increase in speed results in a 4% rise in fatal crashes. By

All newly launched van models in EU countries are now required by law to be fitted with speed-limiting technology and experts are saying “it is only a matter of time” before the UK follows suit.

automatically adjusting the speed to the current limit, drivers are less likely to accidentally exceed it and be involved in a collision.

Reduce traffic: With fewer accidents, ISA systems can prevent the standstill traffic that follows. This also applies to busy roads, where vehicles can automatically slow down before the congested area and keep traffic moving.

Reduce emissions: Driving quickly consumes more fuel and causes more emissions. Limiting the drivers’ speed means their vehicles don’t consume more fuel than necessary. In addition, less traffic will also reduce emissions, improving overall air quality.

Potential drawbacks

Safety: Drivers can only override the ISA system by depressing the accelerator beyond the system’s limits, which needs to be responsive enough for drivers to use in an emergency. However, the European Commission reassures drivers that it can be ‘smoothly overridden’.

Over-reliance on technology: ISA could lead to drivers becoming more reliant on the technology and less aware of their surroundings, which could cause issues if a driver uses a vehicle that doesn’t feature this tech.

Real-time updates: Speed sign recognition cameras are not infallible and can make mistakes if they misread a sign. A GPS signal can also be difficult to obtain in rural parts of the UK, which means some important steps will need to be taken to ensure the technology behind ISA is 100% reliable.

ELECTRIC LCV

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Described as a first of its kind venture in the commercial vehicle sector, Ford Pro provides fully integrated, digital-first solutions across software, charging, servicing and financing. The one-stop-shop solution can be utilised whether you’re operating diesel and petrol-powered vehicles, all-electric models, or even non-Ford vehicles.

Vauxhall was the UK’s bestselling electric Light Commercial Vehicle (e-LCV) manufacturer, according to the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) sales and registration figures. Available with a 50kWh or a 75kWh battery, the Vivaro Electric achieves a WLTP range of up to 205 miles from a single charge and comes with a maximum payload of up to 1,226kg. GET MORE DETAILS AT:

PICK-UP

Isuzu UK has recently reached a significant milestone, with the registration of the 50,000th D-Max pickup in the UK. The latest generation achieves the maximum five-star safety rating in the tough new Euro NCAP test and features Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) fitted as standard. In 2022, the manufacturer also announced six new variants for the D-Max line-up and introduced the halo model, as well as the Arctic Trucks AT35.

SMART VAN ALARM

The ‘plug and play’ sensor on the ARMD GUARD Smart Van Alarm silently watches over your tools and, in the event of a break-in, the alarm triggers a phone call notification. This instant alert allows you to take immediate action by calling the police and catching them in the act while it locates and tracks your van, if it is stolen, with the inbuilt GPS.

“Many vans in the UK are built to an EU spec and this means the technology will be fitted regardless if it’s mandatory here or not. As a result it’s likely that Intelligence Speed Assistance tech will become widespread.”

The front door of a house is the most important of the openings in a property – you may have other entrances into the house but the front door is the one that you invite your posh aunt Sally through when she comes for tea, your social climbing sister-in-law, or potential buyers when you decide to sell up. That simple rectangle has a disproportionate effect on the overall appearance of any property and is used by wily developers to add kerb appeal and distinguish homes on the 500 plus estates that they are building, with homeowners at the other end of the scale, realising that a brand new shiny composite door might be the best twelve hundred quid they could spend to give the place a very recognisable makeover.

But a door is a door is a door, right? Well, not quite. Just as with anything else in life, there’s the good, the bad and the ugly. And the old adage that you get what you pay for, works just as well when choosing doors too.

PVC pressed panel doors remain amazingly popular and still sell in their tens of thousands, not least because they are cheap as chips (or should be!) and fill a hole when (for example) budget is the ultimate criterion. But generally, when a decent finish, quality feel, high performance security and

OPENING NEW

weatherproofing are required, a composite door is usually the ideal choice. But just like a book, you can’t judge it by its cover.

My preference is for doors with GRP skins on the outside, which most popularly can be made to look like grained timber, or increasingly with the smooth ‘engineered’ finish of aluminium. Colours are sprayed on in the factory and pretty much each and every hue can be applied. But whilst every colour of the rainbow might be available, it is best to choose

lighter tones when the door is south and west facing, as the sun will soon take its toll and fade the colour, an effect that is less obvious with lighter tones. Steering your customers at this stage can save expensive call-outs later on.

And whilst on the subject of finishes and colours, it’s worth knowing that it’s almost impossible to get an exact match between the door and outer frame because they are produced from different materials

Adrian Barraclough runs Quickslide, one of Britain’s leading window & door manufacturers.

Woodgrain doors are produced using genuine timber doors as moulds.

Spot the difference: There will be slight differences in the finish between door and outer frame. This is Irish Oak Frame & Skin.

Encourage your clients to spec good quality hardware and door furniture.

11TH in THE series

DOORS

and coloured using different processes.

ONSITE WITH

I also prefer a solid foam core for the door, perhaps even with steel reinforcement, over the timber cores preferred by some producers. My experience is that water ingress is always a threat and when it happens, a timber core door will warp whilst PU foam remains resistant to moisture. Beneath the skins and containing the cores, inevitably is a timber subframe, although some more expensive composite doors with have an aluminium frame to keep everything together. Outer frames should complement the window frames of the property, even if the door is fitted separately.

Spending a bit more on the fixtures and fittings of a door will bring benefits to the homeowner. Not only will well-made fittings keep their looks, but they will also retain that oh-so-importantexpensive ‘feel’ for years. Front and rear entrance doors are operated many more times than any window in the house and the ‘touch’ of the door, how it opens and closes, locks into place, how the handle feels are all so very important. Spend a few quid more now and that feeling will go on throughout the life of the door.

And lastly, my old chestnut of carefully choosing your supplier rings true for resi-doors just as much as windows. After all, your future customers are likely to be drawn from your customers’ friends and neighbours. The choice of composite doors is quite enormous and therefore bewildering. A decent window and door supplier will already have done all of the legwork for you to offer the best that they believe is available.

There is a photo online that has gone “viral” – as I believe the expression is – of a young man struggling to squeeze a sedan bed frame into the back seat of an ordinary saloon car. The picture – taken from above, from a nearby balcony – makes it obvious that his attempted task is impossible.

The accompanying caption states, “Here you can understand the importance of those wooden cube games in childhood”. This clearly refers to the toy we were all once presented with, consisting of a board with square, round, triangular etc holes cut in it, and a selection of shaped wooden blocks that we were supposed to try to fit through them.

Now, I don’t know about you, and I certainly don’t want to sound big-headed, but my honest recollection of that game, when I was a toddler, was that I took one look at it and decided not to waste my time. It was just so obvious. The square block goes through the square hole, the round block goes through the round hole – big deal. Please don’t make me demonstrate it to you.

So maybe that’s why I was destined to end up in the building game – because the way that materials and shapes and spaces fit together was always just so obvious to me.

I suspect this is the case for all us builders – things just look obvious to us which,

amazingly, are not obvious to ordinary people. So you get called in to look at a house with a dampness problem, and before you’ve got out of the van you notice a green stain down one corner of the outside front wall.

As the client opens the front door, you say, “Looks like you’ve got a leaking gutter there, mate”.

“How do you know that?” he asks.

[Thinks to self] Because it’s OBVIOUS!

I don’t know, maybe I wasn’t born with superior powers of observation –maybe I have just accumulated knowledge from my years working on buildings. But it doesn’t seem like that.

One other point. During the covid lockdown, I was having trouble finding a groundwork contractor to do a drive for me. I had never done a big drive myself before. So I asked my mate Damian if he thought he and I would be able to do it together.

“Jeff”, he said, “We are builders. We can do ANYTHING”.

And he was right. How hard can it be?

It’s those two characteristics – an appreciation of the blindingly obvious, and a can-do attitude, that make us the great builders that we are.

E-mail Jeff via his website www.askjeff.co.uk

A beautiful front entrance door can do as much to stylise a house as any other component.

Jeff Howell

Why are you a builder? How did you get into the building game? Did you ever really think about it, or was it something you just drifted into? And – having become a builder – do you think you had particular characteristics that made you gravitate towards the job?

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX

Alufold..................................................................................(page 38 www.rdr.link/BAP120

Buckbootz..........................................................................(page 55) www.rdr.link/BAP121

Dakea..................................................................................(page 39) www.rdr.link/BAP122

DEKS Industries Europe Ltd............................................(page 36) www.rdr.link/BAP123

Eclisse UK Ltd......................................................................(page 11) www.rdr.link/BAP124

estimator.com................................................................(back cover) www.rdr.link/BAP125

Festool................................................................................(page 56) www.rdr.link/BAP126

Helly Hansen UK Ltd..........................................................(page 6) www.rdr.link/BAP127

Albatros..............................................................................(page 50) www.rdr.link/BAP128

Made for Trade..................................................................(page 13) www.rdr.link/BAP129

Made for Trade............................................................(pages 14,15) www.rdr.link/BAP130

Makita (UK) Ltd..................................................................(page 18) www.rdr.link/BAP131

Malmo/IDS..........................................................................(page 35) www.rdr.link/BAP132

Marley Ltd............................................................................(page 41) www.rdr.link/BAP133

Mirka (UK) Ltd....................................................................(page 31) www.rdr.link/BAP134

Omnie..................................................................................(page 70) www.rdr.link/BAP135

Origin Doors Ltd................................................................(page 21) www.rdr.link/BAP136

Origin Doors Ltd................................................................(page 23) www.rdr.link/BAP137

Ox Group UK......................................................................(page 53) www.rdr.link/BAP138

Pnu-Point Ltd......................................................................(page 59) www.rdr.link/BAP139

Puma Safety......................................................................(page 50) www.rdr.link/BAP140

Tuffx Processed Glass Ltd..................................................(page 4) www.rdr.link/BAP141

Quickslide............................................................................(page 4) www.rdr.link/BAP142

Rainclear Systems Ltd......................................................(page 20) www.rdr.link/BAP143

Reliance Water Control....................(gatefold inside front cover) www.rdr.link/BAP144

Rocket Door Frames..........................................................(page 46) www.rdr.link/BAP145

Rocket Door Frames..........................................................(page 47) www.rdr.link/BAP146

Rockwool UK Ltd..................................................................(page 8) www.rdr.link/BAP147

Toolfair................................................................................(page 76) www.rdr.link/BAP148

Webfleet Solutions UK......................................................(page 26) www.rdr.link/BAP149

West Fraser Ltd..................................................................(page 29) www.rdr.link/BAP150

Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Builder .

Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information

To understand AF it is important to understand a little about the heart. The heart is a muscle; its job is to pump blood around the body. It is made up of four chambers (two are at the top and are called the atria – the other two are called the ventricles). The pumping action of the heart (the heart beat) is controlled by electrical signals passing through the muscle. This allows blood to be pumped around the body as the muscle contracts and for the heart to refill with blood again when it relaxes.

In AF, the normal electrical signals that coordinate the heart to beat are abnormal and can start firing off at any time. This leads to the top chambers of the heart pumping out of sync with the rest of the heart muscle, and often it happens at a very fast rate. This is not good because it stops each heartbeat being as effective as a pump and disrupts the normally smooth flow of blood through the heart.

So how do you know if you might have AF? Some people will have no symptoms at all. If the heart rate is normal (60-100 beats per minute) there might be no symptoms of AF other than to feel an irregular pulse in the wrist or the neck. In other cases, AF causes the heart rate to be uncontrolled and very fast (over 140 beats per minute). If this is the case, people can feel unwell with palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness. Palpitations can be felt as a racing irregular heartbeat. They can come on very suddenly.

AF can happen to people in different ways. Sometimes the heart can flip in and out of an irregular rhythm and sometimes it is a permanent change. Treatment for AF will depend on the kind of AF you have and how fast the heart rate goes. Tablets can be given to control the heart rate, and in some cases to try and restore the heart to normal regular rhythm. In cases of AF that happens to younger

“See your GP if you are experiencing palpitations. If you have sudden onset palpitations associated with feeling unwell or chest pain, it should be treated as an emergency and urgent assessment is required via A&E or a 999 call. Don’t ignore the signs.”

patients, if there is a known onset of when it started, sometimes a procedure called cardioversion can be used to restore the normal electrical activity. This is when a shock is given to the heart muscle to restart the electrical signals. Not everybody is suitable for this procedure as its success will depend on what the cause of the AF is thought to be in the first place.

AF can happen for a number of reasons, but it is not fully understood. It is

more common the older you get, and affects more men than women. It can be triggered in people by drinking too much alcohol, taking illicit drugs or smoking, having an infection like pneumonia, or if the thyroid gland is overactive. It is more likely to occur in people who have high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. Sometimes no cause is found.

It is important to see your GP for tests if you find you have an irregular heart beat or experience palpitations. These might include blood tests, an ECG (heart tracing to look at the rhythm of the heart), a 24 hour tape (a heart monitor worn for 24 hours to see if the heart rhythm changes), an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart to look at the structure of the heart) or a Chest X-Ray.

AF is recognised as a condition that can make it more likely for blood clots to form in the heart and potentially be pumped to the brain causing a stroke. The likelihood of this happening can depend on factors such as age, gender and other medical conditions. If your doctor feels you are at moderate to high risk of having a stroke due to AF, you might be offered anticoagulation (blood thinning medication) to reduce this risk. There is also increased risk of heart attack and heart failure.

Please see your GP if you are experiencing palpitations. If you have sudden onset palpitations associated with feeling unwell or chest pain, it should be treated as an emergency and urgent assessment is required via A&E or a 999 call. Don’t ignore the signs.