Professional Builder Summer 2020

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FRE E TO THE TRA DE

Professional BUILDING ■ FLOORING ■ PLUMBING ■ ROOFING ■ CARPENTRY ■ PAINTING AND DECORATING ■ THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

SUMMER 2020

US OUTBREAK THE CORONAVIR TO BUILDING – GETTING BACK

EXTENSIONS & IMPROVEMENTS THE LATEST IDEAS GET SOME POST LOCKDOWN HOUSE ROOM BRING THE OUTDOORS IN WITH QUICKSLIDE’S BI-FOLD DOORS

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contents

Total Average Net Distribution 113,695 1 July 2018 – 31 June 2019

SUMMER 2020 VOL. 42 NO.6 MANAGING EDITOR TERRY SMITH EMAIL: tsmith@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Builder, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF. pb@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: ian@hamerville.co.uk REGIONAL ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER SAM SHANNON TINSLEY MOBILE: 07554 013302 EMAIL: stinsley@hamerville.co.uk GRAPHIC DESIGNER DONNA BOOTH GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER CAROL PADGETT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT CLAIRE SWENDELL DIGITAL MANAGER LUCY DIXON EMAIL: ldixon@hamerville.co.uk DIGITAL ASSISTANT JASMINE SMITH EMAIL: jsmith@hamerville.co.uk

www.youtube.com/protrademags

REGULARS 7 8 10 65 66

@PB_mag

@probuildermag

@probuilderonline

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Editor’s Viewpoint News Free-for-All The Doctor’s Advice Wise Howell

SPECIAL REPORTS 12 Site Operating with COVID-19 17 Lighthouse Club Charity Appeal 18 Royal Engineers at NHS Nightingale 20 Tool Theft 22 Training & Upskilling Online

GENERAL BUILDING 50 Safeguard – Damp-resistant Plaster 52 Dunlop – Tiling Adhesives 54 Products & Ideas 55 Marley – Business Advice 64 Quickslide – Garden Doors

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DISTRIBUTION MANAGER KARL CLARK PUBLISHER BRYAN SHANNON

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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. © 2020 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

EXTENSIONS & HOME IMPROVEMENTS 24 Quickslide – Bi-fold Doors 28 Made for Trade – Korniche Roof Lantern 30 Knightsbridge – Garden Lighting 32 Birkdale – DuraPost by Fencemate 35 Roman Products – Jo Blox 38 Dakea – Roof Windows 40 Freefoam – Fascia, Soffits & Gutters 43 Rocket Door Frames – Frameless Flush Door 44 Apeer Doors – Factory Visit 46 Permaroof – Adhesives 48 NEW PRODUCTS

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT 56 Makita Tech Talk 57 Royd Tool Group – Tracer Construction Markers 58 Festool – Impact Drill 59 Sievi – Safety Shoes 60 TOOLS & WORKWEAR PRODUCTS

62 BUILDERS’ VEHICLES 62 SsangYong – Rhino Pick Up

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PROFESSIONAL BUILDER SUMMER 2020 3

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THE TRADESHOW BUILT FOR THE TRADE PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

TOOLFAIR 2020

POWER TOOLS

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NEXT SHOWS Westpoint Arena, Exeter: Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th April 2020 FOR THE VERY LATEST INFORMATION GO TO: WWW.TOOLFAIR.INFO Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate: Thursday 14th & Friday 15th May 2020 Featuring:

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viewpoint blue sky Thinking It says everything about the extraordinary life and times we do to earn a living. As though a lack of academic are experiencing right now that our greatest British obsession qualifications or university education marks you down as not is afforded only cursory second billing in the daily column being a significant contributor to the economy. And yet it inches. We are, of course, referring to the weather. Can turns out that, in the biggest crisis outside of a world war, the anyone ever recall a more glorious spring, with vast swathes people we really need most are those with jobs that many of the country enjoying record breaking amounts of would initially choose as a second or third option. As it is, sunshine? Those lucky enough to have gardens have been overnight those who previously had a rather high opinion of able to appreciate fully, perhaps for the first time in their themselves prior to the crisis are the ones now forced or usually frantic lives, the wonders of nature up close and encouraged to work from home or alternatively have been personal. All of which only makes us shudder to think how placed on extended furlough. much worse this lockdown would have been if the pandemic Of course, we fully recognise that the majority of these had arrived in early November or December. housebound workers are still doing their bit for the economy, Easy to forget now but the incessant rain wreaked havoc and others will continue to have vital roles to play when they on thousands of homes and businesses during the beginning hopefully return to full employment in the future. The human of 2020. Social distancing rules would have made it almost cost of lost businesses and the livelihoods of entrepreneurs, impossible to come to the aid of those displaced and who in many cases have made huge sacrifices to build dispirited communities, whilst a cold successful businesses, fully deserve snap would have invoked even greater every bit of the financial packages the tragedies amongst the most Chancellor has put in place. Their roles vulnerable members of society, too “If something good is to come cannot be underestimated in getting afraid to leave home, but resolutely the economy back on a more stable out of this horrible time then averse to anyone coming inside to footing once again. However, there is it will be that everyone going carry out emergency repairs. no denying that it is certainly Small mercies, indeed, but of heartening to see sectors of the forward has a much greater course there is also a fly in the factor workforce getting the recognition and understanding and respect for appreciation previously denied to them 19 ointment being liberally applied right now. The almost Mediterranean for whatever reason. the daily contributions made feel to things outdoors has created a From past experience we know only by all sectors of our society.” surreal bubble which one too well within our own industry that commentator rather appropriately construction is no stranger to job described as a 12-week bankruptcy prejudices. One wonders how many holiday. As the unavoidable, but utterly joyless, lockdown successful contractors, running their own highly successful restrictions are finally relaxed, and journeys to the coast and small building companies today were told by a parent or beauty spots become possible, perhaps not surprisingly, teacher to pull their academic socks up or they would end up those either furloughed or working from home are not exactly working on a building site. This national fixation with a champing at the bit to return to a normal working situation. university education as the be all and end all of everything It might not be expressed openly, but such an obvious has left many industries desperately struggling to fill positions disparity in current lifestyles must be pretty galling to all those which would have previously been taken up by those with on the front line who have been working tirelessly and more vocational skillsets. The deeply flawed policy of doing selflessly throughout to ensure the rest of us can enjoy a away with school workshops in favour of more classrooms semblance of immunity from the horrors of the virus. means that those with practical capabilities have little The NHS quite rightly took all of the early plaudits, but as opportunity to express their penchant for these tasks. Instead, the weeks have passed other essential key workers from with a dumbing down of academia, they are encouraged to care homes to supermarkets, delivery drivers and repairmen pursue careers to which they are fundamentally ill suited. and woman in all their guises have been added to the list To properly thrive society needs a mix of people with all with an almost audible national cry, of “oh yeah, I hadn’t types of skills and qualities. This horrible virus has exposed thought of them.” In fact, in the final analysis just about many shortcomings, but also the hope that people in general everyone still working in a full-time capacity could be deemed will have a greater empathy and respect for their fellow essential, and yet, until now, so many of those so-called run human beings whatever their journey in life, and the of the mill jobs have largely gone under the social radar. workplace takes them. Even when the good weather breaks, What all this has done, of course, is expose an as it invariably will, the sun, as they say, will continue to shine uncomfortable truth within our society that their still exists a on the righteous! certain intellectual snobbery when it comes to what people

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News Professional Builder

email your news to us at pb@hamerville.co.uk Tel 01923 237799

BUILDING A FUTURE Building Alliance backs £11bn+ investment in construction An £11.27bn investment in construction can kick start the UK’s economic recovery and deliver a £33bn return for the Government. That’s the view of a report from experienced regional economist Dr Steve McCabe of Birmingham City University, and construction expert Mike Leonard. The Build Back Better: Covid-19 Economy Recovery Plan features a set of recommendations to help stimulate demand for new homes and home improvement, and details on how to train a new generation of skilled workers.

There is a particular focus on SMEs, and their role in the upgrading of existing housing stock to meet the net zero

2050 obligations. The document also recommends that small house builders, often highly efficient and providers of local employment and procurement, must be given encouragement. Long term skilled employment opportunities for new entrants to the industry should be provided. Incentives should be offered to replace inefficient and outdated gas boilers, and proposed Building Regulation changes should be delayed.

“History tells us that the construction industry is the tried and tested solution to drive economic recovery,” declares Mike Leonard, CEO of Building Alliance. “We must

mental note

© Phoderstock/Adobe Stock

Firms should take a proactive approach to assessing the mental health and well-being of all employees, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). The return to work in particular has brought its own challenges, with many nervous about their safety, and that of their loved ones, or worried about their financial situation. “Everybody’s lives have been turned upside down,” said BESA chief executive David Frise.

“We know in normal times that mental health issues affect one in four adults and suicide is the leading cause of death of males under 50.”

Between 2011 and 2015, more than 1,400 construction workers died by suicide and research from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) suggests almost a quarter of all people employed in the industry have considered taking their own lives at some point.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR002

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8 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

Empty homes an ‘easy win’ for policymakers

The number of empty homes across England now accounts for a staggering £56.8billion worth of vacant stock, analysis

by Project Etopia shows. The eco housebuilder argues that bringing these homes back into use would help address the housing crisis, and meet now “Get Britain Building” and “Get Britain Working” delivering the scale of economic multiplier the county needs to bounce back stronger.”

TO ACCESS THE BUILD BACK BETTER: COVID-19 ECONOMY RECOVERY PLAN VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR001

TAKE VAT!

Victory is declared in campaign to delay domestic reverse charge VAT changes © Nuthawat/Adobe Stock

Industry should guard against mental health ‘second wave’

situations vacant

Following a crossindustry campaign to delay the implementation of reverse charge VAT for construction, led by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the Government has announced it will be pushed back by five months. “The coronavirus pandemic has had significant impacts on cashflow for small to mediumsized (SME) construction firms,” declares Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. “While the industry called for a delay of one year, five months’ breathing space will go some way to helping them recover. In the meantime, the industry will continue working with officials in HM Treasury and HMRC to implement a communications campaign that prepares the industry.”

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR003

new homes targets. At the same time it would also provide significant volumes of work for the industry at a time of need. The top three worst offenders with the highest overall number of long-term vacant homes in the country remained unchanged on last year. Birmingham is first with 4,575 – a significant 6.8 per cent rise on the previous year, followed by Durham with 4,209 and Bradford with 4,040.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR004

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YOUR LETTERS...

PAYING THE PRICE Dear Professional Builder

sounds like a plan

Government urged to extend planning permissions The National Federation of Builders (NFB) is calling for an extension on planning permissions. Head of Policy at the National Federation of Builders, James M. Butcher, argues that the government must act: “The COVID19 crisis has significantly delayed works taking place and works starting on site. This will cause an unnecessary delay as developers have to reapply for planning permission, impacting our recovery. The Government should act to extend all planning permissions by a year, to remove unnecessary additional bureaucracy.”

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR005

credit where it’s due

Government launches trade credit insurance guarantee

Can someone please tell me why we are being held to ransom by sellers online over the price of plaster? It can be 10 times the price compared to a merchant. Why can’t a cap be put on the maximum price to stop these Dick Turpins robbing us blind? How do I pass that kind of price onto customers? ● Jock Geater, Plasterer, Birkenshaw, Bradford

PB: Memories of unscrupulous operators will last long after the virus. Now more than ever we need fair pricing. If any other builders have experienced similar issues let us know.

VOLUNTEER ARMY

Trade Credit Insurance provides protection for businesses when customers do not pay their debts, and the construction industry is one of the largest users. With businesses struggling to pay bills during the COVID-19 epidemic, firms have faced the risk of having credit insurance withdrawn, or premiums increasing to unaffordable levels. In response, the Government has announced Trade Credit Insurance will receive up to £10 billion of government guarantees. The Trade Credit Reinsurance scheme will see the vast majority of Trade Credit Insurance coverage maintained. Businesses do not need to apply directly to this scheme, as support will be administered between the Government and available insurers.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR006

no place like home

The industry is reporting a surge in interest in home improvements post lockdown Homeowners are planning to spend an average of £1,179 on improvements, the equivalent of £61.8 billion nationwide, according to research from Checkatrade. The renewed appetite for a makeover includes new décor, more space, and storage.

Elsewhere, modular house-builder, Built & Spaces has reported a rush in enquiries related to extensions, garden rooms, home offices and annexes as people working from home for the first time realise they need more space. Composite Prime has also seen its decking much in demand from householders looking to enhance garden and outside spaces.

A Priceyourjob.co.uk survey reveals that these improvements have an eco-friendly and energy-efficient theme, with reducing heat loss from the building, lower energy boilers and lighting and reduced water usage technology all high on the agenda.

Similarly, HaMuch.com, has seen a spike in quote requests FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT submitted to the platform for CHECKATRADE WWW.RDR.LINK/BR007 soundproofing work.

BUILT & SPACES WWW.RDR.LINK/BR008 COMPOSITE PRIME WWW.RDR.LINK/BR009

WWW.RDR.LINK/BR010

Dear Professional Builder

As I’m sure many other people have been as well, I’ve been heartened in recent weeks by how ordinary people have come together to help each other out – collecting shopping for elderly relatives and that sort of thing.

I’ve been thinking I’d quite like to offer my services but I’m not quite sure where I would be able to utilise my skills as a carpenter in a voluntary capacity? ● Kevin Dryden, Gloucester PB: There are some organisations that are specifically looking for builders. By bringing together volunteer tradespeople in a local area, Band of Builders does some excellent work in helping people improve the domestic circumstances of those in need, for example. If you were looking for an international organisation with projects abroad then try Habitat for Humanity.

Band of Builders – WWW.RDR.LINK/BR011 Habitat for Humanity WWW.RDR.LINK/BR012

There’s also a whole host of resources on the gov.uk website about how to volunteer within your local community and beyond WWW.RDR.LINK/BR013

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Professional

BUILDER’S

We give our verdict on new products in our unique site tests, but now we want to give you the chance to try them – AND KEEP THEM – for yourself! All you have to do to enter the free draws is simply just type in www.rdr.link followed by the unique code.

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L L A R O F E E FR 30

O’KEEFFE’S WORKING HANDS O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is the concentrated hand cream that relieves, hydrates, and helps repair extremely dry, cracked hands. It works by performing a protective layer on the skin’s surface, locking the moisture in. Non-greasy and unscented, the formula has been developed to provide long-lasting moisturisation.

We’re hands on once again to provide you with a great round of prizes, so pull your finger out, make use of our digital reader enquiry service by using the link below, and get entering!

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR014

1

10

TUBS OF HAND CREAM

POCKET DOOR ECLISSE

SINGLE CLASSIC STRIPED SATIN 8MM GLASS POCKET DOOR The Eclisse 8mm Glass Pocket Doors are a perfect way to maximise natural light, save space and add a stylish addition to any home. Finish interiors off with a high quality, elegant glass pocket door, including everything you need for a professional job. Easy and quick to install, they are a space saving and practical solution.

Pocket another great giveaway from Eclisse with Professional Builder’s great giveaways FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR016

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SNICKERS WORKWEAR COTTON T-SHIRTS These T-shirts are ideal for the summer months – work or leisure. The set comes with two 100 per cent cotton shirts, one plain blue, the other grey with a printed design. Both shirts are made from single-knitted 100 per cent cotton to create a comfortable, good-looking fit that is lightweight and easy to care for.

Cotton on to our competitions by entering the rdr link below into your browser, where you can enter this and many more giveaways.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR015

X 10 TUBS OF SCREWS

VORTEX EXTERIOR POWER SCREW The Vortex Exterior Power Screw is a technically advanced multi-purpose exterior screw, featuring ‘Sawfix’ technology, which quickly and easily powers through a wide range of external timber materials, including hardwood, decking, and fencing. With a Magsho Silver Organic Coating, and 1,000 hours salt spray and ACQ timber resistance, they have been designed specifically for outdoor applications.

Have we got screws for you! There are five prizes on offer, each comprising one tub of each size (so 10 tubs per prize).

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR017

Easy to Enter! It’s now easier than ever before to enter the competitions on our website. We’ve collected all the competitions on one handy page, meaning you only have to enter your details once! www.rdr.link/BR019 10

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SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

X 2 PACK OF T-SHIRTS

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CANS OF MIRACLE CLEANER

COMPOSITE PRIME ABZORBIT Abzorbit is a new aerosol spray that treats and removes grease and oil stains from timber and uncapped decking. It also works on stone flags. Grease, dropped food and spilt oil can ruin the look of decking, but now a product developed by leading decking manufacturer Composite Prime, uses a simple spray-on, brush-off process to eradicate previously untreatable stains, shifting them with minimum effort.

Make a clean sweep with Professional Builder’s ‘Free-forAll’. One of 24 cans of Abzorbit, Composite Prime’s miracle cleaner, could be yours.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR018

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SPECIAL REPORT SITE OPERATING PROCEDURES © monkeybusiness/Adobe Stock

GO THE DISTANCE How can you continue to ensure that you are working safely in a world where the threat from Covid-19 will be with us for the foreseeable?

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones investigates the newly developed answers. his year, a new phrase entered common parlance and quickly became an established part of our every-day vocabulary.

Social distancing is now as obligatory as a hard hat and safety boots and, with construction one of the first industries to return to work, it has faced the

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SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

considerable challenge of trying to implement the necessary site operating procedures whilst maintaining levels of productivity. That predicament has opened a space where innovation can move in, and a number of companies are adapting existing products, or developing entirely new ones, in order to help protect the trades.

Throughout the lockdown it was essential that many builders continued to go about their business. The Construction Leadership Council has been keeping the industry up-to-date with the necessary guidance on how to tradespeople can do just that – and a link to the latest edition of its Site Operating Procedures can be found at the end of this feature. In

Clearly thought and planning is required and Bureau Veritas has launched a service to help construction companies do just that. Its ‘Return To Work Assurance’ solution provides a voluntary, independent assessment of a firm’s Covid-19 readiness. On completion a statement of assurance is then issued which can be displayed on its website and at its properties. The scheme covers best practice measures required by companies to meet standards, including social distancing and personal protection equipment requirements.

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addition, the Government has since introduced a set of complementary Covid19 Secure guidelines for construction companies. Again, you can make use of our digital reader enquiry service to directly access the gov.uk website and view the new directives.

The Construction Industry Training Board has produced a complementary and interactive compliance checklist for the above, which can be amended with additional comments to ensure it aligns with specific site policies. It should be important to note that there has already been incidents of sites being shut down having failed to maintain social distancing rules, and an extra £14million has been allocated to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to help police the new regime. As a consequence, main contractors in particular are likely to be stringently enforcing the new instructions so, if you are subbing for a larger company, compliance will very much be a condition of continuing to work on that site. If you’re working in other people’s homes then there is additional support available on the same gov.uk website, the details of which can be found in the information box at the conclusion of this feature.

Maintaining that all important two metre gap, is just one part of a multi-layered response to the coronavirus, with regular and thorough hand-washing also recommended. Clearly disinfecting surfaces amongst the muck and bullets of a building site is not the easiest proposition, but there are always areas where we can help prevent transmission.

If your business is concerned with repair, maintenance and improvement works in residential properties, for example, then ensuring you have a Covid-19 hygiene regime in place will certainly do contractor and client relations no harm, and could be one of those easy wins that will earn an all-important referral from a satisfied customer.

Indeed, it will have already become apparent to tradespeople that a range of adjustments to our working practices will be demanded of them. Materials are taking longer to arrive from the merchants, for instance, which means greater forward planning is required. With

At the beginning of the epidemic, when shortages began to emerge, hand sanitiser was one of the first casualties, and a number of building material manufacturers utilised their existing expertise in chemicals to respond. Permaroof, a name already familiar to roofers for its Firestone RubberCover EPDM product, has diversified its own range with the introduction of Ramsol Sanitiser Disinfectant Spray. Developed by Quin Global, it contains misting technology designed to sanitise and disinfect any hard to reach and intricate areas, while ensuring full surface coverage. It deals rapidly and effectively with bacteria, fungi and moulds and has been tested against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.

As Adrian Buttress, managing director at Permaroof, explains it is a product he believes can be supplied to its existing customer base: “It’s of paramount importance that we are proactive and react to changing trade needs by diversifying the range of products we have on offer for our customers. It’s a product unlike anything else we offer at Permaroof that, I believe, will be a huge help to our customers in the months to come and going forward.”

Door hardware specialist, Armada has taken sanitation a stage further with its SaniBucket. It’s a sturdy bucket with lid and handle, filled with a range of useful items such as hand sanitiser, face masks, anti-baterial wipes, vinyl gloves and can be easily stored on each company van.

HMG Paints has made use of its alcohol stock, and the expertise of its in-house chemists, to enter the same market with its First Thing Sanitiser.

Based on World Health Organisation recommended formulations, the company has been distributing the product to its own customers, whilst also setting aside stock to donate to frontline workers.

A more industrial solution to the same issue can be found from Graco. Its SaniSpray HP airless disinfectant sprayer is a fast and thorough method of sanitising, disinfecting and deodorising jobs. Utilising the airless paint specialists existing technology, it offers consistent and thorough surface coverage.

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SPECIAL REPORT SITE OPERATING PROCEDURES

JSP are already a well-established player in the health & safety sector and they have made use of that expertise in developing a new Helmet Mounted Cough Guard.

Intended to complement social distancing amongst workers, the screen reduces the likelihood of any exhaled airborne droplets directly contacting the wearer’s face and helps prevent touching of the face, and is compatible with the same manufacturer’s helmet-mounted ear defenders respiratory products.

A social distancing technology from safety company, Tended pairs its existing wearable safety solution with an ultra-wideband proximity sensor. It will then automatically notify workers in real time if they come within a twometre distance, whilst companies can also set the minimum separation distance they want to enforce.

The system also provides employers with an overview of any social distance breaches within their organisation and how long employees have been in contact with others. A useful feature is its ability to trace contact back. If a worker tests positive for Covid-19, employers can see who, if anyone, they have been in contact with and for how long, and send them an alert to self-isolate or get tested themselves.

In the months ahead we must all work together to stay apart, and technology has a role to play. SiteZone Safety already has a considerable pedigree in producing devices that alert construction plant operators of the presence of workers on foot around their machine, and has extended that proven concept to its personnel distancing system (PDS).

In fact, in order to keep that crucial 2m distance, the proximity warning specialist, donated six of these systems to key construction staff on site at NHS some branches still only operating a click and collect service the days of a quick trip to the trade counter are gone, so whatever’s required for the job needs to be in place in good time.

Toilet and welfare facilities will need to be given far more thought on even the smallest of jobs, whilst the build should be planned so that you are minimising contact with the customer. Can you offer a contactless quotation service, for instance, by assessing the job alone and then emailing the details?

Here to help...

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Plant and Machinery

It’s not just about people because if plant and machinery has been left idle for a significant period then it may well need additional checks before it can be brought back into service. The Construction Planthire Association Guidance on Preoperational Checks is a resource that builders can consult in order to stay safe.

To access the CPA Guidance on Preoperational Checks visit WWW.RDR.LINK/BR020

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE ONLINE USE THE APPROPRIATE LINK.

Bureau Veritas – ‘Return To Work Assurance’ Permaroof – Ramsol Sanitiser Disinfectant Spray HMG Paints – First Thing Sanitiser Graco – SaniSpray HP Armada – SaniBucket SiteZone Safety – Personnel Distancing System (PDS) Tended – Social Distancing Technology JSP Helmet Mounted Cough Guard

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Nightingale, Birmingham. The PDS consists of a small, lightweight 2kg pack, and a detection ‘tag’ which can be worn on the safety hat, attached to a belt or upper arm, with 100 hours of rechargeable battery life. The ‘trigger’ point, or “exclusion zone” can be configured to suit the site’s needs, and the unit is easy to charge. The proximity alarms are triggered if workers get too close to each other, when both their wearable tags will vibrate and the PDS alarms.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BR021 WWW.RDR.LINK/BR022 WWW.RDR.LINK/BR023 WWW.RDR.LINK/BR024 WWW.RDR.LINK/BR025 WWW.RDR.LINK/BR026 WWW.RDR.LINK/BR027 WWW.RDR.LINK/BR028

TO REVIEW THE LATEST SITE OPERATING PROCEDURES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR029

FOR THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON WORKING SAFELY ON SITE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR031

FOR AN ACCOMPANYING CITB CHECKLIST TO THE ABOVE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR030

IF YOU’RE WORKING IN OTHER PEOPLE’S HOMES VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR032

SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

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SPECIAL REPORT CHARITY APPEAL

CRISIS MANAGEMENT The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has launched its Construction Workers Family Crisis Appeal or charities the Covid-19 pandemic has been a perfect storm of reduced revenue and exponential increase in demand.

With social distancing now essential, the events and fundraising activities that are the lifeblood of the likes of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity have been cancelled, whilst at the same time unprecedented pressure on its support services has been the inevitable consequence of the economic shock of lockdown.

“Given that over 50 per cent of our workforce in construction are either selfemployed, agency workers or on zerohours contracts we are finding it impossible to keep up,” declares Bill Hill CEO of the charity. “Many of these workers are only one or two paydays away from poverty and need our immediate help. Our 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline is still fully operational, but we are being overwhelmed with requests for help.”

In response the charity has launched its Construction Workers Family Crisis Appeal. The target is to raise £1 million in vital funds and, thanks to the generosity of the industry, at the time of writing, more than a third of that sum has already been pledged. These are funds that are desperately needed to fulfil the charity’s mission that “no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis”, and new resources are being put in place to ensure just that.

Along with technology partners COINS, the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s free App has been upgraded, for instance, with a focus on preventative tools. Complementing its 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, the app guides users through a series of questions to provide the best possible information, advice and guidance on their mental, physical and financial well-being.

The free Construction Industry Helpline

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Mobile App for Android and iOS is available to download now.

Whilst the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity does everything it can to ensure that it is there for those in need it cannot reach everyone, and there have also been reports that SME building firms have struggled to access the support the Treasury has offered. That’s why Bill Hill wants the government to go further still: “In 2018/19, £54.5 million in fines were issued to duty holders found guilty of health and safety offences across all

business sectors. A large proportion of that will have come from construction companies. The single largest fine was £3 million and 36 cases received fines of £500,000 or more. This revenue goes straight into the treasury. Surely, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that during these extraordinary times that some of this revenue could be ringfenced and diverted to our cause? I have always thought that this money should be returned in some way back to those that need it the most, but now it’s critical. As a charity we already have the processes in place to manage this and I’m certain that this proposal would receive widespread support by the construction industry.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FAMILY CRISIS APPEAL VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR033

Building Mental Health

The lockdown has equally placed unique pressures on our mental health. Even before the coronavirus, the statistics are shocking, with two industry workers taking their own life every single working day whilst stress, depression and anxiety account for a fifth of all work-related illness. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has responded with a simple five-point plan, which includes attending a Mental Health Awareness Course and ensuring you have a Mental Health First Aider on site.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE 5 STEP GUIDELINE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR034

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SPECIAL REPORT CORONAVIRUS

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to some of the Royal Engineers servicemen who have joined the fight against Covid-19.

WARD ZONE

he unique role of the Royal Engineers as both builders and soldiers has seen them play a part in supplying the supporting infrastructure in the battle against Covid-19. At the very height of the lockdown, the Corps’ special brand of building expertise was in attendance at the nine-day transformation of London’s Excel exhibition centre into NHS Nightingale, one of a network of specialist Covid-19 medical facilities around the country.

The regiment’s tradespeople are already well-versed in erecting a diverse range of buildings, services and infrastructure at speed right around the

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world, and it was those experiences that were brought to bear on this east London build. If its peak capacity was required, the project would ultimately provide maximum capacity for 4,000 beds, across 80 wards with, up to 16,000 staff in attendance. Within just over a week, all of those individual bays had been constructed, and the first 500 fully equipped beds had been installed, ready for an official opening by the Prince of Wales.

“The military contribution to NHS Nightingale was a combination of specialist skills in planning and logistics, as well as soldiers like those under my command who were helping to deliver the project on the ground,” explains Lieutenant Stuart Taylor. “We construct all kinds of facilities in remote areas and are well-practised in

improvising and adapting to a location, and that’s why we need a whole range of trades on hand. We were recently part of an earthquake relief team in Nepal, for instance, and were building field hospitals as part of Operation Trenton in South Sudan. At NHS Nightingale we had carpenters & joiners, plumbers, electricians and fitters on the project, all liaising with civilian contractors and all concerned were acutely aware of the importance of what we were doing.”

Construction site supervisor on the site, Staff Sergeant Yak Angbhuhong is also a carpenter & joiner, and he describes how that experience is played out in practice. “The materials we used were selected for ease of build and their light weight. That’s why we used MDF and plywood as party walls for each of the bed bays. In many respects an exhibition centre is an ideal location for a temporary hospital because it is designed

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to be quickly converted to serve different purposes, and the utilities, services and offices are already in place but, because the electrics and the plumbing are servicing critical care machinery like ventilators, everything had to be the highest spec, because failure of the components isn’t really an option.”

The NHS Nightingale concept was unique it that it was envisaged as a critical care centre for patients who were already on a ventilator. Royal Engineers’ electricians were involved in installing the cabling and trunking for the arsenal of equipment that monitors those patients, whilst the regiment’s plumbers helped install well over a mile of copper piping for medical air and oxygen, as well as

putting in place the fittings and service points around the beds. Whilst time was of the essence no compromise on quality could be countenanced, as the Regiments’ Intelligence Officer, Captain Day explains: “NHS Nightingale is a response to a national crisis and everything that was required was thrown at it. That is certainly where the armed forces presence helped, because rapid deployment is at the heart of what we do.

Although we had guys with us who had recently built field hospitals, it was clear by the time we’d finished it that what we had helped construct was a proper NHS hospital, delivered to the standard you would expect of any medical facility in the country, and that was one of things of which we were most proud.”

Given the exponential spread of the coronavirus in the early weeks of the epidemic, it is that emphasis on speed of movement that has seen the Royal Engineers in demand. On every occasion, Lieutenant Taylor identifies the

A number of civilian contractors worked alongside the Royal Engineers during the nine-day conversion.

camaraderie between the civilian and service workforce as one of the most positive aspects. “There’s been a lot of learning from each other, as well as lasting friendships,” he concludes.

“Because the facility was designed to save lives, everyone pulled together on Nightingale to get the job done.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE WORK OF THE CORPS OF THE ROYAL ENGINEERS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR035

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Professional

www.facebook.com/probuilderonline

@PB_mag

Campaign FIGHTING

TOOL THEFT

TOGETHER

TO CATCH A THIEF

The Covid-19 epidemic proved just how vulnerable machinery can be to theft, but protection is at hand. Professional Builder reviews the security procedures you should be putting in place. hen the law-abiding contractor withdrew so the criminal gangs moved in. During the lockdown plant and machinery was often abandoned on site making it a relatively easy target for thieves, whilst vans were motionless for days, or even weeks, on end.

With the trades largely back on the tools, now is the optimum time to review your security procedures, and make sure that you are fully conversant with the latest threats.

The theft of commercial vehicles, and their contents, has actually been on an upward curve for the last few years, and Professional Builder has regularly offered security advice in this column. When it comes to selecting targets thieves will follow the path of least resistance, so parking sensibly, marking your tools and investing in physical security, such as a steering wheel locks, or a Van Vault will all play their part.

When it comes to plant, the kind of kit that small builders own – compressors, generators or micro and mini excavators – can often be at most risk because it can easily be spirited away in the back of a van, whilst security levels in certain makes of LCV have been a bone of contention for the construction industry for some time.

Security is always about adopting a multi-layered approach, and companies

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like CanTrack offer asset protection systems that can trace stolen vehicles and plant. Uniquely, CanTrack remains the only tracking and theft recovery company with its own in-house investigation unit.

When it comes to plant make sure you have adequate physical security at the storage location, including CCTV. Whenever machinery is likely to be inactive for an extended period it should be immobilised, and make sure that keys are not stored on site. Many OEMs now supply construction plant with programmable keys that will start a specific machine. When an attempt is made to use a key that is not part of that system, the rightful owner is alerted.

Another potential deterrent is the CESAR Scheme, owned by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association) and operated by Datatag. The latter’s Nick Mayell explains its benefits: “CESAR includes tamper evident warning and registration plates, RFID transponders, a microdot identification system comprising of between 500 – 1,000 micro dots, which are scattered around the machine and forensic DNA. Once fitted these technologies are almost impossible to remove successfully, and when the machine is registered on Datatag’s secure database, these unique details are accessible to the police 24/7, enabling

them to identify any machine at the roadside night or day very quickly. The CESAR website also has a “Hot Button” to instantly report stolen machinery.”

Micro CESAR extends the concept to handheld power tools, where smaller items can be protected with the same Datatag technology. Its developers claim that Micro CESAR marked equipment is more than twice as likely to be recovered as unmarked.

One item that is steadily moving up the wish list of the criminal fraternity – and is often not protected to the same degree as the van itself – is the catalytic converter. It is actually one of the most valuable individual components on a commercial vehicle and, because of their higher ground clearance and easier access, vans make for rich pickings. Given the cost of replacing them it is well worth considering investing in a separate alarm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CANTRACK VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR036 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CESAR AND MICRO CESAR VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR037

Together, we can do our bit to fight tool theft!

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SPECIAL REPORT TRAINING & UPSKILLING

TRAIN YOUR ‘SITES’ Over the next two issues Professional Builder will review some of the latest online training resources available to the trades

n terms of its working practices, the COVID-19 outbreak has presented the industry with an entirely new set of challenges. Online resources have taken on a new significance, whilst manufacturers and trade bodies have been working hard to deliver their message across multiple platforms. Webbased training is not new, of course, but it now more relevant than ever. That is why, in our regular Training & Upskilling feature, Professional Builder outlines a selection of what is available online.

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Door & Hardware Federation (DHF)

Dulux Academy Live

CITB Skills and Training Fund

Regardless of how it is delivered and undertaken, in these straightened times finding the funding for training could itself be a barrier, which is why the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is refreshing its Skills and Training Fund (STF) to provide more support for micro, small and medium sized businesses. Since its launch by CITB in 2015, the STF has awarded over £21.6m to over 4,800 micro and small companies (under 100 employees), allowing them to access funding to provide training. Small and micros can apply for up to £10,000 and medium firms can apply for up to £25,000.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BR038

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Already a familiar facility for decorators, the manufacturer’s Slough-based training centre has an online companion in the shape of the Dulux Academy Live. It includes a series of free online workshops where industry experts share their knowledge. The 45 minutes to an hour sessions are delivered via video conference and consist of a combination of understanding theory, sharing practical solutions and general discussions. The range of topics covered includes using waterborne paints, tips for wallpapering, essential maintenance for spray machines, colour selection and business skills.

Sessions are free to take part in, but participants are required to register in advance via WWW.RDR.LINK/BR039

The one-day, Level 2 Award courses in Automated Gate & Traffic Barrier Safety and Industrial & Garage Door Safety, ideal for installers, have been filmed and edited to enable DHF to share knowledge with its learners. Once purchased, each candidate will be able to view the units at their leisure over a 14-day access period starting from the purchase date. There are five modules in each course and these can be viewed as many times as is necessary.

The organisation has also being running face-to-face training sessions since the beginning of June at its academy in Tamworth. Given the necessity to maintain a two-metre distance, the number of delegates on each course has been restricted to six. Hand sanitiser will be available for all attendees, face coverings (if requested) and there is plenty of outdoor space to enable members to park safely and at a distance. The academy will be thoroughly deep cleaned following each course.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BR040

Trade Fabrication Systems (TFS)

A leading processor of wood-based panel products, Trade Fabrication Systems (TFS), has launched a new virtual CPD programme for the timber industry.

Educating housebuilders in particular on the benefits of off-site processing, three core topics will initially be covered – covering doors, hoardings, and

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BUILDING BLOCKS... to a brighter future in association with

PARTNERS IN WALL BUILDING

DOWNLOAD THE H+H BROCHURE APP AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR044 British Safety Council

mezzanine floors. The 15-minute bitesize sessions will be hosted via video call on a one-to-one or small group basis, with a live Q&A session at the end. series of free webinars. Foundations to finishes, and many of the key building stages in between, are covered, in a virtual learning format that it promises will remain a key part of its educational remit.

The organisation’s specialist training team will deliver the information, and for a full schedule and details of what will be featured, use the link below.

There are, of course, many ways to offer training online, and the British Safety Council is looking to bring the experience of the classroom to the digital age. Its live online course delivery allows you to see the tutor, PowerPoint slides, videos, and a whiteboard, whilst students can interact verbally with the rest of the group and the trainer. Available courses include the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, which remains the most popular H&S course in the UK.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BR042

WWW.RDR.LINK/BR043

WWW.RDR.LINK/BR041

NHBC Virtual Training

There have now been more than 30,000 participants to the leading warranty and insurance provider’s training in just the last few months. If you want to keep up to date with NHBC Standards, Building Regulations, on site good practice, or health and safety requirements, then you should be engaging with the NHBC’s

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extensions & home improvements NB: All onsite reports were carried out before the full impact of lockdown

COMING INTO THE FOLD Professional Builder discovers there is a new ‘bi’ word for living the dream!

good-sized rear bay window, and robust sliding patio door, leading into a 10ft x 12ft polycarbonate glazed teak conservatory, and a decent sized paved area, laid to concrete slabs.

Hard to believe now but the above was cutting edge stuff, and as good as it got a quarter of a century ago. Certainly, the envy of the vast majority of noisy neighbours in this leafy Hertfordshire suburb. And yet, as the years passed, suddenly the Taylor family found they weren’t quite living the dream. The Georgian-paned window obstructed the view to the rear garden, the fixed panel arrangement of the patio door restricted access, and the conservatory…. well, the problems are all well-documented. Cold and uninviting in winter, stiflingly hot in the summer months, and a roof which was impossible to keep free of light diffusing moss and general detritus.

In short, the whole set up had become decidedly unloved, and in no way conducive to modern family life, where the emphasis is on enjoying a more continental living experience. Worse still, many of those jealous neighbours had taken the plunge and opened up the indoors to the outdoors with the wide,

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unrestricted opening and smooth action of the latest must have accessory – the bi-fold door. It seems the crunch came at the end of the last summer, as the nights started to draw in, and the next door neighbours could still be heard noisily enjoying the best of both worlds as they entertained visitors long into the night.

As property owner Pete Taylor explains: “There really was no other option than to start again – take down the old conservatory, remove the patio door and knock out the bay window to lead into a new brick built extension. A priority,

of course, was the ability to access the garden without fuss and, under increasing pressure from the family, I spent many a long dark evening through the winter on the computer researching the bi-fold market, and quickly discovered that the choice is vast, with a somewhat bewildering range of prices.

“My local builder gave me a heads up on a few suppliers he was familiar with, and was happy to leave the final decision to me. Eventually, I settled on Quickslide, a leading window and door manufacturer based in Yorkshire, but with a network of

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approved installers across the UK. Importantly, the frame was aluminium, which I was told was the best option, and the profiles looked sleek enough to maximise the natural daylight coming in.

The safety and insulating properties of the glass, together with an approved high security locking system, with anti-lift blocks was also an important factor in the eventual decision.”

He continues: “Once the foundations, base and lintel supporting piers were in place, they arranged for a surveyor/installer, Danny Noble, to visit the site and make sure all the measurements were correct and the various options discussed. These were relayed back to the factory, and within a couple of weeks Danny and his mate were back down at the crack of dawn with the units,” enthuses Pete.

“As installations go this one is fairly typical,” explains Danny, who has worked in the window business for more than twenty five years, the past five working exclusively with Quickslide products.

“However, you can’t overstate the importance of the initial survey, because any discrepancies in the build can be overcome before we get to the manufacturing process. You basically need to measure in three points and then deduct 15mm from the tightest point for fitting allowance. Having the builder on hand is always helpful too, as we can talk through the job and here we decided that an extra course of bricks would be needed to achieve a level threshold leading out onto the new decking area.”

As one of the UK’s leading fenestration companies, Quickslide can supply bi-folds in many configurations, from two panels up

to eight, and a height extending to 2.5m.

There’s a choice of standard grey and white plus a multitude of bespoke ones and, with a U-value of as low as 1.4, they comfortably meet all Building Regulations. Here, a five panel configuration would fit the bill, and by tea break the framework and sill were in place with a good bead of silicone along the upstand, and a similar amount applied on the inside of the sill end caps.

As Danny is quick to point out: “This is a crucial part of the installation if callbacks for potential ponding problems are to be avoided, because the sill is designed to flood and weep out of the front below the frame, in much the same way that shower screens weep into the shower tray, so it’s important not to make the mistake of sealing the front edge.

Continued over page...

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extensions & home improvements

The frame is self-draining through strategically placed weep holes, and I will be emphasising to the customer the need to keep the bottom track clear of debris to help draining.”

He continues: “The placing of the fixing holes is also vital, because it means that the masonry fixings line up with the hinges to support the frame where the load is.

You also need to make sure you get some good fixings in the head. When the outer frame is in, upright and square you are practically there. The unglazed panels simply hang onto each other with five hinges, which are already set so all you do is pop the screws in and do them up. The doors can be angled to get the top runners into the track, and then slid along until the bottom runners are on the track.

“There are four stainless steel jockey wheels and two stainless steel runners, so it runs smoothly and should never jump off. If the track is level, once you put the final self-drilling screw in, that fixes the hinge position in the frame, and nothing should move. It’s all pretty straightforward,

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although a lot of builders I speak to are genuinely nervous about installing bifolds. The glazing element is the bit which seems to trouble them the most and, whilst I might be talking myself out of work here, they really shouldn’t be concerned as long as they follow the basic rules, and understand the concept of toe and heel, as well as placing the wedges and packers accordingly.

“The sealed units automatically brace the aluminium frames to stop them being pulled out of square and, when the glass is in, you need to pop the glazing beads back in and the final bit is pushing the rubber gasket to secure the sealed units.

The best way to do this is to place some plastic wedges in to press the glass against the outer seal, which allows more room to push the rubber in. It’s also a good idea to build a few small loops to the gasket so you can compress the seal along its length. This prevents it shrinking back to leave gaps at the mitres.

“There is a final check on the lining by measuring down from the frame edge to the glazing bead to the required 11mm and, of course, if all else fails, there are

some very useful printed instructions, as well as a video and online door designer.

In my experience, as long as you keep a spirit level and tape rule handy, plus a willing pair of additional hands at all times, you shouldn’t go far wrong.”

With Danny preparing to head back north up the M1 before the dreaded Greater London crawl home, the customer arrived at the job to check on the progress.

“This feels like a massive step forward towards the completion of the project, and I’m delighted with the look and feel of the Quickslide doors,” confirmed Peter, as envious faces started to appear over the neighbouring fences.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON QUICKSLIDE’S RANGE OF BI-FOLD DOORS, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR045

FOR A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO INSTALLING A QUICKSLIDE ALUMINIUM BI-FOLDING DOOR VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR046 FOR A VIDEO GUIDE ON HOW TO INSTALL THE DOORS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR047

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extensions & home improvements

‘KOR’ VALUES

Professional Builder rides shotgun as builder Bob Hind puts himself firmly in the driving seat when it comes to installing a Korniche Roof Lantern he Rolls Royce of modern roof lanterns? Well, it is certainly a fair analogy, and not just because they share the same sounding name.

Readers of a certain vintage will recall that, back in the 1970s through to the nineties, the Corniche was the ultimate badge of motoring excellence, oozing great design, classical good looks and impeccable performance. When long-standing aluminium fabricators, Made for Trade, decided to become involved in the manufacture of domestic roof lanterns, the Korniche was a very obvious choice to brand their new range…and, what’s more, unlike its car counterpart, you wouldn’t have to break the bank to own one.

It’s a point certainly not lost on vehicle enthusiast and general builder, Robert Hind, who remembers being intrigued by the name when he first encountered the Korniche at a trade show three or four years ago. He recalls: “I’m old enough to remember the great motor cars from four decades ago, and the name made me stop by on the stand and take a closer look. I watched all the components going together in a matter of minutes, and what impressed me was how much thought had gone into every detail. This is a company which clearly listens to the guy at the sharp end and tries to iron out all the problems before it gets on site.”

Continues Robert: “I went away determined to give it a go on the next flat roof extension that came up, and get the customer on board with something they may have previously thought was beyond their budget.” Since then Bob has gone on to fit Korniches to four other properties around his home village of Much Hadham in rural Essex, ranging from the smallest one by one metre to a bespoke 6m long one on an enormous extension for a well-known footballer.

Professional Builder paid Bob a visit on a more typical project involving a three by two metre lantern on an extension he was undertaking down the road in Little Hadham. “I’m glad you’re here because you can remove all the bubble wrap,” chivvied Bob. “The very first time I ordered one to site I was amazed how much thought had gone just into the packaging to give the best possible protection to the aluminium profiles. Too often I see things just thrown into a box, and lost or broken items are my biggest bugbear. Everything here is pristine as the moment

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it first left the factory,” he adds.

“The smallest ones I do on my own, but anything this size is a two-man job because of the weight of the glass, which is delivered separately. Once you’ve laid out all the bits it’s a case of fitting the frame to the upstand. This is actually the only bit that requires silicone, because it is impossible to offer a universal fit for every kind of upstand. I find that if you bed it down on a good-quality upstand with tramlines, and then screw it down through the pre-drilled holes, it won’t go anywhere and, more importantly, won’t leak. Initially, I was intrigued by the cable ties, which seemed a bit Heath Robinson, but these are temporary fixings for the corners, and certainly help hold it in place if you are on your own. These are then snipped off when the screws are tight.

“Fitting the rafters is just a question of tightening bolts and snapping on the capping pieces. The tapered bushes make sure the screws are centre on the host thread, so there is no gaps in the frame components. The glass panels then just clip into place with no need to mess around with packers or silicone, and sit perfectly on the silicone rubber seals. It really is that straight forward for the builder but, more importantly, the reaction from the customer is always really positive. They know they are getting a really bright property, and a life enhancing space at a price which they almost certainly did not think possible at the start of the project,” enthuses Bob. What was once a very niche market, the modern highly engineered roof lantern now looks set to bring home the ‘Korn’ for years to come!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE KORNICHE ROOF LANTERN FROM MADE FOR TRADE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR048

MADE FOR TRADE HAS COMMISSIONED A SERIES OF VIDEOS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW A KORNICHE ROOF LANTERN PROJECT COMES TOGETHER. TO ACCESS THESE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR049

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extensions & home improvements

GARDEN VARIETY Scott Brewer, Head of Technical at Knightsbridge looks at some considerations when it comes to providing power and light outdoors.

hanks to lockdown, people have been appreciating outdoor space like never before, and are bound to seek to maximise their gardens for the future.

Lockdown has given people with outdoor space a much better appreciation of it, and feedback from our customers suggests that they are looking to enhance their assets with water features, lighting, plus access to power in the garden for tools, appliances and leisure.

There are two main elements to providing power in the garden: safety

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and, with lighting, design and aesthetics.

From April 2013 electrical work in a dwelling, or associated with its surroundings, is notifiable to a local building control body where the work includes: the installation of a new circuit, whether at low voltage (typically 230V or extra-low voltage); or the replacement of a consumer unit or any addition or alteration to a circuit in a special location. Part P of the Building Regulations applies to fixed electrical installations in dwellings (including gardens and shared amenities in blocks

of flats, and any building that shares its electricity supply with a dwelling).

Gardens do not feature among the 18th Edition’s ‘Special Locations’. However, you can refer to Sections 702 (swimming pools), 705 (agricultural and horticultural locations) and 714 (outdoor lighting installations) for analogous guidance.

Switches, sockets and accessories should be purpose-designed and have suitable ‘ingress protection’. Ingress Protection ratings identify the ‘degree’ of protection against the entry of objects, accidental contact or water into the enclosures of electrical equipment.

An IP rating consists of two digits: the first from zero to six and the second from zero to nine. The first refers to the size of object that could enter an enclosure. The second indicates the level of protection against liquids. The highest ratings refer to a product’s capacity for immersion, for such applications as ponds and fountains.

Socket and see

For garden sockets and switches, IP66 is a prudent minimum. This means they are completely secure against ingress of dust, any possibility of contact and protected against powerful jets of water. Socket casings should have enough height to

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accommodate moulded plugs comfortably to form a proper seal when closed.

Sockets should also have either integral 30mA RCD protection or be on an RCD/ RCBO protected circuit.

This reminds us that it is not recommended to take the garden circuit off an existing circuit through a fused spur. Should the device fail and/or allow water into the home, the homeowner would be at risk of shock or inconvenience through continual tripping of household appliances.

Ideally, the supply to the garden should be an independent circuit with an independent RCD, or RCBO, so that, if faults occur, tripping doesn’t affect the rest of the installation. Any new circuit becomes notifiable under Part P as above.

Electrical equipment for use with ponds and water features should be IPX7 or higher.

Pumps should comply with BS EN 60335-241:2003+A2:2010 and ground recess lighting with BS EN 60598-213:2006+A2:2016. Larger ponds may be subject to Section 702 of BS 7671, as above.

Devices should be fixed to solid structures like walls and located such that accidental damage from appliances like lawn mowers is avoided.

To avoid damage from rodents, cables should be either armoured or buried in a suitably robust ducting. Oversizing ducting will make cable pulling easier and allow for future proofing, to the extent of

even laying extra cable that can extend a scheme later. Standard twin and earth PVC cables are not suitable for permanent use outdoors. The sheath of this cable (grey or white) has limited resistance to UV radiation, but is not specifically designed for installation in direct sunlight or outdoors.

Light work

Safety concerns surrounding exterior lighting is the same as those for wiring devices, and Section 714 of BS 7671 will provide guidance, despite it applying to commercial and public installations.

IP ratings for lighting doesn’t need to be as stringent as wiring devices because of the nature of the products, locations – which may be raised, or embedded – and nature of use. They range from IP44 for high level LED security lights, IP54 for wall-mounted luminaires through to IP67 or IP68 LED spike and ground lights.

Maintenance is a key consideration, and provision should be made for it, either by location, power supply (by plug

and IP socket) or excess cabling; especially access to lamps for replacement purposes. LED drivers etc should be equally accessible and mounted securely on exterior walls or even inside.

If not for simple amenity purposes – like lighting driveways to front doors – the intended usage of garden lighting needs to be considered, and the scheme designed accordingly. Does the customer want floods of light to wash the rear of the house, LED deck lights to light a social space, a water feature to be accented through submersible lights, or ambient lighting to highlight a feature such as a statue?

Having established a schematic and the effects desired, the products – uplights, floods, downlights, ground lights and so on – will suggest themselves.

Quality lighting, thoughtfully designed and installed by professionals can really enhance the aesthetic of a home and its outdoor space. Lighting is a great way of creating versatile spaces both inside and out, especially on good weather days like these when it can make a huge difference to the way a homeowner can enjoy their garden on long summer evenings.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF KNIGHTSBRIDGE’S WEATHERPROOF AND OUTDOOR WIRING ACCESSORY AND LIGHTING PRODUCTS, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR050

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A MATTER OF TIME Time will tell if Birkdale’s DuraPost is the most efficient fencing option

ather and son team, Brian and Matthew Metcalf of Metcalf Fencing recently completed a fencing installation time trial, comparing Birkdale’s DuraPost by Fencemate to traditional concrete and timber fencing materials. The comparison illustrated the benefits of using DuraPost in terms of both ease of handling and speed of installation, with the innovative galvanised steel product taking almost 50 per cent less time to install than the concrete alternative.

A local, family run fencing contractor from Iver, Buckinghamshire, Brian and his son Matthew have been using Birkdale fencing and gate products for over 30 years. However, Brian and Matthew had not previously installed DuraPost by Fencemate before and were keen to test out the new system.

For the time trial, a true-to-life scenario was created with a 36 metre distance

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between Brian’s van and the build site. All elements of the installation were then timed, including unloading and carrying the products to site and constructing an eight panel, 1.8 metre-high section of fence. The digging of the necessary fencepost holes was also timed and, as this is not affected by the fencing products used, an average time of 54 minutes was used for all three timed installations.

First, Brian and Matthew were timed installing 2.4 metre concrete slotted fenceposts, 12in. concrete gravel boards and timber fence panels weighing a total of 1,195kg. It took Brian and Matthew just over 20 minutes to unload the concrete system, and a further 28 minutes to install.

Combined with the standard 54 minutes digging time that resulted in a full installation time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 21 seconds.

Next the Metcalfs were timed installing 3in. by 2.4 metre timber fenceposts, 6in. timber gravel boards and timber fence

panels. In total these products weighed a far lighter 425kg and as a result took only 8 minutes to unload. However, it then took Brian and Matthew just short of 25 minutes to install the timber system. In total, the timber system took 1 hour, 27 minutes and 10 seconds to install, including digging time.

Finally, Brian and Matthew took on the DuraPost system using 2.4 metre DuraPosts, 6in. gravel boards and timber fence panels, weighing a total of 406kg – the lightest system of the three. As a result of its light weight, it took only 5.5 minutes for Brian and Matthew to unload the galvanised-steel system from the van.

Furthermore, due to the design, with its H profile, it was far easier to attach the timber panels to than other systems. This was evident in the time trial, with Brian and Matthew completing the installation in an outstanding 15 minutes, almost 50 per cent faster than the concrete alternative.

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Buckinghamshire-based, Brian and Matthew Metcalf of Metcalf Fencing

Combined again with digging and unloading time, that results in a complete start to finish installation time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 32 seconds – a 30-minute improvement on the concrete system and a 15-minute improvement on the traditional timber products.

Thanks to its makeup of cold-rolled galvanised steel, DuraPost is capable of withstanding wind speeds of up to 110 miles per hour and is guaranteed for up to 25 years. The test results illustrate that it is a durable, long-lasting product, which rivals concrete in its longevity, and can be installed even faster and easier than a timber fencepost system. This in turn can have a dramatic effect on the time a fencing project takes to finish and even enable contractors to complete multiple

jobs per day.

On the installation and the comparison between the products, Brian commented: “DuraPost is definitely the lightest of the three fencing systems and therefore much easier to handle and assemble. For fencing contractors the products are simple to install without any extra guidance.”

“Durability and installation are important factors for us,” added Matthew.

“With DuraPost we can transport a far greater quantity of fencing products to site in one go because it is much lighter and slimline in its design. As a result, we can reduce transportation and labour time dramatically and also cut down on the number of trips needed between a merchant and the build site.”

01:1432 Complete start to finish installation time

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DURAPOST BY FENCEMATE, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR051

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extensions & home improvements

THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK It is rare that a genuine industry first emerges, but Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to a manufacturer who believes he has developed just that – meet Jo Blox.

f you’re asked to devise a building system that requires no specialist skills, is quicker to install, better and cheaper than anything currently on the market, you might conclude that it would be a brief you’re unlikely to meet, but not so for Joe Orsi and his team at Roman Products. As a historic buildings consultant, Joe is already an established authority in the demanding conservation sector and his company, Roman Products has since diversified into researching, developing, and bringing its own products to that market. It is all that experience that has been brought to bear in the development of the Jo Blox Structural Insulated Blocks.

The Jo Blox journey began some five years ago, when Joe and his Norfolk-based team were approached with a project with ambitions to help the government hit its sustainability targets. “We were asked by Sheffield Hallam University and UK Innovate to come up with a system that was better than carbon neutral,” he recalls. “Our starting position in our research was to look at Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS), which are effective but do have their limitations. The units can be cumbersome to transport and crane into place, for example, whilst adapting them after

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installation is problematic.”

The quest to overcome these constrains would see a new concept emerge from the Roman Products drawing board – the Structural Insulated Block (SIB). “It’s one of those paradoxical situations where smaller units add up to quicker installation times,” enthuses Joe. “With individual blocks weighing as little as 5kg, they can be assembled quicker than a panel. It is a completely dry system, requiring no mortar, with pegs and screws used to fix the units into place. Airtightness is then provided by a vapour open polyurethane foam applied

at the joints. The building industry’s skills crisis is now well-documented, and part of the original brief was to provide a solution that any of the trades, or a general builder, would be comfortable with, and that is exactly what we have delivered. In fact, from our own calculations, we found that a team of four could construct an average-sized bungalow in one day.”

Launched in March of 2020, the Jo Blox SIB is made of hemp, bound up with polyurethane foam, sandwiched between an inner and outer skin. The board material varies depending on application, and there are four broad types, with many

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more bespoke solutions on offer to suit customer requirements. For enhanced fire resistance, for instance, the Fire Assure block features an internal MagPly Structural Board, an insulating hemp resin core, and an external MagPly Fire Board.

If you are looking to apply a lime render then choose Jo-Blox Multi Finish, constructed with an internal structural ply board, that same hemp core, and an external wood-wool carrier board. The whole system allows the building to breathe, which means that any renders applied need to be either Fibrelime or other premixed approved renders rated as breathable.

Of course, for any contractor the proof is in performance, and not only is it easier to install but in terms of carbon footprint, thermal performance, and compressive strength it outdoes any brick and block alternative. Hemp is a grown product, which locks up CO2 in its lifecycle, more than offsetting any other carbon emissions in the manufacture of the other

materials included, whilst it’s sustainability credentials in the finished build are equally impeccable, as Joe explains. “We believe that this is the first system on the market that is totally decoupled, with not one single cold bridge to be found through a fixing or timber. As a consequence, U-Values and acoustic characteristics are superior and, having been tested up to 142kN without failure, its structural performance is phenomenal.”

“The design brief we took up was about as tough as it got,” admits Joe, “and that’s why it took five years to deliver, but the next five and beyond are going to be very exciting. Since its launch we have been inundated with enquiries and we are

in talks with a very major investor in the industry in order to significantly increase production. The blocks can be used in new build construction and are particularly well suited for extensions on historic buildings. On the latter projects, because they are so light, in many ground conditions foundations would not be required – only compaction. We’ve also had enquiries from holiday parks, for crisis homes and garden buildings and offices.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON JO BLOX FROM ROMAN PRODUCTS, AND IF YOU’D LIKE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE PRODUCT BEING INSTALLED, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR052

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extensions & home improvements

COME TO THE WINDOW

Mhairi McDougall, Country Manager UK and Ireland at Dakea, reveals how roof windows can enhance an extension.

t is important to make sure that the balance of light and air within a new extension is exactly right, as otherwise the space risks being cold, dark, and stuffy. Roof windows are a great way to achieve that balance, as they increase the amount of daylight and fresh air and, if properly designed, will make the extension a more pleasant place to be, both in the depths of winter and in the heat of summer.

Natural light is one of the most obvious benefits of installing roof windows, as they make sure that the new living area is as bright as possible, without the need to use artificial light – providing health benefits and reduced energy bills to your clients. A good way to see whether an area will get enough light is to make sure that the amount of roof windowpane visible is equal to at least 10 per cent of the floor

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area. Getting this formula right will not only provide residents with the advantages of increased exposure to daylight, such as being more productive, happier, and healthier, but natural light also helps to reduce mould and mildew growth.

After light, it is fair to say that the next main benefit of a roof window is its ability to improve a building’s air flow. In fact, it’s advised that at least half the air inside a

home is refreshed every hour, as fresh air not only stops a space feeling stuffy and unpleasant, but it also boosts immune systems as well as improving concentration and energy levels. Installing a roof window with a ventilation valve is a great way to ensure a constant supply of fresh air into an extension.

While you want air to come in, there are a few things best left outside – such as rainwater. Windows on a sloped surface get hit by more rainwater than vertical windows, as the shape of the roof will funnel water over its surface. This means that it is vitally important to check the roof window’s water tightness to determine whether it will be able to withstand what the elements are going to throw at it.

One of the other key roles that a roof

TRADE MATTERS

Dakea recently launched its Trade Matters campaign to help installers with the everyday business challenges they face, such as managing their finances or getting their name out there in the local area. You can find out more about the campaigns and even download a selection of free tools designed to help those in the trade industry at WWW.RDR.LINK/BR053

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window plays when it comes to the comfort of the home’s users is its ability to keep them cool when it is hot and warm when it is cold. The effectiveness of a window to achieve this can be determined by its thermal transmittance properties, which shows how much heat goes through the window. A low thermal transmittance value is therefore best, as it will stop cold or hot air from moving into the house, both making it a more pleasant environment, and cutting down on energy bills.

There are some key design features to look for which can improve the thermal transmittance and energy efficiency of a window. Choose a roof window that uses krypton gas, instead of argon, to fill the space between the panes. The former conducts much less heat and therefore is better at stopping the transference of thermal energy from outdoors to indoors.

In addition, triple pane windows with an additional pane and two gas filled cavity spaces provides a much better standard

“Triple pane windows with an additional pane and two gas filled cavity spaces provides a much better standard of insulation.”

of insulation.

Thermal transmittance goes together with air permeability, as there is no point installing energy efficient glass if the window fitting itself is not airtight.

Windows can be tested for their ability to avoid unwanted air leakages, a test which places them in one of four classes depending on how well (or poorly) it did, with a higher class indicating a higher level of airtightness.

As we can see, there are a lot of different issues and design aspects that go into choosing the right roof window.

Working with a supplier who understands all these factors is essential, as they will be able to advise on everything from the type of glass or frame material to when it can be delivered as well as what certifications and test data are most important.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DAKEA RANGE OF ROOF WINDOWS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR054

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extensions & home improvements

TRUE COLOURS

Colin St John, Commercial Director at Freefoam Building Products, shows how builders can use colour to develop new opportunities, and add value to extensions and home improvement projects.

“As responsible manufacturers, Freefoam Building Products are committed to providing products that bring new opportunities for all professional builders. We manufacture one of the most technologically advanced colour ranges of fascia, soffit and gutter available.”

Q A

Tell us a bit about the background to the change in the market?

For many years white was the only option and the only choice for PVC window, doors and fascia. Colour was difficult to get and often had to be ordered well in advance, and in large quantities – but things have changed.

Manufacturers have developed new techniques and made colour a permanent part of their ranges.

Q A

So how are your colour products made?

Freefoam manufacture colour fascia, soffit and gutter using compounds as well as our own patented Colormax

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technology. This ‘co-extrusion’ process means the outside colour skin and the inside foam core are intrinsically bonded together creating hardwearing and long lasting colour products.

complete home refurbishment or loft conversion. For carpenters and joiners it’s also often just a commodity. But don’t overlook the opportunities colour fascia, soffit and gutter can bring.

Q A

Is colour difficult to get hold of?

Q A Q A

How many colours do you offer?

With the changes in trends for colour windows and doors away from white, the replacement of fascia, soffit and gutter has transitioned itself from a commodity, or ‘distress’ purchase, to a more natural enhancement of the kerbside appeal of a property. Discerning homeowners have recognised you must view a house as a whole, and some have used colour to improve or differentiate the appearance of their home. That’s why you should consider colour to add value and individuality to your client’s projects.

No, our technology means that we can manufacture colour fascia as part of our normal process. This means the majority of colours are now available from stock, and building professionals will see little difference in lead times between white and colour.

We have eight colours in our range from white to black.

So how can builders benefit from these changes?

Fascia, soffit and gutter………for many builders it’s just part of a much larger project, maybe a new extension,

IF YOU WANT TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE PROPERTY FEATURED HERE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR055 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FREEFOAM VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR056

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FRAME ACADEMY Ever been asked for a flush door and then found out they are really expensive? Here’s a way to an affordable solution with Rocket Door Frames. t’s very fashionable at the moment to have frameless flush doors, with no architrave and no frame to be seen.

This demand is driven by clean, uninterrupted interior designs.

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Rocket Door Frames made a big splash in the pocket door market recently and is now bringing its latest development to the market. A frameless flush door system without breaking the bank, but still keeping the quality at a maximum.

It’s a two section steel frame that fits over the plasterboard both sides of the wall and cleverly adjusts to various wall thicknesses.

It is simple to fit, with innovative steel angle joints, steel perforated frame for plastering into and a solid steel bracing bar to keep it square when you install.

Pull left or pull right – the frame adapts to whichever you want.

Just like the manufacturer’s existing pocket door system, everything else is included. The hinges, for instance, are FD30 approved and manufactured in Europe. These are invisible hinges that are three way adjustable, so you can position your door perfectly.

For a really quiet and soft close, a closing gasket made by Schlegel – one of the top gasket manufactures in Europe – is used.

A set of strike plate adaptors allows you to choose the latch/lock you want. In addition, a roller bolt latch, Euro and DIN Sashlock can all be accommodated.

The frame simply screws through the plasterboard into the studwork and you skim to the edges and voila – it’s done!

The neat trick here is that Rocket make these frames in sizes to fit UK door sizes, so 2ft. 3in. – 2ft. 6in. – 2ft. 9in. are available as are 726, 826 and 926 x 2,040mm. So you can get the size you want at the price you want. The system suits 44mm door thickness.

And last but not least...

If you compare prices then the Rocket frame is less than half of almost all other flush door arrangements. Not only that, but thanks to the cute fire testing done by Rocket to get the FD30 approval. Instead of having to route out your doors for the intumescent strips to fit into, the company has designed the system so the intumescents fit flat onto the frame, so there’s no routing needed, saving time and money. The intumescent kit is available direct from the manufacturer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ROCKET DOOR FRAMES VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR057

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‘APEERING’ NOW!

A big entrance is always guaranteed when one of the UK’s most successful door companies takes to the stage with a cast of new products for the home renovation and property development markets. he name has been out there earning rave reviews for more than twenty-five years, but until now – for us at least – it really was a case of what goes on behind closed doors at the Ballymena manufacturing home of Apeer. So, it was not before time in early March that we made the short hop over the Irish Sea to discover that the nearby Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills whisky distillery and Royal Portrush Golf Club are not the only legendary attractions in town.

The business was started in the 1980s by astute entrepreneur Austin McGillan, who saw an opportunity to distribute an extensive range of tools, fixings, and screws to the local construction industry.

Today, that business, whilst still going

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strong, plays second fiddle to the company’s main focus, which for a quarter of a century has concentrated on composite doors and the highly distinctive Lumi window range, with its full glass profiles in place of traditional frames.

A dominate force in the home market, it has its sights set firmly on expanding its extensive product portfolio into the rest of the UK, and to that end is half way through a five year investment plan to increase capacity and efficiency. A new 20,000 factory extension, combined with further upgrades in production facilities, means that all services are now fully self-contained, including the production of door blanks through to completed door sets, fabrication of windows, sliding and entrance doors and, most significantly, all of its glass

requirements. A new CNC precision water jet cutting machine has recently been installed to make the unusually complex cuts required for Lumi doors and windows, whilst one of the industry’s few privately owned forced convection furnaces allows toughened glass production in sheet sizes up to 5m x 2.8m.

Significant investment has also been made in what is, quite literally, the company’s core business – composite doors – where two paint lines and a second insulating core press used for the production of the company’s GRP faced door panels will allow more than 1,000 two colour doors to be manufactured each week.

All of which brings a smile to the face of Asa McGillan, son of the founder and MD who told us: “The completion of the new extension fulfils many of the company’s plans for growth. The additional space

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does far more than simply allow new machines to be installed. We have now been able to re-plan the whole facility to create more logical production flow lines and logical consequences, all of which will give us significant increases in output, as well as flexibility in these somewhat uncertain economic times.”

He continues: “We are most proud of our glass processing facility, which allows us to cope with the increasingly large Lumi doors being ordered for prestigious new builds, as well as the demands for Apeer composite doors for which we also produce decorative glass units in our own studio. In fact, I believe our doors have a greater UK sourced content than the vast majority of similar composite door brands sold in Britain and Ireland. We are proud of that, and of our video-based quality control system, which has helped us achieve a very impressive right first-time rate of 98 per cent.

“With all this investment in production now in place, our next focus is on marketing the brand to a wider audience,

and a number of exceptional support programmes are being developed to complete the circle of manufacturing, distribution and end user satisfaction. Our composite doors, especially the Silka range, and new Lumi replacement windows launched last year, have been extremely well received, and we will be working even harder during the next twelve months to ensure this continues.”

It is fair to say that, in this case, ‘Apeer ances’ are most certainly not deceptive!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON APEER VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR058 VISIT THE APEER VIDEO LIBRARY AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR059

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STICK TO THE PLAN

Adrian Buttress, managing director of EPDM rubber roofing specialists Permaroof, and John McMullan, general manager at Firestone Building Products UK & Ireland, discuss the importance of using a good quality adhesive on flat roof projects

PDM roofing membranes have been developed as long-term solutions and, due to the optimal balancing of the key ingredients to give extended durability, you can expect the material to withstand the elements for more than 50 years.

So, it makes sense that the adhesive used to adhere the roof to the deck is of equally high performance – ensuring a robust, durable, and resilient system that requires minimal maintenance and adapts to current and future building needs.

Adrian says: “Rubber roofs can be applied using cold, water-based adhesives, which has resulted in a safer, faster application method – and this is why the single-ply roofing system has become increasingly popular in recent years.”

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Temperature fluctuations

From the freezing temperatures of Russia to the desert sun of Saudi Arabia, a highquality roofing solution must stand up to the Earth’s ever-changing elements.

“The world’s temperature isn’t static, and a good adhesive will be able to cope with this weather cycling and withstand climate fluctuations – something that is becoming increasingly important as a result of global warming,” says Adrian.”It is not just about how a product lasts in its natural state. Roof covering surface temperatures change over a 24-hour period, meaning it will get warm during the day when it is exposed to direct sunlight and cold at night. As such, it’s no good for an adhesive and membrane to only be tested in the UK because it may

not be able to withstand the heat in Dubai or the sub-zero temperatures of northern Finland.”

In 1980, the roof of Albo Manufacturing Co.’s warehouse in Wisconsin, USA, became the first project to use Firestone’s new roofing system, with a total of 750m2 being installed. “One of the main challenges for the new roofing system was that it had to cope efficiently with the extreme temperature fluctuations that are experienced in Wisconsin, which can reach -30C in winter and more than 40C in summer,” says John.

An upfront investment

Investing in a quality adhesive to properly adhere your roof to its deck will bear many long-term benefits. Not only will this protect your home from various weather conditions and keep it safe and secure, it will also make the system more cost effective in the long run. Adrian says: “Exposure to various difficulties such as heavy rains and strong winds will lead to wear and tear, reducing the longevity of the roof, which undoubtably means spending more money on maintenance or even replacement costs.

“However, if you are using a quality and genuine adhesive during the installation process, this will work to guarantee the long-term performance of the waterproofing – reducing upkeep costs in the long run. I’ve seen isolated cases where an adhesive has failed, and

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it’s turned out that the product a contractor was using wasn’t authentic.”

A full system approach

The best way to avoid problems and failures down the line is to ensure you are using a full waterproofing system, which consists of a membrane, adhesive, tape and primer – all from the same brand.

“The single system solution is hardly a revelation considering that the problem of unreliable results clearly stems from overly using a mix of products,” says Adrian. “But it’s important that it’s reiterated and heard clearly by the industry. It also helps to aid traceability, which is more important than ever before, and helps to keep a high standard of roofing in the UK.” John adds: “Using a rubber membrane and its matching adhesive purchased

from one source offers a reliable long-life solution. This industry-proven system has been designed to work together in harmony and it is critical that the adhesive is matched because it has been tested in a lab under various controlled conditions to prove its durability.

“Furthermore, choosing a full system from a reputable brand will usually mean the inclusion of a warranty. For example, Firestone offers a membrane warranty up to 20 years with every installation by a

licensed or authorised installer.

“Things are designed and made to go together, and this is no different for a roofing system.”

As adhesives are unseen and hidden beneath the surface of the roofing membrane, it is easy to understand why some may choose to save on their cost. But ignoring the critical role adhesives play in a good quality roofing installation means the system may end up failing to a catastrophic – and expensive – effect.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON PERMAROOF UK VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR060 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON FIRESTONE EPDM TRAINING COURSES VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR061

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extensions & home improvements product round-up

WATER-BASED PAINT

The ‘ultimate defence’ against scratches, wear and tear and greasy finger marks, is how Johnstone’s Trade describes its Aqua Guard, a durable water based satin paint. Quick drying and low in odour, the new product sits within the firm’s already well-established Aqua Water Based Collection, which is designed to offer an alternative to traditional solvent based paints.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR062

BRICKS

There are three new additions to the Ibstock Atlas range — Atlas Dark Grey, Atlas Smooth Black and Atlas Silver Grey.

Described as having a “cooler pallet” and a smooth, contemporary texture, builders can make use of the Product Selector online visualiser tool to access photorealistic mock-ups of the bricks in a number of popular arrangements, with options to vary angle, layout, colour and mortar thickness.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR064

SHOWER TRAY

The stone effect and textured Saniflo Kinemoon shower tray taps into the trend for natural stone styles and doubles up as an effective PN24 rated anti-slip surface.

Available in five colours – white, anthracite, grey, black and sable, it also has three different patterned waste covers, which are self-coloured to blend in perfectly with the tray. The super flat tray – just 26mm in height – is designed for easy access but can be supplied with an optional riser kit if extra height is required, and can also be used in a wetroom style application.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR063

ROOF WINDOW

The one-frame design of the Velux Studio has two centre-pivot roof windows on either side of a fixed unit, bringing in more daylight and a more impressive view. By utilising a solar conversion kit, the unit can be remotely operated via Velux Integra technology. The window is currently available in size FK06 (1837 x 1178mm) in a white painted finish in double and triple glazed variants, with slate or tile flashing kits that include all installation elements.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR065

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DAMP RESISTANT PLASTER

MASTER PLASTER

Hudson Lambert, director of Safeguard Europe, looks at the alternatives to traditional plasters

ypsum-based plaster systems are lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to apply. However, they suffer from the major disadvantage of being highly susceptible to moisture. Gypsum plasters are very porous and will draw through any moisture from the underlying wall – resulting in visible damp patches.

Over time the moisture can dissolve the gypsum, leading to crumbling. Where the moisture contains salts (e.g. from rising damp or chimney damp) the damage can be more pronounced as these can react with the gypsum, causing it to “blow.”

For this reason, alternative dampresistant plaster systems should be considered whenever renovating existing properties – especially those of solid wall construction which can be particularly prone to water ingress. During a typical refurbishment project attempts will usually be made to deal with any underlying damp issues – for example, the installation of damp-proofing rods, external repointing, crack repair, masonry water repellent creams, etc.

However, it can be very difficult to cover all bases. Successfully identifying and dealing with all possible paths of water ingress can be a near impossibility, especially when the possibility of future defects and maintenance issues are considered. Choosing to use a dampresistant plaster system, rather than a standard gypsum plaster, can therefore provide a valuable second line of defence against any unexpected moisture ingress.

Barrier systems

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Damp-resistant plasters

The best damp-resistant plasters offer similar physical characteristics to lime plaster, in terms of hardness and breathability, but offer enhanced resistance to moisture and salts. Such plasters will normally be CE-marked as ‘Renovation Mortars’ under the EN9981(R) standard – not to be confused with general-purpose plasters that carry the

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EN998-1 designation, but without the allimportant ‘R’ suffix.

Although these plasters typically incorporate cement as the main binder component, a high proportion of lime can often be incorporated into the mix – as in the case of our own Dryzone Hi-Lime Renovation Plaster.

These are designed to allow the use of a standard gypsum plaster on a wall that might be prone to water ingress. This is achieved by forming a physical barrier between the underlying wall and the plaster layer.

In recent years meshed “plaster membranes” such as Oldroyd Xp have become popular for this purpose.

However, they suffer from the disadvantage that a high number of fixings are required per m2. These all must be fixed into an 8mm drill hole which can mean that hand-arm vibration issues can limit the amount of membrane that can be fixed per day on larger jobs.

A more recent development is DryBase Flex membrane. This is a plastic membrane with a polymer felt on each side. It is simply fixed to the wall using DryBase Flex Adhesive. A standard gypsum plaster can then be applied directly onto the membrane.

Barrier systems need to be used carefully, as by their very nature they are non-breathable. However, there are certain circumstances in which they can be very useful. For example, their ability to block salts and tars makes them a very attractive choice when plastering over old chimney breasts.

Hybrid plasterboard systems

These allow the use of standard gypsum plasterboards over walls that may be susceptible to moisture ingress. A silanebased cream is applied to the wall surface prior to the fixing of the plasterboard. This acts to reduce water ingress and salt formation. It also acts as a primer for the water-proof silane-modified polymer adhesive that is used to fix the plasterboard in place of the traditional gypsum bonding adhesive. These systems have the advantage of being extremely fast to install.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON SAFEGUARD EUROPE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR066

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TILE ADHESIVES

A LIFE TILE CHOICE

To help builders select the right products for their tiling, Dunlop has launched a new powdered tile adhesive range

The range has been refined and refocused around the types of adhesives most favoured by builders and tradespeople.

Some of the best sellers have also benefited from formulation improvements.

In addition, Dunlop are also launching two new “S1” tile adhesives – these have increased deformation, meaning they can be used on substrates where limited movement or vibration is possible.

Products have been renamed using alpha-numeric coding, whilst retaining the longer product name descriptions and colour tones to ensure they can be easily identified during the transition.

Products that are changing are: OLD PRODUCT NAME

NEW PRODUCT NAME

Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive

CX-24 Essential Tile Adhesive

Floor and Wall Plus Tile Adhesive

CF-24 Flexible Tile Adhesive

Flexible Slowset Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive

CF-24 Flexible Tile Adhesive

Rapidset Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive

CX-03 Fast Set Tile Adhesive

Set Fast Plus Flexible Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive

CF-03 Flexible Fast Set Tile Adhesive

Flexible Rapidset Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive

CF-03 Flexible Fast Set Tile Adhesive

Large Format and Natural Stone Adhesive

CLF-03 Flexible Large Format and Natural Stone Adhesive

The alpha-numeric product codes help identify whether the product is non-flexible cementbased (CX), flexible cement-based (CF), or cement-based large format (CLF). The number equates to the setting time of the product; so 24 = 24 hours, 3 = three hours and so on.

Items that are removed from Dunlop’s range include: Floor and Wall Plus White 20kg, Rapidset Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive Grey Set Fast Plus Flexible Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive, Tile Adhesive for Green Screed and 2-Part Rapidset Flex Grey 11.55kg.

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New Innovations

As well as re-naming current products, Dunlop are also introducing two “S1” tile adhesives.

CS1-12 S1 Ultra Flexible Tile Adhesive and CS1-03 S1 Ultra Flexible Fast Set Tile Adhesive – as the name suggests – are S1 deformable tile adhesives that set in 12 and 3 hours respectively.

Being S1 deformable means the product can be used on projects where a little bit more “give” is required. Areas where an S1 tile adhesive may be beneficial include: ● Heated floors i.e. heated screeds or undertile floor heating (i.e. electric heating mats) ●

Floors subjected to limited movement i.e. suspended floors

●

External wall and floor tiling

●

Areas where vibration from machinery is likely to impact upon wall tiling.

When should a tradesperson select a slow-set or fast-setting product? When should it be flexible or non-flexible? Well it all depends on the individual tiling project, the environment, the tile type and the background you are tiling onto.

For example, if you are tiling in particularly hot and dry weather, you would be advised to select a slower setting product, such as CX-24 Essential Tile Adhesive, or CF-24 Flexible Tile Adhesive. This is because the hotter the temperature, generally the quicker a tile adhesive will “go off”. If you are using a rapid-setting product at elevated temperatures it will skin over more quickly, thus reducing the time in which the tiles can be successfully placed onto the adhesive ribs as well as having a reduced pot life.

And vice-versa, when tiling in cold temperatures (but no lower than 5°C and rising), for example, use of a rapid-setting product will allow you to grout more

quickly than a standard setting adhesive.

You should also consider the tile type.

For example, very porous tiles and natural stone, such as marble or limestone, should be tiled with rapid-setting products. This is because standard setting adhesives may cause some potential staining with some natural stone products.

Tiles can experience a lot of stress due to movement in the substrate, foot-traffic and thermally-induced expansion and contraction that can come from underfloor heating or environments such as conservatories/orangeries. In this instance a flexible tile adhesive – such as CF-03 or CF-24 – should be used as these can accommodate some limited movement and help to reduce the risk of tiles debonding or cracking.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DUNLOP’S NEW RANGE OF TILE ADHESIVE AND TO WATCH TOP TIPS VIDEOS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR067

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GENERAL BUILDING TAPE WOOD PROTECTION

The Barrettine ArmourFlex System includes a Wood Floor Lacquer/ Varnish, offered in six finishes, and a specialist pH-neutral Wood Floor Cleaner. The formulation features invisible ceramic particles which provide a durable stain and scratch-resistant coating. The lacquer is offered in two shades – Natural Clear and Enriched Clear – in a matt, satin or gloss finish, and in 3 litre and 5 litres units.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR068

Foam sealants specialist ISO Chemie’s ISOBLOCO ONE selfadhesive weathertight tape for window frames has gained British Board of Agrement (BBA) product approval certification. The tape offers rapid sealing of windows from inside the building and is able to resist the passage of wind-driven rain, snow, run-off water and dust into the interior of the property. The seal is effective on window and door joints up to 30mm wide, and installation is compliant to BS8213-4:2016.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR069

Comprising Norbord’s moisture-resistant CaberFloor P5 tongue-andgroove particleboard flooring panel, CaberShieldPlus is designed to withstand exposure to wet conditions. The board has protection on both sides, not just the exposed upper surface. The top surface features a permanent non-slip coating that prevents damage and ensures a safe working platform. The underside is protected with the smooth coating.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR070

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR071

WALL PANELLING

FLAT ROOFING

The SealEco RubberTop Fleece, a complete single ply flat roofing system, is now being offered by Permaroof.

The benefits of choosing a fleecebacked EPDM include a thicker 2.3mm membrane for a more durable finish, wider lightweight 3.4m panels for swifter installation, high-resistance from punctures, as well as a smooth, wrinkle-free installation that is protected from thermal movements and tensions in the membrane.

FLOORING

There are now a further 26 new design-led decors in the Showerwall bathroom wall panelling range, reflecting the latest bathroom and interiors trends, and advances in registered embossed printing technology, with the full collection now offering a choice of 84 designs.

The 100 per cent waterproof panelling system is guaranteed for up to 15 years.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR072

SEALANTS & FILLERS

The re-launched ecoSEAL system can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfill from the sealant and filler products that are used on site. Working in conjunction with a reusable sleeve, users can now easily switch from traditional Geocel Painters Mate, Dowsil 785+, 796 and 799 cartridges, to more environmentally-friendly foils, which can fit into any standard gun. The plastic sleeve is recyclable, and when empty the foils are eight times smaller than traditional cartridges.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR073

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TECHNICAL TEAM TIPS – NO 17 ROOFING

A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD Stuart Nicholson from Marley shares advice on taking the right steps to protect yourself, your customers, and your business. s we continue to emerge from a time of significant challenge and uncertainty that many have never seen before, how can you take control on site and over the growth and success of your business?

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Site Safety

Of course, safety relating to COVID-19 is crucial on site, so social distancing and regular hand washing for 20 seconds are a must, but as many builders and roofers are on site during the summer, it is also important not to neglect sun safety. Here are some simple sun safety precautions to follow on site: ● Keep a shirt or jacket on and opt for tightly woven fabrics which help to form a barrier to the sun’s harmful rays. ● Do not leave exposed skin unprotected. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25 and remember to reapply regularly. Make sure you also use an SPF lip balm. ● Always wear a hard hat, preferably with a brim and flap that will cover the ears and the back of the neck. ● Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. ● Check your skin regularly for unusual spots and moles, or changes to them.

As homeowners have spent such a lot of time at home recently, many of them will have been considering how they want to improve their homes. As a result, a number of homeowners will be open to the prospect of an extension, especially with the relaxation of the planning laws.

With this in mind, it might be a good opportunity to make sure your website, social media channels and any other marketing communications you use are fully up to date. Ensure there are some examples of recent projects you have done, which may help to drive business

Efficiencies

Being as efficient as possible on site is also a key element of feeling in control.

One way to enhance efficiencies further is by looking at the way you work with suppliers. For example, sourcing a complete roof system from one manufacturer means you only have one party to deal with, helping to save time.

Technology

growth from homeowners who are seeing their homes in a new light.

Reassurance

Taking control of your reputation and what potential customers hear about you depends so much on the products you use, as well as the quality of your workmanship, and customer service. At a time when some homeowners may be cautious with their spending, it is crucial they feel reassured by what you are offering. By specifying a complete roof system, such as Marley’s, not only do you have the reassurance that all the component parts have been tested to work together, and are of the highest quality, but you can also offer customers the reassurance of a 15 year guarantee.

From technical tools to online apps and live chats, it is worth taking advantage of the services and support offered by manufacturers. Not only will it support builders and roofers on the job, but for quieter times, it can help build-up additional knowledge for future business growth.

As we all emerge into the ‘new normal’ where we still may not be able to influence many elements of life, there is an opportunity for builders and roofers to take small actions to not only take control, but to help protect themselves, their customers and ultimately, their business over the short and longer-term.

FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT, AND FREE FIXING SPECIFICATIONS, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR074 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE 15 YEAR ROOF SYSTEM GUARANTEE, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR089

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TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

No.9 in the series

A BIT OF THE ACTION In the latest instalment of our Tech Talk series, Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita, details how its high-performance, multipurpose, drill bits can help door, glazing and window contractors to work more efficiently and improve productivity.

One of the challenges of door, glazing and window work is finding a suitable drill bit for the wide variety of materials you work on. Unfortunately, the majority of drill bits are designed for use with a specific material and, as a result, installers are forced to routinely carry out the frustrating task of switching bits.

When time is tight, having to constantly make changes and swapping bits over can be a real annoyance. Worse still is the decision of some installers to find ways to work around this by using drill bits that are not suitable for the material being worked on. Not only does this workaround end up shortening the lifespan of the drill itself, but it can also damage the material that is being drilled into – causing costly repairs and replacement parts on all counts.

The Makita OmniBohrer range of highperformance, multi-purpose drill bits have been specially designed for use on a range of materials, including concrete, tile, brick, slate, limestone, wood, composite materials, aluminium, plastics and metal. As such, this solution can help overcome the daily challenge of

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switching between drill bits and in turn, save time on-site, allow work to progress faster and improve productivity. What’s more, the highly engineered design of each drill bit helps improve on-site accuracy. Designed with accessibility in mind, the collection consists of 25 drill bits, which range from 3 to 14mm in diameter and lengths between 60 to 400mm for use on an extensive range of popular power drills.

In creating the OmniBohrer range, we believe we’ve made something that helps installers to overcome a genuine daily challenge, particularly in window fitting applications where the frames are PVCu and metal and fixed to brickwork.

Each bit in the OmniBohrer range has specially engineered, wider flutes, to deliver quick and efficient material extraction. Additionally, each tip is made from high-quality tungsten carbide, a material revered across several industries for its superior durability and high melting point, providing exceptional durability and longevity. As such, these tips ensure greater wear and impact resistance,

making them perfect for multi-layered materials, whilst also protecting the drill.

It is important to note that OmniBohrer bits should only be used in rotary mode.

Use of percussion mode will damage the tip of the drill bit.

With these benefits in mind, it is also essential to ensure the tool you’re using has the correct capacity for the task in hand by checking the product information provided by the manufacturer (usually displayed on the body of the drill). This information will detail the maximum capacity with different materials. Make this process part of your daily routine, as even machines that look similar can have significantly different capabilities. The tool speed should also be adjusted depending on the density of the material to ensure smooth and safe operation. Once again, the tool manufacturer’s information should provide guidance on the correct and safe usage of the product.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MAKITA’S RANGE OF HIGHQUALITY ACCESSORIES INCLUDING THE OMNIBOHRER MULTI-PURPOSE DRILL BITS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR075

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TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Tibby Singh — www.TibbySingh.com

ON YOUR MARKS!

Professional Builder’s Tibby Singh Chodha makes his mark with Tracer Marking products often get overlooked as tools in your toolbox. As a carpenter & joiner, without a pencil I would be as useful as a pencil without any lead.

Therefore, I was looking forward to getting my hands on some Tracer Professional Marking Products to see if they would get a tick or a cross.

Tracer’s Deep Hole Construction Pencil is simple yet effective, making life on site much easier and more efficient. I am sure at some point we have all been in a situation where we have needed to create a mark through some deep material. To get myself out of this hole I have usually spent some time carving my pencil into a spear to get into that hard to reach place.

The lead has then often broken, deeming my crafting skills pointless. This is where the Tracer comes into its own as it’s specially designed to mark 100mm depth in a 3mm hole, and up to 145mm depth in a 6mm hole.

The 3mm hole is due to the thickness

of the long retractable lead, and the increase to a 6mm hole as you go deeper is thanks to the sturdy metal shaft. The lead itself is snap resistant, which is great for when marking on rough surfaces where it might otherwise break or get blunt quickly.

There’s also a neat site holster with in-built sharpener to protect it, and this can be attached to your trousers or tool belt.

The 120mm pencil leads are replaceable and can be stored safely in a Tracer holster. In this holster there are four 2B graphite leads for marking clear dark lines, and two yellow wax leads for when marking darker surfaces. This is a bright idea and I personally found it very handy when I was recently cutting and installing black fascia boards.

Partnering up with the pencil, is the company’s Deep Hole Marker, allowing you to mark to a 50mm depth in a 5mm hole. This is no ordinary marker but a two in one. The tip is reversed by removing

the shaft, spinning it around and reinserting it, to give you the option to mark both thick and thin lines. This intelligent design allows you to use it for different applications. For example, you could be writing on drawings with the thin tip and then quickly change it over to the thick tip to mark on a surface.

I always like to keep a rough marker pen on hand for when I need to mark or write on various surfaces. My experience with many markers is that they either dry up or clog up very quickly. Tracer’s clog free marker pens overcome this problem, whilst allowing you to mark on almost any surface, from tiles, wood, glass, and bricks. Again, they come in a site holster and are available in black, blue and red. I particularly like the fact that they’re colour coded at the top of the markers, so you can easily identify which one is what colour as soon as you look down to grab the one you require.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TRACER RANGE OF MARKING PRODUCTS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR076

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TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Tibby Singh — www.TibbySingh.com

When it comes to Festool, Professional Builder’s Tibby Singh Chodha knows the drill.

FOR THE ‘DRILL’ OF IT When I arrive on site the first tool I will invariably pull out is a drill, and I was recently privileged to be one of the first to get my hands on Festool’s NEW TID 18 Impact Drill. It must be one of the most memorable deliveries we have received as we knew we were expecting something but were not told what it was.

The drill also arrived before its official announcement, and about two months before it was due to be launched, so we had to keep it confidential, but have since had plenty of time for a thorough test.

The tool was supplied in Festool’s latest Systainer3 – a handy and robust tool storage box designed for vehicle integration. Once opened, and with drill in hand, the first thing I noticed was its 960gm lightweight construction. Not only that but it looks impressive and is very comfortable in the hand.

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I have always had a love/hate relationship with impact drivers. With only one speed to play with they can often be too aggressive, and you find yourself trying to adjust the speed from the trigger. With the introduction of three speed levels, Festool has overcome that problem and made this unit more suitable to a wider range of applications, including more refined work in furniture assembly or kitchen fitting, for instance.

It gets another big tick for its T-Mode, which is an operating mode for selftapping drill screws. When drilling through sheet material, this intelligent technology automatically reduces the speed to enable safer screw-driving.

There is a whole host of details in the design that will make a tradesman’s lot a little happier. Festool have designed the chuck so it’s compatible with commercially available tools with 1/4” hex shank, for example, whilst the LED light has been placed above the battery, consistently illuminating the work area, without finger shadows. There is a safer kick-back-free tangential hammer mechanism and a magnetic integrated bit storage holder on its side just above the battery. Not only that, but the belt clip attachment can be

placed on either side of the drill depending on your operating set-up.

We’ve been pushing this drill to new heights in installing 7” x 2” timber joists in a roof. This involved screwing long screws into the timber and never has it felt so satisfying. To me that was proof that Festool has just raised the roof on impact drills.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON FESTOOL’S NEW TID 18 IMPACT DRILL VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR077

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WORKWEAR

Tibby Singh — www.TibbySingh.com

WALKING ON AIR

Professional Builder’s Tibby Singh Chodha warms to the SieviAir R3 Roller S3 Safety Shoes, footwear which has been designed to help your feet breath when things heat up.

The distinctive graffiti-like design on these shoes will certainly get you noticed, and another feature that always turns my head is the BOA Fit System. It is becoming more popular on safety boots and is a simple and effective alternative to traditional shoelaces. You simply push the button to engage and then turn to tighten, and then just pull up for a quick release.

This is perfect and time saving if you regularly need to take your shoes on and off. The stainless-steel construction is more than robust enough, and it is protected against rust.

Hats off to Sievi on the design, because the style of these shoes means you would not immediately associate them with having toe caps. They do, in fact, have aluminium toecaps, making them 50 per cent lighter than footwear with a traditional steel construction. The midsole is, however, protected with steel, as it is the ideal material to prevent any sharp objects from penetrating through the sole and into your foot. Most importantly, thanks to the FlexStep

material that has been used in the sole and heel areas, they are unbelievably comfortable.

These safety shoes also benefit from the SieviAir system, which is amazing technology that is akin to plumbing in your shoes in order to improve the ventilation. It dissipates the moisture generated as the feet warm up through the exhalation channels in the sides of the soles. There are also some vents near the steel toe caps which additionally help with ventilation, all of which means your feet can breathe like never before.

To top it off the upper material of the footwear is microfibre, which is water repellent and makes it fast drying. In addition, other design features include antistatic and ESD, which provides a safe and controlled method of discharging the body’s static electricity.

These NEW SieviAir R3 Roller S3 Safety Shoes are electric – and a breath of fresh air. Sievi are a brand that is thinking on their feet to stay a step ahead when it comes to producing footwear!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SIEVIAIR R3 ROLLER S3 SAFETY SHOES VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR078 TO FIND OUT JUST HOW THE SIEVIAIR SYSTEM WORKS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BR079

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TOOLS & EQUIPMENT WORKWEAR

A new range of high-quality general workwear has arrived in the form of the Ballyclare 365 collection. The portfolio of garments on offer includes what the manufacturer describes as functional, everyday wear for both men and women, including polo shirts, t-shirts, softshell jackets, hoodies, fleeces and cargo trousers. Each garment is available in black, navy or charcoal colour combinations.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR080

CUT-OFF SAW

All the frustrations of using a petrol unit are eliminated with the Milwaukee Tool MX FUEL 350mm Cut-Off Saw. With a push button activation, users can start the machine in seconds. It has the same cut speed as the leading 2-stroke petrol saw and a full 350mm blade capacity. With up to 50 per cent less noise and reduced vibration for a smoother cut, the battery powered equipment also eliminates emission concerns and is safe to use both indoors and outdoors.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR083

BAR CLAMPS

The Jorgensen Heavy Duty Steel Bar Clamps, available from Rollins, feature a high-carbon, rust-resistant steel bar that has a tensile strength of 80,000 pounds per square inch. The cast iron stationary and sliding heads have an orange, powder coated finish delivering 1,000 pounds of clamping force with a large easy-grip handle and swivel pad.

Pony Jorgensen’s original multiple-disc-clutch design allows the sliding head to hold securely at any point along the bar. They are available in 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36in. lengths.

WORK SHORTS

With the warmer months upon us, Snickers Workwear has introduced the AllroundWork and FLEXIWork shorts. These lightweight garments come in a body-mapping design and a range of new colours, including Hi-vis options. They are made from a self-ventilating stretch fabric with Cordura reinforcements for all-round mobility and durability.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR084

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR081

ELECTRIC E-SCREWDRIVER

PLIERS

Faster, stronger and more versatile in design, is the boast for the new speedE II electric e-screwdriver from Wiha. The tool has two material protection levels of 0.4Nm and 1Nm, which open up a new range of applications. Screws are automatically tightened three times faster than with a conventional screwdriver, and then the material protection stop is activated.

Gripping, pulling and cutting is much easier with the American Style Linesman’s Pliers from Knipex. The range includes versions with a fish tape puller in the joint gap and a universal mandrel crimping point below the joint. The manufacturer also has a version with a tether attachment point for mounting a fall protection – perfect for those tradespeople working at height.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR082

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR085

Save time, make money all year

rdr.link

QUICK LINK FOR MORE INFO

with the reliable, easy to use and clean, pneumatically powered, vibration free Pnu-Point pointing tool.

sales@pnupoint.co.uk

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rdr.link

Bookmark into your browser and simply enter the unique 5 digit code for even faster access to more information.

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builders’ vehicles

a new ‘KOREA’ beckons!

When it comes to Rhinos, social distancing is usually recommended, but Professional Builder can’t wait to get up close and personal with its new lockdown companion.

couple of days before full lockdown we took delivery of a brand new, shiny, Atlantic blue, top-ofthe-range SsangYong Musso 4x4 Rhino, the South Korean’s latest statement of intent to secure a foothold in the buoyant pick up market. Unfortunately, however, apart from a few trips to the shops, and some local recreation areas, it’s mostly remained where it was dropped off.

The vehicle equivalent of being furloughed on reduced pay…. load.

One day in the early hours the alarm went off for no apparent reason as if to remind us that ‘hey, I am still here – raring to go to work”, because this is very much a vehicle which, in normal circumstances, would be out there earning its living carrying workers and materials to the jobsite.

As if to emphasis the point, one of the few forays off the driveway to

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the village Post Office resulted in a lengthy vehicle-related conversation with a causal acquaintance, who before the pandemic was something big in the City.

The offer of early redundancy had proved a temptation worth taking, with the prospect of fulfilling a lifelong passion for garden landscaping. A pick-up, he had already wisely deduced, would fit the bill perfectly for all those local trips to the

builders’ merchants and garden centre and still provide a more than satisfactory mode of family transport for weekend outings. “So, what did I make of the Rhino, when there are so many other well-known pick-ups out there?”, was his inevitable question.

Having explained the dilemma of not being able to put the vehicle properly through its paces – and ascertain whether the company has fully embraced some of the negative ride quality issues of previous incarnations – the early signs were nevertheless certainly encouraging. “You would have to agree”, I suggested, “that it clearly looks the part. Much more rugged and robust than previous SsangYong offerings, with the introduction of a Long Wheel base limited edition Rhino version leading the way as the biggest double cab pick-up in the market with the longest load bed at

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1.61m (32cm longer than any competitor).

Most impressive is its ability to carry 1,140kg and tow 3.5tonnes at the same time, especially important for a small landscaping company, with all those heavy bulk bags and various assorted bits of plant to take to the site.”

Having read the press material just hours before I was on a roll: “It has a 2.2 litre turbo diesel powertrain, which creates 181hp and torque of 420Nm but, as with all pick-ups, comes with something of a thirst, with around 30 mpg being a realistic target on a typical day.” (Although, at the time of writing – with diesel hovering not much above the pound a litre mark – perhaps that isn’t the factor, at least for now, it once was.)

“The most discerning family would have no complaints with the interior, because there’s all the things you would expect in a modern car and – something you will certainly appreciate as a fledging new business – the on-the-road price comes in at under thirty

ups also includes the slightly smaller Saracen, which shares the majority of standard features with its bigger sibling, but has a reduced load bed length of 1.31 metres, and starts at just under a very attractive £22,000 plus VAT. The Rebel brings a slightly higher level of spec for around £24,500 plus VAT. grand, considerably less than all its like for like competitors. And here’s the best bit, it comes with a sevenyear 150,000-mile warranty. Tell you what,” I said, momentarily caught up in the sales pitch. “When this horrible thing is all over, and you are up and running, I will come and spend a day with you so you can get a real feel for it, and how it could help your business day to day.

Vehicle and driver only, of course, these hands have gone soft during lockdown.”

The reply is unprintable, but this old Rhino, like its vehicle namesake has a sufficiently tough exterior to deflect the most pointed barbs.

SsangYong’s new Musso range of pick-

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SSANGYONG RHINO VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR086

■ Lockdown and social distancing have inevitably played havoc with our usual on site and road testing of tools and vehicles. However, a number of suppliers including SsangYong have very kindly extended the loan period, so we should have ample opportunity to do the new launches proper justice. In the case of the new Rhino, we will be enjoying its company until the end of the year by which time let’s hope we are all up and running on an economic charge!

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ADE’S TOP WINDOW & DOOR TIPS

No. 17

! ’ L L A ‘C S ’ N A I R D A

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

TIME TO SCORE WITH GARDEN DOORS Let the great outdoors in with Quickslide How the world has changed in just a few, short months! In March Britain came to a grinding halt, only now beginning to show real signs of creeping back to some sort of normality. And during that time, with all of the tragedies and hardships faced by thousands of people, we also experienced the phenomenon (thankfully!) of continuous, wall-to-wall sunshine. We and most other decent manufacturers are back up to speed and with plenty of capacity. So, let’s make the most of the few weeks we have left for people to enjoy a new set of garden doors.

There’s a wealth of choice that you can offer your customers: ‘Traditional’ sliders, bi-folds and French doors are available with so many options with every shape, material, colour and finish imaginable…though bear in mind that the more choices you allow your customer, the longer the doors will take to make and despatch – and you want to get them in whilst the homeowner can still enjoy them! So, first rule is: keep it simple. But let’s have a look at the options….

Slimline aluminium profiles, and nicely weighted PVCu systems, come with damped handles and hardware that make them a pleasure to operate. In woodgrain foil or with a contemporary smooth finish, these doors can be supplied in pretty much any RAL colour, whether aluminium or PVCu.

Bi-fold

Sliders

The sliding patio door is as popular as ever with bigger glass areas and, something that often makes them the customer’s choice, they’re compact to open and close without requiring space to swing, as with bi-folds and French doors. And of course, they are simple to fit and operate.

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look superb! And of course, timber French Doors are a must in conservation-area properties.

As with all styles, security options are extensive – make sure you offer your customers a choice – or simply go for the best available, identified by PAS24 and ‘Secured by Design’ stamps. Doing so will not add to the delivery time.

French Doors

For smaller openings, or more traditional or classical properties, French Doors are available with a surprising number of options.

Aluminum or PVCu styles are available, but the latest ‘flush’ versions

The popularity of bi-folds lies in their ability to allow the widest, unrestricted openings. They offer the greatest choice of width and height options and prices have come tumbling down in recent years, even for quality systems.

Our choice is always for aluminum, even though bi-folds are available in timber and PVCu, simply because it provides the best torsional rigidity with the slimmest sections.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON QUICKSLIDE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BR087

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GOOD HEALTH NO.14 KIDNEYS

Let’s talk about

The virus has quite naturally grabbed all the headlines these pa st few months but other important health is sues have not gone away ...

KIDNEYS...

OVER THE NEXT TWO INSTALMENTS OF OUR HEALTH ADVICE COLUMN, PRACTICING GP ALICE FITZGIBBON WILL LOOK AT THE KIDNEYS and maintaining healthy bones.

This month and next month’s So that is what the kidneys are articles are about the kidneys, supposed to do if everything is and what chronic kidney working well. I hope you can see disease actually means. I that they are important to know I have mentioned keeping our bodies in balance. If chronic kidney disease (CKD) the kidneys stop working so in previous columns, well, then it is important for this especially as a complication to be picked up. How well the of high blood pressure, kidneys are working can be diabetes, and gout. Our assessed by blood and urine tests. kidneys are often a body part Often changes in kidney function will that we don’t tend to think about have no symptoms, which can make it very much, although they are difficult to detect. Blood tests tell us how important. According to Kidney Care well the kidneys are working on a scale of 1 UK, there are around 3 million people in to 5. Grade 5 is the most serious reduction in the UK living with chronic kidney disease, kidney function and at this point dialysis or a kidney and it is known to contribute to over 40,000 transplant may be considered – but more on this next month premature deaths each year in the UK. Most people will have two kidneys in their bodies, unless they when we will cover CKD in more detail.

Chronic kidney disease is a big problem in the UK, but so is are born with only one, or have one removed. The kidneys are Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) which is a each approximately the size of a fist and lie below the rib cage at the back According to Kidney Care UK, there are around 3 sudden drop in kidney function. AKI can happen with acute illness and is of your body. The job of the kidneys million people in the UK living with chronic kidney often seen in patients admitted to is to filter the blood as it runs through hospital. It is serious, with 100,000 them. This is a complicated system disease, and it is known to contribute to over deaths associated to it each year. which results in the removal of extra 40,000 premature deaths each year in the UK. AKI can happen with starting new fluid from the blood, and any ‘waste’ medications that have an effect on that is in the blood; the result of this is the kidney, with infections, or with dehydration. This is why we urine. The kidneys produce urine which then flows down from like to check blood tests for the kidneys if we start some the kidney to the bladder in little tubes called ureters. The urine medications, or if you are unwell with vomiting or diarrhoea that is stored in the bladder until you go to the toilet, where it passes may cause dehydration, you may be advised to stop certain through another small tube called your ureter and leaves your medicines too. body. This is called the urinary tract.

Next month we will move on to more about chronic kidney The process of creating urine is complicated. This is because disease, its causes, symptoms and how it is managed. Until then, the kidneys work in different ways to ensure we have the right keep drinking plenty of water, especially in warm weather, to balance of water, salts, and minerals to allow our bodies to work keep well hydrated and your kidneys happy! properly. If we take extra substances into our bodies, like some medications or drugs, the kidneys will filter these out into the urine to get rid of them. You can tell your body is keeping a YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH OF balance if everything is working well – the more you drink, the YOUR KIDNEYS ON THE NHS WEBSITE VISIT: more you pee! The kidneys also produce hormones which have WWW.RDR.LINK/BR088 special roles in controlling blood pressure, making blood cells,

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wise howell

Advertisement index Actis Insulation .................................................................... (page 42) Made for Trade .................................................................... (page 21) Made for Trade .................................................................... (page 23)

So how was lockdown for you?

Akzo Nobel – Armstead Trade .......................................... (page 6)

Builders are, by nature, active

Akzo Nobel – Dulux Trade ................................................ (page 41)

people, and sitting around doing

Dakea .................................................................................... (page 45)

nothing is not a good option.

Blakes Building Profiles Ltd.............................................. (page 48)

Hell, I don’t even like going on holiday. The first couple of days are OK, having a lie-in, going for a swim, starting on the beer at lunchtime without feeling guilty. But after that I start to look around for things to fix.

The shower attachment in hotel bathrooms always needs adjusting, and the Swiss Army knife screwdriver attachment usually does the trick. But before long I start noticing the loose tiles, and the cracks in the ceiling. You know how it is.

There’s never been a holiday when I haven’t wished I’d packed my tools.

The Coronavirus lockdown wasn’t a foreign holiday, of course. But certain aspects of it felt a bit like that. If only for the reason that I didn’t have enough of my tools with me.

Let alone materials.

When I first realised that we might not be going anywhere for a few weeks, I thought to myself, what needs doing at home that I could profitably spend my time doing, while we wait for this madness to end?

First thing that popped into my head was to build the woodshed on the side of my garage, that I’d been planning for about – well, I don’t know – call it five years to be kind. I’d need some concrete for the footings. So I went down to my local builders’ merchants and picked up some bags of ballast and cement. Fortunately, the mixer was at home, and not left

out on site. This was on the Saturday morning.

But there was already talk in the air that matters might be more serious than we’d imagined. Maybe even builders’ merchants might have to shut down!

Talk about panic buying.

What do you really need? What do you stockpile when there might be no – gulp – no building materials for the foreseeable future?

So, the following Monday morning, there I was again. And not a minute too soon. There was already a notice on the door that the builders’ merchants would shut at 5pm that evening, and nobody knew when it would re-open.

I panic-bought some bags of sharp sand, some screws, and oval nails. But the trouble with panic buying is that you don’t think clearly. As my lockdown home improvement routine fell into place, I realised that what I really needed was electrical back boxes. I was sure there must be some in the garage, but no, they must have migrated to another job.

And where was my sharp saw? Oh no, not in the van where I’d thought it was.

Still, after a few weeks, materials started becoming available for online ordering, and home delivery. Panic over!

And that woodshed still hasn’t got built.

Jeff Howell

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

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66 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

Brian Hyde Ltd ...................................................................... (page 19) Buckbootz ............................................................................ (page 48) Building Adhesives Ltd ......................................................(page 27) Dallmer Ltd............................................................................ (page 49) Eclisse UK ............................................................................ (page 29) Ecotherm Insulation Ltd ...................................................... (page 11) Fast-Form Systems Ltd ...................................................... (page 63) Federation of Master Builders .................................... (back cover) Fischer Fixings Ltd .............................................................. (page 51) Long Rake Spar Co Ltd .................................................... (page 54) Makita (UK) Ltd .................................................................... (page 53) MAN Truck & Bus Ltd.......................................................... (page 61) Marley Ltd.............................................................................. (page 34) Norbord Europe Ltd ............................................................ (page 15) Norbord Europe Ltd ............................................................ (page 37) Permaroof (UK) Ltd.............................................................. (page 39) Pnu-Point Ltd........................................................................ (page 60) Quickslide Ltd ........................................................................ (page 5) RDR.Link ................................................................................ (page 60) Rocket Door Frames .......................................................... (page 33) Safeguard Europe Ltd ........................................................ (page 47) Simpson Strong Tie ............................................................ (page 36) Omnie...................................................................................... (page 16) Toolfair Exhibition.................................................................. (page 2) Trades Talk .......................................................................... (page 63) TuffX Processed Glass Ltd .............................. (inside front cover) Ubbink UK Ltd...................................................................... (page 49)

j oi nt heconver s at i on

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