Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

March 2024

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Construction UK Magazine interviews Yosof Ewing, The Contract Coach Fuel Security with the Conquip Fuel Eco-Hub SOLGEN UNVEILS EXTENSIVE OFFGRID HIRE FLEET

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Contents March 2024 Science Park, Innovation 06 Porton Centre, The Lyle Building

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How to future-proof your construction business as insolvency spikes

Flooring Equipment: 14 National What to ask when renting a machine

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Webfleet: Riding the digital transformation wave

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SolGen unveils extensive off-grid hire fleet

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Protect your pipes 28 MyBuilder.com: this winter with expert tips to complete upwards 39 Housebuilder of six new developments in 2024

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Prevention is better than cure:

wireless communication is 40 How changing fire protection Passport: Be part of the 44 SSS solution not the ongoing problems

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IG Masonry Support Hails Brick Awards Success of Mixed-Use Development

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Free sustainability training

launched for 53 platform irish construction industry

Preview: Digital Construction 54 Show Week returns for 2024 Cover image by Elise Farrow

Lapthorn Media Ltd 5-7 Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6PB Editor Maria Lapthorn editor@constructionmaguk.co.uk Editorial Assistant Anna Startin editorial@constructionmaguk.co.uk Production/Design Laura Whitehead laura@constructionmaguk.co.uk Accounts Richard Lapthorn accounts@constructionmaguk.co.uk

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Sales Executive Hannah Marshall hannah@constructionmaguk.co.uk Sales Manager Adam Jeakins adam@constructionmaguk.co.uk Circulation Manager Leo Phillips subs@constructionmaguk.co.uk Tel: 01843 808 106 Website: www.constructionmaguk.co.uk Twitter: @constructionukm LinkedIn: @constructionmaguk

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Construction UK Magazine however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufactures or contributors.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 03

Project News

MC CONSTRUCTION BEGINS WORK ON SCHEME TO TRANSFORM CREWE’S CIVIC AND CULTURAL QUARTER A multimillion-pound scheme to transform the civic and cultural quarter of Crewe town centre is under way.

Salford-based MC Construction has completed the first phase of the scheme, which involved enabling works to strip out the former library next to Memorial Square where the history centre will be developed, clearing the structure over the existing Civic Centre car park and erecting a temporary entrance to the magistrates’ courts.

MC Construction will begin the next phase in February when it dismantles the former library building and the existing concourse.

This phase is expected to be completed by summer 2024.

The works by MC Construction are being undertaken for Cheshire East Council.

The revamp is being supported by the government’s Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund.

The history centre, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will co-host the regional’s written and pictorial history collections with a second history centre being built in Hoole, Chester.

This scheme has been driven

by Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, a shared service of Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester councils. The centres will replace the archive service’s current facility and open the collections to new audiences across Cheshire.

The centres will have climatecontrolled environments and will feature event and gallery areas to host performances, workshops and exhibitions, more space for people to conduct research and better spaces to make the collections more accessible to the public.

Other professionals involved alongside MC Construction include Bowker Sadler Architecture, Davis Partnership and Wardell Armstrong.

WINVIC COMPLETES MAJOR HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects has handed over its first project under its Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) highways framework contract. The major improvements will accomplish the project’s goals of reducing congestion and improving safety at Boston’s A16/ Marsh Lane roundabout and futureproofing the roundabout for upgrades down the line.

Winvic has widened the A16/Marsh Lane roundabout and 3,070 m² of carriageway on the approaches on the A16 to two lanes. The roundabout has been realigned to facilitate its widening to 27m and 410m of new drainage has been installed as part of the roundabout upgrade. Mass traffic signals infrastructure works at the crossroad junction have also been completed by Winvic, comprising 4,025m² of carriageway treatment works.

Furthermore, a three-quarter mile active travel route – with widened pavements and a new cycle lane – has been created in Boston, addressing the conflict between cycle users and HGVs on Marsh Lane through the Riverside Industrial Estate.

Both projects are funded by a portion of the £20m in ‘Levelling Up’ funding awarded to the county council in October 2021. The remaining funding is being used across three other projects, including improvements to Spalding’s A16/A151 Springfield Roundabout and A16/B1180 Greencell Roundabout.

The Highways Framework ‘General Works’ Lot was awarded to Winvic by Lincolnshire County Council in April 2022. Works to be undertaken by Winvic on A and B class roads in Lincolnshire are likely to include the construction of roundabouts, major highways widening or dualling, bridge construction and service diversions and installation as well as the installation of drainage and street lighting.

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Project News

NEW HOUSING LOCATION IN RAMSEY OPENS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC Bovis Homes has welcomed visitors, including the town mayor, to its new Cromwell Abbey location in Ramsey for the first time.

The housebuilder opened the development, off Wagstaffe Close, by unveiling a new show home and view home to the public in December.

of Ramsey, Councillor Roger Brereton, who was given a tour of the four-bedroom Aspen show home and the three-bedroom Cypress view home during his visit to the site at the VIP launch.

The housebuilder has teamed up with Sage Homes, England’s largest provider of new-build affordable homes, to launch the initiative. The scheme has been set up to assist house-hunters who cannot afford to purchase a property outright by offering homes on a part-buy, part-rent basis.

Buyers using Home Stepper can purchase a share of between 10 per cent and 75 per cent of their new home while paying rent on the rest. Over time, there is also the option for them to increase their share of the property, up to 100 per cent.

The show home was officially opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Mayor

Bovis Homes, part of the Vistry Group which also includes Linden Homes and Countryside Homes, is building a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties at Cromwell Abbey.

TORSION GROUP SECURES £50M GDV BIRMINGHAM BUILD-TO-RENT SCHEME Leading property developer and Contractor Torsion Group has secured Westminster Works, a 220 apartment Build-to-Rent (BTR), £50m GDV (Gross Development Value) scheme in Birmingham.

The Westminster Works scheme fell into administration two years ago when

works stopped. Torsion has used its expertise in developing part constructed schemes to work through the challenging requirements of this project.

Green roofs will help biodiversity in this once-industrial quarter of the city as well as mitigate some of the urban heat island effects.

The delivery arm of Torsion Group, Torsion Construction, has now commenced works on site following seven months of working with developer Hadrian Real Estate. AM Alpha provides funding, and the architects are Glancy Nicholls, with a projected completion date of early 2026.

The location makes this a stand-out Build-to-Rent development, being close to the proposed high-speed rail network linking Birmingham and London, as well as New Street station and the city centre. The area around Westminster Works is rapidly shaping up as a desirable base for commuters.

At seven storeys, Westminster Works on Alcester Street in Digbeth, east Birmingham, is the latest residential development in this once-industrial quarter of the city.

Westminster Works will provide high quality homes in the communities where they are needed most, and help supercharge economic activity both in the immediate area and beyond.

The mix of 1 and 2-bed apartments incorporate high levels of sustainability with the use of MVHR and solar photovoltaic (PV).

Residents at Westminster Works will have access to a wealth of amenities, including a concierge service, 24/7 security and gym.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 05

Project

PORTON SCIENCE PARK, INNOVATION CENTRE, THE LYLE BUILDING Porton Science Park, located at the Porton Down Science Campus in South Wiltshire, provides a platform for sector* related SMEs to innovate and collaborate. This project is the second phase of a Master Development Plan for Porton Science Park with plans to create a further 7 buildings in the near future.

Delivered by McAvoy, the state-of-theart facility covers an impressive 22,000 sq ft across 2 storeys and sits adjacent to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). *Health, Life Sciences and Defence Technology

Design & build The layout and design of the Lyle Building were carefully considered to encourage collaborative working and be conducive to the work being carried out within the premises.

The building includes offices, digital laboratories, a tearoom, welfare areas, reception as well as lettable laboratories, conference space, meeting rooms, break out rooms, storage and a sprint room.

Sustainability is at the heart of this project which was further emphasised by installing a full PV system on the roof which contributed to achieving the required BREEAM rating of excellent.

Client

Wiltshire Council

Facility

Collaborative Research and Innovation Centre

Location

Porton Science Park, Porton Down Wiltshire

Building Size

3,576m²

No. of Modules

83

and a realistic budget forecast, leading to a more efficient and successful project outcome.

McAvoy worked alongside Wiltshire Council to create the building design whilst Dstl oversaw construction security.

McAvoy took the project from planning through design to completion, including fit out. Scope of works also included external landscaping a car park.

Offsite Innovation

A Building to Champion Offsite Construction McAvoy was awarded the project through the Southern Modular Buildings Framework due to its reputation for offsite manufacturing excellence, alongside its innovative offering which enabled its qualification as the contractor best placed to deliver this challenging project.

The first building at the science park was constructed using traditional methods which typically take 30-50% longer to complete. By using offsite construction, McAvoy was able to provide the client with enhanced programme certainty, ensuring a more predictable timeline,

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Offsite construction comes with many benefits - for this project, almost twothirds of construction was completed offsite at the McAvoy’s 70,000sq ft purpose-built manufacturing facility creating significant programme savings and 99% of waste was diverted from landfill enhancing its sustainability credentials. McAvoy modules can also be easily reused, repurposed and relocated which can significantly reduce the embodied carbon, compared to building new each time.

The 83 modules were delivered to site with plumbing, electrics and internal partitions all in place. The roof coverings, external windows and doors were also installed in McAvoy’s state-of-the-art factory prior to arrival on site increasing efficiencies and creating a safer working environment by reducing health and safety risks in a factory-controlled environment.

ZENTIA INTRODUCES THE OPLIA PRODUCT FAMILY: A BRIGHT HORIZON FOR CEILING TILE SOLUTIONS Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, proudly announces the launch of ‘Oplia,’ the latest family addition to its product portfolio. Formerly recognised as Perla, the renaming reflects Zentia’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and functionality in ceiling tiles.

The range, launched on the 10th January, offers a diverse set of visual and acoustic solutions for interior spaces.

All tiles within the range have a smooth, laminated finish for a sleek aesthetic.

Oplia hA dB, Oplia hA and Oplia hA+ offer excellent sound absorption, Oplia hA dB and Oplia dB offer impressive sound attenuation properties, and alongside Oplia Triangles the range provides the ideal solution for a wide spectrum of communal interiors such as offices and classrooms.

Alongside white, 34 new exciting colours have been added to the range to experiment with design, create defined zones and assist with wayfinding. Each tile has a high light reflectance of 86% and extremely low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content, offering overall enhanced health, wellbeing and productivity for the end user.

Alongside white, 34 new exciting colours have been added to the range to experiment with design, create defined zones and assist with wayfinding.

The Oplia dB tile delivers an enhanced sound attenuation performance of 41dB, reducing the sound between adjacent spaces, and making it a great addition for private offices and boardrooms, or multi-let buildings. Alternatively, the Oplia hA dB is an ideal solution for flexible working spaces, with excellent levels of sound absorption and sound attenuation in one tile.

Also, within the new product family, the Oplia hA tile provides a Class A sound absorption rating and performs best

in open-plan areas such as libraries and cafeterias. The Oplia hA+ tile has the highest possible aw coefficient of 1.00 and has been designed for areas that require enhanced focus and concentration, with the light reflectance improving interior light levels, diminishing artificial light reflectance and enhancing user wellbeing.

Lastly, the Oplia Triangle tile system offers additional design freedom, formed with interlocking isosceles triangles, which when combined with our choice of 34 additional standard colours, can add a very striking and impactful visual element to any project’s interior.

Graham Taylor , Director, Sales & Marketing at Zentia commented on the launch: “The introduction of Oplia signifies our ongoing commitment to redefining the possibilities within ceiling tile solutions. With a renewed focus on amazing aesthetics and acoustic excellence, the new Oplia family offers a great canvas for architects and designers to innovate and create inspiring spaces.”

www.zentia.com/en-gb/

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 07

Finance create space and generate cash flow quickly, giving business owners the flexibility to consider reducing the size of their premises or locating to a new geographical area to save on overhead costs.

Furthermore, additional cash flow could be used to create an emergency fund to assist with quieter periods in the business, especially as construction output trends predict a substantial fall this Winter – a 0.5% drop in August 2023 equated to a £15.6 million loss.

HOW TO FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS AS INSOLVENCY SPIKES Increasingly competitive pricing, rising material costs and skills shortages have amplified financial struggles in the construction sector, leading to a 35% increase in insolvencies.

Construction firms across the UK are experiencing financial difficulties, with specialised construction businesses and building construction companies experiencing the most insolvencies.

To help construction business owners take control of their finances and build resilience, James Mellars, Key Account Director at BPI, the UK’s leading Asset Disposal Specialist, outlines strategic approaches to raise funds, reduce costs and navigate the current turbulent economic climate.

Business owners can maintain a strong financial foundation through effective cash flow management, prudent budgeting and monitoring of expenses, and diversifying revenue streams to reduce dependence on specific clients or project types. This, alongside risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues and protect against unforeseen circumstances, is crucial for business resilience.

owned machinery and equipment.

This approach can help businesses accelerate order fulfilment while reducing the upfront costs to purchase new equipment, freeing up cash to accommodate soaring utility expenses.

Additionally, business owners can exploit a rising interest in pre-owned construction tools by selling surplus or unused equipment and machinery.

Construction business assets can be auctioned online for a quick capital infusion, which could be used to pay for more innovative equipment, improved premises, or invest in automated technology to speed up production and maximise profits.

For businesses going through a period of financial pressure, restructuring or relocating their business can offer costsaving advantages. Selling redundant machinery and equipment can help

With the construction industry significantly affected by energy price increases, reducing operational costs is key. The industrial sector has faced a 45% rise in electricity costs and a 32% hike in total fuel prices in 2023.

To mitigate these costs, construction businesses should invest in costeffective technology to optimise workforce efficiency, such as pre-

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Business owners can gain a higher return on investment when selling assets by taking advantage of government support schemes, such as the Business Asset Disposal Relief.

This allows owners to pay a reduced tax rate of 10% when disposing of certain business assets, ultimately generating more cash flow for the business. For more information, visit the official government website to determine your eligibility and speak to a trusted financial professional to support the application.

James summarises: “Regularly reviewing business assets is an easy way to identify unused equipment. Working with an asset disposal specialist, like BPI, can support business owners looking for a fast, hassle-free capital influx. This is especially important if a company is undergoing a notable financial decline, as freeing up cash flow and space can significantly contribute to business resilience and sustainability.”

You can find out more about how to protect your business from insolvency here: https://www.bpiauctions.com/ news/how-to-protect-your-businessfrom-insolvency/

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Interview

CONSTRUCTION UK MAGAZINE INTERVIEWS YOSOF EWING - THE CONTRACT COACH Firstly, thank you for talking with us, can you tell us about your career and journey into the construction industry?

My dad took me to sites as a kid and I got hooked. I was fascinated by the fact we could see something on a drawing and with hard work and collaboration bring it to life and change the built environment. I still have that childlike

glee when I see an amazing structure.

I also quickly realised that trigonometry mattered in the real world (sorry Mr Finnie!).

I started out as a setting-out engineer and progressed into estimating, quantity surveying, and project and contract management and ultimately ended up running my own business after

Yosof Ewing

my father’s business was forced into liquidation by large contractors who wouldn’t pay him.

That broke my heart, and I made a vow that one day I would change the industry to prevent other hardworking contractors like my father from having to endure such a horrible fate.

For the past nearly 18 years I have fought hard and saved countless businesses from ruin using adjudication and advising companies on how to avoid it. I still do this today, however, last year, I started coaching the Directors of specialists and main contractors on how to contract better. This has really captured the imagination of the industry as the results have been even better than I imagined.

I have always been seeking ways to change the industry and next year will see me launch a series of products within a larger ecosystem designed to benefit those who do the work in our industry. Each product and service has been designed and created by me with the goal to drive change through the industry and get the larger contractors and clients to pay fair prices and contract on reasonable and sensible terms.

I started out as a setting-out engineer and progressed into estimating, quantity surveying, and project and contract management and ultimately ended up running my own business after my father’s business was forced into liquidation by large contractors who wouldn’t pay him.

10 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Interview Fernando) and it suddenly dawned on me that if I could replicate part of what she was doing with me, with my knowledge I would be on to something, and I was right.

Can you give us an insight into the work you have done to help specialist contractors this year?

In addition to The Contract Coach® working with the Directors and senior managers of contractors UK-wide, I also am regularly appointed as a Party Representative in adjudications and this year have recovered millions of pounds on clients’ behalf.

In short, I care deeply about people in this industry, and I seek to restore balance and create a community that is a safe place for all trades to come and thrive, as well as make the industry a place where future generations will want to start a career.

Please can you tell our readers more about your coaching business which you launched in October 2022?

The Contract Coach® was envisioned to transfer the knowledge I have accumulated in my 33 years of being a specialist contractor to board level and then a dispute expert. The specialists in this industry have rights under the Construction Act and have done for 25 years, but the vast majority of them either don’t know about it, or if they do they have no idea how to assert those rights and get fair terms. There is more than this though, it is not just about knowledge, the coaching focuses on building the leadership skills of the individuals to have the confidence to assert those rights and know what to do to protect their business.

What inspired you to become ‘The Contract Coach®’?

The inspiration behind The Contract Coach® came from the many traumatic trials I have endured in my own life and then healed from, my many years in contracting and then working in disputes. I had tried and failed for many years in construction to persuade people to change their ways, so I went to Babson College in Boston, USA, and learned about platforms. When I was there, I realised that I now knew how to change not just people’s minds but the industry itself. I was being coached last year by my amazing coach (Louise

I care deeply about people in this industry, and I seek to restore balance and create a community that is a safe place for all trades to come and thrive, as well as make the industry a place where future generations will want to start a career.

With the suicide rate in the construction industry increasing in the last 5 years can you talk about how you think debt and lack of payment contribute towards this?

It would be good to see sub-contractors referred to as specialist contractors in the future as they are expected to be experts in their fields, with accreditations coming out of their ears. But after all of this, they are then used and abused with careless abandon. They are the industry and are treated like second-class citizens by the larger contractors. This essentially strips people (primarily men) of their self-respect, their ability to pay their workforce, their suppliers, or feed their families. It is seldom spoken about and is a stain on the conscience of those who carry out the systematic abuse that leads so many hardworking men in this industry to feel they have no way out but to take their lives.

How is the work you are doing helping to combat this?

That is a difficult question to answer. I personally was suicidal in my life and

even in 2018, I contemplated suicide after my natural mother (who I had not met) died on the day I was to meet her.

It took everything I had and more to heal that pain and from there I began to share my story both online and now in my work. I believe that by sharing such a traumatic story it inspires others to seek help and speak out.

Once I had begun to heal it dawned on me that the work I do, fighting abuse, is because of the abuse I received as a child, now that I had healed I could move forward with my plan to remove it from the construction industry.

In terms of my work, I believe that if we can change the industry we will see a massive reduction in suicide, workrelated stress, and insolvencies and that can only be a good thing.

What plans do you have for the future?

I cannot say much more than I already have however 2024 will see some seismic shifts in the balance of power in construction. Without being too cryptic, we will be launching a platform that will bring the education, processes, and dispute resolution tools together in a community that will be focused on changing construction from the inside out.

I hear often online people bemoaning the industry whereas I have a simple mantra and that is, “It’s our house so we need to clean it.”

I will however be lobbying the Government for changes and reform to the Construction Act as well as supporting the increase in women in the industry.

In addition to The Contract Coach® working with the Directors and senior managers of contractors UK-wide, I also am regularly appointed as a Party Representative in adjudications and this year have recovered millions of pounds on clients’ behalf.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 11

Latest News

RECORD NUMBER OF POTHOLES PROMPTS CIVILS EXPERT WARNING With more than 630,000 potholes being reported across England, Scotland, and Wales between January and November last year, estimates say that it is costing UK drivers as much as £500 million in repairs – a five year high.

However, while funding has been allocated to address these issues, civil engineering expert Dave Sanders from leading specialist supplier Wrekin Products has warned that there is no quick fix solution.

Dave said: “Unless there is a real push for long term pothole repair solutions instead of quick fixes, then we will not be able to solve the pothole crisis – no matter how much budget is allocated. We’re seeing a growing number of local authorities unhappy with the approach of patch repairing already subpar pothole repair works, but this is happening far too often.

More guidance surrounding how potholes are formed and the innovative solutions

available will allow more local authorities to address the root causes properly.

“Other underlying causes of potholes include road ironwork failures and this needs to be addressed. Potholes will form when weaknesses exist in the road surface, potentially from surfacing joints, remedial works, or the use of poor-quality materials. Fitting a piece of ironwork in a road can create a potential weakness, as well as the cuts in the road needed to remove ironwork. Replacement or repair of ironwork also poses an increased risk.

Selecting robust systems with the correct, appropriate materials can reduce the potential for surface weakness.

Durable ironwork that is sympathetic to its bedding materials and surrounding environment is key to preventing potholes.”

To find out more about Wrekin’s pothole insights and read its recent industry report on the nationwide issue, visit: www.wrek.in/potholes

MAIDSTONE LOCAL PLAN REVIEW FURTHER CONSULTATION Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has been informed by the independent Inspector that he wishes to undertake a final consultation on the Local Plan Review.

The further consultation is in order to allow the Local Plan Review Examination to be brought to a close so that the Inspector may therefore issue his Final Report. The Council understands that this consultation is focussed on the published Infrastructure Delivery Plan update, Integrated Transport Strategy update and Viability Assessment update. In addition, there will be concluding evidence around the M2 junction 3 infrastructure.

Cllr Paul Cooper, MBC Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development said: “As the Local Planning Authority, Maidstone Borough Council welcomes the Inspector’s decision as this will help ensure that the Local Plan Review is given as much protection as possible against any potential technical challenges.”

Once the consultation has been completed and the Local Plan Review Examination has been brought to a close the Inspector can then issue his Final Report. Following the receipt of that, the Local Plan will be presented to Maidstone’s Full Council with a view to adoption.

More information about the Maidstone Local Plan Review is available on the Council website: www.maidstone.gov.uk

12 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Latest News

BEARD CONSTRUCTION COMMENT: CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IN GREAT BRITAIN - NOVEMBER 2023 Following the release of the latest ONS construction output figures, which shows a decrease in construction output in November and the three months to November, we have a comment from Beard Construction.

Fraser Johns, finance director at Beard, said: “As we have seen throughout the year, November’s snapshot highlights the ongoing theme of clients prioritising improvements to existing building stock, rather than committing to new projects. Tighter access to credit, as well as tougher borrowing conditions are certainly contributing factors, while general uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the current climate is also having an impact.

Given the turbulent weather seen too, it certainly makes sense to see construction output dampen in November.

up in a higher interest environment, it’s not a surprise to see the sector hampering overall output once again. What is more surprising is to see weaker demand for infrastructure new work. On the ground at Beard, infrastructure work, as well as commercial construction, remains strong avenues for new work, with high demand from frameworks continuing to drive our pipeline.

“As seen earlier this month with later data from CIPS PMI, the outlook of the sector and general sentiment does seem to improve as more positive indicators for the year ahead become more apparent. That is of course little solace for those firms finding conditions very difficult now. As ever, we just need to keep our clients close and help in the process of building back their confidence.”

“With the pressures facing the housebuilding sector, with demand drying

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Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 13

Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire

WHAT TO ASK WHEN RENTING A MACHINE HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOUR MACHINES REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR APPLICATION Some people are notorious for refusing to ask for directions.

They end up driving around in circles saying things like “this feels right” or “we’re getting closer now”. It’s often the same story with contractors looking for equipment, says Dave Bigham, surface preparation expert at National Flooring Equipment.

Here, Bigham advises contractors on the information they need from the outset to ensure surface preparation success.

Before starting any construction project, contractors will decide on the tools they need to complete the job effectively. Renting equipment gives contractors access to a range of tools that can help, as long as they select the best machinery for the specific application. Using not-quitesuitable equipment can be a real headache because it increases the complexity of the job, increasing time on site and overall costs.

Asking the distributor the right questions early on helps contractors access equipment that’s well suited to the project at hand and makes their lives much easier, reducing costs and increasing productivity.

Machinery No construction job is the same, and as a result there are a range of surface preparation machines on the market. When looking to rent a machine, contractors must not just look at what’s available, but also ask the distributor about the best machine for their specific application.

Asking about the best machine for the type of building is key. For example, a contractor working in a residential space may require

14 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire a smaller, more agile floor scraper compared to a contractor that works outdoors. In this instance, a larger ride-on floor scraper with a covered cab would be more suitable.

Tooling Choosing the correct tooling can be difficult, so it often feels easier to use what comes with the machine.

However, not all tools are suitable for every application and so it is important to ask the distributor for their advice when selecting a tool. For example, you wouldn’t use your TV remote to turn on the radio just because it’s a remote, the remote must suit the appliance and tooling is the same. Many machines also allow for interchangeable tooling for use in multiple applications, but it is important to ask about options with the distributor before selecting tooling such as blades for scraping or diamond tools for grinding.

For example, there is a general misconception that larger blades will be able to remove more flooring. However, this is often not the case when using a floor scraper. Majority of the time, it is the smaller blades that can do larger

tasks, hence is it important to ask about the most suitable tools for the jobs you’ll be undertaking.

Before starting any construction project, contractors will decide on the tools they need to complete the job effectively. Renting equipment gives contractors access to a range of tools that can help, as long as they select the best machinery for the specific application. Using notquite-suitable equipment can be a real headache because it increases the complexity of the job, increasing time on site and overall costs.

Residential properties will usually only have single phase 110V power supply however, machines can require much larger than this. If the power supplied to the machine is too low, then there is the risk that the machine will not work. Alternatively, using a power source larger than the machine requires will mean the equipment will still run however increasing the total cost of the job. The descriptor plate should disclose the power requirements or alternatively contractors should get in touch with the manufacturer who will be able to advise further.

Understanding power requirements

Don’t get lost when choosing a machine to rent, ask the distributor questions to ensure the right equipment is selected for the job. Surface preparation experts, National Flooring Equipment also has an array of online resources available including YouTube videos and online manuals. They also have a team on hand who are happy to assist and answer any questions.

Not having the correct power available for your machine can increase the cost and length of any job — but how do you know what power you need?

To get in contact with an expert at National Flooring Equipment please visit: https://nationalequipmentdirect. com/contact/.

Construction and Industrial Dealers for East Anglia

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David Banks T: 07798 585608 E: davidbanks@tnsgroup.co.uk Callum Gaskell T: 07826 552676 E: callumgaskell@tnsgroup.co.uk www.tnsgroup.co.uk

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 15

Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire

RIDING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WAVE

By Beverley Wise, Webfleet Regional Director for Bridgestone Mobility Solutions UK construction firms have been navigating turbulent waters.

Embracing innovation

Economic uncertainties, heightened by fluctuating material costs, constrained demand, labour shortages and increasingly stringent environmental regulations have called, in recent times, for greater levels of scrutiny over resource allocation and cost control.

For firms both large and small, the management of a mobile workforce can be a particularly complex endeavour.

Clear visibility over commercial vehicle operations is crucial and fleet insights are pivotal for controlling expenses, enabling greater flexibility and maintaining strict adherence to project timelines.

As the industry has sought to overcome these headwinds with its characteristic resilience, the role of tech-enabled strategies in delivering productivity, efficiency and sustainability gains has honed into sharp focus.

Data on the movement of assets and the use of powered equipment provides site and project managers with essential oversight over key areas of their operations.

The outlook for 2024 is a positive one with analysts predicting renewed growth. But challenges remain and efficiencies are being sought across all areas of business, from project logistics to supply chain management.

Digital solutions will help shape the future and construction companies are exploring new processes and practices, implementing systems to support remote working and reviewing the opportunities that exist for automated workflow.

Telematics solutions, especially those capable of seamless integration with a broad range of tech applications, are proving a game changer, opening the door to increased levels of automation, real-time asset tracking, streamlined operational processes, reduced admin, and less reliance on paper-based systems.

Boosting workflow management This technology has the power to transform daily operations.

Workflows can be directly sent to drivers, routing them efficiently to their designated sites, while management insights enable firms to swiftly pinpoint and address costly inefficiencies and make changes to enhance productivity.

The success of a construction project can greatly depend on the timely

Beverley Wise transportation of materials to and from site. Deviations from a schedule or a failure to meet customer expectations can have damaging consequences.

Webfleet, for example, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions’ fleet management platform, will show precisely when, where and how a construction fleet is being utilised and how much time is being spent behind the wheel.

Operational intelligence can be provided to help minimise project delays and cost overruns. Managers can optimise scheduling, with access to estimated times of arrivals for vehicles moving materials and assets between sites, calculated using real-time traffic and journey time information.

In-vehicle sensors will keep managers informed about critical events, such as the offloading of materials like concrete.

The success of a construction project can greatly depend on the timely transportation of materials to and from site.

16 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire The platform also supports proof of delivery through signature capture on driver-connected devices, in-built cameras, or NFC chips.

What’s more, you can be immediately alerted if and when a construction vehicle or asset leaves a pre-defined area, enhancing security, it can help you to swiftly locate any vehicle or asset removed from a site without authorisation.

Technology in action The significance of this connected data ecosystem is being demonstrated by companies that have radically streamlined and enriched their digital fleet management capabilities.

Following the introduction of the Webfleet, Southern Cranes and Access, for example, has achieved notable productivity and cost-efficiency gains.

Vehicle downtime and administration have been reduced with Webfleet Tachoshare, enabling tachograph data to be remotely downloaded from the company’s HGVs and shared directly with FTA Vision software for analysis.

The company’s cost control strategies, meanwhile, have been boosted by the ability to address inefficient fuel usage and driving performance with greater accuracy.

Elsewhere, concrete supplier Wright Mix experienced a productivity increase of over 25 per cent after adopting a paperless order and job scheduling system, powered

by Webfleet.

A greener future The construction sector – a significant contributor to national carbon emissions – continues to grapple with outdated, energy-intensive practices, which are increasingly incompatible with emerging regulations and societal expectations for sustainable development.

Failure to adapt will not only negatively expose companies to regulatory risks, but also to the changing market, as clients and investors increasingly favour environmentally responsible practices.

With construction companies increasingly expected to monitor, record and act upon carbon emissions, new business models, enhanced procedures and more intelligent resource utilisation are essential.

The trends are positive. The uptake of electric Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) within the sector, for example, is accelerating, driven by stricter regulations and the potential to reduce vehicle running costs.

Platforms are introducing specialist software tools that highlight the electrification possibilities for fleets and enable efficient management of Electric Vehicle (EV) operations.

These include access to insights into vehicle charging, real-time battery status, and updates on remaining driving range.

Advanced EV route optimisation can now even empower businesses to plan journeys that take account of their battery levels, capacity, average energy consumption and charge point locations.

For traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles, fleet management data continues to play a vital role in decarbonisation by helping address the primary causes of fuel inefficiency.

Instances of unnecessary idling, for instance – frequently occurring on-site during operator breaks and prolonged periods of loading and unloading – can be more easily identified.

The importance of CO2 reporting solutions is also becoming more pronounced, not just to support existing sustainability targets, but as a cornerstone for adapting to future disclosure requirements.

For Kilnbridge Construction Services, Webfleet’s automated CO2 reporting is proving invaluable for measuring the company’s progress towards carbon neutrality and for helping maintain its FORS Gold operator accreditation.

The benefits of digital transformation for the construction industry are clear, and those that take the lead in adopting value-add innovations will be the ones best placed to realise a more competitive, efficient and sustainable future.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 17

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Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire

CONTAINEX: MOBILE SPACE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION SITE FACILITY In the construction industry, mobile space systems such as site offices, welfare facilities, canteens, workshops and accommodations play a crucial role on every construction site.

One of the “major players” in the market is the cabin, container and modular building manufacturer CONTAINEX. Standard meets flexibility Continuity in product development is one of the strengths of CONTAINEX. Our customers and trading partners can be confident that spare parts – from small parts to entire wall panels – are available for many years.

At the same time, thanks to the flexible panel system, the modules can be designed in a way so complex configurations can be achieved – from single cabins to large modular buildings in various specifications including fire protection and energy efficiency. Later changes to the layout of the building can be carried out easily.

Versatile use – various fittings Modules and containers from CONTAINEX can be used in a number of ways: as office and sanitary facilities on construction sites, on company premises and at events, but also as residential modules, additional classrooms or nurseries, sports clubs or as temporary office space during renovations.

Thanks to the high-quality CDC undercoat and the top powder coating, CONTAINEX cabins and containers are not only extremely durable, but also available in a variety of RAL colours and can also be “branded” with large logos.

For more information, visit our website at www.containex.com.

and Tested d ve A p p r o te c t i o n ro Fire P s* on S olut i

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Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 19

Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire

of tonnes of CO2 emissions from worksites around the UK and Europe.”

SPEND A PENNY, SAVE THE PLANET With the latest news emerging that the planet has just breached the 1.5°C benchmark increase over the past 12 months1, and with average sea temperatures the highest in recorded history, it is clearer than ever that all industries need to act fast to combat global warming. January 2024 was the warmest on record demonstrating the increasing urgency to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

However, businesses are often faced with the dilemma of needing to balance their drive to lower emissions and improve environmental results, with their commitment to maintain levels of performance and to provide the best equipment and facilities for their staff.

UK manufacturer Boss Cabins has taken up the baton to develop products that mean companies can do both. The company specialises in designing innovative, energysaving, low-emission welfare solutions aimed at helping the construction, utilities, events and other industries meet their sustainability targets, while still providing all the facilities their staff are accustomed to.

Boss Cabins’ Managing Director, James Kearsey, explains: “Since we first starting building welfare cabins over 14 years ago, we have constantly been looking for ways to improve environmental performance without sacrificing the user experience.

“We were the first manufacturers to offer a stainless steel build aimed at increasing the cabins’ lifespan, quickly followed by energyefficient electrical systems, rain harvesting, and many other eco-friendly innovations.

“In recent years, our major focus has been on perfecting the use of solar harvesting and energy efficiency to develop a range of welfare cabins that do not need a generator to run at all. Our GenFree™ range has been hugely successful – the fleet of over 400 cabins out there are saving companies hundreds of thousands of pounds in fuel costs annually as well as eliminating millions

Now Boss Cabins has turned its attention to the portable toilet market, launching a new GenFreeTM range of toilet blocks powered entirely by solar energy. With zero fuel use and zero emissions at any time, the towable and static toilet blocks are suitable for worksites in emissionsrestricted zones such as ULEZ and Clean Air zones. As the units have no generator, they are 100% silent running and can be deployed in residential areas or for night and weekend work, minimising disruption to surrounding communities.

James continues: “Our aim with the GenFreeTM Toilet Space range is to provide a sustainable solution that meets the evolving demands of modern worksites while minimising environmental impact.”

“Everyone recognises it is no longer acceptable for responsible companies to provide low-end chemical toilet solutions for their staff, furthermore the HSE requires flushing toilets are provided “so far as is reasonably practicable”. Worksites demand high-quality facilities that reflect a diversified workforce. Our GenFree units provide that, but also offer the highest level of environmental performance at the same time.”

Encompassing sustainability on all levels, the GenFree™ Toilet Space range also incorporates a patented rain harvesting and grey water recycling system. James explains: “Our exclusive system reduces water consumption and waste production significantly, leading to tangible savings for our customers. By cutting the need for pumpout services by approximately twothirds, worksites can reduce both operational costs and environmental impact.”

Data issued February 2024 by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service

1.

To find out more about GenFreeTM welfare solutions and the new Toilet Space and Dry Space, contact Boss Cabins Sustainable Welfare Team, sales@bosscabins.co.uk or call 01778 300475

20 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire

TRAVIS PERKINS PLC INVESTS IN NEW HIAB LOADER CRANES FOR IMPROVED CUSTOMER DELIVERIES Travis Perkins plc, the UK’s largest distributor of building materials, has announced a multi-million pound investment in 400 new truck loader cranes.

These new HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 cranes are the first of their kind and will replace the existing cranes on the Group’s heavy side delivery vehicles in the Travis Perkins merchanting and Keyline Civils Specialist businesses over a three year period.

This version of the HIAB iX.162 crane is around 150 kgs lighter in weight than the previous model, HIAB X-HIDUO 162.

This allows the truck to increase its payload and lower its fuel consumption.

To further reduce carbon emissions, the new cranes have been developed so the engine can be stopped and restarted from the crane remote control. This results in a significant reduction in idle time emissions and noise.

innovate and grow, and they cement our place as a leading partner to construction by serving our customers with improved safety and efficiency.

All new cranes will come with a maintenance contract, which means they will be maintained to the highest standards by Hiab.

They also support our own commitment to net zero and the decarbonisation of our customers’ supply chain; a commitment we share with Hiab, whose values very much align with our own,” explained Richard Byrne, Travis Perkins Group HSE & Fleet Director.

Gage Roberts, Hiab Key Account Manager - UK & Ireland, said: “We are all very excited to introduce the first

Despite being lighter, the new crane model is stronger than the previous model. This gives operators more flexibility and enables them to deliver heavy loads in even the most challenging customer environments safely and with greater accuracy. They also come with Hiab’s all-new CombiDrive 4 remote control, which has confirmed view sensors and automatically detects operator positioning to minimise accident risk and promote better safety for operators, customers and the public.

“These new cranes represent a significant investment. They support our plans to

22 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 to Travis Perkins and get this unit out working in the field. It became very apparent that when specifying a crane for our customers, the safety features alongside the environmental factors are much more prominent considerations than they ever have been previously. The new crane has an abundance of innovations that will all work towards this crane being the safest, most efficient and most productive crane in the industry. It is also great to work alongside a strategic partner such as Travis Perkins plc; a company that always demands the very best - something that benefits both businesses enormously.”

“There has never been a product on the market before like the HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 in its category. Our innovation teams have been working on this round-the-clock for several years and no stone has been left unturned, from hose routing and weight savings, to enhanced safety features and technology that will help companies achieve sustainability targets. When the new HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 cranes are rolled out, we expect the crane operators to see immediate benefits. We look forward to working with Travis Perkins and bringing about real change to the wider UK industry,” Vice President for Sales & Product Management, Loader Cranes Light & Medium, at Hiab, Alexander Gelis, added.

The new 400 HIAB cranes will be rolled out from January 2024, and will be supplied to Travis Perkins and Keyline with HiConnect telematics in order to monitor the performance and safe operation of the crane.

Contact us

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Take the easy route to hygienic room design and enquire about our comprehensive design service. We will work with you to design bespoke room designs and help integrate Teknomek’s high-quality furniture and equipment into your hygiene critical build projects.

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Tools, Plant & Equipment Hire

SOLGEN UNVEILS EXTENSIVE OFF-GRID HIRE FLEET In the modern age, sustainability for any business is absolutely essential when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and the overreliance on fossil fuels. As a result, the demand for reliable, clean and pioneering technologies capable of reducing carbon output is increasing considerably, which is where renewable energy business SolGen comes in.

SolGen is a UK engineering and manufacturing firm with a team that possesses a wealth of experience in solar technology, energy management and hybrid power generation.

The company has recently announced the launch of a full hire range of mobile and static solar hybrid generator models which drastically lower energy consumption and fuel use, saving you a significant amount in terms of your ongoing running costs.

Along with this, they reduce harmful emissions and noise pollution, while being one of the most secure solutions on the market. As such, they’re ideal for those in construction, rail, highway maintenance, events, infrastructure and much more.

As a business, SolGen pride themselves on developing state of the art off-grid power solutions for worksites, whilst also ensuring that additional factors such as equipment placement, power usage and environmental impact are taken into consideration.

“We’re delighted to be able to unveil our brand new hire fleet,” says SolGen’s Engineering Director Ian Wild. “This kind of solution is a vital step towards energy independence, the

units are especially useful for temporary offgrid sites such as construction projects, events and festivals. The units can also provide costs savings on sites which have access to grid power supplies.”

When asked about how SolGen differs from competitors in the market, Ian had this to say, “The crucial difference with both our hire and sale models is our pioneering telemetry and smart control systems.”

“This sophisticated technology can automatically turn off unnecessary power draws according to predetermined parameters outlined by the client, which means power and fuel consumption drops accordingly.” Ian continues, “This data also enables our clients to track energy performance, as well as fuel, cost and carbon savings too.”

“The units are fitted with the largest solar panel array on the market, along with having considerable battery storage and fuel tanks.

Further to this, each of the mobile units can be lowered to the ground for stability and theft protection.”

SolGen say that throughout most of the year, provided the solar array is well positioned, the HVO/diesel generators on the units may never run.

Solgen created a massive fuel and cost saving and outperformed the savings achieved by other supplier’s solar hybrid products.

- SMARTWATCH Outside of winter, longer daylight hours and more available solar PV mean that enough solar energy can be created for most site set-ups to operate with no need for the back-up generator to kick in at all.

Ian explains: “Often, off-grid systems rely on inefficient and outdated generators, which may be running all day - with our products, this simply wouldn’t happen.”

In fact, in a recent project, SolGen was able to reduce a Tier One constructor’s energy by almost 50%. A reduction of 4669 litres of fuel combined with the additional energy provided by the solar array meant that the company was able to save £7,470 on fuel costs and prevent 14754 kg of Co2 entering the atmosphere across a 40-day period.

“We’re thrilled to finally unveil the hire range of SolGen products, we believe this will be a massive step forward for a huge range of sites that may otherwise be priced out of access to a clean, renewable, and efficient source of energy.”

SolGen units are available to hire or buy. For more information, contact 01778 300394, email sales@solgenpower.co.uk or visit www.solgenpower.co.uk.

24 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Case Study

CHAPTER LONDON BUILDINGS (CITYWIDE) PURPOSE BUILT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION : CASE STUDY The Chapter London Buildings is an ambitious project by Greystar Real Estate Partners, which will, by 2025, feature eleven ‘best-in-class’ purposebuilt student apartments right across the city of London.

From Ealing, to Spitalfields, Highbury and Southbank, each of the Chapter London sites aims to focus on the wellness of its residents, and offers state of the art amenities and sustainability features throughout. This comes at the right time, when students are returning to higher education in a post-pandemic landscape, mindful of the importance a holistic space can have on their ability to learn. Student residents will be able to access any amenity on any of the sites, including events, in a bit to encourage a positive cross community atmosphere.

Greystar has adopted a data-driven approach to ensure carbon and environmental footprints are as low as

possible throughout the construction phase. This is aimed at bolstering the amount of environmentally sustainable housing for students within the City of London. Greystar has worked closely with a several specialist contractors and suppliers across a number of its Chapter brand sites, including Graphenstone UK, where it procured its unique clean-tech paints for internal walls throughout.

These paints feature an unusual ingredient called Graphene, which not only allows walls to breathe but also reduces humidity and condensation.

Microorganisms and microbial growth of bacteria and mould are deterred from rooms where the paints are applied due to the high alkaline pH of the lime and the paints’ ventilating properties.

Indoor odours, as well as biological and chemical pollutants, are diffused, and allergens reduced as a result.

Working closely with a number of contractors and distributors including the Longley Group, CLC, Fortis Vision and GFP Lewis, in addition to a number of paint distributors, two coats of Ambient Pro+ were applied throughout each of the bedrooms per site.

The Ambient Pro+ formulation absorbs CO2 as part of the curing phase on building projects, the majority in the first 30 days after application. The paint was selected mainly for its photocatalyt0ic capabilities and air purification benefits, and it will help to remove toxins such as NOx and SOx as well as other harmful gasses for many years after application.

Patrick Folkes, founder of Graphenstone UK says, “Projects of this nature are perfect for us due to the cyclical nature of the inhabitants. Knowing that our innovative paints are actively helping improve the air quality in urban buildings where many students will live now and in the future is an exciting prospect. Air quality in our cities will become a significant factor when it comes to wellbeing; it’s up to all of us to help preserve the environment for future generations. We are proud that our decarbonising products can play an active role in projects like this. “ Greystar also asked Graphenstone to provide a calculation for how much CO2 and CO2(e) might be saved by using the product, with a view to helping it understand how much carbon the company might save. With a 15-litre tub of Ambient Pro+ estimated to absorb up to *5kg of CO2, Graphenstone estimates that approximately 25 tonnes of CO2 were saved on a coverage programme per every 1000 student bedrooms painted.

John Thorogood, Head of UK Sales for Graphenstone says, “For my part, I truly believe that clean manufacturing and innovative green materials are going to play an increasingly important role in the construction industry in the future. It finally seems like the message is getting through to architects, developers and contractors that VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) in coatings are not good for people or the planet.”

Visit Graphenstone UK at Futurebuild 2024, Excel London, 7-9th March *CO2 figures refer to the absorption only when a project has used Graphenstone’s Ambient Pro +, Ecosphere and Biosphere products. Due to the figures used in the CO2e calculations, this CO2 absorption is in addition to the CO2e savings. *CO2e references are made in relation to an overall carbon footprint; Graphenstone project calculations are based on when the same volume of paint is compared to an alternative suitable product. This is done where there is relevant data available from an EPD.

26 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

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The value of smart

Drainage & Plumbing Andy Simms

However, research from MyBuilder.com showed that nearly half of UK homeowners don’t know where theirs is! It’s also advisable to turn your water off at the stopcock if going away for a lengthy period, especially over the winter months as this will prevent any leaks or burst pipes.

Regular boiler service The last thing anyone needs when the temperature plunges is a broken boiler.

An annual boiler service will ensure any potential issues are nipped in the bud.

Should your boiler break during freezing weather, you’ll not only be facing a cold house, but it could lead to burst pipes should the water inside them freeze.

Keep your heating on low or use a timer

PROTECT YOUR PIPES THIS WINTER WITH EXPERT TIPS Below-freezing temperatures have arrived- and with it comes an increased risk to our homes from the cold conditions.

From broken boilers to burst pipes, there’s an array of inconvenient and expensive issues it’s best to avoid.

MyBuilder.com, the reliable way for homeowners to hire tradespeople, has advised on how best to protect your home from the ravages of sub-zero temperatures this winter.

Andy Simms, a building expert from MyBuilder.com, said: “Cold weather can wreak havoc on our homes. As always, preparing for the weather in advance is always the best option - but there are some last-minute jobs you can do to protect your home.

“Frozen pipes are a particular pain and can cause plenty of issues with leaks long after the cold weather has left. If you follow our top tips your home will be well prepared for the forthcoming cold weather and prevent any issues occuring.”

Protect your outdoor taps Frozen outdoor taps can add serious pressure to your internal pipes. It’s good practice to disconnect any hose pipes over winter as well as insulating any outdoor taps. Keeping your taps safe

in the winter is simple with a £5 Tap Jacket. This simple insulated protector cover can save you from a whole host of problems if the worst were to happen to an exposed outdoor tap.

Cold weather can wreak havoc on our homes.

As always, preparing for the weather in advance is always the best option - but there are some last-minute jobs you can do to protect your home.

Frozen pipes are a particular pain and can cause plenty of issues with leaks long after the cold weather has left. If you follow our top tips your home will be well prepared for the forthcoming cold weather and prevent any issues occuring.

Know where your stop cock is and turn your water off If you have an emergency from a broken outdoor tap, you’ll quickly need to know where your stopcock is located.

28 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

We recommend keeping your thermostat on around 12-15 degrees when away from your home. While it’s understandable that homeowners don’t want to spend money on heating an empty home, it’s important to maintain a reasonable temperature while you’re away. If you don’t have a thermostat, you can use the timer on your boiler for the heating to come on for a short time per day.

Install smart technology Another option for a thermostat or timer is using smart technology to control the temperature of your home. You can use the remote thermostat to set the temperature you prefer, wherever you are and whenever you want.

Insulate Insulating the colder parts of your home will help prevent freezing pipes from colder temperatures. You can insulate your pipes internally and externally, exterior walls, water tanks and your attic/loft space. Good insulation also protects your home from hot weather, so it’s worth the investment.

Manage airflow at home To help keep your home at a consistent temperature, allow warm air to pass through the house via open internal doors. If your tanks or pipes are in cupboards, leave your cupboards open to allow warm air to circulate too.

You should also ensure your home is protected from any cold air from outside.

It’s worth adding draft excluders to any doors and windows if they’re letting the cold in.

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Drainage & Plumbing One of the main differences with finance leasing is what happens at the end when the vehicle is sold - the customer gets the opportunity to:

• Return the vehicle to the leasing

company who will sell it and refund any surplus sale proceeds to the customer as a rebate of rentals

• Arrange for the sale of the vehicle to

FINANCE LEASE OR CONTRACT HIRE? Many people assume that lease contracts are the same and only concern themselves with the bottom line. However, there are two different types of lease options.

These are Contract Hire and Finance Lease.

Both types may seem similar on paper but on closer inspection there are different financial implications that you need to be aware of before opting for either.

Contract Hire By far the most common form of lease agreement is Contract Hire. This option allows you to choose the vehicle you want and pay a set monthly fee to use the vehicle for an agreed period and mileage allowance.

At the end of the agreed rental period the vehicle is returned to the leasing company. The lessee is not responsible for the disposal or sale price of the vehicle – making it a very easy and risk-free way to run a vehicle.

Deposits are not taken; however advance rentals are usually required (normally three months) at the start of the agreement.

Providing the vehicle is returned without damage at the end of the contract and within the set mileage, there should be no problems or further charges.

However, there are charges applied if the condition of the vehicle is not to the

lender’s requirements which is rarely the case within the construction industry.

These charges should be recognised and budgeted for when the contract is over.

There are also excess mileage charges if you exceed the mileage you claimed originally, again these charges can be costly and need to be included at the end of the agreement.

It’s easy to think you have spotted a great deal and sign up without knowing about a lesser well-known option that could actually reward you financially – Finance Lease.

Finance Lease Finance Leasing, like contract hire, allows you to rent a vehicle for your business.

This is great option for VAT registered businesses as VAT is paid on the monthly rentals and is reclaimable. Also, there are no mileage restrictions which can make this an attractive option if your job involves spending lots of time on the road.

As with Contract Hire, you pay an agreed monthly rental which is determined by the initial cost of the vehicle, how long the lease will last for, the overall value and the end balloon payment.

30 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

an `independent third party`. The lease company would receive the full sale proceeds and refund the customer a fixed percentage of any surplus generated. For example, if you can sell the van for a higher price due to a better condition or lower mileage, then you receive the difference

• Continue to use the vehicle for as long

as they want on payment of an annual secondary period rental

With a Contract Hire agreement you will always have to hand the vehicle back to the leasing company.

So, what’s the best option for me?

With Finance Lease you have far more control over how you manage your van and will reap the benefits over the longer term. With the more common Contract Hire, you are simply paying for the privilege of looking after your van for which you will receive no reward at the end of the lease, in fact the charges that can be applied need to be fully understood and recognised.

Ultimately, the choice is yours and we always recommend you either speak with us or seek independent professional advice from an FCA-registered provider before making any final decisions.

For more advice, contact us today at sales@capitalfleet.co.uk or call 01329 756373.

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People On The Move

FORGEFIX BOLSTERS REGIONAL TEAM WITH NEW APPOINTMENT Experts in fixings and fastenings, ForgeFix, has started the new year by announcing the appointment of a new area sales manager, Dan Rylatt, who has a commitment on instilling excellent customer service.

With several years of industry experience under his belt, Dan will be covering several regions: the East Midlands, South Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Herts. As a credible addition to the team, Dan will seek to expand ForgeFix’s customer base by further developing an effective sales strategy, seeking out further routes to market and ensuring merchants get the best possible customer service.

Highly qualified in category management, Dan began his career working for a horticultural manufacturer. He quickly progressed through the business from internal sales to the position of national account manager within export sales.

Having developed a strong passion for building relationships and networking, Dan then moved into the engineering industry

as part of a sales team for an aerospace bearing manufacturer. Beginning to find his niche in selling engineering tools and building equipment, Dan then found he naturally progressed into a role within the construction industry where he moved into a sales position at Builders Metalwork.

My aim is to provide an unparalleled level of customer service whilst honing my skills to foster strong team and client relationships. The team at ForgeFix is passionate and talented, so I know I’m in good company!

Having worked with a range of building materials and Dan was able to consolidate his expertise within the construction industry. So, when he saw an opening at ForgeFix he knew it was an opportunity he had to take.

ForgeFix has three core merchant brands, Fasteners & Fixings, Spectre and ForgeFast, each representing the ‘good, better and best’ product range offering merchant customers excellent quality at several different price points.

Taking with him a wealth of sales knowledge and a natural charisma, Dan will boost sale opportunities and build customer satisfaction.

Speaking on his new role, Dan says: “My aim is to provide an unparalleled level of customer service whilst honing my skills to foster strong team and client relationships.

“The team at ForgeFix is passionate and talented, so I know I’m in good company!”

Dan Rylatt

WILLMOTT DIXON APPOINTS DEVELOPMENT LEAD FOR MIDLANDS Willmott Dixon has appointed property expert Marika Lawrence as its new head of land and development for the Midlands. Marika will work with Willmott Dixon’s national Development Solutions team, supporting customers in designing, planning, funding and

Marika Lawrence

unlocking and delivering developmentled schemes across the region.

With more than 15 years’ experience in the property sector, and as a qualified chartered planning and development surveyor, Marika will be responsible for identifying and overseeing some of the region’s projects and helping customers to benefit from Willmott Dixon’s combined construction and development solutions expertise. One example of this is Willmott Dixon’s appointment in December by Rugby Borough Council to deliver 100 new affordable and homes, which includes the development team supporting the council in obtaining a £6.8m grant from Homes England under its Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26 alongside a further £2m from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership via the government’s Getting Building Fund.

This followed Torbay Council’s announcement in November that

32 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Willmott Dixon would be one of two development partners to accelerate town centre growth by regenerating several sites in Torquay and Paignton.

On her appointment, Marika said: “I’m incredibly passionate about working in this industry; the decisions we make have the power to impact on people and their lives for generations to come.

“As a Midlands native, I am particularly eager to play a part in building and shaping the future of this area and helping customers to overcome the unique challenges faced by the region.”

In her previous role at a developer, Marika was responsible for identifying land acquisition opportunities for developments and liaising with key stakeholders in the Midlands.

Throughout her career, Marika has delivered successful projects across different sectors, from industrial and commercial to education and mixed-use.

People On The Move

NEW MD FOR CLEGG CONSTRUCTION AS SIMON BLACKBURN PLANS TO RETIRE After a long and successful career in the construction industry, and with more than 20 years at the helm of Clegg Construction as managing director, Simon Blackburn has announced his retirement.

Michael Sims has stepped up to become MD from his previous role as commercial director, with Darren Chapman and Ross Crowcroft continuing in their roles as operations director and pre-construction director respectively.

The change in leadership comes as Clegg Construction has secured its strongest carry-forward order book, with more than £82m secured turnover for 2024.

Simon, who joined Clegg Construction in 2002, before becoming MD two years later, will remain as a group director until the end of May 2024 in support of the new generation of leadership which will take the business forward into 2024 and beyond.

RAPLEYS GROWS RESIDENTIAL DIVISION WITH KEY HIRE TO SPEARHEAD PUBLIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY TEAM Rapleys has started 2024 off with further growth, building upon the eight Partnerlevel hires in 2023 with the appointment of Jonathan Bernstein as Partner in the Residential Division.

Jonathan will head up the Public Sector Development Consultancy Team, sitting under Nick Fell as Head of Residential and Angus Irvine as Head of Rapleys Living.

He joins from Avison Young where he was a Director. Jonathan has extensive experience in working alongside the public sector in all development consultancy matters.

James Strang an Associate Partner at Cluttons and specialises in providing agency, development consultancy and valuation advice to organisations in the CNFP sector. James has also worked within the educational sector, acquiring sites for new free schools and colleges, as well as disposing of surplus assets within the Secretary of State’s ownership.

He has extensive experience in providing strategic advice in connection with land searches, acquisitions, disposals, and development consultancy, portfolio analysis, viability assessments and development options. reports. In addition, James has led the marketing and subsequent disposal of numerous types and scales of development and investment opportunities.

Jonathan’s core specialisms include feasibility, viability, partnership arrangements and complex regeneration initiatives and he has worked with a number of London Boroughs in addition to the GLA, Places for London (formerly TfL) and Homes England. He has also acted across the country, with a notable contribution seen in his work on behalf of Manchester City Council on the Northern Gateway project.

In 2023, Rapleys added a number of senior hires in Residential including Simon Corp as Partner, having acquired his consultancy s106 Affordable Housing in the Residential Consultancy side of the division; Mat Shenton as Partner and Head of New Homes effectively launching this new service and team, and Tom Spencer as head of Development Consultancy, both part of the Rapleys Living side of the Division, alongside Jonathan’s team.

In addition, James Strang joins the Charities Not for Profit (CNFP) team as an Associate. James was previously

The Charities Not For Profit had a strong 2023, transacting over half the market in churches alone.

Jonathan Bernstein

Clegg Construction is a Midlands, Yorkshire and East Anglia-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects.

Part of Clegg Group and the sister company to Clegg Food Projects, Clegg Construction has been trading since the 1930s.

Its headquarters is in the Lace Market, Nottingham.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 33

Doors huge awareness task in terms of educating residents about how they can improve the security of their home.”

The research found that an overwhelming majority of residents asserted that security from break-ins (80%) and fire protection (48%) are the most important functions of a front door, which JELD-WEN believes supports the growing case for dual-certification as standard practice.

Glyn continues: “Ultimately, a secure entrance doorset is one of the most effective ways of deterring and preventing a burglar breaking in, but only when it is installed and maintained correctly. However, there is still no legal requirement for this critical security product to be installed by a person with any professional qualification, or reviewed and maintained in the same way that Fire Safety (England) Regulations require.

NEW JELD-WEN WHITEPAPER HIGHLIGHTS SOCIAL HOUSING SECURITY CONCERNS The UK’s leading door manufacturer, JELD-WEN, has published a new whitepaper that calls for dual certification of doorsets to become a legal requirement within all multioccupancy developments.

The whitepaper, titled “Turning the Key Towards Better Security” has been published in partnership with Secured

by Design (SBD), the official UK police initiative that helps to deter and reduce crime, to explore the critical role that secure front entrance doorset design can play in helping to keep multi-occupancy properties secure and prevent burglars from breaking in.

It sets out the purpose and effectiveness of secure doorset design, assesses current regulations and accreditation within the industry, and considers the wider factors impacting levels of crime, such as cost-of-living, neighbourhood deprivation and technology.

Contents of the whitepaper also address research1 conducted by JELD-WEN, which explored how secure those living within social housing felt within their homes.

It found that tenants believe the level of security offered by their landlord falls short, with a quarter (23%) of those living in multi-occupancy properties having experienced a security breach over the last 12 months (rising to 35% in London).

Almost half of all respondents believed that crime was increasing in their area, and a quarter (24%) felt that their front door wasn’t secure. This has led to many residents taking matters into their own hands, as 47% have purchased additional home security devices, such as CCTV, recording doorbells and security lights.

Despite the government’s commitment to ensuring landlords engage with their tenants and help to make sure they feel safe and secure in their home, two thirds (66%) of social housing tenants reported that they had never received communications from their landlord about ways they can achieve better security in their building.

Unsurprisingly then, almost a third (32%) of respondents admitted to leaving their front door unlocked overnight, and 57% said they would leave it unlocked during the day – even though this is the most common timeframe of opportunity for thieves.

Commenting on the whitepaper, Glyn Hauser, R&D Senior Group Manager at JELD-WEN, said: “It is worrying that a third of social housing tenants (33%) do not feel adequately protected from the risk of a break-in, particularly as the ongoing cost of living crisis presents a potential surge in crime over winter. We’re also concerned that many break-ins can be attributed to entrance doors that have been left open, which is a clear indication that there is a

34 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

“As such, and in response to our research findings, we believe the opportunity to apply dual-certification, which is already a SBD stipulation, could help build better traceability, accountability and trust throughout a door’s lifecycle.

“It is our hope that this whitepaper, along with its recommendations, proves a valuable resource and helps to inspire some of the progressive action needed to raise security standards.”

Jon Cole, Chief Operating Officer at Police CPI, who own and administer the Secured by Design (SBD) initiative, commented: “Turning the Key Towards Better Security is an important whitepaper, which investigates how to elevate standards for door security across the board. Naturally, this aligns with the work that SBD has done and continues to deliver to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit.

“The consistently high reductions in burglary rates and anti-social behaviour which SBD developments and properties have seen over the years is based on the use of certificated products, rather than those that are just tested to the relevant standard.

This highlights the importance of doorset manufacturers like JELD-WEN, who are investing in the future to ensure safe and secure buildings that promote cohesive and sustainable communities for generations to come.”

‘Turning the Key Towards Better Security’ is now available for free to download at www.jeld-wen.co.uk/ contact/security-white-paper Visit www.jeld-wen.co.uk for more information.

Dependable Door Control Solutions “Door Controls Direct provide a high level of service. My request for urgent assistance to one of our locations was actioned upon and dispatched in a matter of hours. It’s swift action like this that helps our company keep people safe and secure.”

Wayne Kerfoot, Coastal Estate Manager

www.doorcontrolsdirect.co.uk

01305 263300 sales@doorcontrolsdirect.co.uk

We redefine the standards of dependable door control solutions.

Doors

GET THE LATEST INFORMATION WITH GEZE’S LATEST PRODUCT GUIDE GEZE UK’s latest Product Guide and Price List has been completely revised and updated to make it even easier for architects, architectural ironmongers and specifiers to select the most effective product for their needs.

sliding door fittings, glass door fittings, and smoke and heat extraction systems and now lists all door closers according to type: with guide rail, link arms, integrated or transom mounted. It also includes the latest editions to the product range.

The detailed, illustrated technical guide provides specifiers with essential information about GEZE’s extensive range of door closers, window control systems,

Created to be completely user-friendly, the guide is divided into five easy-to-use sections so that the comprehensive range of products can be found quickly and

efficiently, whilst also providing users with a handy reference guide to the applications of all GEZE products.

It includes technical drawings, application descriptions and finishes as well as glass preparation information and technical information on a wide variety of solutions for toughened glass.

The Product Guide is available electronically or as hard copy. To order a copy email info.uk@geze.com.

Andy Howland, Sales and Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said: “The industry is constantly changing, new guidelines and legislation are introduced regularly and GEZE continually innovates to ensure that our products remain at the forefront of technological innovations. With this in mind, we publish our comprehensive Product Guide each year so that specifiers have all the information they could need in an easy to use format.”

Website: www.geze.co.uk

Energy Efficient Timber Windows and Doors Traditional timber windows and doors, tailor made to your requirements. Conservation Area specialists. Supply only, supply and install, bespoke secondary glazing and draught proofing.

01344 868 668

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36 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Company News

MGS HELPING DELIVER RENEWABLE HEAT TO 2,500 NEW HOMES Leading UK manufacturer and supplier of geothermal products, MGS, is helping create thousands of new homes near Southampton which will be heated by 100% renewable energy.

The major development in the town of Eastleigh, Hampshire, will create a range of homes, a community centre, a primary school and three commercial areas and will take 10 years to construct.

Designed to be 100% sustainable, the dwellings will be heated by ground source heat pumps, with electricity generated by extensive solar panels.

Working with Synergy Boreholes, MGS are supplying Thermo-Loops and ground source heat products which will be placed in boreholes up to 150m deep to extract heat from the ground.

One Horton Heath aims to use 100% renewable energy, including using no gas or other fossil fuels to heat all the homes and buildings. The majority of electrical energy will be generated across the development by extensive solar panels.

Synergy Boreholes have been appointed as the driller for the first 381 homes on the development.

Geothermal loops filled with glycol are being installed into 6-inch diameter boreholes to extract ambient heat from the surrounding ground.

Beginning in early 2024, the next stage of the project will see header pipes and manifolds installed to transfer the captured heat from the borehole into each property.

Over the following years, the installation will expand to include the other 2,000+ properties on the development.

YORK DEVELOPER’S LATEST EDINBURGH DEVELOPMENTS MOVE FORWARD FOLLOWING DEAL WITH SINGAPOREAN PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM York based property development company, S Harrison, has agreed a forward funding deal with Singapore headquartered Q Investment Partners (QIP) to deliver two major new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) schemes in Edinburgh.

S Harrison secured planning permission in late 2022 for the two schemes on East Newington Place, off Newington Road, and a second scheme within the historic surroundings of Canongate, just behind the Royal Mile. The two developments will offer 141 high quality studio rooms in total, along with quality amenity space.

These latest Edinburgh developments mark S Harrison’s second deal with QIP, with the company also forward funding one of the developer’s York PBSA schemes, which is currently under construction.

38 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

When the development completes next year, it will offer 303-bedrooms spread across a three to five storey development on James Street, close to both the University of York and York St John University.

In Canongate, S Harrison has secured planning permission for the partial demolition of existing buildings and the delivery of 76 studio rooms.

The site is ideally located opposite the Holyrood Campus of Edinburgh University and within easy reach of other university facilities.

The East Newington Place development has seen an old, disused commercial unit demolished and the site will now be redeveloped into a modern, energy-efficient four storey building with 65 studio rooms. East Newington Place is located close to the main city centre campus of the University of Edinburgh and close to all Newington Road’s amenities.

Company News

HOUSEBUILDER TO COMPLETE UPWARDS OF SIX NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN 2024 Both developments will also offer separate study rooms, multimedia rooms, gyms, break out space, cycle storage and open courtyards.

In addition, S Harrison recently submitted exciting proposals for a residential-led development at Ocean Point 2 in Leith for planning approval.

QIP is a global leader in purposebuilt residential real estate. As a fully integrated platform, QIP creates bestin-class living assets including PBSA and multi-family. The company invests in mature markets across the globe such as UK, US and Japan.

National housebuilder Miller Homes has announced it will conclude work at up to six of its new developments across the East Midlands during this calendar year.

The developer, who is currently building new homes across its regional home county of Derbyshire, as well as in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, is set to finish work at multiple sites with the cumulative total of more than 900 new homes fully delivered by the end of 2024.

Work is set to be completed at developments in Sileby, Quorn and Great Glen in Leicestershire, as well as Mickleover and Smalley in Derbyshire, and Keyworth, Nottinghamshire.

The end of these sites will pave the way for the national housebuilder

to commence construction at new developments across the region, with new homes coming soon in areas including Newark and Woodthorpe, as part of the developer’s regional growth plans in the East Midlands gathers momentum.

Miller Homes is building 195 homes at Highgrove Fields in Sileby, 105 homes at Orchard Park in Quorn and a further 170 homes have already been completed at Regal View in Great Glen, Leicestershire.

The housebuilder continues work on 144 homes at the final phase of its Hackwood Park development near Mickleover in Derby, while its Smalley Chase scheme of 100 homes will also be completed in 2024, as will another 187 homes at Spinners Croft, in the Nottinghamshire village of Keyworth.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 39

Fire Safety

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE: HOW WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IS CHANGING FIRE PROTECTION To manage fire risks, there needs to be a shift away from detecting and responding to emergencies and instead, a look towards connected technologies to provide a preemptive, proactive approach. Here, James Pecz, head of global customer service and business development at Ramtech, discusses how digital solutions can protect lives, infrastructure, and communities to ensure a safer construction environment for all.

Fires can be highly devastating, putting people at risk and threatening the lives of the public in surrounding areas – not to mention how destructive they can be in terms of damage to materials and property. Just last year, official government figures revealed that there were 373 fire-related incidents on construction sites in 2021/22, with figures remaining consistent since 2014.

Furthermore, there was more than £1.3 billion in fire-related insurance payouts to property customers during 2021.

As such, there is a drive amongst fire professionals and those in the construction space to increase fire prevention efforts and education.

James Pecz

40 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

A connected approach Fortunately, right now, our world is more connected than ever before. The internet has become such a vital component of the world’s infrastructure that it is unlikely many of us get through our day without linking up to the web at one point or another.

This has created its own ecosystem called the Internet of Things (IoT), which spans nearly 100 billion physical objects and enables them to communicate with each other. As the IoT continues to expand, the world is only going to become more entwined.

We are seeing this steady increase specifically in connectivity for a multitude of reasons. But the main one is quite simple: the customer is happy. As technology that is faster and able to store more data emerges, it becomes intuitively

Fire Safety efficient and practical for the end user – having a real impact on outcomes and preventing disasters.

Customers are more likely to adopt the use of technology that is easy to learn and offers a solution to an existing problem.

With so many relying on technology now for work, school, staying connected to friends and family, and entertainment, it makes sense to look towards incorporating it into daily safety needs within workplaces too.

Using technology to improve fire safety Smart fire equipment integrated with an IoT software platform creates a safer community where workers are connected with their environment, safety managers and their wider team.

Take construction sites over the past year. Some were running with a skeleton crew – with contractors being isolated and distanced from emergency services – and others were closed entirely due to government-ordered lockdowns.

However, cloud-based systems were able to be quickly implemented, providing a sophisticated and adaptable fire safety solution for all building sites, regardless of their operational status.

This innovation has given property owners, project supervisors and safety personnel the ability to receive alerts for a variety of events in real-time – helping to prevent disasters. The pandemic has really led to the wider adoption of technology, simply due to the number of individuals on sites. Technology has been able to fill some of the gaps in terms of monitoring safety systems and generating data remotely.

Emerging technologies A fire can wreak havoc on the lives of people it affects and overcoming the huge losses can be a challenge. Early detection of the threat of a fire can make a massive difference to the outcome and this is happening right now with devices that monitor smoke or heat.

However, in the very near future, the emerging technology and the requirement from the industry is a lot less to do with detecting and responding to fires – it is more about monitoring sites, identifying risks and preventing emergencies in the first place. Multiple industries are looking to technology to provide preemptive, proactive management of risks; responding to them once they have occurred is often already too late.

Wireless fire alarm systems have advanced greatly over the past few

decades and contribute to solving these problems. Take our WES fire alarm system for example; it can connect to our REACT platform, which is a real game-changer for the industry as it has features that reduce risk and prevent incidents from occurring – avoiding potential loss of life entirely.

Currently, innovative wireless technology is being used to alert all relevant personnel to emergencies as soon as they occur, enabling the situation to be stopped in its tracks before it becomes a full-blown disaster.

They are also accelerating the removal of traditional methods of fire prevention, which are now seen as outdated or less efficient. Namely, an air horn has been widely used by construction workers to signal an emergency.

A fire can wreak havoc on the lives of people it affects and overcoming the huge losses can be a challenge. Early detection of the threat of a fire can make a massive difference to the outcome and this is happening right now with devices that monitor smoke or heat.

Continued >>>

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 41

Fire Safety However, the device cannot provide sitewide evacuation, as an air horn cannot tell you where a fire is located, merely that there is a fire somewhere on the site. It can also be hard to distinguish the noise of an air horn above other background sounds on a site, and in colder weather too, air horns can fail and not work at all.

Furthermore, there isn’t the capability with an air horn to add in smoke / heat sensors and other added value functions such as a medical call feature.

Another form of traditionally used protection is watch patrols, where workers will walk around the site at regular intervals to check for safety issues.

However, across large or complex sites it is impossible for patrols to be everywhere at once, and can be extremely costly, particularly out of hours or overnight. The time taken to walk across the site could mean that a fire has started long before the patrol reaches it.

Looking ahead, cloud-based data and integrating systems such as REACT with wearable devices, smart PPE and intelligent hard hats, for example, will take fire prevention one step further – raising the alarm to a potential risk so it does not even turn into a minor emergency.

Looking ahead Any security system works best when its individual components work together cohesively. Machine-to-machine

technology through the IoT now gives those components the ability to instantly and reliably stay connected and “speak” to one another and key personnel – greatly increasing the safety of employees and preventing risk and hazards.

Furthermore, customisable systems that create bespoke solutions to suit a site’s needs offer accurate, specific, personalised notifications and alerts – making it possible to achieve the goal of comprehensive protection from both internal and external threats on sites of all sizes, no matter how unique the needs and no matter the operational status of the project.

As we become more comfortable with the capabilities and security of the cloud and as unforeseen changes to our way of life become the new normal, the adoption of cloud-based technologies will continue to expand.

Firms that are embracing and adopting connected technologies are already reaping the rewards – being provided with peace of mind that they have an additional level of health and safety protection, putting workers’ minds at ease and their lives in safe hands. This has been evidenced by a number of top contractors working in the industry today, including Bowmer + Kirkland, which recently installed wireless fire safety technology across one of the UK’s biggest regeneration sites – the 36-acre Island

42 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Using technology to improve the way things are currently done while achieving the same outcomes is not enough – the results really need to change.

Quarter development in Nottingham – to protect its student accommodation blocks.

The solution’s importance was reiterated

by Ian Haigh, general manager at Bowmer + Kirkland: “The integrated Ramtech system is ensuring effective fire safety measures are in place throughout the project and for the entirety of our time on site. It provides reliable, wireless fire alarm capabilities through the WES3 system, and instant communication of alarm activations through the REACT emergency notification system.”

And as we look towards the future of fire safety, the real role and power of technology must be outcome-driven.

Using technology to improve the way things are currently done while achieving the same outcomes is not enough – the results really need to change. Luckily, the technology needed to do this is already out there; it just needs adopting by those wanting to take a pre-emptive approach.

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Fire Safety

QUESTION: HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE FIRE DOOR INDUSTRY TODAY? ANSWER: ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS, THE SITUATION IS EXTREMELY WORRYING! However, we do have significant directives with regards to our competence requirements, the first was within the Building Safety Act 2022, Industry competence including the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours of an individual. www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/30/enacted. The second was released within The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 Part 2 (6) Duty holders and Competence, www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/911/contents/ made this then amended the Building Regulations 2010 which was implemented on 01/10/2023 Part 2A Duty holders and Competence. www.legislation.gov.uk/ uksi/2010/2214/part/2A this places the duty of competence on clients, principal designers, principal contractors, contractors, and individuals.

Given these legal competence requirements that our sector now faces, SSS decided that waiting wasn’t an option and there where 2 clear areas that needed addressing.

1. EDUCATION - After thorough market analysis, it was evident that changes in learning and development was needed, and with over 90% of the courses on offer being online for installers, maintainers and inspectors, SSS decided that there was a much-needed requirement to go back to basics. The reintroduction of classroom and workshop education was vital, requiring multimode training, development and assessment of competence requirements, which consists of a range of assessment methods, aligned to the sector skills assessment strategy. Our training and development programmes ensure delivery time is sufficient for reinforcing robust skills and knowledge with the assessment of practical skills.

2. RESPONSIBLE PERSON (PROFILE CHECKER) In light of this new legislation, many, including the responsible person will need information, advice, and guidance.

There will be many who will not know of the legal competence requirements now placed upon them. It’s apparent that a high percentage of RPs do not understand the importance of their role, or its implications.

Profile Checker is a game changer, a valuable tool to evidence the much sort after golden thread, not only to the individual but any company wanting to validate a member’s status.

44 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

Fire Safety Profile Checker is phase one of our project to support the sector, and the RP in their best endeavours to prove due diligence and meet the competence requirements within the Building Regulations 2010 amendments. We encourage all businesses to search for a reputable company for their fire door projects by using our on-line PROFILE CHECKER.

COLLABORATION IS KEY:

HOW TO USE THE PROFILE CHECKER:

After numerous consultations with many stakeholders, we are proud to announce a new collaboration working alongside Kate Jones and Joe Lloyd at PADDECO www.paddeco.com

An easy to use, real time data, online, digital tool enabling companies and the responsible person to use best endeavours, mitigating risk and therefore raising standards. Profile Checker should be utilised at these various stages of a project – tender, induction, labour amendments and during any investigations. Profile Checker will allow you to request a time stamped report of the individual, which will evidence the individual contractor’s competence and insurance for the duration of the project working in alignment with the Building Safety Act 2022 Section 35 Part 5c.

Our easy to visualise traffic light system, shows all qualifications, certificates and insurance (You can click to view documents) that are in date, due to expire and expired. This is a FREE OF CHARGE SERVICE through our website: www.ssspassport.co.uk

Profile Checker Free of charge

6 simple stages report sent direct to you within 30 seconds.

1. Enter the unique SSS Membership number and name of individual.

2. Choose from the drop down, which role will be tasked to do.

3. Enter the dates they are expected to be on site working.

4. Check all details match the person applying for the work.

5. Confirm this is the correct individual.

6. Request report (this will be emailed to both the checker and the individual being checked).

Collaboration has always been a SSS priority, we understand how vital external auditing practises and procedures are and these must be adopted throughout SSS training, and future monitoring and development programmes.

The SSS Passport is invaluable evidence for clients and principal contractors, to demonstrate, to Building Control, how their projects are planned, managed, and monitored, and that the building work carried out meets new legislation competence requirements.

Their commitment to not only offer support and guidance to sector members, but to also present tangible solutions with training and monitoring programmes, is something that should be applauded.

Congratulations!

- Joe Lloyd, CEO Paddeco.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP: The Passport App is your membership and belongs to the individual which can also be added to a company’s membership if you are in permanent employment. It stores all relevant qualifications, certifications and insurance, evidencing your competency and skill set. Using an easy to visualise traffic light system, all in date documentation will appear green, the app will remind you three months prior to any documents expiring. In the 3-month period before renewal, they will turn orange and if said courses are not renewed, they will appear red in the App. This shows clear transparency to the client and the RP using Profile Checker, it also gives you confidence that you won’t forget to renew documents in the future. The App has a messaging centre, which is used to update you with new courses, updated legislation, manufactures data sheets and much more.

This is going to be a very useful tool when registering for work with an agency or applying for a job, all you will have to do is send them your unique SSS Membership number, this will eliminate the time-consuming process of sending documents and your membership will evidence your competency of qualifications and insurance in real time!

As we embrace our multicultural society our App will be available in various languages.

The Company SSS App: We have made it really easy for companies to see their employee’s status on our easy-to-use dashboard.

Our visual traffic light system will also send email reminders to the company when their employee’s renewals are due.

No more spread sheets and an effective way of managing multiple projects within one secure digital space. Imagine meeting a new client and having the resources to access your employees real time competency status through the dashboard, what a fantastic sales tool to have.

FAKERY AND FORGERY: SSS COURSES Proof of identification is a pre-requisite for any course in order to prevent fake and forgery. (passport or driving license and national insurance number).

SSS ANOUNCEMENTS: UKAS We are also pleased to announce that our UKAS journey to accreditation ISO 17024 started this month.

NEXT MONTHS EDITION In next month’s edition we will be announcing new collaborations and how SSS are further supporting the person responsible.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 45

Health & Safety

NIGHT SHIFT WORKERS RISK THESE SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS FROM POOR ROUTINE HABITS • A health and safety expert at Blue

does have its risks to your overall health, impacting both mental and physical health.

• Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Heart

To raise awareness of the risks of working nights, Health and Safety expert David Davies from Blue Trolley has highlighted the biggest risks working nights has for worker health.

Trolley has provided advice to night shift workers to avoid common health problems Disease and Depression are some high risk illnesses night shifts can cause

For many workers, night shifts are a requirement as part of their role. Some workers even prefer to work night shifts, this may better align with their lifestyle and preferred routine. ONS data shows there were 8.7 million nighttime workers in the UK in 2022, making up a significant proportion of the working population.

While working nights has its pros, it is important to note that working nights

The most common health risks for night shift workers and how to reduce risk

1. Shift Work Sleep Disorder Shift workers have a specific disorder named after their work hour patterns as the impact of working nights is so significant. Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) is common for those working nights, symptoms include both insomnia (inability to sleep) and hypersomnia (feeling excessively sleepy frequently).

Suffers of this disorder may also experience fatigue, low mood and headaches. It’s caused by lack of sleep or insufficient sleep and can be treated by

46 Construction UK Magazine - March 2024

changes to your diet, routine and medical intervention through therapy.

2. Obesity Data shows there is a link between night time work and obesity, this is influenced by a few different factors. Those working nights may have less access to healthy food as they are limited for options whilst working. Changes to your sleep pattern also affect your appetite and can lead to making poorer food choices or snacking more. Disruption to your circadian rhythm (your body’s natural clock) can also impact metabolism and make it harder to lose weight. Make sure you have access to healthy food at work, try to keep to a routine for your meals and get regular exercise where possible to mitigate risk and improve your overall metabolism to counter impact of poor sleep.

3. Diabetes Your circadian rhythm has an effect on insulin levels, according to the CDC, which

Health & Safety 7. Neuroticism Common traits of neuroticism include: irritability, emotional instability, anger, depression and anxiety. This is caused by ongoing decline in mental health, leading to neurosis symptoms. Lack of structure or routine in your life could play a part in development of this disorder, which is impacted by working nights or abnormal hours. Stress from work is also a contributing factor to this illness you should be aware of.

Creating healthy coping mechanisms, supported by therapy treatment from medical professionals, will help manage symptoms for sufferers. Workers experiencing these symptoms should always inform their manager and discuss reasonable adjustments for their work. is linked to diabetes. Your body produces melatonin at night to help you sleep and insulin in the evening to regulate blood sugar levels. If this cycle is disturbed, it can cause hormonal shifts that affect insulin and blood sugar levels, resulting in insulin resistance. To mitigate risk, keep a routine with meals so you aren’t causing blood sugar to spike and drop from inconsistent diet.

Employers play a crucial role in providing a safe and healthy work environment for night shift workers. It is proven that night time workers face different risks versus their peers so measures should be implemented to reduce these risks.

4. Heart disease

take its toll on workers’ mental health and lead to illness such as depression or anxiety. Poor sleep and bad diet additionally contribute to this decline in mental health. You should communicate with your friends and family to carve out time for social plans, keep lines of communication open and find ways to maintain important relationships when you work on different schedules. Healthy diet and exercise also plays a huge role in preventing a decline in mental wellness.

For more serious symptoms of anxiety or depression you should always seek professional treatment from your doctor or an accredited therapist.

6. Eyelid twitches Incessant eyelid twitches can be annoying but these are usually nothing to worry about. Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep causes these muscle spasms so making changes to your routine to improve the quality of the sleep you do get will make a difference.

How can employers support employees?

David Davies from Blue Trolley said: “Employers play a crucial role in providing a safe and healthy work environment for night shift workers. It is proven that night time workers face different risks versus their peers so measures should be implemented to reduce these risks.

“Some ways employers can support employees include: creating a rota of alternating night shifts for the team so they get a break from working nights, providing healthy food on shift for workers, offering adequate mental health resources for all staff, assessing your building lighting and making it appropriate for night workers and doing regular check-ins with night workers to measure their mental wellbeing.” www.bluetrolley.com/blogs/ news/how-do-night-shifts-affectworkers-health

Research shows those with existing high blood pressure are more likely to suffer cardiovascular diseases when working night shifts. Workers without existing medical conditions may also be at risk too, as the related lifestyle factors that come with working nights have an impact on developing heart diseases.

Poor diet, lack of exercise, poor sleep and overconsumption of caffeine or smoking all contribute to poor heart health. You can reduce your risk by making healthier choices for your diet and exercise.

5. Depression and anxiety If you work at night and sleep during the day you may inevitably miss out on many social events and find it hard to make plans with friends or family.

Over time lack of social interaction can

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 47

Health & Safety

FUEL SECURITY WITH THE CONQUIP FUEL ECO-HUB A recent case study carried out by Conquip Engineering Group with one of its partners Bridgebank Ltd, a leading civil contractor based in the East Midlands, showcases how Conquip’s Fuel Eco-Hub has revolutionised Bridgebank’s fuel management system by integrating the solution into its operations.

Bridgebank was plagued by fuel theft, with some sites experiencing three break-ins in just three weeks. The team needed to find

a way to prevent theft, whilst optimising fuel usage to be able to analyse fuel costs associated with specific projects.

As a result of investing in the Fuel EcoHub, Bridgebank reported savings in cost and an enhancement in site security: “One of the biggest impacts we’ve had on our business over the last few years is the swap from red diesel to white diesel, as we immediately saw theft increase. That’s one of the main reasons we’re using the Conquip

Fuel Eco-Hub, it’s well-disguised as a normal site store and comes with extra security measures, making it impossible to steal the diesel,” Paul Jones, Commercial Director, Bridgebank.

Additionally, Bridgebank has experienced immediate savings by filling up their commercial vans at the Fuel Eco-Hub rather than at the forecourts. Most of the workers use the vans to travel to and from their construction projects on-site at approximately £1 per litre, compared to £1.50+ per litre at forecourts.

So, are you looking for a reliable fuel management solution that improves fuel security on-site and protects costs? One that’s off-grid, powered by solar panels?

Visit Conquip’s website and watch the two minute explainer video…

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Health & Safety Session description - Conquip, in the last 20 years has been promoting enhanced productivity, safety, compliance, and sustainability. Join Adam in this session for insights into buildability intricacies, bottom-up to top-down construction, and minimising crane and plant dependencies and more. Discover Conquip’s pivotal role in major UK projects such as Crossrail, Hinkley Point C, Thames Tideway, HS2, and Heathrow Terminal 5. With Conquip’s global reputation for innovation, Adam promises a compelling session, showcasing ‘Innovation in Action’ in the ever-evolving world of infrastructure.

About Adam Hicks:

UK Infrastructure Show Join Conquip at the UK Infrastructure Show – 12 March 2024 at the NEC Discover how Conquip is shaping the future of infrastructure, leading the discussion on innovative solutions and overcoming complexity.

Conquip will be exhibiting at and sponsoring the UK Infrastructure Show, so join them on Stand 8 and enjoy opportunities to network with their team and others in the industry. Find out how its teams, products, solutions and services for transport, deep excavation, energy & utilities and demolition projects with: • PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY, DESIGN & PLANNING • TEMPORARY WORKS AND PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEERING • IN-HOUSE MANUFACTURING • INSTALLATION WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Adam joined Conquip two years ago with 20-years’ experience in construction, manufacturing, and professional services account development. In his time at Conquip, he’s been instrumental in major projects, advocating for early contractor engagement to boost productivity, safety, and sustainability.

How does Conquip support infrastructure projects?

• By reducing plant and people interfaces, ensuring smoother operations and safer work environments.

• Focusing on improving the safety of lifting equipment storage has led to fewer accidents and increased efficiency.

• By reducing the number of lifts and enhancing the safety of lifts, we’re making construction sites safer for all.

We’ve partnered and worked alongside some of the most experienced people in the sector, working across all major UK infrastructure projects in the 21st century, from Heathrow Terminal 5, the London 2012 Olympic Village and the Shard, to Crossrail, Hinkley Point C, Thames Tideway and HS2.

We’ve partnered and worked alongside some of the most experienced people in the sector, working across all major UK infrastructure projects in the 21st century, from Heathrow Terminal 5, the London 2012 Olympic Village and the Shard, to Crossrail, Hinkley Point C, Thames Tideway and HS2.

And it doesn’t stop there. We’ve also worked on many international infrastructure projects including Sydney Metro, Melbourne Metro and Toronto’s Union Station.

• Improving the efficiency of working areas and creating safe meeting zones, fostering better communication and collaboration.

CONQUIP: BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY, PRIORITISING SAFETY AND CHAMPIONING SAFETY IN INFRASTRUCTURE

• With a fuel management system that is cutting down on theft, saving costs and resources.

https://cqegroup.com/uk/ infrastructure/

Innovation in Action: Adam Hicks, Conquip’s Director - Strategic Partnerships & Major Projects, will be talking about ‘innovation in action’ and how to apply it to your infrastructure projects at the Future Pipelines Zone at 11 am in a session entitled ‘Innovation in Infrastructure: Collaboration Boosts Outcomes’.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 49

Events & Awards News

IG MASONRY SUPPORT HAILS BRICK AWARDS SUCCESS OF ‘HIGHLY ARTICULATED’ MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

GRŴP CYNEFIN DEVELOPMENT TAKES TOP UK PRIZE FOR BUILDING CONTROL EXCELLENCE A social housing development by Grŵp Cynefin housing association, delivered

by Welsh construction company Gareth Morris Construction, has won a prestigious UK-wide award.

The Llety’r Adar housing scheme in Bethesda, Gwynedd, took the Best Small Social Housing Development Award at the Local Authority Building Control Excellence Awards over the weekend.

More than 900 leading construction industry figures attended the LABC Excellence Awards in London, to celebrate best practice, quality, and exemplary standards in construction.

The awards focus on professional skills and competence, as well as exemplar projects.

One of those projects is Grŵp Cynefin’s Llety’r Adar scheme on the Hen

control teams make as part of the project team, ensuring safe, sustainable, and high-quality construction projects.

Orsaf site in Bethesda, Gwynedd, a partnership between Grŵp Cynefin and Cyngor Gwynedd, with a social housing grant from the Welsh Government, and built by Gareth Morris Construction (GMC).

Also, a key part of the project were three other Welsh companies, Flintshire’s Ainsley Gommon Architects, construction agents Wakemans of Caernarfon and Datrys Engineers from Caernarfon.

The site, completed last year, includes eight two-bedroom properties, five two-bedroom bungalows, three threebedroom houses and one four-bedroom home.

The LABC awards highlight the vital contribution public sector building

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Mel Evans, Interim Chief Executive, Grŵp Cynefin says: “This is great news and congratulations to everybody involved.

Llety’r Adar was developed to respond to a need for social housing for local people, and we worked closely with the community to make sure that what we were building suited that need. The whole project is a great example of what can be achieved when partnerships are forged for the benefit of the local area, and the collaboration between Cyngor Gwynedd, Gareth Morris Construction and us has been great. Well done to all involved.”

Congratulating the whole team on their success, Lorna Stimpson, LABC Chief Executive says:

I firmly believe that one of the best ways to see more good work is to praise building excellence and publicly acknowledge companies, designers, site managers and tradespeople who go that extra mile.

Events & Awards News IG Masonry Support is proud to announce Kindred House, a 25-storey mixed-use development in Croydon that benefited from the company’s innovative masonry support and brick slip systems, was judged winner of the ‘Large Housing Development’ category at the 2023 Brick Development Association (BDA) Brick Awards.

IG Masonry Support’s bespoke materials were integral to the building’s highquality brickwork finish creating a façade described as ‘highly articulated’ by judges.

Kindred House, designed by Pitman Tozer Architects, is built on the site of a former car park adjacent to a flyover in Central Croydon. The high-rise build comprises 128 apartments, 60 of which are affordable accommodation.

Retail and public space, and 10,000sqft of office accommodation also form part of the development, which was constructed using more than half-a-million Zircon bricks manufactured by Wienerberger.

The building’s standout stepped form was instrumental in breaking up the building’s mass and creating an attractive composition of adjoining slender proportions. The building’s distinctive silhouette heralds a gateway to south Croydon’s Old Town.

MCI DEVELOPMENTS CELEBRATES AFTER RECEIVING 10 PRESTIGIOUS AWARD NOMINATIONS MCI Developments, a subsidiary of the national top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat, has received 10 nominations for various, prestigious awards across the North West.

The series of nominations include seven for ‘Quality on Site’, recognising site managers as the best in the field in the Premier Guarantee Awards, one for the ‘Best Affordable Housing Site under £10 million’ in the Insider Housing Awards, a Premier Guarantee national award for Best Affordable Housing Site, and most recently ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ in the Affordable Housing Awards.

The quality on site nominations recognise the work being done across site management to ensure health and safety protocol is championed and the additional three awards celebrate MCI’s commitment to affordable housing by delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes that contribute to thriving communities.

Commenting on their nominations, Regional Managing Director at MCI, Craig Murphy says: “We are extremely honored to have received these nominations. We strongly believe that each nomination is a testament to the fundamental work we have been doing for local communities.

“We focus on creating high-quality, sustainable homes that simplify home ownership and make it a more achievable milestone for many.

“We are proud to play a part in creating future homes for so many people.’’

MCI Developments is a specialist in land acquisition and has established relationships with strategic organisations including land agents, private landowners and the public sector with the aim of delivering a diverse range of residential opportunities, from small, high value schemes to large, mixed-use projects.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 51

Training & Education News

INSIDER’S VIEW: NORFOLK CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE SHEDS LIGHT ON CAREER PATH

Tim Beale, Keepmoat CEO

A 17-year-old bricklaying apprentice at Barratt Homes’ Cringleford Heights development in Cringleford has provided an insight into why apprenticeships represent the path to the future.

Harvey Jackson, from Dereham, is currently enrolled at Stephenson College in Leicestershire, where he is pursuing a Bricklaying Level 2 NVQ through the block release apprenticeship programme.

Harvey’s commitment to mastering his craft in the field of bricklaying showcases the dedication and enthusiasm that Barratt Homes encourages in its apprentices.

Sharing his journey and the reasons why he chose this path, he said: “I’m better at practical work, so I thought I’d give bricklaying a go. I was attracted to becoming an apprentice as I would prefer to carry out practical work instead of going to college most days. What I enjoy about my role is being around other bricklayers and learning a lot from the team. I’m most looking forward to acquiring the knowledge and skills to do the work on my own.”

Offering advice to those considering a construction apprenticeship, Harvey added:

If you enjoy working outside and don’t want to go to college too often, I definitely recommend doing an apprenticeship as you get first-hand experience of what it’s like to be on a building site.

Harvey has already acquired valuable skills during his time as an apprentice at the site.

He said: “I believe I have already gained lots of skills, and I am now able to do bricklaying and block work to a very good standard.

I look forward to hopefully leading my own team of bricklayers one day. This is something that I aspire to, and that I believe my apprenticeship will help me with.”

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EXPERT COMMENT AHEAD OF NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2024 Tim Beale, CEO at top 10 UK housebuilder Keepmoat said: “As the housebuilding and construction sector battles an unprecedented shortfall in skilled workers, National Apprenticeship Week is key to highlight the many fantastic opportunities across the UK’s housebuilding industry.

“The UK needs 30,000 extra construction professionals by 2026 to meet growing demand across the sector.

As a specialist in providing local employment opportunities and training to inspire careers in construction, we’re addressing the skills shortage headon by educating young people on the exciting opportunities available via our school outreach and apprenticeship programmes.

The UK is also experiencing the ripples of an ageing population and the construction sector is set to see more skills leave the industry than any other area. By championing training and development and understanding that we have a clear responsibility to help deliver a sustainable future, we are prioritising education and training to inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction.

Training & Education News

FREE SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING PLATFORM LAUNCHED FOR IRISH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Today marks a significant milestone as the Supply Chain Sustainability School extends its footprint to Ireland. Already recognised as a leading learning platform in the UK, the School is now set to provide free industry-supported training, knowledge sharing, and support for best practices in sustainability within the Irish built environment.

The launch event, held at Croke Park, Dublin, was supported by the School’s 15 Founding Partners. These Partners, including the Construction Industry Federation and key players in semistates, homebuilders, major contractors, manufacturers, and service providers, such as Cairn Homes, ESB, Gas Networks Ireland, Glenveagh, Iarnród Éireann, IPUT Real Estate Dublin, John Sisk & Son, Kingspan, Kirby Group, Murphy Group, Roadstone, Saint-Gobain, Skanstec, and Uisce Eireann, showcased a collective commitment to building skills across their supply chain and the broader workforce.

The event brought together a diverse range of industry leaders, highlighting a collaborative effort to advance skills and expertise within the construction and related sectors.

The Supply Chain Sustainability School has a well-established reputation in the UK, boasting a community of over 100,000 registered members and 200 Partners since it launched almost 12 years ago. The School team, instrumental in shaping the UK School’s success, now aim to replicate this achievement in Ireland.

The Irish School is steadfast in its commitment to providing free learning, fostering knowledge sharing, and encouraging a collaborative approach to tackle key sustainability challenges in the industry. These challenges encompass energy and carbon, sustainable procurement, waste and circular economy, community and social impact, as well as issues like modern slavery, fairness, inclusion, and respect.

Membership to the School is free, offering access to hundreds of CPD-accredited online sustainability training sessions and e-learning resources. Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up via www.supplychainschool.ie.

Companies wishing to collaborate with industry peers to shape the School’s development for the Irish built environment industry can become a Partner. For more information on becoming a Partner, contact Rick Dunn.

SOCOTEC UK CARRY OUT RIBA STAGE 4 FIRE STRATEGY REPORT ON SECURE SCHOOL SOCOTEC UK played a key role in a refurbishment project at a secure school catering to students sentenced to custody and remand by the courts.

The school premises include two education blocks, one services block, and three residential blocks.

Blocks A, B, and C, two-story existing buildings providing secure residential accommodation and day facilities. The Fire Engineering team at SOCOTEC UK produced the RIBA Stage 4 Fire Strategy Report and mark-ups, offering ad-hoc support throughout the project.

SOCOTEC UK’s specific focus was on the residential blocks, namely

Refurbishment adjustments included modifications to existing compartment

lines to accommodate communal or shared spaces. For instance, communal kitchen/living spaces were created by incorporating multiple bedrooms, fostering a shared living environment.

Each bedroom was equipped with automatic suppression systems, and common corridors were covered by a smoke control system. Innovative solutions were imperative to integrate life safety systems within the constraints of existing buildings and meet specific security requirements outlined by the client.

Operating as a hybrid between a boarding school and a secure/ custodial facility, the secure school’s unique nature required a thorough understanding of the client’s security requirements.

SOCOTEC UK’s expertise enabled them to develop creative solutions to address challenges uncommon in traditional schools or secure facilities.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2024 53

Digital Construction Week: Show Preview

Hear from 300+ industry experts and get up to speed on the latest ideas shaping architecture and design, construction, engineering, and operation.

DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK RETURNS FOR 2024 Digital Construction Week, the UK’s leading event for innovation and technology in the built environment, has opened visitor registration for 2024.

Taking place on 5-6 June 2024 at ExCeL London, Digital Construction Week (DCW) features two days packed full of inspiring content. Including 300+ speakers across 10 stages, 120 hours of CPD accredited education, 150+ exhibitors, live demos, workshops, networking drinks, and much more.

“With free registration now open, we can’t wait to welcome our visitors on 5-6 June.”

Discover the innovations transforming the built environment The latest solutions from 150+ leading built environment brands will be showcased at the event. DCW acts as a one-stop shop for visitors to learn how to use new technology to improve projects, assets, teams and business directly from the companies driving AECO forward.

Attendees will get the chance to network with other industry innovators, explore the future of the built environment and get inspired at this free to attend expo.

The disruptive technologies and solutions set to be on display include digital twins, augmented reality, information management, automation and AI, drones, robotics and much more.

Event Director and Co-Founder of DCW, Ollie Hughes, says “We’re excited to be planning a stand-out event for 2024, that offers even more opportunities for the industry to connect, collaborate and innovate.

Visitors will discover how these solutions can help them be more efficient, collaborative, connected, sustainable and profitable.

“DCW is THE place to learn about the transformative technologies driving change and improving outcomes across the built environment.

An array of inspiring brands have been confirmed to exhibit at the ninth edition of DCW. These include Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Bluebeam, Causeway Technologies, Glider, IFS UK, Mission Room, MSite, Paperless Construction, Procore, Sir Robert McAlpine, Symetri, Strata, Trimble, Twinit, Xinaps, YardLink, and many more.

Learn and get inspired in the education programme It’s not just in the central exhibition where the latest industry innovation will be in the spotlight. The event also boasts 10 theatres of free-to-attend talks, informative panels discussion, interactive workshops and more.

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Speakers from Bryden Wood, Skanska, Laing O’Rourke, Restoration & Renewal (HoP), AECOM, John Lewis & Partners and Heathrow are just a few examples of big names who were part of the 2023 line-up.

The theatres are focused on some of the key areas shaping the built environment.

These include information management, geospatial, digital transformation, people and change, asset management, net zero and more.

Visitors can expect to be inspired and informed by high profile presenters and curated panel discussions covering the industry’s most pressing issues, exploring new ideas and actionable insights. The full programme will be announced in the spring.

Register now for DCW 2024 Digital Construction Week takes place at ExCeL London from 5-6 June 2024. To register for a free trade ticket, please visit: www.digitalconstructionweek.com.

To keep in the loop with show updates, please visit www.digitalconstructionweek.com/ or follow the DCW social media pages: Twitter: twitter.com/DigiConWeek LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/ company/digital-construction-week Instagram: www.instagram.com/ digitalconstructionweek

INNOVATION IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Register to attend DCW

Join innovators from across AECO to debate, discuss and share ideas to help build a more digitally enabled industry.

Discover the latest technology to help you on the journey towards digitalisation

Network with your peers to share ideas and experiences

Learn from expert speakers and improve the way you work

@DigiConWeek Digital Construction Week @DigiConWeek Organised by

HEADLINE PARTNERS

REGISTER FOR FREE www.digitalconstructionweek.com GOLD SPONSORS